Structure, physicochemical properties, and biological activities of protein hydrolysates from Zanthoxylum seed.

BACKGROUND: Zanthoxylum seed, as a low-cost and easily accessible plant protein resource, has good potential in the food industry. But protein and its hydrolysates from Zanthoxylum seed are underutilized due to the dearth of studies on them. This study aimed to investigate the structure and physicochemical and biological activities of Zanthoxylum seed protein (ZSP) hydrolysates prepared using Protamex®, Alcalase®, Neutrase®, trypsin, or pepsin. RESULTS: Hydrolysis using each of the five enzymes diminished average particle size and molecular weight of ZSP but increased random coil content. ZSP hydrolysate prepared using pepsin had the highest degree of hydrolysis (24.07%) and the smallest molecular weight (<13 kDa) and average particle size (129.80 nm) with the highest solubility (98.9%). In contrast, ZSP hydrolysate prepared using Alcalase had the highest surface hydrophobicity and foaming capacity (88.89%), as well as the lowest foam stability (45.00%). Moreover, ZSP hydrolysate prepared using Alcalase exhibited the best hydroxyl-radical scavenging (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) 1.94 mg mL-1 ) and ferrous-ion chelating (IC50 0.61 mg mL-1 ) activities. Additionally, ZSP hydrolysate prepared using pepsin displayed the highest angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition activity (IC50 0.54 mg mL-1 ). CONCLUSION: These data showed that enzyme hydrolysis improved the physicochemical properties of ZSP, and enzymatic hydrolysates of ZSP exhibited significant biological activity. These results provided validation for application of ZSP enzymatic hydrolysates as antioxidants and antihypertensive agents in the food or medicinal industries. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

A review on extraction of polysaccharides from crustacean wastes and their environmental applications.

Disposal of biodegradable waste of seashells leads to an environmental imbalance. A tremendous amount of wastes produced from flourishing shell fish industries while preparing crustaceans for human consumption can be directed towards proper utilization. The review of the present study focuses on these polysaccharides from crustaceans and a few important industrial applications. This review aimed to emphasize the current research on structural analyses and extraction of polysaccharides. The article summarises the properties of chitin, chitosan, and chitooligosaccharides and their derivatives that make them non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible. Different extraction methods of chitin, chitosan, and chitooligosaccharides have been discussed in detail. Additionally, this information outlines possible uses for derivatives of chitin, chitosan, and chitooligosaccharides in the environmental, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food industries. Additionally, it is essential to the textile, cosmetic, and enzyme-immobilization industries. This review focuses on new, insightful suggestions for raising the value of crustacean shell waste by repurposing a highly valuable material.

Preparation and Antioxidant Activity of Acetylated Mung Bean Peel Polysaccharides.

Mung bean peel polysaccharides are one of the main active components in mung bean peel. Acetylated mung bean peel polysaccharides were prepared by extracting and acetylating them, and characterized by infrared and ultraviolet methods to preliminarily understand the structural characteristics and activity of acetylated mung bean peel polysaccharides. Acetylation modification can improve the structure of polysaccharides, thereby causing changes in their properties. The product obtained after acetylation modification exhibited new characteristic absorption peaks at 1732 cm-1 , and the scavenging ability of hydroxyl radicals was improved. Therefore, acetylation modification of mung bean peel polysaccharides could enhance the activity by improving the structure, which provided an experimental basis for the application of mung bean peel polysaccharides.

Performance evaluation of a low-cost loess-based filler for bioretention cells.

