Widespread Expansion of Protein Interaction Capabilities by Alternative Splicing.

While alternative splicing is known to diversify the functional characteristics of some genes, the extent to which protein isoforms globally contribute to functional complexity on a proteomic scale remains unknown. To address this systematically, we cloned full-length open reading frames of alternatively spliced transcripts for a large number of human genes and used protein-protein interaction profiling to functionally compare hundreds of protein isoform pairs. The majority of isoform pairs share less than 50% of their interactions. In the global context of interactome network maps, alternative isoforms tend to behave like distinct proteins rather than minor variants of each other. Interaction partners specific to alternative isoforms tend to be expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner and belong to distinct functional modules. Our strategy, applicable to other functional characteristics, reveals a widespread expansion of protein interaction capabilities through alternative splicing and suggests that many alternative "isoforms" are functionally divergent (i.e., "functional alloforms").

Differences in patient-reported and clinical characteristics by age group in adults with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The global burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is growing, and the age of onset is widening, resulting in increasing numbers of young adults and elderly patients with T2D. Age-specific diabetes care needs have yet to be fully explored. AIMS: This study examined (1) differences in patient-reported and clinical characteristics by age group and (2) the effect of age on two proxy measures assessing psychological health and self-care adherence after adjusting for potential mediators. METHODS: A cross-sectional, correlational design was used. Adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were recruited from a university hospital in Korea between 2019 and 2020. Participants were divided into four groups based on years of age (40s and younger group [n = 27]; 50s group [n = 47]; 60s group [n = 54]; and 70s and older group [n = 48]) to compare patient-reported and clinical characteristics. Chi-square tests, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and logistic regression analysis were performed to assess group differences and effect of age on psychological health and self-care adherence. RESULTS: Of 178 participants, two-thirds were men (n = 114; 64.41%). The mean ages in the 40s and younger, 50s, 60s, and 70s and older groups were 39.4, 54.7, 63.9, and 76.0 years, respectively. There were significant differences in patient-reported and clinical characteristics by age group. The youngest group reported the poorest psychological health and self-care behaviors. Although the oldest group showed the poorest physical functioning, this group also showed the highest self-care adherence and the best psychological health. Regarding clinical characteristics, traditional diabetes-related blood test results showed no significant group differences. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Age-specific diabetes care needs were identified in adults with T2D. Interventions to improve psychological health and priming effects of behavioral adherence need to be developed. Furthermore, meticulous investigation to detect potential complications early is essential in adults with T2D.

In situ reversible tuning of chemical interface damping in mesoporous silica-coated gold nanorods via direct adsorption and removal of thiol.

Chemical interface damping (CID) is a recently proposed plasmon decay channel in gold nanoparticles. However, thus far, a very limited number of studies have focused on controlling CID in single gold nanoparticles. Herein, we describe a new simple method for reversible tuning of CID in single gold nanorods coated with a mesoporous silica shell (AuNRs@mSiO2). We used 1-alkanethiols with two different carbon chain lengths (1-butanethiol and 1-decanethiol) as adsorbates to induce CID. In addition, NaBH4 solution was used to remove the attached thiol from the AuNR surface. We confirmed the adsorption and removal of 1-alkanethiols on single AuNRs@mSiO2 and the corresponding changes in localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak wavelengths and linewidths. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of immersion time in NaBH4 solution on thiol removal from AuNRs@mSiO2. Therefore, the LSPR properties and CID can be controlled, thereby paving the way for in situ reversible tuning of CID by repeated adsorption and desorption of thiol molecules on single AuNRs@mSiO2.

Impact of Sarcopenia on Percutaneous Epidural Balloon Neuroplasty in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background and Objectives: With the aging population, the incidence of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is increasing. Sarcopenia is an age-related muscular decrease. Although epidural balloon neuroplasty is effective in patients with LSS refractory to conventional treatments, its effect has not been assessed in patients with sarcopenia. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of epidural balloon neuroplasty in patients with LSS and sarcopenia. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the following details from the electronic medical records: patient characteristics, including sex, age, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, stenosis grading, pain duration, location, pain intensity, and medications. Back and leg pain intensity was evaluated before and after the procedure at one, three, and six months during the follow-up period. A generalized estimating equations model was used at six months follow-up. Patients were divided into sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups using the cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle at the level of L3 on magnetic resonance imaging. Results: A total of 477 patients were included (sarcopenia group: 314 patients, 65.8%; non-sarcopenia group: 163 patients, 34.2%). Age, sex, body mass index, and medication quantification scale III were statistically different between both groups. The generalized estimating equations analyses-with unadjusted and adjusted estimation-revealed a significantly reduced pain intensity after the procedure compared to the baseline in both groups. The difference in pain intensity between both groups was not statistically different. Conclusions: Percutaneous epidural balloon neuroplasty may be considered for patients with chronic lumbar LSS regardless of accompanying sarcopenia.

