Prediction of moisture content for a single maize kernel based on viscoelastic properties.

BACKGROUND: The rapid and accurate detection of moisture content is important to ensure maize quality. However, existing technologies for rapidly detecting moisture content often suffer from the use of costly equipment, stringent environmental requirements, or limited accuracy. This study proposes a simple and effective method for detecting the moisture content of single maize kernels based on viscoelastic properties. RESULTS: Two types of viscoelastic experiments were conducted involving three different parameters: relaxation tests (initial loads: 60, 80, 100 N) and frequency-sweep tests (frequencies: 0.6, 0.8, 1 Hz). These experiments generated corresponding force-time graphs and viscoelastic parameters were extracted based on the four-element Maxwell model. Then, viscoelastic parameters and data of force-time graphs were employed as input variables to explore the relationships with moisture content separately. The impact of different preprocessing methods and feature time variables on model accuracy was explored based on force-time graphs. The results indicate that models utilizing the force-time data were more accurate than those utilizing viscoelastic parameters. The best model was established by partial least squares regression based on S-G smoothing data from relaxation tests conducted with initial force of 100 N. The correlation coefficient and the root mean square error of the calibration set were 0.954 and 0.021, respectively. The corresponding values of the prediction set were 0.905 and 0.029, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the potential for accurate and fast detection of moisture content in single maize kernels using viscoelastic properties, which provides a novel approach for the detection of various components in cereals. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Quercetin Inhibits Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma by Inducing Ferroptosis and Inhibiting Invasion via the NF-[Formula: see text]B Pathway.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare, highly fatal hepatobiliary malignancy, with very limited treatment options and, consequently, a poor prognosis. Recently, emerging evidence has suggested the potential of quercetin (QE) for use in cancer therapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether QE could inhibit ICC. The effects of QE on the proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion of ICC were analyzed in vitro. The inhibitory effect of QE on ICC was also verified in vivo. The RNA sequence was applied to explore the mechanism of QE. Functional verification was also performed after RNA sequencing using activators and inhibitors of nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-[Formula: see text]B) and ferroptosis. The results showed that QE could inhibit the proliferation and survival of ICC cells, induce the arrest of ICC cells in the G1 phase, promote the apoptosis of ICC cells, and inhibit the invasion of ICC cells. Furthermore, QE could promote ferroptosis in ICC cells by inhibiting the NF-[Formula: see text]B pathway. In conclusion, QE is a new ferroptosis inducer and NF-[Formula: see text]B inhibitor that can not only induce ferroptosis, but also inhibit the invasion of ICC cells, providing a prospective strategy for the treatment of ICC.

Effect of moisture, protein, starch, soluble sugar contents and microstructure on mechanical properties of maize kernels.

The relationships between components contents and mechanical properties of maize kernels were studied. The relationships were analyzed by gray relation analysis (GRA), correlation analysis (CA), and multiple linear regression (MLR). Furthermore, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was utilized for interpreting mechanical properties. The results of GRA and CA indicated that soluble sugar content was not an important factor that can affect mechanical properties compared with the moisture, starch and protein contents. The results of MLR indicated that the regression models can be used to access the hardness, rupture force and apparent elastic modulus (R greater than 0.75), but cannot be used to access rupture energy and viscoelastic parameters. The microstructure observation illustrated that high protein content could increase hardness, rupture force, rupture energy, and elastic properties, while high starch content could increase viscous properties. This study can provide technical references for transportation, processing and harvest processes.

Determination of hardness for maize kernels based on hyperspectral imaging.

In order to realize rapid and non-destructive detection of hardness for maize kernels, a method for quantitative hardness measurement was proposed based on hyperspectral imaging technology. Firstly, the regression model of hardness and moisture content was established. Then, based on reflectance hyperspectral imaging at wavelengths within 399.75-1005.80 nm, the prediction model of the moisture content was studied by the partial least squares regression (PLSR) based on the characteristic wavelengths, which was selected through successive projection algorithm (SPA). Finally, the hardness prediction model was validated by combing the prediction model of moisture content with the regression model of hardness. The coefficient of determination (R2), the root mean square error (RMSE) the ratio of performance-to-deviation (RPD) and the ratio of error range (RER) of hardness prediction were 0.912, 17.76 MPa, 3.41 and 14, respectively. Therefore, this study provided a method for rapid and non-destructive detection of hardness of maize kernels.

