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Purified SpyCatcher-ATA117 (5 µM) and SpyTag-ADH (5 µM) were covalently combined to form self-assembled dual-enzyme clusters (DENCs) at 4 °C for 3 h. The successful assembly of DENCs was verified using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). DENCs improved the storage stability by 36.2% and pH stability by 11.2% compared with those of free double enzymes. 56.89 g/L (R)− 1-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethanamine (R -BPA) was synthesized using DENCs with high yield (99.9%) and high enantiomeric excess (99.9%) at 45 °C and pH 9 for 24 h. Moreover, DENCs retained more than 78% of the initial activity after being reused in the preparation of R -BPA for five cycles. Thus, DENCs were successfully formed, and efficient amination was achieved, providing a new biocatalyst for efficient biosynthesis of chiral amines via asymmetric transamination cascade reaction. [Display omitted] • Self-assembled dual-enzyme clusters (DENCs) were effectively prepared. • DENCs were prepared by the SpyTag/SpyCatcher conjugation strategy. • Evaluated the effects of self-assembly conditions on relative enzyme activity of DENCs. • DENCs improved storage stability and pH stability than free double enzymes. • DENCs exhibited high reusability after five cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site period has been widely acknowledged to be a reasonable site parameter for ground-motion modeling and site effect modeling. Its value could be analytically calculated using the shear-wave velocity (V S) profile by assuming that soil layers overlie a rigid bedrock, or empirically estimated from the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR). In this study, we tested the uncertainty of site period on the variability of the site period-based ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs). The ground-motion records and site data in Japan were used. We first used different V S values as engineering bedrock to derive a set of analytical site periods, and tested the uncertainty because of the bedrock V S selection on the GMPE variability. The results show that adding information about the stiff-soil or soft-rock layer beneath the surface soft-soil layers would significantly improve site effect prediction accuracy. An engineering bedrock with V S equal to about 800 m/s is recommended. We then tested the uncertainty of site period because of the choice between the analytical one and the empirical one on the GMPE variability. The empirical site period is better than the analytical site period at spectral periods from 0.06s to 0.4s. At spectral periods longer than 0.4s, the empirical site period produces larger variability than the analytical one using V S ≥ 800 m/s bedrock and has a better performance than that using V S < 600 m/s bedrock. The larger variability is partly contributed by the uncertainty in identifying site period value from the HVSR curve. Using the site period from the first peak of the HVSR curve generally produces a smaller variability than that from the highest peak. For sites with more than one comparable peak in the HVSR curve, the site period from the first peak is recommended. For the regions out of Japan, cautions may be paid for these recommendations because of the potential region dependence of site response. • The uncertainty of site period on variabilities of ground-motion prediction equations is presented. • The modeling effects between the site period derived from V S profiles and that estimated from HVSR curves are compared. • A V S = 800 m/s bedrock is recommended in practice if a V S profile is used for site period calculation. • The site period derived from the first peak of the HVSR curve is recommended if multiple comparable peaks are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The high level of local government debt surged during the past years and became a serious policy concern in China. • This paper provides evidence supporting the positive effect of local government audits on municipal debt risk. • Using the 2015 audit reform in China as a shock to the independence of local government auditors, we find that audits significantly decrease local government over-debts. • The effect is more pronounced when local officials face stronger promotion motivation and severer soft budget constraints. • Further, the role of local government audits in mitigating municipal debt risk depends on the legal environment and provincial government bureaucracies. The high level of local government debt surged during the past years and became a serious policy concern in China. This paper provides evidence supporting the positive effect of local government audits on municipal debt risk. Using the 2015 audit reform in China as a shock to the independence of local government auditors, we find that audits significantly decrease local government over-debts. The effect is more pronounced when local officials face stronger promotion motivation and severer soft budget constraints. Further, the role of local government audits in mitigating municipal debt risk depends on the legal environment and provincial government bureaucracies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies show that designer peptide nanofibers can mimic properties of extracellular matrix molecules, promising great potential as scaffold materials for tissue engineering. However, their ability in supporting organogenesis has not been studied. Here