A Review of Modified Gelatin: Physicochemical Properties, Modification Methods, and Applications in the Food Field.

Gelatin is a significant multifunctional biopolymer that is widely utilized as a component in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Numerous functional qualities are displayed by gelatin, such as its exceptional film-forming ability, gelling qualities, foaming and emulsifying qualities, biocompatibility and biodegradable qualities. Due to its unique structural, physicochemical, and biochemical characteristics, which enhance nutritional content and health benefits as well as the stability, consistency, and elasticity of food products, gelatin is utilized extensively in the food business. Additionally, gelatin has demonstrated excellent performance in encapsulating, delivering, and releasing active ingredients. Gelatin's various modifications, such as chemical, enzymatic, and physical processes, were analyzed to assess their impact on gelatin structures and characteristics. Hopefully, gelatin will be more widely used in various applications after modification using suitable methods.

Demand Forecasting of Nurse Talents in China Based on the Gray GM (1,1) Model: Model Development Study.

BACKGROUND: In a global context, the shortage of nursing personnel has emerged as a significant challenge, particularly in countries such as China experiencing population aging. The inadequacy of nursing human resources has become one of the primary threats affecting the quality of health services available to Chinese residents. Therefore, forecasting the demand for nursing personnel has become an important issue. OBJECTIVE: This study presents a Gray GM (1,1) forecasting model for predicting the future 10-year demand for nursing workforce and the number of specialized geriatric nurses, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the development of policies in health care institutions in China. METHODS: Based on data from the China Statistical Yearbook 2022, the Gray GM (1,1) model was used to predict the demand for nursing jobs and geriatric nurses over the next 10 years (2024-2033). RESULTS: The results indicate that from 2024 to 2033, amidst a continuous growth in the overall population and an increasingly pronounced trend of population aging, the demand for nursing workforce in China, especially for specialized geriatric nurses, is projected to steadily increase. CONCLUSIONS: The paper provides a reference basis for the establishment of China's health care workforce system and the involvement of government departments in health care workforce planning.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Enabled Functionalization of Inert C(Sp3)-H Bonds via Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) Processes.

Developing methods to directly transform C(sp3) -H bonds is crucial in synthetic chemistry due to their prevalence in various organic compounds. While conventional protocols have largely relied on transition metal catalysis, recent advancements in organocatalysis, particularly with radical NHC catalysis have sparked interest in the direct functionalization of "inert" C(sp3) -H bonds for cross C-C coupling with carbonyl moieties. This strategy involves selective cleavage of C(sp3) -H bonds to generate key carbon radicals, often achieved via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) processes. By leveraging the bond dissociation energy (BDE) and polarity effects, HAT enables the rapid functionalization of diverse C(sp3)-H substrates, such as ethers, amines, and alkanes. This mini-review summarizes the progress in carbene organocatalytic functionalization of inert C(sp3)-H bonds enabled by HAT processes, categorizing them into two sections: 1) C-H functionalization involving acyl azolium intermediates; and 2) functionalization of C-H bonds via reductive Breslow intermediates.

Three nonconventional starch: Comparison of physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility.

Extraction of starch from waste is also an effective way to recover resources and provide new sources of starch. In this study, starch was isolated from white kidney bean residue, chickpea residue, and tiger nut meal after protein or oil extraction, and the morphology of starch particles was observed to determine their physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility. All these isolated starches had unique properties, among which white kidney bean starch (KBS) had a high amylose content (43.48%), and its structure was better ordered. Scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct granular morphologies for the three starches. KBS and chickpea starch (CHS) were medium-granular starches, whereas tiger nut starch was a small granular starch. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the absence of significant differences in functional groups and chemical bonds among the three starch molecules. In vitro digestibility studies showed that CHS is more resistant to enzymatic degradation. Overall, these results will facilitate the development of products based on the separation of nonconventional starches from waste.

