ROS-responsive nanocarrier for oral delivery of monascin and enhanced alleviation of oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress, caused by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of various diseases. Monascin can scavenge ROS and alleviate oxidative stress but with a low fermentation rate and bioavailability. Here, we optimized the fermentation process to increase the production of monascin (508.

Improvement of Monacolin K and Pigment Production in by 5-Azacytidine.

species are known to produce various secondary metabolites with polyketide structures, including Monacolins, pigments, and citrinin. This study investigates the effects of 5-azacytidine on M1 and RP2. The dry weight, red, yellow, and orange pigment values, and Monacolin K yield of both strains were measured, and their hyphae observed through electron microscopy.

Effects of γ-polyglutamic acid on the rheological, microstructural and sensory properties of low-fat yogurt.

Background: While low-fat yogurt offers numerous health benefits, its texture and sensory qualities are poor. This study aimed to investigate the effects of γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) on the rheological, microstructural and sensory properties of low-fat yogurt using rheological tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and sensory evaluation.

Results: The results showed that the syneresis of low-fat yogurt added with 0.

Insights into the effects of frozen storage on the rheology, texture and in vitro digestibility of frozen Liangpi (starch gel food).

In this study, the effects of frozen storage on the rheology, texture and in vitro digestibility of frozen Liangpi and its internal influencing mechanism were investigated. The results showed that with increasing frozen storage time, the solid-like property proportion of frozen Liangpi gradually enhanced, and its hardness and chewiness gradually increased, and its springiness gradually decreased, while its digestion rate gradually slowed down. During frozen storage, the water fluidity of frozen Liangpi gradually enhanced, and its starch molecules rearrangement degree gradually deepened.

In silicon desinging of RANKL-targeting vaccine for protection of osteoporosis based on the epitope of Denosumab.

Background: Life quality of osteoporosis patients is affected significantly due to the severely complications of fracture and pain. RANKL, indicated as the key mediator of osteoporosis, plays a pathogenic role of osteoclasts induction. To target this program, two medications, bisphosphonate and Denosumab, were developed and achieved remarkable advantages in clinics.

Functional Verification of Transcription Factor comp54181_c0 in Monascus purpureus.

Monacolin K is a valuable secondary metabolite produced after a period of fermentation by Monascus purpureus; however, our current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of its synthesis remains incomplete. This study conducted functional analysis on the key transcription factor, comp54181_c0, that is involved in the synthesis of monacolin K in Monascus. Mutant strains with either knockout or overexpression of comp54181_c0 were constructed using CRISPR/Cas9.

Combustion and mechanical properties enhancement strategy based on stearic acid surface activated boron powders.

Boric acid and other impurities on the surface of boron (B) particles can interact with hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), weakening the mechanical properties and energy release efficiency of boron-based solid rocket propellants. SA@B composite particles were created by coating stearic acid (SA) on the surface of B particles through solvent evaporation-induced self-assembly. The study investigated the impact of SA coating on the combustion performance of B particles and the mechanical properties of HTPB matrix composites.

Rational Design of A-Site Cation for High Performance Lead-Free Perovskite X-Ray Detectors.

Design of hypotoxic lead-free perovskites, e.g. Bismuth(Bi)-based perovskites, is much beneficial for commercialization of perovskite X-ray detectors due to their strong radiation absorption.

Effect of ultrasound-pretreated starch on the formation, structure and digestibility of starch ternary complexes from lauric acid and β-lactoglobulin.

Starch, lipids, and proteins are key macronutrients in starchy foods. Their interactions during processing can form starch-lipid-protein ternary complexes, significantly affecting food quality. Ultrasonic treatment, as a common processing method, is expected to regulate the quality of starchy foods by influencing the formation of ternary complexes.

Study on synergistic hydrogen generation from aluminum-based composites in different forms of water.

The environmental suitability of hydrogen storage materials is significantly influenced by the way aluminum reacts synchronously with water, ice, and water steam. The straightforward ball milling process was used to synthesize Al-based composite materials with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or graphene oxide (GO). The reactivity of the composites in various types of water was investigated.

How do probiotics alleviate constipation? A narrative review of mechanisms.

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal condition, which may occur at any age and affects countless people. The search for new treatments for constipation is ongoing as current drug treatments fail to provide fully satisfactory results. In recent years, probiotics have attracted much attention because of their demonstrated therapeutic efficacy and fewer side effects than pharmaceutical products.

How probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics prevent dental caries: an oral microbiota perspective.

Dental caries, a highly prevalent oral disease, impacts a significant portion of the global population. Conventional approaches that indiscriminately eradicate microbes disrupt the natural equilibrium of the oral microbiota. In contrast, biointervention strategies aim to restore this balance by introducing beneficial microorganisms or inhibiting cariogenic ones.