we examined the effect of self-assembling peptide hydrogels in supporting skin derived precursors (SKPs) in hair follicle neogenesis. We found that hydrogels formed by RADA16, PRG which contains RGD, and particularly the combination of RADA16 and PRG (RADA-PRG) enhanced SKP proliferation. Notably, the RADA-PRG hydrogel, which exhibited advantages of RADA16 in adequate nanofiber formation and PRG in providing the integrin binding sequence, exhibited superior effects in enhancing SKP survival, expression of hair induction signature genes such as Akp2 and Bmp6 , and more importantly de novo hair genesis in mice. Thus our results suggest that RADA-PRG may serve as a novel scaffold material for stem cell transplantation and tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-fouling materials bind water molecules via either hydrogen bonding or ionic solvation to form a hydration layer which is responsible for their resistance to protein adsorption. Three ionic starch-based polymers, namely a cationic starch (C-Starch), an anionic starch (A-Starch) and a zwitterionic starch (Z-Starch), were synthesized via etherification reactions to incorporate both hydrogen bonding and ionic solvation hydration groups into one molecule. Further, C-, A- and Z-Starch hydrogels were prepared via chemical crosslinking. The non-fouling properties of these hydrogels were tested with different proteins in solutions with different ionic strengths. The C-Starch hydrogel had low protein resistance at all ionic strengths; the A-Starch hydrogel resisted protein adsorption at ionic strengths of more than 10 mM; and the Z-Starch hydrogel resisted protein adsorption at all ionic strengths. In addition, the A- and Z-Starch hydrogels both resisted cell adhesion. This work provides a new path for developing non-fouling materials using the integration of polysaccharides with anionic or zwitterionic moieties to regulate the protein resistance of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hydrothermal cooking (HTC) combined with amylase pretreatment (AP) was used to improve protein extraction from heat-stabilized rice bran. The physicochemical and emulsifying properties of rice bran protein isolate (RPI) were evaluated. Depending on HTC temperature (120 and 150°C), HTC alone significantly increased extraction yield, while protein purity was decreased. In contrast, HTC combined with AP significantly improved both extraction yield and protein purity (about 45–50% and 72–74%, respectively). The AP avoided the co-precipitation of gelatinized starch during the acidic precipitation. Electrophoresis and size exclusion chromatography profiles indicated that HTC led to the dissociation of insoluble protein aggregates in rice bran, with subsequent increase of soluble aggregates in RPI, linked by non-covalent (e.g., hydrophobic interaction) and covalent bonds (disulfide bond). This result was evidenced by the increased disulfide bond contents and surface hydrophobicity of RPI. In addition, HTC-prepared RPI exhibited excellent emulsifying property. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pseudomonas fluorescens BIT-18 was isolated from soil near a vegetable oil factory and shown to produce a B-type phospholipase. The enzyme was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation. Gas chromatography demonstrated that the enzyme preparation hydrolyzed both the 1- and 2-ester bonds of phosphatidylcholine. When degumming of soybean, rapeseed, and peanut oil was performed with this enzyme preparation, oils with phosphorous contents lower than 5mg/kg were obtained after 5h of enzyme treatment at 40°C. The enzyme preparation did not show lipase activity, thus free fatty acids were only generated from the phospholipids. Therefore, this novel phospholipase B is potentially useful for the refining of high-quality oils with attractive yields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: High-quality c-axis oriented delafossite-type CuCrO2 films were successfully prepared by a simple sol–gel method. The microstructure, optical properties as well as room temperature resistivity were studied. It was found that the grain sizes of CuCrO2 films pretreated with different temperatures are different; the films were smooth and consisted of fine particles. The maximal transmittance of CuCrO2 films can reach 70% in the visible region. Optical transmission data of CuCrO2 films indicate a direct band gap and an indirect-gap of about 3.15eV and 2.66eV, respectively. The carrier mobility of the films pretreated at 300°C is smaller than that of the films pretreated at a higher temperature, because of the stronger carrier scattering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) and its generation of second messengers play an important role in signal transduction, cell proliferation, cell survival and gene expression. At low concentrations mediators of PLA2 activity have a variety of physiological effects whereas high levels of PLA2 and its metabolites are generated during pathological conditions. The eye is an immunoprivileged organ with tight barriers and a complex interplay among various cell types. Overall, vision is a complex process which requires a clear corneal surface and lens, and thereby a clear pathway through the eye into the retina. In the retina the photoreceptors transmit light into neuronal signals that are finally transferred to the brain to perceive an image. Growing knowledge of a role of PLA2 in ocular diseases appears and the