A-type proanthocyanidins: Sources, structure, bioactivity, processing, nutrition, and potential applications.

A-type proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a subgroup of PAs that differ from B-type PAs by the presence of an ether bond between two consecutive constitutive units. This additional C-O-C bond gives them a more stable and hydrophobic character. They are of increasing interest due to their potential multiple nutritional effects with low toxicity in food processing and supplement development. They have been identified in several plants. However, the role of A-type PAs, especially their complex polymeric form (degree of polymerization and linkage), has not been specifically discussed and explored. Therefore, recent advances in the physicochemical and structural changes of A-type PAs and their functional properties during extraction, processing, and storing are evaluated. In addition, discussions on the sources, structures, bioactivities, potential applications in the food industry, and future research trends of their derivatives are highlighted. Litchis, cranberries, avocados, and persimmons are all favorable plant sources. Α-type PAs contribute directly or indirectly to human nutrition via the regulation of different degrees of polymerization and bonding types. Thermal processing could have a negative impact on the amount and structure of A-type PAs in the food matrix. More attention should be focused on nonthermal technologies that could better preserve their architecture and structure. The diversity and complexity of these compounds, as well as the difficulty in isolating and purifying natural A-type PAs, remain obstacles to their further applications. A-type PAs have received widespread acceptance and attention in the food industry but have not yet achieved their maximum potential for the future of food. Further research and development are therefore needed.

Litchi pulp-derived gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) extract counteracts liver inflammation induced by litchi thaumatin-like protein.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the predominant amino acid in litchi pulp, known for its neuroregulatory effects and anti-inflammatory properties. Although previous research has highlighted the pro-inflammatory characteristics of litchi thaumatin-like protein (LcTLP), interplay between GABA and LcTLP in relation to inflammation remains unclear. This study aims to explore the hepatoprotective effects of the litchi pulp-derived GABA extract (LGE) against LcTLP-induced liver inflammation in mice and LO2 cells. In vivo experiments demonstrated that LGE significantly reduced the levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, and protected the liver against infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and histological injury induced by LcTLP. Pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6, interleukin-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α were also diminished by LGE. The LGE appeared to modulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway to exert its anti-inflammatory effects, as evidenced by a reduction of 47%, 35%, and 31% in phosphorylated p38, JNK, and ERK expressions, respectively, in the liver of the high-dose LGE group. Additionally, LGE effectively improved the translocation of gut microbiota by modulating its microbiological composition and abundance. In vitro studies have shown that LGE effectively counteracts the increase in reactive oxygen species, calcium ions, and pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LcTLP. These findings may offer new perspectives on the health benefits and safety of litchi consumption.

Arming Amorphous NiMoO4 on Nickel Phosphide Enables Highly Stable Alkaline Seawater Oxidation.

Seawater electrolysis holds tremendous promise for the generation of green hydrogen (H2 ). However, the system of seawater-to-H2 faces significant hurdles, primarily due to the corrosive effects of chlorine compounds, which can cause severe anodic deterioration. Here, a nickel phosphide nanosheet array with amorphous NiMoO4 layer on Ni foam (Ni2 P@NiMoO4 /NF) is reported as a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline seawater. Such Ni2 P@NiMoO4 /NF requires overpotentials of just 343 and 370 mV to achieve industrial-level current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm-2 , respectively, surpassing that of Ni2 P/NF (470 and 555 mV). Furthermore, it maintains consistent electrolysis for over 500 h, a significant improvement compared to that of Ni2 P/NF (120 h) and Ni(OH)2 /NF (65 h). Electrochemical in situ Raman spectroscopy, stability testing, and chloride extraction analysis reveal that is situ formed MoO4 2- /PO4 3- from Ni2 P@NiMoO4 during the OER test to the electrode surface, thus effectively repelling Cl- and hindering the formation of harmful ClO- .

Mendelian randomization analysis demonstrates the causal effects of IGF family members in diabetes.

