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In this study, we initiated an effort to generate information about beef safety in Uganda. Our entry point was to assess by atomic absorption spectrophotometry the levels of essential elements copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), and non-essential elements lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) in 40 beef samples collected from within and around Soroti (Uganda). The information was used to evaluate the safety of consuming such beef against the World Health Organization (WHO) limits. The latter was accomplished by (i) estimating the daily intake (EDI) of each metal in the study area, (ii) modeling the non-cancer health risk using the target hazard quotient (THQ) and (iii) modeling the cancer risk using the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). The study finds that the mean concentrations (±95% CI) and EDI were in the order of Fe > Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Co > Cu > Cd. Cancer risk was found to be due to Ni > Cr > Cd > Pb and significantly higher in children than adults. The latter particularly demonstrates the importance of Ni poisoning in the study area. Overall, while essential elements in our beef samples were below WHO limits (hence no health risks), non-essential elements had high health and cancer risks due to higher levels of Cr and Ni.

Pesticide residues in food are a global concern due to their potential impacts on human health and the environment. This study investigates pesticide residues in vegetables commonly consumed in Egypt, utilizing advanced analytical techniques such as Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). A total of 4200 vegetable samples, including cucumber, squash, eggplant, okra, peas, onion, green onion, parsley, lettuce, and cantaloupe, were collected from 20 markets across different Egyptian governorates between 2018 and 2021. The analysis revealed that 42% of the samples contained pesticide residues, with only 13% of the analyzed samples exceeding the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by Codex/EU-MRL standards. Despite this, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of the detected pesticides did not surpass acceptable daily intake (ADI) limits, suggesting no immediate chronic health risks to consumers. These findings highlight Egypt’s ongoing commitment to food safety, while also underscoring the importance of continuous monitoring and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices to ensure the long-term safety and quality of the food supply.

Introduction: Increased Actin-like 6A (ACTL6A) expression is associated with various cancers, but its comprehensive investigation across different malignancies is lacking. We aimed to analyze ACTL6A as a potential oncogene and therapeutic target using bioinformatics tools.Methods: We comprehensively analyzed ACTL6A expression profiles across human malignancies, focusing on correlations with tumor grade, stage, metastasis, and patient survival. Genetic alterations were examined, and the epigenetic landscape of ACTL6A was assessed using rigorous methods. The impact of ACTL6A on immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment was evaluated, along with molecular docking studies and machine learning models.Results: Our analysis revealed elevated ACTL6A expression in various tumors, correlating with poor prognostic indicators such as tumor grade, stage, metastasis, and patient survival. Genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications were identified, along with associations with immune cell infiltration and key cellular pathways. Machine learning models demonstrated ACTL6A's potential for cancer detection.Discussion: ACTL6A emerges as a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target in cancer, with implications for prognosis and therapy. Our study provides comprehensive insights into its carcinogenic actions, highlighting its potential as both a prognostic indicator and a target for anti-cancer therapy. This integrative approach enhances our understanding of ACTL6A's role in cancer pathogenesis and treatment.

Replication Factor C Subunit 4 (RFC4), an oncogene implicated in many human cancers, has yet to be extensively studied in many cancer types to determine its expression patterns and tumor tissue function. Various bioinformatics tools were used to analyze RFC4 as a potential oncogene and therapeutic target across many cancers. We first examined RFC4 expression levels in several human tumor types to determine relationships with tumor grade, stage, metastasis, and patient survival. We also examined RFC4’s genetic changes, epigenetic methylation, and effect on tumor microenvironment (TME) immune cell infiltration. We also analyzed RFC4’s connections with immunological checkpoints to identify potential molecular pathways involved in carcinogenesis. Our findings show that RFC4 is upregulated in several tumor types and associated with poor prognoses in many human cancers. This study shows that RFC4 significantly affects the tumor immunological microenvironment, specifically immune cell populations. Finally, we screened for RFC4-inhibiting pharmacological compounds with anti-cancer potential. This study fully elucidates RFC4’s carcinogenic activities, emphasizing its potential as a prognostic biomarker and a target for anti-cancer therapy.

Fenpyroximate is a widely used acaricide applicable in many crops. In this study, the residue behavior of fenpyroximate on eggplant, orange, and guava was investigated. The chronic and acute dietary intake was calculated at several sampling points, and preharvest intervals (PHI) were proposed to ensure compliance with the existing maximum residue levels. A simple extraction protocol combined with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was employed to quantify residue levels. The method was successfully validated according to the European Union (EU) guidelines, and a limit of quantification of 0.01 mg/kg was set. The dissipation patterns in all crops could be described by the first-order kinetics model with half-lives of 1.7, 2.2, and 1.9 days for eggplants, guavas, and oranges, respectively. The dietary risk assessment at the authorized or more critical application patterns was acceptable for the consumers. For oranges and eggplant, a PHI of 3 and 7 days, respectively, can be proposed; however, a proposal was not possible for guava due to the absence of maximum residue limits (MRLs) and quantitative residue findings at all sampling points tested. The current work not only contributes to the practical application of fenpyroximate related to residue management in dryland areas, such as Egypt, but can also be used to estimate the appropriate PHIs and support the authorization of plant protection products as supplementary information.

Background Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), commonly known as fall armyworm (FAW), is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in the world and has posed a great threat to crops. The improper use of insecticides has led to rapid development of resistance. However, the genetic data available for uncovering the insecticide resistance mechanisms are scarce. Methods In this study, we used PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing aimed at revealing the full-length transcriptome profiling of the FAW larval brain to obtain detoxification genes. Results A total of 18,642 high-quality transcripts were obtained with an average length of 2,371 bp, and 11,230 of which were successfully annotated in six public databases. Among these, 5,692 alternative splicing events were identified.