Effect of glycosylation modification on structure and properties of soy protein isolate: A review.

Soybean protein isolate (SPI) is a highly functional protein source used in various food applications, such as emulsion, gelatin, and food packaging. However, its commercial application may be limited due to its poor mechanical properties, barrier properties, and high water sensitivity. Studies have shown that modifying SPI through glycosylation can enhance its functional properties and biological activities, resulting in better application performance. This paper reviews the recent studies on glycosylation modification of SPI, including its quantification method, structural improvements, and enhancement of its functional properties, such as solubility, gelation, emulsifying, and foaming. The review also discusses how glycosylation affects the bioactivity of SPI, such as its antioxidant and antibacterial activity. This review aims to provide a reference for further research on glycosylation modification and lay a foundation for applying SPI in various fields.

Intelligent films based on dual-modified starch and microencapsulated Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanins: Functionality, stability and application.

This study aims to enhance the physical properties and color stability of anthocyanin-based intelligent starch films. Three dual-modified starches, namely crosslinked-oxidized starch (COS), acetylated distarch phosphate (ADSP), and hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (HDSP), were utilized as film matrices. Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanins were incorporated through three different pre-treatments (free, spray-drying microencapsulation, and freeze-drying microencapsulation) to assess the prepared films' functionality, stability, and applicability. The results indicate that the ADSP film exhibited an approximately two-fold increase in elongation at break (EAB) compared to native starch film. Specifically, the ADSP film's water contact angle (WCA) reached 90°, demonstrating excellent flexibility and hydrophobicity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed stronger interactions between anthocyanins and the film matrix after microencapsulation. Furthermore, after 30 days of exposure to 37 °C heat and light radiation, the freeze-dried anthocyanin-based intelligent film (FDA film) exhibited minimal fading, displaying the highest stability among the tested films. Notably, during beef freshness monitoring, the intelligent films underwent significant color changes as the beef deteriorated. In conclusion, the developed FDA film, with its outstanding stability and responsive pH characteristics, holds immense potential as a novel packaging material for food applications.

Effect of Cyperus esculentus polysaccharide on Cyperus esculentus starch: Pasting, rheology and in vitro digestibility.

This study investigated the effects of varying amounts of added Cyperus esculentus polysaccharide (CEP) on the physicochemical and structural properties, as well as in vitro digestibility, of homologous Cyperus esculentus starch (CES). Compared to CES, the CES-CEP complexes showed reduced peak viscosity and breakdown value, and improved thermal paste stability of starch. Rheological properties showed that adding CEP reduced the consistency coefficient and pseudoelasticity of the complexes, thus increasing their resistance to shear thinning. FTIR analysis suggested the absence of covalent binding between CES and CEP. SEM showed a more homogeneous and dense gel structure, particularly in the CES-1.0%CEP sample. During in vitro digestion, the content of resistant starch in the complexes increased after CEP was added. Analysis of the interaction forces showed that the CES-CEP complexes had stronger hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. This study offers valuable insights into the potential applications of CEP in starch-based foods.

Analysis of prognostic biomarker models of TXNIP/NLRP3/IL1B inflammasome pathway in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: Exploring potential biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes and developing targeted therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is of utmost importance. This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of the thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway and its role in the prognosis of AML patients. Methods: In this study, we examined the prognostic value of TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway in AML patients using microarray data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and transcriptome data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to develop a prognostic model and validated the results by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in a validation cohort of 26 AML patients and 18 healthy individuals from Jinan University (JNU) database. Results: Analysis of the GSE13159 database revealed that TXNIP, interleukin 1 beta (IL1B) within the TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway were significantly upregulated and caspase1 (CASP1) was downregulated in AML patients (TXNIP, P = 0.031; IL1B, P = 0.042; CASP1, P = 0.038). Compared to high NLRP3 expression, AML patients with low NLRP3 expression had a longer overall survival (OS) in the GSE12417 dataset (P = 0.004). Moreover, both the training and validation results indicated that lower TXNIP, NLRP3, and IL1B expression were associated with favorable prognosis (GSE12417, P = 0.009; TCGA, P = 0.050; JNU, P = 0.026). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, this model demonstrated a sensitivity of 84% for predicting three-year survival. These data might provide novel predictors for AML outcome and direction for further investigation of the possibility of using TXNIP/NLRP3/IL1B genes in novel targeted therapies for AML.

