Increase In Weight Research Articles

Application of Ozonated Water to the Roots Increases Growth and Secondary Metabolite Accumulation in Brassicaceae Plants in a Hydroponics System

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze changes in growth parameters and secondary metabolites by intermittently applying ozonated water (OW) to the roots of red mustard, leaf mustard, and kale, grown in a nutrient film technique hydroponic system. During the period when the plants were cultivated for 3 weeks, OW at concentrations of 1 and 3 μL·L− 1 was flushed for 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 minutes, twice a week, for a total of six treatments. In red mustard, the 1 μL·L− 1 OW treatment for 2 minutes resulted in the most significant increases in shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, leaf area, and an elevated shoot/root ratio. For leaf mustard, both the 1 and 3 μL·L− 1 treatments led to notable improvements in shoot fresh weight, total glucosinolate (GSL) content, and shoot/root ratio. During the two concentrations of OW, kale exhibited substantial significant increases in total GSL content, total anthocyanin content, total phenolic content, and shoot/root ratio. These results suggest that flushing OW to the plant roots in hydroponics systems, particularly at a concentration of 1 μL·L− 1 applied for 2 minutes, can effectively enhance shoot growth, secondary metabolite synthesis, and the shoot/root ratio in Brassicaceae plants.

Effects of quercetin on adipokine profile in fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a health condition characterized by obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This study aimed to assess the effects of quercetin, a natural flavonoid on MetS induced by fructose in Sprague Dawley rats. Materials and methods: The rats, aged 8-10 weeks, were divided into 4 groups: control (C) group, metabolic syndrome (MetS) group, control+quercetin (C+Q) group, and metabolic syndrome+quercetin (MetS+Q) group. The MetS groups received a 20% fructose solution in drinking water for a duration of 10 weeks. For the last 4 weeks of the study, rats in the Q groups were administered 50 mg/kg/body weight quercetin. After 10 weeks, serum samples were tested using ELISA for Triglycerides (TG), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), fasting insulin, resistin, (Interleukin 6) IL6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), leptin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and, adiponectin (ADP). The body weights, Lee index and HOMA-IR scores were also measured. Results: Fructose-fed rats showed significant increases in body weight, Lee index, HOMA-IR scores and, fasting insulin with significant decrease in HDL compared to controls. In MetS group, ADP levels were significantly lower compared to control group. In MetS+Q group, there was a tendency for reduced levels of resistin, IL-6, and leptin compared to the untreated MetS group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that quercetin may be beneficial in managing MetS, though further research is needed to explore its mechanisms and effectiveness.

Biodegradable Plastics from Marine Biomass: A Solution to Marine Plastic Pollution

The growing demand for plastics has raised environmental concerns due to their non-biodegradable nature. Sustainable solutions are urgently required to decrease plastic pollution. This study explored the potential of Sargassum wightii, a seaweed found in Malaysia, as a sustainable material for bioplastic films. The seaweed-based bioplastic was produced using an extraction-based method where alginate was formed using NaOH, followed by mixing sodium alginate with isopropanol and potato starch. The bioplastic was then characterized using various analytical techniques, including Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Physical properties such as density and moisture content, along with environmental tests like water absorption and biodegradability, were evaluated. TGA analysis indicated that 31.12% of the sample remained as residue. FTIR spectroscopy identified the presence of bioactive compounds, with a prominent alcohol group peak at 3358cm-1. XRD analysis revealed a peak at 23.1°, indicating crystallinity within the sample. The moisture content of the bioplastic film was found to be 21.16%. The water absorption test demonstrated the film's hydrophilic nature, showing a 60% increase in weight. A soil burial test for biodegradability confirmed a 40% reduction in weight over 21 days, indicating a reasonable degradation rate. These findings suggest that seaweed holds promise as an alternative raw material for bioplastic production, contributing to more sustainable materials and reducing reliance on non-biodegradable plastics.

