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Bridging human and animal personality: A behavioral test to assess reward sensitivity
No full textAccounting for individual differences in depression or resilience is crucial to ensure individualized well-being. Differences in tendencies to approach rewards and avoid threats reflect personality and help to understand what animals want and like. At the neural level, these tendencies involve the behavioral activation system (BAS) and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS). We developed a test to investigate reactions to rewards and approach-avoidance conflicts using the domestic pig as a model. After testing 101 piglets, we showed that this test is reproducible, highly repeatable, and linked with classic personality dimensions assessed with four established personality tests. We report on individual tendencies related to approach-avoidance conflicts (BIS) and reward responsiveness (BAS), which are connected to specific personality traits. These findings address the gap between human and non-human animal personality research. Our study explores individual differences in perceived rewards, which have strong implications in promoting positive animal welfare and mental health
Oxidative stress and metaabolic alterations induced by nano-micronanoplastic (NMPs) in human granulosa cells
No full textPressure effects on structure–function properties of dry-fractionated pea proteins under high-pressure homogenization
No full textMicrobial impact on the volatolomic profile of fermented milks: a case study with the application of industrial starter cultures
No full textIn the dairy industry, a considerable and growing interest is given to the aroma of yogurt and fermented milks (FMs), and the capability of lactic acid bacteria, applied as starter cultures, to naturally improve flavor characteristics. This case study aimed to characterize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fermented milks obtained by using industrial starters, either individual or in mix, composed of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (LB) and/or Streptococcus thermophilus (ST), with the aim to elucidate the impact of each single strain within the same species in the complexity of the microbial communities. Thus, 33 different VOCs, including ketones, acids, aldehydes, alcohols, esters and aromatic compounds were identified through headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to GC-MS. Only LB produced acetaldehyde (green apple-like) and 2-nonanol (musty), whilst in ST-FM acetic acid (vinegar like), diacetyl (buttery), 2,3-pentanedione (sweet), acetoin (creamy), and hexanoic acid (pungent) were higher compared to LB-FM. Depending on the single strain and their different combinations, noticeable differences in the VOCs profile were observed, showing that, the selection of the proper combinations of ST and LB strains to obtain FMs with a specific final VOCs profile is a key aspect in the dairy industry sector
Evidence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) susceptibility among big felids in Namibia: leopards (Panthera pardus) and lions (Panthera leo)
No full text: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe zoonotic disease caused by the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), primarily transmitted by Hyalomma ticks. The virus has been detected in a wide range of domestic and wild animals, contributing to its persistence in endemic regions. However, felids of the Panthera genus have not been previously investigated in this context. The present study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of CCHFV antibodies in leopards (Panthera pardus; n=250; 1997-2017) and lions (Panthera leo; n=7; 2023) in Namibia using a commercial ELISA kit. CCHFV antibodies were detected in 36/250 leopards (14.40%; 95% CI: 10.59-19.29) and 3/7 lions (42.86%; 95% CI: 15.82-74.95). No tested animals had a known history of CCHFV-related clinical signs. Statistical analyses did not reveal significant temporal trends in seroprevalence. The presence of CCHFV antibodies in large felids suggests past exposure but does not confirm a definitive role in viral transmission. Further virological studies, including molecular detection and investigations of carcasses are needed to determine whether these species serve as viral reservoirs or dead-end hosts. Given the zoonotic potential of CCHFV and the role of wildlife in its epidemiology, increased surveillance is warranted. From a One Health perspective, awareness among veterinarians, caretakers, and conservationists is crucial. Vector control measures in livestock should be reinforced to limit spillover events between domestic animals, wildlife, and humans, particularly in the face of climate-driven tick expansion and the geographical spread of CCHFV
Ball milled starch aerogel structures as novel additive for food applications
No full textStarch, a biodegradable polysaccharide, is a key functional ingredient in the food sector, though its
native state has limited industrial applications. Physical, chemical, and enzymatic modification
strategies enhance its usability [1]. Ball milling (BM), an eco-friendly physical technique, can
induce structural and morphological changes in food biomolecules, improving their technological
performance [2]. This study, for the first time, examines the impact of ball-milling treatment (BMT)
duration on the structural and textural properties of starch aerogels.
Native starch (corn (CS, 21.23% amylose) and high amylose corn (HACS, 52.6% amylose)) were
subjected to BM at varying milling durations (5, 15, and 30 minutes) at a constant rotational speed
(350 rpm). Aerogels were obtained via thermal gelation (15% w/w starch concentration),
moulded, followed by retrogradation, solvent exchange with ethanol and supercritical drying with
carbon dioxide (C0 2 ). After the resulting gels underwent retrogradation, starch cryogels were
obtained through freeze-drying of the same hydrogels for comparative analysis. Samples (native
and treated) were analyzed for their textural properties (surface area, pore diameter, pore
volume), density, porosity and water holding capacity (WHC).
Mechanical stability, microstructural and textural properties of the resulting dried gels were
significantly impacted by BM treatment and the drying technique employed. Aerogels resulted
mesoporous (pore diameter ≤ 25 nm), whereas cryogels showed macro porosity (pore diameter ≤
200 μm). Specific surface area, porosity (> 80%) and WHC of the aerogels increased with
prolonged milling time (p<0.05) correlating to lower density. The highest surface area (237 m 2 /g)
was observed in 10 min BM-HACS aerogels. WHC of BM cryogels was twice higher than the
corresponding aerogels
BM can significantly affect the structural and textural properties of starch aerogels and cryogels,
favoring their application in several sectors including food industry.
List of References
1. Han, N., Fan, J.L., Chen, N. And Chen, H.Q., Journal of Cereal Science, 104 (2022),103439.
2. Soe, M.T., Chitropas, P., Pongjanyakul, T., Limpongsa, E. And Jaipakdee, N., Carbohydrate Polymers, 232 (2020),
115812
Coordinated epigenetic dysregulation of CNR1 and FAAH genes drives endocannabinoid system dysfunction in anorexia nervosa
No full textBackground: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder with limited biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment monitoring. We investigated endocannabinoid system (ECS) dysregulation in AN through integrated epigenetic and genetic analysis of saliva. Methods: We analyzed DNA methylation patterns of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) genes, characterized genetic polymorphisms, and quantified expression of exosomal microRNAs targeting these genes in AN patients versus healthy controls. Results: We discovered a novel bidirectional epigenetic dysregulation of the ECS: CNR1 promoter hypermethylation coupled with FAAH promoter hypomethylation. This dual-target mechanism systematically impairs endocannabinoid signaling by simultaneously reducing receptor availability while increasing endocannabinoid degradation. Compensatory miRNA responses (upregulated miR-342-3p, miR-23b-3p targeting CNR1; upregulated miR-4505, miR-1275 targeting FAAH) revealed dynamic regulatory attempts to counterbalance these primary epigenetic changes. This convergent pathway dysfunction demonstrates how multiple molecular mechanisms work in concert to dysregulate appetite regulation in AN. Combined biomarker panels showed superior diagnostic precision compared to individual markers. Conclusions: Our findings establish this bidirectional epigenetic dysregulation as a central mechanism underlying ECS dysfunction in AN, providing mechanistic insights that identify novel therapeutic targets and advance precision medicine approaches for this challenging disorder