Evaluation of Emulsion Gel Stabilized by Konjac Glucomannan as a Pork Fat Substitute: Effect on Microstructure, Water Distribution, and Oxidative Stability of Meat Patties.

This study aims to evaluate the use of the emulsion gel stabilized by konjac glucomannan (KGM) as a substitute for pork fat and investigates its effects on the quality attributes of meat patties. The substitution resulted in enhanced visual presentation and a more intricate protein network structure, while reducing the cooking loss of the meat patties. Notably, the textural properties of the patties remained unaffected with fat substitution levels ranging from 0% to 80%.

Myeloid-Specific STING-YBX1 Interaction Alleviates Coagulation in Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the third most common cause of cardiovascular deaths, is characterized by intravascular clot formation, often accompanied by inflammation. Although the STING (stimulator of interferon genes) signaling pathway is well recognized for its role in mediating inflammation in the context of infection, cellular stress, and tissue, its intricate involvement in DVT remains enigmatic.

Methods: In this study, we investigated the role of myeloid cell-intrinsic STING signaling in DVT progression using murine models.

Advances in the Epigenetic Mechanisms of Diabetic Nephropathy Pathogenesis.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most severe microvascular complications of diabetes and a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). While traditional research has linked the onset of DN to factors such as metabolic dysregulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress, these mechanisms alone fail to fully explain the complex pathological features and individual variability of DN. In recent years, epigenetic research has provided new insights, revealing the critical roles of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in the development of DN.

Construction of OSA-starch and caffeic acid composite system driven by high pressure homogenization: Multiscale structural evolution and digestibility regulation mechanism.

The effect of modification treatments on the structure and function of starch-polyphenol complexes has become a hot research topic. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the structural reorganization and digestibility modulation of octenyl succinic anhydride modified rice starch (OR)-caffeic acid complexes (ORCA) under gradient high pressure homogenization (HPH) pressures (50, 80, and 110 MPa). HPH promoted the interaction between starch and CA compared to the non-HPH-treated samples.

New insights into the regulation mechanism of starch digestibility by polyphenol structures in starch-polyphenol-protein ternary system.

The study aimed to investigate the effect mechanism of polyphenol structures on starch digestibility in the starch-polyphenol-protein ternary system. Polyphenol structures affected the affinity between polyphenols and whey protein isolate (WPI), with flavonoid-based polyphenols possessing a higher affinity to WPI. The law of polyphenol structures impacting the starch multiscale structure was altered in starch-polyphenol-protein ternary system compared to starch-polyphenol binary system.

Biodegradable polymers with tertiary amines enhance mRNA delivery of lipid nanoparticles via improved endosomal escape.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapy has become a promising and scalable approach for treating various diseases, and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have recently gained prominence as a safe and effective delivery vehicle. LNPs not only protect mRNA from degradation during systemic circulation but also facilitate its intracellular uptake and endosomal release. However, the endosomal release efficiency of standard LNPs has been shown to be poor, limiting the transfection efficiency.

Mechanism of reducing rice starch digestibility by quinoa protein amyloid-like fibrils pretreated with magnetic field.

The study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which magnetic field-pretreated quinoa protein amyloid-like fibrils affected the digestive properties of rice starch. Magnetic field pretreatment induced conformational changes in quinoa protein, promoting fibrillation, and quinoa protein formed the most amyloid-like fibrils under a 3 mT magnetic field treatment. The higher amyloid-like fibrils content enhanced both the short-range and long-range ordered structures of rice starch, as evidenced by the increased R value (from 0.

Latitude-driven adaptive evolution of body length in diverse pig breeds across China.

Background: The geographical divergence of Chinese pigs led to various phenotypes through adaptive evolution. In particular, pigs from relatively low altitudes exhibit a positive correlation between body length and latitude. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear.

Whey protein-constructed oleogels as cheese fat replacers: Modulating cheese functional behavior via protein structure modification.

Whey protein aggregates (WPA), formed through controlled thermal denaturation and aggregation, have emerged as novel oleogelators with exceptional functional properties. This study aims to investigate the relationship between WPA's structure and their oleogelation performance in sunflower oil, while evaluating their potential as fat replacers in cheese formulations. By modulating heating condition (85-95 °C/15 min) and protein concentrations (5-20 %), distinct WPA microstructures were engineered.

Embryo-derived human chorionic gonadotropin promotes human decidualization through activating epithelial prostaglandin F2α secretion.

Decidualization of endometrial stromal cells is important for pregnancy in rodents and humans. Dysfunction of decidualization can lead to implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage. Although the amount of PGF2α in uterine fluid increases during embryo implantation, what stimulates the production of PGF2α in the uterus and whether PGF2α is involved in embryo implantation and decidualization are still unknown.

Bioengineered iron-based heterojunction orientation in optimizing activation pathways for superoxide radical-mediated photoreduction of Cr(VI) from water.

Photocatalytic technology has been widely employed for Cr(VI) remediation. However, the inadequate generation of reactive oxygen species associated with the Cr(VI) reduction, caused by the uncontrollable photo-Fenton reaction, significantly restricts the reduction efficiency. Herein, a bioengineered iron-based heterojunction (Bio-FeO/Fe(WO)) was fabricated via a two-step process of biomineralization and calcination, where tungstate was doped into the precursor during iron metabolism in acidophilic bacteria to optimize the heterojunction structure.

