Lipid Content Research Articles

Phosphorus is one of the crucial elements required for the proper functioning of metabolic processes in microalgae. Despite the crucial role of phosphate (P), the dynamics of polyphosphate accumulation with respect to nutrient availability remain unknown in freshwater microalgae. We have investigated three freshwater microalgal strains - Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Scenedesmus obliquus, and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under varied phosphate treatments to understand the phosphate metabolic responses and polyphosphate dynamics. Our results show that the accumulation of polyP in microalgae is very dynamic and mainly depends on the availability of extracellular phosphate. Reduced P availability showed algal species-specific reduction in the polyphosphate storage with a decline in growth and total chlorophyll content. Further, an increase in lipid and carbohydrate content with a substantial decrease in protein was observed under P stress, suggesting preferential utilization of stored polyP to support cell survival. Species-specific differences in the fatty acid profiles were also observed in the GC analysis among all three algal strains, indicating varied mechanisms happening among the species to adapt and protect themselves against cellular damage under P stress. Our results suggest the existence of natural variability among the selected algal strains in their ability to accumulate polyP and metabolites with respect to P-varied conditions. Among the three microalgal species, Scenedesmus obliquus showed notably enhanced accumulation of polyphosphate, highlighting its potential application as P-rich biofertilizer.

Overweight and obesity are widespread in Mexico, often linked to dyslipidemia and higher cardiovascular risk. The search for safe and effective treatments has promoted interest in natural supplements such as Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), recognized for its adaptogenic and potential lipid-lowering properties. To assess the impact of Ashwagandha supplementation on serum lipid profiles and anthropometric parameters in Mexican adults with overweight and obesity. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial was carried out with 43 adults (n = 17 in the control group and n = 21 in the intervention group) over 40 days. Participants followed a monitored diet and received one daily capsule containing 500mg of Ashwagandha or a placebo, in addition to a guided unrestricted dietary plan. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were taken at baseline and after the intervention. In silico analysis was also performed to examine the binding affinity of Ashwagandha bioactive compounds to key proteins involved in lipid metabolism. Ashwagandha supplementation did not produce statistically significant changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), or waist circumference (WC). However, significant reductions were observed in triglyceride and VLDL-c levels (p = 0.0082 and p = 0.0321, respectively). In silico results supported these findings, showing favorable interactions between compounds such as withanolide A and lipid metabolism targets, including AMPK, CETP, and LPL. Ashwagandha supplementation improved serum lipid profiles in adults with overweight and obesity, suggesting potential lipid-lowering effects when combined with a prescribed dietary plan. Also, it was possible to elucidate some metabolic pathways in which Ashwagandha composition has an influence on producing the reported effects. Further long-term studies with controlled dietary intake are needed to confirm these findings and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Atherosclerosis represents the main determinant of major adverse cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death, and a large body of evidence demonstrated that circulating aldosterone (Aldo) levels contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Ketogenic diets have gained attention for their efficacy in weight reduction and metabolic control. This study aims to investigate the potential of this dietary regimen to counteract plaque formation in a mouse model of atherosclerosis stimulated by Aldo. Male 9-week-old ApoE-/- mice were implanted with an osmotic minipump subcutaneously containing vehicle or Aldo (6μg/mouse/day) and placed either on an atherogenic high fat diet (HFD, 4.5kcal/g, 42% Kcal from fat) or on a ketogenic diet (KD, 6.8kcal/g, 90.5% Kcal from fat) for 4weeks. After treatment, mice were sacrificed and the aortic tissues were collected for histochemical and gene expression analyses to investigate atherosclerotic plaque size and composition as well as transcript levels of markers involved in the atherosclerotic process. KD effectively reduced plaque size and lipid content in Aldo-treated mice, as compared with HFD. In addition, aortas of KD-fed mice showed decreased levels of pro-inflammatory markers like ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, IL-6, and TNF-α, and displayed a macrophage polarization towards an anti-inflammatory M2 profile. The findings show that KD counteracts atherosclerosis development induced by Aldo in ApoE-/- mice, suggesting that KD may prevent atherosclerotic plaque formation in subjects with high cardiovascular risk.

