Ultrasound-assisted microwave vacuum drying enhances flavor release during stewing of dried shiitake mushrooms.

The introduction of ultrasonic energy into microwave vacuum drying (MVD) enhances drying efficiency and product quality. To investigate the effect of ultrasonically coupled microwave vacuum (USMVD) drying on the flavor release of shiitake mushrooms, differences in the pore structure of dried mushrooms were analyzed in relation to the flavor of mushroom soup. The results showed that ultrasound mainly changed the pore structure of shiitake mushrooms in the range of 5000-50,000 nm, and the total pore volume of shiitake mushrooms was the largest when the ultrasound amplitude was 70 %.

Isolation, purification, characterization and stability analysis of melanin pigment from Mesona chinensis.

In this study, the isolation and purification of melanin pigment from Mesona chinensis (MCM) were conducted, and the structural characterization and stability evaluation of MCM were performed. The results indicate that MCM is consistent with the spectral features of catechins and polyphenols, identified the stretching vibrations of functional groups such as OH, CH, CO, and CO. It is inferred that the structure of MCM is consistent with that of theophylline and it is mainly composed of phenolic acids, terpenoids, and organic acids.

Effect of polysaccharide concentration on heat-induced Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide-soy protein isolation gels: Gel properties and interactions.

The formation of a single soybean protein isolate (SPI) gel is limited by the processing conditions, and has the disadvantages of poor gel property, and it is usually necessary to add other biomacromolecules to improve its property. In this study, we investigated the effects of polysaccharide concentration on gel properties and interaction mechanisms of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (TFP)-SPI complexes. It was found that (1) the rheological properties, texture properties, water-holding properties, and thermal stability of TFP-SPI composite gels were improved with the addition of TFP (0.

Structural and property changes of starch derivatives under microwave field: A review.

Native starches are commonly modified for desired properties because of their limited applications. Among various modifications, microwave irradiation has been gaining strong interests and becoming a focal area to transform starch during the last few years. Such interests reside in microwave irradiation's high heating rates, lesser extent of loss in nutritional qualities, and so on when compared with other approaches.

Preparation, multi-scale structures, and functionalities of acetylated starch: An updated review.

Acetylated starch has been widely used as food additives. However, there was limited information available regarding the impact of acetylation on starch structure and functionalities, as well as the advanced acetylation technologies. This review aimed to summarize current methods for starch acetylation and discuss the structure and functionalities of acetylated starch.

Understanding the multi-scale structure and physicochemical properties of millet starch with varied amylose content.

The multi-scale structure and physicochemical properties of starch from five indigenous millet varieties were investigated and their correlations were revealed. Results showed that apparent amylose content (AAC) ranged from 12.3% to 27.

Placenta autophagy is closely associated with preeclampsia.

The pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) is complex and placental internal homeostasis is regulated by cellular autophagy. However, there are fewer studies related to the role of placental autophagy in the pathogenesis of PE. The GSE75010 and GSE10588 datasets were downloaded from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database.

Dietary compounds slow starch enzymatic digestion: A review.

Dietary compounds significantly affected starch enzymatic digestion. However, effects of dietary compounds on starch digestion and their underlying mechanisms have been not systematically discussed yet. This review summarized the effects of dietary compounds including cell walls, proteins, lipids, non-starchy polysaccharides, and polyphenols on starch enzymatic digestion.

Testing the Linearity Assumption for Starch Structure-Property Relationships in Rices.

Many properties of starch-containing foods are significantly statistically correlated with various structural parameters. The significance of a correlation is judged by the -value, and this evaluation is based on the assumption of linear relationships between structural parameters and properties. We here examined the linearity assumption to see if it can be used to predict properties at conditions that are not close to those under which they were measured.

Starch Molecular Structural Features and Volatile Compounds Affecting the Sensory Properties of Polished Australian Wild Rice.

Cooked high-amylose rices, such as Australian wild rice (AWR) varieties, have slower digestion rates, which is nutritionally advantageous, but may have inferior eating qualities. Here, a comparison is made between sensory and starch molecular fine structure properties, and volatile compounds, of polished AWR varieties and some commercial rices (CRs). Starch structural parameters for amylopectin (Ap) and amylose (Am) were obtained using fluorophore-assisted capillary electrophoresis and size-exclusion chromatography.

Starch structure-property relations in Australian wild rices compared to domesticated rices.

There are many genetic differences between Australian wild rices (AWRs) and domesticated rices (DRs), causing differences in starch molecular structure and starch-related functional properties; these are examined here for polished AWRs and polished DRs. Starch structural parameters for amylopectin and amylose were obtained using size-exclusion chromatography, with and without enzymatic debranching. Thermal properties of starch, in-vitro digestibility and texture of three AWRs were measured and compared to those of typical DRs.

