Search

Background: The energy/protein imbalance in a low-protein diet induces lipid metabolism disorders in late-phase laying hens. Reducing energy levels in the low-protein diet to adjust the energy-to-protein ratio may improve fat deposition, but this also decreases the laying performance of hens. This study investigated the mechanism by which different energy levels in the low-protein diet influences liver lipid metabolism in late-phase laying hens through the enterohepatic axis to guide feed optimization and nutrition strategies. A total of 288 laying hens were randomly allocated to the normal-energy and normal-protein diet group (positive control: CK) or 1 of 3 groups: low-energy and low-protein diet (LL), normal-energy and low-protein diet (NL), and high-energy and low-protein diet (HL) groups. The energy-to-protein ratios of the CK, LL, NL, and HL diets were 0.67, 0.74, 0.77, and 0.80, respectively. Results: Compared with the CK group, egg quality deteriorated with increasing energy intake in late-phase laying hens fed low-protein diet. Hens fed LL, NL, and HL diets had significantly higher triglyceride, total cholesterol, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase levels, but significantly lower hepatic lipase levels compared with the CK group. Liver transcriptome sequencing revealed that genes involved in fatty acid beta-oxidation (ACOX1, HADHA, EHHADH, and ACAA1) were downregulated, whereas genes related to fatty acid synthesis (SCD, FASN, and ACACA) were upregulated in LL group compared with the CK group. Comparison of the cecal microbiome showed that in hens fed an LL diet, Lactobacillus and Desulfovibrio were enriched, whereas riboflavin metabolism was suppressed. Cecal metabolites that were most significantly affected by the LL diet included several vitamins, such as riboflavin (vitamin B2), pantethine (vitamin B5 derivative), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and 4-pyridoxic acid. Conclusion: A lipid metabolism disorder due to deficiencies of vitamin B2 and pantethine originating from the metabolism of the cecal microbiome may be the underlying reason for fat accumulation in the liver of late-phase laying hens fed an LL diet. Based on the present study, we propose that targeting vitamin B2 and pantethine (vitamin B5 derivative) might be an effective strategy for improving lipid metabolism in late-phase laying hens fed a low-protein diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into Schwann cells (SCs) during peripheral nerve injury; in our previous research, we showed that SC-derived exosomes (SC-exos) played a direct induction role while fibroblast-derived exosomes (Fb-exos) had no obvious induction role. The induction role of neural stem cell (NSC)-derived exosomes (NSC-exos) has also been widely confirmed. However, no studies have compared the induction effects of these three types of cells at the same time. Therefore, by investigating the effect of these three cell-derived exosomes upon the induction of BMSCs to differentiate into SCs, this study explored the role of different exosomes in promoting the differentiation of stem cells into SCs cells, and conducted a comparison between the two groups by RNA sequencing to further narrow the range of target genes and related gene pathways in order to study their related mechanisms. Materials and methods: We extracted exosomes from SCs, fibroblasts (Fb) and neural stem cells (NSC) and then investigated the ability of these exosomes to induce differentiation into BMSCs under different culture conditions. The expression levels of key proteins and gene markers were detected in induced cells by fluorescence immunoassays, western blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR); then, we statistically compared the relative induction effects under different conditions. Finally, we analyzed the three types of exosomes by RNA-seq to predict target genes and related gene pathways. Results: BMSCs were cultured by three media: conventional (no induction), pre-induction or pre-induction + original induction medium (ODM) with exosomes of the same cell origin under different culture conditions. When adding the three different types of exosomes separately, the overall induction of BMSCs to differentiate into SCs was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The induction ability was ranked as follows: pre-induction + ODM + exosome group > pre-induction + exosome group > non-induction + exosome group. Using exosomes from different cell sources under the same culture conditions, we observed the following trends under the three culture conditions: RSC96-exos group ≥ NSC-exos group > Fb-exos group. The overall ability to induce BMSCs into SCs was significantly greater in the RSC96-exos group and the NSC-exos group. Although there was no significant difference in induction efficiency when comparing these two groups, the overall induction ability of the RSC96-exos group was slightly higher than that of the NSC-exos group. By combining the differentiation induction results with the RNA-seq data, the three types of exosomes were divided into three comparative groups: RSC vs. NSC, RSC vs. Fb and NSC vs. Fb. We identified 203 differentially expressed mRNA target genes in these three groups. Two differentially expressed genes were upregulated simultaneously, namely riboflavin kinase (RFK, ENSRNOG00000022273) and ribosomal RNA processing 36 (Rrp36, ENSRNOG00000017836). We did not identify any co-upregulated target genes for the miRNAs, but did identify one target gene of the lncRNAs, namely ENSRNOG00000065005. Analysis identified 90 GO terms related to nerves and axons in the mRNAs; in addition, KEGG enrichment and GASA analysis identified 13 common differential expression pathways in the three groups. Conclusions: Our analysis found that pre-induction + ODM + RSC96/NSC-exos culture conditions were most conducive with regards to induction and differentiation. RSC96-exos and NSC-exos exhibited significantly greater differentiation efficiency of BMSCs into SCs. Although there was no statistical difference, the data indicated a trend for RSC96-exos to be advantageous We identified 203 differentially expressed mRNAs between the three groups and two differentially expressed target mRNAs were upregulated, namely riboflavin kinase (RFK, ENSRNOG00000022273) and ribosomal RNA processing 36 (Rrp36, ENSRNOG00000017836). 90 GO terms were related to nerves and axons. Finally, we identified 13 common differentially expressed pathways across our three types of exosomes. It is hoped that the efficiency of BMSCs induction differentiation into SCs can be improved, bringing hope to patients and more options for clinical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with highly heterogeneous characteristics. A classic Chinese medicine, Pinellia ternata (PT), was shown to exert therapeutic effects on lung cancer cells. However, its chemical and pharmacological profiles are not yet understood. In the present study, we aimed to reveal the mechanism of PT in treating lung cancer cells through metabolomics and network pharmacology. Metabolomic analysis of two strains of lung cancer cells treated with Pinellia ternata extracts (PTE) was used to identify differentially abundant metabolites, and the metabolic pathways associated with the DEGs were identified by MetaboAnalyst. Then, network pharmacology was applied to identify potential targets against PTE-induced lung cancer cells. The integrated network of metabolomics and network pharmacology was constructed based on Cytoscape. PTE obviously inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 and NCI-H460 cells. The results of the cellular metabolomics analysis showed that 30 metabolites were differentially expressed in the lung cancer cells of the experimental and control groups. Through pathway enrichment analysis, 5 metabolites were found to be involved in purine metabolism, riboflavin metabolism and the pentose phosphate pathway, including D-ribose 5-phosphate, xanthosine, 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxyamide, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Combined with network pharmacology, 11 bioactive compounds were found in PT, and networks of bioactive compound–target gene–metabolic enzyme–metabolite interactions were constructed. In conclusion, this study revealed the complicated mechanisms of PT against lung cancer. Our work provides a novel paradigm for identifying the potential mechanisms underlying the pharmacological effects of natural compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levulinic acid, a hydrolysis product of lignocellulose, can be metabolized into important compounds in the field of medicine and pesticides by engineered strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Levulinic acid, as an intermediate product widely found in the conversion process of lignocellulosic biomass, has multiple applications. However, its toxicity to Saccharomyces cerevisiae reduces its conversion effciency, so screening Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes that can tolerate levulinic acid becomes the key. By creating a whole-genome knockout library and bioinformatics analysis, this study used the phenotypic characteristics of cells as the basis for screening and found the HMX1 gene that is highly sensitive to levulinic acid in the oxidative stress pathway. After knocking out HMX1 and treating with levulinic acid, the omics data of the strain revealed that multiple affected pathways, especially the expression of 14 genes related to the cell wall and membrane system, were significantly downregulated. The levels of acetyl-CoA and riboflavin decreased by 1.02-fold and 1.44-fold, respectively, while the content of pantothenic acid increased. These findings indicate that the cell wall-membrane system, as well as the metabolism of acetyl-CoA and riboflavin, are important in improving the resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to levulinic acid. They provide theoretical support for enhancing