Hydrothermal systems are widespread in our solar system. Identification of alteration mineral assemblages on Mars and potentially in ocean worlds such as Enceladus suggests the existence of extensive hydrothermal fluid-igneous rock interactions of astrobiological interest in different planetary bodies. Here, we studied the terrestrial analog Cerro Caliente, a band of geothermal alterations located in the glaciovolcanic environment of Deception Island (Antarctica), with the aim of determining the mobility of major chemical elements (e.g., alkalis, phosphorus) and its implications in the habitability potential of such environments. We verified that the rock texture, particularly rich in volcanic glass, plays a major role in geochemical mobility, with permafrost delimiting the impact of hydrothermal activity by reducing the permeability of the lapilli tuff deposit. We studied the mineralogy and geochemistry of the alteration band by comparing borehole samples in different locations that represent different thermal regimes along the hydrothermal alteration band. The alteration products are characteristic of palagonitization processes, which favor the release of elements useful for life, such as phosphorus, although the basic alkalinity of the medium caused its precipitation in the form of tricalcium phosphate. In addition, lipid biomarker analyses were performed to assess the existence of possible potential ecological niches associated with these environments. On Mars, the circulation of low-temperature CO2-rich hydrothermal fluids through glass-bearing volcanic rocks results in a loss of silica content and a secondary mineral assemblage composed of palagonite, phyllosilicates, and zeolites, which establishes Cerro Caliente as a valid Mars analog for understanding such environments. In addition, our results support the hypothesis of a hydrothermal origin of phosphorous for the formation of Enceladus' phosphates recently detected in the plumes. We also determined that a fraction of the calcium in Cerro Caliente was sequestered as carbonates of biogenic origin, which produced a distinctive Raman signal that, together with the lipid content, would make it a relevant potential biosignature if similar findings were made in the search for life in such low-temperature hydrothermal environments. Key Words: Hydrothermal systems-Palagonitization-Phosphates-Lipid biomarkers-Mars-Ocean worlds. Astrobiology xx, xxx-xxx.

ABSTRACT Microalgae are increasingly attractive to the nutraceutical industry due to their rich content of omega fatty acids, carotenoids, lipids and other bioactive compounds. However, soil microalgae remain underutilized for their nutraceutical potential. This study evaluates the nutritional composition and potential food applications of seven soil green microalgae isolated from forest ecosystems in southern Kerala, India. Biochemical analyses assessed total protein, carbohydrate content, bioactive compounds and essential micro- and macronutrients. Protein content ranged from 4.06 ± 0.31 to 14.33 ± 0.27 mg g‒1 dry weight, while carbohydrates varied from 10.58 ± 0.53 to 160.46 ± 4.70 mg g‒1 dry weight. ICP-MS analysis confirmed the presence of essential nutrients, supporting their use in dietary supplementation. GC-MS profiling identified unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, along with other essential fatty acids and bioactive compounds. Chlorococcum sp. and Chlorolobion sp. have been the subject of previous studies, but all other soil algae are reported for the first time in terms of their nutritional composition and bioactive potential. These findings highlight the untapped potential of terrestrial green microalgae as sustainable and nutrient-rich alternatives for functional food and nutraceutical applications, particularly in addressing global malnutrition and food security challenges.

Aquaculture faces challenges in reducing feed costs while promoting sustainable use of by-products. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of totally replacing soybean oil (SBO) with fish by-product oil (FBO) in the diet of Colossoma macropomum, focusing on growth performance, physiological and hepatic responses, meat composition, and economic viability. A total of 360 juveniles (9.1 ± 0.59) were distributed in a randomized design with six treatments (0–100% SBO replacement) and six replicates each, and fed to apparent satiation for 91 days. Growth performance did not differ significantly among treatments (p > 0.05), although fish receiving 40% FBO achieved the best feed conversion ratio among treatments. Hematological and biochemical analyses indicated that higher FBO levels (particularly 100%) indicating subtle yet adaptive physiological adjustments, such as moderate modulations in lipid metabolism and erythropoietic activity. Liver weight and hepatosomatic index decreased linearly with increasing FBO levels. In meat composition, FBO inclusion enhanced protein and reduced lipid contents. Although economic indicators were not statistically different (p > 0.05), offered the most favorable trade-off between biological performance and economic efficiency. These findings demonstrate that partial replacement of SBO with FBO, particularly at 40%, represents a sustainable and economically viable alternative for C. macropomum farming.