present review aims to summarize the vast literature on PLA2 in the normal eye as well as during pathological conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nano-bienzyme conjugates (nano-BECs) for catalysing one-pot reactions can simplify the reaction process and improve the efficiency of biocatalytic reactions. In this work glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and Candida parapsilosis secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (CpSADH) were immobilised with polyacrylic acid (PAA) to form two types of PAA-based nano-BECs (2-S, 2-P), which achieved in situ regeneration of NADH for the production of chiral alcohols in oil-water biphasic systems, such as the key chiral pharmaceutical intermediate of (S)-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethanol ((S)-TMPE). At a substrate concentration of 100 mM 3-trifluoromethylacetophenone (TMAP), the conversion catalyzed by nano BEC was 98.2 % in dipentyl phthalate-phosphate buffer biphasic system. In contrast, the conversion was only 39.5 % and 38.9 % in the PB buffer and 8.4 % and 7.7 % in dipentyl phthalate system. The experiments on kinetic constants demonstrated that the catalytic efficiencies (K cat /K m) of nano-BECs (2-S, 2-P) were enhanced by 6.7-fold and 7-fold, respectively, compared to free CpSADH. Additionally, nano-BECs showed stronger coenzyme regeneration ability. Under optimal reaction conditions, nano-BECs achieved 96.2 % conversion of TMAP to (S)-TMPE in an organic-buffer system with e.e. > 99.6 % at 300 mM substrate concentration. This research expands the potential applications of polymers and proteins, and offers valuable insights into the synergistic effects of PAA on bienzyme catalytic systems in biocatalysis. [Display omitted] • Heterologous expression of Candida parapsilosis secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (CpSADH). • Co-immobilization of glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and CpSADH to form nano-polymers. • One-pot efficient catalytic carbonyl asymmetric reduction by nano-polymers. • Preparation of (S)-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethanol at high substrate concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, SD rat constipation model was established with loperamide hydrochloride to study the effect of Chrysanthemum morifolium polysaccharide on the improvement of functional constipation, and the mechanism of improving constipation was investigated with the proteomics and intestinal flora. The results showed that the HD group of C. morifolium polysaccharide could significantly increase the levels of water content of stool pellets, small intestine propulsion rate, gastrin (MTL), gastrin (GAS) and substance P (SP), decrease the level of growth inhibitor (SS) and improved gastrointestinal motility in rats. Gut microbial studies showed that C. morifolium polysaccharide could significantly increase species abundance and flora diversity and improve flora structure. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Romboutsia increased, while the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Roseburia decreased compared with the MC group. Proteomics studies suggested that C. morifolium polysaccharides could reduce intestinal lesions, enhance intestinal homeostasis, increase amino acid uptake, promote intestinal motility and relieve constipation by regulating the expression of RAS, FABP1 and SLC1A5 proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Nb-doped TiO 2 films were fabricated on ITO glass substrates by dip coating using tetrabutyl titanate as the starting material, niobium chloride as the dopant, acetylacetone as the chelating agent and methanol as the solvent. The effects of Nb doping on the microstructure and electrochromic properties have been studied. The results reveal that a simultaneous regulation of near-infrared (NIR) and visible light in pure TiO 2 films can be achieved by applying the electrochemical voltage, while Nb-doped TiO 2 films demonstrate the ability of selective and independent optical transmittance modulation in both regions. Varying the applied electrochemical voltage over a range of 3.5 V makes these Nb-doped TiO 2 films undergo two electrochromic processes. One is local surface plasma resonant (LSPR) electrochromic process, and the other is redox electrochromism. These two electrochromic effects result in a unique optical switching behavior that is the reversible switching of "bright and warm" - "bright and cool" - "dark and cool" modes. Therefore, this kind of materials enables the dynamic control of solar radiation transmittance through windows. Furthermore, the higher the amount of Nb dopant is, the stronger the LSPR electrochromism is. Finally, the enhanced LSPR improves the redox electrochromism of Nb-doped TiO 2 films, resulting in a higher dual-band electrochromic performance in NIR and visible regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of oral mucosa concerning with the redox imbalance. Although glutamine uptake mediated by alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) is critical to T cell differentiation, the exact mechanism remains ambiguous. Here, we elucidate a novel regulatory mechanism of ASCT2-mediated uptake in the differentiation and proliferation of T cells through maintaining redox balance in OLP. The results of immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that both ASCT2 and glutaminase (GLS) were obviously upregulated compared to