Genome analysis and hyphal movement characterization of the hitchhiker endohyphal Enterobacter sp. from Rhizoctonia solani.

Bacterial-fungal interactions are pervasive in the rhizosphere. While an increasing number of endohyphal bacteria have been identified, little is known about their ecology and impact on the associated fungal hosts and the surrounding environment. In this study, we characterized the genome of an Enterobacter sp. Crenshaw (En-Cren), which was isolated from the generalist fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, and examined the genetic potential of the bacterium with regard to the phenotypic traits associated with the fungus. Overall, the En-Cren genome size was typical for members of the genus and was capable of free-living growth. The genome was 4.6 MB in size, and no plasmids were detected. Several prophage regions and genomic islands were identified that harbor unique genes in comparison with phylogenetically closely related Enterobacter spp. Type VI secretion system and cyanate assimilation genes were identified from the bacterium, while some common heavy metal resistance genes were absent. En-Cren contains the key genes for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and phenylacetic acid (PAA) biosynthesis, and produces IAA and PAA in vitro, which may impact the ecology or pathogenicity of the fungal pathogen in vivo. En-Cren was observed to move along hyphae of R. solani and on other basidiomycetes and ascomycetes in culture. The bacterial flagellum is essential for hyphal movement, while other pathways and genes may also be involved.IMPORTANCEThe genome characterization and comparative genomics analysis of Enterobacter sp. Crenshaw provided the foundation and resources for a better understanding of the ecology and evolution of this endohyphal bacteria in the rhizosphere. The ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid and phenylacetic acid may provide new angles to study the impact of phytohormones during the plant-pathogen interactions. The hitchhiking behavior of the bacterium on a diverse group of fungi, while inhibiting the growth of some others, revealed new areas of bacterial-fungal signaling and interaction, which have yet to be explored.

Tracing the Change and Contribution of Subcutaneous Adipose to Skin Expansion Using a Luciferase-Transgenic Fat Transplantation Model.

BACKGROUND: During skin expansion, subcutaneous adipose tissue undergoes the greatest change. The adipose layer appears to gradually thin or even disappear in long-term expansion. The response and contribution of adipose tissue to skin expansion remain to be elucidated. METHODS: The authors established a novel expansion model by transplanting luciferase-transgenic adipose tissue into the rat dorsum, followed by integrated expansion, to trace the dynamic changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue during expansion and the migration of adipose tissue-derived cells. In vivo luminescent imaging was performed to continuously track the adipose tissue changes. Histologic analysis and immunohistochemical staining evaluated the regeneration and vascularization of the expanded skin. Growth factor expression in expanded skin with or without adipose tissue was determined to evaluate the paracrine effect of adipose tissue. Adipose tissue-derived cells were traced in vitro by anti-luciferase staining, and their fate was determined by costaining for PDGFRα, DLK1, and CD31. RESULTS: In vivo bioimaging showed that cells in adipose tissue were alive during expansion. After expansion, the adipose tissue exhibited fibrotic-like structures, with more DLK1 + preadipocytes. Skin expanded with adipose tissue was significantly thicker than that without adipose tissue, with more blood vessels and cell proliferation. Vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor expression was higher in adipose tissue than in skin, indicating paracrine support from adipose tissue. Luciferase-positive adipose tissue-derived cells were observed in expanded skin, indicating direct participation in skin regeneration. CONCLUSION: Adipose tissue transplantation can effectively promote long-term skin expansion by contributing to vascularization and cell proliferation by means of various mechanisms. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The authors' findings suggest that it would be better if the expander pocket is dissected over the superficial fascia to preserve a layer of adipose tissue with skin. In addition, their findings support the treatment of fat grafting when expanded skin presents with thinning.

Effects of the adsorption behavior of polyamide microplastics on male reproductive health by reduction of testosterone bioavailability.