The efficiency of the solar PV panel decreases significantly as the PV panel’s operating temperature increases. There are many cooling techniques might be suitably deal with this problem to enhance the solar panel efficiency. The presented cooling technique used for solving the PV panel’s temperature elevation is an active close loop cooling system, accomplished using two water glazing chambers made from acrylic glass placed at the PV panel surfaces (rear and front). These champers are utilized for cooling down the PV cell’s temperature, as well as filtering the useful sunlight spectrum. The results show that the PV cell’s temperature reduction by 50.06% with using the cooling system, this leads to an average increase in the maximum output power and consequently electrical efficiency of the PV panel by about 12.69% and 14.2%, respectively.

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing worldwide as it may help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the large-scale use of charging stations for electric vehicles poses some challenges to the power grid and public infrastructure. To overcome the problem of extended charging time, the simple solution of increasing the charging station and increasing the charging capacity does not work due to the load and space limitation of the power grid. Therefore, researchers focused on developing intelligent planning algorithms to manage the demand for public charging based on predicting the charging time of electric vehicles. As a result, this paper proposes a deep learning approach for predicting the duration of charging sessions. These approaches are validated using a real-world dataset of charging processes collected at public charging stations in Morocco. Numerical results show that the gated recurrent units (GRU) regression method slightly outperforms the other methods in predicting the charging sessions duration. Accurate prediction of electric vehicles charging duration has many potential applications for utilities and charging operators, including grid reliability, scheduling, and smart grid integration. In the case of Morocco, the massive deployment of EVs can cause a variety of problems to the electrical system due to the considerable charging power and stochastic charging behaviors of electric vehicle drivers. Thanks to this study's results, we can assess the expected impact of additional EVs on the grid, considering specific characteristics of the Moroccan power system.

Linear motor offers several features in many applications that require linear motion. Nevertheless, the presence of cogging force can deteriorate the thrust of a permanent magnet linear motor. Using several methodologies, a design of synchronous single sided linear iron-core motor was proposed. According to exact formulas with surface-mounted magnets and concentrated winding specification, which are relying on geometrical parameters. Two-dimensional performance analysis of the designed model and its multi-objective optimization were accomplished as a method to reduce the motor cogging force using MAXWELL ANSYS. The optimum model design results showed that the maximum force ripple was approximatrly reduced by 81.24%compared to the original model with a smaller ripple coefficient of 0.22. Likewise, the model was redesigned taking into consideration two cases; laminated core and solid core. It was found that the error between the analytical and numerical results of the output force did not exceed 0.0967%.

The fall angle of sun rays on the surface of a photovoltaic PV panel and its temperature is negatively affecting the panel electrical energy produced and efficiency. The fall angle problem was commonly solved by using a dual-axis solar tracker that continually maintains the panel orthogonally positioning to the sun rays all day long. This leads to maximum absorption for solar radiation necessary to produce maximum amount of energy and maintain high level of electrical efficiency. To solve the PV panel temperature problem, a Water-Flow Double Glazing WFDG technique has been introduced as a new cooling tool to reduce the panel temperature. In this paper, an integration design of the water glazing system with a dual-axis tracker has been accomplished and experimentally tested in order to enhance the PV panel efficiency, especially at hot climates. The proposed glazing system can simultaneously perform two functions, firstly, working as a cooling tool for reducing the stored heat in the PV panel during its work and secondly as an optical filter for sun light spectrum. Optimum design factors with their levels for the glazing system were calculated according to Taguchi method. Test experiments were carried out in Baghdad city on the 20th and 21st July 2016 on the tracker with and without using the WFDG system. The obtained results show that, the PV panel temperature with using the WFDG system was significantly dropped by 44% and its efficiency increased maximally by 36.6% at solar irradiance of 1213W/m2 as compared with conventional one.

In IRAQ, the air conditioners are the principal cause of high electrical demand. In summer, the outer temperature sometimes exceeds 500C which significantly effects on the A/C system performance and power consumed. In the present work, the improvement in mechanical and electrical performance of split A/C system is investigated experimentally and analytically. In this paper, performance and energy saving enhancement of a split-A/C system was experimentally investigated to be efficiently compatible with elevated temperature weathers. This improvement is accomplished via Smart Control System integrate with Proportional-Integral- Differential PID algorithm. The PIC16F877A micro-controller has been programmed with the PID and PWM codes to control the speed of the proposed DC condenser fan over wide range of speed, also it has been programmed to have a smart characteristics to protect the A/C system parts as the ability to detect a refrigerant leakage, condenser fan stop, and any obstacles for the fan air flow. A comparative study between the conventional and enhanced A/C system is performed. The results show that the proposed system exhibits better performance and saves more energy than the conventional one. The Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the split- A/C system are improved by about 20.56%.

Neural networks are complex nonlinear models;this characteristic enables them to be used in nonlinear system modeling and prediction applications.The estimation and prediction are importantroles in the communication system.The proposed approach based onthe Wavelet Neural Networks (WNNs)usesmorlet as an activation function in thehidden layer of the wavelet neural network,while the Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBFNNs)usebasis functionthat can be calculated as a Gaussian function. In this paper,a comparisonbetween the performance ofWavelet Neural Networksand Radial Basis Functionfor GPS prediction is presented.The comparison results(usingMATLAB programming)presentthat the Wavelet Neural Networks method has a great approximation ability, suitability and more stable in Global Positioning System (GPS)prediction than the Radial Basis Function Neural Networks,were highly effective predictions for accurate positioning and RMS errors are 0.05meter after using of Wavelet Neural Networks prediction.

Metalaxyl is a widely used fungicide around the world. Very limited data have been reported concerning the dissipation and residue of metalaxyl in agricultural products. Residues and dissipation rate of metalaxyl were estimated in tomato fruit by HPLC following single application of the fungicide at 262.5 g a.i. ha−1. The average initial deposit of metalaxyl on tomato fruits was found to be 2.39 mg kg−1. Residues of metalaxyl dissipated below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.5 mg kg−1 in 7 days. Half-life (t1/2) for degradation of metalaxyl on tomato fruit was observed to be 1.81 days. A waiting period of 7 days is suggested for safe consumption of tomato. The results would be useful for the safe use of metalaxyl and to prevent any health problem to customers.