controls in OLP. Moreover, correlation analyses indicated that ASCT2 expression was significantly related to GLS level. Interestingly, the upregulation of glutamine metabolism in epithelial layer was consistent with that in lamina propria. Functional assays in vitro revealed the positive association between glutamine metabolism and lymphocytes infiltration. Additionally, multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) uncovered a stronger colocalization among ASCT2 and CD4 and IFN-γ, which was further demonstrated by human Th1 differentiation assay in vitro. Mechanistically, targeting glutamine uptake through interference with ASCT2 using L-γ-Glutamyl-p-nitroanilide (GPNA) decreased the glutamine uptake of T cells and leaded to the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which promoted dual specificity phosphatase 2 (DUSP2/PAC1) expression through activation of early growth response 1 (EGR1) to induce dephosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and inhibit Th1 differentiation in turn. These results demonstrated that glutamine uptake mediated by ASCT2 induced Th1 differentiation by ROS-EGR1-PAC1 pathway, and restoring the redox dynamic balance through targeting ASCT2 may be a potential treatment for T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double emulsion is the most common multiple emulsion with compartmentalized internal structure. It can be used for delivery of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic bioactives and fat reduction in foods. However, conventional approach for stable double emulsion preparation often requires high dosage of synthetic surfactants (e.g., polyglycerol polyricinoleate, PGPR) and complicated two-step emulsification process. Herein, we report a facile approach to create stable double emulsion using particular emulsifier of edible chitosan/soy β-conglycinin (7S) complex nanoparticles via one-step emulsification. By modulating chitosan/7S complex ratio of particles and algal oil content in oil phase, water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) Pickering double emulsion was generated in most cases. The dominant mechanism for one-step generation of Pickering double emulsion can be attributed to the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in algal oil. The binding of PUFA on particle surface contributes to hydrophobization of the chitosan/7S complex nanoparticles, leading to stabilization of W/O interface. Moreover, stability of the resultant Pickering double emulsions is correlated to particle contact angle. When using nanoparticles with chitosan/7S complex ratio of 1:2 and oil phase containing 40 wt% algal oil, particle contact angle at O/W interface is near 90°, which is the optimum condition to produce highly stable Pickering double emulsion. This facile approach for the fabrication of stable double emulsion is promising for a wide range of applications, particularly in food field. [Display omitted] • A W/O/W Pickering double emulsion was fabricated via one-step emulsification strategy. • Edible chitosan/7S complex particles were used as the interfacial stabilizers. • PUFA in algae oil could modulate particle wettability. • The resultant W/O/W Pickering double emulsion was stable over 50 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential applications of emulsion systems prepared from solid particles are limitless across various fields. The emulsion, also known as Pickering emulsion, is constrained by the properties of the particles. An emulsion system prepared directly from unmodified, hydrophilic, natural starch granules was reported in the study. While the microstructure of this emulsion resembled that of Pickering emulsions, its formation mechanism was entirely different. The formation of the emulsion was governed by depletion attraction between hydrophilic polymers (Carboxymethyl cellulose, CMC) and amaranth starch granules. The microstructure and interfacial results revealed that the adsorption of starch granules at the oil-water interface was facilitated by depletion attraction induced by CMC, while their desorption was inhibited. Stability was maintained even at high oil volume fractions of up to 70%. The strength of depletion attraction in the emulsion could be controlled by varying the concentration of starch granules (3–7 w/v%), CMC (0.5–1.5 wt%), and the molecular weight of CMC, thus adjusting the microstructure and rheological properties of the emulsion. This technique could be widely applied to nature food particle, offering a new avenue for designing and manufacturing stable edible emulsion systems. [Display omitted] • Natural hydrophilic starch-based emulsion was successfully prepared through depletion attraction. • Untreated native starch granules were firstly used in the preparation of emulsions. • CMC as depletant enhanced the stability and rheological properties of emulsion. • The strength of depletion attraction was governed by the osmotic pressure induced by depletant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based proteins have evolved into a sustainable and health-conscious dietary option that consumers prioritize. However, plant proteins, especially globulins, typically exhibit poor functional properties due to their limited molecular flexibility and rigid conformation. In this study, we devised an enzyme-free approach to enhance the functional properties of soybean glycinin (11S). Under high-temperature (121 °C) and acidic conditions (pH 3.0), we modified