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The rapid evolution of viruses generates proteins that are essential for infectivity and replication but with unknown functions, due to extreme sequence divergence1. Here, using a database of 67,715 newly predicted protein structures from 4,463 eukaryotic viral species, we found that 62% of viral proteins are structurally distinct and lack homologues in the AlphaFold database2,3. Among the remaining 38% of viral proteins, many have non-viral structural analogues that revealed surprising similarities between human pathogens and their eukaryotic hosts. Structural comparisons suggested putative functions for up to 25% of unannotated viral proteins, including those with roles in the evasion of innate immunity. In particular, RNA ligase T-like phosphodiesterases were found to resemble phage-encoded proteins that hydrolyse the host immune-activating cyclic dinucleotides 3',3'- and 2',3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP). Experimental analysis showed that RNA ligase T homologues encoded by avian poxviruses similarly hydrolyse cGAMP, showing that RNA ligase T-mediated targeting of cGAMP is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of immune evasion that is present in both bacteriophage and eukaryotic viruses. Together, the viral protein structural database and analyses presented here afford new opportunities to identify mechanisms of virus-host interactions that are common across the virome.

Automated annotations of protein functions are error-prone because of our lack of knowledge of protein functions. For example, it is often impossible to predict the correct substrate for an enzyme or a transporter. Furthermore, much of the knowledge that we do have about the functions of proteins is missing from the underlying databases. We discuss how to use interactive tools to quickly find different kinds of information relevant to a protein's function. Many of these tools are available via PaperBLAST (http://papers.genomics.lbl.gov). Combining these tools often allows us to infer a protein's function. Ideally, accurate annotations would allow us to predict a bacterium's capabilities from its genome sequence, but in practice, this remains challenging. We describe interactive tools that infer potential capabilities from a genome sequence or that search a genome to find proteins that might perform a specific function of interest. Database URL: http://papers.genomics.lbl.gov.

IHMCIF (github.com/ihmwg/IHMCIF) is a data information framework that supports archiving and disseminating macromolecular structures determined by integrative or hybrid modeling (IHM), and making them Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). IHMCIF is an extension of the Protein Data Bank Exchange/macromolecular Crystallographic Information Framework (PDBx/mmCIF) that serves as the framework for the Protein Data Bank (PDB) to archive experimentally determined atomic structures of biological macromolecules and their complexes with one another and small molecule ligands (e.g., enzyme cofactors and drugs). IHMCIF serves as the foundational data standard for the PDB-Dev prototype system, developed for archiving and disseminating integrative structures. It utilizes a flexible data representation to describe integrative structures that span multiple spatiotemporal scales and structural states with definitions for restraints from a variety of experimental methods contributing to integrative structural biology. The IHMCIF extension was created with the benefit of considerable community input and recommendations gathered by the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB) Task Force for Integrative or Hybrid Methods (wwpdb.org/task/hybrid). Herein, we describe the development of IHMCIF to support evolving methodologies and ongoing advancements in integrative structural biology. Ultimately, IHMCIF will facilitate the unification of PDB-Dev data and tools with the PDB archive so that integrative structures can be archived and disseminated through PDB.

Protein stability plays a crucial role in a variety of applications, such as food processing, therapeutics, and the identification of pathogenic mutations. Engineering campaigns commonly seek to improve protein stability, and there is a strong interest in streamlining these processes to enable rapid optimization of highly stabilized proteins with fewer iterations. In this work, we explore utilizing a mega-scale dataset to develop a protein language model optimized for stability prediction. ESMtherm is trained on the folding stability of 528k natural and de novo sequences derived from 461 protein domains and can accommodate deletions, insertions, and multiple-point mutations. We show that a protein language model can be fine-tuned to predict folding stability. ESMtherm performs reasonably on small protein domains and generalizes to sequences distal from the training set. Lastly, we discuss our models limitations compared to other state-of-the-art methods in generalizing to larger protein scaffolds. Our results highlight the need for large-scale stability measurements on a diverse dataset that mirrors the distribution of sequence lengths commonly observed in nature.

