Camel milk often faces quality control problems because it is vulnerable to adulteration with inferior dairy sources or plant-derived additives. Many existing DNA-based detection methods rely on suitable endogenous reference genes. This study aimed to develop an absolute quantification strategy based on real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction using TaqMan probes. A recombinant plasmid standard containing camel-specific cytochrome b (Cytb) genes was designed. The resulting standard curve revealed high linearity (R² = 0.9982) across six orders of magnitude, enabling precise quantification of copy numbers. The primers and probes demonstrated high specificity for camel DNA, and the plasmid standards met quality criteria (A260/280 = 1.82; concentration deviation <2%). The method achieved a sensitivity of 6.39 × 10² copies/μL. For samples containing 5%-100% of camel milk, the coefficient of variation ranged from 0.99% to 5.20%, and the recovery rates for spiked products ranged from 97.5% to 107.5%. By providing absolute quantification without requiring a reference gene, this method offers a robust solution for detecting camel milk adulteration in dairy products.

This study investigated the variations in the structure, abundance, and biological functions in bioactive proteins during the processing of camel milk powder. Pasteurization, concentration, and spray-drying markedly affected the particle size, zeta potential, and secondary and tertiary structures of milk proteins. In particular, spray-drying increased protein particle size, disrupted ordered conformations, and promoted aggregation. Using 4D-DIA proteomics, 1392, 1298, 1179, and 1083 whey proteins were identified in raw, pasteurized, concentrated, and spray-dried milk, respectively. The proteins lost during processing were associated with lysosome, endocytosis, and key signaling pathways (PI3K-Akt, mTOR, and insulin), potentially weakening the hypoglycemic effect. Moreover, processing damaged high-abundance proteins (e.g., LPO, LF, XDH, CD14, C3, and SOX) and immunoglobulin superfamily and heat shock proteins, whose abundances decreased significantly, especially after pasteurization. Functional enrichment revealed that the reduced proteins impaired immune regulation, xanthine metabolism, enzyme activity, and ribosomal functions, directly diminishing the product's nutritional value. Collectively, these findings provide a scientific foundation for optimizing camel milk powder processing technologies.

Camel milk exhibits unique nutritional and functional properties, yet its proteins show distinct thermal stability compared with those of bovine milk. Understanding their response to heat is critical for ensuring both quality and safety during processing. In this study, the effects of heat treatment at 75, 85, 95, 105, and 120 degrees C for 15 s on the physicochemical and structural characteristics of camel milk proteins were evaluated. Moreover, the proteomic profile of whey protein of camel milk was analyzed using 4D proteomics. The results showed that as the temperature increases, larger protein aggregates of camel's milk observed in particle size, zeta-potential value, turbidity and confocal laser scanning microscopy images. High-temperature accelerated protein denaturation and unfolding, accompanied by a marked increase in free sulfhydryl groups and surface hydrophobicity. SDS-PAGE analysis that the bands representing lactoferrin, alpha-casein, and (3-casein were markedly weaker after heat treatment. Proteomic analysis further demonstrated a temperature-dependent decline in whey protein abundance, with differentially abundant proteins primarily related to protein binding and immune system regulation. These findings provide fundamental insights into the heat-induced changes of camel milk proteins and offer a theoretical basis for optimizing thermal processing conditions to maintain its nutritional and functional quality.

This study investigated microbial and metabolite dynamics in raw camel milk stored at 4°C. Physicochemical and microbial monitoring identified d 3 as a critical transition point, with samples from d 0, 1, 3, and 6 subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis. The dominant genera shifted from Lactococcus to Pseudomonas. Metabolomic analysis showed that non-volatile metabolites were primarily composed of esters, lipids, and organic acids, with 9 of these metabolites exhibiting a continuous increasing trend. Similarly, the levels of volatile metabolites, including ketones, esters, and alcohols also increased gradually throughout refrigeration. Correlation analysis linked Lactococcus to organic acid production, while Pseudomonas was associated with esters and lipids. These findings highlight microbial succession and metabolite shifts as key determinants of refrigerated camel milk quality, providing theoretical support for improved quality control and product development.