The tribological behaviour of a G-P ( glass-polyester ) composite system and G-P composite systems interfaced with graded fillers were tested. The composite materials of G-P and G-P reinforced with SiC and Graphite particles as secondary fillers were experimentally investigated under varying loads, sliding velocities with dry surfaces by using a Pin-on-Disc test machine. A plan of experiments, based on the techniques of Taguchi, were performed to acquire data in a controlled way. An L9 Orthogonal array was selected for analysis of the data. Investigations to find the influence of additives, applied load, sliding speed on wear rate, wear resistance as well as the coefficient of friction during wearing process were carried out using ANOVA analysis and regression equation for each response. The model was chosen as "smaller is better" characteristics to analyse the dry sliding wear and friction while "larger is better" for sliding wear resistance. Results show that the additives have the highest influence followed by load and sliding speed. Finally, confirmation tests were performed to verify the experimental results foreseen from the mentioned correlations

Experimental investigations had been done in this work to demonstrate the effect of aluminum filler contents on the dynamic behavior of (30%) weight fraction glass-polyester sandwich panel under low velocity impact. The composite sandwich panels are manufactured using the honeycomb core and laminated composite face sheets. The wet hand layup technique is used. The mechanical properties were tested based on ASTM D- 638. The panel is fixed from three sides and the other is free. The impact load is applied. The dynamic response of the plate is measured using vibration data collector (TVC 200). The panel is supported also on a rigid foundation. The steel impactor of 15 kg weight dropped from 2 m height. The deformation is measured using vernier caliper. The results showed that the mechanical properties are improved when the aluminum filler content increased up to 5% and then decreased after that. The dynamic behaviors have the same but differ in magnitude. The minimum deflection and deformation takes at 5% filler content for both face and core. At 5% filler content the deflection and deformation decreased by 20% and 56% respectively less than the unfilled panel. The effects of using different faces with the same core have a little variation.

In the present work the effect of residual stress on the fatigue behavior of 2024 Aluminum alloy was studied experimentally and numerically using finite element method with aid of ANSYS-11 software. All the test specimens treated by annealing before any process to remove the internal stresses due to cold work. Residual stresses were imparted to the fatigue tests specimens by heat treatment, pre-strain and welding. X-Ray diffraction was used to measure the residual stress. The heat treatment; done on the test specimens with different temperature of (420, 450, 480, and 510) oC. After heat treatment; alloy mechanical properties were improved. For the heat treated specimens as the temperature increased the compressive residual stress increased to (27.06, 41.43, 72.8 and 85.6) MPa. That leads to increase the endurance fatigue limit by (32.93%, 40.48%, 50.68% and 61.03%) respectively than other alloy as received. While in pre strain groups; the test specimens loaded to (265, 290, 315 and 340) MPa by a tension test machine. As the applied load series were increased the compressive residual stress increased to (16.51, 25.62, 51.54 and 62.44) MPa which improve the endurance fatigue limit by (7.68%, 16.19%, 24.98%, and 46.45%), respectively. An electrical arc and metal inert gas were used in welding series to weld the test specimens, that present a tensile residual stress of (76.93 and 72.66) MPa, which reduces the endurance fatigue limit by (23.45% and 16.08%), respectively. The numerical results present fatigue behavior, deflection and stress at any load, and show a reasonable agreement results with an experimental one.

Experimental investigations had been done in this work to demonstrate the effect of graphite filler contents on the dynamic behavior of (30%) weight fraction glass-polyester sandwich panel under low velocity impact. The composite sandwich panels are manufactured using the honeycomb core and laminated composite face sheets. The wet hand layup technique is used. The mechanical properties were tested based on ASTM D-638. The panel is fixed from three sides and the other is free. The impact load is applied. The dynamic response of the plate is measured using vibration data collector (TVC 200). The panel is supported also on a rigid foundation. The steel impactor of 15 kg weight dropped from 2 m height. The deformation is measured using vernier caliper. The results showed that the mechanical properties are improved when the graphite filler content increased up to 7.5% and then decreased after that. The same dynamic behaviors were obtained but differ in magnitude. The minimum deflection and deformation takes at 7.5% filler content for both face and core. At 7.5% filler content the deflection and deformation decreased by 28% and 60% respectively less than the unfilled panel. The effects of using different faces with the same core have a little variation.

