Arming Amorphous NiMoO4 on Nickel Phosphide Enables Highly Stable Alkaline Seawater Oxidation.

Seawater electrolysis holds tremendous promise for the generation of green hydrogen (H2). However, the system of seawater-to-H2 faces significant hurdles, primarily due to the corrosive effects of chlorine compounds, which can cause severe anodic deterioration. Here, a nickel phosphide nanosheet array with amorphous NiMoO4 layer on Ni foam (Ni2P@NiMoO4/NF) is reported as a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline seawater. Such Ni2P@NiMoO4/NF requires overpotentials of just 343 and 370 mV to achieve industrial-level current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm-2, respectively, surpassing that of Ni2P/NF (470 and 555 mV). Furthermore, it maintains consistent electrolysis for over 500 h, a significant improvement compared to that of Ni2P/NF (120 h) and Ni(OH)2/NF (65 h). Electrochemical in situ Raman spectroscopy, stability testing, and chloride extraction analysis reveal that is situ formed MoO4 2-/PO4 3- from Ni2P@NiMoO4 during the OER test to the electrode surface, thus effectively repelling Cl- and hindering the formation of harmful ClO-.

A-type proanthocyanidins: Sources, structure, bioactivity, processing, nutrition, and potential applications.

A-type proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a subgroup of PAs that differ from B-type PAs by the presence of an ether bond between two consecutive constitutive units. This additional C-O-C bond gives them a more stable and hydrophobic character. They are of increasing interest due to their potential multiple nutritional effects with low toxicity in food processing and supplement development. They have been identified in several plants. However, the role of A-type PAs, especially their complex polymeric form (degree of polymerization and linkage), has not been specifically discussed and explored. Therefore, recent advances in the physicochemical and structural changes of A-type PAs and their functional properties during extraction, processing, and storing are evaluated. In addition, discussions on the sources, structures, bioactivities, potential applications in the food industry, and future research trends of their derivatives are highlighted. Litchis, cranberries, avocados, and persimmons are all favorable plant sources. Α-type PAs contribute directly or indirectly to human nutrition via the regulation of different degrees of polymerization and bonding types. Thermal processing could have a negative impact on the amount and structure of A-type PAs in the food matrix. More attention should be focused on nonthermal technologies that could better preserve their architecture and structure. The diversity and complexity of these compounds, as well as the difficulty in isolating and purifying natural A-type PAs, remain obstacles to their further applications. A-type PAs have received widespread acceptance and attention in the food industry but have not yet achieved their maximum potential for the future of food. Further research and development are therefore needed.

Dense-Packed RuO2 Nanorods with In Situ Generated Metal Vacancies Loaded on SnO2 Nanocubes for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer with Ultra-Low Noble Metal Loading.

Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) is a green hydrogen production technology that can be coupled with intermittent power sources such as wind and photoelectric power. To achieve cost-effective operations, low noble metal loading on the anode catalyst layer is desired. In this study, a catalyst with RuO2 nanorods coated outside SnO2 nanocubes is designed, which forms continuous networks and provides high conductivity. This allows for the reduction of Ru contents in catalysts. Furthermore, the structure evolutions on the RuO2 surface are carefully investigated. The etched RuO2 surfaces are seen as the consequence of Co leaching, and theoretical calculations demonstrate that it is more effective in driving oxygen evolution. For electrochemical tests, the catalysts with 23 wt% Ru exhibit an overpotential of 178 mV at 10 mA cm-2 , which is much higher than most state-of-art oxygen evolution catalysts. In a practical PEMWE, the noble metal Ru loading on the anode side is only 0.3 mg cm-2 . The cell achieves 1.61 V at 1 A cm-2 and proper stability at 500 mA cm-2 , demonstrating the effectiveness of the designed catalyst.

Plant leaf proanthocyanidins: from agricultural production by-products to potential bioactive molecules.