soybean glycinin via hydrothermal treatment, primarily targeting selective breakdown at the aspartyl site. The obtained glycinin hydrolysates (11SH) formed micellar nanoparticles in solution and exhibited excellent foaming capacity, achieving up to a 600% overrun, surpassing that of egg white and albumins (typically 400–500%). And we successfully prepared gel-like foams using glycinin hydrolysates, demonstrating high viscoelasticity and uniform microstructure. Furthermore, the surface properties of glycinin hydrolysates could be further enhanced with the addition of NaCl. This study proposed an effective hydrothermal treatment to enhance the foaming capacity of soybean glycinin, and the resulting gel-like foams with high viscoelasticity and rigidity hold promising commercial application prospects. [Display omitted] • Soybean glycinin via hydrothermal treatment at acidic condition exhibits excellent surface activity. • The glycinin hydrolysates (11SH) form micellar nanoparticles in solution. • The gel-like foams prepared by 11SH show high viscoelasticity and uniform microstructure. • The addition of NaCl improves the surface properties of 11SH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digestive characteristics of plant proteins are crucial for their nutritional value and utilization efficiency. In this study, an in vitro semi-dynamic digestion model was employed to investigate the gastric digestion process of soybean protein after treatment with phytase. The results found that phytase treatment reduced the phytate content in soybean proteins (22.83 ± 0.09 to 8.72 ± 0.07 mg/g), shifted its isoelectric point towards the alkaline range by 1 pH unit, and significantly improved its solubility at pH 4.0. Particularly for protein sample treated with phytase after acid precipitation, the formation of aggregates during digestion was weakened, resulting in a significantly higher digestion rate compared to untreated SPI, with digestion being at least 15 min faster than SPI. This study provides a strategy for preparing soybean protein with faster digestion and weaker clot-forming ability during digestion, which offers insights for the application of soybean protein in clinical nutrition products and specialized medical foods. [Display omitted] • Low clot-forming and quick-digesting soybean protein was successfully prepared. • The gastric digestion behavior of soybean protein was explored through semi-dynamic digestion. • The protein's isoelectric point was increased by the phytase treatment. • Phytase treatment weakened the protein's ability to aggregate during digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Plant-based meat analogs with different internal structures were prepared. • Digestion behavior of the plant-based meat analogs was investigated. • Both particle disintegration and swelling occurred in the early digestion stage. • Plant-based meat analogs with fibrous structure exhibited slow gastric digestion. • Plant-based meat analogs could be a desired nutritional food for people on diet. Plant-based meat analogs have increasingly attracted the attention of the food industry in recent years. However, the digestion behavior of this innovative solid food in human stomach is poorly understood. In this study, plant-based meat analogs with different internal structures were prepared with/without high-moisture extrusion technology and at different temperatures. A semi-dynamic gastric digestion system which involves the mimic processes of the secretion of gastric juice and the gastric emptying was applied. After extrusion treatment at high temperature (150 ℃), the EHT had the highest anisotropic index (H ⊥ /H ∥ =1.90) and an ideal meat-like structure. It was found that particle disintegration and swelling simultaneously occurred in the bolus of the EHT but not in the sample without extrusion treatment (the HLT) in the early stage of gastric digestion. This difference might be attributed to the compact and well-arranged anisotropic structure of the EHT resulting from the extrusion, and leads to difficult enzymatic hydrolyzation unless the particles swell and unfold the polymer chains. The difficulty in particle disintegration in the EHT during gastric digestion is the consequence of the relatively slow gastric emptying rate and the decrease of protein degradation. As a result, the EHT which underwent extrusion treatment at high temperature and possessed the best anisotropic fibrous structure exhibited the slowest gastric digestion. This novel solid food shows good potential as a desired nutritional food for people on diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch granule oleogels were prepared and their rheological properties were precisely tuned using the capillary bridging phenomenon. The addition of a small amount of water to an oily suspension of starch granules can lead to starch granule bridging and network formation, transitioning it from a fluid-like to a gel-like state. Small-granule starches with high specific surface area and interfacial area exhibited a greater number of liquid bridges and stronger starch granules interactions, making them more prone to forming structurally stable oleogel systems. By increasing the content of water and starch granule, the starch oleogels exhibited three distinct structural states: pendular state (water ≤ 3.28 %, starch ≤ 17.85 %), pendular bridging network (water: 4.92 %, starch: 24.59 %), and capillary aggregates (water ≥ 6.56 %, starch > 24.59 %). Furthermore, the influence of starch granule surface lipids on the lubrication performance of the oleogel system was investigated. Surface roughness increased after extraction of surface lipids, and the friction coefficient also showed a significant increase. Overall, capillary suspension system can potentially be used to design novel fat food products, and our findings have established the correlation between starch granule surface properties and sensory perception in food, providing valuable insights for adjusting the oral processing characteristics of food. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In many Chinese cities, pedestrian’s road crossing behavior is different from that of pedestrians in developed countries. This paper presents a pedestrian model for traffic system micro-simulation in China. Considering the high rate of signal non-compliance, we classify pedestrians into two types: law-obeying ones and opportunistic ones. Opportunistic ones decide whether to violate traffic signal during red man, depending on the states of some external factors (like policeman, vehicle flow and other pedestrians’ behaviors). Questionnaires were used to determine the proportions of these two types of pedestrians under different circumstances. In addition, a time gap distribution extracted from videotape were used to determine the criterion for pedestrians to decide whether to walk or wait when they conflict with vehicle flows. However, simulation results deviate from the data extracted from videotape in some degree. By adjusting the parameters on the basis of analyzing the occurrence of the deviations, the simulation results agree with the field results better. This model has represented the high rate of pedestrians’ red light running and the mixed characteristics of traffic flows in Chinese cities, and it may be applicable in the micro-simulation of traffic system in other developing cities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

3D printing has extremely high requirements for the design of food matrices with suitable rheological properties. Starch exhibits considerable potential as a material for 3D printing. However, there is limited research available on the direct fabrication of oleogels using starch granules as building blocks. In this study, we developed a simple approach to fabricate plant-based oleogels as edible 3D printable materials by exploiting capillary forces between starch granules. When a small amount of water (less than 5 wt%) was added to starch granules dispersed in an oil phase, a pendular bridging network was formed between the starch granules. The rheological properties of the starch-oil suspension were significantly changed, transitioning it from a fluid-like to a gel-like state. The rheological properties of the oleogel could be altered by varying the starch granule volume fraction, the amount of water added, the structure of starch granules, and the oil-water interfacial tension. Confocal laser microscopy imaging demonstrated that starch granule oleogels exhibit three distinct structural states: pendular state, pendular bridge network, and capillary aggregation. Furthermore, the presence of water was identified as a liquid bridge between starch granules. Additionally, starch granule oleogels exhibited excellent thermal stability and freeze-thaw stability. Overall, this approach enhances the feasibility of preparing starch oleogels and provides valuable insights for the personalized 3D printing of oleogels. [Display omitted] • Starch granule based oleogels were successfully prepared through capillary attraction. • Untreated native starch granules were firstly used in the preparation of oleogels. • The oleogel network was formed by granules connected through meniscus bridges. • Modulating rheological properties of the oleogel via added water or starch content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of Nigella sativa seed polysaccharides (NSSP) on type 2 diabetic mice and its gut microbiota was investigated on the type 2 diabetic mice model feed by high-fat diet. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), biochemical parameters, expression levels of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and phosphor-AKT (p-AKT) protein, membrane glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscles, as well as the change of gut microbiota profile in mice model were measured. Results showed that the high-dose NSSP could significantly lower the levels of FBG, glycosylated serum protein (GSP), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, and significantly increased insulin (INS), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL C), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and the expression levels of p-AKT and GLUT4 in mice. Besides, the high-dose NSSP has significantly increased the abundance of f_Muribaculaceae_Unclassified and Bacteroides , which were significantly suppressed in the mice gut after the treatment of streptozotocin (STZ). These results indicated that NSSP could improve the abnormal state of diabetic mice by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway with simultaneous changes of the gut microbiota profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of sodium intake without affecting saltiness perception is still a huge challenge. The acid method (pH 2.0, 85 °C, 90min) and subcritical water treatment (SW, pH 6.3–2.0, 120 °C, 30min) were used to prepare saltiness-enhanced polysaccharides from