PCA Analysis Research Articles

Exploring the chemotaxonomic significance of selected Citrus essential oils through GC-MS/FID and multivariate correlation analyses

The volatile chemical composition and qualitative as well as quantitative variation of the leaf and peel essential oils of five species belonging to Citrus genus were studied. The investigated Citrus species were Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle, Citrus limon L. (Osbeck), Citrus maxima (Burm.f.) Merr. R, Citrus medica L. and Citrus medica *Citrus limon. Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed using GC-MS/FID. In total 49 compounds comprising of 83.1-99.0% of the volatile compositions were identified in five leaf essential oils whereas 45 compounds comprising of 97-99.4% of the volatile compositions were identified in peel essential oils. Oxygenated monoterpenes were the predominant composition present in the leaf oils of all Citrus species whereas sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were the main composition found in C. maxima leaf oil (39.9%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons were predominating in the isolated peel oils. Principal component analysis of Citrus species was employed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of essential oil components. Both PCA and cluster analysis of both leaf and peel essential oils were classified into two clusters and then subsequent subclusters, characterized according to the major essential oil components. Monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated hydrocarbons and diterpenes were identified as the significant category of compounds characterised for Citrus essential oils.

O51 EXPLORING GENETIC BASIS OF RESISTANT HYPERTENSION IN EUROPEAN AND AFRICAN POPULATIONS

Background: Approximately 15% of hypertensive (HTN) patients experience resistant hypertension (RHTN) despite the use of ≥ 3 antihypertensive agents (diuretic and blockers of calcium channels and the renin-angiotensin system) at maximum tolerated doses. Intriguingly, genetic variation and alterations in gene content may contribute to RHTN developing. Aim: To comprehend the genetic determinants of RHTN across diverse ethnicities, this study has compared the gene content and presence of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in RHTN versus controlled-HTN and normotensive participants within European (EU) and South African (SA) populations. Methods: Blood-isolated DNA was collected from 6 participants from EU and 15 from SA. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: RHTN (SA; n=5 and EU; n=6), controlled-HTN (n=5), and normotensive (n=5). DNA was used for Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) analysis. Library preparation and exome capture were done using the MGIEasy Universal DNA library prep and exome capture v5 probe set. Mapping was done using GATK, and the variant calling and annotation were performed using with the SIFT tool and R software. Results: PCA analysis and minimum spanning network showed significant genetic diversity between EU and SA populations. WES identified 16 common genes, with 207 and 220 genes associated to RHTN in EU and SA, respectively. These genes were involved in cardiac electrical conduction (K+/Ca++ channels) and lipid storage (HDL deficiency). In addition, SNV within pharmacogenes in SA (CYP2D6, CYP3A5, APOE) and EU (ADD1) cohorts alongside genes linked to disease susceptibility (RyR1 and PPP1CA) were also identified. RyR1 and PPP1CA are both implicated in HTN development through their roles in calcium signaling and vascular smooth muscle cell function. Noteworthy, two SNVs, rs121918006 and rs61732908, within RyR1 were previously linked to HTN. Conclusions: The large genetic differences observed between EU and SA subjects highlight the diverse genetic landscape surrounding RHTN. Notably, specific genes and their related SNV that associated to cardiac calcium channels and lipid storage could show potential targets for personalized therapeutic intervention. Scientific Session 15: Exploring Novel Therapeutic Approaches to Kidney Disease

Regulation of NS5B Polymerase Activity of Hepatitis C Virus by Target Specific Phytotherapeutics: An In-Silico Molecular Dynamics Approach.

Chronic hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is closely linked with the advancement of liver disease. The research hypothesis suggests that the NS5B enzyme (non-structural 5B protein) of HCV plays a pivotal role in facilitating viral replication within host cells. Hence, the objective of the present investigation is to identify the binding interactions between the structurally diverse phytotherapeutics and those of the catalytic residue of the target NS5B polymerase protein. Results of our docking simulations reveal that compounds such as arjunolic acid, sesamin, arjungenin, astragalin, piperic acid, piperidine, piperine, acalyphin, adhatodine, amyrin, anisotine, apigenin, cuminaldehyde, and curcumin exhibit a maximum of three interactions with the catalytic residues (Asp 220, Asp 318, and Asp 319) present on the Hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase of HCV. Molecular dynamic simulation, particularly focusing on the best binding lead compound, arjunolic acid (-8.78 kcal/mol), was further extensively analyzed using RMSD, RMSF, Rg, and SASA techniques. The results of the MD simulation confirm that the NS5B-arjunolic acid complex becomes increasingly stable from 20 to 100 ns. The orientation of both arjunolic acid and sofosbuvir triphosphate (standard) within the active site was investigated through DCCM, PCA, and FEL analysis, indicating highly stable interactions of the lead arjunolic acid with the catalytic region of the NS5B enzyme. The findings of our current investigation suggest that bioactive therapeutics like arjunolic acid could serve as promising candidates for limiting the NS5B polymerase activity of the hepatitis C virus, offering hope for the future of HCV treatment.

