A missing link: The interdependence between sugar-sweetened beverage and cigarette consumption from China.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and cigarettes are addictive substances and addictive substances are often related in consumption with each other. However, the potential interdependence between SSB and cigarette consumption has not been explored in the literature. As SSB and cigarette consumption have posed a great threat to individual health, the knowledge of such interdependence is critical for policymakers to design and coordinate government interventions.

Regulatory and retrograde signaling networks in the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway.

Plants, algae and photosynthetic bacteria convert light into chemical energy by means of photosynthesis, thus providing food and energy for most organisms on Earth. Photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophylls (Chls) and carotenoids, are essential components that absorb the light energy necessary to drive electron transport in photosynthesis. The biosynthesis of Chl shares several steps in common with the biosynthesis of other tetrapyrroles, including siroheme, heme and phycobilins.

Characterisation of isolates from the poultry production chain in Zhejiang Province, China: antimicrobial resistance, virulence factors and genotypic profiling.

1. This study investigated antimicrobial resistance, virulence factors and genotypic profiling among isolated from three sources (poultry farms, slaughterhouses and retail markets) in the poultry production chain in Zhejiang Province, China, to assess its potential risk to public health.2.

Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals the Metabolic Characteristics and Biomarkers of Antioxidant Properties of Gardeniae Fructus from Different Geographical Origins in China.

Gardeniae Fructus (GF) has been widely used as both food and medicinal purposes for thousands of years, but their antioxidant properties and potential metabolite biomarkers remain unclear. : The purposes of this study were to examine antioxidant activities of 21 GF varieties from different geographical origins in China and identify potential biomarkers of antioxidant properties using an untargeted LC-MS-based metabolomics approach. : The results demonstrate that metabolomics had the ability to trace the geographical origins of GF.

Genetic Tendency Analysis and Comprehensive Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Leaves and Flowers of Loquat F Generation.

Loquat leaves, flowers, and other organs contain abundant antioxidant substances, which have wide applications in medicine, health, and food industries. This study aims to provide theoretical guidance for loquat hybrid parent and combination selection and a basis for high-quality loquat strain screening and development. For comprehensive antioxidant profiling, we used "Ninghaibai" and "Oobusa" loquat and their F generation as experimental materials to determine the total phenol, flavonoid, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP content in the leaves and flowers of 56 strains.

Access to Chiral Bridged Biaryls via Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Asymmetric Addition of Alcohols to Fluoroalkylated Biaryl Oxazepines.

We disclose herein a chiral phosphoric-acid-catalyzed enantioselective addition reaction of alcohols to fluoroalkylated biaryl 1,3-oxoazepines, which furnished a wide range of bridged biaryls bearing a fluoroalkylated quaternary carbon stereocenter on the seven-membered ring in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). Our method can be used for the modification of several natural products and bioactive molecules. Preliminary studies revealed that the products obtained in this reaction exhibit good in vitro bioactivities against two plant pathogens.

Application and development of CRISPR technology in the secondary metabolic pathway of the active ingredients of phytopharmaceuticals.

As an efficient gene editing tool, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been widely employed to investigate and regulate the biosynthetic pathways of active ingredients in medicinal plants. CRISPR technology holds significant potential for enhancing both the yield and quality of active ingredients in medicinal plants. By precisely regulating the expression of key enzymes and transcription factors, CRISPR technology not only deepens our understanding of secondary metabolic pathways in medicinal plants but also opens new avenues for drug development and the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

Antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles against Shewanella putrefaciens and its application in preservation of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea).

Specific spoilage organisms (SSOs) are the key factors affecting the deterioration of large yellow croaker. This study investigated the antibacterial activity and mechanism of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against Shewanella putrefaciens. The effects of different concentrations of ZnO-NPs (0.

Effect of shaking and piling processing on improving the aroma quality of green tea.

Aroma plays a crucial role in the quality of pure green tea beverage. However, there are limited methods to improve their aroma. In this study, green tea produced using shaking and piling process (SPGT) demonstrated a notable improvement in aromatic intensity, particularly in floral, fruity, and sweet notes.

Improving the prebiotic activity and oxidative stability of carboxymethyl curdlan - quercetin conjugates stabilized Pickering emulsions for the colonic targeting delivery of curcumin.

The carboxymethyl curdlan-quercetin conjugate (CMCD-QUE) was synthesized to stabilize curcumin (CUR) -loaded Pickering emulsions. The physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and prebiotic activity of CMCD-QUE were investigated. The effects of different concentrations of CMCD-QUE on CUR-loaded emulsions were also explored.

Transfer and risk assessment of perchlorate during green/black tea processing and brewing.

Perchlorate was reported to be taken up by tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plants and mainly stored in leaves. However, the change of contents in perchlorate in fresh tea leaf-made tea and tea infusion remains unclear.

Maillard-derived mung bean protein-peach gum conjugates: A novel emulsifier to improve stability, antioxidants, and physicochemical properties of chia seed oil nanoemulsion.

This research is designed to enhance the physio-chemical properties, constancy, and antioxidant activities of water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions containing chia seed oil (CSO) by utilizing mung bean protein isolate (MBPI)-peach gum (PG) conjugates, which were created through the Maillard reaction (MR), as the emulsifying agents. The emulsions were prepared using MBPI-PG produced through the Maillard reaction (EMRP) at concentrations of 0.5 %, 1 %, and 1.

Insights into the potential quality markers of Rubus chingii Hu fruit at different growth stages.

