Lemon Juice and Peel Constituents Potently Stabilize Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lemons (Citrus limon ) contain various nutrients and are among the most popular citrus fruit. Besides their antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, clinical studies have indicated their anti-allergic properties. METHODS: Using the differential-interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, we examined the effects of lemon juice and peel constituents, such as citric acid, ascorbic acid, hesperetin and eriodictyol, on the degranulation from rat peritoneal mast cells. Using fluorescence imaging with a water-soluble dye, Lucifer Yellow, we also examined their effects on the deformation of the plasma membrane. RESULTS: Lemon juice dose-dependently decreased the number of degranulated mast cells. At concentrations equal to or higher than 0.25 mM, citric acid, hesperetin, and eriodictyol significantly reduced the number of degranulating mast cells in a dose-dependent manner, while ascorbic acid required much higher doses to exert significant effects. At 1 mM, citric acid, hesperetin, and eriodictyol almost completely inhibited exocytosis and washed out the Lucifer Yellow trapped on the mast cell surface, while ascorbic acid did not. CONCLUSION: This study provides in vitro evidence for the first time that lemon constituents, such as citric acid, hesperetin, and eriodictyol, potently exert mast cell-stabilizing properties. These properties are attributable to their inhibitory effects on plasma membrane deformation in degranulating mast cells.

The effect of final irrigation with different solutions on smear layer removal and dentin erosion: A scanning electron microscope study.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of initial irrigation with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and final irrigation with QMix, 40% citric acid, and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on smear layer removal and dentin erosion. METHODOLOGY: Forty extracted human mandibular premolar teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) according to the type of final irrigants used: 17% EDTA, QMix, citric acid, and control (normal saline). Canals were mechanically prepared using ProTaper Next instruments to an apical size of X3. Subsequently, the roots were sectioned in a buccolingual direction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess the presence of the smear layer and the amount of dentin erosion in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the root canals. RESULTS: In regards to smear layer removal, there was a significant difference between the control group and the other tested groups. Moreover, it was significantly higher in the coronal and middle thirds than in the apical third. However, there were no significant differences between the groups of EDTA, QMix, and citric acid. Concerning dentin erosion, citric acid produced significantly more dentin erosion than the other tested groups. CONCLUSION: Final irrigation with solutions had a higher ability to remove the smear layer in the coronal and middle thirds compared to the apical third. Of all the solutions tested, 40% citric acid had the most pronounced impact on dentin erosion, followed by 17% EDTA and QMix.

Chemical gasification: An alternative approach to in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chemical gasification and HEPES as alternative systems to pH control during in vitro maturation on bovine oocytes competence. Groups of 20 bovine cumulus oocytes complexes (COCs) were randomly distributed and cultured for 24 h in one of the following experimental groups: (i) chemical reaction (ChRG) system: CO2 generated from sodium bicarbonate and citric acid reaction (ii) culture media TCM-HEPES (HEPES-G); and (iii) control group (CNTG) in conventional incubator. After in vitro maturation (IVM), the COCs were in vitro fertilized (IVF), and in vitro cultivated (IVC) in a conventional incubator. We evaluated oocyte nuclear maturation, cleavage and blastocyst rates, in addition to the relative mRNA expression of BAX, BMP-15, AREG and EREG genes in oocytes and cumulus cells. The proportion of oocytes in metaphase II was higher in CNTG and ChRG (77.57% and 77.06%) than in the HEPES-G (65.32%; p = .0408 and .0492, respectively). The blastocyst production was similar between CNTG and ChRG (26.20% and 28.47%; p = .4232) and lower (p = .001) in the HEPES-G (18.71%). The relative mRNA expression of BAX gene in cumulus cells was significantly higher (p = .0190) in the HEPES-G compared to the CNTG. Additionally, the relative mRNA expression of BMP-15 gene was lower (p = .03) in oocytes from HEPES-G compared to the CNTG. In conclusion, inadequate atmosphere control has a detrimental effect on oocyte maturation. Yet, the use of chemical gasification can be an efficient alternative to bovine COCs cultivation.