Effect of Diethylstilbestrol on Implantation and Decidualization in Mice.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic non-steroidal estrogen, which was widely used to prevent preterm birth and abortion from the 1940s to the 1970s. DES can increase the incidence of infertility, the abnormal reproductive tract, and autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanism underlying DES on early pregnancy in mice is unclear.

Experimental determination of giant polarization in wurtzite III-nitride semiconductors.

Polarization engineering has revolutionized the photonic and electronic landscape of III-nitride semiconductors over the past decades. However, recent revelations of giant ferroelectric polarization in wurtzite III-nitrides challenge the long-standing paradigms. Here, we experimentally elucidate the polarization, including its magnitude and orientation, and its relationship to lattice polarity in III-nitrides.

The impact of age identity on social participation of older adults.

Background: With the intensification of the global aging population, the social engagement of seniors is regarded as a key element in the strategy for healthy aging. China, the country with the largest elderly population, confronts challenges such as "aging before becoming wealthy." The government has put forward a strategy for "healthy aging," highlighting the importance of seniors' social engagement for successful aging.

Sensor-Based Assessment of Mental Fatigue Effects on Postural Stability and Multi-Sensory Integration.

Objective: Mental fatigue (MF) induced by prolonged cognitive tasks poses significant risks to postural stability, yet its effects on multi-sensory integration remain poorly understood.

Method: This study investigated how MF alters sensory reweighting and postural control in 27 healthy young males. A 45 min incongruent Stroop task was employed to induce MF, validated via subjective Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and psychomotor vigilance tests.

Social media use and job choices: the mediating roles of work values and self-efficacy.

This study examines the association between social media use and college students' employment choices, focusing on the roles of work values and self-efficacy as mediating factors. A survey of 254 college students in Anhui Province showed that social media users tended to have more flexible and diverse employment options than non-users. Regression analyses demonstrated a positive association between social media use and employment decisions, with work values and self-efficacy identified as mediating factors in this relationship.

Whey protein-structured oleogels: Effect of α-lactalbumin addition and ultrasonication treatment on oleogelation.

Research on oleogels has a health and sustainability imperative for reducing saturated-fat intake. Herein, the physicochemical properties of whey protein aggregates (WPA) with α-lactalbumin (α-La) addition (5-10 %), ultrasonication (1-2 min), and heating process (85-95 °C), and consequently, the functional characteristics of WPA-based oleogels (WPO) and their potential for replacing commercial butter were investigated. More α-La incorporation and longer ultrasonication increased the hydrogen bonding and β-sheet (34 %-50 %), while reduced random coil of WPA (27 %-11 %), which promoted WPA formation, increased WPA structural density, and led to a decline in particle size of WPA driven by surface hydrophobicity decrease.

Composition-Graded Nitride Ferroelectrics Based Multi-Level Non-Volatile Memory for Neuromorphic Computing.

Multi-level non-volatile ferroelectric memories are emerging as promising candidates for data storage and neuromorphic computing applications, due to the enhancement of storage density and the reduction of energy and space consumption. Traditional multi-level operations are achieved by utilizing intermediary polarization states, which exhibit an unpredictable ferroelectric domain switching nature, leading to unstable multi-level memory. In this study, a unique approach of composition-graded ferroelectric ScAlN to achieve tunable operating voltage in a wide range and attain precise control of domain switching and stable multi-level memory is proposed.

New insights into rice starch-gallic acid-whey protein isolate interactions: Effects of multiscale structural evolution and enzyme activity on starch digestibility.

In starch-based food where proteins and polyphenols coexist, the impact of protein on the inhibition of starch digestion by polyphenols is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of whey protein isolate (WPI) on the inhibition of rice starch digestion by gallic acid (GA) from the aspects of multiscale structure and enzyme activity. Rice starch-gallic acid-whey protein isolate complex (RS-GA-WPI) was formed predominantly by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions.

The Impact of the Triglyceride-Glucose Index on the Development of Depression in Patients with Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease.

Background: Depression is common among patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and is a prevalent mental health issue, particularly among those with cardiovascular diseases. Depression is commonly associated with elevated blood glucose and lipid levels. The triglyceride-glucose index is a novel indicator reflecting insulin resistance, which has been proven in numerous studies to be associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of Physical Exercise Input on the Exercise Adherence of College Students: The Chain Mediating Role of Sports Emotional Intelligence and Exercise Self-Efficacy.

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate the effects and mechanisms of physical exercise input, sports emotional intelligence, and sports self-efficacy on exercise adherence, and to examine the chain-mediating role of sports emotional intelligence→sports self-efficacy.

Methods: The Physical Exercise Input Scale, Exercise Adherence Scale, Sports Emotional Intelligence Scale, and Sports Self-Efficacy Scale were used to investigate 1390 college students in three universities in the Henan Province.

Results: (1) Physical exercise input was a significant positive predictor of exercise adherence (β = 0.