This study identified peptides with anti-photoaging properties from camel whey protein and evaluated their protective effects against UVB-induced photoaging in human keratinocytes. Camel whey proteins were hydrolyzed with papain and subjected to ultrafiltration to obtain <3 kD peptide fraction (P-CWP1), which exhibited potent antioxidant activity. P-CWP1 could significantly improve the survival of human keratinocytes exposed to UVB radiation by reducing reactive oxygen species generation and malondialdehyde expression, enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting the production of matrix metalloproteinase-1. Analysis using PeptideRanker, BIOPEP-UMW, and molecular docking evaluations revealed that P-CWP1 contained 24 peptides with antioxidant capacity. These peptides primarily interacted with MMP-1 via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Peptide VCW exhibited the highest binding affinity and strong antioxidant capacity. This study demonstrated that low-molecular-weight peptide fractions derived from camel whey protein can effectively alleviate UVB-induced photoaging, highlighting their potential applications in functional foods and cosmetics for skin care.

Camel meat was fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus (F group) and compared against an unfermented control (NF group). Subsequently, it was observed that the lightness value of the F group jerky increased over storage time and remained higher than that of the NF group. Conversely, pH values decreased during storage and were consistently lower in group F. Fermentation significantly reduced thiobarbituric acid and volatile base nitrogen contents. Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detected 103 flavor compounds. The main flavors in group F were alcohols, acids, and aldehydes, while group NF was characterized by esters, alcohols, and aldehydes. The relative content of these compounds was higher in group F after storage. Microbial analysis confirmed Lactiplantibacillus and Pediococcus as the dominant, more desirable microbiota in group F. This study provides a theoretical basis for the industrial production of fermented camel meat products.

Background: Neuroinflammation is a pivotal driver that amplifies the pathogenic cascade within the Parkinsonian brain. Nevertheless, the pathogenic drivers connecting neuroinflammation to PD prognosis remain unclear. To elucidate their therapeutic implications, this research sought to identify key neuroinflammation-related genes (NIRGs) and exosomal miRNAs in the PD. Methods: To comprehensively identify neuroinflammation-related genes (NIRGs) in Parkinson's disease (PD), we conducted an integrated multi-omics analysis. Publicly available transcriptomic data encompassing microarray (GSE75249, GSE22491), high-throughput RNA-seq (GSE269775), and scRNA-seq (GSE223138) profiles were obtained from the GEO repository. We performed differential analysis to screen for significant transcriptional variations, encompassing both mRNA (DEGs) and miRNA (DE-miRNAs). Functional enrichment analyses were conducted, encompassing pathway analysis via the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), ontological annotation through Gene Ontology (GO), and pre-ranked gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Potential protein-level interactions were explored by constructing a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network with the STRING database. Based on the overlap between DEGs and NIRGs, a machine learning framework incorporating ten machine learning algorithms and their 101 combinations was constructed. Subsequently, a quantitative nomogram was constructed for diagnosis in clinical practice. Additionally, the CellChat and Monocle packages were employed to investigate intercellular signaling and cellular differentiation trajectories, respectively. GeneMANIA, Friends analysis, regulatory network, Immune infiltration, drug sensitivity, and molecular docking were also investigated. Results: Bulk RNA-seq data were examined, revealing 426 DEGs. Following intersection analysis and the application of a machine learning framework, we generated a diagnostic model utilizing the expression patterns of fivesignatures (PTGDS, RTN3, MAG, PROK2, and CNTNAP2). The robustness of the model was substantiated through cross-validation with internal and external datasets. The scRNA-seq data analysis revealed seven distinct cell clusters, with monocytes being identified as the predominant cell population. Pseudotime trajectory analysis further elucidated the developmental dynamics of the major monocyte lineage. Additionally, cell-cell interactions revealed that the ligand RETN of monocytes is activated. Conclusion: This systems-level study reveals a pivotal role of neuroinflammation in PD, identifies PTGDS, RTN3, MAG, PROK2, and CNTNAP2 as robust diagnostic biomarkers, and highlights candidate drugs and regulatory pathways for therapy. Our results offer novel perspectives on the neuroinflammatory pathways driving PD and establish a foundation for developing biomarker-driven diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic and poses a serious threat to food safety and human health, which makes its surveillance critical. In this study, an indirect competitive ELISA (icELISA) based on a nanobody (Nb M4) was developed for the sensitive and rapid detection of AFM1 in dairy products. In our previous work, Nb M4 was screened from a Bactrian-camel-immunized phage-displayed library. It exhibits VH-like features, possesses higher thermal stability than monoclonal antibody (mAb 1E6) and tightly binds to AFM1–BSA with a KD value of 2.5 nM. Under the optimal conditions, its half-maximal inhibitory concentration was 0.338 ng/mL, the limit of detection was 0.051 ng/mL, and linearity was noted in the range of 0.168–0.679 ng/mL. Nb M4 displayed almost no cross-reactivity with other mycotoxins. No matrix effect was observed in milk and milk powder samples, and the matrix effect in yogurt samples could be weakened by 2-fold dilution. Furthermore, validation studies in spiked samples (milk, yogurt, and milk powder) resulted in good recoveries of 95.40–111.33%, with a low coefficient of variation (2.89–6.78%). High-performance liquid chromatography was used to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the developed icELISA, which indicated a satisfactory consistent correlation (R2 = 0.9722). This study highlights the potential of Nb M4 as a promising component for detecting AFM1 in dairy products.