In the folded state, biomolecules exchange between multiple conformational states crucial for their function. However, most structural models derived from experiments and computational predictions only encode a single state. To represent biomolecules accurately, we must move towards modeling and predicting structural ensembles. Information about structural ensembles exists within experimental data from X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. Although new tools are available to detect conformational and compositional heterogeneity within these ensembles, the legacy PDB data structure does not robustly encapsulate this complexity. We propose modifications to the macromolecular crystallographic information file (mmCIF) to improve the representation and interrelation of conformational and compositional heterogeneity. These modifications will enable the capture of macromolecular ensembles in a human and machine-interpretable way, potentially catalyzing breakthroughs for ensemble-function predictions, analogous to the achievements of AlphaFold with single-structure prediction.

MOTIVATION: Sidechain rotamer libraries of the common amino acids of a protein are useful for folded protein structure determination and for generating ensembles of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). However, much of protein function is modulated beyond the translated sequence through the introduction of post-translational modifications (PTMs). RESULTS: In this work, we have provided a curated set of side chain rotamers for the most common PTMs derived from the RCSB PDB database, including phosphorylated, methylated, and acetylated sidechains. Our rotamer libraries improve upon existing methods such as SIDEpro, Rosetta, and AlphaFold3 in predicting the experimental structures for PTMs in folded proteins. In addition, we showcase our PTM libraries in full use by generating ensembles with the Monte Carlo Side Chain Entropy (MCSCE) for folded proteins, and combining MCSCE with the Local Disordered Region Sampling algorithms within IDPConformerGenerator for proteins with intrinsically disordered regions. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The codes for dihedral angle computations and library creation are available at https://github.com/THGLab/ptm_sc.git.

The Protein Ensemble Database (PED) (URL: https://proteinensemble.org) is the primary resource for depositing structural ensembles of intrinsically disordered proteins. This updated version of PED reflects advancements in the field, denoting a continual expansion with a total of 461 entries and 538 ensembles, including those generated without explicit experimental data through novel machine learning (ML) techniques. With this significant increment in the number of ensembles, a few yet-unprecedented new entries entered the database, including those also determined or refined by electron paramagnetic resonance or circular dichroism data. In addition, PED was enriched with several new features, including a novel deposition service, improved user interface, new database cross-referencing options and integration with the 3D-Beacons network-all representing efforts to improve the FAIRness of the database. Foreseeably, PED will keep growing in size and expanding with new types of ensembles generated by accurate and fast ML-based generative models and coarse-grained simulations. Therefore, among future efforts, priority will be given to further develop the database to be compatible with ensembles modeled at a coarse-grained level.

The Novel Metagenome Protein Families Database (NMPFamsDB) is a database of metagenome- and metatranscriptome-derived protein families, whose members have no hits to proteins of reference genomes or Pfam domains. Each protein family is accompanied by multiple sequence alignments, Hidden Markov Models, taxonomic information, ecosystem and geolocation metadata, sequence and structure predictions, as well as 3D structure models predicted with AlphaFold2. In its current version, NMPFamsDB hosts over 100 000 protein families, each with at least 100 members. The reported protein families significantly expand (more than double) the number of known protein sequence clusters from reference genomes and reveal new insights into their habitat distribution, origins, functions and taxonomy. We expect NMPFamsDB to be a valuable resource for microbial proteome-wide analyses and for further discovery and characterization of novel functions. NMPFamsDB is publicly available in http://www.nmpfamsdb.org/ or https://bib.fleming.gr/NMPFamsDB.

Among exclusively breastfed infants, human milk (HM) provides complete nutrition in the first mo of life and remains an important energy source as long as breastfeeding continues. Consisting of digestible carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids, as well as fats and fatty acids, macronutrients in human milk have been well studied; however, many aspects related to their relationship to growth in early life are still not well understood. We systematically searched Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science to synthesize evidence published between 1980 and 2022 on HM components and anthropometry through 2 y of age among term-born healthy infants. From 9992 abstracts screened, 57 articles reporting observations from 5979 dyads were included and categorized based on their reporting of HM macronutrients and infant growth. There was substantial heterogeneity in anthropometric outcome measurement, milk collection timelines, and HM sampling strategies; thus, meta-analysis was not possible. In general, digestible carbohydrates were positively associated with infant weight outcomes. Protein was positively associated with infant length, but no associations were reported for infant weight. Finally, HM fat was not consistently associated with any infant growth metrics, though various associations were reported in single studies. Fatty acid intakes were generally positively associated with head circumference, except for docosahexaenoic acid. Our synthesis of the literature was limited by differences in milk collection strategies, heterogeneity in anthropometric outcomes and analytical methodologies, and by insufficient reporting of results. Moving forward, HM researchers should accurately record and account for breastfeeding exclusivity, use consistent sampling protocols that account for the temporal variation in HM macronutrients, and use reliable, sensitive, and accurate techniques for HM macronutrient analysis.