Effects of graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots on enhancing CPP-ACP anti-caries ability of enamel lesion in a biofilm-challenged environment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anticaries effects of graphene oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) combined with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) on enamel in a biofilm-challenged environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: GO and GQDs were synthesised using citric acid. The antibiofilm and biofilm inhibition effects for Streptococcus mutans were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and colony-forming units (CFU). Remineralisation ability was determined by assessing mineral loss, calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, and surface morphology. To create a biofilm-challenged environment, enamel blocks were immersed in S. mutans to create the lesion and then subjected to artificial saliva/biofilm cycling for 7 days. Anticaries effects of GO, GQDs, GQDs@CPP-ACP, GO@CPP-ACP, and CPP-ACP were determined by broth pH and mineral changes after 7-day pH cycling. Biocompatibility was tested using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay for human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1). RESULTS: GQDs and GO presented significant antibiofilm and biofilm inhibition effects compared to the CPP-ACP and control groups (P < 0.05). The enamel covered by GQDs and GO showed better crystal structure formation and less mineral loss (P < 0.05) than that covered by CPP-ACP alone. After 7 days in the biofilm-challenged environment, the GO@CPP-ACP group showed less lesion depth than the CPP-ACP and control groups (P < 0.05). GO and GQDs showed good biocompatibility compared to the control group by CCK8 (P > 0.05) within 3 days. CONCLUSION: GO and GQDs could improve the anti-caries effects of CPP-ACP, and CPP-ACP agents with GO or GQDs could be a potential option for enamel lesion management. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: GO and GQDs have demonstrated the potential to significantly enhance the anticaries effects of CPP-ACP. Incorporating these nanomaterials into CPP-ACP formulations could provide innovative and effective options for the management of enamel lesions, offering improved preventive and therapeutic strategies in dental care.

Melanin resistance of heat-processed ginsenosides from Panax ginseng berry treated with citric acid through autophagy pathway.

GFRS is the conversion product of Panax ginseng Meyer berry after citric acid heat treatment, which is rich in rare ginsenosides. However, the anti-melanin role of GFRS in the regulation of skin pigmentation and its material basis remains unclear. To compare the anti-melanin activity before and after citric acid heat treatment, we determined the effects of GFS and GFRS on tyrosinase activity and melanin lever under α-MSH stimulation and found the potential anti-melanin effect of GFRS. Further, Western blot and immunofluorescence methods were used to reveal the mechanism by which GFRS detects anti-melanin activity by promoting autophagy flux levels. In zebrafish models, GFRS inhibited endogenous melanin and tyrosinase better than arbutin and promoted the accumulation of autophagy levels in vivo. To determine the material basis of the anti-melanin effect of GFRS, HPLC was used to isolate and prepare 12 ginsenosides from GFRS, and their activity evaluation and structure-activity relationship analysis were performed. The results showed that the inhibitory effect of GFRS on melanin was Rg3 > Rg5 > Rk1 > Rd. Molecular docking showed that their docking fraction with mushroom tyrosinase was significantly better than that of arbutin, but the presence of C-20 glycosylation decreased the anti-melanin activity of Rd. To maximize the content of Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1, we optimized the process by using citric acid heat treatment of ginsenoside Rd and found that citric acid heat treatment at 100°C almost completely transformed Rd and obtained a high content of active ingredients. In summary, our data demonstrated that GFRS exerted anti-melanin effects by inducing autophagy. It was further revealed that Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1, as effective active components, could be enriched by the improved process of converting ginsenoside Rd by citric acid heat treatment.

The effect of different conditioning agents on dentin roughness and collagen structure.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of various organic and inorganic acids on the roughness, demineralization, and collagen secondary structures of human dentin and to compare these effects with those of traditional agents, specifically phosphoric acid (PA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). METHODS: Coronal dentin discs (n = 10) were examined by optical profilometry (roughness) and ATR-FTIR before and after conditioning with 32 % PA, 3 % nitric acid (NA), 20 % citric acid (CA), 20 % phytic acid (IP6) or 17 % EDTA. Spectra data were processed to quantify dentin demineralization (DM%) and percentage area of amide I curve-fitted components of ß-turns, 310-helix, α-helix, random coils, ß-sheets, and collagen maturation index. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis for DM% and roughness parameters, and paired t-test/Wilcoxon test for amide I components at significance level set at α = 0.05. RESULTS: All treatments resulted in increased roughness parameters, with the most significant changes occurring primarily with PA, while EDTA exhibited the least changes. DM% was NA>PA>IP6>CA>EDTA in a descending order. Regarding amide I components, NA demonstrated a significant reduction in ß-turns, 310-helices, and α-helices and it increased ß-sheets and random coils. PA resulted in reduction in ß-turns and α-helices while it increased ß-sheets. CA and EDTA did not cause significant changes. The collagen maturation index significantly increased only after IP6 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The effect on dentin roughness parameters, demineralization, and collagen secondary structures varied based on the type of dentin surface treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding the impact of acids on the intrinsic properties of dentin is clinically essential for gaining insights into how these effects influence adhesion to dentin, the long-term stability of resin-based restorations, and the success of remineralization therapies.