High percentage of bone marrow CD8+ tissue-resident-like memory T cells predicts inferior survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells infiltrating solid tumors could influence tumor progression and the response to immune therapies. However, the proportion and prognostic value of TRM cells in the bone marrow (BM) of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are unclear. In this study, we used flow cytometry to assay the phenotype of 49 BM samples from patients newly diagnosed with AML (ND-AML). We found that the BM CD8+ effector memory (TEM) cells highly expressed CD69 (CD8+ TRM-like T cells), and their percentage was significantly increased in patients with ND-AML compared with that in healthy individuals (HI). The high percentage of CD8+ TRM-like subset was associated with poor overall survival in our ND-AML cohort. The Kaplan-Meier Plotter database verified a significantly reduced survival rate among patients with high expression of CD8+ TRM-like T cell characteristic genes (CD8A, CD69, and TOX), especially the M4 and M5 subtypes. Phenotypic analysis revealed that the BM CD8+ TRM-like subpopulation exhibited exhausted T cell characteristics, but its high expression of CD27 and CD28 and low expression of CD57 suggested its high proliferative potential. The single-cell proteogenomic dataset confirmed the existence of TRM-like CD8+ T cells in the BM of patients with AML and verified the high expression of immune checkpoints and costimulatory molecules. In conclusion, we found that the accumulation of BM CD8+ TRM-like cells could be an immune-related survival prediction marker for patients with AML.

Effects of adding proteins from different sources during heat-moisture treatment on corn starch structure, physicochemical and in vitro digestibility.

Proteins impact starch digestion, but the specific mechanism under heat-moisture treatment remains unclear. This study examined how proteins from various sources-white kidney bean, soybean, casein, whey-altered corn starch's structure, physicochemical properties, and digestibility during heat-moisture treatment (HMT). HMT and protein addition could significantly reduce starch's digestibility. The kidney bean protein-starch complex under HMT had the highest resistant starch at 19.74 %. Most proteins effectively inhibit α-amylase, with kidney bean being the most significantly (IC50 = 1.712 ± 0.085 mg/mL). HMT makes starch obtain a more rigid structure, limits its swelling ability, and reduces paste viscosity and amylose leaching. At the same time, proteins also improve starch's short-range order, acting as a physical barrier to digestion. Rheological and low-field NMR analyses revealed that protein enhanced the complexes' shear stability and water-binding capacity. These findings enrich the understanding of how proteins from different sources affect starch digestion under HMT, aiding the creation of nutritious, hypoglycemic foods.

Polyamide 6 microplastics as carriers led to changes in the fate of bisphenol A and dibutyl phthalate in drinking water distribution systems: The role of adsorption and interfacial partitioning.

Microplastics (MPs) co-exist with plastic additives and other emerging pollutants in the drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs). Due to their strong adsorption capacity, MPs may influence the occurrence of additives in DWDSs. The article investigated the occurrence of typical additives bisphenol A (BPA) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in DWDSs under the influence of polyamide 6 (PA6) MPs and further discussed the partitioning of BPA/DBP on PA6s, filling a research gap regarding the impact of adsorption between contaminants on their occurrence within DWDSs. In this study, adsorption experiments of BPA/DBP with PA6s and pipe scales were conducted and their interaction mechanisms were investigated. Competitive adsorption experiments of BPA/DBP were also carried out with site energy distribution theory (SEDT) calculations. The results demonstrated that PA6s might contribute to the accumulation of BPA/DBP on pipe scales. The adsorption efficiencies of BPA/DBP with both PA6s and pipe scales were 26.47 and 2.61 times higher than those with only pipe scales. It was noteworthy that BPA had a synergistic effect on the adsorption of DBP on PA6s, resulting in a 26.47 % increase in DBP adsorption. The article provides valuable insights for the compounding effect of different types of additives in water quality monitoring and evaluation.