Microplastics (MPs) are global environmental pollutants with potential toxicity concerns, and their effects on the reproductive system have attracted increasing attention. This study investigated the interaction between MPs and mammalian biomolecules, focusing on the relationship between the testosterone adsorption behavior of MPs and male reproductive health. The adsorption capacity of different types of MPs for testosterone was evaluated in vitro experiments. Polyamide (PA)-MPs exhibited stronger adsorption, while polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-MPs displayed the weakest adsorption. Sorption equilibrium between PA-MPs and testosterone was achieved within 6 h, fitting the Pseudo-2nd-order model and Langmuir isotherm. The effects of MPs on male reproduction in mice was determined in vivo experiments. Male mice were treated with 0.1 and 0.5 mg/d PA-MPs/PMMA-MPs by gavage once per day for 28 days. The results showed that only 0.5 mg/d PA-MP exposure induced decreased serum testosterone levels, increased testicular testosterone levels compared to the control, and more severe damage to seminiferous tubule structure, sperm motility and sperm morphology compared to the PMMA-MPs group. Meanwhile, PA-MPs could reduce intracellular nuclear translocation of androgen receptor (AR) mediated by testosterone, while PMMA-MPs had no impact. The study revealed that PA-MP adsorption reduced testosterone bioavailability and caused sperm quality to decline, offering new insights into the combined toxicity mechanism of MPs in male mammals.

Fast Isomerization Before Isomerization-Hydroformylation: Probing the Neglected Period with A Novel Microfluidic Device.

By combining the concept of flash chemistry and radial synthesis, a novel microreactor (Flashstop reactor) was designed to study isomerization process of hydroformylation by a Rh/tetraphosphite catalyst in a time scale of seconds. It was found that in the initial 313 seconds, 60-99 % of 1-octene was isomerized to 2- and 3-octenes before the formation of aldehydes. Within this period, two different types of isomerization reactions were observed. It was proposed that a monohydride complex without CO ligand accounts for the ultrafast isomerization in the initial 30 seconds. The isomerization rate with such monohydride species was calculated much faster than that with the well-known H(CO)Rh(P-P) species. Both experimental and DFT computational studies were carried out to support this assumption. Fast transformations early on in catalytic cycles have been rarely studied due to the lack of proper tools. We believe that the Flashstop reactor is a powerful tool for analysis of kinetics in gas-liquid biphasic reactions within a time scale of seconds to minutes.

Autologous Concentrated Growth Factor Increases Skin Thickness and Area during Tissue Expansion: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical stretching of the skin (ie, tissue expansion) could generate additional skin, but it is limited by the intrinsic growth capacity. The authors conducted a study of autologous concentrated growth factor (CGF) to promote skin regeneration by increasing skin thickness and area during tissue expansion. METHODS: A single-center randomized controlled trial was conducted from 2016 to 2019. Participants undergoing skin expansion received either CGF or saline by means of intradermal injection on the expanded skin (0.02 mL/cm 2 ), for a total of three treatments at 4-week intervals. The primary endpoint was the expanded skin thickness at 12 weeks, which was measured by ultrasound. The secondary endpoints included skin thickness at 4 and 8 weeks and surface area, expansion index, and skin texture score of the expanded skin at 12 weeks. Safety assessments, for infection symptoms and nodule formation, were assessed at 24 weeks. RESULTS: In total, 26 patients were enrolled and assigned to the CGF or control group. Compared with the control group, the CGF group had significantly increased skin thickness at 8 (control, 1.1 ± 0.1 mm; CGF, 1.4 ± 0.1 mm; -0.6 to 0.0 mm; P = 0.047) and 12 weeks (control, 1.0 ± 0.1 mm; CGF, 1.3 ± 0.1 mm; -0.6 to 0.0 mm; P = 0.047). Compared with the baseline thickness (control, 1.6 ± 0.1 mm; CGF, 1.5 ± 0.1 mm; -0.3 to 0.5 mm; P = 0.987), skin thickness was sustained in the CGF group at 8 weeks after treatment (-0.1 to 0.3 mm; P = 0.711) but decreased in the control group (0.3 to 0.7 mm; P < 0.001). At 12 weeks, the CGF group showed greater increases in surface area (control, 77.7 ± 18.5 cm 2 ; CGF, 135.0 ± 15.7 cm 2 ; 7.2 cm 2 to 107.4 cm 2 ; P = 0.027) and expansion index (control, 0.9 ± 0.1; CGF, 1.4 ± 0.2; 0.0 to 0.8; P = 0.030) than the control group. In addition, CGF-treated skin showed an improvement in texture [CGF: grade 3, n = 2 (15.8%), grade 2, n = 4 (30.7%); control: grade 3, n = 0 (0.0%), grade 2, n = 3 (23.0%)]. No severe adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: CGF treatment increases skin thickness and area during tissue expansion, and represents a safe and effective strategy for managing skin expansion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The findings of this study indicate that it is practically feasible to improve skin regeneration by applying autologous platelet concentrate therapy for skin expansion management. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

After the blades: The late MIS3 flake-based technology at Shuidonggou Locality 2, North China.