In this study, two methods were examined to optimize the immobilization of antibodies on paper when conducting a paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (P-ELISA). Human IgG, as a test-capture protein, was immobilized on paper via the formation of Schiff bases. Aldehyde groups were introduced onto the surface of the paper via two methods: NaIO4 and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) with glutaraldehyde (APTS-glutaraldehyde). In the assay, horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-human IgG (HRP-anti-IgG) binds to the immobilized human IgG, and the colorimetric reaction of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzyzine (TMB) produces a blue color in the presence of H2O2 and HRP-anti-IgG as a model analyte. The immobilization of human IgG, the enzymatic reaction conditions, and the reduction of the chemical bond between the paper surface and immobilized human IgG all were optimized in order to improve both the analytical performance and the stability. In addition, the thickness of the paper was examined to stabilize the analytical signal. Consequently, the APTS-glutaraldehyde method was superior to the NaIO4 method in terms of sensitivity and reproducibility. Conversely, the reduction of imine to amine with NaBH4 proved to exert only minimal influence on sensitivity and stability, although it tended to degrade reproducibility. We also found that thick paper was preferential when using P-ELISA because a rigid paper substrate prevents distortion of the paper surface that is often caused by repeated washing processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are widely recognized for their capacity to generate value‐added products in a variety of sectors, including the pharmaceutical and food industries, bioenergy industries and wastewater industries. The quality of a microalga is significantly influenced by its proliferation. Along with growth, the biochemical profile may also vary based on the nutrient that is supplemented. The majority of the supplemented nutrients utilized are not in a functional state, as they are typically extracted in liquid form or pretreated prior to use. Parallel to numerous commonly applied pretreatment processes, including chemical, mechanical and biological, thermal pretreatment appears to receive less attention. Hence it is crucial to comprehend the potential for thermal pretreatment as well as its mechanism in militating the solid waste to release additional nutrients in order to enhance the biochemical profile of microalgae. The current review takes a closer look at the impact of various thermal pretreatments on solid waste on influencing microalgal performance in terms of their overall biochemical profiles such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. This approach is likely to enhance the circular economy by utilizing waste products and effectively closing the loop on waste. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bisphenol S (BPS) is the main substitute for bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known plasticiser and endocrine disruptor. BPS disrupts ovarian function in several species. Moreover, a few studies have reported that the effects of BPS might be modulated by the metabolic status, and none have characterised the granulosa cell (GC) proteome after chronic BPS exposure. Objectives: This study aimed to decipher the mechanisms of action of chronic BPS exposure on the proteome of ewe GCs while considering the interaction between a deliberate contrasted metabolism and reproductive function. Methods: Forty ewes were split into two groups with contrasted diets: restricted (R, n = 20) and well-fed (WF, n = 20). The R and WF ewes were subdivided according to the dose of BPS administered through the diet (0–50 µg/kg/day), forming four groups: R0, R50, WF0 and WF50. After 3-month BPS daily exposure, GCs were recovered during the pre-ovulatory stage and proteins were analysed by nano-liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Chronic exposure to BPS affected the GC proteome differently according to the ewe metabolic status. Fifty-nine out of 958 quantified proteins were differentially abundant between groups and are mainly involved in carbohydrate and lipid pathways. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) identified four clusters of 34, 6, 5 and 14 proteins according to the BPS exposure and diet interaction. Pairwise comparisons between groups also revealed a strong effect of BPS exposure and diet interaction. Functional analysis of DAPs highlighted that BPS upregulated β-glucuronidase (GUSB; p = 0.002), a protein especially able to deconjugate bisphenol glucuronides (BP-g). Moreover, among unexposed ewes, GUSB was detected only in well-fed ewes. Discussion: Conjugation of glucuronides inhibits the oestrogenic activity of bisphenols. Upregulation of GUSB in ewes dosed with BPS would prolong the oestrogenic effects of BPS by deconjugating BPS-g into free BPS. In addition, literature has reported an up-regulation of GUSB in people suffering from obesity. Therefore, people suffering from obesity could be subjected to prolonged and aggravated exposure to BPS. These data highlighted the deleterious effects of BPS and its interaction with metabolic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is increasingly recognized as a leading cause of death and is associated with various comorbidities. This study evaluates the relationship between protein score, characterized by the plant-to-animal protein ratio (PAR) and total protein per calorie (Pro%), and body composition: fat percentage (FATP), fat mass (FATM), and fat-free mass (FFM). We categorized 4512 individuals (55.2% female) into tertiles based on their protein score and its components. Male participants in the highest and middle protein score tertiles exhibited significantly greater FFM in both adjusted and crude models, and lower FATP and FATM in adjusted model 2. FFM was elevated in the top (P < 0.001) and middle (P = 0.002) Pro% tertiles in males in both adjusted models and only in the top tertile of all models in females (P = 0.003). The analysis of male participants revealed significantly lower FATP and FATM in the highest tertiles of Pro% in adjusted models. Among female participants, only the highest PAR tertile was associated with significantly lower FATM in adjusted model 1 (P = 0.042). Our findings indicate that protein score and its components are associated with favorable body composition differences. Health administrators may leverage these insights to refine dietary guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to identify potential drug targets for endometrial cancer (EC) subtypes through a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, assessing their clinical relevance. We utilized genetic instruments for 4,907 plasma proteins from the deCODE Genetics study dataset, and data with EC (n = 12,906) from a genome-wide study (GWAS) meta-analysis in European populations for MR analyses. Complementary analyses included protein-protein interactions (PPI) network analysis, therapeutic efficacy evaluation, differential gene expression assessment, and prognosis evaluation. The expression levels of key drug targets were quantitatively measured at both the transcriptional and translational stages utilizing reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Additionally, we analyzed various clinicopathological features. Five drug targets for EC (CBR3, GSTO1, HHIP, IGF2R, and MMP10), seven for endometrioid subtypes (ACAP2, CBR3, GSTO1, HHIP, IGF2R, MMP10, and TLR2), and seven for non-endometrioid subtypes (CST3, DNAJB14, FSTL5, GMPR2, IFI16, MAPK9, and NEO1) were identified. Among these, IGF2R (OR = 1.165; 95% CI 1.067–1.272; p = 1.046 × 10− 2) and CST3 (OR = 0.523; 95% CI 0.339–0.804; p = 7.010 × 10− 3) were highlighted as key drug targets with causal evidence both at transcriptional and translational levels. This study preliminarily confirms that IGF2R and CST3 may serve as novel targets for the treatment of EC, providing a foundational reference for innovative clinical approaches to this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agronomic bio-fortification remains a crucial focus area for enhancing wheat productivity and quality while alleviating environmental pressures. Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), persist among the Indian population, especially affecting women. These deficiencies can be effectively addressed through agronomic bio-fortification of wheat grains. To tackle this issue, a comprehensive multilocation (4) field experiment was conducted, incorporating four high-yielding wheat cultivars (HD-3226, HI-1544, DBW-187, and PBW-1-Zn) alongside six foliar fertilizer applications (Control, 2% S, 2% N, 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O, 1% KCl, and combined treatments) during 2021-22 and 2022-23 utilizing a split-plot design with three replications. Analysis over the years revealed that significant impacts of location and cultivar on yield and its attributes, and Fe, Zn, and protein content of grains. Warmer locations like Hisar exhibited higher yields primarily due to significantly increased earheads/m2 and grains number/m2 compared to other locations. Moreover, Fe content in wheat grains was notably higher in Gurdaspur followed by Hisar, surpassing Ludhiana. Notably, cultivar DBW-187 outperformed others with a 14.75% higher grain yield than the least yielding cultivar, HI-1544. PBW-1-Zn exhibited the highest grain Fe and Zn content among the cultivars studied. The interaction between cultivar and location significantly influenced all yield parameters and grain Fe content. Foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.5%) during stem elongation and milk stages resulted in significantly higher grain Zn content compared to applications of KCl (1.0%), N (2.0%), and S (2.0%) alone, with an increase of 9.9% over no spray. In conclusion, the selection of appropriate cultivars tailored to specific regions, coupled with strategic agronomic bio-fortification approaches, is imperative for enhancing wheat productivity and grain quality, thereby ensuring nutritional security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a multipurpose crop and can be grown successfully under moisture-deficit environments. This study assessed the physiological attributes and yield-related traits of two safflower varieties (Dinçer and Balcı) under rainfed and irrigated environments during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. Data relating to physiological and yield-related traits, and soil enzymes were collected. Soil attributes, nutrient acquisition, and yield-related traits were significantly altered by the interactive effect of varieties and growing environments. Higher nitrate (NO3-) accumulation (279.92 and 300 mg N g DW) was recorded in Balcı variety than Dinçer under rainfed conditions. Higher grain yield was recorded under irrigated conditions compared to rainfed environments. Balcı variety produced 2724 and 2464 kg/ha