The sand and gravel fillers used in traditional bioretention cells are expensive and becoming increasingly scarce, and their performance is unstable. It is important to find a stable, reliable, and low-cost alternative filler for bioretention facilities. Using cement as a modified loess filler for bioretention cells is a low-cost and easily obtainable alternative. The loss rate and anti-scouring index of the cement-modified loess (CM) were analyzed under different curing times, cement addition amount, and compactness control conditions. This study found that the stability and strength of the cement-modified loess in water with a density of not less than 1.3 g/cm3, a curing time, of not less than 28 d and a cement addition amount not less than 10% meets the use requirements of the bioretention cell filler. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of cement-modified materials with a 10% cement addition and a curing time of 28 days (CM28) and 56 days (CM56). Cement-modified materials with 2% straw and a curing time of 56 days (CS56) showed that the three kinds of modified loess all contain calcium carbonate and that the surface contains hydroxyl and amino functional groups that can effectively remove phosphorus. The specific surface areas of the CM56, CM28, and CS56 samples were 12.53 m2/g, 24.731 m2/g, and 26.252 m2/g, respectively, which are significantly higher than that of sand (0.791 m2/g). At the same time, the adsorption capacity of the ammonia nitrogen and the phosphate that was present in the three modified materials is better than that of sand. CM56, like sand, has rich microbial communities, which can entirely remove nitrate nitrogen in water under anaerobic conditions, indicating that CM56 can be used as an alternative filler for bioretention cells. The production of cement-modified loess is simple and cost-effective, and using modified loess as a filler can reduce the use of stone resources or other on-site materials. Current methods for improving the filler of bioretention cells are mainly based on sand. This experiment used loess to improve the filler. The performance of loess is better than sand, and can completely replace sand as the filler in bioretention cells.

Genomic Survey of Heat Shock Proteins in Liriodendron chinense Provides Insight into Evolution, Characterization, and Functional Diversities.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are conserved molecular chaperones whose main role is to facilitate the regulation of plant growth and stress responses. The HSP gene family has been characterized in most plants and elucidated as generally stress-induced, essential for their cytoprotective roles in cells. However, the HSP gene family has not yet been analyzed in the Liriodendron chinense genome. In current study, 60 HSP genes were identified in the L. chinense genome, including 7 LchiHSP90s, 23 LchiHSP70s, and 30 LchiHSP20s. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships, gene structure and arrangement, gene duplication events, cis-acting elements, 3D-protein structures, protein-protein interaction networks, and temperature stress responses in the identified L. chinense HSP genes. The results of the comparative phylogenetic analysis of HSP families in 32 plant species showed that LchiHSPs are closely related to the Cinnamomum kanehirae HSP gene family. Duplication events analysis showed seven segmental and six tandem duplication events that occurred in the LchiHSP gene family, which we speculated to have played an important role in the LchiHSP gene expansion and evolution. Furthermore, the Ka/Ks analysis indicated that these genes underwent a purifying selection. Analysis in the promoter region evidenced that the promoter region LchiHSPs carry many stress-responsive and hormone-related cis-elements. Investigations in the gene expression patterns of the LchiHSPs using transcriptome data and the qRT-PCR technique indicated that most LchiHSPs were responsive to cold and heat stress. In total, our results provide new insights into understanding the LchiHSP gene family function and their regulatory mechanisms in response to abiotic stresses.

Structure Characteristics, Biochemical Properties, and Pharmaceutical Applications of Alginate Lyases.

Alginate, the most abundant polysaccharides of brown algae, consists of various proportions of uronic acid epimers α-L-guluronic acid (G) and ß-D-mannuronic acid (M). Alginate oligosaccharides (AOs), the degradation products of alginates, exhibit excellent bioactivities and a great potential for broad applications in pharmaceutical fields. Alginate lyases can degrade alginate to functional AOs with unsaturated bonds or monosaccharides, which can facilitate the biorefinery of brown algae. On account of the increasing applications of AOs and biorefinery of brown algae, there is a scientific need to explore the important aspects of alginate lyase, such as catalytic mechanism, structure, and property. This review covers fundamental aspects and recent developments in basic information, structural characteristics, the structure-substrate specificity or catalytic efficiency relationship, property, molecular modification, and applications. To meet the needs of biorefinery systems of a broad array of biochemical products, alginate lyases with special properties, such as salt-activated, wide pH adaptation range, and cold adaptation are outlined. Withal, various challenges in alginate lyase research are traced out, and future directions, specifically on the molecular biology part of alginate lyases, are delineated to further widen the horizon of these exceptional alginate lyases.

Structure and Expression Analysis of Sucrose Phosphate Synthase, Sucrose Synthase and Invertase Gene Families in Solanum lycopersicum.

Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SUS) and invertase (INV) are all encoded by multigene families. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a comprehensive analysis of structure characteristics of these family genes is still lacking, and the functions of individual isoforms of these families are mostly unclear under stress. Here, the structure characteristics of the three families in tomato were analyzed; moreover, as a first step toward understanding the functions of isoforms of these proteins under stress, the tissue expression pattern and stress response of these genes were also investigated. The results showed that four SPS genes, six SUS genes and nineteen INV genes were identified in tomato. The subfamily differentiation of SlSPS and SlSUS might have completed before the split of monocotyledons and dicotyledons. The conserved motifs were mostly consistent within each protein family/subfamily. These genes demonstrated differential expressions among family members and tissues, and in response to polyethylene glycerol, NaCl, H2O2, abscisic acid or salicylic acid treatment. Our results suggest that each isoform of these families may have different functions in different tissues and under environmental stimuli. SlSPS1, SlSPS3, SlSUS1, SlSUS3, SlSUS4, SlINVAN5 and SlINVAN7 demonstrated consistent expression responses and may be the major genes responding to exogenous stimuli.

Effects of Structure Characteristics of Osteocyte Lacunae on Squeeze Damage Resistance of Osteons.

Scanning electron-microscopic observations show that there are many osteocyte lacunae between the circumferential lamellae, which are nonuniform in distribution. The lacunae are elliptical, and their major axes are along the circumferential direction of the osteon, which can be denoted as circumferential elliptical lacunae (CE). The observations also show that there are many circumferential microcracks in the osteons, and these microcracks are initiated from 2 endpoints of the major CE axis. To investigate the effects of the structural characteristics of osteocyte lacunae on the crack-propagated route and squeeze damage resistance of oste-ons, 3 different osteon models - CE, radially elliptical lacunae (RE), and circular lacunae (CL) - were created. The microcrack initiation and propagation of the 3 different osteon models were calculated and simulated based on progressive damage analysis. The results show that the crack-propagated route of the CE osteons is along the circumferential direction of the osteon, which is consistent with experimental observations, while those of the RE and CL are in the radial direction of the osteon. CE around the osteon in the bone is the result of long-term natural evolution, which is an important factor for bone to have strong fracture toughness.

Synthesis of Novel Chitin Derivatives Bearing Amino Groups and Evaluation of Their Antifungal Activity.

Chemical modification is one of the most effective methods to improve the biological activity of chitin. In the current study, we modified C3-OH and C6-OH of chitin (CT) and successfully synthesized 6-amino-chitin (NCT) and 3,6-diamino-chitin (DNCT) through a series of chemical reactions. The structure of NCT and DNCT were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, 13C NMR, XRD, and SEM. The inhibitory effects of CT, NCT, and DNCT against six kinds of phytopathogen (F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerium, B. cinerea, C. lagenarium, P. asparagi, F. oxysporum f. niveum, and G. zeae) were evaluated using disk diffusion method in vitro. Meanwhile, carbendazim and amphotericin B were used as positive controls. Results revealed that 6-amino-chitin (NCT) and 3,6-diamino-chitin (DNCT) showed improved antifungal properties compared with pristine chitin. Moreover, DNCT exhibited the better antifungal property than NCT. Especially, while the inhibition zone diameters of NCT are ranged from 11.2 to 16.3 mm, DNCT are about 11.4⁻20.4 mm. These data demonstrated that the introduction of amino group into chitin derivatives could be key to increasing the antifungal activity of such compounds, and the greater the number of amino groups in the chitin derivatives, the better their antifungal activity was.

Relationship between Molecular Structure Characteristics of Feed Proteins and Protein In vitro Digestibility and Solubility.