Contrasting with the predominance of blade-based assemblages in the Eurasian Upper Paleolithic, the large-scale persistence of a core-and-flake technology remains one of the defining features of Late Pleistocene lithic technology in East Asia. In North China, Shuidonggou is an exceptional site where both technologies are documented, therefore, it is an important archaeological sequence to understand regional technological evolution during the Marine Isotopic Stage 3. Blade technology first occurred at Shuidonggou Locality 1 and 2 around 41 ka cal BP while core-and-flake assemblages were widespread in North China. However, systematic technological studies on assemblages postdating 34 ka cal BP have not been conducted to examine whether the blade technology appeared and disappeared over a short yet abrupt episode, or persists and integrates into other forms in the region. Here, we conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses to reconstruct lithic productions on the assemblages at Shuidonggou Locality 2, dated after 34 ka cal BP. Our results show that there is a total absence of laminar elements in stone artifacts dated to 34-28 ka cal BP at Shuidonggou. Instead, we observe a dominance of an expedient production of flakes in the younger assemblages, illustrating a rapid return to flake-based technology after a relatively brief episode of stone blade production. Combining archaeological, environmental, and genetic evidence, we suggest that this technological 'reversal' from blades back to core and flake technology reflect population dynamics and adaptive strategies at an ecological interface between East Asian winter and summer monsoon.

The effect of glycerol as a cryoprotective agent in the cryopreservation of adipose tissue.

BACKGROUND: Long-term preservation of adipose tissue is crucial for clinical applications. Researchers should consider both efficiency and biosafety when choosing a cryoprotective agent (CPA) for adipose tissue preservation. Glycerol has been applied as a nontoxic CPA for multiple tissues but not adipose tissue. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of glycerol as a CPA for adipose tissue cryopreservation. METHODS: Fresh human adipose tissues were obtained from patients who underwent liposuction and divided into 1 mL samples. Each sample was randomly mixed with 1 mL of CPA: 60-100% glycerol, 0.25 mol/L trehalose or DMSO + FBS and cryopreserved in - 196 °C liquid nitrogen for one month. After thawing and elution, the tissues were immediately evaluated for activity and structural integrity in vitro. Then, 0.2 mL of each sample was transplanted subdermally to the nude mouse dorsum and harvested after one month for histological examination to assess the effect of the cryopreserved fat in transplantation. RESULTS: After cryopreservation, the samples treated with DMSO + FBS, trehalose, 60% and 70% glycerol had a more integrated structure than the samples in other groups. Tissues preserved with 70% glycerol had the highest G3PDH activity of 24.41 ± 0.70, comparable to 24.76 ± 0.48 in fresh tissue (p > 0.05). Adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) viability, proliferation and differentiation capability were also better preserved in 70% glycerol group. In vivo analysis showed that tissue preserved with 70% glycerol had a retention rate of 52.37 ± 7.53%, significantly higher than other groups. Histological observation demonstrated better structural integrity and viability in 70% glycerol group. Compared to the DMSO + FBS and trehalose groups, the glycerol groups showed lower tissue inflammation. CONCLUSION: Glycerol (70%) is efficient in adipose tissue cryopreservation. Glycerol-based CPAs, which are nontoxic and show biosafety, are a promising solution for clinical tissue cryopreservation.

Mechanical Stretching Can Modify the Papillary Dermis Pattern and Papillary Fibroblast Characteristics during Skin Regeneration.

Clinical application of mechanical stretching is a reconstructive method for skin repair. Although studies have reported dermal fibroblast heterogeneity, whether stretching affects individual fibroblast subpopulations equally remains unclear. In this study, we show the changes in dermal structure and papillary fibroblast (Fp) in regenerated human skin. Exhausted skin regeneration caused dermal‒epidermal junction flattening, papillary dermis thinning, and an increase in type III collagen-to-type I collagen ratio, with upregulated hallmarks of aging. Well-regenerated skin displayed a notable increase in the Fp population. Consistent changes were observed in the rat expansion model. Moreover, we found that TGFß1 expression was especially increased in skin showing good regeneration. Activation of the TGFß1/SMAD2/3 pathway improved exhausted skin regeneration and resulted in increased collagen content and Fp proliferation, whereas pharmacological inhibition of TGFß1 action impacted well-regenerated skin. Short-term mechanical stretching that promoted skin regeneration enhanced Fp proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, and increased TGFß1 expression, leading to good regeneration. Conversely, long-term stretching induced premature Fp senescence, leading to poor regeneration. This work shows the mechanism of mechanical stretching in well-skin regeneration that enhances Fp proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis through the TGFß1/SMAD2/3 pathway and highlights a crucial role of Fps in stretching-induced skin regeneration.