Hovenia dulcis (Guaizao) polysaccharide ameliorates hyperglycemia through multiple signaling pathways in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses a significant threat to human health, with its incidence and mortality rates increasing annually. This study investigated the hypoglycemic effects and underlying mechanisms of pure Hovenia dulcis (Guaizao) polysaccharide (HDPs-2A) in rats subjected to a high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin-induced T2DM. Oral administration of HDPs-2A resulted in significant increases in body weight and liver glycogen levels compared to untreated controls. Moreover, a reduction in fasting blood glucose levels, alleviation of hyperinsulinemia, enhanced glucose tolerance, and improved insulin resistance were observed in the HDPs-2A-treated group. HDPs-2A also effectively reversed diabetes-induced dyslipidemia, as evidenced by decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, alongside increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Histopathological analyses confirmed that HDPs-2A partially repaired liver tissue damage by mitigating oxidative stress responses in the liver. Additionally, treatment with HDPs-2A significantly elevated short-chain fatty acid levels in T2DM rats. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses indicated that HDPs-2A significantly enhanced the expression of InsR, IRS2, PI3K, Akt, and GLUT4, suggesting that HDPs-2A regulates insulin resistance and glycometabolism through the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, HDPs-2A appeared to modulate the expression of GS, GSK-3β, and FoxO1 to improve glucose metabolism and reduce insulin resistance. It also improved glucose metabolism by activating the AMPK pathway and modulating G6Pase and PEPCK expression. This study provides novel insights into the antidiabetic effects of HDPs, positioning them as promising nutritional agents for the management of T2DM.

Variation in Chemical, Textural and Sensorial Traits Among Remontant Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) Cultivars Maintained in a Double-Cropping System

Remontant raspberry cultivars originally produce fruit in the upper part of primocanes in the fall, but if retained over winter, they can produce a second crop in the lower part of the floricanes the following spring. Maintaining remontant cultivars to yield twice during the cane’s growth cycle corresponds to a double-cropping system, which enables an increase in the total yield and the extension of the fruiting season. To date, there is little information on changes in fruit quality between primocane and floricane crops. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate variations in the content of sugars and organic acids, fruit weight, color and textural and sensorial attributes among five newly introduced remontant raspberry cultivars (‘Dafne’, ‘Kokanee’, ‘Paris’, ‘Versailles’ and ‘Primalba’) and the control cultivar ‘Enrosadira’. The specific aim was to evaluate how a double-cropping system in each cultivar may affect the variability in quality traits between primocane and floricane crops. The results showed a significant increase in fruit weight and individual and total sugar content in primocane crops, while significantly brighter red-colored and firmer fruits were observed in floricane crops. Cultivars did not differ from the control regarding total sugar content and sweetness index, while the content of individual sugars caused greater variations. The highest content of citric, malic and total acid (9.74, 1.42 and 11.25 mg 100 g−1 FW, respectively) were recorded in ‘Paris’, by which this cultivar was the only one distinguished from the control. ‘Dafne’ and ‘Versailles’ exhibited better internal and external fruit quality on primocanes, having significantly larger fruits (6.83 g and 6.37 g, respectively) and twice the increased sugar content. The lowest fruit weight was observed in ‘Kokanee’ for both primocane (4.63 g) and floricane (3.65 g) crops. ‘Kokanee’ and ‘Primalba’ also performed worse than the control for most sensory attributes in both seasons. Based on the analysis of the overall fruit quality linked to the appearance-, texture- and taste-related attributes that affect consumer preference, cultivars ‘Enrosadira’, ‘Versailles’ and ‘Dafne’ stood out, while ‘Paris’ showed high uniformity in fruit quality between crops, but scored the worst according to the total quality index.

Additional far-red increases fruit yield of greenhouse sweet pepper mainly through enhancing plant source strength