Salmonids can accumulate lipids in their fillets, creating marbled features with alternate red (Muscle Fibers, MF) and white stripes (Myosepta, MS). To investigate the regulation of this important quality trait, diets with low and high lipid levels were fed to the fish and found that high lipid diet significantly elevated muscular lipid deposition in MS but not in MF. Then, a whole-transcriptome analysis was performed and results showed that the mRNA expression of ACSL1 and GADD45A was downregulated by the lncRNAs MSTRG.19477.1 and XR_005039693.1, resulting in consistent lipid contents in the MF from both groups. The lncRNAs MSTRG.21618.1, XR_005034756.1, XR_002473790.2, XR_002472790.2, and MSTRG43906.1 increased lipid deposition in MS30 by upregulating the mRNA expression of ELOVL2, DGAT2, LCAT, etc. In conclusion, the present study revealed that selective muscular lipid deposition and several lncRNAs may play key roles in regulating the marbling features of rainbow trout.

Agro-industrial residues such as palm date waste (PDW) represent an abundant and underutilized carbon source with significant potential for microbial valorization. Oleaginous yeasts, known for their high lipid-accumulating capacity, offer a sustainable route for single-cell oil (SCO) production, particularly in arid regions where PDW is prevalent. However, the efficient bio-conversion of such lignocellulosic feedstocks requires robust microbial strains and optimized fermentation strategies. In this study, an isolated strain of Rhodotorula glutinis KAEC-61 from mangrove sediments was selected from several isolates for its superior lipid-producing ability. Initial flask-level screening under non-optimized conditions yielded 1.9 ± 0.10g/L biomass and 0.56 ± 0.06g/L lipid titer (29% lipid content). Optimization via the one-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) method increased biomass and lipid production by 4.4-fold and 6-fold, respectively, reaching 8.42 ± 0.52g/L biomass and 3.37 ± 0.55g/L lipid titer (40% lipid content). Further enhancement through Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken designs led to 11-fold and 16.7-fold improvements, achieving 20.95 ± 1.2g/L biomass and 9.35 ± 0.35g/L lipid titer (44.6% lipid content) from 53.7 ± 0.29g/L xylose in a 7-L bioreactor under controlled pH. A fed-batch fermentation strategy further elevated performance to 27.0 ± 1.08g/L biomass and 13.0 ± 0.36g/L lipid titer (48.1% lipid content). When xylose was replaced with PDW hydrolysate, lipid production increased to 14.7 ± 1.14g/L titer (54.4% lipid content), representing a 26.3-fold improvement over initial conditions. Fatty acid profiling revealed a composition dominated by oleic and linoleic acids, with over 54% comprising unsaturated fatty acids. Notably, γ-linolenic acid, cis-10-pentadecenoic acid, and cis-11-eicosenoic acid rare fatty acids with distinct physicochemical and nutraceutical properties were detected, highlighting the strain's potential for specialty lipid production. This study establishes a scalable, statistically optimized bioprocess for PDW valorization using an environmental isolate of R. glutinis, contributing to circular bioeconomy strategies for sustainable microbial lipid biomanufacturing.

The use of lactose-utilizing microalgae offers a sustainable and cost-effective approach for the bioconversion of dairy industry side-streams and the reduction in microalgae production costs. This work aims to improve the biomass productivity of the lactose-utilizing microalgal strain Graesiella emersonii MSCL 1718 in concentrated cheese whey permeate. It was demonstrated that the mixotrophic growth of the axenic G. emersonii culture resulted in a significantly higher biomass productivity in 20% permeate medium compared to the heterotrophic cultivation. Furthermore, supplementation of the permeate medium with iron, zinc, cobalt, and molybdenum resulted in 12.8%, 12.9%, 9.3%, and 28.9% significant increases (p < 0.05) in biomass synthesis, respectively, compared to the control permeate group. In the subsequent experiment, G. emersonii cultivated in molybdenum-supplemented permeate resulted in 0.34 ± 0.02 g/(L·d) biomass productivity and twofold higher lipid content (30.21 ± 1.29%) compared to the photoautotrophic control in defined synthetic medium. Analysis of the fatty acid composition revealed a twofold increase in saturated fatty acids, reaching 62.16% under mixotrophic cultivation in permeate, compared with the photoautotrophic control. Overall, concentrated cheese permeate proved to be a suitable medium for G. emersonii biomass production, supporting both enhanced growth and increased lipid accumulation.

