Improved Sensitivity of a Taste Sensor Composed of Trimellitic Acids for Sweetness.

Currently, lipid/polymer membranes are used in taste sensors to quantify food taste. This research aims to improve sweetness sensors by more selectively detecting uncharged sweetening substances, which have difficulty obtaining a potentiometric response. Lipid/polymer membranes with varying amounts of tetradodecylammonium bromide (TDAB) and 1,2,4-benzene tricarboxylic acid (trimellitic acid) were prepared.

Integrated electronic health record tools to access real-world data in oncology research.

Objectives: The Integrating Clinical Trials and Real-World Endpoints (ICAREdata) project aimed to demonstrate that electronic health record (EHR) data, expressed in a standard structured format, can be extracted and transmitted to contribute to clinical research. Using the minimal Common Oncology Data Elements (mCODE), we collected standardized oncology outcome data from EHRs across 10 clinical sites and 15 trials. This report details and assesses the ICAREdata technical implementation and offers recommendations to benefit future projects with similar goals.

Molten globule-state protein structure: Perspectives from food processing applications.

Under specific pretreatment or processing conditions, spheroprotein can be transformed into a molten globule state, a typical protein conformation with enhanced functionality. Analyzing the correlation between the formation of molten-globule structures and their quality and functional characteristics is critical for developing tailored processing features, especially for minimally processed future foods. This review outlines the mechanisms driving the formation of molten globule proteins through various processes including ultra-high pressure pretreatments, heating, ultrasonication, pH-shifting, macromolecular crowding and exposure to small-molecule denaturants.

Effect of inoculation with different Eurotium cristatum strains on the microbial communities and volatile organic compounds of Fu brick tea.

Eurotium cristatum is the primary fungus in Fu brick tea (FBT) and plays a crucial role in its special flavor. This study investigated the effect of inoculation with different E. cristatum strains (i.

Impact of magnetic field-assisted freezing on the physicochemical properties and starch structure of cooked rice: Effects of magnetic types, intensities, and cryostasis time.

A magnetic field-assisted freezing system was developed to mitigate the degradation of taste quality in frozen cooked rice (FCR). The physicochemical properties and starch structure were analyzed under varying magnetic field types, intensities, and cryostasis time. The analysis of freezing characteristics indicated that treatments with 10 mT static magnetic fields (SMF) and 6 mT alternating magnetic fields (AMF) yielded optimal results, significantly reducing the duration of the maximum ice crystal generation zone by approximately 18 min.

Molecular characterization of colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates and their conjugative mcr-carrying plasmids.

Background: This study aimed to characterize colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae (CoRKp) strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections and bacteremia between 1999 and 2022 at a tertiary teaching hospital in Taiwan.

Methods: A total of 1966 K.

Automatic localization and deep convolutional generative adversarial network-based classification of focal liver lesions in computed tomography images: A preliminary study.

Background And Aim: Computed tomography of the abdomen exhibits subtle and complex features of liver lesions, subjectively interpreted by physicians. We developed a deep learning-based localization and classification (DLLC) system for focal liver lesions (FLLs) in computed tomography imaging that could assist physicians in more robust clinical decision-making.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study (approval no.

Mini nutritional assessment short form as a predictor of mortality among older adults with dementia residing in group homes: A 5-year longitudinal study.

Background & Aims: Many people with dementia frequently experience various health-related problems and are known to have poor nutritional status. However, very few studies have examined the nutritional status of dementia residents in group homes, which play an important role in a society-wide system of support for people with dementia, or the relationship between nutritional status and long-term prognosis. This study was conducted to determine the nutritional status of group-home residents and to examine the relationship between nutritional status and the 5-year survival rate.

Lipid Digestion of Milk Formula with Different Lipid Droplets: A Study on the Gastric Digestion Emulsion Structure and Lipid Release Pattern.

In this study, the digestive properties of milk formulas (two concept milk formulas L1 and L2 with ∼5 μm and a control milk formula S1 with ∼0.5 μm) were evaluated using a dynamic digestion model simulating the infant gastrointestinal tract. The results showed that L1 and L2 had a lower lipolysis degree compared to S1 during gastric digestion and no significant difference at the end of the digestion process.

The risk of postherpetic neuralgia in COVID-19 vaccination-associated herpes zoster: A retrospective cohort study using TriNetX.

Background: The administration of the COVID-19 vaccine has been linked to the development of herpes zoster (HZ). However, studies examining the clinical outcomes in COVID-19 vaccination-associated and non-COVID-19 vaccination-associated HZ are lacking.

Objective: To investigate the risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in COVID-19 vaccination associated HZ.

Simultaneous determination of pesticides, mycotoxins and ferulic acid in Angelica sinensis by GC/LC-Q-TOF/MS.