the tolerance of microorganisms to levulinic acid, which is significant for optimizing the conversion process of lignocellulosic biomass to levulinic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria have become a major challenge for global healthcare systems. The search for antibacterial compounds from plants has received increasing attention in the fight against MDR bacteria. As a medicinal and edible plant, Lophatherum gracile Brongn. (L. gracile) has favorable antibacterial effect. However, the main antibacterial active compound and its antimicrobial mechanism are not clear. Here, our study first identified the key active compound from L. gracile as luteolin. Meanwhile, the antibacterial effect of luteolin was detected by using the broth microdilution method and time-kill curve analysis. Luteolin can also cause morphological structure degeneration and content leakage, cell wall/membrane damage, ATP synthesis reduction, and downregulation of mRNA expression levels of sulfonamide and quinolones resistance genes in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDR E. coli). Furthermore, untargeted UPLC/Q-TOF-MSbased metabolomics analysis of the bacterial metabolites revealed that luteolin significantly changed riboflavin energy metabolism, bacterial chemotaxis cell process and glycerophospholipid metabolism of MDR E. coli. This study suggests that luteolin could be a potential new food additive or preservative for controlling MDR E. coli infection and spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the impact of nanoselenium and sodium selenite on the performance, blood indices, and milk metabolites of dairy cows during the peak lactation period, two groups of dairy cows under the same conditions were selected as the control group (CON group) and treatment group (NSe group) for a 38- day (10 days for adaptation and 28 days for sampling) experiment. The control group (CON) was provided a basal diet +3.3 g/d of sodium selenite (purity1%), whereas the nanoselenium group (NSe) was offered the same diet +10 mL/d of nanoselenium (selenium concentration 1,500 mg/L). The results showed that NSe significantly increased the milk yield, milk selenium content, and feed efficiency (p < 0.05), but had no significant effect on other milk components (p > 0.05). NSe significantly increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.05), but had no significant effects on malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), blood total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), or blood selenium (p > 0.05). In addition, the nontargeted metabolomics of the milk was determined by LC--MS technology, and the differentially abundant metabolites and their enrichment pathways were screened. According to these findings, NSe considerably increased the contents of cetylmannoside, undecylenoic acid, 3-hydroxypentadecanoic acid, 16-hydroxypentadecanoic acid, threonic acid, etc., but decreased the contents of galactaric acid, mesaconic acid, CDP-glucose etc. Furthermore, the enriched metabolic pathways that were screened with an impact value greater than 0.1 included metabolism of niacin and niacinamide, pyruvate, citrate cycle, riboflavin, glycerophospholipid, butanoate and tyrosine. Pearson correlation analysis also revealed a relationship between different milk metabolites and blood selenium, as well as between milk selenium and blood biochemical indices. In conclusion, compared with sodium selenite, nanoselenium improves the milk yield, feed efficiency, and milk selenium content of dairy cows and regulates milk metabolites and related metabolic pathways in Holstein dairy cows during the peak lactation period, which has certain application prospects in dairy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A composite is a material in which more than one metal salt or polymer can be mixed to enhance the processed product's physical and chemical properties. Due to their high band gap and enhanced excitation energy, composites can be used in numerous areas, such as solar cells, fuel cells, catalysts, and energy storage. Over a large area of applications in different fields, few studies have examined the ability of composites to sense the efficiency of riboflavin/vitamin B2. The present work explores the utilisation of trimetallic-based nanocomposite nanoparticles (TMNCsNPs) as a sensing material, which is synthesised and characterised in detail. The TMNCsNPs were used to understand the exposure of riboflavin to glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). Several electrochemical parameters were selected for the electrochemical study of the processed sensor. Initially, a long-range concentration of riboflavin (0.976–125 μM in PBS) was selected to check the efficiency of the produced sensor (TMNCsNPs/GCE). Low-to high-potential windows (0.5–15 mV/s) were chosen to measure the effect on TMNCsNPs/GCE in PBS. The chronoamperometry (CA) responses were analysed at different time intervals (0–900 s). The cyclic response (CR) was analysed for TMNCsNPs/GCE sensor for up to one month. The interference of metal was examined, and real sample analysis was also conducted and discussed with possible mechanism. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: More than 350,000 chemicals make up the chemical universe that surrounds us every day. The impact of this vast array of compounds on our health is still poorly understood. Manufacturers are required to carry out toxicological studies, for example on the reproductive or nervous systems, before putting a new substance on the market. However, toxicological safety does not exclude effects resulting from chronic exposure to low doses or effects on other potentially affected organ systems. This is the case for the microbiomeimmune interaction, which is not yet included in any safety studies. Methods: A high-throughput in vitro model was used to elucidate the potential effects of environmental chemicals and chemical mixtures on microbiomeimmune interactions. Therefore, a simplified human intestinal microbiota (SIHUMIx) consisting of eight bacterial species was cultured in vitro in a bioreactor that partially mimics intestinal conditions. The bacteria were continuously exposed to mixtures of representative and widely distributed environmental chemicals, i.e. bisphenols (BPX) and/or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at concentrations of 22 μM and 4 μM, respectively. Furthermore, changes in the immunostimulatory potential of exposed microbes were investigated using a co-culture system with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Results: The exposure to BPX, PFAS or their mixture did not influence the community structure and the riboflavin production of SIHUMIx in vitro. However, it altered the potential of the consortium to stimulate human immune cells: in particular, activation of CD8+ MAIT cells was affected by the exposure to BPX- and PFAS mixtures-treated bacteria. Discussion: The present study provides a model to investigate how environmental chemicals can indirectly affect immune cells via exposed microbes. It contributes to the much-needed knowledge on the effects of EDCs on an organ system that has been little explored in this context, especially from the perspective of cumulative exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keratoconus, a disorder characterized by corneal thinning and weakening, results in vision loss. Corneal crosslinking (CXL) can halt the progression of keratoconus. The development of accelerated corneal crosslinking (A-CXL) protocols to shorten the treatment time has been hampered by the rapid depletion of stromal oxygen when higher UVA intensities are used, resulting in a reduced cross-linking effect. It is therefore imperative to develop better methods to increase the oxygen concentration within the corneal stroma during the A-CXL process. Photocatalytic oxygen-generating nanomaterials are promising candidates to solve the hypoxia problem during A-CXL. Biocompatible graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) quantum dots (QDs)-based oxygen self-sufficient platforms including g-C3N4 QDs and riboflavin/g-C3N4 QDs composites (RF@g-C3N4 QDs) have been developed in this study. Both display excellent photocatalytic oxygen generation ability, high reactive oxygen species (ROS) yield, and excellent biosafety. More importantly, the A-CXL effect of the g-C3N4 QDs or RF@g-C3N4 QDs composite on male New Zealand white rabbits is better than that of the riboflavin 5'-phosphate sodium (RF) A-CXL protocol under the same conditions, indicating excellent strengthening of the cornea after A-CXL treatments. These lead us to suggest the potential application of g-C3N4 QDs in A-CXL for corneal ectasias and other corneal diseases. NCOMMS-23-46799C Keratoconus can be effectively stabilized by corneal crosslinking (CXL), but the depletion of stromal oxygen limits the efficiency of CXL photochemical reactions. Here the authors address this issue by developing biocompatible graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots- based oxygen self-sufficient platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. The intravascular worms acquire the nutrients necessary for their survival from host blood. Since all animals are auxotrophic for riboflavin (vitamin B2), schistosomes too must import it to survive. Riboflavin is an essential component of the coenzymes flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD); these support key functions of dozens of flavoenzymes. Methods: Here, using a combination of metabolomics, enzyme kinetics and in silico molecular analysis, we focus on the biochemistry of riboflavin and its metabolites in Schistosoma mansoni (Sm). Results: We show that when schistosomes are incubated in murine plasma, levels of FAD decrease over time while levels of FMN increase. We show that live schistosomes cleave exogenous FAD to generate FMN and this ability is significantly blocked when expression of the surface nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase ectoenzyme SmNPP5 is suppressed using RNAi. Recombinant SmNPP5 cleaves FAD with a Km of 178 ± 5.9 µM and Kcat/Km of 324,734 ± 36,347 M− 1.S− 1. The FAD-dependent enzyme IL-4I1 drives the oxidative deamination of phenylalanine to produce phenylpyruvate and H2O2. Since schistosomes are damaged by H2O2, we determined if SmNPP5 could impede H2O2 production by blocking IL-4I1 action in vitro. We found that this was not the case; covalently bound FAD on IL-4I1 appears inaccessible to SmNPP5. We also report that live schistosomes can cleave exogenous FMN to generate riboflavin and this ability is significantly impeded when expression of a second surface ectoenzyme (alkaline phosphatase, SmAP) is suppressed. Recombinant SmAP cleaves FMN with a Km of 3.82 ± 0.58 mM and Kcat/Km of 1393 ± 347 M− 1.S− 1. Conclusions: The sequential hydrolysis of FAD by tegumental ecto-enzymes SmNPP5 and SmAP can generate free vitamin B2 around the worms from where it can be conveniently imported by the recently described schistosome riboflavin transporter SmaRT. Finally, we identified in silico schistosome homologs of enzymes that are involved in intracellular vitamin B2 metabolism. These are riboflavin kinase (SmRFK) as well as FAD synthase (SmFADS); cDNAs encoding these two enzymes were cloned and sequenced. SmRFK is predicted to convert riboflavin to FMN while SmFADS could further act on FMN to regenerate FAD in order to facilitate robust vitamin B2-dependent metabolism in schistosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored the nutritional composition, phytochemicals analysis, and antioxidant capacity of two indigenous varieties of red and green water chestnut (WCN) fruit grown in Pakistan. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the proximate composition (moisture, ash, fiber, proteins, fat, and energy), physicochemical properties (pH, °Brix, and glycemic index), minerals, and vitamins. The methanolic extracts of WCN fruits were explored for phytochemicals (total phenolic and flavonoid content), and antioxidant potential was examined in vitro by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Quantitative determination of mineral (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc) and vitamin (vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin A, and β-Carotene) composition was also assessed. Based on the findings, the proximate compositions of WCN green and red varieties varied greatly as WCN green contained significantly higher protein (1.72%), fat (0.65%), dietary fiber (2.21%), moisture (70.23%), ash (1.16%), and energy content (112.8 Kcal) than WCN red. In WCN green, the macro–micromineral concentrations were significantly higher than WCN red. Among the minerals analyzed, potassium was the most abundant mineral found in both varieties. Levels of vitamin C, B6, A, and β-Carotene were significantly higher in WCN green. In this study, methanolic extract showed higher extraction efficiency than acetone, ethanol, and distilled water. WCN green had a significantly higher quantum of total phenolic (91.13 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid (36.6 mg QE/g) and presented significantly higher antioxidant activity than the WCN red. This study showed that, among both varieties, WCN green extract has therapeutic potential against free radical mediated health conditions and suggested the potential use of this fruit as a source of natural antioxidants in nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lettuce is a widely consumed leafy vegetable; it became popular due to its enhanced nutritional content. Recently, lettuce is also regarded as one of the model plants for vegetable production in plant factories. Light and nutrients are essential environmental factors that affect lettuce growth and morphology. To evaluate the impact of light spectra on lettuce, butter lettuce was grown under the light wavelengths of 460, 525, and 660 nm, along with white light as the control. Plant morphology, physiology, nutritional content, and transcriptomic analyses were performed to study the light response mechanisms. The results showed that the leaf fresh weight and length/width were higher when grown at 460 nm and lower when grown at 525 nm compared to the control treatment. When exposed to 460 nm light, the sugar, crude fiber, mineral, and vitamin concentrations were favorably altered; however, these levels decreased when exposed to light with a wavelength of 525 nm. The transcriptomic analysis showed that co-factor and vitamin metabolism- and secondary metabolism-related genes were specifically induced by 460 nm light exposure. Furthermore, the pathway enrichment analysis found that flavonoid biosynthesis- and vitamin B6 metabolism-related genes were significantly upregulated in response to 460 nm light exposure. Additional experiments demonstrated that the vitamin B6 and B2 content was significantly higher in leaves exposed to 460 nm light than those grown under the other conditions. Our findings suggested that the addition of 460 nm light could improve lettuce's biomass and nutritional value and help us to further understand how the light spectrum can be tuned as needed for lettuce production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary A few Capsicum (pepper) species produce yellow‐colored floral nectar, but the chemical identity and biological function of the yellow pigment are unknown. A combination of analytical biochemistry techniques was used to identify the pigment that gives Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum pubescens nectars their yellow color. Microbial growth assays, visual modeling, and honey bee preference tests for artificial nectars containing riboflavin were used to assess potential biological roles for the nectar pigment. High concentrations of riboflavin (vitamin B2) give the nectars their intense yellow color. Nectars containing riboflavin generate reactive oxygen species when exposed to light and reduce microbial growth. Visual modeling also indicates that the yellow color is highly conspicuous to bees within the context of the flower. Lastly, field experiments demonstrate that honey bees prefer artificial nectars containing riboflavin. Some Capsicum nectars contain a yellow‐colored vitamin that appears to play roles in (1) limiting microbial growth, (2) the visual attraction of bees, and (3) as a reward to nectar‐feeding flower visitors (potential pollinators), which is especially interesting since riboflavin is an essential nutrient for brood rearing in insects. These results cumulatively suggest that the riboflavin found in some Capsicum nectars has several functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kombucha is a traditional beverage obtained by the microbial fermentation of tea using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts. In addition to several documented functional properties, such as anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity, kombucha is often credited with high levels of vitamins, including riboflavin. To our knowledge, the vitamin B2 content in traditionally prepared kombucha has been determined in only two studies, in which the concentration measured by the HPLC technique ranged from 2.2 × 10−7 to 2.1 × 10−4 mol dm−3. These unexplained differences of three orders of magnitude in the vitamin B2 content prompted us to determine its concentration during the cultivation of kombucha under very similar conditions by spectrofluorimetry. The B2 concentrations during the 10-day fermentation of black tea ranged from 7.6 × 10−8 to 3.3 × 10−7 mol dm−3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Stroke represents a significant public health challenge, necessitating the exploration of preventive measures. This network meta‐analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of different vitamin treatments compared to a placebo in preventing stroke. Methods: A systematic electronic search in databases including PubMed, EmBASE, Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar until 31 May 2023 was conducted, to identify published studies investigating the association between vitamin intake and the risk of stroke. Pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated using a frequentist network meta‐analysis. Furthermore, we ranked vitamins based on p‐scores, facilitating a comparative assessment of their effectiveness in preventing stroke. Results: A total of 56 studies, including 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 39 cohort studies were analyzed. Direct estimates obtained from network meta‐analysis, we found that vitamin A (RR:.81 [.72–.91]), vitamin B‐complex (RR:.85 [.74–.97]), vitamin B6 (RR: 79 [.68–.92]), folate (RR:.86 [.75–.97]), vitamin C (RR:.77 [.70–.85]) and vitamin D (RR:.73 [.64–.83]) were significantly associated with a decreased stroke risk. However, no significant association was observed for vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Subsequent to network meta‐analysis, vitamins were ranked in decreasing order of their efficacy in stroke prevention based on p‐score, with vitamin D (p‐score =.91), vitamin C (p‐score =.79), vitamin B6 (p‐score =.70), vitamin A (p‐score =.65), vitamin B‐complex (p‐score =.53), folate (p‐score =.49), vitamin B2 (p‐score =.39), vitamin E (p‐score =.28), vitamin B12 (.13) and placebo (.10). Conclusion: Our study has established noteworthy connections between vitamin A, vitamin B‐complex, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin D in the realm of stroke prevention. These findings add substantial weight to the accumulating evidence supporting the potential advantages of vitamin interventions in mitigating the risk of stroke. However, to solidify and validate these observations, additional research is imperative. Well‐designed clinical trials or cohort studies are needed to further explore these associations and formulate clear guidelines for incorporating vitamin supplementation into effective stroke prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequent uses of pesticides for agricultural led to the environmental pollution and ultimately threaten the human body. On the other hand, the monitoring of the biomarker at the optimum level is also very imperative for human health. So the investigation of smart materials is very essential for visual and on‐site monitoring of pesticide and biomarker. In this regard, we have synthesized highly fluorescent MOF (ZnATA, 1) oriented with free‐NH2 functionality as a guest functional moiety. Framework 1 showed the selective and sensitive ratiometric detection of biomarker riboflavin (RBF). Further, sensor 1 exhibited the discriminating recognition of pesticide 2,6‐dichloro‐4‐nitroaniline (DCNA). The detection limit for both RBF and DCNA is very excellent, and the values are 0.13 and 0.07 ppm, respectively. The detection of RBF and DCNA is very fast (within 3 s) and has been realized through colorimetric response and by cost‐effective paper strip method. Interestingly, the sensor displayed the visual and on‐site (in situ imaging by using real fruit and vegetable) recognition of "DCNA" within 3 s. Sensor 1 further demonstrated the recognition of DCNA in different real field sample (environmental water sample) and RBF in food samples (milk and vitamin B2 tablet). The mechanism of sensing for DCNA and RBF has been comprehended through the occurrence of photo‐induced electron transfer, forster resonance energy transfer, and inert filter effect. Further, the recognition mechanism is justified by the theoretical study. The presence of free‐NH2 moiety in the linker of MOF is possibly to establish a strong supramolecular interaction with the analytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose : The aim was to study the association between dietary intake of B vitamins in childhood and the risk of islet autoimmunity (IA) and progression to type 1 diabetes (T1D) by the age of 10 years. Methods: We followed 8500 T1D-susceptible children born in the U.S., Finland, Sweden, and Germany in 2004 -2010 from the Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study, which is a prospective observational birth cohort. Dietary intake of seven B vitamins was calculated from foods and dietary supplements based on 24-h recall at 3 months and 3-day food records collected regularly from 6 months to 10 years of age. Cox proportional hazard models were adjusted for energy, HLA-genotype, first-degree relative with T1D, sex, and country. Results: A total of 778 (9.2) children developed at least one autoantibody (any IA), and 335 (3.9%) developed multiple autoantibodies. 280 (3.3%) children had IAA and 319 (3.8%) GADA as the first autoantibody. 344 (44%) children with IA progressed to T1D. We observed that higher intake of niacin was associated with a decreased risk of developing multiple autoantibodies (HR 0.95; 95% CI 0.92, 0.98) per 1 mg/1000 kcal in niacin intake. Higher intake of pyridoxine (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.46, 0.96) and vitamin B12 (HR 0.87; 95% CI 0.77, 0.97) was associated with a decreased risk of IAA-first autoimmunity. Higher intake of riboflavin (HR 1.38; 95% CI 1.05, 1.80) was associated with an increased risk of GADA-first autoimmunity. There were no associations between any of the B vitamins and the outcomes "any IA" and progression from IA to T1D. Conclusion: In this multinational, prospective birth cohort of children with genetic susceptibility to T1D, we observed some direct and inverse associations between different B vitamins and risk of IA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterise the market‐driven fortification of vitamins and minerals in packaged foods targeted at children in Brazil. We analysed 535 food labels using data collected in a census‐type method (n = 5620) of food labels in a Brazilian supermarket in 2013. Micronutrients declared in nutrition claims and the ingredients list (synthetic compounds) were considered to be added for commercial purposes. Analysis of the ingredients list and nutrition claims showed that market‐driven fortification of vitamins and minerals was present in 27.1% of foods. The main vitamins and minerals were vitamins A, B complex, C, D, calcium, iron and zinc. The food groups 'Milk and dairy products' and 'Sugars, sugary foods and snacks' had the highest frequencies of micronutrients declared in the ingredients list. Calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and all vitamins, except B7, were found to be added for commercial purposes. Micronutrients were found to be commonly added to packaged foods as a marketing strategy directed at parents and their children. Future studies should assess the amount of vitamins and minerals added to packaged foods targeted at children and whether intakes of vitamins and minerals in children are potentially excessive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vestibular migraine (VM) is a common cause of recurrent vertigo. Migraine headache preventative therapies are currently prescribed to control vertigo symptoms in VM. Clinical trials of nutraceuticals for migraine headache prevention have shown positive outcomes, but, to date, there have been no studies to assess their effectiveness in the management of VM. Aims: To report the effects of nonprescription therapy management on VM symptoms. Methods: We undertook a prospective, questionnaire‐based assessment of patients diagnosed with VM between November 2019 and August 2021 at two Sydney tertiary referral clinics. Patients were advised on optimising sleep, hydration, exercise and nutrition and instructed to use an over‐the‐counter combination product containing riboflavin 200 mg, magnesium 150 mg, coenzyme Q10 75 mg and feverfew 200 mcg. Symptom severity and frequency were assessed using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the Vertigo Symptom Score short‐form (VSS‐sf) and two visual analogue scales for severity (VAS‐s) and frequency (VAS‐f) before and 3 months after commencing treatment. Result: In 82 participants (78% female; mean age, 44 ± 14 years) we recorded a decrease in DHI (mean, 16.8 [95% confidence interval (CI), 12.8–20.9], VSS‐sf (9.3, 7.1–11.5), VAS‐s (3.0, 2.2–3.8) and VAS‐f (2.8, 2.1–3.4), equating to an improvement of 44.1%, 44.9%, 44.1% and 38.9% for each measure respectively. On the DHI and VSS‐sf, 41 (50%) and 44 (53.7%) patients showed improvement in their symptoms; 39 (47.6%) and 36 (43.9%) patients noted no change and two patients reported worsening. The supplement was well‐tolerated. Conclusions: The results provide preliminary evidence that VM symptom frequency and severity can be reduced by using nonprescription therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water kefir grains are an important source of probiotics, mainly containing lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in microbial and chemical properties of water kefir grains during 1‐month storage at +4°C and −18°C. The initial content of lactobacilli, lactococci, and yeast in water kefir grains was 6.06, 6.33, and 5.93 log CFU/g, respectively. The number of lactobacilli, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium spp. in the water kefir grains were comparable, with slight changes at the end of refrigerated storage (p >.05). Lactococci and yeasts decreased significantly after both storage conditions compared to the initial content (p <.05). The dry matter and ash contents remained unchanged during storage (p >.05). Water kefir grains contained significant amounts of calcium, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, and vitamin B12. Storage at both +4°C and −18°C did not affect the mineral and vitamin contents, except for Cu and Vitamin B2. The results indicate that the water kefir grains remained viable after storage at both temperatures. If water kefir grains need to be stored, it is recommended to store them at +4°C in sugared water as it ensures better survivability of the microbiota of the grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The primary dietary approach for managing cow's milk allergy (CMA) is the elimination diet. We aimed to compare the growth patterns of children with CMA during and after the elimination diet with healthy peers and identify influencing factors. Methods: We compared 74 CMA children with age-matched healthy peers. Anthropometric data were collected during the third month of cow's milk elimination (CME) diet (T1), 3 months after diet cessation (T2), and after ≥3 months of normal diet (T3). Control group measurements coincided. Nutrient intake was assessed by a 3-day record, and patient laboratory results were noted at T3. Results: CMA children had consistently lower weight-for-age (WFA) and height-for-age (HFA) z-scores than controls. WtHt z-score of patients was lower than those of the healthy group at T2. HC z-scores of patients were lower than those of the healthy group at T0, T2, and T3. At T3, the HFA z-score of the CME group demonstrated a negative correlation with the duration of the elimination diet (p = 0.045). Inadequate intake of energy, vitamins A, E, B1, B6, C, folic acid, magnesium, and iron was significantly higher in CMA children (p < 0.05). T3 WFA z-score correlated positively with fiber, vitamin B1, magnesium, and iron intake (p < 0.05). T3 WtHt showed a positive moderate correlation with energy, protein, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, phosphor, iron intake (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Post-elimination diet, children with CMA need sustained monitoring and potentially micronutrient supplementation to match healthy peers' growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin B2 and vitamin B6 are cofactors and coenzymes in many biochemical reactions, and their sufficient serum concentrations may be crucial for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. The aim of the study was to develop and validate a novel high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for the determination of vitamin B2 and vitamin B6 in the serum of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Detection of the analytes was performed on a triple-quadrupole MS with multiple reaction monitoring using electrospray ionization. The mobile phase consisted of water and methanol, both containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid. The analytes were isolated from serum by the one-step sample preparation of the trichloroacetic acid precipitation. Validation parameters, including linearity, accuracy, precision, limits of detection and quantification, and stability, were determined and fulfilled the criteria for analyzing compounds in biological fluids. The method was applied for the determination of the above vitamin concentrations in serum samples of 74 patients with HT and 33 healthy controls. The concentration of vitamin B2 was significantly lower in patients with HT compared to the control group (7.20 ± 7.86 ng/mL vs. 12.03 ± 9.62 ng/mL) and the concentration of vitamin B6 was also lower, but without a statistically significant difference (30.09 ± 19.16 ng/mL vs. 37.29 ± 23.02 ng/mL). We concluded that the vitamins concentration measurement may be helpful in the diagnosis of vitamin deficiencies and the supplementation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riboflavin (RF) or vitamin B2 is susceptible to photodegradation. Encapsulation of sensitive components by modified yeast cells is a promising method for their widespread usage at industrial scale. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been introduced as an appropriate carrier of bioactive compounds. The yeast cell comprises a phospholipid membrane that protects the core from the external environment. In this study, the effect of plasmolysis on efficiency of S. cerevisiae cells in encapsulation of RF were investigated. According to the results, plasmolysis increased the encapsulation efficiency (53.85% versus 58.22% for non-plasmolyzed and plasmolyzed yeast cells, respectively) and loading capacity (14.10 and 16.99% for non-plasmolyzed and plasmolyzed yeast cells, respectively). The loaded intact cells had a tied and intertwined structure while the loaded plasmolyzed cells were seen separately in the Scanning Electron Microscope images. According to the Transmission Electron Microscope images, plasmolysis did not destruct the yeast cells and the cell integrity was retained appropriately after the process but it increased the internal space for encapsulation. In X-ray diffraction analysis, RF had a crystalline structure and its encapsulation within the amorphous non-plasmolyzed and plasmolyzed yeast cells led to slight crystallinity in the structure of complex. The observed spectra of functional groups in Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the successful entrapment of RF in the yeast cells. Plasmolysis depleted the cell contents susceptible to thermal process through which melting point of the yeast cells increased. Owing to the charged surface of yeast cells, they showed a burst release of RF in the simulated stomach (88% for non-plasmolyzed and 84% for plasmolyzed cells) and intestinal fluid (91% and 96% for non-plasmolyzed and plasmolyzed cells, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the advancement of edible batteries for medical purposes. Researchers are investigating the use of ingestible devices powered by batteries to administer medical treatments and monitor patients. These devices have the potential to replace surgically implanted devices and offer a safer and more convenient option for patients. The article highlights various studies and experiments conducted to create edible batteries using different materials, such as stainless steel, activated carbon, and natural semiconductors. The objective is to develop electronics that can be digested, reducing risks to users and the environment. The article also discusses the development of biodegradable and ingestible electronic devices, with a focus on smart pills. Researchers are exploring alternative power sources for these devices, such as non-toxic melanin pigments and sodium titanium phosphate. The potential applications for smart pills are extensive, including targeted drug delivery, hormone regulation, and environmental monitoring. Although there are still challenges to overcome, the development of these devices has the potential to revolutionize medicine and other industries. [Extracted from the article]

Grain from improved varieties of the perennial grass Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey is marketed under the trade name Kernza (common name intermediate wheatgrass, IWG). While a growing body of evidence is available on the nutritional quality of Kernza, gaps exist for components such vitamins and minerals and protein quality. Therefore, we performed two studies on early-generation breeding program material, characterizing nutritional quality by quantifying macronutrients, sugars, dietary fiber, amino acid profiles, fat composition, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, antioxidants, and antioxidant activity. The IWG studied frequently had concentrations significantly different from the reference values for whole wheat flour. For example, IWG had 50% higher protein, 129% higher dietary fiber, and 65% higher ash content than reference whole wheat flour. Calcium and selenium were 267% and 492% higher, respectively, in IWG than whole wheat flour. Riboflavin and folate were 43% and 447% higher, respectively, and niacin 74% lower in IWG versus whole wheat flour. We identified lysine as the limiting amino acid, although its concentration was 33% greater in IWG than in whole wheat flour. These results support potential benefits of Kernza for human nutrition. This work supports ongoing studies to further characterize and evaluate nutritional quality during the domestication and breeding process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bacillus subtilis is widely used in industrial-scale riboflavin production. Previous studies have shown that targeted mutagenesis of the ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase in B. subtilis can significantly enhance riboflavin production. This modification also leads to an increase in purine intermediate concentrations in the medium. Interestingly, B. subtilis exhibits remarkable efficiency in purine nucleoside synthesis, often exceeding riboflavin yields. These observations highlight the importance of the conversion steps from inosine-5'-monophosphate (IMP) to 2,5-diamino-6-ribosylamino-4(3 H)-pyrimidinone-5'-phosphate (DARPP) in riboflavin production by B. subtilis. However, research elucidating the specific impact of these reactions on riboflavin production remains limited. Result: We expressed the genes encoding enzymes involved in these reactions (guaB, guaA, gmk, ndk, ribA) using a synthetic operon. Introduction of the plasmid carrying this synthetic operon led to a 3.09-fold increase in riboflavin production compared to the control strain. Exclusion of gmk from the synthetic operon resulted in a 36% decrease in riboflavin production, which was further reduced when guaB and guaA were not co-expressed. By integrating the synthetic operon into the genome and employing additional engineering strategies, we achieved riboflavin production levels of 2702 mg/L. Medium optimization further increased production to 3477 mg/L, with a yield of 0.0869 g riboflavin per g of sucrose. Conclusion: The conversion steps from IMP to DARPP play a critical role in riboflavin production by B. subtilis. Our overexpression strategies have demonstrated their effectiveness in overcoming these limiting factors and enhancing riboflavin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean seeds are excellent sources of tocopherols, B vitamins, and isoflavones, which are well known for their health benefits. This study investigated the influence of environment and genotype on these constituents across 13 Korean soybean varieties cultivated in three locations during the 2017–2019 growing seasons. Statistical analyses, employing both univariate and multivariate methods, revealed significant impacts of genetic and environmental factors on the composition of tocopherols, B vitamins, and isoflavones. Through permutational univariate analysis of variance, the primary contributors to each measured component were identified. Genotype strongly influenced the levels of β- and δ-tocopherols, whereas the interaction between location and year predominantly affected α- and γ-tocopherols. Vitamin B1 content was predominantly determined by genotype, whereas B3 and B6 were influenced by annual variations. Vitamin B2 level was primarily affected by the interplay between environmental and genotypic effects. Genotype had a significant effect on isoflavone components, with the exception of daidzein. Furthermore, early maturing varieties and those with black seed coats exhibited low levels of isoflavone components and total isoflavones, suggesting a relationship between maturity group and seed coat color in isoflavone variation. These findings can be used as reference values for compositional equivalence assessment of genetically modified soybeans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated plasma concentrations of several one-carbon metabolites are associated with increased CVD risk. Both diet-induced regulation and dietary content of one-carbon metabolites can influence circulating concentrations of these markers. We cross-sectionally analysed 1928 patients with suspected stable angina pectoris (geometric mean age 61), representing elevated CVD risk, to assess associations between dietary macronutrient composition (FFQ) and plasma one-carbon metabolites and related B-vitamin status markers (GC–MS/MS, LC–MS/MS or microbiological assay). Diet-metabolite associations were modelled on the continuous scale, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol and total energy intake. Average (geometric mean (95 % prediction interval)) intake was forty-nine (38, 63) energy percent (E%) from carbohydrate, thirty-one (22, 45) E% from fat and seventeen (12, 22) E% from protein. The strongest associations were seen for higher protein intake, i.e. with higher plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) (% change (95 % CI) 3·1 (2·1, 4·1)), cobalamin (2·9 (2·1, 3·7)), riboflavin (2·4 (1·1, 3·7)) and folate (2·1 (1·2, 3·1)) and lower total homocysteine (tHcy) (–1·4 (–1·9, −0·9)) and methylmalonic acid (MMA) (–1·4 (–2·0, −0·8)). Substitution analyses replacing MUFA or PUFA with SFA demonstrated higher plasma concentrations of riboflavin (5·0 (0·9, 9·3) and 3·3 (1·1, 5·6)), tHcy (2·3 (0·7, 3·8) and 1·3 (0·5, 2·2)) and MMA (2·0 (0·2, 3·9) and 1·7 (0·7, 2·7)) and lower PLP (–2·5 (–5·3, 0·3) and −2·7 (–4·2, −1·2)). In conclusion, a higher protein intake and replacing saturated with MUFA and PUFA were associated with a more favourable metabolic phenotype regarding metabolites associated with CVD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. To evaluate the changes of lens antidilatation, antiedema, and antienzymolysis ability after different concentrations of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC-NHS)-induced collagen cross-linking. Methods. Corneal stromal lenticules (n = 100) obtained from small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) procedures were divided into 5 groups: no treatment (control); EDC/NHS (5%/2.5%); EDC/NHS(5%/5%); EDC/NHS (10%/5%); riboflavin and ultraviolet-A light (UVA). Collagen crosslinking was induced using EDC-NHS and UVA. Biomechanical assessments including inflation test, enzymatic degradation resistance, and light transmittance were evaluated posttreatment. Results. (1) Lenticule apex displacement ranked: control Group > UVA Group > Group (5%/5%) > Group (5%/2.5%) > Group (10%/5%) (Friedman test, p < 0.0001). (2) Light transmittance was significantly higher in the crosslinked groups versus control, with EDC/NHS superior to UVA riboflavin. After 15 minutes in PBS, light transmittance decreased due to swelling; however, crosslinked groups maintained significantly higher transmittance versus control. (3) Following crosslinking, enzymatic resistance improved significantly, with the EDC-NHS crosslinking group was significantly better than the UVA cross-linking group. Conclusions. EDC/NHS crosslinking enhanced lenticule stiffness, antiedema, and enzymatic resistance and without compromising the transparency of the lens. Moreover, EDC/NHS crosslinking efficacy exceeded UVA riboflavin crosslinking in improving lenticule biomechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wolfberry (Lycium, of the family Solanaceae) has special nutritional benefits due to its valuable metabolites. Here, 16 wolfberry-specific metabolites were identified by comparing the metabolome of wolfberry with those of six species, including maize, rice, wheat, soybean, tomato and grape. The copy numbers of the riboflavin and phenyllactate degradation genes riboflavin kinase (RFK) and phenyllactate UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT1) were lower in wolfberry than in other species, while the copy number of the phenyllactate synthesis gene hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate reductase (HPPR) was higher in wolfberry, suggesting that the copy number variation of these genes among species may be the main reason for the specific accumulation of riboflavin and phenyllactate in wolfberry. Moreover, the metabolome-based neighbor-joining tree revealed distinct clustering of monocots and dicots, suggesting that metabolites could reflect the evolutionary relationship among those species. Taken together, we identified 16 specific metabolites in wolfberry and provided new insight into the accumulation mechanism of species-specific metabolites at the genomic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests a pivotal role of vitamin B2 in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Vitamin B2 intake has been postulated to modulate the screening rate for PCa by altering the concentration of prostate-specific antigen(PSA). However, the relationship between vitamin B2 and PSA remains indeterminate. Hence, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the association between vitamin B2 intake and PSA levels, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Methods: From a pool of 20,371 participants in the NHANES survey conducted between 2003 and 2010, a cohort of 2,323 participants was selected for the present study. The male participants were classified into four distinct groups based on their levels of vitamin B2 intake. We employed a multiple linear regression model and a non-parametric regression method to investigate the relationship between vitamin B2 and PSA levels. Results: The study cohort comprised of 2,323 participants with a mean age of 54.95 years (± 11.73). Our findings revealed a statistically significant inverse correlation between vitamin B2 intake (mg) and PSA levels, with a reduction of 0.13 ng/ml PSA concentration for every unit increase in vitamin B2 intake. Furthermore, we employed a fully adjusted model to construct a smooth curve to explore the possible linear relationship between vitamin B2 intake and PSA concentration. Conclusions: Our study in American men has unveiled a notable inverse association between vitamin B2 intake and PSA levels, potentially posing a challenge for the identification of asymptomatic prostate cancer. Specifically, our findings suggest that individuals with higher vitamin B2 intake may be at a greater risk of being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in the future, possibly indicating a detection bias. These results may offer a novel explanation for the observed positive correlation between vitamin B2 intake and prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of salt reduction by NaCl sprinkling and NaCl substitution with 25% calcium lactate on the quality of blue cheese were evaluated. Sprinkling reduced sodium content by 35% and substitution reduced sodium content by 47%. The salt‐reduced cheeses had a higher calcium content, vitamin B2, B6, and B12 levels, and a higher rate of proteolysis. Sensory and texture profile analysis found that the salt‐reduced cheeses had a less salty taste and were less firm. These methods enabled significant salt reduction but had negative effects on the cheese properties, and so further work is needed to diminish these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer is a common tumour in men and women. In case of resistance to the standard therapeutic agents, gemcitabine can be used as off-label instillation therapy into the bladder. To reduce potential side effects, continuous efforts are made to optimise the therapeutic potential of drugs, thereby reducing the effective dose and consequently the pharmacological burden of the medication. We recently demonstrated that it is possible to significantly increase the therapeutic efficacy of mitomycin C against a bladder carcinoma cell line by exposure to non-toxic doses of blue light (453 nm). In the present study, we investigated whether the therapeutically supportive effect of blue light can be further enhanced by the additional use of the wavelength-specific photosensitiser riboflavin. We found that the gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity of bladder cancer cell lines (BFTC-905, SW-1710, RT-112) was significantly enhanced by non-toxic doses of blue light in the presence of riboflavin. Enhanced cytotoxicity correlated with decreased levels of mitochondrial ATP synthesis and increased lipid peroxidation was most likely the result of increased oxidative stress. Due to these properties, blue light in combination with riboflavin could represent an effective therapy option with few side effects and increase the success of local treatment of bladder cancer, whereby the dose of the chemotherapeutic agent used and thus the chemical load could be significantly reduced with similar or improved therapeutic success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Mucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells have a semi‐invariant T‐cell receptor that allows recognition of antigen in the context of the MHC class I‐related (MR1) protein. Metabolic intermediates of the riboflavin synthesis pathway have been identified as MR1‐restricted antigens with agonist properties. As riboflavin synthesis occurs in many bacterial species, but not human cells, it has been proposed that the main purpose of MAIT cells is antibacterial surveillance and protection. The majority of human MAIT cells secrete interferon‐gamma (IFNg) upon activation, while some MAIT cells in tissues can also express IL‐17. Given that MAIT cells are present in human barrier tissues colonized by a microbiome, MAIT cells must somehow be able to distinguish colonization from infection to ensure effector functions are only elicited when necessary. Importantly, MAIT cells have additional functional properties, including the potential to contribute to restoring tissue homeostasis by expression of CTLA‐4 and secretion of the cytokine IL‐22. A recent study provided compelling data indicating that the range of human MAIT cell functional properties is explained by plasticity rather than distinct lineages. This further underscores the necessity to better understand how different signals regulate MAIT cell function. In this review, we highlight what is known in regards to activating and inhibitory signals for MAIT cells with a specific focus on signals relevant to healthy and inflamed tissues. We consider the quantity, quality, and the temporal order of these signals on MAIT cell function and discuss the current limitations of computational tools to extrapolate which signals are received by MAIT cells in human tissues. Using lessons learned from conventional CD8 T cells, we also discuss how TCR signals may integrate with cytokine signals in MAIT cells to elicit distinct functional states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method was developed to verify the viable counts