Denisovans and Homo sapiens on the Tibetan Plateau: dispersals and adaptations.

Recent archaeological discoveries suggest that both archaic Denisovans and Homo sapiens occupied the Tibetan Plateau earlier than expected. Genetic studies show that a pulse of Denisovan introgression was involved in the adaptation of Tibetan populations to high-altitude hypoxia. These findings challenge the traditional view that the plateau was one of the last places on earth colonized by H. sapiens and warrant a reappraisal of the population history of this highland. Here, we integrate archaeological and genomic evidence relevant to human dispersal, settlement, and adaptation in the region. We propose two testable models to address the peopling of the plateau in the broader context of H. sapiens dispersal and their encounters with Denisovans in Asia.

Superiority of Adipose-derived CD34 + Cells over Adipose-derived Stem Cells in Promoting Ischemic Tissue Survival.

BACKGROUND: Tissue ischemia usually leads to necrosis and is a threatening condition associated with reconstructive surgery. Promoting the survival of ischemic tissue is critical for improving clinical outcomes. Although various solutions based on stem cells have been reported, there are still limitations to clinical translation. The aim of this study was to develop an effective method to promote the survival of ischemic tissue. METHODS: Adipose-derived CD34 + and CD34- cells were obtained by magnetic bead sorting from the stromal vascular faction (SVF). Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were collected by subculture. The angiogenic capacities of CD34 + cells, CD34- cells and ADSCs were evaluated in vitro by comparing mRNA and protein expression. Random axial flaps in nude mice were used to evaluate the efficacy of these cells in protecting tissue from necrosis. The effect of these cells in preventing inflammation was also evaluated. RESULTS: Our data suggest that CD34 + cells expressed higher levels of angiogenetic factors and lower levels of inflammatory factors than the other cell types. More vessel branches were formed when human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with conditioned medium from CD34 + cells than conditioned medium from the other cell types. Compared to ADSCs, CD34 + cells showed significantly higher efficacy in promoting tissue survival. More CD31 + cells and higher levels of angiogenic factors were observed in tissues from the CD34 + group than in those from the other groups. Lower levels of the proinflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1b and higher levels of anti-inflammatory factors were found in the CD34 + group than in the other groups. CONCLUSION: Adipose-derived CD34 + cells showed better efficacy in improving ischemic tissue survival than ADSCs by reducing tissue inflammation and promoting angiogenesis. CD34 + cells can be obtained easily and may be suitable for clinical applications.

A P300-Based BCI System Using Stereoelectroencephalography and Its Application in a Brain Mechanistic Study.

Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) signals can be obtained by implanting deep intracranial electrodes. SEEG depth electrodes can record brain activity from the shallow cortical layer and deep brain structures, which is not achievable through other recording techniques. Moreover, SEEG has the advantage of a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Therefore, it provides a potential way to establish a highly efficient brain-computer interface (BCI) and aid in understanding human brain activity. In this study, we implemented a P300-based BCI using SEEG signals. A single-character oddball paradigm was applied to elicit P300. To predict target characters, we fed the feature vectors extracted from the signals collected by five SEEG contacts into a Bayesian linear discriminant analysis (BLDA) classifier. Thirteen epileptic patients implanted with SEEG electrodes participated in the experiment and achieved an average online spelling accuracy of 93.85%. Moreover, through single-contact decoding analysis and simulated online analysis, we found that the SEEG-based BCI system achieved a high performance even when using a single signal channel. Furthermore, contacts with high decoding accuracies were mainly distributed in the visual ventral pathway, especially the fusiform gyrus (FG) and lingual gyrus (LG), which played an important role in building P300-based SEEG BCIs. These results might provide new insights into P300 mechanistic studies and the corresponding BCIs.