Advancing cough research: Methodological insights into cough challenge in guinea pig models using double chamber vs whole-body plethysmography.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares two methods of citric acid-induced cough in guinea pigs in whole-body plethysmography (WBP) and double chamber plethysmography (DCP) to evaluate their efficacy. METHODS: Sixteen specific pathogen-free (SPF) and sixteen conventionally-bred (CON) animals were exposed to 0.4 M citric acid aerosol. They underwent cough provocation using both DCP and WBP methods. The number of coughs and latency to the first cough were recorded and analysed using statistical methods to determine significant differences between the two techniques. RESULTS: WBP resulted in significantly higher cough counts (WBP vs. DCP: 13±9 vs 2±3 for SPF; 14±8 vs 5±5 for CON; p<0.0001) and shorter latency (WBP vs. DCP: 59±6 s vs 159±14 s for SPF; 77±4 s vs 112±12 s for CON; p<0.0001) compared to DCP in both groups. CONCLUSION: Methodological differences substantially impact cough responses. WBP provides a more reliable and physiologically relevant methodology for cough assessment, suggesting the need for standardized protocols in cough research to enhance translational relevance.

Dentin erosive wear is reduced by fluoride varnishes containing nanosized sodium trimetaphosphate in vitro.

This study evaluated the effect of fluoride varnishes containing micrometric or nanosized sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) on dentin erosive wear in vitro. Bovine root dentin blocks were selected by surface hardness and randomly divided into five experimental groups/varnishes (n = 20/group): placebo, 5% sodium fluoride (NaF); 5% NaF+5% micrometric TMP; 5% NaF+2.5% nanosized TMP; and 5% NaF+5% nanosized TMP. Half of the surface of all blocks received a single application of the assigned varnish, with subsequent immersion in artificial saliva for 6 h. Varnishes were then removed and the blocks were immersed in citric acid (90 s, 4×/day, 5 days). After each erosive cycle, ten blocks of each group were immersed in a placebo dentifrice for 15 s (ERO), while the other ten blocks were subjected to abrasion by brushing (ERO+ABR). Dentin erosive wear was assessed by profilometry. Data were submitted to 2-way ANOVA and to the Holm-Sidak test (p<0.05). Dentin erosive wear was significantly higher for ERO+ABR than for ERO for all varnishes. TMP-containing varnishes promoted superior effects against dentin erosive wear compared with 5% NaF alone; and 5% nanosized TMP led to the lowest wear among all varnishes. In conclusion, the addition of TMP to conventional fluoride varnish (i.e., varnish containing only NaF) enhanced its protective effects against bovine root dentin erosion and erosion+abrasion. Additionally, the use of 5% nanosized TMP led to superior effects in comparison to 5% micrometric TMP, both for erosion and erosion+abrasion in vitro.

Phase-changing citrate macromolecule combats oxidative pancreatic islet damage, enables islet engraftment and function in the omentum.

Clinical outcomes for total-pancreatectomy followed by intraportal islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT) to treat chronic pancreatitis (CP) are suboptimal due to pancreas inflammation, oxidative stress during islet isolation, and harsh engraftment conditions in the liver's vasculature. We describe a thermoresponsive, antioxidant macromolecule poly(polyethylene glycol citrate-co-N-isopropylacrylamide) (PPCN) to protect islet redox status and function and to enable extrahepatic omentum islet engraftment. PPCN solution transitions from a liquid to a hydrogel at body temperature. Islets entrapped in PPCN and exposed to oxidative stress remain functional and support long-term euglycemia, in contrast to islets entrapped in a plasma-thrombin biologic scaffold. In the nonhuman primate (NHP) omentum, PPCN is well-tolerated and mostly resorbed without fibrosis at 3 months after implantation. In NHPs, autologous omentum islet transplantation using PPCN restores normoglycemia with minimal exogenous insulin requirements for >100 days. This preclinical study supports TP-IAT with PPCN in patients with CP and highlights antioxidant properties as a mechanism for islet function preservation.

Preparation of citric acid cross-linked chitosan quaternary phosphonium/polyvinyl alcohol composite film and its application in strawberry preservation.