grain yield, whereas Dinçer resulted in 2664 and 2565 kg/ha under irrigated conditions during 1st and 2nd year, respectively. Nevertheless, Balcı produced a higher yield than Dinçer under rainfed conditions. The results indicate that irrigation is crucial for safflower in arid and semi-arid regions. Similarly, Dinçer variety is advantageous under rainfed conditions, whereas the Balcı variety may be more beneficial in irrigated areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Gelatin is one of the most widely used food ingredients, with wide applications in the food industry as stabilizing, gelling, and foaming agents. Fish skin is the basic source of gelatin, which contains a high amount of protein. The results show that the proximate compositions (protein, fat, ash, moisture, fiber, carbohydrate, and total energy) of the optimized ice cream product with ingredient compositions of (30% milk, 40% avocado pulp, 10% sugar, 15% gelatin, and 5% cream) show values of 3.26 ± 0.35, 9.32 ± 0.22, 2.79 ± 0.02, 57.83 ± 0.14, 3.46 ± 0.24, 23.26 ± 0.71, and 190.54 ± 0.02, respectively. Also, the microbe load in the optimized ice cream product was not detected up to 1 week, while total plate count and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were starting to grow up after a week, and the results of panelists from sensory values indicate high acceptability of products with the aim of assessing the influence of fish skin gelatin on the nutritional values of avocado‐based low‐fat ice cream. Considering the results, gelatin has a significant effect on the nutritional and rheological properties of ice cream, specifically striking visibility on protein composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Viral proteins that evade the host's innate immune response play a crucial role in pathogenesis, significantly impacting viral infections and potential therapeutic strategies. Identifying these proteins through traditional methods is challenging and time-consuming due to the complexity of virus-host interactions. Leveraging advancements in computational biology, we present VirusHound-II, a novel tool that utilizes machine learning techniques to predict viral proteins evading the innate immune response with high accuracy. We evaluated a comprehensive range of machine learning models, including ensemble methods, neural networks, and support vector machines. Using a dataset of 1337 viral proteins known to evade the innate immune response (VPEINRs) and an equal number of non-VPEINRs, we employed pseudo amino acid composition as the molecular descriptor. Our methodology involved a tenfold cross-validation strategy on 80% of the data for training, followed by testing on an independent dataset comprising the remaining 20%. The random forest model demonstrated superior performance metrics, achieving 0.9290 accuracy, 0.9283 F1 score, 0.9354 precision, and 0.9213 sensitivity in the independent testing phase. These results establish VirusHound-II as an advancement in computational virology, accessible via a user-friendly web application. We anticipate that VirusHound-II will be a crucial resource for researchers, enabling the rapid and reliable prediction of viral proteins evading the innate immune response. This tool has the potential to accelerate the identification of therapeutic targets and enhance our understanding of viral evasion mechanisms, contributing to the development of more effective antiviral strategies and advancing our knowledge of virus-host interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Less is known whether the amino acid composition of dietary protein sources effects on long-term health outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the association between dietary amino acid composition and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Methods: This study used data from the Golestan Cohort Study, which was performed in the Golestan Province of Iran from January 2004 to June 2008. Mortality, which was the primary outcome, was ascertained through September 2022. The Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for mortality according to the quintiles of amino acid consumption, taking the third quintile as the reference. Results: A total of 47,337 participants (27,293 [57.7%] women) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 51.9 (8.9) years were included. During a median follow-up of 15 years, 9,231 deaths were documented. Regarding essential amino acid intakes, the HRs of all-cause mortality were 1.16 (95% CI, 1.07–1.26) in the first quintile, compared with the reference group (P for non-linear trend < 0.001). Similarly, non-linear associations were observed between risk of all-cause mortality and intake of branched-chain, aromatic, sulfur-containing, or non-essential amino acids (P for non-linear trend < 0.001 for all comparisons), with higher HRs for participants in the first quintiles. There was an age interaction for the associations between dietary amino acids and mortality (P for interaction ˂0.05). While high amino acid diets were detrimental in middle-aged adults (< 65 years), increased hazards of mortality were observed among older adults (≥ 65 years) with low amino acid intake. Conclusions: This study showed the non-linear trend between amino acids intake and risk of mortality in the middle-aged and older Iranian population. Overall, our findings suggest that diets lower in amino acids were associated with increased hazards of mortality, particularly among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health (MH) disorders are one of the most prevalent global public health issues for a significant portion of the population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the mealtime distribution of macronutrients and MH in Iranian adults. We used a convenience sampling technique to perform this cross-sectional study. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess the MH outcome. Dietary consumption was assessed using multiple 24-hour dietary recalls. The coefficient of variation (CV) was then used to compute the macronutrient distribution at mealtime. In all, 54.6%, 53.9%, and 56.6% were classified as having anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, respectively. The CV scores for carbohydrate were relatively evenly distributed across all meal times, with a mean of 0.38, 0.38, and 0.39 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively. We observed no significant association between the mealtime distribution of carbohydrates and mental health indices in any of the analyzed models. However, a more skewed distribution of protein intake towards dinner (i.e. a higher protein CV value) was positively associated with anxiety (OR: 1.69; CI: 1.02-2.78) and stress symptoms (OR: 1.93; CI: 1.17-3.16). We also observed a significant association between fat distribution and depression symptoms, with subjects in tertile 2 having higher odds of depression compared to T1 (OR: 1.63; CI: 1.00-2.63). In conclusion, a skewed distribution of protein and fat intake may be associated with mental health problems. Future studies are warranted to validate these findings and gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common and persistent mental illness accompanied by uncontrollable worries for daily staff. Physiological, environmental, genetic, and daily stress from surroundings is involved in developing GAD. Here, we aimed to assess the association of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the pathophysiology of GAD and their role as diagnostic tools. This case-control study recruited 50 GAD patients from the psychiatry department of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Dhaka city and 38 age-sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) from the surrounding areas. A qualified psychiatrist conducted standardized psychiatric interview to diagnose GAD patients and evaluate HCs by applying the diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) and used the GAD-7 scale to assess the severity of the GAD symptoms. After confirming the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we collected 5 ml blood samples from each participant. We measured serum SDF-1 and EGF levels using ELISA techniques. We observed increased serum levels of EGF in GAD patients compared to HCs (5.91 ± 3.90 ng/ml vs. 1.59 ± 1.08 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Also, this increment is positively associated with the severity of GAD in patients (r = 0.479, p = 0.002). The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed good diagnostic performance (AUC 0.869, p < 0.001) with high sensitivity (82.5%), and specificity (81.1%) at cut off value of 2.31 ng/ml. However, we didn't find significant differences in serum SDF-1 levels between GAD patients and HCs (11.96 ± 4.50 ng/ml vs. 12.70 ± 11.76 ng/ml; p = 0.337). The present study suggests that GAD patients have increased serum EGF levels but not SDF-1 levels compared to HCs and that increased EGF levels are associated with increased GAD symptoms as well. Moreover, EGF levels could serve as a biomarker for GAD However, further interventional studies with larger and homogeneous samples are suggested to confirm and establish these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildflower habitats planted along field borders are a widely promoted strategy for supporting bees in agricultural landscapes. However, honeybees (Apis mellifera), which are often stocked at high densities in crop lands can compete with wild bees for pollen and nectar, potentially limiting the successfulness of wildflower plantings in supporting diverse bee communities. Using weekly samples of five study sites in Northern California we assessed how plants in pollinator‐friendly seed mixes varied in their ability to provide bees with abundant and nutritious pollen under intense honeybee competition. We quantified pollen production, protein and lipid content, and end‐of‐day pollen availability for different plant species. We also sampled bee visits to flowers and assessed the composition of pollen on bee bodies. Using these data, we investigate how the nutritional quality of pollen in wildflower plantings and honeybee abundance impacted native bee pollen nutrition. Bees collected more nutritious pollen (i.e. pollen with more protein) from plantings with more nutritious plant species (i.e. sites with more high‐protein plants). However, as honeybee abundance increased, the nutritional quality of native bee diets declined. We also detected important interactions between honeybee abundance and the nutritional quality of flowers in plantings, such that, for some bee taxa, there was no impact of competition on pollen diet quality in high‐nutrition plantings. Synthesis and applications: Our study reveals that honeybee competition can reduce the nutritional quality of native bee diets. From an applied conservation perspective, we therefore recommend that honeybee introductions in natural areas be approached with extreme caution. However, our results also suggest that high‐protein flower