Fourier transform infrared studies on the dissociation behavior of metal-chelating polyelectrolyte brushes.

The dissociation behavior of surface-grafted polyelectrolytes is of interest for the development of stimuli-responsive materials. Metal-chelating polyelectrolyte brushes containing acrylic acid (PAA) or hydroxamic acid (PHA) chelating moieties were grafted from the surface of polypropylene (PP). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to determine the effective bulk pKa of the polyelectrolyte brushes (pKa(bulk)) and to characterize metal-chelating behavior.

Impact of shortwave ultraviolet (UV-C) radiation on the antioxidant activity of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.).

Thyme is a good source of antioxidant compounds but it can be contaminated by microorganisms. An experimental fluid bed ultraviolet (UV) reactor was designed for microbial decontamination of thyme samples and the effect of shortwave ultraviolet light (UV-C) radiation on antioxidant properties of thyme was studied. Samples were exposed to UV-C radiation for 16 or 64 min.

Impact of Environmental Stresses on Orange Oil-in-Water Emulsions Stabilized by Sucrose Monopalmitate and Lysolecithin.

The food and beverage industry is trying to replace synthetic functional ingredients with more "label-friendly" ingredients in many commercial products. This study therefore examined the influence of environmental stresses on the stability of emulsions stabilized by a combination of lysolecithin and sucrose monopalmitate (SMP). Orange oil-in-water emulsions (5% (w/w) oil) stabilized by SMP (1%) and lysolecithin (0-0.

Influence of whey protein-beet pectin conjugate on the properties and digestibility of β-carotene emulsion during in vitro digestion.

The impact of a whey protein isolate (WPI)-beet pectin (BP) conjugate (formed by dry-heating) on the physical properties and digestibilities of β-carotene and carrier oil in oil-in-water emulsions was studied when they passed through a model gastrointestinal system. β-Carotene emulsions were stabilized by WPI, unconjugated and conjugated WPI-BP, separately. The emulsions were then passed through an in vitro digestion model and the mean droplet size, droplet distribution, zeta-potential, free fatty acids and β-carotene released were measured.

The effect of a kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention on objectively measured physical activity in Belgian preschool boys and girls of high and low SES: the ToyBox-study.

Background: The ToyBox-study developed an evidence- and theory-based intervention to improve preschoolers' energy balance-related behaviours - including physical activity (PA) - by targeting the kindergarten environment and involving their parents/caregivers. The present study aimed to examine the effect of the ToyBox-intervention on increasing Belgian preschoolers' objectively measured PA levels.

Methods: A sample of 472 preschoolers (4.

Targeted and genomewide NGS data disqualify mutations in MYO1A, the "DFNA48 gene", as a cause of deafness.

MYO1A is considered the gene underlying autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss DFNA48, based on six missense variants, one small in-frame insertion, and one nonsense mutation. Results from NGS targeting 66 deafness genes in 109 patients identified three families challenging this assumption: two novel nonsense (p.Tyr740* and p.

Using the intervention mapping protocol to reduce European preschoolers' sedentary behavior, an application to the ToyBox-Study.

Background: High levels of sedentary behavior are often measured in preschoolers, but only a few interventions have been developed to counteract this. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of interventions in preschoolers targeting different forms of sedentary behavior could not be located in the literature. The aim of the present paper was to describe the different steps of the Intervention Mapping Protocol used towards the development of an intervention component of the ToyBox-study focusing on decreasing preschoolers' sedentary behavior.

A red light-controlled synthetic gene expression switch for plant systems.

On command control of gene expression in time and space is required for the comprehensive analysis of key plant cellular processes. Even though some chemical inducible systems showing satisfactory induction features have been developed, they are inherently limited in terms of spatiotemporal resolution and may be associated with toxic effects. We describe here the first synthetic light-inducible system for the targeted control of gene expression in plants.

Influence of aqueous phase emulsifiers on lipid oxidation in water-in-walnut oil emulsions.

Effects of selected aqueous phase emulsifiers on lipid oxidative stability of water-in-walnut oil (W/O) emulsions stabilized by polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) were evaluated. The formation of primary oxidation products (lipid hydroperoxides) and secondary oxidation products (headspace hexanal) increased with increasing dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) concentration (0.1-0.

Influence of non-migratory metal-chelating active packaging film on food quality: impact on physical and chemical stability of emulsions.

Previously, we developed a novel metal-chelating packaging film (PP-g-PAA) by grafting acrylic acid (AA) monomer from polypropylene (PP) film surface, and demonstrated its potential in controlling iron-promoted lipid oxidation. Herein, we further established the industrial practicality of this active film. Specifically, the influence of film surface area-to-product volume ratio (SA/V) and product pH on the application of the film was investigated using an oil-in-water emulsion system.

The potential of Physcomitrella patens as a platform for the production of plant-based vaccines.

The moss Physcomitrella patens has a number of advantages for the production of biopharmaceuticals, including: i) availability of standardized conditions for cultivation in bioreactors; ii) not being part of the food chain; iii) high biosafety; iv) availability of highly efficient transformation methods; v) a haploid, fully sequenced genome providing genetic stability and uniform expression; vi) efficient gene targeting at the nuclear level allows for the generation of mutants with specific post-translational modifications (e.g., glycosylation patterns); and vii) oral formulations are a viable approach as no toxic effects are attributed to ingestion of this moss.

Controlling lipid oxidation via a biomimetic iron chelating active packaging material.

Previously, a siderophore-mimetic metal chelating active packaging film was developed by grafting poly(hydroxamic acid) (PHA) from the surface of polypropylene (PP) films. The objective of the current work was to demonstrate the potential applicability of this PP-g-PHA film to control iron-promoted lipid oxidation in food emulsions. The iron chelating activity of this film was investigated, and the surface chemistry and color intensity of films were also analyzed after iron chelation.