The nutritional value of feed proteins and their utilization by livestock are related not only to the chemical composition but also to the structure of feed proteins, but few studies thus far have investigated the relationship between the structure of feed proteins and their solubility as well as digestibility in monogastric animals. To address this question we analyzed soybean meal, fish meal, corn distiller's dried grains with solubles, corn gluten meal, and feather meal by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine the protein molecular spectral band characteristics for amides I and II as well as α-helices and ß-sheets and their ratios. Protein solubility and in vitro digestibility were measured with the Kjeldahl method using 0.2% KOH solution and the pepsin-pancreatin two-step enzymatic method, respectively. We found that all measured spectral band intensities (height and area) of feed proteins were correlated with their the in vitro digestibility and solubility (p≤0.003); moreover, the relatively quantitative amounts of α-helices, random coils, and α-helix to ß-sheet ratio in protein secondary structures were positively correlated with protein in vitro digestibility and solubility (p≤0.004). On the other hand, the percentage of ß-sheet structures was negatively correlated with protein in vitro digestibility (p<0.001) and solubility (p = 0.002). These results demonstrate that the molecular structure characteristics of feed proteins are closely related to their in vitro digestibility at 28 h and solubility. Furthermore, the α-helix-to-ß-sheet ratio can be used to predict the nutritional value of feed proteins.

Physicochemical and functional characteristics of glycated collagen protein from giant salamander skin induced by ultrasound Maillard reaction.

Chinese giant salamander skin collagen (CGSSC) was successfully conjugated with glucose (Glu)/xylose (Xy) by ultrasound Maillard reaction (MR) in nature deep eutectic solvents (NADES). The effects of ultrasound and reducing sugar types on the degree graft (DG) of MR products (MRPs), as well as the influence of DG on the structure and functional properties of MRPs were investigated. The results indicated that the ultrasound assisted could markedly enhance the MR of CGSSC, and low molecular weight reducing sugars were more reactive in MR. The ultrasound MR significantly changed the microstructure, secondary and tertiary structures of CGSSC. Moreover, the free sulfhydryl content of MRPs were increased, thus enhancing the surface hydrophobicity, emulsifying properties and antioxidant activity, which were positively correlated with DG. These findings provided theoretical insights into the effects of ultrasound assisted and different sugar types on the functional properties of collagen induced by MR.

Structure characteristics and gasification reactivity of co-pyrolysis char from lignocellulosic biomass and waste plastics: Effect of polyethylene.

The rate limiting stage is char reactivity during gasification that can be influenced by its physicochemical structural characteristics. In this study, the effects of feedstock share, rice straw (RS) and polyethylene (PE), on the physicochemical properties and gasification reactivity of chars were investigated and their relationships were discussed. The char gasification reactivity was investigated via isothermal experiments using a thermal analyzer. The results indicated that the PE addition improved the specific surface area (SSA) and pore volume (Vp) of the char obtained from co-pyrolysis RS with PE. The SSA of the char increased by 1.31 times when the PE content was 60 wt%, compared with that of RS char. The order degree and gasification reactivity of the co-pyrolysis char samples increased with increasing PE content beyond 40 wt%. The char reactivity in the early stage of co-gasification was primarily determined by the order degree of carbonaceous and pore structure. The char reactivity in the later stage was influenced by these two factors and the silicon dioxide content could inhibit the char co-gasification reactivity.

Uncovering the mechanism of Tenofovir amibufenamide fumarate punch sticking by combining direct compression experiment and computational simulation.

Punch sticking during tablet manufacturing is a prevalent issue for many active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) encountered by the pharmaceutical industry. Tenofovir amibufenamide fumarate (TMF), a heavyweight drug for the treatment of hepatitis B, was selected as a model drug due to its tendency to punch sticking during tablet compression. In this study, the cause of sticking was explored by investigating crystal habits, excipients and structure characteristics. The difference in sticking of three crystal habits can be visually represented through direct compression experiments on powdered samples and analysis of crystal surfaces. The excipients play a direct role in decreasing the probability of sticking, and the extent of sticking can be assessed by measuring the tensile strength of the tablet. Additionally, the plasticity index was utilized to theoretically analyze the potential enhancements of four excipients. These experimental results indicate that the block-shaped crystals have superior ability of anti-sticking and that suitable excipients can significantly improve the sticking situation of TMF. Ultimately, the phenomenon of punch sticking was additionally examined through computational calculations, focusing on the mechanical characteristics of TMF molecules and intermolecular interactions. The strategy of combining experiments and simulation calculations has broader significance for the study of drug production.