An in vitro and in silico antidiabetic approach of GC–MS detected friedelin of Bridelia retusa

Bridelia retusa is a medicinal plant widely used to treat diabetes by ethnic populations worldwide, has been subjected to GC–MS-based profiling for the bark and fruit and identified 96 phytochemicals using ethyl acetate and methanol solvents. The DPPH antioxidant assay recorded that methanolic fruit extract had a maximum antioxidant activity of 83.01 % (IC50-103.03 µg/ml). The α-amylase inhibition activity was found maximum in ethyl acetate bark extract with 76.34 % (127.37 µg/ml), while methanolic fruit extract exhibited the highest α-glucosidase inhibition activity with 86.18 % (106.15 µg/ml). Subsequently, we have compared the antidiabetic potential for 3 pharmacologically significant bioactive constituents friedelin, imidazole & sylvestrene through docking and drug likeliness study and found friedelin has a maximum binding affinity with different protein targets followed by sylvestrene and is most suitable candidate for drug development for hyperglycemia. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed friedelin as the most stable binder to anti-diabetic target proteins, with notable structural insights provided by RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and PCA analyses. MM-PBSA calculations emphasized the significance of various energies with the α-amylase-Friedelin complex exhibiting the highest binding energy.

Insights Into Benzothiazolyl‐Coupled Azetidinone Moieties Toward EGFR Binding and Stability Analysis—Evidence From Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation

ABSTRACTBreast cancer, a formidable threat to women's health, mainly manifests in the HER2 subtype, affecting approximately one in five women. Thus, this study endeavors to pioneer novel approaches by exploring the efficacy of benzothiazole‐coupled azetidinone derivatives against EGFR. We aimed to elucidate their potential by employing a comprehensive array of in silico methodologies, including molecular docking, pharmacokinetics profiling, pharmacophore mapping, molecular dynamic simulations, and MMPBSA analysis. Remarkably, our results demonstrate that our designed molecules adhere to Lipinski's rule and comply with essential physiochemical and druggable properties, affirming the promise of these compounds. Ligand MS60 emerges as a lead, showcasing the most substantial interaction with the EGFR receptor, underscored by its impressive docking score of −8.199 kcal/mol. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations conducted via GROMACS corroborate the stability of the MS60‐EGFR complex, portraying minimal fluctuations. This assertion is further validated through MMPBSA, PCA analysis, DCCM, and FEL studies, underscoring the robustness of our findings. We have designed the pharmacophore model to unravel critical steric and electronic attributes essential for effective supramolecular interactions with the EGFR receptor. Notably, the presence of the R10, R11, and A4 groups within the ligands underscores their pivotal role in eliciting pharmacological activity, offering valuable insights for further exploration and development.

Genome-wide copy number variation regions in indigenous (Bos indicus) cattle breeds of Tamil Nadu, India.