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a class of polymers composed of flavan-3-ol units that have a variety of bioactivities, and could be applied as natural biologics in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. PAs are widely found in fruit and vegetables (F&Vegs) and are generally extracted from their flesh and peel. To reduce the cost of extraction and increase the number of commercially viable sources of PAs, it is possible to exploit the by-products of plants. Leaves are major by-products of agricultural production of F&Vegs, and although their share has not been accurately quantified. They make up no less than 20% of the plant and leaves might be an interesting resource at different stages during production and processing. The specific structural PAs in the leaves of various plants are easily overlooked and are notably characterized by their stable content and degree of polymerization. This review examines the existing data on the effects of various factors (e.g. processing conditions, and environment, climate, species, and maturity) on the content and structure of leaf PAs, and highlights their bioactivity (e.g. antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-obesity activity), as well as their interactions with gut microbiota and other biomolecules (e.g. polysaccharides and proteins). Future research is also needed to focus on their precise extraction, bioactivity of high-polymer native or modified PAs and better application type.

The Leaf proanthocyanidins (LPAs) are mostly oligomeric procyanidins, with a small proportion of leaves containing A-type procyanidins.Foliage is a sustainable source of PAs.LPAs are a potential source of valuable bioactive compounds.The content, structure, extraction and identification and bio-activity of LPAs are discussed.Processing improvement is beneficial to enhance the production of LPA.

Self-assembly of H2S-responsive nanoprodrugs based on natural rhein and geraniol for targeted therapy against Salmonella Typhimurium.

Salmonellosis is a globally extensive food-borne disease, which threatens public health and results in huge economic losses in the world annually. The rising prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella poses a significant global concern, emphasizing an imperative to identify novel therapeutic agents or methodologies to effectively combat this predicament. In this study, self-assembly hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-responsive nanoprodrugs were fabricated with poly(α-lipoic acid)-polyethylene glycol grafted rhein and geraniol (PPRG), self-assembled into core-shell nanoparticles via electrostatic, hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions, with hydrophilic exterior and hydrophobic interior. The rhein and geraniol are released from self-assembly nanoprodrugs PPRG in response to Salmonella infection, which is known to produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S). PPRG demonstrated stronger antibacterial activity against Salmonella compared with rhein or geraniol alone in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, PPRG was also able to suppress the inflammation and modulate gut microbiota homeostasis. In conclusion, the as-prepared self-assembly nanoprodrug sheds new light on the design of natural product active ingredients and provides new ideas for exploring targeted therapies for specific Enteropathogens. Graphical  illustration for construction of self-assembly nanoprodrugs PPRG and its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities on experimental Salmonella infection in mice.

Advances in green solvents for production of polysaccharide-based packaging films: Insights of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents.

The problems with plastic materials and the good film-forming properties of polysaccharides motivated research in the development of polysaccharide-based films. In the last 5 years, there has been an explosion of publications on using green solvents, including ionic liquids (ILs), and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as candidates to substitute the conventional solvents/plasticizers for preparations of desired polysaccharide-based films. This review summarizes related properties and recovery of ILs and DESs, a series of green preparation strategies (including pretreatment solvents/reaction media, ILs/DESs as components, extraction solvents of bioactive compounds added into films), and inherent properties of polysaccharide-based films with/without ILs and DESs. Major reported advantages of these new solvents are high dissolving capacity of certain ILs/DESs for polysaccharides (i.e., up to 30 wt% for cellulose) and better plasticizing ability than traditional plasticizers. In addition, they frequently display intrinsic antioxidant and antibacterial activities that facilitate ILs/DESs applications in the processing of polysaccharide-based films (especially active food packaging films). ILs/DESs in the film could also be further recycled by water or ethanol/methanol treatment followed by drying/evaporation. One particularly promising approach is to use bioactive cholinium-based ILs and DESs with good safety and plasticizing ability to improve the functional properties of prepared films. Whole extracts by ILs/DESs from various byproducts can also be directly used in films without separation/polishing of compounds from the extracting agents. Scaling-up, including costs and environmental footprint, as well as the safety and applications in real foods of polysaccharide-based film with ILs/DESs (extracts) deserves more studies.

Reactivity of flavanols: Their fate in physical food processing and recent advances in their analysis by depolymerization.