Natural variation in rice ascorbate peroxidase gene APX9 is associated with a yield-enhancing QTL cluster.

We previously identified a cluster of yield-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) including plant height in CR4379, a near-isogenic line from a cross between Oryza sativa spp. japonica cultivar 'Hwaseong' and the wild relative Oryza rufipogon. Map-based cloning and transgenic approaches revealed that APX9, which encodes an l-ascorbate peroxidase 4, is associated with this cluster. A 3 bp InDel was observed leading to the addition of a valine in Hwaseong compared with O. rufipogon. APX9-overexpressing transgenic plants in the Hwaseong background were taller than Hwaseong. Consistent with these results, APX9 T-DNA insertion mutants in the japonica cultivar Dongjin were shorter. These results confirm that APX9 is the causal gene for the QTL cluster. Sequence analysis of APX9 from 303 rice accessions revealed that the 3 bp InDel clearly differentiates japonica (APX9HS) and O. rufipogon (APX9OR) alleles. indica accessions shared both alleles, suggesting that APX9HS was introgressed into indica followed by crossing. The finding that O. rufipogon accessions with different origins carry APX9OR suggests that the 3 bp insertion was specifically selected in japonica during its domestication. Our findings demonstrate that APX9 acts as a major regulator of plant development by controlling a valuable suite of agronomically important traits in rice.

Physiological and biochemical response of different resistant alfalfa cultivars against thrips damage.

To investigate physiological and biochemical changes of thrips-resistant alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Gan-nong No. 9), we aimed at clarifying the response mechanisms of alfalfa against thrips. Medicago sativa L. cv. including thrips-resistant Gan-nong No.9 (G9), thrips-susceptible Gan-nong No.3 (G3) and highly thrips-susceptible WL363HQ (363) were infested with different thrips densities (3, 5, 7 and 9-thrips per branch). The quantitative change in specific nutrients, secondary metabolites, defensive and antioxidant enzymes were measured at seedling stage of the three alfalfa cultivars. The results showed that with the increase of thrips densities, the damage indices, SS, Pro, flavonoids, tannin and H2O2 in G9, G3 and 363 were significantly increased, but PPO and SOD significantly reduced, compared with CK. Furthermore, the tannin and lignin contents of G9 were significantly higher compared to 363, but SP content was significantly lower than G3 and H2O2 content which was further significantly less compared to 363. Correlation analysis observed that the damage index of the three alfalfa cultivars showed a significant positive association with SS, Pro, flavone, tannin, and H2O2 (P < 0.01), while damage index and DW, Chl (a, b, a + b), PPO and SOD showed a significant negative correlation (P < 0.01). Based on principal component comprehensive evaluation, the 5-thrips adults per branch were the critical inoculation threshold for G9 against thrips injury because the score was - 0.048. These results revealed that thrips damage significantly increased the contents of SS, Pro, flavonoids, tannins and H2O2, as well as significantly declined the activities of PPO and SOD in the three cultivars (P < 0.05), moreover, thrips-resistant G9 markedly accumulated lignin content, POD and CAT activity, inhibited Chl (a + b, b) and SP biosynthesis to resist thrips damage.

A RING-Type E3 Ubiquitin Ligase, OsGW2, Controls Chlorophyll Content and Dark-Induced Senescence in Rice.