Lipid Oxidation in Low-moisture Food: A Review.

Overly high intake of saturated fat is an international problem contributing to global health issues. Low-moisture snacks account for a nutritionally significant proportion of the saturated fat in the diet, making these foods a key target for improving consumers' health. However, it is not currently feasible to maintain the same oxidative shelf life when replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats, which are generally perceived to be more heart-healthy.

High contents of very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in different moss species.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are important cellular compounds with manifold biological functions. Many PUFAs are essential for the human diet and beneficial for human health. In this study, we report on the high amounts of very long-chain (vl) PUFAs (≥C₂₀) such as arachidonic acid (AA) in seven moss species.

A gene responsible for prolyl-hydroxylation of moss-produced recombinant human erythropoietin.

Recombinant production of pharmaceutical proteins is crucial, not only for personalized medicine. While most biopharmaceuticals are currently produced in mammalian cell culture, plant-made pharmaceuticals gain momentum. Post-translational modifications in plants are similar to those in humans, however, existing differences may affect quality, safety and efficacy of the products.

Impact of diacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol on the physical and chemical properties of stripped soybean oil.

In this study, we determined the effect of diacylglycerol (DAG) and monoacylglycerol (MAG) on the oxidative stability of stripped soybean oil (SSO) and on the antioxidative effectiveness of α-tocopherol in SSO. We also examined the influence of DAG and MAG on the physical properties of SSO. DAG (0-2.

[Primary failure of eruption (PFE). Clinical and molecular genetics analysis].

Background: The term "primary failure of eruption" (PFE) refers to the complete or partial failure of a primary non-ankylosed tooth to erupt due to a disturbance of the eruption mechanism. Up to now, the molecular basis for this failure was unknown.

Patients And Methods: Four families were studied in whom at least two members were affected by non-syndromic PFE as part of a clinical and molecular genetics study.

Influencing factors of sedentary behavior in European preschool settings: an exploration through focus groups with teachers.

Background: Sedentary behavior refers to activities involving sitting down and reclining (eg, watching TV, using the computer) and has been associated with different health outcomes. In preschool, children are sedentary for 50% to 80% of the time, in the classroom as well as during recess. Because of the absence of qualitative studies examining influencing factors of preschoolers' sedentary behavior in preschool settings, this study explored teachers' opinions on potentially influencing factors of this behavior.

Innovations in food chemistry and processing to enhance the nutrient profile of the white potato in all forms.

Potatoes can be an important part of a balanced diet because they are an excellent source of many nutrients, including nutrients that are commonly underconsumed (dietary fiber and potassium). Despite the existence of many positive nutrients in potatoes, the popular press has recently aligned potatoes, and particularly fried potatoes, with an unhealthy diet. This article examines the nutritional content of potatoes and how these nutrients are affected by cooking and other food-processing operations.

Nutraceutical nanoemulsions: influence of carrier oil composition (digestible versus indigestible oil) on β-carotene bioavailability.

Background: Carotenoids, such as β-carotene, are widely used in foods and beverages as natural colorants and nutraceuticals. We investigated the influence of carrier oil composition (ratio of digestible to indigestible oil) on the physical stability, microstructure and bioaccessibility of β-carotene nanoemulsions using a simulated gastrointestinal tract model.

Results: β-Carotene nanoemulsions (d < 150 nm) were formed by high-pressure homogenization using sucrose monoester and lysolecithin as emulsifiers, and mixtures of corn oil (digestible) and lemon oil (indigestible) as the lipid phase.

Controlling lipid oxidation of food by active packaging technologies.

Active packaging is an innovative strategy in preventing lipid oxidation. Different active substances with different mechanisms of action have been investigated for imparting antioxidant activity to active packaging systems, including free radical scavengers, metal chelators, ultraviolet (UV) absorbers, oxygen scavengers, and singlet oxygen quenchers. Antioxidant agents have been incorporated into active packaging systems in different forms, mainly including independent sachet packages, adhesive-bonded labels, physical adsorption/coating on packaging material surface, being incorporated into packaging polymer matrix, multilayer films, and covalent immobilization onto the food contact packaging surface.

Somatic mosaicism in trichorhinophalangeal syndrome: a lesson for genetic counseling.

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type I (TRPSI) is a genetic disorder characterized by sparse hair, a bulbous nasal tip, short stature with severe generalized shortening of all phalanges, metacarpal and metatarsal bones and cone-shaped epiphyses. This syndrome is caused by autosomal dominant mutations in the TRPS1 gene. However, because recurrence has been observed in siblings from healthy parents, an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance has also been suggested.

Influence of pH, metal chelator, free radical scavenger and interfacial characteristics on the oxidative stability of β-carotene in conjugated whey protein-pectin stabilised emulsion.

The influence of whey protein isolate (WPI)-beet pectin conjugates formed by dry-heating on the oxidative stability of β-carotene in O/W emulsions was studied. It was mainly focused on the influence of pH, metal chelator, free radical scavenger and interfacial characteristics on the degradation of β-carotene in the emulsion stabilised by conjugate. The conjugate increased the oxidative stability of β-carotene in the emulsion as compared to their unconjugated mixture at pH 7.

Physical activity and beverage consumption in preschoolers: focus groups with parents and teachers.

Background: Qualitative research is a method in which new ideas and strategies can be discovered. This qualitative study aimed to investigate parents' and teachers' opinions on physical activity and beverage consumption of preschool children. Through separate, independent focus groups, they expressed their perceptions on children's current physical activity and beverage consumption levels, factors that influence and enhance these behaviours, and anticipated barriers to making changes.