Impact of frozen storage on physicochemical parameters and quality changes in cooked crayfish.

Customers are increasingly opting for ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare food products, such as cooked crayfish. It is highly valued for its unique taste, tender meat, and nutritional properties. Therefore, we conducted an investigation into its quality parameters over an 8-week period at -20 °C. Parameters such as water distribution, oxidation reactions, color, microstructure, texture properties, and physicochemical parameters were examined. The physicochemical results indicated that as the storage time increased, the levels of pH and TVB-N (total volatile basic nitrogen) showed a significant increase, while the water holding capacity decreased significantly (P < 0.05). After two months of frozen storage, the carbonyl content and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) increased to 4.15 ± 0.16 nmol/mg protein and 1.6 ± 0.00 mg/kg, respectively. Additionally, the total sulfhydryl content decreased to 4.91 ± 0.10 mol/105 g protein, which had an impact on the quality of the crayfish. Electron microscopy revealed that with increasing storage time, the fiber structure gradually deteriorated due to water crystallization, leading to severe damage and breakage of muscle fibers. Interestingly, these changes related to storage affected color and texture parameters, thereby influencing the overall quality of the crayfish.

Association between multiple metals exposure and sleep disorders in a Chinese population: A mixture-based approach.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have suggested a possible association between metals and sleep disorders. This study aimed to explore the association between Zn, Cu, Se, Mg and Ca and sleep disorders in single and multi-metal co-exposure models. METHODS: Logistic regression models, restricted cubic spline model (RCS), Quantile g computation (Q-gcomp), Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to investigate the association between metal levels and sleep disorders. RESULTS: Logistic regression showed that in the total population, the second, third, and fourth quartile Zn concentration exhibited a lower risk of sleep disorders compared with the first quartile, with odds ratios (ORs) of 0.783, 0.711, and 0.704, respectively. Compared with Zn/Cu and Zn/Se in the first quartile, the third and fourth quartiles showed a lower risk of sleep disorders. In the 30-59 years group, the risk of sleep disorders was 0.699 times greater for the fourth quartile Mg concentration than that for the first quartile. The risk of sleep disorders in Mg/Ca concentration in the third quartile was 0.737 times higher than in the first quartile. Q-gcomp, WQS, and BKMR model analysis showed the negative overall effect of mixtures of the five metals on sleep disorders, with Zn being the largest contributor. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that plasma Zn, Mg, Zn/Cu, Zn/Se, and Mg/Ca reduced the risk of sleep disorders, and the combined effect of multiple metals was negatively associated with the risk of sleep disorders, with Zn being the largest contributor to this relationship.

Efficacy of Qiancao () and Haipiaoxiao (), a traditional Chinese herb pair, on abnormal uterine bleeding in rats with incomplete abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the most effective weight ratio of Qiancao () and Haipiaoxiao () used to produce decoction for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in rats with incomplete abortion, and to study the possible mechanism. METHODS: The models of AUB were established by incomplete drug abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol in pregnant rats. The therapeutic effects of decoctions made by eight different weight ratios of Qiancao () and Haipiaoxiao () were observed. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that the most effective weight ratio of Qiancao () and Haipiaoxiao () to treat AUB in this study was 2∶1. CONCLUSION: The insights gained from this study would improve understanding of the mechanisms involved in the effect of Qiancao () and Haipiaoxiao () on AUB.

A Case of Congenital Isolated Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Deficiency Caused by Two Novel Mutations in the TBX19 Gene.

Congenital isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency (CIAD) is a rare disorder which can result in 20% mortality in the neonatal period if misdiagnosed. A 2 years and 7 months old boy was hospitalized many times because of recurrent hypoglycemia. On initial physical examination, the patient showed special appearance and indications of fast growth (≥P97). Laboratory investigations revealed low levels of ACTH and cortisol in his plasma. Except thyroid-stimulating hormone, the anterior pituitary hormone concentrations were normal. Molecular data showed compound heterozygosity for two novel mutations in the TBX19 gene (encoding the transcription factor T-Box 19). Mutation c.205C>T was inherited from mother and the fragment deletion (from g.168,247,374 to g.168,278,264) was from father. Hydrocortisone replacement therapy was effective. We reported two novel TBX19 mutations, expanding the mutation spectrum of this disorder, in a CIAD patient who presented with special appearance, signs of fast growth, and thyroid-stimulating hormone derangement. In addition, for avoiding misdiagnosis, criterion for ACTH and cortisol detection of CIAD should be established.

16S ribosomal RNA sequencing reveals a modulation of intestinal microbiome and immune response by dietary L-theanine supplementation in broiler chickens.

Despite the availability of abundant literature on green tea, studies on the use of L-theanine (an amino acid found only in green tea) as a feed additive in poultry especially broiler are limited. So, this study was conducted to explore the effects of L-theanine on the intestinal microbiome and immune response in a broiler. A total of 400-d-old chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups (A, B, C, and D) using a complete randomized design. Treatments were as follows: A, control (basal diet); B, basal diet + 100 mg L-theanine/kg diet; C, basal diet + 200 mg L-theanine/kg diet; and D, basal diet + 300 mg L-theanine/kg diet. Mucosal samples from ileum and jejunum of broiler chicken were extracted at 21 and 42 d of age. Extraction of genomic DNA was followed by amplification of V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of 16S ribosomal RNA. After Illumina sequencing, results revealed that treatment with L-theanine significantly increased the population of Lactobacillus in ileum and jejunum as compared to a control group, but the higher population was observed in jejunum at both 21 and 42 d of age. The overall diversity of the jejunum microbiome in the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the ileum and control group (P < 0.05). Results of this study revealed that mRNA expression of TLRs (TLR-2 and TLR-4) and cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2) was decreased in response to treatment with L-theanine. Moreover, the negative correlation of abundance of Lactobacillus was observed with expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ in the intestine and these effects were highly significant (P < 0.01). In summary, our finding revealed that dietary supplementation of L-theanine exhibited a positive influence on intestinal bacteria by supporting beneficial microbes like Lactobacillus while decreasing harmful microbes like Clostridium.

Gut microbiota: a potential manipulator for host adipose tissue and energy metabolism.

Normally, the gut microbiota has a mutually beneficial association with host health and maintains its commensal status in mammals. Conversely, it can also negatively influence host physiology under some certain circumstances, including obesity and other disease states. Although numerous gut microbial functions directly affect the gastrointestinal tract, in this paper, we focus on the influences of the gut microbiota on host adipose tissue and energy metabolism, particularly lipometabolism. We thoroughly discuss two important microbial products, short-chain fat acids and lipopolysaccharides, which are linked to several mechanisms involved in obesity and adipose, including differentiation, energy metabolism and immunity. Furthermore, this review also addresses some potentially beneficial functions of probiotics, which can serve to prevent or alleviate host pathological states, including dysbacteriosis, obesity, low-grade inflammation and metabolic syndrome.