Leaf senescence is the final stage of plant development. Many internal and external factors affect the senescence process in rice (Oryza sativa L.). In this study, we identified qCC2, a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for chlorophyll content using a population derived from an interspecific cross between O. sativa (cv. Hwaseong) and Oryza grandiglumis. The O. grandiglumis allele at qCC2 increased chlorophyll content and delayed senescence. GW2 encoding E3 ubiquitin ligase in the qCC2 region was selected as a candidate for qCC2. To determine if GW2 is allelic to qCC2, a gw2-knockout mutant (gw2-ko) was examined using a dark-induced senescence assay. gw2-ko showed delayed leaf senescence in the dark with down-regulated expression of senescence-associated genes (SAGs) and chlorophyll degradation genes (CDGs). The association of the GW2 genotype with the delayed senescence phenotype was confirmed in an F2 population. RNA-seq analysis was conducted to investigate 30-day-old leaf transcriptome dynamics in Hwaseong and a backcross inbred line-CR2002-under dark treatment. This resulted in the identification of genes involved in phytohormone signaling and associated with senescence. These results suggested that transcriptional regulation was associated with delayed senescence in CR2002, and RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase GW2 was a positive regulator of leaf senescence in rice.

CD90(+) stromal cells are the major source of IL-6, which supports cancer stem-like cells and inflammation in colorectal cancer.

IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine increased in CRC and known to directly promote tumor growth. Colonic myofibroblasts/fibroblasts (CMFs or stromal cells) are CD90(+) innate immune cells representing up to 30% of normal colonic mucosal lamina propria cells. They are expanded in CRC tumor stroma, where they also known as a cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Cells of mesenchymal origin, such as normal myofibroblasts/fibroblasts, are known to secrete IL-6; however, their contribution to the increase in IL-6 in CRC and to tumor-promoting inflammation is not well defined. Using in situ, ex vivo and coculture analyses we have demonstrated that the number of IL-6 producing CMFs is increased in CRC (C-CMFs) and they represent the major source of IL-6 in T2-T3 CRC tumors. Activity/expression of stem cell markers-aldehyde dehydrogenase and LGR5- was significantly up-regulated in colon cancer cells (SW480, Caco-2 or HT29) cultured in the presence of conditioned medium from tumor isolated C-CMFs in an IL-6 dependent manner. C-CMF and its derived condition medium, but not normal CMF isolated from syngeneic normal colons, induced differentiation of tumor promoting inflammatory T helper 17 cells (Th17) cell responses in an IL-6 dependent manner. Our study suggests that CD90(+) fibroblasts/myofibroblasts may be the major source of IL-6 in T2-T3 CRC tumors, which supports the stemness of tumor cells and induces an immune adaptive inflammatory response (a.k.a. Th17) favoring tumor growth. Taken together our data supports the notion that IL-6 producing CAFs (a.k.a. C-CMFs) may provide a useful target for treating or preventing CRCs.

Fyn deficiency attenuates renal fibrosis by inhibition of phospho-STAT3.

The hallmark of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis is the accumulation of myofibroblasts and extracellular matrix proteins. Fyn, a member of the Src family of kinases, has diverse biological functions including regulation of mitogenic signaling and proliferation and integrin-mediated interaction. Src family proteins promote pulmonary fibrosis by augmenting transforming growth factor-ß signaling, but their role in renal fibrosis is less understood. We observed upregulation of Fyn in a renal fibrosis model induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction. Upon ureteral obstruction, Fyn-deficient mice exhibited attenuated renal fibrosis relative to wild-type mice. Furthermore, obstruction-induced renal expression of type I collagen, fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 was suppressed. Pharmacologic inhibition of Fyn blocked induction of extracellular matrix proteins in kidney cell lines. Importantly, the attenuation of renal fibrosis by Fyn deficiency was not accompanied by changes in the Smad pathway. Rather, the antifibrotic effect of Fyn deficiency was associated with downregulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Small, interfering RNA targeting STAT3 in Fyn-deficient cells further suppressed α-smooth muscle actin expression, whereas a STAT3 activator partially restored plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression, indicating that STAT3 signaling is critically involved in this process. Thus, Fyn plays an important role in renal fibrosis. Hence, Fyn kinase inhibitors may be therapeutically useful against renal fibrosis.

Four RNA families with functional transient structures.