This study investigated the changes in phytochemical composition and inflammatory response of crude papaya (Carica papaya L.) seed oil (CPO) and its refined forms (degummed, PDG; deacidified, PDA; decolorized, PDC; deodorized, PDO). Oils were analyzed for their phytochemical composition, oil quality parameters, antioxidant activity, and their inflammatory response in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages. At higher refining degrees, particularly after deacidification, the contents of phytochemicals (sterols, tocopherols, and polyphenols) decreased while oxidation products increased. Both CPO (0.1-1.0 mg/mL) and PDG reduced the secretion and mRNA expression of LPS-stimulated inflammatory cytokines and mediators and also blocked the activation of the NF-κB pathway. PDA, PDC, and PDO showed low anti-inflammatory or even pro-inflammatory activity. Correlation analysis showed that 4 polyphenols and 2 phytosterols were responsible for the oil's anti-inflammatory effects. These findings indicated that moderate refining is suggested for papaya seed oil processing for retaining bioactive ingredients and anti-inflammatory ability., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), also known as "sweet marjoram" or "sweet oregano" is a Mediterranean herbaceous perennial herb cultivated in Egypt and widely consumed as an herbal supplement for treatment of several ailments. The main goal of this study was to assess volatiles' variation in marjoram samples collected from two different widely consumed commercial products using two different extraction techniques viz. head space solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and petroleum ether using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and multivariate data analysis. A total of 20 major aroma compounds were identified in samples extracted with HS-SPME found enriched in monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds. The major volatiles included β-phellandrene (20.1 and 14.2%), γ-terpinene (13.4 and 11.7%), 2-bornene (12.3 and 11.5%), p-cymene (9.8 and 4.6%) terpenen-4-ol (16.4 and 7.5%), sabinene hydrate (16.02 and 8.8%) and terpineol (4.2 and 3.2%) in MR and MI, respectively. Compared with HS-SPME, 51 aroma compounds were identified in marjoram samples extracted with petroleum ether, found more enriched in aliphatic hydrocarbons (42.8 and 73.8%) in MR and MI, respectively. While a higher identification score was observed in the case of solvent extraction, SPME appeared to be more selective in the recovery of oxygenated terpenes to account more for marjoram aroma. Multivariate data analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct discrimination between volatile composition of both marjoram samples. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents in marjoram samples were at (111.9, 109.1 µg GA/mg) and (18.3, 19.5 µg rutin eq/mg) in MR and MI, respectively. Stronger antioxidant effects were observed in MR and MI samples with IC 50 at 45.5 and 56.8 µg/mL respectively compared to IC 50 6.57 µg/mL for Trolox as assayed using DPPH assay. Moderate anti-bacterial effect was observed in MR and MI samples and expressed as a zone of inhibition mostly against Bacillus subtilis (16.03 and 15.9 mm), B. cereus (12.9 and 13.7 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (14.03 and 13.97 mm), and Enterobacter cloacae (11.6 and 11.6 mm) respectively., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Brassica juncea L. (family Brassicaceae) or Indian mustard is a fast-growing oilseed crop. Climate changes mean that it is very important to evaluate the effects of salinity stress on B. juncea. The aim of this study was therefore to show the metabolic effect of salinity stress on shoots and roots using two cultivation models - hydroponic and microplot - in different cultivars, including RH-725 and RH-761. Salinity levels of 5, 7.5, and 10 dS m⁻¹ were investigated, and compared with a control of 0 dS m⁻¹, using untargeted metabolomics with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) post-silylation, focusing on metabolic markers such as proline and glycine-betaine., Results: A total of 56 metabolites were identified, with the most prevalent classes belonging to sugars (8), followed by organic acids (13), amino acids (11), and fatty acids/esters (11). Shoots were found to have a higher sugar content than roots. Increases in unsaturated fatty acids were also associated with salinity stress, compared with a decrease in saturated fatty acids. Absolute levels of proline and glycine-betaine correlated with salinity stress, with the largest increases detected in shoots grown under hydroponic conditions, particularly for the RH-761 cultivar. Multivariate data analyses revealed that roots were more affected than shoots, regardless of cultivation model., Conclusion: These findings might explain the different metabolic behavior of B. juncea's roots and shoots under various levels of salinity, associated with higher levels of free sugars in shoots and lipids in roots. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Recently, the impacts of climate change, notably ocean warming and solar ultraviolet radiation, have led to significant stress and mortality in cnidarians. The objective of this study is to decode the metabolic responses of sea anemones Entacmaea quadricolor and upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda upon exposure to thermal and ultraviolet stress. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry targeting polar and non-polar metabolites were applied. In total, 72 polar and 242 lipophilic metabolites were detected in jellyfish and sea anemones, respectively. Amino acids are the major metabolite class in jellyfish, and triacylglycerides are the predominant lipids in jellyfish and anemones. Exposure to stressors led to metabolic alterations, marked by elevated amino acids in jellyfish and increased amino acids and sugar alcohols in sea anemones at 34 °C and after four days of ultraviolet radiation. Non-polar metabolome analysis indicated distinct responses to ultraviolet radiation and thermal stress in both species., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Citrus polyphenols can modulate gut microbiota and such bi-directional interaction that can yield metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to aid in gut homeostasis. Such interaction provides citrus polyphenols with powerful prebiotic potential, contributing to guts' health status and metabolic regulation. Citrus polyphenols encompass unique polymethoxy flavonoids imparting non-polar nature that improve their bioactivities and ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Green extraction technology targeting recovery of these polyphenols has received increasing attention due to its advantages of high extraction yield, short extraction time, low solvent consumption, and environmental friendliness. However, the low bioavailability of citrus polyphenols limits their applications in extraction from citrus by-products. Meanwhile, nano-encapsulation technology may serve as a promising approach to improve citrus polyphenols' bioavailability. As citrus polyphenols encompass multiple hydroxyl groups, they are potential to interact with bio-macromolecules such as proteins and polysaccharides in nano-encapsulated systems that can improve their bioavailability. This multifaceted review provides a research basis for the green and efficient extraction techniques of citrus polyphenols, as well as integrated mechanisms for its anti-inflammation, alleviating metabolic syndrome, and regulating gut homeostasis, which is more capitalized upon using nano-delivery systems as discussed in that review to maximize their health and food applications.