Identification of large scale structural polymorphisms (Copy number variations) of more than 50 bp between the individuals of a species would help in knowing genetic diversity, phenotypic variability, adaptability to tropical environment and disease resistance. Read depth-based method implemented in CNVnator was used for calling copy number variant regions on sequenced data obtained from WGS from 15 pooled samples belonging to five draught cattle breeds of Tamil Nadu. A total of 11,605 CNV regions (CNVRs) were observed covering a genome size of 18.63 percent. Among these, 11,459 were restricted to autosomes, consisting of 11,013 deletions, 353 duplications and 93 complex events. These CNVRs were annotated to 4,989 candidate genes. A total of 8,291 numbers of CNVRs were shared among the five cattle breeds as also supported by PCA and STRUCTURE analyses and 1,172 CNVRs were breed-specific. Four out of five selected breed-specific CNVRs were validated using real-time PCR. Genes with CNVRs are related to milk production (BTN1A1, ABCA1 and LAP3), disease resistance (TLR4 and DNAH8), adaptability (SOD1, CAST and SMARCAL1), growth (EGFR, NKAIN3), reproduction (BRWD1 and PDE6D), meat and carcass traits (MAP3K5 and NCAM1) and exterior (ATRN and MITF) traits. Gene enrichment analysis based on the gene list retrieved from the CNVRs disclosed over-represented terms (p<0.01) associated with milk fat production. NETWORK analysis had identified 13 putative candidate genes involved in milk fat percentage, milk fat yield, lactation persistency, milk yield, heat tolerance, calving ease, growth and conformation traits. The genome-wide CNVRs identified in the present study produced genome-wide partial CNV map in indigenous cattle breeds of Tamil Nadu.

Slaughterhouse Wastewater Properties Assessment by Modern and Classic Methods

Advanced 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry and diffusometry methods and VIS-nearIR spectroscopy combined with pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and totally dissolved solids (TDSSs) measurements were used to assess the properties of wastewater collected from a chicken slaughterhouse in each step of the treatment process (wastewater before treatment, biologically treated wastewater, chemically treated wastewater and discharged wastewater) and from sludge. The 1H NMR Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) and Pulsed-Gradient-Stimulated-Echo (PGSE) decay curves recorded for all samples of wastewater were analyzed by inverse Laplace transform (ILT) to obtain the distributions of transverse relaxation times T2 and diffusion coefficient D. The VIS-nearIR total absorbance, T2-values, D-values, pH, EC and TDSS parameters were used for statistical analysis in principal component (PCA). The 1H T2-distributions measured for the slaughterhouse wastewater lie in two main regions reflecting the number of dissolved solids or the distribution of undissolved solids. The PCA analysis successfully differentiates between polluted and less polluted wastewaters and sludge. The wastewater treatment applied by the slaughterhouse is efficient. The recommended methods for wastewater monitoring are the NMR T2- and D-distributions and EC, TDSSs and NMR-D diffusion coefficient. Finally, Machine Learning algorithms are used to provide prediction maps of wastewater treatment stage.

Comparison of Different Deodorizing Treatments on the Flavor of Paddy Field Carp, Analyzed by the E-Nose, E-Tongue and Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry.

Changes in the flavor and taste profiles of Paddy Field Carp after deodorization with perilla juice (PJ), cooking wine (CW) and a mixture of the two (PJ-CW) were analyzed using the E-nose, E-tongue, gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS), free amino acid analysis and taste nucleotide analysis. The E-nose and E-tongue revealed that deodorization reduced the content of sulfur-containing compounds, enhanced umami, bitterness, sourness and astringency, and decreased saltiness. PCA and OPLS-DA analysis successfully distinguished between the effects of the treatments. Free amino acids increased from 8777.67 to 11,125.98 mg/100 g and umami amino acids increased from 128.24 to 150.37 mg/100 g after PJ-CW deodorization (p < 0.05). Equivalent umami concentration (EUC) comparisons showed that PJ-CW treatment produced the greatest synergistic umami enhancement (to 3.15 g MSG equiv./100 g). GC-IMS detected 52 aroma compounds; PJ treatment produced the greatest diversity of aldehydes, including heptanal, nonanal, hexanal, 3-methylbutanal, (E)-2-heptenal and (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal. The total content of volatile flavor compounds was the highest after PJ-CW treatment, and the content of many characteristic flavor substances (3-hydroxy-2-butanone, benzaldehyde, 5-methyl-2(3H)-furanone) increased. These findings provided a theoretical basis for the further development of deodorization methods for Paddy Field Carp.