Background: Angina with no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) is common in women and often linked to coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a metabolically active fat depot sharing microcirculation with the myocardium, may promote CMD through inflammatory signaling. T1 relaxation time and saturated fatty acid (SFA) fraction are emerging CMR-derived markers of adipose inflammation and lipid content. We hypothesize that altered EAT composition—characterized by lower T1 and elevated SFA—reflects a pro-inflammatory state and is associated with impaired myocardial perfusion in women with ANOCA. Methods: This was a single-center, prospective study. Subjects underwent CMR scan at 1.5T (Aera), including rest and regadenoson stress perfusion with automated inline global rest and stress myocardial blood flow (MBF), myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR). EAT volume (EATV), Native EAT T1 and EAT SFA were measured using different CMR images. (Figure 1). Pearson correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression adjusted for age were used to assess associations between EAT biomarkers, MBF, and MPR. CMD was defined as MPR <2.4. Results: Thirty-two women were recruited ( Figure 2) . Ten (32%) of women had CMD. EAT T1 was moderately correlated with stress MBF (r=0.50, p=0.01) and MPR (r=0.4, p=0.05) (Figure). EAT SFA was moderately negatively correlated with stress MBF (r=-0.47, p=0.04), MPR (r=-0.49, p=0.03) (Figure). EATV index (EATVI) showed moderate correlation with stress MBF (r=0.4, p=0.03), but no significant association with MPR (p=0.28) (Figure 3) . After adjusting for age, each 10 ms decrease in EAT T1 was associated with a 0.17 ml/min/g reduction in stress MBF (β = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.29, p = 0.01), and a 0.17 reduction in MPR (β = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.33, p =0.04). Additionally, each 0.01 increase in SFA was associated with a 0.05 ml/min/g reduction in stress MBF (β = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.10, -0.01, p = 0.05), and a 0.06 reduction in MPR (β = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.12, -0.05, p =0.04). Conclusion: CMR-derived EAT T1 relaxation time and SFA fraction are associated with CMD in women with ANOCA. Elevated SFA and reduced T1, reflective of a pro-inflammatory adipose phenotype, are independently associated with impaired myocardial perfusion. These findings support a potential mechanistic link between EAT metabolic dysfunction and CMD and underscore the value of multiparametric CMR in the phenotyping at-risk women with ANOCA.

Characterization is one of the main factors to be considered for the use of any raw material to be industrialized and commercialized, and its quality depends on its origin. The objective of this research was to evaluate the fruit characteristics of promising avocado genotypes in the Dominican Republic, for which two studies were carried out. The first study evaluated the effect of genotype (Popenoe, Criollo, and Hass) and the second evaluated the effect of production area (north, central, and southeast Dominican Republic) on proximal (moisture, protein, lipid, and ash content) and physicochemical (titratable acidity, pH, water activity (aw), and soluble solids) characteristics of avocado pulp. Completely randomized designs with four replicates per study factor were performed. An analysis of variance was carried out, and Tukey's test was applied with a reliability of 95 %. The results show that fat, protein, and pH can vary according to genotype. Criollo avocados had lower fat content (6.40 %) and their protein percentage was statistically similar (p<0.05) to Hass and higher than Popenoe. The pH ranged from 5.96 (Criollo) to 6.98 (Hass). Production areas can influence the protein content, titratable acidity, and water activity (aw) in avocados. Those with the highest protein content are produced in the southeast, while those with the lowest acidity and highest water activity (aw) are produced in the central zone. These results corroborate the need to characterize genotypes and the origin of raw materials for industrialization and commercialization.

Oxidative stress is a proven factor in male infertility. Recently, there is increasing evidence that 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is considered an accurate and sensitive biomarker of oxidative DNA damage. Studies that revealed ethnospecificity of the course of lipoperoxidation processes suggest differences in oxidation of not only lipids but also DNA in men of different ethnogroups. Aim of the study was to evaluate free-radical lipid oxidation intensity and 8-OHdG level as a possible marker of oxidative stress in men of different ethnic groups in idiopathic infertility. Material and methods . The study involved 672 men with idiopathic infertility, representatives of Russian (n = 225) and Buryat (n = 447) ethnic groups. Two control groups of practically healthy men of the corresponding ethnic groups with realized reproductive function were formed. Lipid and DNA free-radical oxidation product content was determined using spectrophotometric, fluorimetric and enzyme immunoassay methods. Results. It is confirmed that oxidative DNA damage may be important in the etiology of male infertility. In men with idiopathic infertility of the Caucasian ethnic group, a significantly higher level of 8-OHdG in serum was found compared to fertile men, indicating the presence of changes at the cellular DNA level. There were no such changes in the Mongoloids, which indicates a difference in the intensity of metabolic processes among representatives of different ethnic groups.