Flavonoids are found ubiquitous in dietary sources with potential antioxidant properties, and have received widespread attention for their health benefits. Nuts, rich in flavonoids, are popular among consumers for their crunchy flavor and nutritious content. The review summarizes studies pertaining to the diverse types and distribution of flavonoids in nuts, their potential health benefits, as well as management strategies for flavonoids accumulation and enhancement across the whole agro-food chain, including the selection of nut varieties, the suitable growing conditions, the optimal harvesting period of nuts, and appropriate post-harvest measures, such as chemical conditioning, ideal storage conditions, and post-harvest processing methods. Furthermore, associated metabolic pathways, and applied metabolic engineering to improve flavonoids´ levels in nuts are described. This review examines the application of flavonoids biofortification in nuts across the agro-food chain, exploring its potential for sustainable development in the nut flavonoids industry, and emphasizing its importance for people's diet and health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Different food processing methods, e.g. fermentation, grilling, frying, etc., to improve food sensory attributes or shelf-stability are typically employed in different cuisines worldwide. These methods may illicit in-situ health-hazardous chemicals via thermal or enzymatic-mediated processes or chemical interactions with food preservatives. This review provides a comparative overview of the occurrence, extraction, and determination of the major food carcinogens such as nitrosamines (NAs), biogenic amines (BAs), heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ethyl carbamate (EC), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Their carcinogenicity levels vary from group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) e.g. benzo[a]pyrene, group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) e.g. N-nitrosodiethylamine, group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) e.g. chrysene or group 3 (non-classifiable as carcinogenic to humans) e.g. MDA. Chromatography-based methods are the most predominant techniques used for their analysis. LC-MS is widely used for both volatile/non-volatile NAs, HAAs, BAs, and EC, whereas GC-MS is applied more for volatile NAs, PAHs and MDA., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Climate change poses various threats to marine life, particularly in shallow tropical waters., Objective: The impact of increased temperature and ultraviolet (UV) exposure on two photosymbiotic cnidarians, a common bubble-tip anemone and an upside-down jellyfish, was investigated., Methods: To illustrate the response of aquatic organisms, the metabolomes of unstressed Entacmaea quadricolor and Cassiopea andromeda were compared for detailed metabolite profiling. UHPLC-MS coupled with chemometrics and GNPS molecular networking was employed for sample classification and identification of markers unique to stress responses in each organism., Results: Several compounds with bioactive functions, including peptides and terpenoids, were reported for the first time in both organisms, viz. cyclic tetraglutamate, campestriene, and ceramide aminoethyl phosphonate (CEAP d18:2/16:0). Both anemone and jellyfish were subjected to either elevated UV-B light intensity up to 6.6 KJ m -2 or increased temperatures (28 °C, 30 °C, 32 °C, and 34 °C) over 4 days. Phospholipids, steroids, and ceramides emerged as chief markers of both types of stress, as revealed by the multivariate data analysis. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC 16:0), LPC (18:0/0:0), and echinoclasterol sulfate appeared as markers in both UV and thermal stress models of the anemone, whereas methyl/propyl cholestane-hexa-ol were discriminatory in the UV stress model only. In the case of jellyfish, nonpolar glycosyl ceramide GlcCer (d14:1/28:6) served as a marker for UV stress, whereas polar peptides were elevated in the thermal stress model. Interestingly, both models of jellyfish share a phospholipid, lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE 20:4), as a distinctive marker for stress, reported to be associated indirectly with the activity of innate immune response within other photosymbiotic Cnidaria such as corals and appears to be a fundamental stress response in marine organisms., Conclusion: This study presents several bioinformatic tools for the first time in two cnidarian organisms to provide not only a broader coverage of their metabolome but also broader insights into cnidarian bleaching in response to different stressors, i.e., heat and UV light, by comparing their effects in anemone versus jellyfish., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: The present study focuses on the aroma and secondary metabolites profiling of three Pelargonium graveolens cultivars, baladi (GRB), sondos (GRS) and shish (GRSH), grown in Egypt. Utilizing a multiplex approach combining high resolution-ultraperformance liquid chromatography (HR-UPLC)/tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and gas chromatography (GC)-MS coupled with chemometrics, the study aims to identify and profile various secondary metabolites and aroma compounds in these cultivars., Results: HR-UPLC/MS/MS analysis led to the annotation of 111 secondary metabolites, including phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes and fatty acids, with several compounds being reported for the first time in geranium. Multivariate data analysis identified vinylanisole, dimethoxy-flavonol, and eicosadienoic acid as discriminatory metabolites among the cultivars, particularly distinguishing the GRS cultivar in its phenolics profile. In total, 34 aroma compounds were detected using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with GC-MS, including alcohols, esters, ketones, ethers and monoterpene hydrocarbons. The major metabolites contributing to aroma discrimination among the cultivars were β-citronellol in GRB, α-farnesene in GRS and isomenthone in GRSH., Conclusion: The study provides a comprehensive profiling of the secondary metabolites and aroma compounds in the three Pelargonium graveolens cultivars. The GRS cultivar was identified as particularly distinct in both its phenolics and aroma profiles, suggesting its potential as a premium variety for cultivation and use. Future studies should focus on isolating and investigating the newly detected metabolites and exploring the biological effects of these compounds in food applications and other uses. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Kidney injury has become an increasing concern for patients because of environmental hazards and physiological factors. However, the early diagnosis of kidney injury remains challenging. Studies have shown that oxidative stress was closely related to the occurrence and development of kidney injury, in which abnormal hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) production was a common characteristic. Consequently, monitoring H 2 O 2 level changes is essential for the diagnosis and management of kidney injury. Herein, based on fluorescence imaging advantages, a near-infrared fluorescent probe DHX-1 was designed to detect H 2 O 2 . DHX-1 showed high sensitivity and selectivity toward H 2 O 2 , with a fast response time and excellent imaging capacity for H 2 O 2 in living cells and zebrafish. DHX-1 could detect H 2 O 2 in pesticide-induced HK-2 cells, revealing the main cause of kidney injury caused by pesticides. Moreover, we performed fluorescence imaging, which confirmed H 2 O 2 fluctuation in kidney injury caused by uric acid. In addition, DHX-1 achieved rapid screening of active compounds to ameliorate pesticide-induced kidney injury. This study presents a tool and strategy for monitoring H 2 O 2 levels that could be employed for the early diagnosis and effective management of kidney injury., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of financial interests in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Phytic acid, a naturally occurring compound predominantly found in cereals and legumes, is the focus of this review. This review investigates its distribution across various food sources, elucidating its dual roles in foods. It also provides new insights into the change in phytic acid level during food storage and the evolving trends in phytic acid management. Although phytic acid can function as a potent color stabilizer, flavor enhancer, and preservative, its antinutritional effects in foods restrict its applications. In terms of management strategies, numerous treatments for degrading phytic acid have been reported, each with varying degradation efficacies and distinct mechanisms of action. These treatments encompass traditional methods, biological approaches, and emerging technologies. Traditional processing techniques such as soaking, milling, dehulling, heating, and germination appear to effectively reduce phytic acid levels in processed foods. Additionally, fermentation and phytase hydrolysis demonstrated significant potential for managing phytic acid in food processing. In the future, genetic modification, due to its high efficiency and minimal environmental impact, should be prioritized to downregulate the biosynthesis of phytic acid. The review also delves into the biosynthesis and metabolism of phytic acid and elaborates on the mitigation mechanism of phytic acid using biotechnology. The challenges in the application of phytic acid in the food industry were also discussed. This study contributes to a better understanding of the roles phytic acid plays in food and the sustainability and safety of the food industry., (© 2024 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) is a chief herbal medicine that is well recognized for its aphrodisiac properties, available in various commercial products worldwide., Aim of the Study: The aim of this work is to identify the different classes of secondary metabolites present in Tongkat Ali commercial products versus authenticated root, and to assess its root extract mitigative effect against 5-flurouracil (5FU)-induced testicular toxicity., Materials and Methods: High-resolution UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS metabolites analysis was utilized on the ethanolic Tongkat Ali extract (TAE) parallel to three Mlayasian commercial products, followed by a multivariate data analysis to understand the variability among UHPLC-MS metabolites datasets. Adult male rats were treated with 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) ± Tongkat Ali extract. Semen parameters, serum testosterone, LH, and FSH, and testicular oxidative stress biomarkers like malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were analyzed., Results: The main categories of secondary metabolites identified through UHPLC-MS/MS profiling were quassinoids, alkaloids, fatty acids, lignans and coumarins. Long Jack Plus® ELP-2 clustered alongside authentic roots ELR on the negative side, while Naturelle® ELP-1 and Nu-Prep-LEAKI® ELP-3 were positioned on the opposite side. The OPLS-DA model was used to identify markers for preparations from authentic roots, with commercial products enriching in ailanthone epoxide. In vivo results showed that 5FU reduced sperm parameters by 42%, while TAE improved sperm quality by 35-43% and 58-74% at dose of 400 and 800 mg/kg, respectively. Testosterone, reduced by 74% with 5FU, increased 2.3- to 3.2-fold with TAE. TAE also reduced MDA by 31-62%, NF-κB by 32-55% and increased Nrf2 by 1-2 folds., Conclusion: The manuscript presents a comparative metabolomics study and in vivo investigation into the potential of Tongkat Ali root to improve testicular function in male rats intoxicated with 5FU, an area not previously explored. Further research is required to understand the mechanisms., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing interest The authors declare that they have no financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Manar A. Eissa declares that, at the time of publishing this article, she is affiliated with the University of Mississippi Medical Centre (UMMC). However, the present work was conducted while she was affiliated with Merit University in Egypt., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The chemical composition and structure of the cuticular wax in blue honeysuckle fruit were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that the cuticular wax was dense and uniform, taking on a tubular form. A total of 158 wax components were identified, including alkanes, terpenes, ketones, alcohols, fatty acids, and esters. The wax was found to be particularly rich in alkanes. After storage, the wax content decreased, whereas an increase in 1-undecanol. The destruction or reduction of cuticular wax resulted in a more rapid decline in storage quality, loss of nutrients, and a decrease in antioxidant phytochemicals. Meanwhile, wax metabolizing enzyme activity and gene expression increased. This study presents a deeper understanding of blue honeysuckle fruit cuticular wax composition and aids to developing effective measures to delay its postharvest fruit quality deterioration., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In this study, an antimicrobial component, silk protease inhibitors (SPIs), was extracted from discarded silkworm cocoons, and a suitable degumming method for obtaining regenerated silk fibroin (SF) was screened. An edible antimicrobial coating was prepared by mixing SPIs with SF for evaluation of potential in strawberries preservation. Results demonstrated that SPI could effectively inhibit mycelial growth and spore germination. The alkaline protease method exhibited the highest degumming rate of 24.4 %. The SPI-SF coating exhibited excellent mechanical properties, high water vapor permeability, and easy washability. Within 10 days, seedlings treatment with SPI-SF coating solution showed a germination rate of 94.3 %, and exhibited good biocompatibility with HepG2 cells. Coating with SPI-SF led to increase in the storage period of strawberries to 10-14 days, concurrent with considerable reduction in decay rate at room temperature. Conclusively, this study demonstrates the potential of SPI-SF edible coating in strawberries preservation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study comprehensively analyzes the primary metabolites of sweet potato peels and pulps from four cultivars and assesses the impact of four different processing methods on pulp metabolome using a multiplex metabolomics approach of GC-MS and NIR. A total of 69 metabolites were identified. Beauregard cv. showed the highest sugar content (387.85 mg/g), whereas Sahrawy cv. was higher in alcohols (24.63 mg/g) and organic acids (2.98 mg/g). The chemometric analysis identified key markers that distinguished each cv. represented by its pulp, peel, and processed pulp. KEGG enrichment analysis pinpointed key metabolic pathways leading to the metabolic discrepancy of the specimens. Sugars were the most altered class by processing as manifested by a 5 to 11-fold increase, notably in the air-fried pulp. Air-frying also increased alcohol and organic acid contents. NIR analysis revealed that air-frying was the preferred method of processing, preserving the majority of pulp's metabolites, including β-carotene and phenolics., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cardamom seed (Elettaria cardamomum (L.)) is a well-appreciated spice in food and pharmaceutical industries owing to its unique rich flavor dominated by oxygenated monoterpenoids, α-terpinyl acetate and 1,8-cineole, to which most of the quality of cardamom essential oil (CEO) is attributed. CEO output is greatly influenced by different agronomic factors, processing, and EO extraction methods. In that context, the goal of this study is to provide an overarching review regarding emerged technologies along with their optimization parameters to achieve optimal oil yield with the best flavor quality. Furthermore, the recent approaches employed in CEO stabilization were highlighted alongside their pharmaceutical and food applications. Moreover, the different aspects of superlative CEO production including agricultural aspects, climatic requirements, and processing methods were also explained., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Sapota, Manilkara zapota L., are tasty, juicy, and nutrient-rich fruits, and likewise used for several medicinal uses., Methods: The current study represents an integrated metabolites profiling of sapota fruits pulp via GC/MS and UPLC/MS, alongside assessment of antioxidant capacity, pancreatic lipase (PL), and α-glucosidase enzymes inhibitory effects., Results: GC/MS analysis of silylated primary polar metabolites led to the identification of 68 compounds belonging to sugars (74%), sugar acids (18.27%), and sugar alcohols (7%) mediating the fruit sweetness. Headspace SPME-GC/MS analysis led to the detection of 17 volatile compounds belonging to nitrogenous compounds (72%), ethers (7.8%), terpenes (7.6%), and aldehydes (5.8%). Non-polar metabolites profiling by HR-UPLC/MS/MS-based Global Natural Products Social (GNPS) molecular networking led to the assignment of 31 peaks, with several novel sphingolipids and fatty acyl amides reported for the first time. Total phenolic content was estimated at 6.79 ± 0.12 mg gallic acid equivalent/gram extract (GAE/g extract), but no flavonoids were detected. The antioxidant capacities of fruit were at 1.62 ± 0.2, 1.49 ± 0.11, and 3.58 ± 0.14 mg Trolox equivalent/gram extract (TE/g extract) via DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, respectively. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays revealed a considerable pancreatic lipase inhibition effect (IC 50 = 2.2 ± 0.25 mg/mL), whereas no inhibitory effect towards α-glucosidase enzyme was detected. This study provides better insight into sapota fruit's flavor, nutritional, and secondary metabolites composition mediating for its sensory and health attributes., Competing Interests: Mohamed A Farag is an Academic Editor for PeerJ., (©2024 Farag et al.)