Chitosan quaternary phosphine salts (NPCS) were synthesized with enhanced antimicrobial properties using a two-step method. Composite films (CNSP) were prepared by incorporating NPCS and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the base material, citric acid as the crosslinker and functional additive, exhibiting antibacterial and UV-blocking properties. The composite film showed a maximum tensile strength of 20.4 MPa, an elongation at break of 677%, and a UV light barrier transmittance of 70%. Application of these composite membranes in preserving strawberries demonstrated effectiveness in maintaining freshness by preventing water loss, inhibiting microbial growth, and extending shelf life. In addition, the composite film demonstrated biosafety. These results indicate that CNSP composite films holds significant promise for safe and sustainable food packaging applications.

Citric acid cross-linked pomegranate peel extract-loaded pH-responsive ß-cyclodextrin/carboxymethyl tapioca starch hydrogel film for diabetic wound healing.

Pomegranate peel extract (PPE) hydrogel films filled with citric acid (CA) and ß-cyclodextrin-carboxymethyl tapioca starch (CMS) were designed mainly to prevent wound infections and speed up the healing process. FTIR and NMR studies corroborated the carboxymethylation of neat tapioca starch (NS). CMS exhibited superior swelling behavior than NS. The amount of CA and ß-CD controlled the physicochemical parameters of developed PPE/CA/ß-CD/CMS films. Optimized film (OF) exhibited acceptable swellability, wound fluid absorptivity, water vapor transmission rate, water contact angle, and mechanical properties. Biodegradable, biocompatible, and antibacterial films exhibited pH dependence in the release of ellagic acid for up to 24 h. In mice model, PPE/CA/ß-CD/CMS hydrogel film treatment showed promising wound healing effects, including increased collagen deposition, reduced inflammation, activation of the Wingless-related integration site (wnt) pathway leading to cell division, proliferation, and migration to the wound site. The expression of the WNT3A gene did not show any significant differences among all the studied groups. Developed PPE-loaded CA/ß-CD/CMS film promoted wound healing by epithelialization, granulation tissue thickness, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis, hence could be recommended as a biodegradable and antibacterial hydrogel platform to improve the cell proliferation during the healing of diabetic wounds.

Reduction of surface treatment time by combination of citric acid and ascorbic acid while restoring shear bond strength of metal brackets bonded to bleached enamel: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of a 50% ascorbic acid with 50% citric acid solution on the immediate shear bond strength (SBS) of metallic brackets after tooth bleaching. The enamel etching pattern and the required quantity of these combined acids as antioxidants following 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) bleaching were also determined. METHODS: The stability of the solution at room temperature was assessed at various time intervals. Fifty teeth were randomly divided into five groups: non-bleached (G1), bleached then acid etched (G2), bleached followed by a 10-minute treatment with 10% sodium ascorbate and acid etched (G3), 5-minute treatment with 50% ascorbic acid (G4), and 5-minute treatment with a combination of 50% ascorbic acid and 50% citric acid (G5). Groups G2, G3, G4 and G5 were bleached by 35% HP gel for a total of 32 min. Acid etching in groups G1, G2, and G3 was performed using 37% phosphoric acid (Ormco®, Orange, CA, USA) for 15 s. In all groups, metal brackets were immediately bonded using Transbond™ XT primer and Transbond™ PLUS adhesive, with light curing for 40 s. The SBS was tested with a universal testing machine, and statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05 for all statistical tests. RESULTS: Stability tests demonstrated that the combined acids remained effective for up to 21 days. Group G5 significantly increased the SBS of bleached teeth to the level of G1 (p < 0.05), while G3 did not achieve the same increase in SBS (p > 0.05). SEM analysis revealed enamel etching patterns similar to those of both control groups (G1 and G2). Kinetic studies at 6 min indicated that the antioxidation in G5 reacted 0.2 mmole lower than in G3 and G4. CONCLUSION: 5-minute application of the combined acids enhanced the SBS of bleached teeth comparable to unbleached teeth. The combined acids remain stable over two weeks, presenting a time-efficient, single-step solution for antioxidant application and enamel etching in orthodontic bracket bonding.

Gene Expression Reprogramming by Citrate Supplementation Reduces HepG2 Cell Migration and Invasion.