Background: Observational studies have consistently shown significant associations between the IGF family and metabolic diseases, including diabetes. However, these associations can be influenced by confounding factors and reverse causation. This study aimed to assess the causal relationship between the IGF family and diabetes using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: We conducted a two-sample MR analysis to investigate the causal effects of the IGF family on diabetes. Instrumental variables for the IGF family and diabetes were derived from summary-level statistics obtained from genome-wide association studies. Horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using MR-Egger regression and the weighted median method. We applied the inverse-variance weighted method as part of the conventional MR analysis to evaluate the causal impact of the IGF family on diabetes risk. To test the robustness of the results, we also employed MR-Egger regression, the weighted median method, and a leave-one-out analysis. Results: Our study revealed that IGF-1 causally increases the risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), while IGFBP-6, adiponectin and INSR decreases the risk (IGF-1, OR 1.02 [95% CI 1-1.03], p = 0.01; IGFBP-6, OR 0.92 [95% CI 0.87-0.98], p = 0.01; Adiponectin, OR 0.837 [95% CI 0.721-0.970], p = 0.018; INSR, OR 0.910 [95% CI 0.872-0.950], p = 1.52 × 10-5). Additionally, genetically lower levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-5, along with higher levels of IGFBP-7, were associated with an increased risk of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) (IGF-1, OR 0.981 [95% CI 0.963-0.999], p = 0.037; IGFBP-5, OR 0.882 [95% CI 0.778-0.999], p = 0.049; IGFBP-7, OR 1.103 [95% CI 1.008-1.206], p = 0.033). Conclusion: In summary, our investigation has unveiled causal relationships between specific IGF family members and T1D and T2D through MR analysis. Generally, the IGF family appears to reduce the risk of T1D, but it presents a more complex and controversial role in the context of T2D. These findings provide compelling evidence that T2D is intricately linked with developmental impairment. Our study results offer fresh insights into the pathogenesis and the significance of serum IGF family member concentrations in assessing diabetes risk.

Gallic acid forms V-amylose complex structure with starch through hydrophobic interaction.

This study aimed to investigate the role of amylose and amylopectin in the formation of starch-polyphenol complex and elucidate the interaction mechanisms. Gallic acid (GA) was used to complex with maize starch with various amylose contents. Results showed GA formed V-type crystals with normal maize starch (NMS) and high amylose maize starch (HAMS), while higher relative crystallinity was exhibited in HAMS-GA complexes than NMS counterparts. Molecular structure analysis revealed more amylose in GA-starch complexes than in treated starch counterparts without GA, and this was more apparent in HAMS than NMS, implying amylose is preferred to complex with GA than amylopectin. FTIR detected higher R1047/1022 value in starch-GA complexes than their starch counterparts without GA, suggesting increased short-range ordered structrure of complexes. Typical signatures of hydrophobic interactions were further revealed by isothermal titration calorimetry, indicating the complexation of GA to starch is mainly through hydrophobic bonds. More binding sites were observed for HAMS (72.50) than NMS (11.33), which proves the preferences of amylose to bind with GA. Molecular dynamics simulated the complexation of GA to amylose, and confirmed hydrophobic bond is the main interaction force. These findings would provide guidance for precise design and utilization of starch-polyphenol complexes in functional foods.