Supplementary lighting is necessary for year-round greenhouse production of fruit vegetables in high-latitude regions. Far-red (FR) radiation can influence plant photomorphogenesis as well as photosynthesis. We aimed to identify the effects of supplementary FR on fruit set and yield of sweet pepper, and its underlying mechanisms via a yield component analysis. A 24-week greenhouse experiment was conducted with cultivars 'Gialte' and 'Margrethe', where FR was added to 190 μmol·m−2·s−1 of white supplementary light in four treatments: 0, 50 or 100 μmol·m−2·s−1 FR throughout the whole generative growth phase (since 8 weeks after transplanting), or 100 μmol·m−2·s−1 FR for only four weeks (12 to 16 weeks after transplanting). Fruit yield increased linearly with the cumulative amount of FR provided in supplementary light. The increased fruit dry weight with additional FR was mainly associated with an increased plant dry weight, accompanied by a marginal increase in the fraction of dry matter partitioned to fruits. The increase in plant dry weight resulted from an increased light use efficiency (plant dry weight per unit of supplementary photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) incident on top of the canopy) and an increased incident PAR (due to taller plants closer to the lamps). However, additional FR reduced radiation use efficiency (plant dry weight per unit of supplementary PAR plus FR incident on top of the canopy), indicating that additional FR was used less efficiently than PAR for biomass production. Additional FR enhanced fruit set percentage and fruit set fluctuations over time, where both long-term and short-term FR application elevated the subsequent fruit set peak after the start of FR application. Without additional FR, 17% fruits in 'Gialte' and 25% in 'Margrethe' showed medium or severe cracking. Additional FR substantially reduced this percentage to 8% in both cultivars. We conclude that additional FR improves sweet pepper fruit set and yield in greenhouses, mainly by enhancing plant source strength.

Histochemical and gene expression changes in Cannabis sativa hypocotyls exposed to increasing concentrations of cadmium and zinc

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a versatile crop that produces cellulosic bast fibres used in textiles and biocomposites. Is also finds use in phytoremediation, being a good candidate for the cultivation on marginal lands, such as those contaminated by heavy metals (HMs). HMs like cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) are known to affect plant growth and impair the biosynthesis of cellulose and lignin at the cell wall level. Since cellulose is the major component in the gelatinous layer of bast fibres, HMs can impact the structure of hemp fibres and, consequently, their mechanical properties. This study investigates how varying concentrations of Cd and Zn in the soil affect the bast fibres of hemp plantlets. The chosen model is the hypocotyl, as it is ideal for studying bast fibre development: it exhibits a temporal separation between the elongation and thickening phases within a short period of approximately three weeks. C. sativa plantlets were grown for 20 days, and the hypocotyls sampled to perform histochemical observations, gene expression analysis, as well as to quantify biomass yield and Cd/Zn accumulation. Hemp plantlets grown in soils with the three highest Zn concentrations were smaller than the control group, whereas no decrease in size was observed under elevated Cd concentrations. However, at the highest Cd concentration, the root system exhibited enhanced development, accompanied by a significant increase in dry weight across all the concentrations tested. The quantification of Cd and Zn showed that the roots were the main organs accumulating HMs. Cd at the two highest concentrations decreased significantly the lumen area of bast fibres and increased their cell wall thickness. Zn decreased significantly the lumen area, but it did not impact the thickness of the cell wall at the highest concentration. Cd also increased the number of secondary fibres. Immunohistochemistry highlighted a different pattern of crystalline cellulose distribution with a signal that was less homogeneous in the presence of Cd and Zn. Gene expression analysis revealed changes in transcripts encoding cellulose synthases, fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins, class III peroxidases. The results obtained shed light on the molecular response and bast fibre histological changes occurring in young hemp plants exposed to Cd and Zn.

What is the impact of neutral detergent fibre digestibility on productive performance of beef cattle fed tropical forages?

Our objective was to quantify the relationship between total neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility and nutritional and productive characteristics in cattle fed tropical forages using a meta-analytical approach. The dataset used to develop this work was compiled from 24 experiments carried out with beef cattle in Brazil, published between 2005 and 2020, and totalising 115 treatment means. All the experiments were carried out using change-over designs and included a control treatment (i.e., only forage). There was a linear and positive relationship (P<0.01) between total NDF digestibility and voluntary forage intake. We estimated a 0.17 g/kg body weight increase in forage intake for each percentage point (i.e., 0.01 g/g) of improvement in NDF digestibility. On average, increasing total NDF digestibility caused a linear improvement (P<0.01) in rumen microbial nitrogen production (NMIC) and in dietary digested organic matter (DOM). The total NDF digestibility was linear and positively associated with nitrogen balance (NB, P<0.01). However, the increment in NB as a response to total NDF digestibility was more prominent as dietary NDF decreased (P<0.01). In summary, we concluded that increasing NDF digestibility in cattle fed tropical forage-based diets improves the voluntary forage intake and the supply of energy and metabolisable protein. This simultaneous effect causes an increase in the animal's nitrogen accretion and weight gain, but this effect will be more prominent as the dietary content of neutral detergent fibre decreases.

Effect of Auxins on Growth Enhancement of Cell Suspension Culture of Tongkat Ali Hitam (Polyalthia bullata)

Polyalthia bullata, a Southeast Asian plant, is valued for its bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical potential. To prevent overharvesting and extinction, cell suspension culture offers a sustainable method for the mass production of these compounds. Despite its effectiveness, no studies on Polyalthia bullata cell suspension culture have been established. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the culture by evaluating growth and biomass production. To achieve the objective, leaf derived callus of Polyalthia bullata was multiplied on Murashige and Skoog (MS) + 30 µM dicamba medium. Subsequently, cell suspension initiation and multiplication were carried out using half-strength MS basal medium (½ MSO) supplemented with 5, 15, 25, and 30 µM of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), respectively. In this study, suspension cells in the ½ MSO recorded the highest increment in fresh (4.455 ± 1.170 g FW) and dry weight (0.220 ± 0.033 g DW) but produced dark brown cells. Meanwhile, cells grown on ½ MS medium supplemented with 30 µM NAA recorded the highest increase in fresh weight (3.472 ± 0.694 g FW) and dry weight (0.190 ± 0.012 g DW), displaying a light yellowish-brown cell. Although the ½ MSO yielded the highest biomass, the cell suspension cultures supplemented with 30 µM NAA showed promising results, achieving higher biomass compared to other auxin treatments and exhibiting a light yellowish-brown cell. This suggests that 30 µM NAA is a more efficient auxin utilization in reducing the occurrence of dark brown cells. In conclusion, optimizing auxin concentrations is crucial for high-quality Polyalthia bullata cell suspension culture. This study can provide insight into sustainable cultivation practices for the plant, serving as a potential bio-factory for mass-producing bioactive compounds.

The starter growth performance of Indonesian local ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) fed the ration containing different levels of tofu waste product flour

The high price of feed ingredients for rations are one of the factors considered in raising ducks. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of adding cheap tofu waste product (TWP) flour to reduce expensive corn and concentrate ingredients on feed consumption, live weight and feed conversion of starter phase ducks aged 1-8 weeks. The 64 female day-old ducks (DOD) were involved using completely randomized design, allocated into 4 treatments with 8 replications where each replication consisted of 2 birds in a cage. The treatments were feeds of R0 (without TWP, 0%), R1 (with 15% TWP), R2 (with 30% TWP), and R3 (with 45% TWP) in ration. Results showed that the use of large amounts of TWP in R3 caused a decrease in feed consumption of around 4.20 percent, likely caused by the bulky nature of TWP due to their high fiber content. In addition, the percentage of TWP flour addition of 45% showed a lower live weight compared to other treatments. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of starter growth phase ducks consuming feed ration with composition started from a FCR of 2.3522 - 2.4484 in week-1 tending to decrease until in week-3 reaching a value of 1.8574 - 1.9711 indicating increase efficiency in the use of rations by each duck. However, this tendency began to increase until it reached a value of 3.0955 - 3.0862 in week-8. These values ​​indicated the increase in the cumulative amount of feed consumption of starter phase of ducks at the ages of 2 weeks up to 4 weeks tending faster than the increase in cumulative body weight (lower FCR) compared with FCR from the ages of 5 weeks up to 8 weeks, resulting in a higher FCR.

Insights Into Oil Palm Yield Under Seasonal Rainfall

Young oil palms produce many small fruit bunches. With age, bunch number (BN) declines but single bunch weight (BW) increases, more than the BN decline, raising its yield (FFB, or BN*BW). In a long-term trial in seasonal Southern Thailand, the age trend accounted for 81% of the variation in BN. With irrigation, BN increased 34%, and BW 5%, and the age trend accounted for 90% of BN variance. It was 98% for BW with/without irrigation. Besides age trends, the regular December – March dry season, despite irrigation, combined with intrinsic alternating sex cycles resulted in annual cycles in BN and BW. The BN cycle was more marked in younger palms whose rooting is shallower. The BW cycle persisted throughout, albeit at lower amplitude than BN. Female abortion after high production resulted in a BN semi-annual cycle, with peaks in Mar/Apr and Sep/Oct. A similar cycle for BW in older palms, with peaks in Dec - Feb and Jun-Aug, arose from fluctuating pollination. A three-year cycle in BN of unirrigated palms may be due to exhaustion/replenishment of carbohydrate reserves. Underripe harvesting, causing more yield in a month, and a dearth after, resulted in a 2-month cycle for BN.