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea; Brassicaceae) is an edible, oilseeds-yielding crop widely consumed as a food spice owing to its richness in nutrients with several health benefits. The current study aims to dissect the B. juncea metabolome heterogeneity among its different organs including leaf, stem, flower, and seed. Moreover, assessing the metabolome differences between two different varieties RH-725 and RH-761 grown at the same conditions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) post-silylation was used to dissect the composition of nutrient metabolites coupled to multivariate data analysis. Variation in sulphur aglycones was measured using headspace-solid phase-microextraction HS-SPME coupled to GC-MS. A total of 101 nutrient metabolites were identified with the abundance of sugars represented by monosaccharides in all organs, except for seeds which were enriched in disaccharides (sucrose). α-Linolenic acid was detected as a marker fatty acid in leaf from RH-725 at 12.5 µg/mg. Malic acid was detected as a significant variant metabolite between the two varieties as detected in the leaf from the RH-725 variety at ca. 128.2 µg/mg compared to traces in RH-761. 7 Volatile sulphur compounds were detected at comparable levels in RH-725 and RH-761, with 3-butenyl isothiocyanate was the most abundant at 0.8-2 ng/mg., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study evaluated antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of chitosan gel (Cs-gel) functionalized with cinnamaldehyde oil (CN) and orange peel-derived flavonoid extract (Fs) using the ionic-gelation method. Results showed that the encapsulation efficiencies of CCF-9 and CCN were 83.14 ± 3.34 and 80.56 ± 1.17%, respectively. The interaction of CN or Fs on Cs-gel indicates the presence of H-bonding formation, as observed by UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), and Raman-spectroscopy showed a good corroboration with Surflex-dock findings. Scanning electron microscopy also showed the integration that occurred between Cs and both ligands, which was further supported with X-ray diffraction and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra. The textural properties of CCF-5 gel showed high hardness, chewiness, and gumminess values, indicating that the integration of Fs and CN altered the microstructure of Cs-gel. Chotison-functionalized based gels exhibited higher antioxidant abilities against DPPH and ABTS free radicals than Cs-gel. The CCF-9 gel showed a good inhibition value of 29.91 ± 1.22 and 93.61 ± 2.12% against Penicillium expansum and Alternaria westerdijkiae , respectively. Additionally, CCF-9 inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , and Bacillus cerues were 28.65 ± 0.05, 27.69 ± 0.04, and 26.16 ± 0.02 mm, respectively. These findings demonstrated the potential antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of functionalized chitosan gel indicating its potential as a bioactive additive for food preservation., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest among authors., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Worldwide, cancer is a major public health concern. It is a well-acknowledged life-threatening disease. Despite numerous advances in the understanding of the genetic basis of cancer growth and progression, therapeutic challenges remain high. Human tumors exhibited mutation or overexpression of several tyrosine kinases (TK). The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) is a TK family member and is well known for tumor growth and progression. Therefore, VEGF/VEGFR pathway inhibition is an appealing approach for cancer drug discovery. This review will discuss the structure-based optimization of thienopyrimidines incorporating the aryl urea moiety to develop scaffolds of potent anticancer activity via VEGFR inhibition published between 2013 and 2023. Increasing knowledge of probable scaffolds that can act as VEGFR inhibitors might spur the hunt for novel anticancer medications that are safer, more effective, or both., (© 2024 Deutsche Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft.)