Allergen sensitization study in Dongying, China: An epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: To explore the relationship between specific immunoglobulin E levels in response to prevalent pollen and food allergens among patients suffering from localized allergic diseases in the Dongying area of China, and to analyze the interconnectivity among these factors. METHODS: This research encompassed allergic patients who visited the Allergy Department of Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital from January 2022 to January 2023. We examined the specific immunoglobulin E levels in the blood of 230 patients utilizing the Fobock platform provided by Jiangsu Haoeubo Company. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS 25.0 statistical software. The chi-square test evaluated the relevance of differences in gender and age. A value of P < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In this study, eggs emerged as the allergen with the highest number of sensitized individuals, closely followed by dust mite. Conversely, the least sensitized allergen was the cypress tree, closely followed by mango. Notably, male patients exhibited higher sensitivities to cottonwood (P < .05) and egg (P < .001) compared to female patients. Children aged 0 to 10 years showed increased sensitivity to variety of allergens. A significant correlation was observed among different allergens. The top ten allergen pairs with the highest correlation included Birch Tree and Cottonwood (0.88, P < .001), Cottonwood and Pine Tree (0.86, P < .001), Birch Tree and Pine Tree (0.84, P < .001), Pine Tree and Paulownia (0.81, P < .001), Dust Mite and House Dust Mite (0.76, P < .001), Birch Tree and Paulownia (0.73, P < .001), Cashew and Pistachio (0.71, P < .001), Apple and Hazelnut (0.71, P < .001), Cottonwood and Paulownia (0.71, P < .001), and Pine Tree and Ordinary Ragweed (0.70, P < .001). CONCLUSION: This research sheds light on the patterns of allergen sensitization in Dongying, Shandong, highlighting that egg is the most prevalent sensitizing allergen. A notably high correlation was observed between Birch Tree and Cottonwood. This study enhanced the understanding of allergic diseases, explored the causes and mechanisms of allergies, strengthened the management of allergic diseases. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights for the clinical diagnosis and prevention of allergic diseases.

Self-assembly of H2S-responsive nanoprodrugs based on natural rhein and geraniol for targeted therapy against Salmonella Typhimurium.

Salmonellosis is a globally extensive food-borne disease, which threatens public health and results in huge economic losses in the world annually. The rising prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella poses a significant global concern, emphasizing an imperative to identify novel therapeutic agents or methodologies to effectively combat this predicament. In this study, self-assembly hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-responsive nanoprodrugs were fabricated with poly(α-lipoic acid)-polyethylene glycol grafted rhein and geraniol (PPRG), self-assembled into core-shell nanoparticles via electrostatic, hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions, with hydrophilic exterior and hydrophobic interior. The rhein and geraniol are released from self-assembly nanoprodrugs PPRG in response to Salmonella infection, which is known to produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S). PPRG demonstrated stronger antibacterial activity against Salmonella compared with rhein or geraniol alone in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, PPRG was also able to suppress the inflammation and modulate gut microbiota homeostasis. In conclusion, the as-prepared self-assembly nanoprodrug sheds new light on the design of natural product active ingredients and provides new ideas for exploring targeted therapies for specific Enteropathogens. Graphical  illustration for construction of self-assembly nanoprodrugs PPRG and its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities on experimental Salmonella infection in mice.

Insight into the improvement in pasting and gel properties of waxy corn starch by critical melting treatments.

To improve the pasting and gel properties of waxy corn starch (WCS), the native starch was modified by critical melting (CM) at the onset temperature (TO), peak temperature (TP), and conclusion temperature (TC) (labeled CMO, CMP, and CMC respectively). CM treatments significantly enhanced the thermal stability of the WCS, as indicated by the increase in the peak gelatinization temperature, pasting temperature, and peak time. In addition, after CMP treatment, the storage modulus, hardness, gumminess, springiness, and chewiness of starch gels significantly increased by 43.29 %, 31.14 %, 23.36 %, 8.26 %, and 61.43 %, respectively, and the syneresis rate significantly decreased by 19.69 % (p < 0.05). These results indicated that CMP treatments significantly improved the gelling ability and freeze-thaw stability of the WCS. These results are ascribed to the partial disruption and enhanced rearrangement of the starch crystalline structure. CMP treatment induced the crystalline structure of starch to be partially disrupted and a hard structure was formed on the surface of starch granules. The hard structure in CMP-treated starch supplied more attachment points for crystalline structure rearrangement during gelatinization. Therefore, the above results indicated that CMP treatments can be used to modify starch to improve the pasting and gel properties of starch-based food products.

