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With the current advancement in mass spectrometry (MS)-based lipidomics, the knowledge of lipidomes and their diverse roles has greatly increased, enabling a deeper understanding of the action of bioactive lipid molecules in plant- and animal-based foods. This review provides in-depth information on the practical use of MS techniques in lipidomics, including lipid extraction, adduct formation, MS analysis, data processing, statistical analysis, and bioinformatics. Moreover, this contribution demonstrates the effectiveness of MS-based lipidomics for identifying and quantifying diverse lipid species, especially triacylglycerols and phospholipids, in foods. Further, it summarizes the wide applications of MS-based lipidomics in food science, such as for assessing food processing methods, detecting food adulteration, and measuring lipid oxidation in foods. Thus, MS-based lipidomics may be a useful method for identifying the action of individual lipid species in foods.

Concrete structures in marine environments are prone to deterioration and damage due to chloride ion penetration, freezing and thawing, and chemical erosion. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) mixed with steel fibers has been proposed as a solution to enhance the durability and mechanical properties of concrete in marine environments. Although several studies have been conducted in this regard, they have yet to focus on addressing errors that may be caused during the construction of offshore piers. Therefore, this study proposes a modular system to control horizontal and vertical errors during construction using a new connecting core type. UHPC with a fiber content of 0.75% was considered the optimum mix proportion because this met the tensile and compressive strength requirements and the chloride attack resistibility requirements of marine structures. The structural performance of a specimen constructed using modular technology was evaluated. The results of the lateral load resistance experiments showed minimal deformation in the girder and pier. Additionally, both the precast and cast-in-place types met the criterion of load resistance. This study contributes to the advancement of construction technology in marine environments by considering both material performance and construction conditions.

Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics, developed through rapid advancements in instruments and techniques, provides comprehensive analyses of individual lipidomes in diverse biological systems. This contribution summarizes the limitations of classical methods for measuring lipid oxidation in foods and presents current novel technologies for evaluating lipid oxidation. Notably, this study introduces the mass spectrometry-based lipidomics approach and its utility in assessing lipid oxidation through various analytical modes, supported by numerous examples. This overview offers significant insights into the use of mass spectrometry-based lipidomics for measuring lipid oxidation in foods, proposing lipidomics analysis as a promising method to address the limitations of classical approaches.

Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics, developed through rapid advancements in instruments and techniques, provides comprehensive analyses of individual lipidomes in diverse biological systems. This contribution summarizes the limitations of classical methods for measuring lipid oxidation in foods and presents current novel technologies for evaluating lipid oxidation. Notably, this study introduces the mass spectrometry-based lipidomics approach and its utility in assessing lipid oxidation through various analytical modes, supported by numerous examples. This overview offers significant insights into the use of mass spectrometry-based lipidomics for measuring lipid oxidation in foods, proposing lipidomics analysis as a promising method to address the limitations of classical approaches.

The present study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of quercitrin, a major constituent of Hottuynia cordata extract, for its hair growth stimulating activities in cultured human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Quercitrin enhanced the cell viability and cellular energy metabolism in cultured hDPCs by stimulating the production of NAD(P)H and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ). The expression of Bcl2, an essential marker for anagen hair follicle and cell survival, was increased by quercitrin treatment. Quercitrin also increased the cell proliferation marker Ki67. The expression of growth factors—such as bFGF, KGF, PDGF-AA, and VEGF—were increased by quercitrin both in mRNA and protein levels. In addition, quercitrin was found to increase the phosphorylation of Akt, Erk, and CREB in cultured hDPCs, while inhibitors of MAPKs reversed the effects of quercitrin. Finally, quercitrin stimulated hair shaft growth in cultured human hair follicles. Our data obtained from present study are in line with those previously reported and demonstrate that quercitrin is (one of) the active compound(s) of Hottuynia cordata extract which showed hair growth promoting effects. It is strongly suggested that the hair growth stimulating activity of quercitrin was exerted by enhancing the cellular energy metabolism, increasing the production of growth factors via activation of MAPK/CREB signaling pathway.