Octenyl succinic anhydride tigernut starch: Structure, physicochemical properties and stability of curcumin-loaded Pickering emulsion.

In recent years, there has been increasing attention to starch particle-stabilized Pickering emulsions. In this study, the tigernut starch (TNS) was isolated from the tigernut meal, and further octenyl succinic anhydride tigernut starch (OSATNS) was prepared by a semi-dry method. The structure of OSATNS was analyzed and characterized by degrees of substitution (DS), contact angle, SEM, and FTIR. OSATNS was then used to stabilize the curcumin-loaded Pickering emulsion to improve the water solubility and stability of the curcumin. The results showed that OSATNS with 3 %-9 % OSA exhibited a DS range of 0.012 to 0.029, and its contact angle increased from 69.23° to 84.76°. SEM revealed that TNS consisted of small starch particles averaging 7.71 µm, and esterification did not significantly alter their morphology or size. FTIR analysis confirmed successful OSA incorporation by revealing two new peaks at 1732 cm-1 and 1558 cm-1. After 7 days of storage, Pickering emulsions stabilized with OSATNS-9 % exhibited superior stability and curcumin retention compared to Tween 80 emulsions, maintaining retention rates above 80 % even after different heat treatments. In conclusion, this study shows the potential application of OSATNS in stabilizing Pickering emulsions and demonstrates its good thermal stability and protection against curcumin during storage.

Higher TIGIT+ γδ TCM cells may predict poor prognosis in younger adult patients with non-acute promyelocytic AML.

Introduction: γδ T cells recognize and exert cytotoxicity against tumor cells. They are also considered potential immune cells for immunotherapy. Our previous study revealed that the altered expression of immune checkpoint T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) on γδ T cells may result in immunosuppression and is possibly associated with a poor overall survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, whether γδ T-cell memory subsets are predominantly involved and whether they have a relationship with clinical outcomes in patients with AML under the age of 65 remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we developed a multicolor flow cytometry-based assay to monitor the frequency and distribution of γδ T-cell subsets, including central memory γδ T cells (TCM γδ), effector memory γδ T cells (TEM γδ), and TEM expressing CD45RA (TEMRA γδ), in peripheral blood from 30 young (≤65 years old) patients with newly diagnosed non-acute promyelocytic leukemia (also known as M3) AML (AMLy-DN), 14 young patients with AML in complete remission (AMLy-CR), and 30 healthy individuals (HIs). Results: Compared with HIs, patients with AMLy-DN exhibited a significantly higher differentiation of γδ T cells, which was characterized by decreased TCM γδ cells and increased TEMRA γδ cells. A generally higher TIGIT expression was observed in γδ T cells and relative subsets in patients with AMLy-DN, which was partially recovered in patients with AMLy-CR. Furthermore, 17 paired bone marrow from patients with AMLy-DN contained higher percentages of γδ and TIGIT+ γδ T cells and a lower percentage of TCM γδ T cells. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed the association of high percentage of TIGIT+ TCM γδ T cells with an increased risk of poor induction chemotherapy response. Conclusions: In this study, we investigated the distribution of γδ T cells and their memory subsets in patients with non-M3 AML and suggested TIGIT+ TCM γδ T cells as potential predictive markers of induction chemotherapy response.