In this study, a strong applicable method that could determine a total of 33 pesticides (54 compounds), 11 mycotoxins and functional components (ferulic acid) simultaneously in Angelica sinensis was developed. The compatibility of the sample pretreatment method for pesticides, mycotoxins, and functional components was improved by optimizing the acidity of extraction solvents, the sequence of ice bath and oscillation, the volumetric solution, and so on. The PRiME HLB SPE pretreatment method was chosen as the optimal one when comparing four pretreatment methods.

Molecular Sensomics Combined with Random Forest Model Can Reveal the Evolution of Flavor Type of Baijiu Based on Differential Markers.

Baijiu is popular with a long history and balanced flavor. Flavor type is the most widely used classification mode for Baijiu. However, the evolutionary relationships of Baijiu flavor types and the differential markers between flavor types are still unclear, significantly impacting the development of the Baijiu industry.

Ankaflavin and Monascin Prevent Fibrillogenesis of Hen Egg White Lysozyme: Focus on Noncovalent and Covalent Interactions.

Misfolding and amyloid fibrillogenesis of proteins have close relationships with several neurodegenerative diseases. The present work investigates the inhibitive activities of ankaflavin (AK) and monascin (MS), two yellow pigments separated from -fermented rice, on hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) fibrillation. The results demonstrated that AK/MS suppressed HEWL fibrillation through interfering with the nucleation period and AK was more potent.

Interplay among IL1R1, gut microbiota, and bile acids in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a comprehensive review.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent metabolic disorder characterized by hepatic steatosis associated with metabolic abnormalities. Recent research has shed light on the intricate interplay among interleukin-1 receptor 1 (IL1R1), gut microbiota, and bile acids in the pathogenesis of MASLD. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the role of IL1R1, gut microbiota, and bile acids in MASLD, exploring their interrelationships and potential mechanisms.

Monascus pigments suppress fructose-mediated BSA glycation by trapping methylglyoxal and covalent binding to proteins.

In this study, four Monascus pigments (ankaflavin, AK; monascin MS; rubropunctatin, O; monascorubrin, O) were proved to exhibit considerable anti-glycation properties in bovine serum albumin (BSA)-fructose model. AK (40.62 %) and MS (48.

Development of a Bitterness Sensor Using Partially Dissociated Amine Compounds.

This study focused on developing an advanced bitterness sensor designed to minimize interference from common anions such as nitrate (NO) and iodide (I) by incorporating partially dissociated amine compounds into the sensor membrane. The conventional bitter sensor (C00) uses fully dissociated quaternary ammonium salt tetradecyl ammonium bromide (TDAB), which typically exhibits high responses to these anions, leading to inaccurate bitterness assessments. To address this issue, we explored the use of three partially dissociated amines-oleylamine (OAm), dioctadecylamine (DODA), and tridodecylamine (TDA)-as lipids in the membrane components.

Relatively reliable and rapid identification of colorant compounds in food matrices by HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS combined with theoretical calculation.

A new convenient method for identifying colorant compounds (CCs) in food matrices was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector and quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (HPLC-DAD-Q/TOF-MS) combined with theoretical calculations. A model sample containing three typical CCs was completely separated via HPLC-DAD. The obtained 3D ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra revealed the maximum absorption wavelengths (MAWs) of all CCs (yellow, 430 nm; red, 520 nm; blue, 620 nm) in the range of 400-800 nm, and their colors were determined based on their MAWs.

A Versatile Visual Molecular Imprinting-Driven Switchable Nanozyme Activity-Based Trimodal Assay and Logic Gate Circuits of Ethyl Carbamate.

Concerns regarding the hazard of the carcinogenic ethyl carbamate (EC) have driven attempts to exploit efficient, timely, straightforward, and economic assays for warning early food safety. Here, we proposed a novel molecularly imprinted polymer Co@MOF-MIP, with a high peroxidase (POD)-like activity and a bright blue fluorescence emission, to develop a versatile visual assay for colorimetric, fluorescent, and photothermal trimodal detection and logic gate outputting of EC. Briefly, the POD-like activity of Co@MOF-MIP made it to decompose HO into OH for oxidizing colorless 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into a blue oxTMB, resulting in a 660 nm irradiated photothermal effect and bursting the blue fluorescence of Co@MOF-MIP via inner filter effect, observing a decreased fluorescence signal together with an increased colorimetric and 660 nm irradiated photothermal signals.

Association of Well-Being in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Enhanced Personal Health and Social Support: A Nationally Representative Cohort Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between multidimensional factors, such as environment, health status, behavior, social support, and the well-being of middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: This study utilized data from 2 waves of the nationally representative Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging Survey Report (TLSA) conducted in 2015 and 2019. The TLSA assesses socioeconomic status, physical and health status, the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5 index), and social support.