Citrate, which is obtained from oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA by citrate synthase in mitochondria, plays a key role in both normal and cancer cell metabolism. In this work, we investigated the effect of 10 mM extracellular citrate supplementation on HepG2 cells. Gene expression reprogramming was evaluated by whole transcriptome analysis using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The transcriptomic data were validated through analyzing changes in the mRNA levels of selected genes by qRT-PCR. Citrate-treated cells exhibited the statistically significant dysregulation of 3551 genes; 851 genes were upregulated and 822 genes were downregulated. GSEA identified 40 pathways affected by differentially expressed mRNAs. The most affected biological processes were related to lipid and RNA metabolism. Several genes of the cytochrome P450 family were upregulated in treated cells compared to controls, including the CYP3A5 gene, a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that plays an important protective role in HCC metastasis. The citrate-induced dysregulation of cytochromes could both improve the effectiveness of chemotherapeutics used in combination and reduce the aggressiveness of tumors by diminishing cell migration and invasion.

Heat-moisture and acid treatments can increase levels of resistant starch in arrowroot starch without adversely affecting its prebiotic activity in human colon microbiota.

Carbohydrates are an important macronutrient whose processing and digestive fate can have numerous beneficial or adverse effects on consumer health. This study investigated the impact of heat-moisture treatments (HMT) and citric acid treatments (CAT) on arrowroot starch (ARS) with a focus on its physicochemical properties, digestibility, and influence on gut microbiota. The results revealed that HMT and CAT did not alter the colloidal characteristics of ARS but significantly affected the balance between amorphous and crystalline regions. Changes in thermal properties, morphology, and particle size were also observed. These can influence ARS shelf life and functional properties in various food applications. Furthermore, certain treatments in both processing methods increased the resistant starch (RS) content of ARS, with HMT for 16 hours at 80 °C and CAT with 0.6 M citric acid, resulting in the most pronounced effects. These changes coincided with reductions in rapidly digestible starch (RDS) levels and improvements in the ratio of slowly digestible starch (SDS) to RDS, which could potentially improve glycemic control. This study also examined the impact of processed ARS on colonic microbiota composition. It found that ARS-derived RS formed under HMT and CAT did not negatively affect the prebiotic potential of the RS fraction. Both treatments were associated with lowering the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B), a marker of gut health, and decreasing the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, microbes associated with adverse health effects. Additionally, CAT-derived RS showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Roseburia, a beneficial gut bacterium. In conclusion, processing ARS through HMT and CAT techniques has the potential for enhancing its RS content, improving its glycemic impact, and positively influencing the gut microbiota composition, potentially contributing to gut health and metabolic well-being.

Research note: A scald water surfactant combined with an organic acid carcass dip reduces microbial contaminants on broiler carcasses during processing.

Organic acids are applied to poultry carcasses during processing to reduce foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. Scald water surfactant agents employed to improve feather removal may enhance the efficacy of organic acids during processing. This study investigated the effects of concurrent application of a scald water surfactant and organic acid dip on microbial contamination of carcasses processed in a small-scale production model. Broilers were reared in litter floor pens to 47 d of age and slaughtered using standard practices. Carcasses were scalded in either control or surfactant scald water initially and dipped in either a 2% organic acid blend or water after feather removal to complete a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with n = 15 carcasses per treatment group. The commercially available scald water additive was a slightly alkaline surfactant solution labelled as a feather removal aid. The organic acid dip consisting of lactic and citric acid was maintained at pH of 2.5. Approximately 10 g of neck skin was collected 1-min postdipping and placed in buffered peptone water with an added neutralizing agent, sodium thiosulfate. Serial dilutions were performed to determine general coliform (GC), E. coli (EC), and aerobic plate (APC) counts as CFU per gram of skin sample. A significant 0.61, 0.76, and 1.6 log reduction of GC, EC, and APC, respectively, was attributed to use of the organic acid carcass dip (P ≤ 0.01). There were no significant differences in carcass microbial reduction due to surfactant scald water alone. A 0.69, 0.73 (P ≤ 0.05), and 1.96 log reduction of GC, EC, and APC, respectively, was observed in surfactant-scalded, acid-dipped carcasses compared to water-scalded, water-dipped control groups. These data demonstrated that a surfactant scald water additive and an organic acid carcass dip can have beneficial effects of microbial reduction when employed simultaneously during broiler processing.

Shining light on carbon dots: Toward enhanced antibacterial activity for biofilm disruption.