A20 Promoter rs5029924 Concomitant with rs2230926 and rs5029937 May Be a Prognostic Predictor for Joint Deformity or Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: There have been several studies regarding the susceptibility of A20 gene SNPs (rs2230926 and rs5029937) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, little is known about the association between polymorphisms in the A20 promoter and RA. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of A20 promoter polymorphisms and the association between these polymorphisms and clinical significance in Chinese RA patients. Methods: PCR and sequencing were used to identify A20 gene polymorphisms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 123 RA cases and 31 healthy individuals. Results: Only one SNP (rs5029924) in the A20 gene promoter was identified in RA patients and healthy individuals. 6 patients who carried heterozygous rs5029924 (3918C>T) together with heterozygous rs5029937 (11,571 G>T) and rs2230926 (12,486 T>G, Phe127Cys) suffered from joints deformity or refractory RA. Conclusion: We reported the A20 promoter polymorphism rs5029924 in RA patients for the first time. rs5029924 concomitant with rs2230926 and rs5029937 may be a prognostic predictor for joint deformity or refractory RA.

High-Valent Copper Catalysis Enables Regioselective Fluoroarylation of Gem-Difluorinated Cyclopropanes.

Transition-metal (TM) catalyzed reaction of gem-difluorinated cyclopropanes (gem-DFCPs) has drawn much attention recently. The reaction generally occurs via the activation of the distal C─C bond in gem-DFCPs by a low-valent TM through oxidative addition, eventually producing mono-fluoro olefins as the coupling products. However, achieving regioselective activation of the proximal C─C bond in gem-DFCPs that overcomes the intrinsic reactivity via TM catalysis remains elusive. Here, a new reaction mode of gem-DFCPs enabled by high-valent copper catalysis, which allows exclusive activation of the congested proximal C─C bond is presented. The reaction that achieves fluoroarylation of gem-DFCPs uses NFSI (N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide) as electrophilic fluoro reagent and arenes as the C─H nucleophiles, enabling the synthesis of diverse CF3-containing scaffolds. It is proposed that a high-valent copper species plays an important role in the regioselective activation of the proximal C─C bond possibly via a σ-bond metathesis.

The impact of different concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the pasting and microstructural properties of corn starch.

Starch aging in starchy foods is a major problem affecting their quality. In order to improve the viscosity and textural properties of native starch gelatinization and retrogradation, this study investigated the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) at different concentrations (2 %, 4 %, 6 % w/w) on the pasting and microstructure of corn starch (CS). The findings revealed that the addition of HA significantly enhanced the peak viscosity, solubility, and water-holding capacity of the CS-HA mixtures. Moreover, it reduced the pasting temperature, swelling force, and leaching of amylose. All the mixtures exhibited shear thinning and thixotropic properties. The CS-HA mixtures created a thicker pseudoplastic system with significantly enhanced shear stability. The structures of the mixtures were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that HA effectively inhibited short-term retrogradation of starch, enhanced the interaction between CS and HA, and formed a dense honeycomb three-dimensional mesh structure. In conclusion, as a novel anionic hydrocolloid, HA holds great potential to improve the retrogradation properties of starch-based products.

A Comprehensive Model Based on Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Can Better Predict the Preoperative Histological Grade of Breast Cancer Than a Radiomics Model.

Background: Histological grade is an important prognostic factor for patients with breast cancer and can affect clinical decision-making. From a clinical perspective, developing an efficient and non-invasive method for evaluating histological grading is desirable, facilitating improved clinical decision-making by physicians. This study aimed to develop an integrated model based on radiomics and clinical imaging features for preoperative prediction of histological grade invasive breast cancer. Methods: In this retrospective study, we recruited 211 patients with invasive breast cancer and randomly assigned them to either a training group (n=147) or a validation group (n=64) with a 7:3 ratio. Patients were classified as having low-grade tumors, which included grade I and II tumors, or high-grade tumors, which included grade III tumors. Three models were constructed based on basic clinical features, radiomics features, and the sum of the two. To assess diagnostic performance of the radiomics models, we employed measures such as receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, and the predictive performance of the three models was compared using the DeLong test and net reclassification improvement (NRI). Results: The area under the curve (AUC) of the clinical model, radiomics model, and comprehensive model was 0.682, 0.833, and 0.882 in the training set and 0.741, 0.751, and 0.836 in the validation set, respectively. NRI analysis confirmed that the combined model was better than the other two models in predicting the histological grade of breast cancer (NRI=21.4% in the testing cohort). Conclusion: Compared with the other models, the comprehensive model based on the combination of basic clinical features and radiomics features exhibits more significant potential for predicting histological grade and can better assist clinicians in optimal decision-making.