Thymosin β4 alleviates renal fibrosis and tubular cell apoptosis through TGF-β pathway inhibition in UUO rat models.

Background: Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is closely associated with the cytoskeleton, inflammation, wound healing, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and myocardial regeneration, but the effects of Tβ4 treatment on chronic renal tubular interstitial fibrosis (CRTIF) are poorly known. This study aimed to examine the effects of Tβ4 on the renal apoptosis and the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF-β), E-cadherin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in CRTIF rat models.

Methods: Male SD rats were randomized into four groups (sham group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group, UUO + low-dose Tβ4 group, and UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group).

Influence of microwave vacuum drying on glass transition temperature, gelatinization temperature, physical and chemical qualities of lotus seeds.

This study investigated the effects of microwave power density on effective moisture diffusion coefficient (D), glass transition temperature (T), gelatinization temperature (T), physical and chemical qualities of lotus seeds during microwave vacuum drying. D increased by 42% and 127% at 15W/g and 20W/g, respectively, when compared with 10W/g. T was negatively correlated with the relaxation times of T and T, while T was negatively correlated with the relative areas A.

Structural characterization of a novel neutral polysaccharide from Lentinus giganteus and its antitumor activity through inducing apoptosis.

A novel neutral polysaccharide (LGPS-1), with a molecular weight of 1.547×10(5)Da, was isolated from Lentinus giganteus by precipitation and purification. The monosaccharides included d-mannose (Man), d-glucose (Glc) and d-galactose (Gal) with a molar ratio of 3.

Role of Wnt3a expressed by dendritic cells in the activation of canonical Wnt signaling and generation of memory T cells during primary immune responses.

The presence of memory T cells (Ts) hinders transplant survival. Dendritic cells (DCs) induce the generation of Ts during primary immune responses. However, the specific mechanisms are unclear.

Effects of different drying methods on the product quality and volatile compounds of whole shiitake mushrooms.

Various drying methods play important roles in the preservation of foods. However, how the different drying methods affect the quality of some foods is not clear. This paper evaluates the effects of hot air, vacuum, microwave, and microwave vacuum drying techniques on important qualities and volatile compounds of whole shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms.

Extraction optimization, structure and antioxidant activities of Fortunella margarita Swingle polysaccharides.

The objective of this study was to maximize the yield of polysaccharides extracted from Fortunella margarita Swingle (FMPS) and investigate the relationship between the structure and antioxidant activities. The optimal conditions for ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of FMPS were ultrasonic power 171W, extraction temperature 50°C, water volume to raw material weight (W/M) ratio 32 ml/g and extraction time 87 min. Under these conditions, the yield of FMPS was 4.

Urine interleukin-18 in prediction of acute kidney injury: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) mediates ischemic acute tubular necrosis; it has been proved as a rapid, reliable, and affordable test marker for the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI), but its predictive accuracy varies greatly.

Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Ovid, and Springerlink (from inception to November 15, 2013) were searched for relevant studies (in English) investigating diagnostic accuracy of urine IL-18 to predict AKI in various clinical settings. The text index was increasing or increased urine IL-18 level and the main outcome was the development of AKI, which was primarily based on serum creatinine level [using risk, injury, failure, loss and end-stage renal disease (RIFLE), acute kidney injury network, or modified pediatric RIFLE criteria in pediatric patients].

Vascular network modeling reveals significant differences in vascular morphology in growth-restricted placentas.

Aim: To construct and examine models of the vascular networks using the technique of vascular corrosion casting in placentas collected from normal pregnancies and from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR).

Methods: Twenty placentas were collected from normal term pregnancies (Group NP) and an equal number from pregnancies with idiopathic term FGR (Group FGR) and placental vascular network models constructed by perfusing an acrylic-based solution separately into the umbilical vein and arteries. Placental blood volumes and blood vessel characteristics (number of branches, diameter, and morphology) were then examined and compared.

[Correlation between oligohydramnios and abnormal expressions of TXA2, PGI2 and TXA2R in the umbilical arterial blood and placenta].

Objective: To investigate the roles of thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) and prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2)) in development of oligohydramnios.

Methods: The concentration of TXB(2) and 6-keto-PGF1 in umbilical cord blood collected from 30 normal parturients (control) and 30 parturients with oligohydramnios was detected by radioimmunoassay to calculate the TXA(2)/PGI(2) ratio. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the contents of TXA(2)R in vascular endothelial cell in the placental villi.