A High-Performance Food Package Material Prepared by the Synergistic Crosslinking of Gelatin with Polyphenol-Titanium Complexes.

This study aims to enhance gelatin film performance in the food industry by incorporating polyphenol-titanium complexes (PTCs) as crosslinkers. PTCs introduce multiple linkages with gelatin, including coordination and hydrogen bonds, resulting in synergistic crosslinking effects. This leads to an increased hydrodynamic volume, particle size, and thermal stability of the gelatin films. Compared to films crosslinked solely by polyphenols or titanium, PTC-crosslinked gelatin films exhibit significant improvements. They show enhanced mechanical properties with a tensile strength that is 1.7 to 2.6 times higher than neat gelatin films. Moreover, these films effectively shield UV light (from 82% to 99%), providing better protection for light-sensitive food ingredients and preserving lutein content (from 74.2% to 78.1%) under light exposure. The incorporation of PTCs also improves film hydrophobicity, as indicated by water contact angles ranging from 115.3° to 131.9° and a water solubility ranging from 31.5% to 33.6%. Additionally, PTC-enhanced films demonstrate a superior antioxidant ability, with a prolonged polyphenol release (up to 18 days in immersed water) and a higher free radical scavenging ability (from 22% to 25.2%). Overall, the improved characteristics of gelatin films enabled by PTCs enhance their performance, making them suitable for various food packaging applications.

Overburden failure and water-sand mixture outburst conditions of weakly consolidated overlying strata in Dananhu No.7 coal mine.

This study presents a case of weakly consolidated strata developed in Dananhu No.7 coal mine. Using a combination of numerical simulation, field measurement comparison, and the critical hydraulic gradient criterion, we investigate the overburden failure and the risk possibility of water-sand mixture inrush during excavation. The following are the principal findings: (1) Weakly consolidated rocks have poor physical characteristics, particularly when they are mudded and disintegrated after encountering water, which may become a favorable source of water-sand inrush; (2) The water-conducting zone develops to a height of 160.5 m with a crack-mining ratio of 15.29 times, extending upward to Toutunhe Formation aquifer. The predictions are consistent with measurements in adjacent mines with similar geological conditions; (3) Cracks without larger subsidence are developed at the front edge of the mining direction, and some parallel stepped cracks behind the goaf could be easily observed. Ground subsidence along the goaf center finally displays a symmetrically wide-gentle U shape; (4) The critical hydraulic gradient of Toutunhe Formation aquifer, aquifer above 3# coal seam, and aquifer of 3#-7# coal seam in Xishanyao Formation is 1.314, 1.351, and 1.380, the actual value is 0.692, 2.089, and 7.418 accordingly. It is inferred water-sand mixture outburst will not occur in Toutunhe Formation aquifer, while the potential risk exists in the aquifers of Xishanyao Formation. Through drainage and depressurization projects, a water-sand mixture outburst accident does not occur during excavation. This study reveals the overburden failure characteristics and the initiation mechanism of water-sand inrush in weakly cemented strata, as well as the internal relationship between them, which provides new research ideas for safe operation in other mining areas with similar geological conditions. The research work has certain practical guiding significance.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Obesity Indicators, Circulating Blood Lipid Levels, and Adipokines Levels: A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Purpose: This investigation sought to elucidate the genetic underpinnings that connect obesity indicators, circulating blood lipid levels, adipokines levels and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), employing a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis that utilizes data derived from extensive genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Methods: We harnessed genetic datasets of OSAS available from the FinnGen consortium and summary data of four obesity indices (including neck circumference), seven blood lipid (including triglycerides) and eleven adipokines (including leptin) from the IEU OpenGWAS database. We primarily utilized inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger methods, alongside MR-PRESSO and Cochran's Q tests, to validate and assess the diversity and heterogeneity of our findings. Results: After applying the Bonferroni correction, we identified significant correlations between OSAS and increased neck circumference (Odds Ratio [OR]: 3.472, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.954-6.169, P= 2.201E-05) and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (OR: 0.904, 95% CI: 0.858-0.952, P= 1.251E-04). Concurrently, OSAS was linked to lower leptin levels (OR: 1.355, 95% CI: 1.069-1.718, P= 0.012) and leptin receptor levels (OR: 0.722, 95% CI: 0.530-0.996, P= 0.047). Sensitivity analyses revealed heterogeneity in HDL cholesterol and leptin indicators, but further multiplicative random effects IVW method analysis confirmed these correlations as significant (P< 0.05) without notable heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy in other instrumental variables. Conclusion: This investigation compellingly supports the hypothesis that OSAS could be a genetic predisposition for elevated neck circumference, dyslipidemia, and adipokine imbalance. These findings unveil potential genetic interactions between OSAS and metabolic syndrome, providing new pathways for research in this domain. Future investigations should aim to delineate the specific biological pathways by which OSAS impacts metabolic syndrome. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for developing targeted prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Mechanism of the wine pomace tannin in hyperpigmentation inhibition: Impact on signaling pathways, cell proliferation, and tyrosinase activity.