The intracellular trafficking of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) leading to endosomal escape is critical for delivery efficiency. How components of LNP affect its intracellular trafficking and delivery efficiency remains unknown. Here, we developed a highly sensitive LNP/nucleic acid tracking platform based on streptavidin-biotin-DNA complex and high throughput imaging. Naked nucleic acids were found to be retained in the endocytotic vesicles proportional to endocytosis activity. With the help of LNP, nucleic acids were transported along the endolysosomal pathway with N/P ratio as low as 2 amongst very weak nucleic acid and LNP interaction. As the N/P ratio increases (concomitant concentration increase of all lipids), the monophasic endocytosis of LNP-DNA demonstrated biphasic characteristics, as shown by accumulation of LNP-DNA trapped in early endosomes in the peripheral of cells. Through a series of specifically designed LNPs, we found increase in N/P ratio alone, i.e. increase of ionizable lipid content, had no effect on the formation of peripheral LNP-endosomes. Importantly, increase in cholesterol content, via dose or concentration increase, positively correlated with formation and aggregation of peripheral LNP-endosomes. Meanwhile, helper lipid such as DSPC alleviated the detrimental effect of cholesterol on aggregation of peripheral LNP-endosomes. The trapping of LNP-nucleic acids in peripheral early endosomes hindered their intracellular trafficking along the endolysosomal pathway, thus reducing their reach to releasing compartments and diminishing cargo delivery efficiency. Our results demonstrate that high cholesterol content hinders LNP intracellular trafficking, which is detrimental for intracellular delivery of cargo.

The present study investigated the effects of postmortem chilled aging on the meat quality and lipid profiling in Bactrian camel. Our results showed pH values and shear force decreased gradually over the chilled aging period, while the water-holding capacity and myofibrillar fragmentation index showed an increasing significantly (P < 0.05). With aging, L* (lightness) value increased from 36.50 to 40.80 (P < 0. 05), while a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values gradually decreased. The peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive species content were increased from initial value, 0.023 g/100 g and 0.25 mg/kg of muscle to 0.124 g/100 g and 0.75 mg/kg of muscle (P < 0.05), respectively, after six days of chilled storage. Chilled aging had a significant effect on the camel meat tissue structure and the intercellular space became larger on D7. There 2820 lipids were identified in D0, D3 and D7 camel meat samples, and Triacylglycerol (TG, 19.96 %) was the most abundant lipid. During aging, the concentration of lipid subclasses had undergone varying degrees of changes, and there identified several significantly expressed lipids between different aging groups. Our results can provide data support for further elucidating the functional properties of lipids in the production and processing of camel meat.