soy hull. Structural and physicochemical properties of soy hull polysaccharides (SHP) and their relationship to the salivary diffusion and mucosal retention of Na+ were analyzed. Compared to acid-extracted SHP (ASHP), SW-extracted SHP (SW6.3, SW5.0, and SW4.0) exhibited a higher saltiness-enhanced effect, accompanied by an accelerated diffusion of Na+ in the saliva and enhanced adhesive retention of Na+ on the porcine tongue. These phenomena may be attributed to different fractions extracted by two methods. ASHP mainly consists of pectic polysaccharides with a higher galacturonic acid content, while RG-I enriched pectic and hemicellulosic polysaccharides were speculated for SW6.3, SW5.0 and SW4.0, which exhibited highly branched conformation with higher M w and lower charge. The SHP-induced disruption of the salivary mucin network probably accelerates the Na+ permeation and the adhesion of Na+ on the porcine tongue. SW3.0 and SW2.0 showed lower apparent viscosity and M w due to excessive degradation of the backbone and side chain, weakening the diffusion and adhesion of Na+, and salt taste. These results would be useful to reveal the regulatory mechanism of polysaccharides on saltiness perception, which provided a technology to prepare a saltiness-enhanced ingredient from a by-product of soybean processing for low-sodium foods. [Display omitted] • The salivary penetration and mucosal retention of Na + strongly affect salty taste. • The saltiness-enhanced effect of SW-extracted SHP was higher than that of ASHP. • SW-extracted SHP exhibit higher salivary penetration and retention of Na+. • SW extracted high-branched RG-I enriched SHP with higher M w and lower charge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Joint property in three-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis (3-D DDA) is crucial. The joint property in a contact relies upon just one of the contacting objects in original 3-D DDA, which is not always sufficiently accurate and can even yield unreasonable results. To overcome the limitations in original 3-D DDA, an improved joint definition and determination method that simultaneously considers the joint properties of both connected objects for contacts is proposed, which permits the applied joint parameters to change in the simulation. Several numerical examples are evaluated to demonstrate the advantage and applicability of the proposed method. The simulation results computed by the improved 3-D DDA accord well with the analytical expectations and physical reality, while the original 3-D DDA shows unphysical results. The improved 3-D DDA can provide more reliable information in rockslide disaster prevention and mitigation because joint parameters in a contact can be chosen appropriately in real time during simulations. Therefore, the improved 3-D DDA is more applicable and accurate, which can be further extended to more generalized theoretical and engineering problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Two novel polysaccharides were obtained from flowers of Apocynum venetum L., and named as Vp2a-II and Vp3. Their average molecular weights were 7 kDa and 9 kDa, respectively. Methods of monosaccharide analysis, acid hydrolysis and methylation analysis, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were used to identify the structure of Vp2a-II and Vp3. Vp2a-II was composed of →6)- β - d -Glc p -(1 → 6)- α - d -Gal p -(1→ residues. Vp3 was composed of α - d -Glc p A-(3 → α - d -Gal p A residues. The anticoagulant activity was evaluated by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), and fibrinogen (FIB) assays in vitro. Results indicated that Vp3 exhibited the anticoagulant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excess consumption of animal meat is negatively associated with human health benefits and environmental sustainability. In recent years, many academic institutions, large food manufacturers, and start-ups have attached great importance to the development of meat analogs, but there is still a major technical challenge to developing products with wide acceptance by consumers. To mimic the juiciness in meat products derived from the phase transition of animal fats, oleogel, in which vegetable oil was structured by a network made up of whey protein isolates (WPI) and water, was prepared in this work. It was integrated into a soybean protein gel induced by transglutaminase to set up a composite gel model for meat analog. The heated composite gels were then subjected to in vivo and in vitro oral processing experiments. The proportion of oil released from the gel matrix, the tribological properties of the simulated bolus, and the sensory attribute evaluation were investigated. The results indicated that the addition of oleogel significantly enhanced the oil release and improve the fat-related sensory attributes. The transition of the microstructure in the oleogel caused by heating and shearing might be responsible for its oil-release behavior. However, this effect could not be observed in the composite gel with the addition of emulsion gel. It suggested that the oleogel prepared in this work might be a potential component for improving the juiciness attributes of the meat analog, providing a new idea for elevating the quality and acceptability of the meat analog. [Display omitted] • A good idea was provided to developing meat analogs with wide acceptance. • Juiciness was firstly used to improve oral texture perception in meat analogs. • The