Effect of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Perfusion Chemotherapy Combined with Radical Surgery and Capecitabine on Stage III Gallbladder Cancer.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy (HIPEC) combined with radical surgery and capecitabine on stage III gallbladder cancer. Method: Seventy-eight patients with stage III gallbladder cancer treated in our hospital between December 2015 and April 2019 were retrospectively enrolled. Depending on the treatment approach, the patients were divided into the control group (radical surgery and capecitabine) and the HIPEC group (hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy combined with radical surgery and capecitabine). The patients were followed up by outpatient or through telephone until April 1, 2020. SPSS 19.0 software was applied for data analysis. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and parallel log-rank test. Results: There were 43 cases in the control group and 35 cases in the HIPEC group. There were no significant differences in operation time, lymph node metastasis, microvascular infiltration, and nerve invasion; there was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). The average hospitalization time of the HIPEC group was 23.0 ± 6.9 days, which was longer than the 20.0 ± 5.8 days of the control group (P < 0.05). The body temperatures of HIPEC group patients at 0 h and 6 h after operation were higher than those of patients in the control group (P < 0.05); however, the body temperature of the two groups gradually became the same at 12-24 h after operation. There was no liver and kidney damage in the two groups after surgery. The platelets in the HIPEC group were less than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The median survival time of HIPEC was 19.2 months, which was longer than 15.3 months in the control group. The 1-year survival rates of the two groups were 91.43% vs. 76.71%, and the 2-year survival rates were 26.29% vs. 17.53%, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: HIPEC combined with radical surgery and capecitabine for stage III gallbladder cancer can effectively prolong survival time without increasing surgery-related complications.

HANDY: a device for assessing resistance to mechanical crushing of maize kernel.

BACKGROUND: How to control the physical damage during maize kernel harvesting is a major problem for both mechanical designers and plant breeders. A limitation of addressing this problem is lacking a reliable method for assessing the relation between kernel damage susceptibility and threshing quality. The design, construction, and testing of a portable tool called "HANDY", which can assess the resistance to mechanical crushing in maize kernel. HANDY can impact the kernel with a special accelerator at a given rotating speed and then cause measurable damage to the kernel. These factors are varied to determine the ideal parameters for operating the HANDY. RESULTS: Breakage index (BI, target index of HANDY), decreased as the moisture content of kernel increased or the rotating speed decreased within the tested range. Furthermore, the HANDY exhibited a greater sensitivity in testing kernels at higher moisture level influence on the susceptibility of damage kernel than that in Breakage Susceptibility tests, particularly when the centrifugation speed is about 1800 r/min and the centrifugal disc type is curved. Considering that the mechanical properties of kernels vary greatly as the moisture content changes, a subsection linear (average goodness of fit is 0.9) to predict the threshing quality is built by piecewise function analysis, which is divided by kernel moisture. Specifically, threshing quality is regarded as a function of the measured result of the HANDY. Five maize cultivars are identified with higher damage resistance among 21 tested candidate varieties. CONCLUSIONS: The HANDY provides a quantitative assessment of the mechanical crushing resistance of maize kernel. The BI is demonstrated to be a more robust index than breakage susceptibility (BS) when evaluating threshing quality in harvesting in terms of both reliability and accuracy. This study also offers a new perspective for evaluating the mechanical crushing resistance of grains and provides technical support for breeding and screening maize varieties that are suitable for mechanical harvesting.

Wip1 Aggravates the Cerulein-Induced Cell Autophagy and Inflammatory Injury by Targeting STING/TBK1/IRF3 in Acute Pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory reaction of pancreatic tissue self-digestion, edema, hemorrhage, and even necrosis after the activation of pancreatic enzymes in the pancreas caused by a variety of etiologies. This study was aimed to explore the functions and mechanism of Wip1 in AP. Twenty male SD rats were randomly assigned into 2 groups (control group: saline treatment; AP group: cerulein treatment). And cerulein-treated AR42J cells were conducted as AP model in vitro. The levels of amylase were detected by using the Beckman biochemical analyzer. The levels of IFNß and TNFα were analyzed by ELISA. The autophagosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The Wip1-specific shRNAs were transfected to AR42J cells to silence the expression of Wip1. The levels of Wip1 were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The levels of STING/TBK1/IRF3 and LC3 were measured by Western blot. The AP model was successfully constructed by cerulein administration. Wip1 was notably upregulated in AP models. Autophagy and STING pathway activation were involved in the development of AP. Wip1 inhibition counteracts the promotion effect on inflammatory response induced by cerulein in AR42J Cells. Wip1 inhibition inhibited the activity of the STING/TBK1/IRF3 and reduced LC3 levels in AP. This study preliminarily explored that Wip1 could regulate autophagy and participate in the development of AP through the STING/TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathway.