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The effect of adding different proportions of transglutaminase (TG) on the structure and digestive characteristics of high-moisture pea protein extrudates prepared with a twin-screw extruder was investigated. The macrostructure and microstructure of the extrudates were characterized by measuring texture and texturization degree as well as using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The structural properties and nutritional value were evaluated by measuring rheological properties, protein solubility and digestive properties. These results showed that addition of appropriate amounts of TG (0.25%–­1.00%) promoted the cross-linking between pea protein molecules, forming a dense network structure, increasing the digestibility of extrudates and promoting the release of free amino acids. However, addition of excess TG (2%) inhibited the fiber formation and digestive properties of extrudates. The extrudate with 1.00% of TG had higher texturization degree and nutritional value. This study demonstrated that high-moisture extrusion combined with addition of TG can improve the structure and digestive characteristics of plant protein-based meat analogs.

Introduction: Due to different social and cultural backgrounds, cervical cancer patients' experience of the treatment process and quality of life after treatment will be different. This study sought to gain in-depth understanding of the experiences of Chinese cervical cancer patients as regards their quality of life and physical symptoms. Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. We recruited 15 women with cervical cancer in eastern China for in-depth interviews. All data were entered into the NVivo 12 software program for analysis. Results: Four themes emerged from the data: (a) uncertainty; (b) physical suffering; (c) psychological pressure; and (d) challenges of marriage and family. Discussion: Cervical cancer patients showed concerns about the disease itself and the physical discomfort it causes, as well as changes in social relations. Health professionals need to talk about these issues and develop strategies to address them accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurosyphilis is a central nervous system infection caused by Treponema pallidum that imitates various neurological and mental disorders. Therefore, patients with this disease are prone to misdiagnoses. Here, we report a case of neurosyphilis with a psychotic disorder as the main manifestation. A young girl exhibited mental and behavioural abnormalities after a heartbreak, which manifested as alternating low mood, emotional irritability, and a lack of interest in social relations, followed by memory loss. The cerebrospinal fluid protein - Treponema pallidum particle agglutination test was positive, the toluidine red unheated serum test titre was 1:4, the white blood cell count was 5 × 10^6/L, the cerebrospinal fluid protein level was 0.97 g/L, and the brain CT was abnormal. After admission, the possibility of neurosyphilis was considered and the patient received intravenous penicillin G treatment. The patient's clinical symptom ms improved. This case emphasises that doctors should maintain clinical suspicion of Treponema pallidum infection in adolescent patients with mental abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Myocardial infarction (MI) caused by patent foramen ovale (PFO)-based paradoxical embolism is rare, and there are few case reports in the literature. Case summary Here, we report a case of MI in which optical coherence tomography revealed in situ thrombi in the PFO channel. Discussion In addition to paradoxical embolism, in situ thrombus may also be one of the pathogenic mechanisms of PFO in patients with MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amine‐scrubbing‐based chemical absorption remains a prominent CO2 capture process. However, the overall efficiency of conventional amine absorbents is hard to meet the ever‐increasing demands for CO2 capture. Consequently, developing powerful absorbents for efficient and cost‐effective CO2 capture is greatly important but challenging. Here, a new type of amine absorbent with improved solubility and stability was achieved by substituting the secondary amino groups in piperazine (PZ) with aminoethyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties. The developed amine absorbent presents superior CO2 absorption/desorption abilities through the synergy of their intramolecular amines, leading to a low regeneration energy consumption of 2.56 GJ·t−1 CO2. Moreover, the enhancement of CO2 capture and the corresponding mechanism were elucidated using density functional theory calculations and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Such newly developed amine absorbent with excellent CO2 capture performance are expected to greatly contribute to ongoing efforts toward carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]