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In this study, for enhancing the resistance of probiotics to environmental factors, we designed a microgel beads delivery system loaded with synbiotics. Multiple droplets of W1/O/W2 emulsions stabilized with zein–apple pectin hybrid nanoparticles (ZAHPs) acted as the inner "egg," whereas a three-dimensional network of poly-L-lysine (PLL)-alginate-CaCl2 (Ca) crosslinked gel layers served as the outermost "box." ZAHPs with a mass ratio of 2:1 zein-to-apple pectin showed excellent wettability (three-phase contact angle = 89.88°). The results of the ζ-potentials and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrate that electrostatic interaction forces and hydrogen bonding were the main forces involved in the formation of ZAHPs. On this basis, we prepared W1/O/W2 emulsions with other preparation parameters and observed their microstructures by optical microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscope. The multi-chambered structures of W1/O/W2 emulsions were successfully visualized. Finally, the W1/O/W2 emulsions were coated with PLL-alginate-Ca using the solution extrusion method. The results of the in vitro colonic digestion stage reveal that the survival rate of probiotics in the microgel beads was about 75.11%, which was significantly higher than that of the free. Moreover, probiotics encapsulated in microgel beads also showed positive storage stability. Apple pectin would serve as both an emulsifier and a prebiotic. Thus, the results indicate that the "egg-box" shaped microgel beads, designed on the basis of pH-sensitive and enzyme-triggered mechanisms, can enhance the efficiency of probiotics translocation in the digestive tract and mediate spatiotemporal controlled release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folic acid plays an important role in the synthesis, repair, and methylation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Currently, most studies have focused on the effects of periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation on fetal development, and there is still a lack of population-based research exploring the association between FA use during pregnancy and placental development. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of FA supplementation in different pregnancies on placenta-related parameters at delivery. The study included 2708 pregnant women recruited from Ma'anshan City, Anhui Province, China, between May 2013 and September 2014. Information on FA use from one month before conception to delivery was collected. Placental length, width, and thickness were measured. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effects of FA supplementation in different pregnancies on placenta-related parameters. Based on multiple regression analysis, propensity score weighting was adopted to enhance comparability between different FA supplementation groups. Compared with FA non-users, FA supplementation before conception was associated with increased placental width (0.241 cm, 95%CI: 0.052–0.429, p = 0.013) and increased placental surface area (6.398 cm2, 95%CI: 1.407–11.389, p = 0.012), and FA use in early/middle pregnancy was, respectively, related with increased placental thickness (0.061 cm, 95%CI: 0.004–0.117, p = 0.036; 0.066 cm, 95%CI: 0.004–0.129, p = 0.038). FA use before conception could increase placental width and area, and FA use in early/middle pregnancy could increase placental thickness. To confirm the findings, further investigations are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have observed a 2D relationship (i.e. decoupled correlation) between leaf size (LS) and leaf economics as well as a tight correlation between leaf economics and drought tolerance. However, the underlying mechanism maintaining the relationship between LS and drought tolerance remains largely unknown. Here, we measured LS, water potential at 50% loss of hydraulic conductance, hydraulic safety margin and different orders of vein traits across 28 tree species in a subtropical forest in Southern China. We found that LS and drought tolerance were in two independent dimensions (R 2 = 0.00, P  > 0.05). Primary and secondary vein traits (i.e. vein diameter and density) explained the variation of LS, with R 2 ranging from 0.37 to 0.70 (all P s < 0.01), while minor vein traits accounted for the variation of leaf drought tolerance, with R 2 ranging from 0.30 to 0.43 (all P s < 0.01). Our results provide insight into the 2D relationship between LS and drought tolerance and highlight the importance of vein hierarchy in plant leaf functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]