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This study investigates public opinion of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the role of GMOs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and economic preferences in Taiwan. A survey of 977 Taiwanese adults assessed their knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to pay (WTP) for non-GMO and organic products. The results show that while awareness of GMOs is high, there is a significant gap in understanding, as many respondents struggled with basic genetic concepts. Public attitudes are generally neutral, with moderate concerns about health and environmental risks. Notably, males and those with a science background exhibit more favorable attitudes towards GMO. The WTP analysis reveals a stronger preference for paying premiums on organic products over non-GMO items, indicating a higher perceived value of organic agriculture. Public perception of GMOs’ contributions to SDGs is largely positive, particularly for enhancing food security (SDG 2) and alleviating poverty (SDG 1), though concerns remain regarding environmental sustainability (SDGs 14 and 15). These findings underscore the need for targeted educational initiatives and effective communication strategies to close knowledge gaps and build public trust in GMO regulation, which are essential for informed public discourse and maximizing GMOs’ potential in sustainable development.

Extracted from Ganoderma lucidum mycelium, the developed β-1,3;1,6-glucan rich polysaccharides have the potential to be used during the industrial production of health food products due to their inhibition of metabolic syndrome, immunomodulatory and antitumor activities and other health benefits. Ganoderma active polysaccharides (GAP) have also been found to promote skin health, particularly due to their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. The present study investigates the skin-protective properties of polysaccharides purified from Ganoderma mycelium cultivated using stress-tolerance technology and a fully plant-based medium. The effects of the GAP are investigated in both in vitro and human studies. The results of the study indicate that the developed GAP effectively inhibit 32.4% of tyrosinase activity and 30.6% of melanin production in B16F10 cells. Furthermore, in scratch assays using NIH 3T3 cells, these GAP also promote cell migration and wound healing. In human studies, GAP demonstrated no potential for skin irritation while effectively reducing skin wrinkles, enhancing skin brightness, diminishing erythema, and increasing epidermal hydration. In hot-flux patch-induced erythema experiments, these GAP were found to be capable of alleviating erythema severity by up to 48%. The present study demonstrates that GAP, which can be produced industrially using innovative technologies and is rich in highly water-soluble β-1,3;1,6-glucan with a triple-helix structure, holds potential for application in the skincare industry.

Mobile technology is regarded as a helpful tool facilitating language learning. However, the success of mobile technology largely depends on learners' acceptance. This study explored the factors that may affect students' intention formation regarding mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) in the context of higher education through the lens of action control theory. The study adopted mixed methods: an online survey of 557 students and individual interviews with 70 students. The findings indicated factors in each of the three dimensions (preoccupation, hesitation, and volatility) of action control theory that positively or negatively influenced the students' intention to use mobile technology for language learning. According to the findings, these influential factors may be related experiences in the preoccupation dimension, design and feature interference of MALL applications and teachers' teaching style influence in the hesitation dimension, and overall appraisal and performance impact and other novelty interference in the volatility dimension. Students' success in initiating and completing a MALL task depends on mainly depends on their acceptance of MALL, and this acceptance is affected by these factors in a positive or negative direction. The strengthening of the positive influence and the weakening of the negative influence caused by these factors should be paid attention to in the process of performing and engaging in a MALL task. Students' concerns regarding the use of mobile technology in language education are addressed with suggestions for future research and practice in light of the findings.