In spite of tremendous efforts dedicated to addressing bacterial infections and biofilm formation, the post-antibiotic ear continues to witness a gap between the established materials and an easily accessible yet biocompatible antibacterial reagent. Here we show carbon dots (CDs) synthesized via a single hydrothermal process can afford promising antibacterial activity that can be further enhanced by exposure to light. By using citric acid and polyethyleneimine as the precursors, the photoluminescence CDs can be produced within a one-pot, one-step hydrothermal reaction in only 2 h. The CDs demonstrate robust antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and, notably, a considerable enhancement of antibacterial effect can be observed upon photo-irradiation. Mechanistic insights reveal that the CDs generate singlet oxygen (1O2) when exposed to light, leading to an augmented reactive oxygen species level. The approach for disruption of biofilms and inhibition of biofilm formation by using the CDs has also been established. Our findings present a potential solution to combat antibacterial resistance and offer a path to reduce dependence on traditional antibiotics.

Preparation of sodium alginate modified silver-metal organic framework and application in citric acid/PVA antimicrobial packaging.

Silver-metal organic framework (Ag@MOF) has exhibited outstanding antimicrobial activity in antimicrobial applications, and reducing the biotoxicity associated with silver has become a research priority. In this study, Ag@MOF was initially modified with sodium alginate (SA) to form SA-Ag@MOF. The results showed that SA could control the release of Ag+, reducing the release by about 8% at 24 h, and the biotoxicity was significantly reduced. Finally, SA-Ag@MOF was applied as an antimicrobial agent in citric acid-modified PVA film to develop a novel composite antimicrobial film. When added at 2 MIC, the CA3-M2 film can effectively inhibit the growth of E. coli and S. aureus, and the inhibition rate has reached 98%. For white radish packaging applications, CA3-M2 film inhibited the growth of surface microorganisms, while ensuring moisture and tissue hardness to extend shelf-life up to 7 days. Overall, the strategy conceived here can be a theoretical basis for novel antimicrobial packaging.

Synergistic rosemary extract with TBHQ and citric acid improves oxidative stability and shelf life of peanut.

Lipid oxidation often accompanies the processing and storage of peanuts, which causes a serious waste of peanut resources. To solve the problem of being prone to oxidation in peanut processing, a ternary complex antioxidant based on rosemary extract (RE) was constructed to investigate its effect on the oxidative and thermal stability of peanuts, and the inhibition of peanut oxidation by compound antioxidants was revealed by dynamic Arrhenius formula and complexation theory. The results showed that there was a synergistic effect between RE and Tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), and the antioxidant effects of RE and TBHQ were 4.86 and 1.45 times higher when used in combination than when used alone, respectively. In addition, RE-TBHQ-CA (citric acid) effectively inhibited primary and secondary oxidation of peanuts with a shelf life 8.7 times longer than that of control peanuts. This study provides a novel antioxidant compounding idea, which has a positive effect on improving the quality of peanut and other nut products, prolonging the shelf life and reducing the waste of resources. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Compounding a complex antioxidant that permits its use in peanuts. It was found that rosemary and TBHQ might have synergistic antioxidant effects. Meanwhile, this combination of RE-TBHQ-CA effectively inhibited the oxidation of peanut oils and prolonged the shelf life of peanuts. RE-TBHQ-CA is a highly efficient complex antioxidant that can reduce the amounts of antioxidants added while maintaining high antioxidant efficiency, which may be useful for the future preservation and storage of nut products as it positively affects the quality and shelf life of the product.

Monocytes as Targets for Immunomodulation by Regional Citrate Anticoagulation.

Immune alterations in end-stage renal patients receiving hemodialysis are complex and predispose patients to infections. Anticoagulation may also play an immunomodulatory role in addition to the accumulation of uremic toxins and the effects of the dialysis procedure. Accordingly, it has been recently shown that the infection rate increases in patients under regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) compared with systemic heparin anticoagulation (SHA). We hypothesized that RCA affects the immune status of hemodialysis patients by targeting monocytes. In a cohort of 38 end-stage renal patients undergoing hemodialysis, we demonstrated that whole blood monocytes of patients receiving RCA-but not SHA-failed to upregulate surface activation markers, like human leukocyte antigen class II (HLA-DR), after stressful insults, indicating a state of deactivation during and immediately after dialysis. Additionally, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data and gene set enrichment analysis of pre-dialysis monocytes evidenced a great and complex difference between the groups given that, in the RCA group, monocytes displayed a dramatic transcriptional change with increased expression of genes related to the cell cycle regulation, cellular metabolism, and cytokine signaling, compatible with the reprogramming of the immune response. Transcriptomic changes in pre-dialysis monocytes signalize the lasting nature of the RCA-related effects, suggesting that monocytes are affected even beyond the dialysis session. Furthermore, these findings demonstrate that RCA-but not SHA-impairs the response of monocytes to activation stimuli and alters the immune status of these patients with potential clinical implications.