oil release behavior was investigated using in vitro and in vivo methods. • Nearly 50% of the oil was released from meat analogs with the addition of oleogel. • The released oil improved the lubrication and fat-related sensory attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifunctional capsules have great applications in biomedical fields. In this study, novel polysaccharide-based nanocapsules were prepared via a layer-by-layer technique using silica as the templates. The shell was constructed based on the electrostatic interactions between pectin and chitosan. The pectin-chitosan nanocapsules ((Pec/Cs) 3 Pec) could keep good colloidal stability within 96 h in PBS solution and 48 h in BSA solution. Meanwhile, the nanocapsules exhibited a high drug loading and pH-sensitive release property for doxorubicin hydrochloride. Moreover, (Pec/Cs) 3 Pec nanocapsules had no cytotoxicity to both human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 cells) and mouse fibroblast cells (L929 cells). More importantly, (Pec/Cs) 3 Pec nanocapsules could be more easily uptaken by HepG2 cells when compared with L929 cells. In vitro anticancer activity tests indicated the carriers could effectively kill HepG2 cells. Overall, (Pec/Cs) 3 Pec nanocapsules have great potential as a novel anticancer drug carrier as a result of their pH-sensitivity, good colloidal stability and anticancer activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt reduction strategies in liquid foods remains a significant challenge. The oral perception of Na+ is strongly dependent on its salivary penetration and mucosal adsorption. To understand the mechanism of Na+ saltiness enhancement modulated by polysaccharide, protease hydrolysis (trypsin and acid protease) was used to modify the molecular conformation of Gum Arabic (GA), a highly branched polyanionic polysaccharide. The salivary permeation, mucosal retention in mucin layer, and salty taste of Na+ were investigated. Saltiness-enhanced effect of GA is strongly influenced by its molecular conformation. Compared to native GA, protease-hydrolyzed GA exhibited a higher saltiness-enhanced effect due to more rapid Na+ diffusion in saliva and stronger mucosal retention. Protease-hydrolyzed GA, especially acid protease-hydrolyzed GA (GA-AcPr), exhibited lower zeta potential (from original −22.5 to −27.96) and stronger Na+ loading capacity. The obvious decreases in molecular weight (M w) and the radius of gyration (R g) were observed for trypsin-hydrolyzed GA (GA-Trypsin), which may be responsible for the higher Na+ diffusion effect of GA-saliva solution due to decreased molecule twine around each other. GA-AcPr exhibited looser and highly branched conformation, as evidenced by a more pronounced "U-shaped" curve and higher R g /R h. Moreover, Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) results verified stronger affinity between GA-AcPr and mucin, indicating that the saltiness-enhanced effect of GA-AcPr may be mainly achieved by increasing adhesive retention of Na+. These results would be useful to better understand the structure-function relationship of polysaccharides and the taste perception of Na+. [Display omitted] • Proteolytic-hydrolyzed GA improved saltiness perception of Na+. • Higher saltiness perception was associated with increased diffusion rate of Na+. • Enhanced Na + retention in the mucosa leads to an improved perception of saltiness. • Saltiness-enhanced effect of GA is strongly influenced by molecular conformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D printing has been applied to create nutritious foods with tailored textures for the elderly. However, the edible materials that possess the elastoplastic properties and shear-thinning behavior required for direct-write 3D printing are limited. In this study, we developed a simple approach to fabricate Spirulina emulsion gels as edible 3D printable material by exploiting depletion attraction between emulsion droplets. By controlling the volume ratio of continuous and oil phases, mixing highly viscous Spirulina slurry and vegetable oil could form self-standing oil-in-water emulsion gels with elastoplastic rheological properties. Also, adding food polysaccharides into the continuous phase could act as depletants to drive the formation of emulsion gels. Auto-fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy were employed to characterize the interfacial protein compositions of the emulsion, showing that phycobilisome (PBS) particles might play a dominant role in the formation of Spirulina emulsions. The depletion attraction could drive the adsorption of PBS particles onto the droplet interface, and the particle-armored droplets in the dispersed phase connected into a percolating droplet cluster, resulting in arrested dynamics and gelation. Overall, this novel approach can be applied by exploiting depletion attraction and opens up possibilities for using high-solids viscous food slurries to produce personalized 3D-printed foods. [Display omitted] • Self-standing emulsion gel is formed by mixing Spirulina slurry with vegetable oil. • PBS particles may play a dominant role in the formation of Spirulina emulsion. • Depletion attraction drives the adsorption of PBS particles onto droplet interface. • Particle-armored droplets are connected into a percolating cluster for gelation. • Polysaccharides as depletants modify the rheological properties of Spirulina emulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]