HUBUNGAN PEMAKAIAN KONTRASEPSI SUNTIK 3 BULAN DENGAN KENAIKAN BERAT BADAN AKSEPTOR KB DI BPM ENDAH SETIATI, SST DESA TONGAS WETAN

Injection contraception is a contraceptive method that is widely used in Indonesia. The proportion of injection contraception use was 62.77%. Most acceptors of 3-month injection KB experience an increase in body weight. This is because progesterone stimulates the appetite control center in the hypothalamus, thereby influencing eating behavior. One study showed that many injecting contraceptive users stopped due to side effects such as menstrual disturbances, weight gain, headaches, and stomach discomfort. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the use of 3-month s injection contraception and the increase in the weight of family planning acceptors at Endah Setiati, SST Independent Midwife Practice Tongas Wetan village. This study used a retrospective, using secondary data. With correlation research design with a cross sectional study approach. The population in this study was the number of acceptors of 3-month s injectable family planning at Endah Setiati, SST Independent Midwife Practice. From January to December, 90 people using the total sampling technique and statistical tests used the Chi square test. The results of this study revealed that of the 90 acceptors of the 3-month s injection, most of the acceptors used it for a long time and experienced weight gain, namely 40 people (44.4%). The results of the Chi Square statistical test obtained p-value = 0.126. However, it can be concluded that there is no correlation between the use of 3-month s injectable birth control and weight gain in Endah Setiati, SST Independent Midwife Practice in Tongas Wetan village. The suggestion of this research, will be able to have an impact on midwifery services in the community, especially in providing explanations to patients about the side effects of using 3-month injectable birth control.

Genetic Diversity and Gains from Selection for Fruit and Bean Physical Traits from the Conilon Coffee Genotype

Plant breeding of Coffea canephora is based on the characterization and use of the natural genetic variability of the species. Thus, the objective of this study was to quantify the genetic diversity and gains from selection of the fruit and bean physical traits of the C. canephora plant, seeking to understand the relations among the yield components and identify genotypes with superior traits. For this purpose, 42 genotypes were evaluated over two crop years while considering a randomized block design in a factorial arrangement to quantify the effects of genotypes, crop years, and the interaction between these two factors. Coffee fruit samples in the cherry stage were used to evaluate the weights, volumes, and dimensions of the fresh fruit and beans after drying. Genotypic variance prevailed over environmental variance for all of the fruit and bean physical traits of the coffee plants, except for the greatest fruit width (FWG). These associations indicate that the constituent parts of the fruit increased in a manner proportional to an increase in weight. Such associations can facilitate or hinder plant selection. The total gains obtained through the selection indices were similar to those obtained through direct selection for greater bean weights. However, the use of selection indices made it possible to identify clones with more balanced traits.

Comparative Phytochemical and Biological Studies on Salvia hispanical L., Sesamum indicum L., and Linum usitatissimum: A focus on The Effect of their Fixed Oil on The Peritoneal Fat.

The current research was undertaken to investigate the effect of fixed oils of Linum usitatissimum (flaxseed), Sesamum indicum L. (Sesame), and Salvia hispanical L. (Chia) seeds on the chemical profile and weight of the peritoneal fat of rats fed normal (10%fat) or high-fat diet (HFD)(20%fat). Additionally, to analyze the phytoconstituents of these fixed oils. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was applied to analyze the experimental oils and the peritoneal fats. Our results revealed a remarkable effect of the experimental oils on the fatty acid profile of peritoneal fat in groups fed on HFD, they limited the increase in saturated fatty acids. Moreover, adding these oils to HFD limited the increase in body weight and decreased the percentage of peritoneal fat. In addition, oleic acid was the major fatty acid in sesame and flaxseed oils (44.2% and 33.69%, respectively). While linolenic acid was represented as a major fatty acid in chia oil (50.69%). So, we can conclude that sesame, flaxseed, and chia oils can be used as a healthy oil source in food due to their nutritional benefits and remarkable role in controlling the adverse effect of HFD on the quantity and quality of peritoneal fat.

