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Aiming to address the multi-objective cooperative optimization problem of ship structure lightweight and crashed-resistance, this study proposed a concave reentrant honeycomb-based negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) sandwich structure to replace the stiffened plate. The feasibility of using the sandwich structure to improve ship crashworthiness is demonstrated through finite element analysis. An intelligent optimization method is established to address the issues of multiple parameters and complex effects associated with composite structures and optimize the crashworthiness of the sandwich structure. The effectiveness of the optimization method and the feasibility of the NPR sandwich structure in ship crashworthiness have been validated, providing a reference for the design of new multi-functional ship structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mendelian randomization (MR) is an epidemiological framework using genetic variants as instrumental variables (IVs) to examine the causal effect of exposures on outcomes. Statistical methods based on unidirectional MR (UMR) are widely used to estimate the causal effects of exposures on outcomes in observational studies. To estimate the bidirectional causal effects between two phenotypes, investigators have naively applied UMR methods separately in each direction. However, bidirectional causal effects between two phenotypes create a feedback loop that biases the estimation when UMR methods are naively applied. To overcome this limitation, we proposed two novel approaches to estimate bidirectional causal effects using MR: BiRatio and BiLIML, which are extensions of the standard ratio, and limited information maximum likelihood (LIML) methods, respectively. We compared the performance of the two proposed methods with the naive application of UMR methods through extensive simulations of several scenarios involving varying numbers of strong and weak IVs. Our simulation results showed that when multiple strong IVs are used, the proposed methods provided accurate bidirectional causal effect estimation in terms of median absolute bias and relative median absolute bias. Furthermore, compared to the BiRatio method, the BiLIML method provided a more accurate estimation of causal effects when weak IVs were used. Therefore, based on our simulations, we concluded that the BiLIML should be used for bidirectional causal effect estimation. We applied the proposed methods to investigate the potential bidirectional relationship between obesity and diabetes using the data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cohort. We used body mass index (BMI) and fasting glucose (FG) as measures of obesity and type 2 diabetes, respectively. Our results from the BiLIML method revealed the bidirectional causal relationship between BMI and FG in across all racial populations. Specifically, in the White/Caucasian population, a 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI increased FG by 0.70 mg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3517–1.0489; p = 8.43×10−5), and 1 mg/dL increase in FG increased BMI by 0.10 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.0441–0.1640; p = 6.79×10−4). Our study provides novel findings and quantifies the effect sizes of the bidirectional causal relationship between BMI and FG. However, further studies are needed to understand the biological and functional mechanisms underlying the bidirectional pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the processing and application potential of Chinese yam starch, nine kinds of Chinese yam starch (GY11, GY5, GY2, GXPY, LCY, SFY, MPY, SYPY, ASY) from South China were collected and characterized. The chemical composition, rheological properties, thermal properties, and in vitro starch digestion were compared, and the correlation between the structure and processing properties of these yam starches was analyzed using Pearson correlation. The results show that GY2 had the highest amylose content of 28.70%. All the yam starches were similarly elliptical, and all the yam starch gels showed pseudoplastic behavior. Yam starches showed similar pasting temperatures and resistant starch content, but SYPY showed the largest particle size (28.4 μm), SFY showed the highest setback (2712.33 cp), and LCY showed the highest peak viscosity (6145.67 cp) and breakdown (2672.33 cp). In addition, these yam starches also showed different crystal types (A-type, B-type, C-type), relative crystallinity (26.54–31.48%), the ratios of 1045/1022 cm−1 (0.836–1.213), pasting properties, and rheological properties, so the yam starches have different application potentials. The rheological and pasting properties were related to the structural properties of starch, such as DI, Mw, and particle size, and were also closely related to the thermodynamic properties. The appropriate processing methods and purposes of the processed products of these yam starches can be selected according to their characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation Quaternary structure determination for transmembrane/soluble proteins requires a reliable computational protocol that leverages observed distance restraints and/or cyclic symmetry (C n symmetry) found in most homo-oligomeric transmembrane proteins. Results We survey 118 X-ray crystallographically solved structures of homo-oligomeric transmembrane proteins (HoTPs) and find that ∼97% are C n symmetric. Given the prevalence of C n symmetric HoTPs and the benefits of incorporating geometry restraints in aiding quaternary structure determination, we introduce two new filters, the distance-restraints (DR) and the Symmetry-Imposed Packing (SIP) filters. SIP relies on a new method that can rebuild the closest ideal C n symmetric complex from docking poses containing a homo-dimer without prior knowledge of the number (n) of monomers. Using only the geometrical filter, SIP, near-native poses of 7 HoTPs in their monomeric states can be correctly identified in the top-10 for 71% of all cases, or 29% among 31 HoTP structures obtained through homology modeling, while ZDOCK alone returns 14 and 3%, respectively. When the n is given, the optional n -mer filter is applied with SIP and returns the near-native poses for 76% of the test set within the top-10, outperforming M-ZDOCK's 55% and Sam's 47%. While applying only SIP to three HoTPs that comes with distance restraints, we found the near-native poses were ranked 1st, 1st and 10th among 54 000 possible decoys. The results are further improved to 1st, 1st and 3rd when both DR and SIP filters are used. By applying only DR, a soluble system with distance restraints is recovered at the 1st-ranked pose. Availability and implementation https://github.com/capslockwizard/drsip. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated the functional properties of four varieties of yam starch and four varieties of cassava starch to better understand the relationship between the structure and properties of various forms of starch. The relationship between the functional properties and structure of starch was explored using Pearson correlation (PCs) and principal component analysis (PCA). The analyses demonstrated that yam starch and cassava starch differ significantly in structure and functional properties. Yam starches have a higher requirement during gelatinization, may hold a higher trough viscosity and final viscosity, and are easier to retrograde after gelatinization; this results in starch gels with a higher hardness and gel strength. While the cassava starches have a higher breakdown, their starch gels are fluid and squishy. The differences in starch functional properties were linked to particle size, short-range ordered structure, protein content, and average radius of gyration in PCs and PCA. The present investigation demonstrates a link between the functional properties of cassava and yam starch and their structural features and suggests that acceptable processing methods and applications for these tuber starches be selected based on their functional properties. • The structure and functional properties of cassava and yam starch were compared. • Yam starch gel has high hardness and gel strength. • Cassava starch gel has strong fluidity, high softness and high ductility. • There was a significant correlation between the structure and functional properties of starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few data exist on acute stroke treatment in patients with pre-existing disability (PD) since they are usually excluded from clinical trials. A recent trial of mobile stroke units (MSUs) demonstrated faster treatment and improved outcomes, and included PD patients. Aim: To determine outcomes with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and benefit of MSU versus management by emergency medical services (EMS), for PD patients. Methods: Primary outcomes were utility-weighted modified Rankin Scale (uw-mRS). Linear and logistic regression models compared outcomes in patients with versus without PD, and PD patients treated by MSU versus standard management by EMS. Time metrics, safety, quality of life, and health-care utilization were compared. Results: Of the 1047 tPA-eligible ischemic stroke patients, 254 were with PD (baseline mRS 2–5) and 793 were without PD (baseline mRS 0–1). Although PD patients had worse 90-day uw-mRS, higher mortality, more health-care utilization, and worse quality of life than non-disabled patients, 53% returned to at least their baseline mRS, those treated faster had better outcome, and there was no increased bleeding risk. Comparing PD patients treated by MSU versus EMS, 90-day uw-mRS was 0.42 versus 0.36 (p = 0.07) and 57% versus 46% returned to at least their baseline mRS. There was no interaction between disability status and MSU versus EMS group assignment (p = 0.67) for 90-day uw-mRS. Conclusion: PD did not prevent the benefit of faster treatment with tPA in the BEST-MSU study. Our data support inclusion of PD patients in the MSU management paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ca2+-binding human S100A1 protein is a type of S100 protein. S100A1 is a significant mediator during inflammation when Ca2+ binds to its EF-hand motifs. Receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) correspond to 5 domains: the cytoplasmic, transmembrane, C2, C1, and V domains. The V domain of RAGE is one of the most important target proteins for S100A1. It binds to the hydrophobic surface and triggers signaling transduction cascades that induce cell growth, cell proliferation, and tumorigenesis. We used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to characterize the interaction between S100A1 and the RAGE V domain. We found that S100B could interact with S100A1 via NMR 1H-15N HSQC titrations. We used the HADDOCK program to generate the following two binary complexes based on the NMR titration results: S100A1-RAGE V domain and S100A1-S100B. After overlapping these two complex structures, we found that S100B plays a crucial role in blocking the interaction site between RAGE V domain and S100A1. A cell proliferation assay WST-1 also supported our results. This report could potentially be useful for new protein development for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low stability and loss of antimicrobial activity of catechins limited their application in food preservation. In this study, four kinds of catechins including (−)-epicatechin (EC), (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), and (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) were selected as model compounds. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are a new generation of green solvents that have attracted much attention due to their unique characteristics. The effects of NADES on the stability and antimicrobial activity of catechins were investigated in the present study. Eight typical NADES, especially choline chloride/glycerol (ChG), were found to significantly enhance the thermal and storage stability of catechins. This finding accounted for by hydrogen bonding network formation between ChG and catechins, confirmed by FT-IR and 2D NMR analysis. Additionally, ChG decreased the minimum inhibitory concentration of catechins on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which may be associated with its stabilizing property. The stability of catechins combined with NADES revealed their potential of applications in the food industry. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of the NADES on the stability of catechins at different temperatures and explore the stabilizing mechanism of NADES on catechins by NMR and FT-IR. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of catechins dissolved in NADES and water were comparatively studied. This work represented a novel approach substantiating the role of NADES as green additive to enhance the stability of bioactive compounds. • NADES significantly enhanced the thermal and storage stability of catechins. • The strong hydrogen bonding network was formed between ChG and catechins. • Catechins dissolved in NADES showed better antimicrobial activity than in water.. • Agar diffusion method was unsuitable for evaluation antimicrobial activity of sample in NADES.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure assisted enzymatic treatment on the texture and myofibril protein of goose meat were investigated. Samples of goose meat were vacuum-packed, pressurized and distributed into seven groups: control, enzyme treatment and high hydrostatic pressure (100–500 MPa) assisted enzyme treatment. Texture, water holding capacity and myofibril protein microstructure were analyzed. High hydrostatic pressure assisted enzyme treatment affected the hardness, water holding capacity and color of the product, and modified its myofibril protein microstructure. The hardness of meat samples treated with 300 MPa + enzyme sample decreased by 54.3%. which was much lower than that of enzymatic incubation only. Further, the water holding capacity of the goose meat was increased by High hydrostatic pressure-assisted enzyme treatment with no impact on the a * value. The results suggest that High hydrostatic pressure assisted enzymatic treatment is a promising technology for the tenderization of goose meat. • High hydrostatic pressure/enzyme treatment can improve the tenderization effect. • High hydrostatic pressure enhances the catalytic activity of papain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable chitosan/gelatin (CS/GEL) films have attracted attention as food packaging, but the poor water sensitivity and functional limitations of these films should be addressed. In this study, the hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES, 0–15 %) consisting of thymol and octanoic acid was used to improve the water resistance and antibacterial performance of the CS/GEL composite films. FTIR and SEM analyses revealed a strong interaction between the CS/GEL matrix and DES. The films blended with DES showed increased water contact angle values and thermal stability. Furthermore, the addition of DES resulted in a significant increase in the elasticity and decrease water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The CS/GEL films blended with 9% DES showed a 38.5% decrease in WVTR compared to those without DES. Additionally, the DES-containing film displayed good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Overall, the CS/GEL-DES composite films are expected to contribute an improvement to food packaging. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a prime biological role of longan, antioxidation is reported to be closely related to the richness of phenolic compounds. There is a large variation in total phenolics content and phenolic composition among different sub-cultivars of plants, yet the corresponding data as for longan pulps are still insufficient. For this reason, ten of Chinese longan cultivars were selected in this study for the determination of total phenolics and individual phenolic compounds. Four model assays were used to measure the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Results showed that the free phenolics accounted for the major proportion in total phenolics. 'Dingyuan' had the largest content of phenolics, for the first time being reported higher than other common longan cultivars. Also, 'Dingyuan' exhibited more powerful competence in controlling redox reflected by the value of antioxidant potency composite index (ACI). There was a strong correlation between the abundance of polyphenols and antioxidant activity. In fifteen identified phenolic compounds, epicatechin was the richest present in all samples. Principal component analysis categorized different sources of longan into several groups, which might be a guidance for the layout of breeding programs, and for a proper processing strategy to longan pulp for better utilization of its natural advantages. • Free-form accounted for the main proportion in total phenolics of longan pulp. • Epicatechin was the main monomeric polyphenol in the profile of longan phenolics. • Dingyuan, was proven to exhibit the most intensive antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavor is one of the most important characteristics of meat products and it could eventually affect the consumer's acceptance and purchasing habits. This research evaluated the effect of endogenous enzyme from straw mushroom (EESM) as a flavor modifier on Cantonese sausages. Four treatments were prepared: control without EESM, and three treatments with 50, 100 or 200 mL EESM, respectively. The proximate composition, color, texture, lipid oxidation, protein oxidation, free fatty acids, free amino acids and volatile compounds of sausages were analyzed. EESM improved the generation of tasted amino acids and related volatile compounds by moderately and simultaneously facilitated proteolysis, lipolysis and lipid oxidation of Cantonese sausages. Moreover, the moisture content, texture (springiness, hardness and chewiness) and redness properties were increased by EESM addition. These findings showed that EESM could be a good strategy to enhance the taste and volatile flavor, texture and color properties of Cantonese sausages. • Effects of EESM on physiochemical and flavor properties were evaluated. • The taste and volatile flavor of Cantonese sausages can be improved by addition of EESM. • EESM promoted the proteolysis, lipolysis and moderate lipid oxidation in the sausages. • Addition of EESM increased moisture content, texture and redness properties of sausage. • Sausages incorporated with 100 mL EESM gave the relative better effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]