Flavanols, a subgroup of polyphenols, are secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties naturally produced in various plants (e.g., green tea, cocoa, grapes, and apples); they are a major polyphenol class in human foods and beverages, and have recognized effect on maintaining human health. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate their changes (i.e., oxidation, polymerization, degradation, and epimerization) during various physical processing (i.e., heating, drying, mechanical shearing, high-pressure, ultrasound, and radiation) to improve the nutritional value of food products. However, the roles of flavanols, in particular for their polymerized forms, are often underestimated, for a large part because of analytical challenges: they are difficult to extract quantitatively, and their quantification demands chemical reactions. This review examines the existing data on the effects of different physical processing techniques on the content of flavanols and highlights the changes in epimerization and degree of polymerization, as well as some of the latest acidolysis methods for proanthocyanidin characterization and quantification. More and more evidence show that physical processing can affect content but also modify the structure of flavanols by promoting a series of internal reactions. The most important reactivity of flavanols in processing includes oxidative coupling and rearrangements, chain cleavage, structural rearrangements (e.g., polymerization, degradation, and epimerization), and addition to other macromolecules, that is, proteins and polysaccharides. Some acidolysis methods for the analysis of polymeric proanthocyanidins have been updated, which has contributed to complete analysis of proanthocyanidin structures in particular regarding their proportion of A-type proanthocyanidins and their degree of polymerization in various plants. However, future research is also needed to better extract and characterize high-polymer proanthocyanidins, whether in their native or modified forms.

Dietary pectic substances enhance gut health by its polycomponent: A review.

Pectic substances, one of the cell wall polysaccharides, exist widespread in vegetables and fruits. A surge of recent research has revealed that pectic substances can inhibit gut inflammation and relieve inflammatory bowel disease symptoms. However, physiological functions of pectins are strongly structure dependent. Pectic substances are essentially heteropolysaccharides composed of homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan backbones substituted by various neutral sugar sidechains. Subtle changes in the architecture of pectic substances may remarkably influence the nutritional function of gut microbiota and the host homeostasis of immune system. In this context, developing a structure-function understanding of how pectic substances have an impact on an inflammatory bowel is of primary importance for diet therapy and new drugs. Therefore, the present review has summarized the polycomponent nature of pectic substances, the activities of different pectic polymers, the effects of molecular characteristics and the underlying mechanisms of pectic substances. The immunomodulated property of pectic substances depends on not only the chemical composition but also the physical structure characteristics, such as molecular weight (Mw ) and chain conformation. The potential mechanisms by which pectic substances exert their protective effects are mainly reversing the disordered gut microbiota, regulating immune cells, enhancing barrier function, and inhibiting pathogen adhesion. The manipulation of pectic substances on gut health is sophisticated, and the link between structural specificity of pectins and selective regulation needs further exploration.

Ablation of glutaredoxin 1 promotes pulmonary angiogenesis and alveolar formation in hyperoxia-injured lungs by modifying HIF-1α stability and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.

Glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) is an important thiol transferase that catalyses the deglutathionylation of proteins through its active site. Deletion of Grx1 increases levels of glutathione-protein adducts and improves ischaemic revascularization. In this study, we investigated whether the absence of Grx1 ameliorates pathological changes in blood vessels and alveoli in a mouse model exposed to hyperoxic conditions. High oxygen exposure for three consecutive weeks increased the levels of Grx1 in the lungs of hyperoxic mice from control levels, while Grx1 levels in Grx1 knockout (KO) mice were significantly reduced under high oxygen conditions. Exposure to 85% oxygen for 21 days reduced alveolarization in wild-type (WT) mice but increased the numbers of alveoli and the survival rate of Grx1 KO littermates. Importantly, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expressions were increased in Grx1 KO mice after hyperoxia treatment, and these effects were probably attributable to increased hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression. On the other hand, in response to nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibition by Grx1 ablation, chemokine and caspase-3 levels were reduced, although the Bcl-2:Bax ratio was increased. Here, we provide evidence that Grx1 plays an important role in regulating pathological damage under hyperoxic conditions by promoting HIF-1α stability and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway in vivo. Our study highlights the functional importance of the Grx1/protein S-glutathionylation (PSSG) redox module in the regulation of ischaemic revascularization, indicating potential clinical and therapeutic applications.

Selenium-silicon (Se-Si) induced modulations in physio-biochemical responses, grain yield, quality, aroma formation and lodging in fragrant rice.