Exopolysaccharides produced by Antrodia cinnamomea using microparticle-enhanced cultivation: Optimization, primary structure and antibacterial property.

Microparticle-enhanced cultivation was used to enhance the production of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from Antrodia cinnamomea. The structure and antibacterial activity of two EPSs produced by A. cinnamomea treated with AlO [EPS-Al (crude) and EPS-Al-p (purified)] and without AlO [EPS-C (crude) and EPS-C-p (purified)] were compared.

Effect of plasma-activated water on the formation of endogenous wheat starch-lipid complexes during extrusion.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of plasma-activated water (PAW) during extrusion on the formation of endogenous starch complexes with wheat starch (WS) as a model material. Using PAW during the extrusion process resulted in an increase in amylose content from 27.87 % to 30.

Emulsifying properties of O/W emulsion stabilized by soy protein isolate and γ-polyglutamic acid electrostatic complex.

In order to improve the emulsifying properties of soy protein around isoelectric point, soy protein isolate (SPI) and γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) complexes were prepared by electrostatic interaction. The formation of SPI-γ-PGA electrostatic complex and emulsifying properties were investigated by monitoring turbidity, zeta potential, intrinsic fluorophores, emulsion characterization, and microstructure observation. The results showed that the formation of SPI-γ-PGA electrostatic complex was identified through turbidimetric analysis and zeta-potential measurement.

Physicochemical properties of different size fractions of potato starch cultivated in Highland China.

Location influences the properties of potato starch. Potato starch granules cultivated in highland of China were separated into three fractions according to the sedimentation time: large- (∼81 μm, large fraction potato starch, LFPS), medium- (∼28 μm, medium fraction potato starch, MFPS), and small-size (∼15 μm, small fraction potato starch, SFPS) fractions. SFPS showed a spherical shape, MFPS showed an ellipsoid shape and LFPS showed an elongated shape.

Effect of γ-polyglutamic acid on the physicochemical properties of soybean protein isolate-stabilized O/W emulsion.

An increased interest has been observed in the application of soybean protein isolate (SPI) into O/W emulsion because of the amphipathic characteristics of SPI. However, at pH around 4.5, SPI was almost lost its hydrophilic characteristic, thus greatly limiting its application in emulsion under an acidic environment.

A Preliminary Study on the Morphological Changes of an NiTi-Shaped Memory Alloy Stent in the Vertebral Body.

Objective: At present, the most commonly used filler polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has the disadvantages of monomer toxicity, heat and leakage, and cannot be applied in young people. Therefore, finding a minimally invasive and good tissue-compatible alternative material has been a research hotspot in spine surgery in recent years. The aim of this study is to explore whether the memory alloy stent can avoid the complications of bone cement or not.

Synergistic effect of lecithin and alginate, CMC, or PVP in stabilizing curcumin and its potential mechanism.

This work aims to advance the understanding of the synergistic mechanism of lecithin and polymers (alginate, CMC, and PVP) in stabilizing curcumin, with a major focus on understanding the nanocomplex formation process and the main binding energy between molecules. It is demonstrated that lecithin and polymers have a synergistic effect in increasing the thermal acid, light, and digestion stability of curcumin. The potential mechanism is that the hydrophobic parts of curcumin molecules are first anchored at the region of the hydrophobic cavity of lecithin by van der Waals, while the hydrophilic parts are outward and are further encapsulated by hydrophilic polymers by van der Waals and electrostatic interaction to form a protective shell.

Efficient production of Antrodin C by microparticle-enhanced cultivation of medicinal mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea.

The microparticle-enhanced cultivation (MPEC) was used to enhance the production of Antrodin C by submerged fermentation of medicinal mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea. The crucial factors such as types, sizes, concentrations, and addition time of microparticles were optimized. The mechanism of MPEC on the membrane permeability and fluidity of A.

Antimicrobial Substances and Mechanisms of Lactobacillus rhamnosus against Gardnerella vaginalis.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal disease associated with abnormal changes in the vaginal microbiome. Our previous study found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus has a good therapeutic effect on bacterial vaginosis by inhibiting the most prominent bacterium associated with BV, Gardnerella vaginalis. In this study, we show that acetic acid and lactic acid are the main substances in the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of L.

Electron-Phonon Coupling Suppression by Enhanced Lattice Rigidity in 2D Perovskite Single Crystals for High-Performance X-Ray Detection.

2D Dion-Jacobson (DJ) perovskite single crystals (PSCs) usually demonstrate better X-ray detection performance than Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) PSCs. However, the mechanism of the improved performance is still elusive. Here, by the aid of strong interactions between dimethylbiguanide (DGA) and PbI , a novel DJ-perovskitoid (DGA)PbI is designed.