plantings could mitigate negative effects of honeybee competition in managed landscapes. Where simultaneous support of managed and wild bees is a key management objective, we recommend including high‐protein plant species in plant mixes to support diverse bee populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic products are a high‐quality source of protein for humans, and the changes in protein during aquatic product processing are crucial for nutritional value, product performance, and consumer health. With the advancement of science and technology, aquatic product processing methods have become increasingly diverse. In addition to traditional methods such as thermal processing (steaming, roasting, and frying) and pickling, emerging non‐thermal processing technologies, such as high pressure, ultrasound, and irradiation, are also being applied. During (ultra‐)processing, aquatic products undergo complex biochemical reactions, among which protein oxidation significantly affects the quality of aquatic products. Protein oxidation can alter the molecular structure of proteins, thereby changing their functional properties and ultimately impacting product quality. This paper primarily explored the effects of protein changes under different processing methods on aquatic product quality and human health, as well as techniques for controlling protein oxidation. It aims to provide a theoretical basis for selecting appropriate processing methods, improving aquatic product quality, and controlling protein oxidation in aquatic products, and to offer scientific guidance for practical production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical Application This study examined the effects of the inclusion of mung bean protein (MBP) on the direct expansion characteristics of corn starch during twin‐screw extrusion. Six blends of corn starch and MBP isolate (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% w/w) were hydrated to three different moisture contents (MCs) (16%, 19%, and 21% w.b.). The blends were extruded using a twin‐screw extruder at three screw speeds (SSs) (300, 400, and 500 rpm). The resulting extrudates were evaluated for their water solubility index, water absorption index, expansion ratio (ER), true density, unit density, and porosity. As the protein content increased, the porosity of the extrudates increased. The ER of all extrudates ranged from 2.90 to 5.46, with the largest ER observed at an SS of 400 rpm, an MC of 19%, and 25% MBP inclusion. The porosity of the extrudates ranged from 1.79% to 11.42%. SS and protein content had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on the porosity and ER of the extrudate.This work provides valuable information for the industry on utilizing mung bean protein in direct expanded corn starch‐based extruded snacks. The information could be useful in the development of high‐protein extruded snacks and breakfast cereals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total protein extract of sheep placenta was fractionated by tandem anion-exchange chromatography over Toyopearl DEAE-650M and gel filtration over Toyopearl HW-55F. The obtained homogeneous protein exhibited antiproliferative activity in HeLa and HCT-116 cell culture (IC50 0.80 ± 0.27 and 1.73 ± 0.03 mg/mL, respectively). The amino-acid composition of the purified protein was determined. Tandem mass spectral sequencing and subsequent annotation using a database identified the purified protein as a calponin homolog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The caloric content and macronutrient ratio of diet consumed is a major source of phenotypic variation in most animal populations. While these nutritional effects have been well-documented for a variety of life-history and morphological traits, the effects of nutrition on male genitals are poorly understood but genitals are thought to be more canalised than general morphology and hence less susceptible to variation in nutrition. Even less is known about the effects of nutrition on female genital form, which to our knowledge, have never been investigated. Here we tested for effects of juvenile dietary macronutrients (protein and carbohydrate) on larval survival, adult morphology, including genital size and shape in male and female flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum). We found there was nutritionally induced plasticity in larval survival and morphology, although the latter effect was variable, with body size being most responsive to dietary macronutrients and genital size and shape being least responsive. Functionally equivalent morphological traits in the sexes responded similarly to nutrition. Previously, we showed that the genitalia of male and female T. castaneum are subject to strong stabilising sexual selection, and our current findings suggest that developmental mechanisms reduce the nutritional sensitivity of male and female genitals, possibly to ensure matching during mating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To quickly achieve nondestructive detection of protein content in fresh milk, this study utilized a network analyzer and an open coaxial probe to analyze the dielectric spectra of milk samples at 100 frequency points within the 2–20 GHz range, focusing on the dielectric constant ε' and the dielectric loss factor ε''. Feature variables were extracted from the full dielectric spectra using the successive projections algorithm (SPA), uninformative variables elimination (UVE), and the combined UVE‐SPA method. These variables