Introduction/Background: Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is one of the atheroprotective functions exerted by cholesterol acceptors such as high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), and it is a promising indicator for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment. While CEC is ordinally evaluated using cell-based methods, these are not suitable for clinical laboratories due to their complexity. In this context, we established a novel, clinically applicable CEC assay, the immobilized liposome-bound magnetic beads (ILM) method, which has shown good correlation with traditional cell-based methods. However, whether this cell-free method can reflect variations in CEC based on the inherent features of cholesterol acceptors remained unclear. Research Questions/Hypothesis: Can the ILM method reflect the differences in CEC arising from variations in the lipid-to-protein composition of cholesterol acceptors? Goals/Aim: This study aims to clarify the relationship between the protein-to-lipid composition of cholesterol acceptors and the CEC values measured by the ILM method, and to demonstrate the utility for assessing the functional quality of cholesterol acceptor. Methods/Approach: CECs of HDL isolated by ultracentrifugation and apoA-I purified from HDL were measured using the ILM method at several protein concentrations. Additionally, reconstituted HDL (rHDL) was prepared by mixing apoA-I, free-cholesterol and lecithin at various ratios. The resulting rHDL particles were analyzed for size distribution, and their protein, cholesterol, phospholipid, and particle concentrations were determined. CECs of these rHDL samples were then measurementd using the ILM method. Results/Data: The CEC of both HDL and apoA-I increased in a concentration-dependent manner, however, HDL exhibited extremely higher CEC than apoA-I. The prepared rHDLs exhibited a single, uniform size distribution respectively, and their particle diameters were positively correlated with molar ratio of cholesterol or phospholipid to apoA-I (chol/apoA-I, PL/apoA-I). Moreover, CEC per particle of rHDL was positively correlated with the chol/apoA-I and PL/apoA-I. Conclusion: Cholesterol acceptors with higher lipid content, such as HDL or larger rHDL particles, presented higher CEC values in ILM the method. These results indicate that our assay can detect variations in CEC based on the degree of apoA-I lipidation, implying its potential utility for HDL quality evaluation and CVD risk assessment.

Background: Ambient air pollution has been linked to atrial fibrillation (AF), yet the underlying metabolic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Methods: We analyzed 227,324 UK Biobank participants without baseline AF. We constructed an air pollution score by aggregating all four pollutants (PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , NO x ). Nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics identified pollution-related metabolic signatures through elastic net regression. Associations between air pollutants, metabolic signatures and AF were analyzed using Cox models. Mediation analysis was employed to examine the role of metabolic signatures in the association between air pollutants and AF. Results: During follow-up, 16,235 participants (7.14%) developed AF. We identified 65-metabolite signatures significantly associated with air pollution, predominantly comprising lipoprotein lipid concentrations (32.31%), lipoprotein subclasses (15.38%), fatty acids (13.85%), and amino acids (12.31%). Each standard deviation increase in this metabolic signature was associated with 18% higher AF risk (HR=1.18, 95%CI:1.03-1.35). The metabolic profile mediated 15.45% of the relationship between air pollution and AF, with lipoprotein parameters showing the strongest mediation effects. Conclusion: Air pollution-related metabolic signatures independently predict AF risk and mediate a significant portion of pollution’s arrhythmogenic effects. These findings provide novel insights into biological mechanisms linking environmental exposures to AF.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with established atherosclerosis, while the concentration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reflects active endothelial function in heart failure patients. Although protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors (PCSK9i) effectively lower lipid concentration and reduce cardiovascular events, their impact on endothelial function remains poorly understood. Purpose: We aimed to examine the effect of PCSK9i on the concentration of EPCs in peripheral blood in patients with stable coronary disease and significantly elevated lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels. Methods: In randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we included 100 statin-treated patients in stable phase after myocardial infarction elevated Lp(a) values. The patients received PCSK9i or placebo every two weeks for 6 months. Biochemical, genetic and cell analysis at baseline and after 6 months were performed. Results: Treatment with PCSK9i significantly increased the concentration of mature EPCs (CD34+) compared to placebo ( p =0.023), with no effect on early EPC subtypes (CD34 CD309+, CD34 CD133+, CD133 CD309+ and CD133+) ( p =0.611, p =0.451, p =0.739 and p =0.161, respectively). The increase in the concentration of mature EPCs (CD34+) correlated inversely with the changes in PCSK9 concentration (ρ=-0.262, p =0.045). No associations were detected between changes in PCSK9 concentration and changes in the concentration of EPCs, which predominantly express CD309 or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or between changes in the concentration of any EPCs and lipoprotein concentration variations at baseline or at the end of the study. Conclusion: In patients with stable coronary disease, treatment with PCSK9i significantly increases circulating CD34+ EPCs concentrations, but not other EPCs.