Protein-coding and non-coding RNA transcripts perform a wide variety of cellular functions in diverse organisms. Several of their functional roles are expressed and modulated via RNA structure. A given transcript, however, can have more than a single functional RNA structure throughout its life, a fact which has been previously overlooked. Transient RNA structures, for example, are only present during specific time intervals and cellular conditions. We here introduce four RNA families with transient RNA structures that play distinct and diverse functional roles. Moreover, we show that these transient RNA structures are structurally well-defined and evolutionarily conserved. Since Rfam annotates one structure for each family, there is either no annotation for these transient structures or no such family. Thus, our alignments either significantly update and extend the existing Rfam families or introduce a new RNA family to Rfam. For each of the four RNA families, we compile a multiple-sequence alignment based on experimentally verified transient and dominant (dominant in terms of either the thermodynamic stability and/or attention received so far) RNA secondary structures using a combination of automated search via covariance model and manual curation. The first alignment is the Trp operon leader which regulates the operon transcription in response to tryptophan abundance through alternative structures. The second alignment is the HDV ribozyme which we extend to the 5' flanking sequence. This flanking sequence is involved in the regulation of the transcript's self-cleavage activity. The third alignment is the 5' UTR of the maturation protein from Levivirus which contains a transient structure that temporarily postpones the formation of the final inhibitory structure to allow translation of maturation protein. The fourth and last alignment is the SAM riboswitch which regulates the downstream gene expression by assuming alternative structures upon binding of SAM. All transient and dominant structures are mapped to our new alignments introduced here.

Transient RNA structure features are evolutionarily conserved and can be computationally predicted.

Functional RNA structures tend to be conserved during evolution. This finding is, for example, exploited by comparative methods for RNA secondary structure prediction that currently provide the state-of-art in terms of prediction accuracy. We here provide strong evidence that homologous RNA genes not only fold into similar final RNA structures, but that their folding pathways also share common transient structural features that have been evolutionarily conserved. For this, we compile and investigate a non-redundant data set of 32 sequences with known transient and final RNA secondary structures and devise a dedicated computational analysis pipeline.

SH3 interactome conserves general function over specific form.

Src homology 3 (SH3) domains bind peptides to mediate protein-protein interactions that assemble and regulate dynamic biological processes. We surveyed the repertoire of SH3 binding specificity using peptide phage display in a metazoan, the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, and discovered that it structurally mirrors that of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We then mapped the worm SH3 interactome using stringent yeast two-hybrid and compared it with the equivalent map for yeast. We found that the worm SH3 interactome resembles the analogous yeast network because it is significantly enriched for proteins with roles in endocytosis. Nevertheless, orthologous SH3 domain-mediated interactions are highly rewired. Our results suggest a model of network evolution where general function of the SH3 domain network is conserved over its specific form.

R-CHIE: a web server and R package for visualizing RNA secondary structures.

Visually examining RNA structures can greatly aid in understanding their potential functional roles and in evaluating the performance of structure prediction algorithms. As many functional roles of RNA structures can already be studied given the secondary structure of the RNA, various methods have been devised for visualizing RNA secondary structures. Most of these methods depict a given RNA secondary structure as a planar graph consisting of base-paired stems interconnected by roundish loops. In this article, we present an alternative method of depicting RNA secondary structure as arc diagrams. This is well suited for structures that are difficult or impossible to represent as planar stem-loop diagrams. Arc diagrams can intuitively display pseudo-knotted structures, as well as transient and alternative structural features. In addition, they facilitate the comparison of known and predicted RNA secondary structures. An added benefit is that structure information can be displayed in conjunction with a corresponding multiple sequence alignments, thereby highlighting structure and primary sequence conservation and variation. We have implemented the visualization algorithm as a web server R-chie as well as a corresponding R package called R4RNA, which allows users to run the software locally and across a range of common operating systems.

Impact of UCP2 polymorphism on long-term exercise-mediated changes in adipocytokines and markers of metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Variations in genes involved in energy expenditure affect aerobic exercise efficiency, but it remains unclear whether the effect of aerobic exercise on adipocytokines is modified by the obesity-associated genotypes in the uncoupling protein 2 gene (UCP2). The purpose of this study was to assess whether genetic variation in UCP2 may affect exercise-mediated changes in adipocytokines and markers of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal obese women. METHODS: Forty-two sedentary postmenopausal obese women (age 52.74 ± 6.39 years) participated in this study. Participants were encouraged to train for 3 days a week, for 6 months, for 60 min per session of treadmill walking/running at 60 % [Formula: see text]. Subjects were genotyped for the 45-bp insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of UCP2. RESULTS: Among the subjects, 23 (57.1 %) and 19 (42.9 %), were deletion homozygotes (DD) and ID heterozygotes, respectively. For DD homozygotes, body weight, body mass index (BMI), % body fat, and waist circumference, and body weight, BMI, and waist circumference of ID heterozygotes, were significantly decreased after the exercise program. There were no significant changes in metabolic markers in individuals with the ID genotype, whereas insulin and HOMA-IR in individuals with the DD genotype were significantly decreased after the exercise program. In DD homozygotes, but not in ID heterozygotes, adiponectin was significantly increased, and leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6 were significantly decreased after exercise training. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise-mediated changes in insulin resistance and adiponectin levels may be affected by genotypes in the 3'UTR I/D polymorphism in UCP2 in postmenopausal obese women.

