Genome-wide analysis of the SPL family in Zanthoxylum armatum and ZaSPL21 promotes flowering and improves salt tolerance in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana.

Z. armatum is an economically valued crop known for its rich aroma and medicinal properties. This study identified 45 members of the SQUAMOSA-PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN LIKE (SPL) gene family in the genome of Z.

Innovative applications of bio-inspired technology in bio-based food packaging.

Traditionally, food packaging was used to extend the shelf life of food or to monitor its condition. Inspired by many biological structures found in nature, bio-inspired functional materials for bio-based food packaging have been shown to have significantly improved capabilities over traditional bio-based food packaging materials in various aspects and to attract consumers through novel freshness preservation features. This review synthesizes recent advances in bio-inspired bio-based food packaging materials that mimic the structure of natural organisms with specific functionalities, with examples of specific biomimetics in different enhancement areas.

Mechanism analysis for the differences in multi-level structure, enzyme accessibility and pasting properties of starch granules caused by different hydrolysis pathways of maltogenic α-amylase.

The effect of pores distribution on the multi-scale structure, enzyme accessibility, and pasting properties of the waxy maize starch granules with the same degree of hydrolysis were examined. Increased maltogenic α-amylase (MA) dosage obviously increased the shallow pores number and the roughness, whereas extended time increased the holes depth. Despite achieving the same hydrolysis degree and specific surface area, samples with numerous shallow holes exhibited a higher mass fractal dimension, a lower, peak viscosity, final viscosity and setback.

Preparation of agar polysaccharides and biological activities and relationships of agar-derived oligosaccharides and monosaccharides: A review.

Agar is one of the three major colloidal linear polysaccharides obtained from marine seaweeds, specifically red macroalgae (Rhodophyta). It has garnered significant attention owing to its diverse industrial applications, potential for bioethanol production, and the physiological activities of its derived saccharides. This review delves into the preparation and degradation processes of agar, focusing on both physical and chemical pretreatments, as well as subsequent hydrolysis through acid and enzymatic methods.

Effects of xanthan gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose on the structure and physicochemical properties of triticale gluten during fermentation.

The effects of 1 % xanthan gum (XG) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on the physicochemical and structural properties of triticale gluten (TG) during fermentation were investigated. Rheological analysis revealed that the addition of XG or HPMC decreased G' and G″ values, while increasing tanδ and recovery strain of triticale gluten during fermentation. Thermal gravimetric analysis demonstrated that triticale gluten added with XG after fermentation exhibited the highest residual mass, showing a 9.

Diagnostic value of dual-layer spectral detector CT parameters for differentiating high- from low-grade bladder cancer.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of spectral parameters of dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (DLCT) in distinguishing between low- and high-grade bladder cancer (BCa).

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included pathologically confirmed BCa patients who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced DLCT. Patients were divided into low- and high-grade groups based on pathology.

Enhancement of soy protein functionality by conjugation or complexation with polysaccharides or polyphenols: A review.

Soy proteins have good nutritional quality and exhibit a range of useful functional attributes, making them a viable option for replacing animal proteins in the development of more sustainable and eco-friendly plant-based food products. Nevertheless, soy proteins are prone to denaturation and/or aggregation under conditions they encounter in some food and beverage products (including certain pH, ionic, and thermal conditions), which adversely impact their functional performance. This problem can often be overcome by covalently (conjugation) or noncovalently (complexation) linking the soy proteins to polysaccharides or polyphenols, thereby expanding their application scope.

Development, characterization, and biological activity of composite films: Eugenol-zein nanoparticles in pea starch/soy protein isolate films.

With an increasing emphasis on environmental protection and sustainability, natural polymers like proteins and polysaccharides are being utilized more frequently in the development of biodegradable food packaging. However, the limited properties of these biopolymers have restricted their widespread applicability within the food industry. To address this issue, eugenol-loaded zein nanoparticles (ZE NPs) were incorporated into pea starch/soy protein-based films, and their effect on the physicochemical properties of these films were investigated.

Recent progress in the source, extraction, activity mechanism and encapsulation of bioactive essential oils.

There is growing concern about the potential risks posed by synthetic additives in industrial products, such as foods, cosmetics, agrochemicals, and personal care products. Many plant-derived essential oils (EOs) have been shown to exhibit excellent antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antioxidant activities, and may therefore be used as natural preservatives in these applications. However, most EOs have relatively low water solubility and are prone to chemical degradation during storage.

Comprehensive prognosis assessment of cardiovascular magnetic resonance parametric mapping in light chain amyloidosis.

Background: Recent evidence underscores the importance of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis). We aimed to comprehensively assess the prognostic significance of CMR parametric mapping in AL amyloidosis.

Methods: This prospective study consecutively included AL amyloidosis patients who underwent CMR imaging before therapy.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of the head and neck: comparison between integrated slice-specific dynamic shimming and simultaneous multi-slice readout-segmented echo-planar sequences.

Objectives: To compare integrated slice-specific dynamic shimming (iShim) and simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) readout-segmented echo-planar imaging (RESOLVE) for diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of malignant head and neck tumours.

Methods: In this prospective study, 45 patients with malignant head and neck lesions underwent iShim- and SMS-RESOLVE imaging with two b-values (0, 800 s/mm2) at 3 T. Subjective image quality scores (lesion distortion, signal loss, fat saturation, and artefacts), quantitative lesion distortion, quantitative image quality [signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and SNR efficiency], ADC values, and total acquisition times of iShim- and SMS-RESOLVE imaging were evaluated and compared.

Stability enhancement methods for natural pigments in intelligent packaging: a review.