Isolation and differential structure characteristics of calcium-binding peptides derived from Pacific cod bones by hydroxyapatite affinity.

Calcium-chelating peptides were found in Pacific cod bone, but their binding structure and properties have not been elucidated. Novel calcium-binding peptides were isolated by hydroxyapatite affinity chromatography (HAC), and their binding structure and properties were investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), multispectral techniques, and mass spectrometry. Based on multiple purifications, the calcium binding capacity (CBC) of Pacific cod bone peptides (PBPs) was increased from 1.71 ± 0.15 µg/mg to 7.94 ± 1.56 µg/mg. Peptides with a molecular weight of 1-2 kDa are closely correlated with CBC. After binding to calcium, the secondary structure of peptides transitioned from random coil to ß-sheet, resulting in a loose and porous microstructure. Hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interaction, and hydrophobic interaction contribute to the formation of peptide­calcium complexes. The F21 contained 42 peptides, with repeated "GE" motif. Differential structure analysis provides a theoretical basis for the targeted preparation of high CBC peptides.

The influence of service performance in China's sci-tech commissioner system: Using social network analysis and interpretable machine learning.

The Sci-Tech Commissioner System (SCS) is a result of exploratory efforts by the Chinese government to use science and technology to strengthen the agricultural sector. Social network analysis (SNA) and machine learning (ML) techniques make it feasible to assess the service performance in China's SCS by using indicators such as group types and structure features. In this study, SNA and a clustering algorithm were employed to categorize service group types of sci-tech commissioners. By comparing the accuracy of different classification algorithms in predicting the clustering results, LightGBM algorithm was finally select to determine the clustering features of sci-tech commissioners and establish an interpretable ML model. Then, the SHAP was used to algorithm to analyze influences affecting service performance. Results show that the service forms of sci-tech commissioners are group-oriented, and that group types include small groups of young commissioners with close cooperation, larger groups of young and middle-aged commissioners, small groups of middle-aged and old commissioners with close cooperation, and isolated points of highly-influential commissioners. Furthermore, while group size is not the determinant of a commissioner's average performance, group structure and coordination ability were found to be more critical. Moreover, while differences in distinct types of service performance are caused by various factors, but good group structures and extensive social contacts are essential for high service performance.

[Prediction of cancer drug sensitivity based on genomic feature distribution alignment and drug structure information].

In recent years, precision medicine has demonstrated wide applications in cancer therapy, and the focus of precision medicine lies in accurately predicting the responses of different patients to drug treatment. We propose a model for predicting cancer drug sensitivity based on genomic feature distribution alignment and drug structure information. This model initially aligns the genomic features from cell lines with those from patients and removes noise from gene expression data. Subsequently, it integrates drug structure features and employs multi-task learning to predict the drug sensitivity of patients. The experimental results on the genomics of drug sensitivity in cancer (GDSC) dataset indicates that this method achieved a reduced mean square error of 0.905 2, an increased correlation coefficient of 0.875 4, and an enhanced accuracy rate of 0.836 0 which significantly outperformed the recently published methods. On the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) dataset, this method demonstrates an improved average recall rate of 0.571 4 and an increased F1-score of 0.658 0 in predicting drug sensitivity, exhibiting excellent generalization performance. The result demonstrates the potential of this method to assist in the selection of clinical treatment plans in the future.

Dual properties of pharmacological activities and preparation excipient: Bletilla striata polysaccharides.