Secondary Metabolite Analysis of Phomopsis sp. LGT-5 Based on the Dual Guidance of Whole-Genome Sequencing and HPLC-Q-ToF-MS/MS.

Microorganisms produce a wealth of structurally diverse specialized metabolites with a remarkable range of biological activities. The Phomopsis sp. LGT-5 was obtained through tissue block and repeatedly crossed methods from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. The antibacterial experiments of LGT-5 showed that it has high inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and moderate inhibitory activity against Candida albicans. To research the generation of the antibacterial phenomenon of LGT-5 and provide support for further research and application, the whole genome sequencing (WGS) of LGT-5 was obtained by single-molecule real-time DNA sequencing platform Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) sequencing and Illumina paired-end sequencing. The final assembled LGT-5 genome is 54.79 Mb with a contig N50 of 290.07 kb; in addition, its secondary metabolites were detected through HPLC-Q-ToF-MS/MS. By comparing its MS/MS data, the secondary metabolites were analyzed based on visual network maps obtained on the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS). The analysis results showed that the secondary metabolites of LGT-5 were triterpenes and various cyclic dipeptides.

Seven lower toxicity celastrol derivatives by biotransformation of Pestalotiopsis sp. LGT-1.

Biotransformation of toxic components by plant endophytes has become an effective method to reduce the toxicity of target compounds and discover lead compounds. In this context, an endophytic fungus, Pestalotiopsis sp. LGT-1, from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. (TwHF), was used to reduce the toxicity of celastrol which is also produced by TwHF and is considered an attractive molecule with a variety of biological activities. Seven celastrol derivatives (1-7) were isolated from the coculture fermentation broth of LGT-1 and celastrol. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis including 1D and 2D NMR, as well as HRESIMS. Their absolute configurations were determined by analysis of NOESY, ECD data and NMR calculations. In cell proliferation experiments, the toxicity of seven compounds was 10.11- to 1.24-fold lower in normal cells than the prototype compound celastrol. These derivatives serve as potential candidates for future pharmaceutical applications.

Inulin alleviates offspring asthma by altering maternal intestinal microbiome composition to increase short-chain fatty acids.

Technically, symptom of offspring asthma is also closely reliant on its maternal high-fiber diet as well as the intestinal microbiome. Fruits and vegetables are abundant in inulin, and this naturally soluble dietary fiber is endowed with a potential value on offspring asthma control through the maternal intake, but the mechanism now remains less studied. In this study, rats were given with inulin-included drinking water, whereas in normal group rats were allowed with normal water. Afterwards, we analyzed both the formations of the offspring intestinal microbiome ahead of asthma model establishment and of the maternal intestinal microbiome through high throughput sequence and the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by metabolomic analysis. Subsequently, lung inflammation indexes were detected by Elisa, and the expression of short-chain fatty acid receptors (GPR41, GPR43) in the offspring of asthma models were evaluated through qPCR assay. Inulin intake resulted in altered maternal intestinal microbiome composition, with a significant increase in SCFAs-producing bacteria (mainly Bifidobacterium), attenuating the asthmatic inflammatory response in the offspring. Meanwhile, inulin intake during pregnancy modulates the composition of the intestinal microbiome of the offspring, and this alteration appears before the onset of asthma, hence, there should be further studies onto the impacts of offspring's intestinal microbiome on asthma procession.