Acetylation at the O-6 position of t-Glc improved immunoactivity of α-1,6-glucan from longan by additionally activating Dectin-1 and CD14 receptors.

Acetylation is an important approach to improve the bioactivity of polysaccharides; however, the mechanisms have not been fully understood. As a key component of longan for exerting health promoting function, longan polysaccharide was hypothesized may achieve elevated immunoregulatory activity after acetylation. A bioactive longan polysaccharide (LP) composed of (1 â†’ 6)-α-d-glucan (84.1 %) and with an average Mw of 9.68 × 104 kDa was acetylated to different degree of substitutions (DS) in this study. Key structural changes responsible for improvement in immunoregulatory activity were identified, and underlying mechanisms were investigated. Acetylated LP (Ac-LP) with DS 0.37, 0.78 and 0.92 were obtained. Structural characterization identified the substitution of acetyl groups occurs at O-6 positions of t-Glc non-selectively, while the backbone structure was not apparently changed. This resulted in increased expression of cytokines (IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-α) and ROS production in RAW264.7 macrophages, indicating improved immune activity which is positively related to the DS of Ac-LP. This is attribute to additional cellular receptors for Ac-LP (CD14 and Dectin-1) apart from receptors for LP (TLR4 and Ca2+ receptors), as well as the relative higher protein expression of TLR4-MyD88 signaling pathways. These results would provide guidance for the utilization of acetylated polysaccharides with improved immunoactivity.

Fe3O4 nanoparticle-decorated 3D pinewood-derived carbon for high-efficiency electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia.

Electrochemical nitrate (NO3-) reduction is a sustainable pathway for ambient ammonia (NH3) synthesis while eliminating NO3- pollutants in water. However, the NO3- reduction reaction (NO3-RR) involves a complicated eight-electron transfer process, which needs highly selective and efficient electrocatalysts. This work describes the synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticle-decorated 3D pinewood-derived carbon (Fe3O4/PC) as a high-efficiency catalyst for the electroreduction of NO3- to NH3 at ambient reaction conditions. When tested in 0.1 M NaOH containing 0.1 M NO3-, the Fe3O4/PC obtains a large NH3 yield of 394.8 µmol h-1 cm-2 and high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 91.6% at -0.4 V. Significantly, Fe3O4/PC also delivers high stability.

Plant leaf proanthocyanidins: from agricultural production by-products to potential bioactive molecules.

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a class of polymers composed of flavan-3-ol units that have a variety of bioactivities, and could be applied as natural biologics in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. PAs are widely found in fruit and vegetables (F&Vegs) and are generally extracted from their flesh and peel. To reduce the cost of extraction and increase the number of commercially viable sources of PAs, it is possible to exploit the by-products of plants. Leaves are major by-products of agricultural production of F&Vegs, and although their share has not been accurately quantified. They make up no less than 20% of the plant and leaves might be an interesting resource at different stages during production and processing. The specific structural PAs in the leaves of various plants are easily overlooked and are notably characterized by their stable content and degree of polymerization. This review examines the existing data on the effects of various factors (e.g. processing conditions, and environment, climate, species, and maturity) on the content and structure of leaf PAs, and highlights their bioactivity (e.g. antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-obesity activity), as well as their interactions with gut microbiota and other biomolecules (e.g. polysaccharides and proteins). Future research is also needed to focus on their precise extraction, bioactivity of high-polymer native or modified PAs and better application type.

The Leaf proanthocyanidins (LPAs) are mostly oligomeric procyanidins, with a small proportion of leaves containing A-type procyanidins.Foliage is a sustainable source of PAs.LPAs are a potential source of valuable bioactive compounds.The content, structure, extraction and identification and bio-activity of LPAs are discussed.Processing improvement is beneficial to enhance the production of LPA.