In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of adenosine for its hair growth promoting effect. Adenosine stimulated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by modulating the activity of Gsk3β in cultured human dermal papilla cells. It also activated adenosine receptor signaling, increasing intracellular cAMP level, and subsequently stimulating the cAMP mediated cellular energy metabolism. The phosphorylation of CREB, mTOR, and GSK3β was increased. Furthermore, the expression of β-catenin target genes such as Axin2, Lef1, and growth factors (bFGF, FGF7, IGF-1) was also enhanced. The inhibitor study data conducted in Wnt reporter cells and in cultured human dermal papilla cells demonstrated that adenosine stimulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling through the activation of the adenosine receptor and Gsk3β plays a critical role in transmitting the signals from the adenosine receptor to β-catenin, possibly via the Gαs/cAMP/PKA/mTOR signaling cascade.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble antioxidant. Although CoQ10 has not been approved as medication by the Food and Drug Administration, it is widely used in dietary supplements. Some studies have shown that CoQ10 has anti-inflammatory effects on various autoimmune disorders. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of liposome/gold hybrid nanoparticles encoded with CoQ10 (LGNP-CoQ10). Both CoQ10 and LGNP-CoQ10 were administered orally to mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) for 10 weeks. The inflammation pathology of joint tissues of CIA mice was then analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin and Safranin O staining, as well as immunohistochemistry analysis. We obtained immunofluorescence staining images of spleen tissues using confocal microscopy. We found that pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased in LGNP-CoQ10 injected mice. Th17 cell and phosphorylated STAT3-expressed cell populations were also decreased in LGNP-CoQ10 injected mice. When human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated with CoQ10 and LGNP-CoQ10, the IL-17 expression of PBMCs in the LGNP-CoQ10-treated group was significantly reduced. Together, these results suggest that LGNP-CoQ10 has therapeutic potential for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one of the most common additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for thermoplastic materials. With the development of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) filament for FDM, AM parts with improved strength and functionality can be realized. CFRP is anisotropic material and its mechanical properties have been well studied, however, AM printing strategy for CFRP parts has not been developed. This paper proposes a systematic optimization of the FDM 3D printing process for CFRP. Starting with standard coupon specimen tests to obtain mechanical properties of CFRP, finite element analyses (FEA) were conducted to find principal directions of the AM part and utilized to determine fiber orientations. A specific tool-path algorithm has been developed to distribute fibers with the desired orientations. To predict/assess the mechanical behavior of the AM part, the 3D printing process was simulated to obtain the anisotropic mechanical behavior induced by the customized tool-path printing. Bolt hole plate and spur gear were selected as case studies. FE simulations and associated experiments were conducted to assess their performance. CFRP parts printed by the optimized tool-path shows about 8% higher stiffness than those printed at regular infill patterns. In summary, assisted by FEA, a customized 3D printing tool-path for CFRP has been developed with case studies to verify the proposed AM design optimization methodology for FDM.

Current alopecia treatments have side effects and limited efficacy, highlighting the need for better alternatives. Estrogen and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-targeting therapies have shown promise in addressing female-pattern hair loss, outperforming some conventional options. This study investigated the hair growth-promoting effects of Cnidium officinale extract (COE) and its active compound, ferulic acid (FA), focusing on their role in activating ERα. Using human dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and cultured human hair follicles, we assessed cell proliferation, mitochondrial function, gene expression, and protein levels including transcriptome analysis. Both COE and FA significantly enhanced DPCs proliferation and mitochondrial activity, and extended hair follicle length during the anagen (growth) phase. Transcriptomic comparisons between FA- and estrogen-treated cells revealed upregulation of genes involved in energy metabolism, particularly those related to ATP regeneration. FA also elevated c-JUN mRNA expression, indicating estrogen-like ERα activation, and increased the expression of MAPK pathway-associated proteins, along with key growth factors. Additionally, co-treatment with FA and NMN, a cellular activity regulator, enhanced mitochondrial activity in a concentration-dependent manner beyond NMN alone. These findings suggest that COE and FA stimulate hair growth by enhancing DPCs function, with FA’s ERα-activating properties offering potential as a novel therapeutic option for alopecia.

High-precision, non-destructive thickness measurement is essential for lithium-ion battery (LIB) manufacturing. Existing approaches, such as X-rays, acoustic waves, and optical lasers, are limited by speed, resolution, or penetration into conductive materials. Here, we demonstrate nanometre-precision thickness measurements of LIB electrodes using terahertz (THz) Fabry–Pérot (FP) interferometry referenced to a photonic frequency comb. Combining the comb’s SI-traceable frequency accuracy with THz radiation’s immunity to scattering and absorption, our system directly detects FP modes with sub-10 MHz precision at sweep rates exceeding 12 THz/s, while spectral analysis simultaneously yields the complex refractive index. Electrode thicknesses of 50–150 μm are measured with nanometre precision: 70.1 nm (anode) and 465.5 nm (cathode) at 0.2 s, improving to 7.8 nm and 25.2 nm at 25.6 s, representing a one-to-two orders of magnitude improvement over temporal-analysis methods. The system further supports 3D profiling and dynamic thickness monitoring, enabling a unified, calibration-free platform for next-generation LIB metrology. This study showcases a breakthrough in the field of lithium-ion battery (LIB) metrology, demonstrating over a two-orders-of-magnitude improvement in precision for noncontact thickness measurements, and achieving nanometre-precision using frequency-comb referenced terahertz (THz) interferometry.