Fragrant rice is a high-valued quality rice type which is gaining much popularity over the globe due to its better cooking qualities and special aromatic characteristics. Selenium (Se) and silicon (Si) could improve the growth and yield of rice; however, the combine effects of Se and Si (Se-Si treatments) on rice grain quality, aroma and lodging in fragrant rice were rarely investigated. The pot and field experiments were conducted with two fragrant rice cultivars i.e., Xiangyaxiangzhan and Yuxiangyouzhan, grown under three Se levels i.e., 0, 120, and 240 mg kg-1 of soil (for pot experiment) and 0, 300, and 600 kg ha-1 (for field experiment) regarded as LSe, MSe and HSe, respectively and two Si levels i.e., 0 and 60 mg kg-1 of soil (for pot experiment) and 0 and 150 kg ha-1 (for field experiment) regarded as -Si and +Si, respectively. Results depicted that the Se-Si treatments regulated head rice yield, grain yield and yield related traits and the HSe+Si treatment sustainably improved the grain yield and head rice yield by regulating plant growth, antioxidant response and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in fragrant rice. The Se-Si treatments also improved the grain 2AP contents owing to regulation in the proline, pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) contents. Besides, Se-Si treatments also regulated the grain quality attributes and influenced the plant Se contents. Moreover, the Si mitigated Se-induced lodging resulted from changes in the lodging parameters i.e., lodging index, fresh weight per tiller, pushing resistance force, plant height and bending moment. Overall, the Se and Si application improved the grain yield and regulated the dry weight accumulation, antioxidant attributes and quality attributes. Meanwhile, the Si application mitigated the negative effect of Se-induced lodging in fragrant rice.

Interactions between cell wall polysaccharides and polyphenols: Effect of molecular internal structure.

Cell wall polysaccharides (CPSs) and polyphenols are major constituents of the dietary fiber complex in plant-based foods. Their digestion (by gut microbiota) and bioefficacy depend not only on their structure and quantity, but also on their intermolecular interactions. The composition and structure of these compounds vary with their dietary source (i.e., fruit or vegetable of origin) and can be further modified by food processing. Various components and structures of CPSs and polyphenols have been observed to demonstrate common and characteristic behaviors during interactions. However, at a fundamental level, the mechanisms that ultimately drive these interactions are still not fully understood. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the internal factors that influence CPS-polyphenol interactions, describes the different ways in which these interactions can be mediated by molecular composition or structure, and introduces the main methods for the analysis of these interactions, as well as the mechanisms involved. Furthermore, a comprehensive overview is provided of recent key findings in the area of CPS-polyphenol interactions. It is becoming clear that these interactions are shaped by a multitude of factors, the most important of which are the physicochemical properties of the partners: their morphology (surface area and porosity/pore shape), chemical composition (sugar ratio, solubility, and non-sugar components), and molecular architecture (molecular weight, degree of esterification, functional groups, and conformation). An improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive interactions between CPSs and polyphenols may allow us to better establish a bridge between food processing and the bioavailability of colonic fermentation products from CPSs and antioxidant polyphenols, which could ultimately lead to the development of new guidelines for the design of healthier and more nutritious foods.

Biodegradation of dibenzothiophene by efficient Pseudomonas sp. LKY-5 with the production of a biosurfactant.

A potent bacterial strain capable of degrading dibenzothiophene (DBT) was isolated and evaluated for its characteristics. The strain, designated as LKY-5, is rod-shaped, gram-negative, and occurs mainly in clusters. It was identified as belonging to the Pseudomonas genus based on the 16S rDNA sequence and phylogenic analysis. Determination of its DBT depletion efficiency by gas chromatography revealed that the isolate was able to completely degrade up to 100 mg L-1 DBT within 144 h. The pH values, DBT concentrations, and biomasses in the medium varied significantly in the initial 24 h. A biosurfactant produced by LKY-5 was extracted and identified as a di-rhamnolipid with the formula Rha-Rha-C8-C8:1 by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. There were 26 metabolites in the DBT degradation process. Pseudomonas sp. LKY-5 exhibited unusually high DBT degradation efficiency via multiple metabolic pathways. Compared with the reported 4S and Kodama pathways, two more expanded metabolic pathways for the degradation of DBT are proposed. The polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASHs) in diesel, such as C1-DBT, C2-DBT, C3-DBT, 4,6-DMDBT, and 2,4,6-TMDBT, can also be degraded with 28.2-42.3% efficiency. The results showed that LKY-5 is an excellent bacterial candidate for the bioremediation of PASH-contaminated sites and sediments.