Castanea sativa Mill. By-Products: Investigation of Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

Castanea sativa Mill. (C. sativa) processing and pruning generate several by-products, including leaves, burs, and shells (inner and outer teguments), which are considered an important source of high-value phytochemicals. Ellagitannins from C. sativa leaf extracts have been described to impair H. pylori viability and inflammation in gastric cells. Furthermore, chestnut shells showed an important anti-inflammatory effect in gastric epithelial cells. Dietary polyphenols, including tannins, have been reported to interfere with targets of inflammation, including the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). A promising role as a further therapeutical target for gut disorders has been recently proposed for the regulatory subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), as a potential stabilizer of intestinal barrier integrity. Therefore, the main objective of this work is the chemical characterization of several chestnut by-products (bud, spiny bur, wood, pericarp and episperm), together with the exploitation of their anti-inflammatory properties in intestinal cells, scavenging capacity, and stability following gastrointestinal digestion. The chemical characterization confirmed the presence of bioactive polyphenols in the extracts, including ellagitannins. In CaCo-2 cells stimulated by an IL-1β-IFN-γ cocktail, nearly all chestnut by-products (50 µg/mL) inhibited the release of proinflammatory mediators (CXCL-10, IL-8, MCP-1, ICAM), along with the NF-κB-driven transcription, and induced the HRE-driven transcription. The stability of the most promising extracts, identified through PCA and cluster analysis, was addressed by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Despite the significant reduction in total polyphenol index of chestnut bud and wood after gastric and intestinal digestion, the activity of these extracts on both scavenging and anti-inflammatory parameters remained promising. These data contribute to exploit the potential of chestnut by-products as sources of dietary polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties at the intestinal level. Moreover, this study could represent an important step to encourage the recycling and valorization of chestnut by-products, promoting the circular economy and reducing the environmental impact related to the management of agriculture waste.

The feeding preference of red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on wheat flour stored at varied temperatures: The perspective of volatile components

As a common pest in wheat flour, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is responsible for economic losses and potential risks to food safety. This study aimed to investigate the feeding preferences of T. castaneum on wheat flour stored at different temperatures, analyzed the key flavor compounds influencing its feeding preferences, and laid down the foundation for the development of new T. castaneum attractants and repellents. According to results, in the early storage period, T. castaneum showed a higher preference for feeding on wheat flour stored at higher temperatures, but this trend decreased over the storage time with a preference shift towards the flour preserved at lower temperatures. The findings from GC-MS revealed changes in the types and concentrations of volatile components in wheat flour during storage. PCA and correlation analysis suggested that compounds such as 2-methyldodecane, 3-methyl-3-ethylheptane, benzaldehyde, decanal, and n-hexanol exhibited potential attractiveness to T. castaneum. Conversely, 2-methyloctane, 2,5-dimethyldodecane, and dodecane were identified as potential repellents. At different storage temperatures, benzaldehyde and 2-methyloctane displayed consistent attractant and repellent effects, indicating their potential as effective components for attractance and repellence. Overall, our work shed the light regarding the feeding preference of T. castaneum on wheat flour stored at different temperatures from the perspective of volatile component variations, and provided a theoretical basis for the development of novel attractants and repellents.

Assessing heavy metal contamination and health risks in playground dust near cement factory: exposure levels in children

Heavy metals pose significant threats to human health, particularly children. This study aimed to assess heavy metal pollution in children's playgrounds using surface dust as an indicator and to ascertain the associated exposure levels and health risks. A total of one hundred twenty dust samples were collected from the surface of playground toys in areas surrounding the cement factory in Bursa, Türkiye, on precipitation-free days. The heavy metal content of the samples was analyzed using ICP-MS. The average total concentration of heavy metals ranged from 2401 to 6832 mg/kg across the sampling sites, with the highest values observed at PG4, PG3, PG2, and PG1, respectively. The most commonly detected heavy metals in the samples included Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, and Ni. Statistical analysis revealed significant positive correlations (p < 0.01) among Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Pb, As, and Ni, with Cu and Pb also showing correlation (p < 0.05). PCA analysis identified three principal components explaining 79.905% of the total variance. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index values for heavy metals were found to be below the safe threshold (HQ < 1). Quantitative techniques such as the geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor are used to determine pollution levels at the sampling sites. Overall, the results indicate that cement factories significantly contribute to heavy metal pollution, with observed values varying based on proximity to the emission source.