Background: Ambient air pollution is associated with ischemic heart disease (IHD), but the metabolic mechanisms mediating this relationship remain unclear. Methods: In 218,047 UK Biobank participants without baseline IHD, we identified plasma metabolic signatures associated with air pollution (PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , NO x ) using elastic net regression. Cox proportional hazards models assessed relationships between air pollution, metabolic signatures, and incident IHD. Mediation analyses quantified the contribution of metabolic signatures to pollution-IHD associations. Results: We identified 41 metabolites significantly associated with air pollution, primarily comprising lipoprotein lipid concentrations, fatty acids, and amino acids. During follow-up, 18,911 participants developed IHD. High metabolic signature scores were associated with 26% increased IHD risk compared to low scores (HR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.20-1.32). The metabolic signature mediated 19.49% of the total effect of air pollution on IHD risk, with stronger mediation for PM 2.5 (21.24%). Associations were more pronounced in older individuals (≥65 years) and those with lower genetic susceptibility to IHD. Conclusions: Air pollution exposure induces specific plasma metabolic alterations that independently predict IHD risk and substantially mediate pollution-IHD associations. These findings provide novel insights into biological pathways linking environmental exposures to cardiovascular pathology and identify vulnerable subpopulations.

Background: Atherogenic lipid concentrations (non-HDL-C, LDL-C, and apoB) typically increase during young adulthood. However, “normal” ranges used in clinical care are derived from distributions from middle-aged populations, potentially underestimating lipid burden in young adults. Age- and sex-specific percentiles may provide a more accurate understanding of lipid burden across the life course. Methods: We used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999-August 2023, including adults aged 18 to 79 years with non-missing non-HDL-C, LDL-C, or apoB. For participants reporting treatment with statins, we imputed underlying lipid measures using censored data methods. We created age- and sex-specific lipid percentiles in a “healthy” cohort, defined as body mass index >18.5 and <30 kg/m 2 , glucose <126 mg/dL, no diabetes, and no ASCVD, using a modified LMS estimation procedure as done for the 2000 CDC Pediatric Growth Charts. Results: We included 4,723, 4,596, and 2,979 participants in our healthy non-HDL-C, LDL-C, and apoB participant samples, respectively, for the creation of percentiles; 52% were female. Estimated treatment effects assuming imputed underlying lipids in treated adults corresponded to mean percent reductions of 28%, 31%, and 26% for non-HDL-C, LDL-C, and apoB, respectively. As expected, the absolute lipid levels reflected in age-specific percentiles were higher in middle age than in young adulthood (Figure). For men, the median (IQR) lipid values (in mg/dL) for ages 18-40, 41-60, and 61-79y were 137 (119-151), 168 (166-169), and 159 (154-163) for non-HDL-C; 115 (101-125), 139 (137-139), and 134 (131-136) for LDL-C; and 89 (79-97), 108 (106-109), and 107 (106-108) for apoB, respectively. For women, the median values for ages 18-40, 41-60, and 61-79y were 117 (108-127), 152 (145-158), and 172 (168-174) for non-HDL-C; 100 (90-109), 132 (126-136), and 145 (143-145) for LDL-C; and 78 (73-83), 99 (95-103), and 111 (109-111) for apoB, respectively. Conclusion: The lipid levels represented by age- and sex-specific percentiles vary substantially across adulthood, indicating that percentile-based assessments may better reflect lipid burden across the adult life course than absolute values obtained from middle-aged adults. Further research is needed to evaluate their predictive value for cumulative lipid exposure and ASCVD risk, as well as their interpretability and acceptance in clinical practice.