Introduction: Torreya grandis is a gymnosperm belonging to Taxodiaceae. As an economically important tree, its kernels are edible and rich in oil with high unsaturated fatty acids, such as sciadonic acid. However, the kernels from different T. grandis landraces exhibit fatty acid and oil content variations., Objectives: As a gymnosperm, does T. grandis have special regulation mechanisms for oil biosynthesis? The aim of this study was to dissect the genetic architecture of fatty acid and oil content and the underlying mechanism in T. grandis., Methods: We constructed a high integrity reference sequence of expressed regions of the genome in T. grandis and performed transcriptome-referenced association study (TRAS) for 10 fatty acid and oil traits of kernels in the 170 diverse T. grandis landraces. To confirm the TRAS result, we performed functional validation and molecular biology experiments for oil significantly associated genes., Results: We identified 41 SNPs from 34 transcripts significantly associated with 7 traits by TRAS (-log 10 (P) greater than 6.0). Results showed that LOB domain-containing protein 40 (LBD40) and surfeit locus protein 1 (SURF1) may be indirectly involved in the regulation of oil and sciadonic acid biosynthesis, respectively. Moreover, overexpression of TgLBD40 significantly increased seed oil content. The nonsynonymous variant in the TgLBD40 coding region discovered by TRAS could alter the oil content in plants. Pearson's correlation analysis and dual-luciferase assay indicated that TgLBD40 positively enhanced oil accumulation by affecting oil biosynthesis pathway genes, such as TgDGAT1., Conclusion: Our study provides new insights into the genetic basis of oil biosynthesis in T. grandis and demonstrates that integrating RNA sequencing and TRAS is a powerful strategy to perform association study independent of a reference genome for dissecting important traits in T. grandis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the primary energy source of colonic epithelial cells, but oral SCFAs are digested, absorbed, or degraded before reaching the colon. The acylated starch with SCFAs can be fermented and release specific SCFAs under the action of colonic intestinal microbiota. This review first introduces the preparation method, reaction mechanism, and substitution factors. Second, the structure, physical and chemical properties, in vitro function, and mechanism of acylated starch were expounded. Finally, the application of acylated starch in foods is introduced, and its safety is evaluated, providing a basis for the further development of acylated starch-based foods. The acylated starch obtained by different acylation types and preparation methods is different in particle, molecular, and crystal structures, leading to changes in the function and physicochemical properties. Meanwhile, acylated starch has the functional potential of targeted delivery of SCFAs to the colon, which can increase SCFAs in feces and intestine, selectively regulate the intestinal microbiota, and produce a prebiotic effect conducive to host health. The safety of acetylated starch has been supported by relevant studies, which have been widely used in various food fields and have great potential in the food industry.