Measurement channels’ information relationships in body surface potential mapping

Body Surface Potential Mappings (BSPM) measurements allow heart rate monitoring. Based on measurements obtained from BSPM, defects and heart rhythm disorders can be detected. Due to the multitude of data obtained from BSPM measurements, the crucial aspect in the potential test signals analysis on the human body is the automation of the disturbance detection process. This automation process involves the use of advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to analyze the recorded data and identify patterns indicative of heart rhythm disorders. In the article, the information dependencies in the measurement channels were analyzed and presented. PCA analysis was used to determine informational relationships between the channels. The study was carried out on the data from simulations made for the BSPM measuring vest on a simulation system created for this purpose and based on the ECG signal generator. As a result of the conducted research indicated informational relationships between the channels for signals with disturbances: Atrial fibrillation, Brachycardia, Normal signal, PVC, Tachycardia, Ventricular Fibrillation, and Ventricular Tachycardia.

Elderflowers (Sambuci flos L.): A Potential Source of Health-Promoting Components.

Elderflowers are used for both culinary and health purposes. Their composition and, therefore, their properties depend on the variety from which they were obtained. The aim of this study was to compare six cultivated varieties with the wild form. The research included determining the basic chemical composition, bioactive ingredients and antioxidant activity. This research confirms that elderberry flowers are rich in bioactive ingredients. The wild form turned out to be the most rich in bioactive ingredients, while among the tested varieties it was 'Weihenstephan'; both of these forms were characterized by a high content of polyphenols (394.36 and 377.75 mg/100 g dm, respectively) and antioxidant activity. The PCA analysis showed general differences in the chemical composition of elderberry flowers, depending on the variety, in relation to 23 variables, as well as showing their mutual correlations and the strength of their influence on the PCA model.

A study of the morphological and geographical diversity of Korean indigenous buckwheat landraces for breeding

This study was carried out to explore the significance of morphology-based selection for breeding, using a case study of indigenous buckwheat landrace from Korea. Although many studies have utilized molecular methods to investigate germplasm diversity, this research underscores the often-overlooked importance of morphology-based selection in breeding strategies. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity of considering geographical information only when it accurately reflects the actual environment. The study collected and analyzed five traits from 96 samples across 27 varieties. The hypothesis was that these 27 samples might have been grouped by region due to similar environmental conditions. This hypothesis was tested using a dendrogram, clustering, correlation analysis of each trait, and PCA analysis. The results showed that morphological traits are a crucial factor in germplasm or landrace selection and that they should be considered the basic information for breeding purposes. Morphological traits were found to be random regardless of the locations where they were collected, indicating that they should be used to determine breeding targets rather than geographic locations. The study suggested that understanding the physiological traits of specific germplasm groups can accelerate breeding efforts. Overall, this study provided important insights into the selection of germplasm or landrace for breeding purposes, highlighting the importance of morphology-based selection and the need to consider environmental factors.

Role of ectomycorrhizal colonization in enhancement of nutrients for survival of plants collected from mountainous cold stress areas

BackgroundEctomycorrhizal (ECM and ECM-like) structures associated with plant root systems are a challenge for scientists. The dispersion pattern of roots within the soil profile and the nutritional conditions are both favourable factors to motivate the plants to make ECM associations.ResultsThis study discusses the colonization of mycorrhizal associations in Kobresia and Polygonum species including Polygonum viviparum, Kobresia filicina, K. myosuroides, Alnus nitida, Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris, and Trifolium repens grown naturally in cold stressed soils of Gilgit-Baltistan (high-altitude alpine Deosai plains), Hazara, Swat, Dir, and Bajaur. Sieved soil batches were exposed to +5 °C (control), -10, -20, -30, -40, -50, -125 °C for 5 h, and selected plants were sown to these soils for 10 weeks under favourable conditions for ECM colonization. Ectomycorrhizal associations were examined in the above mentioned plants. Some ECM fungi have dark mycelia that look like the mantle and Hartig net. Examples of these are Kobresia filicina, K. myosuroides, and Polygonum viviparum. Findings of this study revealed that K. myosuroides excelled in ECM root tip length, dry mass, and NH4 concentration at -125 °C. Contrarily, A. nitida demonstrated the lower values, indicated its minimum tolerance. Notably, T. repens boasted the highest nitrogen concentration (18.7 ± 1.31 mg/g), while P. sylvestris led in phosphorus (3.2 ± 0.22 mg/g). The B. pendula showed the highest potassium concentration (9.4 ± 0.66 mg/g), emphasising species-specific nutrient uptake capabilities in extreme cold conditions. The PCA analysis revealed that the parameters, e.g., NH4 in soil mix (NH4), NO3 in soil mix (NO3), phosphorus in soil in species of Polygonum viviparum, Kobresia filicina, K. myosuroides, Alnus nitida, Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris, and Trifolium repens are most accurately represented in cases of + 5 °C, -10 °C, and -20 °C temperatures. On the other hand, the parameters for ECM root tips (ECM) and Dry Mass (DM) are best described in -40 °C, -50 °C, and − 125 °C temperatures. All parameters have a strong influence on the variability of the system indicated the efficiency of ECM. The heatmap supported the nutrients positively correlated with ECM colonization with the host plants.ConclusionAt lower temperatures, hyphae and spores in roots were reduced, while soluble phosphorus concentrations of leaves were increased in cold stress soils. Maximum foliar nutrient concentrations were found in K. myosuroides at the lowest temperature treatments due to efficient functioning and colonization of ECM.