of BioTrakTM (TSI Model 9510-BD) without using test bacteria. In this method, an inkjet aerosol generator (IAG) was used to deliver a known number of test aerosol particles to BioTrak in the given sampling time. An IAG generates two types of monodisperse test particles, inert particles and fluorescent particles. Inert particles consist of a chemical substance that does not emit fluorescence when particles are irradiated by the laser beam of BioTrak. Inert particles were used to test whether a BioTrak generates false positive in viable counts or not. Depending on the version of the discrimination algorithm, BioTrak generated false positive in viable counts over 2 − 6-µm particle-diameter range. Fluorescent particles are monodisperse particles with a trace mass of fluorophores, which simulate the autofluorescence emission of surrogate bacteria. In this study, two types of fluorophore pairs, β-NADH and riboflavin sodium phosphate (riboflavin in short) and Coumarin 30 and riboflavin, were used. The counting efficiency of viable particle (CEviable) were evaluated by generating fluorescent particles at a 3.0–8.3-µm particle diameter. The average of CEviable, and its uncertainty among three BioTrak used in this study, were 0.701 ± 0.090 (k = 2), which is close to the physical sampling efficiency of BioTrak reported by the manufacturer. The relative standard uncertainty of CEviable due to day-to-day variation was 0.8% and 3.5%, when the first and second fluorophore pairs were used, respectively. These results proved that the proposed method can be regularly used to verify the viable counts of BioTrak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the changes encountered in corneal biomechanics and aberration profile following accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) using hypo-osmolar and iso-osmolar riboflavin in corneal thicknesses of <400 and >400 microns, respectively. Methods: This is a prospective, interventional, comparative study involving 100 eyes of 75 patients with progressive keratoconus. Eyes were divided into two groups based on corneal thickness: group 1 included eyes with a corneal thickness of <400 microns who underwent hypo-osmolar CXL, and group 2 included eyes with a corneal thickness of >400 microns who underwent iso-osmolar CXL. Corneal biomechanical and aberration profiles were evaluated and compared between groups. Results: In group 1, all higher-order aberrations (HOA) except secondary astigmatism significantly decreased from baseline; however, in group 2, only coma and trefoil decreased. The corneal resistance factor and corneal hysteresis significantly improved in both groups, which was significantly greater in group 2 than in group 1. The change in inverse radius, deformation amplitude, and tomographic biomechanical index was significantly improved in group 2 as compared to group 1. Conclusion: Improvement in corrected distance visual acuity and decrease in HOA were significantly better in the hypo-osmolar CXL group; however, the improvement in biomechanical strength of the cornea was significantly better in the iso-osmolar group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether UVA-light-activated riboflavin-induced collagen crosslinking (UVA-CXL) can maintain the function of filtering blebs after trabeculectomy (TRAB) in rabbits. Methods: Thirty-six healthy rabbits were randomized to one of the following groups with 12 rabbits in each group: Trabeculectomy group (TRAB group), trabeculectomy combined with CXL group (CXL group), and trabeculectomy combined with MMC group (MMC group). Six rabbits of each group were performed with intraocular pressure (IOP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA). Bleb structure was observed via hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry, proteomic study, western blot, and tensile test were performed between CXL group and the control. In vitro, cell viability was evaluated by CCK-8 and Calcein/PI staining. TRPV4 and VEGF-a expression levels were measured by Q-PCR. Ca2+ concentration was observed with Fluo-4 AM. Results: The IOP and bleb median survival day were significantly modified in CXL (5.92 ± 0.32 mmHg and 15.5 days) than TRAB group (7.50 ± 0.43 mmHg and 9 days). The bleb area and height increased. CXL inhibited vascularization, and vascularization peaked at postoperative day (POD) 14 and then decreased gradually. In proteomic analyses, Z disc, actin filament binding, and sarcomere organization were significantly enriched. CXL inhibited scleral stress‒strain in tensile tests. Compared with TRAB group, TRPV4 expression was significantly increased, but VEGF-a and TGF-β1 levels were reduced in the CXL group in western blot. Meanwhile, TRPV4 expression colocalized with CD31. In vitro, CXL inhibited HUVECs cell viability. After CXL, expression level of TRPV4 was increased and calcium influx was activated, but VEGF-a was decreased in HUVECs. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that intraoperative UV-RF CXL can significantly improve the success rate of TRAB via inhibiting filtering bleb vascularization. CXL increased sclera stiffness, in turn, induced TRPV4 activation, thus contributing to vascular endothelial cells suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale Poor appetite is considered a key factor in the development of malnutrition, a link that can be explained by alterations in dietary intake. Given the limited data on dietary characteristics in community-dwelling older adults with poor appetite, the present study aimed to examine whether poor appetite is associated with lower nutrient intake and more unfavourable food choices. Methods In 569 participants of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam aged ≥70 years appetite was assessed using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire and dichotomised into normal (>14) and poor (≤14). Intake of energy, 19 nutrients, 15 food groups, the Dutch Healthy Diet Index 2015 (DHD15) and Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) were calculated from a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary differences between appetite groups were examined using Mann–Whitney U test and binary logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. Results Mean age was 78 ± 6 years and 52% were female. Appetite was poor in 12.5% of participants. Energy intake was 1951 (median; quartiles 1–3: 1,653–2,384) kcal/day with no difference between appetite groups. Poor appetite was associated with lower intake of protein (OR 0.948, 95%CI 0.922–0.973), folate (0.981, 0.973–0.989), zinc (0.619, 0.454–0.846), vegetables (0.988, 0.982–0.994) and lower scores of DHD15 (0.964, 0.945–0.983) and MDS (0.904, 0.850–0.961), as well as higher intake of carbohydrates (1.015, 1.006–1.023), and vitamins B2 (4.577, 1.650–12.694) and C (1.013, 1.005–1.021). Conclusions Community-dwelling older adults with poor appetite showed poorer diet quality with a lower intake of protein, folate, zinc and vegetables, compared with those reporting normal appetite and should be advised accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the variations in amino acids, phenolic compounds, elements, and vitamins between grape varieties is essential for optimizing grape production, fine-tuning dietary recommendations, and harnessing the health potential of grapes. In this regard, this comprehensive study investigated the compositional diversity of two distinct table grape cultivars, 'Bronx Seedless' and 'Italia', at various critical phenological stages (BBCH-77, -79, -81, -83, -85, and -89). The research findings demonstrated remarkable differences in the concentrations of key nutritional components. Bronx Seedless consistently exhibited higher levels of several amino acids, including glutamate, phenylalanine, and aspartate with concentrations reaching 49.6, 52.7, and 24.8 pmol μL−1, respectively, in contrast to Italia. Regarding phenolic compounds, Italia emerged as the richer source, with concentrations notably higher for compounds such as vanillic acid (18.2 µg g−1 FW) and gallic acid (37.4 µg g−1 FW). Mineral analysis revealed variable concentrations, with Italia grapes containing higher levels of Fe (91.0 mg/kg) compared to Bronx Seedless (87.1 mg/kg); however, Bronx Seedless had slightly elevated levels of K (31,089 mg/kg) compared to Italia (28,184 mg/kg). Concidering vitamins, Italia grapes showcased superior levels of Vitamin B1 (14.1 mg/100 g FW) and Vitamin A (11.0 mg/100 g FW), while Bronx Seedless had higher concentrations of Vitamin B6 (29.5 mg/kg), C (3.9 mg/100 g FW) and Vitamin B2 (36.9 mg/100 g FW). Principal component analysis (PCA) elucidated complex relationships within these components, offering insights into potential correlations and interactions. The heatmap visualization further indicated the concentration gradients across various samples, unveiling the intricate nutritional profiles of these grape cultivars. This research can aid grape growers and consumers in making informed decisions about grape cultivars and their corresponding health advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Riboflavin transporter deficiency (RTD) is a genetic disorder of reduced riboflavin (vitamin B2) uptake that causes progressive, multifocal neurological dysfunction. Most patients present in early childhood; if patients present later in life, symptoms usually develop more gradually. We report three previously healthy young adults, who developed rapidly progressive neurological symptoms after decreasing dietary intake of meat and dairy. After a diagnostic odyssey, the diagnosis of a riboflavin transporter deficiency was made. Treatment with high dose oral riboflavin (20–40 mg/kg/day) partially reversed symptoms. This case series highlights that reduced riboflavin intake as a result of dietary changes can unmask RTD at a later age. We emphasize the importance of early recognition of this progressive and potentially lethal disease and show that timely treatment with high dose riboflavin is highly effective.