Raman and Visible-Near Infrared Spectra of Cu(InGa)Se2 Films.

Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2(CIGS) precursor films were prepared on ITO glass with potentiostatic electrodeposition. High quality CIGS films were obtained by selenization of the precursor films at high temperature in tubular furnace full of argon gas. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure, morphology, composition and Vis-NIR absorption of CIGS films, respectively. XRD results show the selenized CIGS films have a preferential orientation (112) with average crystallite of 24.7 nm. Raman spectroscopy reveals that the CIGS films are pure quaternaryphases with chalcopyrite structure, and without binary or ternary phases in the films. Vis-NIR measurements determine that the bandgap of CIGS increases with the increase of Ga concentration in the film. When the Ga concentration is 5.41%, its bandgap is about 1.11 eV, and the calculated ratio of Ga to (Ga+In) is 16.3%, which is less than the ratio of Ga to (Ga+In), 21.4%, measured by SEM. This indicates that crystallinity of CIGS filmsneeds to be further improved. All the measurements demonstratethat optimum ITO/CIGS has a promising application in bifacial solar cells. In this paper, we provide a newmethodtoelectrodeposit low cost CIGS precursor films and a new method forselenization ofthe precursor films at high temperature. As a result, theuniform and compact CIGS films with good adhesion on ITO are successfully fabricated by these methods. The above characterization show that we have obtained CIGS films with high crystallinity, near stoichiometry, few impurity phases and superior light absorption. Electrodeposition, like magnetron sputtering, is very suitable for large-scale industrial production. The research work in this paper is therefore important and considerable to massive production of electrodeposition of CIGS films.

Raman and Visible-Near Infrared Spectra of Cu(InGa)Se2 Films.

Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2(CIGS) precursor films were prepared on ITO glass with potentiostatic electrodeposition. High quality CIGS films were obtained by selenization of the precursor films at high temperature in tubular furnace full of argon gas. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure, morphology, composition and Vis-NIR absorption of CIGS films, respectively. XRD results show the selenized CIGS films have a preferential orientation (112) with average crystallite of 24.7 nm. Raman spectroscopy reveals that the CIGS films are pure quaternaryphases with chalcopyrite structure, and without binary or ternary phases in the films. Vis-NIR measurements determine that the bandgap of CIGS increases with the increase of Ga concentration in the film. When the Ga concentration is 5.41%, its bandgap is about 1.11 eV, and the calculated ratio of Ga to (Ga+In) is 16.3%, which is less than the ratio of Ga to (Ga+In), 21.4%, measured by SEM. This indicates that crystallinity of CIGS filmsneeds to be further improved. All the measurements demonstratethat optimum ITO/CIGS has a promising application in bifacial solar cells. In this paper, we provide a newmethodtoelectrodeposit low cost CIGS precursor films and a new method forselenization ofthe precursor films at high temperature. As a result, theuniform and compact CIGS films with good adhesion on ITO are successfully fabricated by these methods. The above characterization show that we have obtained CIGS films with high crystallinity, near stoichiometry, few impurity phases and superior light absorption. Electrodeposition, like magnetron sputtering, is very suitable for large-scale industrial production. The research work in this paper is therefore important and considerable to massive production of electrodeposition of CIGS films.

Comprehensive insights into the effects of acidogenic off-gas utilization on successive biogas production, microbial community structure and metabolite distribution during two-stage anaerobic digestion.

Although two-stage anaerobic digestion (TSAD) technology has been investigated, the mechanisms regarding the impact of acidogenic off-gas (AOG) on successive methane production have not been well addressed. In this study, a novel TSAD system was designed. Food waste, as the main substrate, was co-digested with chicken manure and corn straw. The acidogenic gas beyond atmospheric pressure was introduced into the bottom of the methanogenesis reactor through a stainless steel diffuser. Results showed the addition of AOG increased the methane yield from 435.2 to 597.1 mL/g VSin in successive methanogenesis stage, improved by 37.2 %, and increased the energy yield from 9.0 to 11.3 kJ/g VSsubstrate. However, the theoretical contribution of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis using H2 contained in AOG was only 15.2 % of the increased methane yield. After the addition of AOG, the decreased levels of ammonia nitrogen and butyrate indicate that the stability of the AD system was improved. The electron transfer system and co-enzyme F420 activity were enhanced; however, the decrease in acetate kinase activity indicates aceticlastic methanogenesis may have been weakened. The microbial diversity and species richness were improved by the added AOG. Methanosarcina was more competitive than Methanothermobacter, enhancing the syntrophic effect. The relative abundance of protein degradation bacteria norank_f_Anaerolineaceae and lipid degradation bacteria Syntrophomonas was increased. Metabolite analysis confirmed that the addition of AOG promoted amino acid metabolism, the biosynthesis of other secondary metabolism and lipid metabolism. The improved degradation of recalcitrant organic components (lipids and proteins) in food waste was responsible for the increased methane yield. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the impact of AOG utilization on successive methane production and has practical implications for the treatment of food waste.