Genetic diversity evaluation of Luculia yunnanensis, a vulnerable species endemic to Yunnan, Southwestern China based on morphological traits and EST-SSR markers.

Luculia yunnanensis is a vulnerable species endemic to Yunnan Province, Southwestern China, which has high ornamental value. Its wild population has not been fully protected and utilized for a long time, which is not conducive to the long-term stable development of this species. Genetic diversity assessment is the basis and prerequisite for the conservation of rare species. In this study, 21 phenotypic traits and 17 highly polymorphic EST-SSR markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic structure of 164 individuals from six L. yunnanensis populations. The coefficient of variation of 21 phenotypic traits ranged from 11.76% to 52.58% (mean=21.72%), and the coefficient of variation of 18 traits was less than 30%. The average values of Ne, I, Ho and He were 1.710, 0.619, 0.384, and 0.352, respectively. The genetic diversity of LLO (Ho = 0.476 and He = 0.426) and LCM (Ho = 0.424 and He = 0.381) populations in Lushui County was highest. The GDX populations (Ho = 0.335 and He = 0.269) isolated by Gaoligong Mountain had the lowest genetic diversity. The AMOVA results showed that 13.04% of the genetic variation was among populations and 86.96% was within populations. The average phenotypic differentiation coefficient of phenotypic traits among populations was 18.69%. The results of phenotypic and genetic variation analysis were consistent, indicating that the most of variation exists within population. Genetic structure, UPGMA clustering and PCA analysis results showed that the populations of L. yunnanensis had obvious geographical divisions, and the populations distributed in the southern region and distributed in the northern region of the Nujiang River clustered into one group respectively. Combining the results of phenotypic and molecular markers, we recommend that give priority to the protection of LLO, LCM and GDX population, in order to ensure the sustainable utilization of L. yunnanensis germplasm resources.

Eu(III)-functionalized metal–organic framework as a visual ratiometric fluorescence sensor for rapid discrimination and detection of multiple tetracyclines in agricultural products

The misuse of oxytetracycline (OTC), doxycycline (DOX), tetracycline (TC), and chlortetracycline (CTC) poses a serious threat to human health and it calls for rapid and visual methods. In this study, a novel ratio fluorescent sensor was constructed by simply combining Eu(III) with IRMOF-3. Spectral characterization and DFT theoretical calculations revealed different mechanism of interactions between the MOF-based sensor and different tetracyclines in detail. PCA analysis amplified these differences, enabling the simultaneous identification and differentiation of individual, binary or ternary mixtures of multiple tetracyclines. Subsequently, a rapid fluorescence sensing method (<5 min) for detecting OTC, DOX, TC, and CTC was established with low detection limits of 70, 75, 40, and 168 nM, respectively, which are all below the maximum residue limits by the European Union and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. A portable visual test strip was also conducted based smartphone with low detection limits of 1 μM, exhibiting an obvious color spectrum transition from blue to purple and finally to pink. Furthermore, the sensor was applied successful to pig feed, milk and veterinary drugs. The results showed good agreement with HPLC-MS/MS analysis.