The rice SUB1A-1 gene, which encodes a group VII ethylene response factor (ERFVII), plays a pivotal role in rice survival under flooding stress, as well as other abiotic stresses. In Arabidopsis, five ERFVII factors play roles in regulating hypoxic responses. A characteristic feature of Arabidopsis ERFVIIs is a destabilizing N terminus, which functions as an N-degron that targets them for degradation via the oxygen-dependent N-end rule pathway of proteolysis, but permits their stabilization during hypoxia for hypoxia-responsive signaling. Despite having the canonical N-degron sequence, SUB1A-1 is not under N-end rule regulation, suggesting a distinct hypoxia signaling pathway in rice during submergence. Herein we show that two other rice ERFVIIs gene, ERF66 and ERF67, are directly transcriptionally up-regulated by SUB1A-1 under submergence. In contrast to SUB1A-1, ERF66 and ERF67 are substrates of the N-end rule pathway that are stabilized under hypoxia and may be responsible for triggering a stronger transcriptional response to promote submergence survival. In support of this, overexpression of ERF66 or ERF67 leads to activation of anaerobic survival genes and enhanced submergence tolerance. Furthermore, by using structural and protein-interaction analyses, we show that the C terminus of SUB1A-1 prevents its degradation via the N-end rule and directly interacts with the SUB1A-1 N terminus, which may explain the enhanced stability of SUB1A-1 despite bearing an N-degron sequence. In summary, our results suggest that SUB1A-1, ERF66, and ERF67 form a regulatory cascade involving transcriptional and N-end rule control, which allows rice to distinguish flooding from other SUB1A-1–regulated stresses.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the gradual loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), resulting in reduced dopamine levels in the striatum and eventual onset of motor symptoms. Linalool (3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol) is a monoterpene in aromatic plants exhibiting antioxidant, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety properties. The objective of this study is to evaluate the neuroprotective impacts of linalool on dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells, primary mesencephalic and cortical neurons treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), as well as in PD-like mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Cell viability, α-tubulin staining, western blotting, immunohistochemistry and behavioral experiments were performed. In MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells, linalool increased cell viability, reduced neurite retraction, enhanced antioxidant defense by downregulation of apoptosis signaling (B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), cleaved caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP)) and phagocyte NADPH oxidase (gp91phox), as well as upregulation of neurotrophic signaling (brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF)) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway. In MPP+-treated primary mesencephalic neurons, linalool enhanced the expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), Sirtuin 1 (SirT1), and parkin. In MPP+-treated primary cortical neurons, linalool upregulated protein expression of SirT1, γ-Aminobutyric acid type A-α1 (GABAA-α1), and γ-Aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB). In PD-like mice, linalool attenuated the loss of dopamine neurons in SNpc. Linalool improved the motor and nonmotor behavioral deficits and muscle strength of PD-like mice. These findings suggest that linalool potentially protects dopaminergic neurons and improves the impairment symptoms of PD.

The Dong Ding oolong tea (DDT), grown and produced in Taiwan, is widely appreciated for its unique flavor. Despite its popularity, research on the aroma components of DDT remains incomplete. To address this gap, this study employed a sensomics approach to comprehensively characterize the key aroma compounds in DDT. Firstly, sensory evaluation showed that DDT had a prominent caramel aroma. Subsequent analysis using gas chromatography-olfactory mass spectrometry (GC-O-MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF-MS) identified a total of 23 aroma-active compounds in DDT. Notably, three pyrazine compounds with roasted notes, namely 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, and 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, along with seven floral- and fruit-smelling compounds, namely 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, 3,5-octadien-2-one, linalool, (E)-linalool oxide, geraniol, (Z)-jasmone, and (E)-nerolidol, were identified as the key aroma compounds of DDT. Omission experiments further validated the significant contribution of the three pyrazines to the caramel aroma of DDT. Moreover, the content of 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, (Z)-jasmone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one and 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine was found to be higher in the high-grade samples, while (E)-nerolidol, linalool, geraniol and 3,5-octadien-2-one were found to be more abundant in the medium-grade samples. These findings provide valuable information for a better understanding of the flavor attributes of DDT.

Bubble tea beverages ( = 105) purchased from vendors in Taiwan were tested to determine their microbiological and chemical quality. Nearly half of the tested samples (48.6%, 51 of 105) had aerobic plate counts (APCs) higher than the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration guideline of 4.0 log CFU/mL, and 55 (52.4%) had coliform counts (most probable number [MPN]) higher than the 10 MPN/mL guideline. sweeteners, preservatives, maleic acid, and coumarin were not detected in any sample. However, catechins were not detected to 188 mg/mL, and caffeine was 10.1 to 457.6 mg/mL. Bubble tea samples obtained from vendors in southern Taiwan had a mean APC of 2.6 log CFU/mL and a mean coliform count of 61.7 MPN/mL; these values were significantly lower ( < 0.05) than those from samples collected from vendors in northern, eastern, or central Taiwan. Samples obtained from southern Taiwan had the highest mean catechin concentrations of 21.3 mg/mL ( < 0.05). About 60% (63 of 105) of the bubble tea samples were not labeled with the origin of the tea leaves, which is in violation of Taiwanese food labeling regulations. In general, the bubble tea beverages tested had satisfactory microbial and chemical qualities.