GABA and fermented litchi juice enriched with GABA promote the beneficial effects in ameliorating obesity by regulating the gut microbiota in HFD-induced mice.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) dietary intervention is considered to have therapeutic potential against obesity. Microbial enrichment is an effective strategy to naturally and safely enhance GABA production in food. As litchi is "the king of GABA" in fruits, the retention or enrichment of its content during processing has been a key issue in the litchi industry. This study aimed to investigate the potential of GABA and fermented litchi juice enriched with GABA (FLJ) to protect against obesity in a high-fat diet (HFD) mouse model. Supplementation of GABA and FLJ displayed an anti-obesogenic effect by attenuating body weight gain, fat accumulation, and oxidative damage, and improving the serum lipid profile and hepatic function. Sequencing (16S rRNA) of fecal samples indicated that GABA and FLJ intervention displayed different regulatory effects on HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis at different taxonomic levels. The microbial diversity, the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as well as the F/B ratio of GABA and FLJ groups were reversed compared to those of the HFD-induced mice. Our finding broadens the potential mechanisms by which GABA regulates gut flora in the amelioration of obesity and provides guidance for developing FLJ as a functional food to prevent obesity.

Insoluble dietary fiber from wheat bran retards starch digestion by reducing the activity of alpha-amylase.

This study investigated effects of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) from wheat bran on starch digestion in vitro, analyzed the inhibition kinetics of IDF toward α-amylase and discussed the underlying mechanisms. Digestion results showed IDF significantly retarded starch digestion with reduced digestion rate and digestible starch content. Enzyme inhibition kinetics indicated IDF was a mixed-type inhibitor to α-amylase, because IDF could bind α-amylase, as evidenced by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Fluorescence quenching and UV-vis absorption experiments conformed this, found IDF led to static fluorescence quenching of α-amylase, mainly through van der Waals and/or hydrogen bonding forces. This interaction induced alternations in α-amylase secondary structure, showing more loosening and misfolding structures. This may prevent the active site of enzyme from capturing substrates, contributing to reduced α-amylase activity. These results would shed light on the utilization of IDF in functional foods for the management of postprandial blood glucose.

Misdiagnosed myocarditis in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy induced by a homozygous variant of DSG2: a case report.

Background: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiomyopathy that is rarely diagnosed in infants or young children. However, some significant homozygous or compound heterozygous variants contribute to more severe clinical manifestations. In addition, inflammation of the myocardium and ventricular arrhythmia might lead to misdiagnosis with myocarditis. Here, we describe an 8-year-old patient who had been misdiagnosed with myocarditis. Timely genetic sequencing helped to identify this case as ACM induced by a homozygous variant of DSG2. Case presentation: The proband of this case was an 8-year-old boy who initially presented with chest pain with an increased level of cardiac Troponin I. In addition, the electrocardiogram revealed multiple premature ventricular beats. Cardiac magnetic resonance revealed myocardial edema in the lateral ventricular wall and apex, indicating localized injuries of the myocardium. The patient was primarily suspected to have acute coronary syndrome or viral myocarditis. Whole-exome sequencing confirmed that the proband had a homozygous variation, c.1592T > G, of the DSG2 gene. This mutation site was regulated by DNA modification, which induced amino acid sequence changes, protein structure effects, and splice site changes. According to MutationTaster and PolyPhen-2 analyses, the variant was considered a disease-causing mutation. Next, we used SWISS-MODEL to illustrate the mutation site of p.F531C. The ensemble variance of p.F531C indicated the free energy changes after the amino acid change. Conclusion: In summary, we reported a rare pediatric case initially presenting as myocarditis that transitioned into ACM during follow-up. A homozygous genetic variant of DSG2 was inherited in the proband. This study expanded the clinical feature spectrum of DSG2-associated ACM at an early age. Additionally, the presentation of this case emphasized the difference between homozygous and heterozygous variants of desmosomal genes in disease progression. Genetic sequencing screening could be helpful in distinguishing unexplained myocarditis in children.

Dense-Packed RuO2 Nanorods with In Situ Generated Metal Vacancies Loaded on SnO2 Nanocubes for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer with Ultra-Low Noble Metal Loading.

Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) is a green hydrogen production technology that can be coupled with intermittent power sources such as wind and photoelectric power. To achieve cost-effective operations, low noble metal loading on the anode catalyst layer is desired. In this study, a catalyst with RuO2 nanorods coated outside SnO2 nanocubes is designed, which forms continuous networks and provides high conductivity. This allows for the reduction of Ru contents in catalysts. Furthermore, the structure evolutions on the RuO2 surface are carefully investigated. The etched RuO2 surfaces are seen as the consequence of Co leaching, and theoretical calculations demonstrate that it is more effective in driving oxygen evolution. For electrochemical tests, the catalysts with 23 wt% Ru exhibit an overpotential of 178 mV at 10 mA cm-2 , which is much higher than most state-of-art oxygen evolution catalysts. In a practical PEMWE, the noble metal Ru loading on the anode side is only 0.3 mg cm-2 . The cell achieves 1.61 V at 1 A cm-2 and proper stability at 500 mA cm-2 , demonstrating the effectiveness of the designed catalyst.

Elucidating the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation on the aroma profiles of pasteurized litchi juice using multi-scale molecular sensory science.

Three Lactobacillus Plantarum (LP), namely LP28, LP226 and LPC2W, were employed to investigate the effect on the aroma profiles of pasteurized litchi juice using E-nose, GC-IMS, GC-MS, and sensory evaluation. The E-nose results showed that pasteurization weakened the flavor profile of litchi juice, while LP fermentation effectively promoted flavor formation. The GC-MS analysis demonstrated that pasteurization significantly reduced the content of alcohols (28.51%), especially geraniol and citronellol, which give litchi juices a fruity and floral aroma. Different LP fermentation enhances the characteristic aroma and produces some new compounds that give it a strong fruity and citrus-like aroma. Moreover, 37 aroma-active compounds (OAV>1) indicated that the linalool (OAV 7504) was the highest, followed by (Z)-rose oxide (OAV 4265), 1-octen-3-ol (OAV 1055) and geraniol (OAV 764), which jointly form the main characteristic flavor. More esters were identified by GC-IMS, indicating the advantage of the combined approach for a better understanding of the impact of pasteurization and fermentation on the litchi juice. The sensory evaluation confirmed that the aroma attributes of fruity, citrus-like, floral, sweet and litchi-like were stronger for the samples fermented by LP28 than those for the other samples. The combination strategy used in this study would facilitate the awareness of litchi juice aroma and broaden our insight into the deep processing of litchi.

Time-specific ultrasonic treatment of litchi thaumatin-like protein inhibits inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophages via NF-κB and MAPK transduction pathways.

The pro-inflammation activity of litchi thaumatin-like protein (LcTLP) led to be responsible for the occurrence of adverse reactions after excessive consumption of litchi. This study aimed to characterize the changes in the structure and inflammatory activity of LcTLP induced by ultrasound treatment. Significant molecular structure of LcTLP changes occured at 15 min ultrasound treatment, and then tended to recover with subsequent treatment. Secondary structure (α-helices decreased from 17.3% to 6.3%), tertiary structure (the maximum endogenous fluorescence intensity decreased), and microstructure (mean hydrodynamic diameter reduced from 4 µm to 50 nm) of the LcTLP treated for 15 min (LT15) were significantly affected, which led to the inflammatory epitope of LcTLP (domain II and V-cleft) unfolded. In vitro, LT15 had a significant anti-inflammatory response, which inhibited NO production and had the best effect at 50 ng/mL in RAW264.7 macrophages (73.24%). Moreover, proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion and mRNA expression levels were also significantly lower compared with untreated LcTLP (p < 0.05). Western blot further confirmed that the expressions of IκB-α, p65, p38, ERK and JNK reduced markedly (p < 0.05), which indicated LT15 inhibited the inflammatory response through NF-κB and MAPK transduction pathways. Overall, it can be hypothesized that LT15 exposed to low frequency ultrasonic fields have a direct effect on the protein surface structure and thus on the entry of LT15 into cells, making 15-minute ultrasound treatment potentially useful in reducing the pro-inflammatory properties of litchi or related liquid products.