Nowadays, due to the rise of fast-food consumption, the metabolic diseases are increasing as a result of high-sugar and high-fat diets. Therefore, there is an urgent need for natural, healthy and side-effect-free diets in daily life. Whole grain supplementation can enhance satiety and regulate energy metabolism, effects that have been attributed to polyphenol content. Dietary polyphenols interact with gut microbiota to produce intermediate metabolites that can regulate appetite while also enhancing prebiotic effects. This review considers how interactions between gut metabolites and dietary polyphenols might regulate appetite by acting on the gut-brain axis. In addition, further advances in the study of dietary polyphenols and gut microbial metabolites on energy metabolism and gut homeostasis are summarized. This review contributes to a better understanding of how dietary polyphenols regulate appetite via the gut-brain axis, thereby providing nutritional references for citizens' dietary preferences., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Quetiapine (QET) abuse has increased due to its anxiolytic and hedonic effects, necessitating protective adjunct treatments. Acacia saligna ( A. saligna ) flowers, used in traditional medicine, have potential health benefits., Aim: To investigate the protective role of A. saligna flower extract against QET-induced sexual toxicity, and to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms through metabolomic and physiological studies., Methods: A. saligna extract was subjected to metabolite profiling via High-Resolution Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS). Forty-eight adult male albino rats were assigned into six groups for 30 days. The intracavernosal pressure (ICP), semen, biochemical, hormonal, histological, genetic and Western blot (WB) analyses were determined., Results: A. saligna extract is rich in phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and unsaturated fatty acids. QET significantly decreased ICP and negatively affected semen parameters. A. saligna mitigated decreased sperm motility and ameliorated overexpressed proinflammatory genes in QET-55 group. A. saligna ameliorated the reduction of the antioxidant biomarkers, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), concurrent with downregulation of the nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-κB ) protein. A. saligna counteracted the disrupted testicular and prostatic structures revealed by histological examination., Conclusion: The extract from A. saligna , which contains a high concentration of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory chemicals, effectively mitigates sexual toxicity caused by QET. This study provided the first known explanation of the hypothesized processes behind the protective properties of A. saligna through biological, biochemical, and histological parameters. The results emphasize the potential of A. saligna as a safeguarding agent against drug-induced sexual toxicity., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Zizania latifolia is an aquatic and medicinal plant with a long history of development in China and the East Asian region. The smut fungus " Ustilago esculenta" parasitizes Z. latifolia and induces culm expansion to form a vegetable named Jiaobai, which has a unique taste and nutritional attributes. However, the postharvest quality of water bamboo shoots is still a big challenge for farmers and merchants. This paper traced the origin, development process, and morphological characteristics of Z. latifolia . Subsequently, the compilation of the primary nutrients and bioactive substances are presented in context to their effects on ecology a postharvest storage and preservation methods. Furthermore, the industrial, environmental, and material science applications of Z. latifolia in the fields of industry were discussed. Finally, the primary objective of the review proposes future directions for research to support the development of Z. latifolia industry and aid in maximizing its value. To sum up, Z. latifolia , aside from its potential as material it can be utilized to make different productions and improve the existing applications. This paper provides an emerging strategy for researchers undertaking Z. latifolia .