Autologous Concentrated Growth Factors Combined with Topical Minoxidil for the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Minoxidil (MXD) is an U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for the topical treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with minor side effects, but its hair growth (HG) effect is unsatisfactory. Methods: A double-blinded within-subjects randomized clinical trial was conducted on 16 male AGA patients who showed limited improvement after MXD treatment. Eligible participants received three concentrated growth factor (CGF) injections on half of the scalp and the placebo on the other side at 4-week intervals, and MXD was applied twice daily on both sides throughout the follow-up period. The primary endpoint was the HG ratio at V4. The secondary endpoints included the HG ratios at V2, V3, and V5; hair density and T/V ratio at V2, V3, V4, and V5; Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) scores at V4 and V5; and participant satisfaction at V4. Results: Each group included 16 subjects; each half of the scalp was randomly assigned to the MXD+CGF or MXD group. The HG ratio at V4 was higher in the MXD+CGF group than in the MXD group. The MXD+CGF group had significant improvements in hair density, HG ratio, and T/V ratio compared with the MXD group over the follow-up period. The GAIS scores and participant satisfaction were higher in the MXD+CGF group than in the MXD group. Unexpectedly, the MXD+CGF treatment hastened HG, which was sustained for 3 months after discontinuation. No severe adverse events occurred. Conclusions: The combined treatment of MXD and CGF is safe and more efficient for AGA patients. Combining CGF can expedite the potency of MXD and provide patients with fast and lasting HG.

The combination of trehalose and glycerol: an effective and non-toxic recipe for cryopreservation of human adipose-derived stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) promote tissue regeneration and repair. Cryoprotective agents (CPAs) protect cells from cryodamage during cryopreservation. Safe and efficient cryopreservation of ADSCs is critical for cell-based therapy in clinical applications. However, most CPAs are used at toxic concentrations, limiting their clinical application. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop a non-toxic xeno-free novel CPA aiming at achieving high-efficiency and low-risk ADSC cryopreservation. METHODS: We explored different concentrations of trehalose (0.3 M, 0.6 M, 1.0 M, and 1.25 M) and glycerol (10%, 20%, and 30% v/v) for optimization and evaluated and compared the outcomes of ADSCs cryopreservation between a combination of trehalose and glycerol and the commonly used CPA DMSO (10%) + FBS (90%). All samples were slowly frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen for 30 days. The effectiveness was evaluated by the viability, proliferation, migration, and multi-potential differentiation of the ADSCs after thawing. RESULTS: Compared with the groups treated with individual reagents, the 1.0 M trehalose (Tre) + 20% glycerol (Gly) group showed significantly higher efficiency in preserving ADSC activities after thawing, with better outcomes in both cell viability and proliferation capacity. Compared with the 10% DMSO + 90% FBS treatment, the ADSCs preserved in 1.0 M Tre + 20% Gly showed similar cell viability, surface markers, and multi-potential differentiation but a significantly higher migration capability. The results indicated that cell function preservation can be improved by 1.0 M Tre + 20% Gly. CONCLUSIONS: The 1.0 M Tre + 20% Gly treatment preserved ADSCs with a higher migration capability than 10% DMSO + 90% FBS and with viability higher than that with trehalose or glycerol alone but similar to that with 10% DMSO + 90% FBS and fresh cells. Moreover, the new CPA achieves stemness and multi-potential differentiation similar to those in fresh cells. Our results demonstrate that 1.0 M Tre + 20% Gly can more efficiently cryopreserve ADSCs and is a non-toxic CPA that may be suitable for clinical applications.

The efficacy and safety of a ketogenic diet for children with refractory epilepsy in China: a retrospective single-center cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The ketogenic diet (KD) has been implemented in many different counties. However, in China, study concerning the efficacy of the KD is still at an early-stage of evaluation. Furthermore, the KD is thought to be incompatible with Chinese children because of its lack of palatability, especially for the Asian population. In addition, its substantial antiepileptic effect remains to be confirmed. METHODS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the KD treatment of refractory childhood epilepsy in China, we prospectively enrolled 147 children with refractory epilepsy for KD treatment in Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital and followed up the children for 6 months. Outcome was measured by seizure frequencies before and after the KD diet and adverse effects. We also evaluated influences of different variables (starting age, duration of epilepsy, and others) on the outcome. RESULTS: We found after 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months of KD treatment, 28.0%, 55%, and 67.9% of the subjects remained on diet with a >50% seizure reduction and seizure-free rates of 6.5%, 13.2%, and 23.3%, respectively. Gender, starting age, duration, etiology, classification, and seizure type of epilepsy showed no significant influence on efficacy. Anorexia, diarrhea, and gravel were the main side-effects of the KD treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the KD is a safe and efficacious method for childhood refractory epilepsy treatment.

[Clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with dentatorubro-pallidoluysian atrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with dentatorubro-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA). METHODS: DNA analysis for DRPLA gene was performed in two patients. Clinical features and genetic testing of Chinese DRPLA patients reported in the literature were reviewed in terms of initial symptoms, CAG repeat and age of onset. RESULTS: Both families were confirmed by genetic analysis. In family 1, the number of CAG repeat in the proband, his brother and his mother was determined respectively as 8/65, 8/53 and 8/18. In family 2, the number of CAG repeat was respectively 13/63, 13/18, 18/52 and 13/13 in the proband, his brother, his father and his mother. The size of the expanded CAG repeats has inversely correlated with the age at onset (P<0.05, r=- 0.555). The age at onset of epilepsy was 10 and that for the onset of ataxia is forty years in initial symptom. CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics of DRPLA include epilepsy, ataxia and cognitive impairment. The initial symptoms are epilepsy in adolescence and ataxia in adults. The size of expanded CAG repeats inversely correlates with the age at onset. The initial symptoms are different with different age of onset. It is difficult to diagnose DRPLA at an early stage.

[Advances on research of human exposure to triclosan].

Triclosan, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, was reported to have been widely detected in various human biological samples such as urine, blood and human milk among foreign populations. In China, limited reports have been found on human exposure to triclosan, and the reported urinary triclosan concentrations were significantly lower than that of American populations. Besides, the potential influencing factors still remain unclear regarding human exposure to triclosan, but evidences suggest that those in middle age and with higher household income and higher social class tend to have higher urinary triclosan concentrations. Furthermore, triclosan exposure tend to differ by sex, geography, heredity, metabolism and life style.

Preparation of a novel rape pollen shell microencapsulation and its use for protein adsorption and pH-controlled release.

This study aims to synthesize hollow microspheres (HMS) from rape pollen via H3PO4 hydrothermal carbonization. The rape pollen hollow shell was used as the carrier and bovine serum albumin as a model protein. The properties of HMS were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis. The SEM images clearly showed that the HMS had perfect spherical morphology and porous hollow surface. In the separated filtrate, a large number of sucroses were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography, suggesting that the hydrolysis of starch molecules occurred during the hydrothermal process. The formation of HMS was that the rape pollen inclusion was removed from rape pollen shell to preserve integral HMS by H3PO4 hydrothermal. The HMS possessed amphiphilic surfaces, which was suitable for protein adsorpion and pH-controlled release application.

[Eco-fitness of county-level agricultural leading industry structure: assessment and development prediction].

Based on the 'three critical points' theory of eco-fitness, and by using dynamic weighting and fitting methods, an assessment system for the eco-fitness of county-level agricultural leading industry structure was constructed, and, taking Zhangqiu of Shandong Province, East China as a case, the eco-fitness of county-level agricultural leading industry structure was assessed and predicted. Due to the limited agro-ecological resources, the comprehensive eco-fitness index of four kinds of agricultural leading industry in Zhangqiu presented an upward trend from 2005 to 2010, but a downward trend from 2011 to 2015. The eco-fitness indices of oil crops and fruits would be negative in 2015. The applied research in Zhangqiu confirmed the validity of the assessment system constructed for the eco-fitness of county-level agriculture leading industry structure and the rationality of the prediction model.

Mechanochemistry in thermomechanical processing of foods: kinetic aspects.

In some food processing operations, raw materials sustain shearing and heating simultaneously. These thermomechanical treatments will induce chemical, physicochemical, and biochemical changes, such as starch degradation and gelatinization, protein denaturalization, loss of nutritious components, and inactivation of enzymes and their inhibitors. In this article, only kinetic aspects of these changes are reviewed. The Basedow and Zhurkov models are commonly used to describe shear effects on the rate constants of mechanochemical reactions. After a brief description of these 2 models, their applications in food are reviewed deeply, with emphasis on the activation energy reduction in the Zhurkov model and the shear activation energy in the Basedow model. Since the changes occurring in food systems often involve various interactions at the atomic, molecular, and supramolecular levels, they were described only phenomenonlogically by the mechanochemical kinetic models. The limitation, opportunity, and extension of the mechanochemical approach to modeling food kinetics are discussed.