Toxic effects of chronic exposure to BPAF and perturbation of gut microbiota homeostasis in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)

Bisphenol AF (BPAF), a substitute for bisphenol A (BPA), exhibits potent endocrine-disrupting properties that pose a serious health hazard to organisms. This study employed marine medaka as a model, subjecting them to different concentrations of BPAF (0.61, 6.65, and 91.88 μg/L) from the embryonic stage for a period of 160 days. Findings showed that 91.88 μg/L BPAF reduced survival rates and altered sex ratios. Furthermore, exposure to BPAF at all concentrations led to a significant increase in body length and weight. Behavioral analysis revealed that BPAF exposure impaired the swimming ability of the medaka. Histological changes included disrupted ovarian development, reduced sperm count, liver inflammation, and intestinal damage. Gene expression analysis revealed impacts on nervous system (e.g., gap43, itr, elavl3), HPG axis (e.g., gthα, erα, 3βhsd), and liver genes (e.g., chgl, vtg2). Additionally, BPAF altered the diversity and richness of gut microbes in marine medaka, leading to significant changes in specific bacterial species and intestinal functions. In conclusion, long-term BPAF exposure induced neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and impaired digestive and immune systems in marine medaka, with sex-specific effects. These results provide further evidence of the potential hazards of BPAF as an environmental pollutant.

Impact of Na-Carboxymethyl Cellulose Binder Type on Hard Carbon Performance and SEI Formation in Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The development of hard carbon (HC) electrodes using biobased binders, formulated in water solvent, is of great interest for Na-ion batteries. Five Na-carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binders with different molecular weights and degrees of substitution were investigated. The increase in the CMC molecular weight led to an increase in the volume of water necessary for slurry preparation and a decrease in the electrode mass loading. Moreover, the adhesion of the slurry was strongly impacted by the aluminum current collector properties. A high initial Coulombic efficiency, iCE (up to ∼90%), and reversible capacity (up to 334 mAh g-1 at C/10) were obtained in Na half-cells. Post-mortem XPS analyses performed on several electrodes under various conditions allowed a better understanding of the formation and composition of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. The genesis of SEI was initially chemically driven: to a small extent, by HC and to a greater extent, by the Na metal. However, SEI formation was mainly governed by the electrochemical-driven degradation of the electrolyte salt and solvent. The SEI layer composed of an inorganic-rich core and an organic-rich shell significantly decreased the resistance of the HC electrode, allowing superior iCE while maintaining high capacity retention (96.2%), after 100 cycles at 1C.

Effects of Paracetamol, Amoxicillin, and their Combination on Male Rabbit Body and Organs Weight

The administration of pharmaceuticals such as paracetamol (PAR) and amoxicillin (AMO) has been linked to physiological changes in animals. While these drugs are widely utilized for their therapeutic benefits, their potential effects on body and organ weights are not fully understood. Male rabbits were divided into four groups a control group, a group treated with PAR, a group treated with AMO, and a group receiving both drugs PAR+AMO. Body weight changes were monitored weekly, and organ weights (liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, testes, and brain) were measured at the end of the trial. Data were statistically analyzed, with significance set at p &lt; 0.05. Body weight changes were observed across all treatment groups. In the control group, there were gradual weight increase from 1839±136.20g to 1975±89.94g, remaining consistent throughout the trial. While in the PAR group, we observed initial weight loss from 1667±43.83g to 1584±31.69g in week one, followed by recovery and reaching 1860±26.48g by week five. In the AMO group, there were a minor initial weight loss, followed by steady gains peaking at 2028±12.02g in week four, slightly decreasing to 2007±4.97g in week five. In the PAR+AMO group, we reported fluctuations in weight, starting at 1857±52.43g, peaking in week one (2001±94.50g), and ending at 1900±92.61g in week five. Organ weight analysis revealed significant changes. Liver and Lungs were notable increases in the PAR (73.214±5.006g liver; 8.356±0.663g lungs) and AMO groups (76.250±0.364g liver; 6.650±0.030g lungs). Combination therapy moderated these effects. Other Organs such as kidney, heart, brain, and testes weights showed no significant alterations (p &gt; 0.05) across the groups. In conclusion, this study highlights the differential impact of PAR and AMO, individually and in combination, on body and organ weights in male rabbits. While PAR and AMO caused notable changes in liver and lung weights, combination therapy appeared to moderate these effects. Body weight fluctuations were observed across all groups, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying these physiological responses to pharmaceutical interventions.