AbstractFoodborne pathogens pose a significant threat to public health and the limitations of traditional detection methods have underscored the urgent need for rapid and sensitive novel technologies. Nanobodies (Nbs), owing to their unique structural features, exhibit substantial potential for the detection of foodborne pathogens. This review systematically examines the structural characteristics, biological properties, advantages as detection tools and preparation methods of Bactrian camel-derived Nbs. It elaborates on their applications in detecting various foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella, Cronobacter sakazakii (C. sakazakii) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus). Nb-based technologies such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunochromatographic test strips and colourimetric sensors have demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity and rapid detection capabilities. Meanwhile, this paper analyses the current challenges, such as insufficient antibody affinity and non-specific binding in complex matrices and looks forward to future directions, including modification of antibodies and development of integrated detection platforms in combination with emerging technologies. This provides a reference for in-depth research and application of Nbs in foodborne pathogen detection.

AbstractMilk fraud is a critical challenge for food safety and the dairy industry. To ensure product authenticity, various detection technologies have been developed and implemented. These methods cover key analytical targets such as proteins, lipids, small molecule metabolites, aromatic compounds and DNA and incorporate detection techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, immunology and biosensors. This review article presents an in depth analysis of advances in the field of camel milk authenticity verification studies. This analysis focuses on the evolution of methods for detecting adulteration, taking into account various target components. In addition, the article explores the technological development of detection techniques, highlighting their applicability in a variety of scenarios. The main objective of this study was to provide technical support to promote the sustainable development of the camel milk industry.

Knowledge about the quality of meat obtained from different muscles is crucial for developing high-quality camel meat for commercial use. Metabolomic and proteomic profiles of the longissimus thoracic (LT), semitendinosus (ST), and psoas major (PM) muscles of the bactrian camel, which significantly vary in aspects such as intramuscular fat (IMF) content and shear force, were comprehensively compared to evaluate the impact of these changes on meat quality. Compared with ST and PM muscles, LT muscles had higher IMF content, were more tender, and had a lower shear force. Proteomic analysis unveiled significant differences in metabolic enzymes and binding proteins among different muscles. Based on correlation analysis, 20 key proteins and metabolites closely related to meat quality were screened. Integration of proteomic and metabolomic data highlighted oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle, and glycolysis as key distinguishing pathways among different muscles. These results offer effective information for producing high-quality camel meat.

Accurate rice row detection is critical for autonomous agricultural machinery navigation in complex paddy environments. Existing methods struggle with terrain unevenness, water reflections, and weed interference. This study aimed to develop a robust rice row detection method by integrating multi-sensor data and leveraging robot travelling prior information. A 3D point cloud acquisition system combining 2D LiDAR, AHRS, and RTK-GNSS was designed. A variable-threshold segmentation method, dynamically adjusted based on real-time posture perception, was proposed to handle terrain variations. Additionally, a clustering algorithm incorporating rice row spacing and robot path constraints was developed to filter noise and classify seedlings. Experiments in dryland with simulated seedlings and real paddy fields demonstrated high accuracy: maximum absolute errors of 59.41 mm (dryland) and 69.36 mm (paddy), with standard deviations of 14.79 mm and 19.18 mm, respectively. The method achieved a 0.6489° mean angular error, outperforming existing algorithms. The fusion of posture-aware thresholding and path-based clustering effectively addresses the challenges in complex rice fields. This work enhances the automation of field management, offering a reliable solution for precision agriculture in unstructured environments. Its technical framework can be adapted to other row crop systems, promoting sustainable mechanization in global rice production.