Effects of resistance training on muscle strength, endurance, and motor unit according to ciliary neurotrophic factor polymorphism in male college students.

Changes in muscle mass and strength across the adult age span are variable and related to the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) genotype. In particular, a single CNTF haplotype (1357 G→A) is important for neuronal and muscular developments and may be associated with muscle strength response to resistance training. We examined whether CNTF genotype differentially influences the effect of resistance training on neuromuscular improvement in male college students. Resistance training of the upper extremities comprised 3 sets at 75%-85% intensity per 1 repetition maximum, 3 times a week, for a total of 8 weeks. We measured isokinetic muscle function of the elbow joint with regard to strength (60°/s) and endurance (180°/s) by using an isokinetic dynamometer. The biceps brachii (BB) and brachioradialis muscles were studied using surface electromyography with spike-triggered averaging to assess surface-detected motor unit potential (SMUP) area. After resistance training, the SMUP of the BB increased significantly at 60°/s (p < 0.05), but no difference in the CNTF genotype was observed. The SMUP of the BB at 180°/s increased significantly in the GG/AA genotype group compared with that in the GA genotype group (p < 0.05). The average power of the elbow flexor at 180°/s increased significantly after resistance training (p < 0.05), but again, no difference in the CNTF genotype was observed. Thus, improvements in muscle strength and endurance may have resulted directly from resistance training rather than from genetic factors related to nerves in muscle tissue. Key PointsResistance training improves muscle strength and endurance in young men.This improvement in muscular strength and endurance is irrespective of CNTF genotypes.

Nutritional Assessment of Protein and Sodium Contents in Commercial Senior-Friendly Foods.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of senior-friendly foods sold in Korea, focusing on protein and sodium. This study examined the nutritional content of 170 products with nutritional labels that were sold in online stores in Korea and categorized the products into 93 staple foods (cooked rice, porridge, and mousse) and 77 side-dish and snack foods (braized·steam·roast products, broth, sauces, and snacks). Then, the adequacy of the nutritional content of these foods, focusing on protein and sodium, was evaluated according to product type. The 93 staple products and 77 side-dish products had average serving sizes of 163.27 g and 127.92 g, prices of $3.25 and $2.72, and energy contents of 295.25 kcal and 141.95 kcal, respectively. For staple foods, the energy content was significantly greater in cooked rice, but the protein content and index of nutrition quality (INQ) were significantly greater in mousse. There were no significant differences in sodium content or contribution to adequate intake (AI) by product type, but the sodium INQ was significantly greater in the mousse and porridge. For side-dish foods and snack products, the protein content, contribution to the recommended intake, and INQ were all significantly greater for the braized·steam·roast products. Sauces and braized·steam·roast products were significantly higher in sodium content and contribution to the AI, while broth was significantly higher in sodium INQ. These findings can be used to guide proper product selection and nutritional management that considers the health characteristics of health-vulnerable and elderly people.

Pain and cognitive function in Korean older adults aged 60 years or more: A retrospective longitudinal study.

To elucidate the relationship between pain and cognitive decline in adults aged ≥60 years using data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging survey. We included 3,287 older adults aged ≥60 years with a Korean Mini-Mental State Examination score ≥24. We assessed the presence of pain and pain interference using self-administered questionnaires. Pain interference was determined based on whether the pain limited the participants' activities of daily living. According to this assessment, participants were categorized as no pain, low-impact pain, and high-impact pain. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and classified into 3 groups: normal, cognitive impairment, and suspected dementia. Potential confounding factors, including pain × survey year, were adjusted in the analyses. We also performed subgroup analyses of participants experiencing pain to elucidate the association between pain interference, suspected dementia, and cognitive impairment. A significant difference in the Mini-Mental State Examination scores was observed between individuals with and without pain (P < .001). Pain remained negatively associated with the Mini-Mental State Examination score through the first to the eighth wave even after adjusting for confounding factors (ß = -1.170, 95 % confidence interval (CI): -0.243, -0.097). Compared to the absence of pain, the presence of pain increased the odds of suspected dementia and cognitive impairment by approximately 1.6 and 1.4 times, respectively (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.26, 1.93; OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.20, 1.54). Compared to low-impact pain, high-impact pain increased the odds of suspected dementia and cognitive impairment by approximately 2.1and 1.5 times, respectively (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.76, 2.56; OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.31, 1.65). Pain was negatively associated with Mini-Mental State Examination scores in Korean older adults aged ≥60 years and increased the odds of suspected dementia and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, individuals with high-impact pain exhibited higher risks of both suspected dementia and cognitive impairment than those with low-impact pain.