Study on Impact of Monomers Towards High Molecular Weight Bio-Based Poly(ethylene Furanoate) via Solid State Polymerization Technique

In recent years, bio-based poly(ethylene furanoate) has gained the attention of packaging industries owing to its remarkable properties as a promising alternative to fossil-based polymers. It is necessary to synthesize high-molecular-weight polymers using effective and straightforward techniques for their commercialization. In this present work, poly(ethylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF) was produced with a high molecular weight of 0.43 dL/g using 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) or its derivative Dimethyl-2,5-Furan dicarboxylate (DMFD), followed by solid-state polymerization (SSP) conducted at different temperatures and reaction times. The intrinsic viscosity ([η]), carboxyl end-group concentration (–COOH), and thermal properties of the produced polyesters were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicated that the SSP process improved the melting temperature and crystallinity of both the PEF samples as the reaction times and temperatures increased, as corroborated by DSC and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Additionally, both intrinsic viscosity and number-average molecular weight saw an increase with longer SSP durations and higher temperatures, while the concentration of carboxyl end groups decreased, aligning with expectations. The overall results indicate that PEF (DMFD) samples exhibited a significant increase in crystallization and molecular weight, attributed to their lower degree of crystallinity and their monomer’s high purity.

Omega-3 Supplementation and Nutritional Status in Patients with Pancreatic Neoplasms: A Systematic Review

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to synthesize and evaluate the evidence regarding the effects of omega-3 supplementation on the nutritional status of pancreatic cancer patients. Methods: A systematic review of clinical trials was conducted, adhering to the PRISMA Statement. MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched up to 31 December 2022 without restrictions on the publication date or language. Independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. The internal validity and risk of bias in randomized controlled trials (RCT) were assessed using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials-RoB2, while the risk of bias in non-randomized intervention studies was evaluated using the ROBINS-I tool. Results: Eight studies met all the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Five of them were RCT, with the majority (n = 4) classified as low risk of bias, and the three quasi-experiments were deemed to have a moderate risk of bias. Among the studies investigating the outcome of weight gain/maintenance, six reported statistically significant positive results (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, the presented evidence indicates that omega-3 supplementation in pancreatic cancer patients is safe, well-tolerated, and beneficial, as it contributes to the stabilization or increase in body weight, as well as a reduction in inflammatory biomarkers.

A novel application of industrial waste bischofite for the anti-aging property of asphalt: Synthesis of organic layered double hydroxide and performance evaluation

Asphalt aging causes significant distress to pavements, which risks driving safety and poses unsustainable repair and reconstruction works. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) is a promising anti-aging modifier for asphalt. A unique benefit of LDH is its potential raw material - bischofite, a fruitful by-product of salt lake industries and is often casually discarded. In this work, LDH with laminated structure and high crystallinity was synthesized from industrial waste bischofite, and the silane coupling agent A151 was grafted onto the LDH surface, which remarkably inhibits the adhesion and hydrophilicity of LDH and makes it more compatible with asphalt. Asphalt becomes hard and brittle after aging, and the rheological properties deteriorate considerably. At the micro-level, asphalt aging is manifested by the oxidation of light components to heavy ones, the increase of molecular weight, the accumulation of macromolecules, and the gelation of the colloidal structure. Comparative studies indicate that the LDH synthesized from waste bischofite is able to relieve performance deterioration, component oxidation, molecular polymerization, and structure gelation of asphalt during aging. Furthermore, the A151 surface organic modification can further improve the effect of LDH in bolstering the anti-aging property of asphalt. These favorable results provide a sustainable approach to building durable pavements.