Biomimetic lipid platforms provide versatile tools for mimicking various types of biological membranes and enable investigation of how industrially important amphiphiles (e.g., permeation enhancers and surfactants) interact with different membrane compositions. For example, antimicrobial lipids such as medium-chain fatty acids (FAs) and monoglycerides (MGs) are promising antibiotic alternatives that disrupt bacterial membranes and their distinct mechanisms of action are a topic of ongoing interest. The potency and targeting spectrum of individual antimicrobial lipids vary and mixing different lipids can improve functional activities. Biophysical studies indicate that optimally tuned mixtures exhibit greater disruption of synthetic lipid bilayers; however, their activity against more complex bacterial membrane compositions is largely unexplored. Herein, we applied electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to investigate how two MG/FA pairs—composed of 10-carbon long monocaprin (MC) with capric acid (CA) and 12-carbon long glycerol monolaurate (GML) with lauric acid (LA)—disrupt tethered lipid bilayers composed of Escherichia coli bacterial lipids. While MC and CA individually inhibit E. coli, MC/CA mixtures at intermediate ratios displayed synergistic membrane-disruptive activity. Mechanistic studies showed that this synergistic activity depends on the MC/CA molar ratio rather than total lipid concentration. In contrast, GML/LA mixtures had weak membrane interactions across all tested ratios and lacked synergy, which is consistent with their low activity against E. coli. Together, the EIS results reveal that an effective disruption synergy against target membranes can arise from combining individually active antimicrobial lipids with distinct membrane-interaction profiles, laying the foundation to develop potent antimicrobial lipid formulations for tackling antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Urinary cystatin B (uCysB) is a biomarker of kidney injury in dogs and cats. A high-throughput agglutination immunoassay (Idexx Laboratories) was developed for widespread commercial availability of uCysB testing in a reference laboratory setting. We evaluated immunoassay performance and included analyses of precision, accuracy, linearity, interference, analytical specificity, lot-to-lot variation, and stability. CVs from precision studies on the range of 50-500 ng/mL were 0.38-2.53% (canine) and 0.44-3.5% (feline) for within-run precision, and 1.49-5.09% (canine) and 0.65-5.05% (feline) for between-run precision. Accuracy was measured by recovery percentage and was 89-101% (canine) and 91-112% (feline). Amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, low concentrations of doxycycline, bilirubin, glucose, ketones, RBCs, hemoglobin, cloudiness, lipids, protein, and pH did not affect results. Urinary cystatin A did not cross-react with the uCysB immunoassay. Results of lot-to-lot linear regressions were 0.90-1.07 (slopes) and 0.97-1.00 (coefficient of determination). One or more freeze-thaw cycles and storage at 30°C impacted the immunoassay stability of canine samples but not feline samples under the same conditions. Our results validate this novel agglutination immunoassay for accurate and precise measurement of uCysB in canine and feline urine samples. For optimal immunoassay performance, samples should be kept at 4°C for a maximum of 1 wk. Our uCysB immunoassay is a useful and practical tool to be used in assessing kidney injury in canine and feline patients in the clinical setting.

Microbial fermentation for succinic acid production has the advantages of a short production cycle, renewable raw materials, and mild reaction conditions, and is recognized as a promising green approach. However, the succinic acid fermentation process is often accompanied by by-products such as formic acid and acetic acid, which increase the cost of subsequent separation and waste resources. This study proposed a green integrated process in which Rhodotorula glutinis As2.703 was used to selectively metabolize formic acid and acetic acid in succinic acid fermentation broth to produce high-value-added single-cell protein (SCP), while succinic acid was retained. The results showed that R. glutinis As2.703 achieved a utilization rate of 100% for formic acid and acetic acid in succinic acid fermentation broth, with a biomass of 7.05g/L and a biomass yield of 0.46g/g. The protein, lipid, and carotenoid contents in SCP were 53.11%, 16.65%, and 194.15µg/g, respectively. SuperPro Designer® was used to simulate the process of producing 54,331 tons of succinic acid annually. After integrating the SCP production module, the process achieved an annual output of 11,935 tons of SCP, with an annual revenue of 19.81million USD. The operating cost for the SCP module was only 8.27million USD/year, resulting in a net annual profit of 11.54million USD. This technology not only reduced the separation cost of succinic acid but also provided a high-quality protein source for the feed industry, significantly improving the economic viability and sustainability of succinic acid production.