Intelligent packaging (also called smart packaging) has garnered significant attention for its ability to monitor food quality and spoilage during storage, without compromising packaging integrity. Natural pigments are being explored as sensors of food properties in these applications, but they are often chemically unstable, which limits their widespread utilization for this purpose. Therefore, enhancing pigment stability is imperative.

Preparation of protein-based aerogels and regulation and application of their absorption properties: a review.

Challenges still persist in the preparation of healthy foods through the structuring of liquid oils, and the encapsulation and delivery of functional components. However, protein-based aerogels (PAs) with unique nutritional and health properties as well as various kinds of tunable absorption properties hold promise for solving these problems. In this review, the methods and characteristics of aerogels prepared from various animal and plant proteins were reviewed.

Enhancing the water dispersibility and intestinal targeting of pterostilbene using tannic acid-whey protein conjugates.

In this study, three types of whey protein isolate (WPI)-tannic acid (TA) covalent conjugates (WPI-TA) were synthesized via alkaline treatment, free radical-induced method, and laccase induction. These conjugates were subsequently utilized in the antisolvent precipitation method to encapsulate pterostilbene (Pte). The structural and functional properties of these conjugates as carriers for intestinal-targeted Pte delivery were thoroughly evaluated.

Research Progress on the Physicochemical Properties of Starch-Based Foods by Extrusion Processing.

Extrusion is a crucial food processing technique that involves mixing, heating, shearing, molding, and other operations to modify the structures and properties of food components. As the primary energy source material, the extrusion process induces significant physical and chemical changes in starch that impact the quality of final products. This review paper discusses novel technologies for starch extrusion and their influence on the physical and chemical properties of starch-based foods, such as gelatinization and retrogradation properties, structural characteristics, and digestion properties.

Artificial Intelligence and Radiologist Burnout.

Importance: Understanding the association of artificial intelligence (AI) with physician burnout is crucial for fostering a collaborative interactive environment between physicians and AI.

Objective: To estimate the association between AI use in radiology and radiologist burnout.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study conducted a questionnaire survey between May and October 2023, using the national quality control system of radiology in China.

Composite biopolymer foams fabricated from natural aldehyde functionalized chitosan-whey protein amyloid fibrils: Application for removal of phthalate esters from water.

In this work, composite biopolymer foams from chitosan and whey isolate protein amyloid fibrils were prepared for the removal of phthalate esters from water. Natural aldehyde functionalization enhanced the affinity for dibutyl phthalate (DBP), with citral being the most effective. The citral-grafted foams (WCGC) had tunable hydrophobicity, strong mechanical properties, and good water stability.

Investigating the Core Structure of Reuteran with High-Content Linear (α1 → 6) Linkages Synthesized by L24-B GtfB-Type Glucanotransferase.

Reuteran is a functional homopolysaccharide comprising major (α1 → 4) and interspersed (α1 → 6) linkages whose properties and functions are directly associated with the structure. In order to enrich the structural variety and application prospects of reuteran, a GtfB-type 4,6-α-glucanotransferase from L24-B (LmGtfB), which can synthesize reuteran with high-content linear (α1 → 6) linkages, was screened. LmGtfB exhibited 4,6-α-glucanotransferase activity against starch or dextrin and can synthesize both linear and branching (α1 → 6) linkages, which offered advantages in terms of source and cost.

Effects of hydrocolloids on the structure and physicochemical properties of triticale starch during fermentation.

The regulation of the structure and properties of new starch varieties has been a necessary step in the development of promising products. This study investigated the effects of 1 % xanthan gum (XG) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on the physicochemical properties and structure of triticale starch during fermentation. Frequency scanning and rapid viscosity analyzer results showed that the addition of XG or HPMC during fermentation resulted in the reduced loss factor (tanθ) and the increased peak viscosity, indicating that the network gel strength is enhanced.

One-pot preparation of V-type porous starch by thermal-stable amylase hydrolysis of normal maize starch in hot aqueous ethanol solution.

The V-type porous starch (VPS) displays remarkable adsorption capability, and has potential for encapsulating guest compounds within its unique single helical cavity. In this investigation, VPS was produced via a "one-pot method" utilizing thermostable α-amylase in a hot ethanol solution. The study demonstrates that the activity of thermostable α-amylase remains high, reaching up to 86 % when employing a 40-50 % ethanol concentration, and up to 74 % with ≤70 % ethanol concentration.

Symptomology of celiac artery compression: Classifying patients by the degree of celiac artery stenosis and secondary changes in collateral branches on computed tomography angiogram.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the degree of celiac artery (CA) stenosis and the secondary changes in collateral branches in patients with CA compression (CAC) by CT and to classify patients by the combination of the two imaging features.

Methods: Patients with CAC identified by contrast-enhanced CT from January 2012 to December 2013 were retrospectively enrolled and divided into the symptomatic group and asymptomatic group. CA stenosis was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe, and collateral circulation as invisible, visible, or prominent.

Purification and Characterization of β-Mannanase Derived from var. Expressed in .

The demand for food-grade β-mannanases, ideal for high-temperature baking, is increasing. Using the () expression system for β-mannanase production, this study aimed to enhance purification methods. We evaluated better conditions for production and purification of β-mannanase (Man134A) from recombinant X-33, focusing on a higher purity and reducing the production of endogenous secretory proteins in fermentation.

Advancements in hydrogel-based embolic agents: Categorized by therapeutic mechanisms.

Background: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is a crucial technique in interventional radiology. Hydrogel-based embolic agents show promise due to their phase transition and drug-loading capabilities. However, existing categorizations of these agents are confusing.