Bletilla striata has been used for thousands of years and shows the functions of stopping bleeding, reducing swelling, and promoting healing in traditional applications. For Bletilla striata, Bletilla striata polysaccharides (BSP) is the main active ingredient, exhibiting biological functions of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fibrotic, immune modulation, anti-glycation, and so on. In addition, BSP has exhibited the characteristics of excipient such as bio-adhesion, bio-degradability, and bio-safety and has been prepared into a series of preparations such as nanoparticles, microspheres, microneedles, hydrogels, etc. BSP, as both a drug and an excipient, has already aroused more and more attention. In this review, publications in recent years related to the extraction and identification, biological activities, and excipient application of BSP are reviewed. Specifically, we focused on the advances in the application of BSP as a formulation excipient. We hold opinion that BSP not only needed more researches in the mechanisms, but also the development into hydrogels, nano-formulations, tissue engineering, and so on. And we believe that this paper provides a beneficial reference for further BSP innovation and in-depth research and promotes the use of these natural products in pharmaceutical applications.

Insights into the photoreactivity mechanisms of micro-sized rubber particles with different structure: The crucial role of reactive oxygen species and released dissolved organic matter.

Micro-sized rubber particles (MRPs), as a significant component of tire wear particles (TWPs), increasingly garnered attention due to the potential ecological risks. However, the impact of photoaging of MRPs and the characteristics of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) derived from MRPs on the photoreactivity of co-existing pollutants is remain unclear. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study selected MRPs with different structure including butadiene rubber (BR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and took tetracycline (TC) as the target pollutant to firstly study potential effects of structural characteristics and active components of MRPs on TC photodegradation process under simulated sunlight irradiation. The results indicated that BR, NBR and SBR enhanced TC photodegradation to varying extents, with SBR having the most pronounced effect. This effect was attributed mainly to the high electron transport capacity and the generation of more triple excited DOM (3DOM*) of SBR, thereby producing more active species (•OH and 1O2) and significantly promoting TC photodegradation. Additionally, the unsaturated bonds and aromatic groups in MRPs-DOM was identified as another crucial factor influencing their photoreactivity. This study will provide a new perspective for understanding the potential ecological effects between MRPs and co-existing pollutants in the natural environment.

Preparation methods, structural characteristics, and biological activity of polysaccharides from Platycodon grandiflorus.

Platycodon grandiflorus (P. grandiflorus), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used for both medicine and food, has a long history of treating respiratory infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other lung-related diseases. The therapeutic effects of P. grandiflorus are attributed to its chemical components, including polysaccharides. Among these components, Platycodon grandiflorus polysaccharides (PGP) are recognized as one of the most important and abundant active ingredients, exhibiting various biological activities such as prebiotic, antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, antiangiogenic, and immune regulatory properties. Incorporating the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, carrier concepts, and modern targeted drug delivery technologies, PGP can influence the target sites and therapeutic effects of other drugs while also serving as a drug carrier for targeted and precise treatments. Therefore, it is essential to provide a comprehensive review of the extraction, separation, purification, physicochemical properties, and biological activities of PGP. In the future, by integrating new concepts, technologies, and processes, further references and guidance can be provided for the comprehensive development of PGP. This will contribute to the advancement of P. grandiflorus in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, health products, and food.

Prediction of LncRNA-protein Interactions Using Auto-Encoder, SE-ResNet Models and Transfer Learning.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a crucial role in various biological processes, and mutations or imbalances of lncRNAs can lead to several diseases, including cancer, Prader-Willi syndrome, autism, Alzheimer's disease, cartilage-hair hypoplasia, and hearing loss. Understanding lncRNA-protein interactions (LPIs) is vital for elucidating basic cellular processes, human diseases, viral replication, transcription, and plant pathogen resistance. Despite the development of several LPI calculation methods, predicting LPI remains challenging, with the selection of variables and deep learning structure being the focus of LPI research. METHODS: We propose a deep learning framework called AR-LPI, which extracts sequence and secondary structure features of proteins and lncRNAs. The framework utilizes an auto-encoder for feature extraction and employs SE-ResNet for prediction. Additionally, we apply transfer learning to the deep neural network SE-ResNet for predicting small-sample datasets. RESULTS: Through comprehensive experimental comparison, we demonstrate that the AR-LPI architecture performs better in LPI prediction. Specifically, the accuracy of AR-LPI increases by 2.86% to 94.52%, while the F-value of AR-LPI increases by 2.71% to 94.73%. CONCLUSION: Our experimental results show that the overall performance of AR-LPI is better than that of other LPI prediction tools.