Quantification and analysis study for the morphological characteristics of urban waterbodies: Evidences from 42 cases in China

Influenced by the water design principle of Chinese classical garden, the design of urban waterbodies (lakes, ponds and wetlands) in China typically exhibits natural-like morphological characteristics, but what similarities and differences among these characteristics remain unclear. Also, the morphology of urban waterbodies is mostly designed with beauty and lacks quantitative research and methodological support, which is not favourable to the exploration of the correlation between waterbody morphology and ecology. In this study, 11 quantifiable morphological indicators are selected from water surface, shoreline complexity and water-land spatial morphology. A Grasshopper-based model for waterbody morphology quantification and analysis was constructed and applied to 42 cases in China. Combined with frequency, correlation and PCA analysis, the cases and indicators with higher composite scores generally showed more natural water surface morphology, island distribution, and diversified land and water spaces. The thresholds for the more representative indicators are 0.10–0.60 for the circularity ratio (C), 1.01–1.15 for the shoreline fractal dimension (D0), 1.58–29.42 for the island nearest-neighbour index (NN), 1.20–2.50 for the shoreline development index (SDI), 0.20–0.55 for the compactness ratio (Rc) and 0.30–0.85 for the unit water surface morphological difference ratio (ΔB). Focusing on these indicators, along with ΔB and I which describe spatial inclusiveness and island distribution, their regression equations and threshold ranges provide a primary basis for developing waterbody morphology designs and generative algorithms. This methodology has been experimentally applied in the design of a case waterbody in Suqian City Park. Overall, this study constructs and validates the feasibility of a Grasshopper-based algorithm for the quantitative analysis and morphogenetic design of waterbody morphology. It demonstrates the potential of this method for understanding complex waterbody morphology and water-land spaces, and supports a new digital methodology for the optimisation of waterscape design.

Comparison of production performance and meat quality characteristics between Guizhou Black goats and F4 generation hybrids of South African Kalahari Goats

This study spanned 6 years and 4 generations, involving the progressive crossbreeding of South African Kalahari Goat (SK) and Guizhou Black Goat (GB) over three generations, followed by cross fixation F3 with F1 in the fourth generation, accompanied by the use of molecular markers technology to select a high fertility population, resulting in the creation of a hybrid goat, BKF4 (11/16 SK lineage and 5/16 GB lineage). A comparative evaluation of the BKF4 hybrid breed and its parental breeds was conducted. Reproductive and production parameters of GB, SK, and BKF4 goat groups were monitored, including lambing rate (LR), survival rate (SR), daily weight gain at 3 months of age (DWG), and adult body weight (ABW) (n = 110, 106, 112 per group). In addition, dressing percentage (DP) (n = 12 per group) and analyses of amino acids (n = 8, 6, 10 per group) and fatty acids (n = 6 per group) were conducted to evaluate meat quality indicators. Results: (1) Reproductive and production performance: The index of LR reached 199%, significantly higher than GB and SK (p ≤ 0.001), with a SR of 95.0%, markedly higher than SK (p ≤ 0.001); DWG was 276.5 g, ABW reached 56.6 kg and with a dressing percentage (DP) of 54.5%, they are significantly surpassing GB (p ≤ 0.001). (2) Regarding meat quality: pH45-value and crude protein content (CP) increased, while intramuscular fat content increased compared to GB and ash content decreased. The amino acid composition was similar to GB, but the taste was more similar to SK. However, there were some negative impacts on fatty acid composition and functionality. (3) PCA analysis revealed that: BKF4 exhibited superior meat quality compared to GB and SK, influenced by two key factors contributing 83.49% and 16.51% to the explained variance, respectively. The key factors affecting meat quality include intramuscular fat (IMF), nutrient index (NI), PUFAs/MUFAs, n-6FAs, and drip loss (DL).

Genetic polymorphism amongst moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal) accessions evaluated using various molecular markers

This study presents genetic level diversity of 50 moth bean legume accessions (Vigna aconotifolia (Jacq.) Marechal). Despite seeds being a rich source of soluble nutritional proteins, it still remains an underutilized crop commercially. To assess the molecular diversity amongst accessions, RAPD, ISSR, DAMD, SCoT and SSR were employed as PCR markers. Of the total 5064 polymorphic bands shown with these makers, DAMD1 and SCoT1 presented higher levels of polymorphism with 407 and 262 polymorphic bands respectively. These genotypes revealed logical similarity and variation under UPGMA clustering. The PCA analysis of IC-258167, IC-415167, and IC-402286 present three highest eigen values, hence seem fit to be considered as parents for moth bean breeding programme. The polymorphic bands as produced by SCoT and DAMD primers can serve unique genotypic identifiers. This study seems to present a maiden report in labelling genetic marker based polymorphism amongst the accessions of moth bean.