Insight into the multi-scale structure and retrogradation of corn starch by partial gelatinization synergizing with epicatechin/epigallocatechin gallate.

Starch retrogradation is of great importance to the quality of starch-based food. This study investigated the effect of partial gelatinization (PG) synergizing with polyphenol (epicatechin, EC; epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG) on the multi-scale structure and short/long-term retrogradation of corn starch (CS). The PG synergizing with EC/EGCG substantially suppressed the short/long-term retrogradation properties of CS. These could be confirmed by the decreased storage modulus and viscosity, the relative crystallinity (1.54%, 3.56%), and the retrogradation degree (9.99%, 20.18%) of CS during storage for 1, 14 days after PG synergizing with EGCG and EC, respectively. This is because PG treatment promoted the hydrogen bond interaction between disordered starch molecules and EC/EGCG. These were proven by the larger aggregation, more and brighter fluorescents, and the reduced long/short-range order structures in CS after PG synergizing with EC/EGCG. This study is helpful for the development of foods with enhanced nutrition and low-retrogradation.

Mendelian randomization analysis demonstrates the causal effects of IGF family members in diabetes.

Background: Observational studies have consistently shown significant associations between the IGF family and metabolic diseases, including diabetes. However, these associations can be influenced by confounding factors and reverse causation. This study aimed to assess the causal relationship between the IGF family and diabetes using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: We conducted a two-sample MR analysis to investigate the causal effects of the IGF family on diabetes. Instrumental variables for the IGF family and diabetes were derived from summary-level statistics obtained from genome-wide association studies. Horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using MR-Egger regression and the weighted median method. We applied the inverse-variance weighted method as part of the conventional MR analysis to evaluate the causal impact of the IGF family on diabetes risk. To test the robustness of the results, we also employed MR-Egger regression, the weighted median method, and a leave-one-out analysis. Results: Our study revealed that IGF-1 causally increases the risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), while IGFBP-6, adiponectin and INSR decreases the risk (IGF-1, OR 1.02 [95% CI 1-1.03], p = 0.01; IGFBP-6, OR 0.92 [95% CI 0.87-0.98], p = 0.01; Adiponectin, OR 0.837 [95% CI 0.721-0.970], p = 0.018; INSR, OR 0.910 [95% CI 0.872-0.950], p = 1.52 × 10-5). Additionally, genetically lower levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-5, along with higher levels of IGFBP-7, were associated with an increased risk of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) (IGF-1, OR 0.981 [95% CI 0.963-0.999], p = 0.037; IGFBP-5, OR 0.882 [95% CI 0.778-0.999], p = 0.049; IGFBP-7, OR 1.103 [95% CI 1.008-1.206], p = 0.033). Conclusion: In summary, our investigation has unveiled causal relationships between specific IGF family members and T1D and T2D through MR analysis. Generally, the IGF family appears to reduce the risk of T1D, but it presents a more complex and controversial role in the context of T2D. These findings provide compelling evidence that T2D is intricately linked with developmental impairment. Our study results offer fresh insights into the pathogenesis and the significance of serum IGF family member concentrations in assessing diabetes risk.