Osteogenesis in human arterial smooth muscle cell (HASMC) is a key feature of uremic vascular calcification (UVC). Concerning pro-oxidant properties of p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), the therapeutic effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger on PCS triggered inflammatory signaling transduction in osteogenesis was investigated in this translational research. Based on severity level of chronic kidney disease (CKD), arterial specimens with immunohistochemistry stain were quantitatively analyzed for UVC, oxidative injury and osteogenesis along with PCS concentrations. To mimic human UVC, HASMC model was used to explore whether PCS-induced ROS could trigger mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) translocation that drive context-specific gene/protein expression, including Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In parallel with PCS accumulation, CKD arteries corresponded with UVC severity, oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine), Runx2 and ALP. PCS directly phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/P38 (pERK/pJNK/pP38) and modulated NF-κB translocation to promote expressions of Runx2 and ALP in HASMC. Notably, intracellular ROS scavenger attenuated pERK signaling cascade and downstream osteogenic differentiation. Collectively, our data demonstrate PCS induces osteogenesis through triggering intracellular ROS, pERK/pJNK/pP38 MAPK pathways and NF-κB translocation to drive Runx2 and ALP expressions, culminating in UVC. Beyond mineral dysregulation, osteocytic conversion in HASMC could be the stimulation of PCS. Thus PCS may act as a pro-osteogenic and pro-calcific toxin. From the perspective of translational medicine, PCS and intracellular ROS could serve as potential therapeutic targets for UVC in CKD patients.

Instead of molecularly imprinting a whole protein molecule, imprinting protein epitopes is gaining popularity due to cost and solubility issues. Belonging to the matrix metalloproteinase protein family, MMP-1 is an interstitial collagenase that degrades collagen and may be involved in cell migration, cell proliferation, the pro-inflammatory effect, and cancer progression. Hence, it can serve as a disease protein biomarker and thus be useful in early diagnosis. Herein, epitopes of MMP-1 were identified by screening its crystal structure. To identify possible epitopes for imprinting, MMP-1 was cleaved in silico with trypsin, pepsin at pH = 1.3, and pepsin at pH > 2.0 using Peptide Cutter, generating peptide fragments containing 8 to 12 amino acids. Five criteria were applied to select the peptides most suitable as potential epitopes for MMP-1. The triphenylamine rhodanine-3-acetic acid (TPARA) functional monomer was synthesized to form a stable pre-polymerization complex with a selected template epitope. The complexed functional monomer was then copolymerized with 3,4-ethoxylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) using potentiodynamic electropolymerization onto indium–tin–oxide (ITO) electrodes. The composition of the molecularly imprinted poly(TPARA-co-EDOT) (MIP) was optimized by maximizing the film’s electrical conductivity. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine MMP-1 concentration in the presence of the Fe(CN)63−/Fe(CN)64− redox probe actuating the “gate effect.” A calibration curve was constructed and used to determine the usable concentration range and the limit of detection as ca. 0.001 to 10.0 pg/mL and 0.2 fg/mL MMP-1, respectively. Finally, the MMP-1 concentration in the A549 human lung (carcinoma) culture medium was measured, and this determination accuracy was confirmed using an ELISA assay.

Abstract Most rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars cannot survive under prolonged submergence. However, some O. sativa ssp. indica cultivars, such as FR13A, are highly tolerant owing to the SUBMERGENCE 1A-1 (SUB1A-1) allele, which encodes a Group VII ethylene-responsive factor (ERFVII) protein; other submergence-intolerant cultivars contain a SUB1A-2 allele. The two alleles differ only by a single substitution at the 186th amino acid position from serine in SUB1A-1 to proline in SUB1A-2 resulting in only SUB1A-1 being able to be phosphorylated. Two other ERFVIIs, ERF66 and ERF67, function downstream of SUB1A-1 to form a regulatory cascade in response to submergence stress. Here, we show that SUB1A-1, but not SUB1A-2, interacts with ADA2b of the ADA2b-GCN5 acetyltransferase complex, in which GCN5 functions as a histone acetyltransferase. Phosphorylation of SUB1A-1 at serine 186 enhances the interaction of SUB1A-1 with ADA2b. ADA2b and GCN5 expression was induced under submergence, suggesting that these two genes might play roles in response to submergence stress. In transient assays, binding of SUB1A-1 to the ERF67 promoter and ERF67 transcription were highly induced when SUB1A-1 was expressed together with the ADA2b-GCN5 acetyltransferase complex. Taken together, these results suggest that phospho-SUB1A-1 recruits the ADA2-GCN5 acetyltransferase complex to modify the chromatin structure of the ERF66/ERF67 promoter regions and activate gene expression, which in turn enhances rice submergence tolerance.