Unlabelled: Rubus chingii Hu fruit (RHF) is a medicinal and edible resource with excellent biological activities. Currently, the existing identification markers can't meet the needs of RHF quality control. This study collected RHF from cultivation fields of three origins [Qiandaohu (QDH), Lishui (LS), and Fuyang (YF)] at green, green to yellow, yellow to orange, and mature stages (G, G to Y, Y to O, M).

Enhanced bioaccumulation and toxicity of Fenpropathrin by polystyrene nano(micro)plastics in the model insect, silkworm (Bombyx mori).

Background: Nano(micro)plastics (NMPs) and agrochemicals are ubiquitous pollutants. The small size and physicochemical properties of NMPs make them potential carriers for pollutants, affecting their bioavailability and impact on living organisms. However, little is known about their interactions in terrestrial ecosystems.

Directed evolution of diacylglycerol acyltransferases 2 promotes lipids and triglyceride accumulation.

Triacylglycerol (TAG) is a major component of plant-neutral lipids. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) plays an important role in plant oil accumulation by catalyzing the final step of the Kennedy pathway. In this study, ten DGAT2 sequences were originating from different oil crops into the TAG-deficient yeast strain H1246, to compare their enzyme activity of oil synthesis and filter out potential amino acid residue sites for directed evolution.

Poly(lactic acid)-based materials with enhanced gas permeability for modified atmosphere packaging of Chinese bayberry.

Biodegradable plastics are increasingly utilized in packaging, driven by green chemistry and environmental responsibility. Among them, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) stands out due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, its limited gas permeability and selectivity hinder its application in produce preservation.

TMT-labelled quantitative proteomics reveals the mechanism of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa on proteolysis of dry-cured ham: Structural protein degradation, amino acid release and taste improvement.

To investigate the mechanism of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa on structural protein degradation and taste development of Jinhua ham, the effects of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Pichia kudriavzevii on proteolytic enzyme activities, surface hydrophobicity, myofibril microstructure, protein degradation, free amino acids and sensory attributes were investigated during the dry-ripening of Jinhua ham. The inoculation of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa EIODSF019 (RE) and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa XZY63-3 (RX) consistently exhibited higher proteolytic enzyme activities compared with Pichia kudriavzevii XS-5 (PK). The decrease of α-helix exposing more internal hydrophobic groups of myofibrillar proteins, contributed to higher surface hydrophobicity of RE compared with PK and RX.

Efficient conversion of corn straw to feed protein through solid-state fermentation using a thermophilic microbial consortium.

Solid-state fermentation of lignocellulosic waste to produce feed protein is a means of realising solid waste. However, low efficiency and susceptibility to microbial contamination remain significant challenges in feed protein production through room-temperature solid-state fermentation. In this study, thermophilic microbiomes were enriched.

The burden of hepatitis E virus infection among Ghanaian pregnant women.

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection poses a significant burden on pregnant women, with associated negative outcomes. Although well-described in many developed countries, the epidemiology of the disease and its impact on maternal and fetal health in Ghana is not fully understood.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the antenatal clinics of 10 district hospitals in five regions of Ghana.

Effects of storage on volatile organic components and physiological properties of different storage-tolerant rice varieties.

The effects of storage on rice flavor among different rice varieties have not been well studied. To address this gap, we analyzed volatile organic components (VOCs) identified by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) and related physicochemical properties of different storage-tolerant rice varieties during storage. The results showed that VOCs of four rice varieties significantly changed after 6 months of storage; OPLS-DA analysis classified the four rice varieties into two groups.

Comprehensive genomic analysis and selection signature detection in endangered Beigang pigs using whole-genome sequencing data.

The Beigang pig was recently identified as one of the endangered breeds during a Chinese indigenous pig genetic resource survey. The Beigang breed is notable for its remarkable roughage tolerance and high reproductive capacity according to historical records. Morphologically, the Beigang pig resembles many indigenous pigs in eastern China, especially in its large ears.

Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics reveal the role of calcium sugar alcohol in the regulation of phenolic acid biosynthesis in Torreya grandis nuts.

Background: Torreya grandis, a prominent tree species of the autochthonous subtropical region of China, possesses a drupe-like fruit containing a nut that is rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. However, the effect of calcium (Ca) sugar alcohol (CSA), a newly developed chelated Ca-fertilizer, on the secondary metabolism of phenolics in T. grandis nuts is largely unknown, for which transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis was carried out.

Cost-effective adaptations increase rice production while reducing pollution under climate change.

Rice is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) and nitrogen pollution. While best management practices have been developed to enhance the sustainability of rice production under current climates, their adaptability and efficacy under future climate scenarios remain uncertain. Here we evaluated 49 best management practices across global grid cells of rice-producing areas in terms of increasing rice production, reducing GHG emissions and minimizing nitrogen pollution under future climate conditions.

Integrating the modified amphiphilic Eleocharis tuberosa starch to stabilize curcuminoid-enriched Pickering emulsions for enhanced bioavailability, thermal stability, and retention of the hydrophobic bioactive compound.

The study involves the modification of a non-conventional starch isolated from the under-utilized variety of Chinese water chestnut (CWC (Eleocharis tuberosa) and integrating it to fabricate stabilized and curcumin-enriched Pickering emulsions with enhanced bioavailability, thermal stability, and retention of encapsulated curcumin. A time-efficient, semi-dried esterification method was used to prepare modified amphiphilic starches using 3, 6, or 9 % (w/v) octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) and characterized through degree of substitution (DS), contact angle, particle size, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and in-vitro digestibility. Moreover, Pickering emulsions were formulated using CWCS-OSA at 3 %, 6 %, or 9 % concentrations to serve as a carrier for curcumin to improve its water solubility and storage stability.