Evidence regarding brain structural atrophy associated with Freezing of Gait (FOG) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is inconsistent. We analyzed cortical thickness and subcortical nuclei volumes using FreeSurfer in two large PD cohorts. In cohort 1 (N = 316), multivariate analyses identified reduced pallidum and ventral diencephalon (VDC) volumes as significantly associated with FOG presence. Validation in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) cohort (cohort 2, N = 94) demonstrated that decreased VDC volume at four-year follow-up independently predicted higher FOG risk, improving the predictive model’s accuracy when combined with PIGD score, CSF Aβ42, and caudate DAT uptake (AUC 0.760; Δχ2 = 5.449, P = 0.020; Z = 2.211, P = 0.027). VDC volume is also correlated with FOG severity. These findings suggest that VDC atrophy may underlie FOG mechanisms and serve as a biomarker for its progression in PD patients.

Milk is typically processed through homogenization and heat treatment, which alter its physicochemical properties and digestibility. This study investigated the effects of homogenization and heat treatment on the microstructure and functional characteristics of camel milk. The fatty acid profiles of camel milk as well as the sequences, protein origins, and bioactivities of different peptides derived from camel milk were compared after different treatments through an in-vitro simulation of the infant gastrointestinal tract. Homogenization and appropriate heat treatment enhanced the protein interface properties of camel milk and also reduced its zeta potential, particle size, and protein and lipid aggregation after digestion, leading to improved stability and digestibility. Furthermore, homogenization and ultra-high temperature (UHT) treatment led to significant changes in the fatty acid profile during the digestion stage, decreasing the saturated fatty acid content by 7.67% while increasing the unsaturated fatty acid content (i.e., C17:1, C18:1n9t, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, C20:1, C20:3n6, C22:1, and C24:1). Heat treatment facilitated the release of digestive peptides, most of which were derived from (3-casein. UHT-treated camel milk yielded several specific peptides during digestion, of which LLFR, IQDAQDKLFLSWVEWKR, FLK, and GSLDEFFHR showed a range of biological activities, including antimicrobial, antihypertensive, and neuromodulatory effects. These bioactive peptides demonstrated the potential to synergistically promote the development of a robust gut microbiome in infants and enhance immunity, effectively preventing disease occurrence. Collectively, the findings indicated that homogenized and UHT-treated camel milk is easily digested and absorbed by infants and provides more nutrients, thereby promoting infant growth and development.

Ocular surface homeostasis plays a vital role in maintaining of eye health. Dry eye disease is one of the prominent and typical manifestations of disruption of ocular surface homeostasis that leads to the worsening of ocular surface homeostasis that leads to the worsening of ocular surface disease when it interacts with other pathogenic factors. However, disruption in ocular surface homeostasis in children is often overlooked because of the current methods of assessing ocular surface homeostasis. This review summarizes the main factors affecting ocular surface homeostasis in children, with the aim of drawing the attention of clinicians to the disruption of ocular surface homeostasis in children when dealing with such diseases. Ocular surface homeostasis involves several interrelated components, each of which plays a nonnegligible role in ocular surface homeostasis. Unlike adults, children have a stronger lacrimal gland secretion capacity and milder symptoms when there is a slight disruption of the ocular surface homeostasis. In addition, children’s expressive abilities were weaker. Therefore, dry eye in children is often ignored by doctors and parents, and clinicians should pay more attention to the protection of ocular surface homeostasis when treating children with these diseases. Therefore, there is a need for diagnostic criteria for dry eye disease specific to children.

Milk contains abundant polar lipids, which are vital constituents of biological membranes. These polar lipids are present in the human diet as phospholipids and sphingolipids. Nevertheless, the limited focus has been on the attributes and role of camel milk polar lipids (MPL). In this study, camel MPL were isolated, and the composition of their lipidome was determined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem MS. This study characterized a total of 333 polar lipids, which encompassed glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. Camel milk is rich in polar lipids, mainly phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidylcholine. The results indicated that MPL intervention relieved the clinical symptoms and colon tissue damage in mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis, along with suppressing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the administration of MPL partially alleviated mouse gut microbiota dysbiosis by increasing the abundance of probiotics (such as Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Muribaculaceae) and decreasing the number of harmful bacteria (such as Bacteroides and Parabacteroides). This study was conducted to investigate the potent protective effects of MPL in camel milk treatments on a mouse model of colitis and provided new ideas for the application of camel milk.