Abstract Background Accumulating evidence suggests a pivotal role of vitamin B2 in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Vitamin B2 intake has been postulated to modulate the screening rate for PCa by altering the concentration of prostate-specific antigen(PSA). However, the relationship between vitamin B2 and PSA remains indeterminate. Hence, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the association between vitamin B2 intake and PSA levels, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Methods From a pool of 20,371 participants in the NHANES survey conducted between 2003 and 2010, a cohort of 2,323 participants was selected for the present study. The male participants were classified into four distinct groups based on their levels of vitamin B2 intake. We employed a multiple linear regression model and a non-parametric regression method to investigate the relationship between vitamin B2 and PSA levels. Results The study cohort comprised of 2,323 participants with a mean age of 54.95 years (± 11.73). Our findings revealed a statistically significant inverse correlation between vitamin B2 intake (mg) and PSA levels, with a reduction of 0.13 ng/ml PSA concentration for every unit increase in vitamin B2 intake. Furthermore, we employed a fully adjusted model to construct a smooth curve to explore the possible linear relationship between vitamin B2 intake and PSA concentration. Conclusions Our study in American men has unveiled a notable inverse association between vitamin B2 intake and PSA levels, potentially posing a challenge for the identification of asymptomatic prostate cancer. Specifically, our findings suggest that individuals with higher vitamin B2 intake may be at a greater risk of being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in the future, possibly indicating a detection bias. These results may offer a novel explanation for the observed positive correlation between vitamin B2 intake and prostate cancer.

Background and aims: The evolution of demyelination in individual internodes remains unclear although it has been noticed the paranodal demyelination precedes internodal demyelination in neuropathies with diverse aetiologies. For therapeutic purpose, it is fundamental to know whether the demyelinating procedure in affected internodes can be interrupted. This study aimed to delineate the development of demyelination in individual internodes in avian riboflavin deficient neuropathy. Methods: Newborn broiler meat chickens were maintained either on a routine diet containing 5.0 mg/kg riboflavin, a riboflavin deficient diet containing 1.8 mg/kg riboflavin, or initially a riboflavin deficient diet for 11 days and then routine diet plus riboflavin repletion from day 12. Evolution of demyelination in individual internodes was analyzed by teased nerve fibre studies from day 11 to 21. Results: In riboflavin deficient chickens, demyelination was the predominant feature: it was mainly confined to the paranodal region at day 11; extended into internodal region, but less than half of the internodal length in most affected internodes at day 16; involved more than half or whole internode at day 21. In the internode undergoing demyelination, myelin degeneration of varying degrees was noticed in the cytoplasm of the Schwann cell wrapping the internode. Two days after riboflavin repletion, co-existence of remyelination and active demyelination within individual internodes was noticed. Remyelination together with preserved short original internodes was the characteristic feature 4 and 9 days after riboflavin repletion. Conclusion: Riboflavin repletion interrupts the progression from paranodal to internodal demyelination in riboflavin deficient chickens and promotes remyelination before complete internodal demyelination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioreduction of Cr(VI) is recognized as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method, attracting widespread interest. However, the slow rate of Cr(VI) bioreduction remains a practical challenge. Additionally, the direct removal efficiency of microbes for high concentrations of Cr(VI) is not ideal due to the toxicity. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of exogenous riboflavin or cytochrome on the cathodic reduction of Cr(VI) in microbial fuel cells. The results demonstrated that the exogenous riboflavin or cytochrome effectively improved the voltage output of the cells, with riboflavin increasing the voltage by 52.08%. Within the first 24 h, the Cr(VI) removal ratio in the normal, cytochrome, and riboflavin groups was 14.3%, 29.3%, and 53.8%, respectively. And the final removal ratio was 55.1%, 69.1%, and 98.0%, respectively. These results showed different enhancement effects of riboflavin and cytochrome on Cr(VI) removal. The analysis of riboflavin and cytochrome contents revealed that the additions did not have a significant impact on the autocrine riboflavin of S. putrefaciens, but affected the autocrine cytochrome. SEM, XPS, and FTIR results confirmed the presence of reduced Cr(III) on the cathode, which formed precipitate and adhered to the cathode surface. The EDS analysis showed that the amount of Cr on the cathode in normal, cytochrome, and riboflavin groups was 4.71%, 6.37%, 7.56%, respectively, which was consistent with the voltage and Cr(VI) removal data. These findings demonstrated the significant enhancement of exogenous riboflavin or cytochrome on Cr(VI) reduction, thereby providing data reference for the future bio-assisted remediation of Cr(VI) pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, poling−free PLLA/VB2 piezoelectric composites are fabricated to achieve synchronous sound recognition and energy harvesting. The addition of VB2 can interact with PLLA by intermolecular hydrogen bonding, inducing the dipole orientation of C=O in PLLA. Meanwhile, VB2 can promote crystallization of PLLA through heterogeneous nucleation. The combination of the two strategies significantly improves the piezoelectric performance of PLLA/VB2 composites. The PLLA/VB2 can detect the sound frequency with an accuracy of 0.1% in the range of 0–20 kHz to recognize characteristic sounds from a specific source. PLLA/VB2 can also convert sound into electrical energy synchronously with an energy density of 0.2 W/cm−3 to power up LEDs. Therefore, PLLA/VB2 shows great potential in the field of information and energy synchronous collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Face masks are essential in reducing the transmission of respiratory infections and bacterial filtration efficiency, a key parameter of mask performances, requires the use of Staphylococcus aureus and specialised staff. This study aims to develop a novel method for a preliminary screening of masks or materials filtration efficiency by a green, easy and rapid setup based on the use of a riboflavin solution, a safe autofluorescent biomolecule. The proposed setup is composed of a commercial aerosol generator commonly used for aerosol therapy, custom 3D printed aerosol chamber and sample holder, a filter for downstream riboflavin detection and a vacuum pump. The filtration efficiency of four different masks was assessed using the riboflavin-based setup and the bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE). The averaged filtration efficiency values, measured with both methods, were similar but were higher for the riboflavin-based setup (about 2% for all tested samples) than bacterial filtration efficiency. Considering the good correlation, the riboflavin-based setup can be considered validated as an alternative method to bacterial filtration efficiency for masks and related materials fabrics filtration efficiency screening but This study aims to develop a novel method for a preliminary screening of masks or materials filtration efficiency by a green, easy and rapid setup based on the use of a riboflavin solution, a safe autofluorescent biomolecule, but not to replace regulation approaches. The proposed setup can be easily implemented at low price, is more rapid and eco-friendly and can be performed in chemical-physical laboratories without the needing of biosafety laboratory and specialised operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riboflavin is a water‐soluble yellowish vitamin and is controversial regarding its effect on tumour cells. Riboflavin is a powerful photosensitizer that upon exposure to radiation, undergoes an intersystem conversion with molecular oxygen, leading to the production of ROS. In the current study, we sought to ascertain the impact of irradiated riboflavin on C6 glioblastoma cells regarding proliferation, cell death, oxidative stress and migration. First, we compared the proliferative behaviour of cells following nonradiated and radiated riboflavin. Next, we performed apoptotic assays including Annexin V and caspase 3, 7 and 9 assays. Then we checked on oxidative stress and status by flow cytometry and ELISA kits. Finally, we examined inflammatory change and levels of MMP2 and SIRT1 proteins. We caught a clear antiproliferative and cytotoxic effect of irradiated riboflavin compared to nonradiated one. Therefore, we proceeded with our experiments using radiated riboflavin. In all apoptotic assays, we observed a dose‐dependent increase. Additionally, the levels of oxidants were found to increase, while antioxidant levels decreased following riboflavin treatment. In the inflammation analysis, we observed elevated levels of both pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, after treatment, we observed reduced levels of MMP2 and SIRT. In conclusion, radiated riboflavin clearly demonstrates superior antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on C6 cells at lower doses compared to nonradiated riboflavin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between glaucoma and B vitamin dietary intake. A total of 5025 enrolled individuals participated in self-reported glaucoma questionnaire and 3264 participated in International Society Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology (ISGEO) criteria. In self-reported glaucoma, the risk of having self-reported glaucoma was lower in the third quartile of vitamin B1 intake (odds ratio [odds ratio [OR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40–0.97), and P trend (P trend = 0.004) for vitamin B12 was significant; in males, the third quartile of vitamin B1 intake (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.24–0.83) and the fourth quartile of vitamin B2 intake (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.17–0.89) were associated with a lower risk. In glaucoma based on ISGEO criteria, the increase of niacin intake (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89–0.99) was negatively associated with the odds of self-reported glaucoma. After sex-stratified analysis, the third quartile of vitamin B6 intake (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.08–0.60) in males were associated with reduced odds of glaucoma. The restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nonlinear association of vitamin B2 (p for nonlinearity = 0.04) and B9 (p for nonlinearity = 0.024) intake with glaucoma diagnosed by ISGEO criteria in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]