High precision tracking analysis of cell position and motion fields using 3D U-net network models.

Cells are the basic units of biological organization, and the quantitative analysis of cellular states is an important topic in medicine and is valuable in revealing the complex mechanisms of microscopic world organisms. In order to better understand cell cycle changes as well as drug actions, we need to track cell migration and division. In this paper, we propose a novel engineering model for tracking cells using cell position and motion fields (CPMF). The training sample does not need to be manually annotated, and we modify and edit it against the ground truth using auxiliary tools. The core idea of the project is to combine detection and correlation, and the cell sequence samples are trained by a U-Net network model composed of 3D CNNs, which can track the migration, division, and entry and exit of cells in the field of view with high accuracy in all directions. The average detection accuracy of the cell coordinates is 98.38% and the average tracking accuracy is 98.70%.

By-Products of Fruit and Vegetables: Antioxidant Properties of Extractable and Non-Extractable Phenolic Compounds.

Non-extractable phenolic compounds (NEPs), or bound phenolic compounds, represent a crucial component of polyphenols. They are an essential fraction that remains in the residual matrix after the extraction of extractable phenolic compounds (EPs), making them a valuable resource for numerous applications. These compounds encompass a diverse range of phenolic compounds, ranging from low molecular weight phenolic to high polymeric polyphenols attached to other macro molecules, e.g., cell walls and proteins. Their status as natural, green antioxidants have been well established, with numerous studies showcasing their anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-cancer, and hypoglycemic activities. These properties make them a highly desirable alternative to synthetic antioxidants. Fruit and vegetable (F&Veg) wastes, e.g., peels, pomace, and seeds, generated during the harvest, transport, and processing of F&Vegs, are abundant in NEPs and EPs. This review delves into the various types, contents, structures, and antioxidant activities of NEPs and EPs in F&Veg wastes. The relationship between the structure of these compounds and their antioxidant activity is explored in detail, highlighting the importance of structure-activity relationships in the field of natural antioxidants. Their potential applications ranging from functional food and beverage products to nutraceutical and cosmetic products. A glimpse into their bright future as a valuable resource for a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future, and calling for researchers, industrialists, and policymakers to explore their full potential, are elaborated.

Advances in green solvents for production of polysaccharide-based packaging films: Insights of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents.

The problems with plastic materials and the good film-forming properties of polysaccharides motivated research in the development of polysaccharide-based films. In the last 5 years, there has been an explosion of publications on using green solvents, including ionic liquids (ILs), and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as candidates to substitute the conventional solvents/plasticizers for preparations of desired polysaccharide-based films. This review summarizes related properties and recovery of ILs and DESs, a series of green preparation strategies (including pretreatment solvents/reaction media, ILs/DESs as components, extraction solvents of bioactive compounds added into films), and inherent properties of polysaccharide-based films with/without ILs and DESs. Major reported advantages of these new solvents are high dissolving capacity of certain ILs/DESs for polysaccharides (i.e., up to 30 wt% for cellulose) and better plasticizing ability than traditional plasticizers. In addition, they frequently display intrinsic antioxidant and antibacterial activities that facilitate ILs/DESs applications in the processing of polysaccharide-based films (especially active food packaging films). ILs/DESs in the film could also be further recycled by water or ethanol/methanol treatment followed by drying/evaporation. One particularly promising approach is to use bioactive cholinium-based ILs and DESs with good safety and plasticizing ability to improve the functional properties of prepared films. Whole extracts by ILs/DESs from various byproducts can also be directly used in films without separation/polishing of compounds from the extracting agents. Scaling-up, including costs and environmental footprint, as well as the safety and applications in real foods of polysaccharide-based film with ILs/DESs (extracts) deserves more studies.