Pharmacological inhibition of p300 ameliorates steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

The histone acetyltransferase p300 plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and cellular phenotype through epigenetic mechanisms. It significantly influences lipid metabolism, which is a key factor in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), by modulating the transcription of genes involved in lipid synthesis and accumulation. This study aimed to investigate the protective potential of inhibiting p300 in NASH. Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 4 weeks to induce NASH, and during this period, the p300 inhibitor C646 (10 mg/kg) was administered three times a week. C646 treatment reduced the elevation of p300 expression and histone H3 acetylation, leading to a decrease in liver injury markers in the serum and an improvement in the histological abnormalities observed in MCD diet-fed mice. C646 also reduced lipid accumulation by modulating de novo lipogenesis and suppressed inflammation, including cytokine overproduction and macrophage infiltration. Furthermore, C646 mitigated liver fibrosis and myofibroblast accumulation. This protective effect was achieved through the inhibition of apoptosis by reducing p53 and Bax expression and the suppression of ferroptosis by decreasing lipid peroxidation while enhancing antioxidant defenses. Additionally, C646 alleviated endoplasmic reticulum stress, as evidenced by the downregulation of unfolded protein response signaling molecules. These results highlight the potential of p300 as a therapeutic target for NASH.

Effects of Edible Insect Powders as Meat Partial Substitute on Physicochemical Properties and Storage Stability of Pork Patties.

In this study, physicochemical and antioxidant properties, and storage stability (1, 3, and 7 days) of pork patties added with edible insect powders (EIP) of four species (Larvae of Tenenbrio molitor, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, Allomyrina dichotoma, and Gryllus bimaculatus) as meat partial substitutes were investigated. Twenty percent of each EIP was added to pork patties, and four treatments were prepared. On the other hand, two control groups were set, one with 0.1 g of ascorbic acid and the other without anything. Adding EIP decreased water content but increased protein, fat, carbohydrate, and ash contents. In addition, the use of EIP increased the water holding capacity and texture properties as well as decreased the cooking loss. However, the sensory evaluation and storage stability were negatively affected by the addition of EIP. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity had a positive effect on storage stability. It is believed that the addition of EIP resulted in high antioxidants due to the presence of polyphenol compounds in EIP. These results indicate that EIP has great potential to be used as meat partial substitute to improve the quality improvement and antioxidant in pork patties. However, in order to improve storage stability and consumer preference, further research is needed to apply it to patties by reducing the amount of EIP or adding auxiliary ingredients.

Suppressing the Shuttle Effect via Polypyrrole-Coated Te Nanotubes for Advanced Na-Te Batteries.

There is a growing demand for research and development of advanced energy storage devices with high energy density utilizing earth-abundant metal anodes such as sodium metal. Tellurium, a member of the chalcogen group, stands out as a promising cathode material due to its remarkable volumetric capacity, comparable to sulfur, and significantly high electrical conductivity. However, critical issues arise from soluble sodium polytellurides, leading to the shuttle effect. This phenomenon can result in the loss of active materials, self-discharge, and anode instability. Here, we introduce polypyrrole-coated tellurium nanotubes as the cathode materials, where polypyrrole plays a crucial role in preventing the dissolution of polytellurides, as confirmed through operando optical microscopy. The polypyrrole-coated tellurium nanotubes exhibited an outstanding rate performance and long cycle stability in sodium-tellurium batteries. These research findings are anticipated to bolster the viability of polypyrrole-coated tellurium nanotubes as promising cathode materials, making a substantial contribution to the commercialization of sodium-ion battery technology.