Allergen sensitization study in Dongying, China: An epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: To explore the relationship between specific immunoglobulin E levels in response to prevalent pollen and food allergens among patients suffering from localized allergic diseases in the Dongying area of China, and to analyze the interconnectivity among these factors. METHODS: This research encompassed allergic patients who visited the Allergy Department of Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital from January 2022 to January 2023. We examined the specific immunoglobulin E levels in the blood of 230 patients utilizing the Fobock platform provided by Jiangsu Haoeubo Company. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS 25.0 statistical software. The chi-square test evaluated the relevance of differences in gender and age. A value of P < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In this study, eggs emerged as the allergen with the highest number of sensitized individuals, closely followed by dust mite. Conversely, the least sensitized allergen was the cypress tree, closely followed by mango. Notably, male patients exhibited higher sensitivities to cottonwood (P < .05) and egg (P < .001) compared to female patients. Children aged 0 to 10 years showed increased sensitivity to variety of allergens. A significant correlation was observed among different allergens. The top ten allergen pairs with the highest correlation included Birch Tree and Cottonwood (0.88, P < .001), Cottonwood and Pine Tree (0.86, P < .001), Birch Tree and Pine Tree (0.84, P < .001), Pine Tree and Paulownia (0.81, P < .001), Dust Mite and House Dust Mite (0.76, P < .001), Birch Tree and Paulownia (0.73, P < .001), Cashew and Pistachio (0.71, P < .001), Apple and Hazelnut (0.71, P < .001), Cottonwood and Paulownia (0.71, P < .001), and Pine Tree and Ordinary Ragweed (0.70, P < .001). CONCLUSION: This research sheds light on the patterns of allergen sensitization in Dongying, Shandong, highlighting that egg is the most prevalent sensitizing allergen. A notably high correlation was observed between Birch Tree and Cottonwood. This study enhanced the understanding of allergic diseases, explored the causes and mechanisms of allergies, strengthened the management of allergic diseases. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights for the clinical diagnosis and prevention of allergic diseases.

Multi-frequency ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction of coconut paring oil from coconut by-products: Impact on the yield, physicochemical properties, and emulsion stability.

Extraction of coconut paring oil (CPO) from processing by-products adds value to the product and reduces resource wastage. This study aims to assess the impact of 20 kHz, 20/80 kHz and 20/40/80 kHz of multi-frequency ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction (MFUAEE) on the yield, physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and emulsion stability of CPO derived from wet coconut parings (WCP). Results revealed that the CPO extraction yield with MFUAEE was 32.58 % - 43.31 % higher compared to AEE. The tri-frequency 20/40/80 kHz mode of multi-frequency ultrasound pretreatment exhibited the highest CPO extraction yield (70.08 %). The oil extracted through MFUAEE displayed similar fatty acid profiles to AEE, but had lower peroxide value, K232 and K270 values. Particularly, MFUAEE oil contained higher total phenolic content and exhibited potent DPPH free radical scavenging capacity. Results observed by SEM indicated that the pretreatment with multi-frequency ultrasound more efficiently disrupts the cellular structure of the WCP. Additionally, MFUAEE enhanced emulsion stability through the cavitation effect of ultrasound. These findings suggest that MFUAEE is a valuable approach for method for obtaining CPO with elevated extraction yield and superior quality, thereby enhancing the utilization of coconut by-products.

Gallic acid forms V-amylose complex structure with starch through hydrophobic interaction.

This study aimed to investigate the role of amylose and amylopectin in the formation of starch-polyphenol complex and elucidate the interaction mechanisms. Gallic acid (GA) was used to complex with maize starch with various amylose contents. Results showed GA formed V-type crystals with normal maize starch (NMS) and high amylose maize starch (HAMS), while higher relative crystallinity was exhibited in HAMS-GA complexes than NMS counterparts. Molecular structure analysis revealed more amylose in GA-starch complexes than in treated starch counterparts without GA, and this was more apparent in HAMS than NMS, implying amylose is preferred to complex with GA than amylopectin. FTIR detected higher R1047/1022 value in starch-GA complexes than their starch counterparts without GA, suggesting increased short-range ordered structrure of complexes. Typical signatures of hydrophobic interactions were further revealed by isothermal titration calorimetry, indicating the complexation of GA to starch is mainly through hydrophobic bonds. More binding sites were observed for HAMS (72.50) than NMS (11.33), which proves the preferences of amylose to bind with GA. Molecular dynamics simulated the complexation of GA to amylose, and confirmed hydrophobic bond is the main interaction force. These findings would provide guidance for precise design and utilization of starch-polyphenol complexes in functional foods.