After winemaking, tannins with high polymerization remain in the pomace. Utilizing these tannin fractions is a concern for the wine industry. While tannins show potential in treating hyperpigmentation, their mechanisms in vivo and at the cellular level are unclear. Herein, pomace tannin fractions (PTFs) were isolated post-winemaking. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry analysis showed PTFs were composed of (epi)catechin gallate and (epi)catechin as terminal and extensional units, with polymerization degrees of 10, 16, and 35. In vivo studies demonstrated that PTFs removed ∼76 % of skin melanin, comparable to hydroquinone. The inhibition by PTFs is due to: (1) Inhibition of the Wnt and melanogenesis pathways, downregulating key melanin synthesis proteins (TYR, TYRP1, TYRP2); (2) Inducing cell cycle arrest at the G1/S checkpoint, disrupting DNA, decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential and integrity, and slowing melanocyte proliferation; (3) Superior tyrosinase inhibitory activity by binding to tyrosinase, chelating copper ions, and demonstrating antioxidant properties. These findings suggest that PTFs inhibit melanin synthesis by the combination of the above mentioned ways, supporting the medical use of winemaking tannins.

Immune therapy with cultured microglia grafting into the injured spinal cord promoting the recovery of rat's hind limb motor function / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of activated microglia grafting on rats' hind limb motor function recovery after spinal cord injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Microglia were separated from primary culture and subcultured for 3 generations. Lipopolysaccharide was added to the culture medium with the terminal concentration of 10 microl/L for microglia activation 3 days before transplantation. Totally 80 adult Wistar rats were divided into transplantation group and control group, with 40 rats in each group. Spinal cord injury model of rats was set by hitting onto the spinal cord using a modified Allen impactor. With a 5 microl micro-syringe, the activated microglia suspension was injected into the injured area 7 days after the first operation. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring for hind limb motor function was taken on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day after microglia transplantation, and 8 rats were sacrificed at each time point mentioned above, respectively. Frozen sections of the spinal cord were made for haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Naoumenko-Feigin stainings. SPSS 11.0 software was used for statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BBB scores for hind limb motor function on the 14th, 21st, and 28th day were significantly higher compared with the control group. Most liquefaction necrosis areas disappeared and only a few multicystic cavities surrounded by aggregated microglia remained in the transplantation group. Naoumenko-Feigin staining for microglia showed that the transplantation group had significantly more positive cells (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Grafting of activated microglia into the injured spinal cord can significantly promote the hind limb motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury and reduce the size of liquefaction necrosis area. The extent of lower limb motor function improvement has a positive correlation with the number of aggregated microglia.</p>

A study of three different procedures for avulsion fracture of tibial intercondylar eminence / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical outcomes and differences among three surgical procedures for avulsion fracture of tibial intercondylar eminence.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From October 1995 to October 2005, 3 different procedures had been performed on 49 patients, which included open reduction and internal fixation (Group A, n = 17), arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation( Group B, n = 19) and limited open reduction and internal fixation assisted with arthroscopy (Group C, n = 13). All patients were followed up for 1 to 10 years (average 4. 6 years).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For the 3 groups, normal extension function were 35.5%, 16.0% and 38.0%, mild abnormal 35.5%, 11.0% and 23.0%, moderate abnormal 29.0%, 47.0% and 31.0%; and severe abnormal were 0,26.0% and 8.0%. Normal flexion were 82.0%, 78.0% and 84.0%, mild abnormal 12.0%, 11.0% and 8.0%, moderate abnormal 6.0%, 11.0% and 8.0%. The positive rate of Lachman's or anterior drawer test were 35.0%, 45.0% and 38.0%; McIntoshi test were 11.0%, 16.0% and 13.0% respectively for 3 groups. Lysholm' scale were average 98.6, 97.3 and 98.2; Tegner' scale were 6.6, 6.4 and 6.7. KT-2000 showed that anterior translation of tibial were 6.9, 7.1 and 6.6 mm; side to side difference were 11.4, 1.7 and 1.5 mm, except that statistically significant differences were found in extension function between group A and group B (P = 0.02). There were no any statistically significant differences in other aspects.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Limited open and properly over reduction and three dimensional as well as strong internal fixation assisted with arthroscopy should been attempted for the treatment of avulsion fracture of tibial intercondylar eminence.</p>