were then used to develop partial least squares regression (PLSR), support vector machine (SVM), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), and least squares boosting (LSBOOST) models for predicting protein content. The results showed that ε' decreased monotonically with increasing frequency, while ε'' increased monotonically. The UVE‐SPA method for feature extraction demonstrated superior performance, with the UVE‐SPA‐PLSR model being the best for predicting milk protein content, achieving the highest RC2 = 0.998 and RP2 = 0.989 and the lowest RMSEC = 0.019% and RMSEP = 0.032%. This study provides a theoretical reference for evaluating milk quality and developing intelligent detection equipment for natural milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duckweed is an aquatic floating plant with the potential to be used as animal feed due to its richness in protein, amino acids, starch, vitamin and minerals. Furthermore, duckweed has a high growth rate and reproducibility. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the chemical composition and in vitro protein digestibility of duckweed (Lemna, Wolffia and Spirodela) in comparison to other feed ingredients. The chemical composition was determined through proximate analysis including dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), ash and nitrogen free extract. The in vitro protein digestibility procedure simulates conditions similar to those in the swine digestive tract using synthetic enzymes to control pH, temperature and digestion time. In the results of chemical composition, Lemna and Wolffia were classified as protein sources, with high CP content (221.87 and 442.65 g/kg DM, respectively) and low CF content (63.30 and 109.11 g/kg DM), whereas Spirodela had low CP content (179.64 g/kg DM) and CF content (170.57 g/kg DM). The EE content in duckweed amounted to 16.74, 46.23 and 52.47 g/kg DM for Wolffia, Spirodela and Lemna, respectively. Additionally, high ash content was observed in Spirodela (212.40 g/kg DM), Wolffia (149.34 g/kg DM) and Lemna (142.06). For standardized ileal digestibility (SIDCP), the SIDCP of all feed ingredients were within the range of 32 to 96%. With regard to duckweed, Lemna (72%) showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) SIDCP compared to Wolffia (69%) and Spirodela (39%) due to the low contents of CF and ash. Based on nutritional values, Lemna and Wolffia were grouped with corn DDGS and brewer's grain, indicating their potential as animal feed for sustainable livestock production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research concerned the assessment of the utility value of new pea breeding materials intended for registration in the European Union. The research material consisted of sixteen breeding lines and four reference pea varieties. The evaluation was carried out based on the chemical composition of seeds and its variability within the studied genotypes. The contents of protein, starch, lipids, ash and dietary fiber (DF) were determined. The nutritional value of the protein was assessed in vitro using the value of the limiting amino acid index chemical score (CS) and the integrated essential amino acid index (EAAI). The analyzed pea genotypes were characterized by significant diversity in terms of the content of the tested components. The obtained results combined with the PCA analysis were used to select pea genotypes of the highest quality, having the potential as a raw material for the production of food with health-promoting properties. The effect of the conducted research was the identification of three pea genotypes with the greatest potential in terms of protein content and dietary fiber complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the physical, biochemical, and microbiological properties of Pangasius mince incorporated with 2% (w/w) sodium alginate and salt were evaluated for 120 days under frozen conditions (−20 °C). The TBARS (0.03–0.62 mg MDA/kg) and free fatty acid (FFA) (<1 mg oleic acid/100 g) were found to be significantly lower in the alginate-treated sample (T2) than in the control mince (C) and salt-added mince sample (T1). Better visual appearance, higher water retention, less moisture reduction (only 1.5%) along with lower total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN) (10–17 mg N/100 g) and TVC (<4 log cfu/g) were evident in T2 throughout the storage period than in T1 and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mud crab has great demand globally, leading to extensive research that focuses on enhancing the crab survival in hatcheries. This study aimed to evaluate the optimal protein requirement of mud crabs during the transition from megalopa to the early instar stage. The megalopae were cultured in triplicate black containers (n = 30) and fed one of the five formulated diets containing 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, or 60% dietary protein for 14 days. The growth, survival, and larval stage composition were evaluated on days 7 and 14. The percentage of crab instars 1 (C1) on day 7 (20.07 ± 3.43% to 41.63 ± 5.77%) and C2 on day 14 (47.37 ± 2.35% to 57.96 ± 5.67%) revealed an increasing trend from the 40% to 55% protein level treatments, however, the percentage decreased in the 60% treatment. Growth performance exhibited a similar increasing trend from 40% to 55%, declining at 60%. Enhanced growth with 55% protein was supported by the lowest food conversion ratio (P < 0.05) and highest protein and lipid efficiency ratio (P < 0.05). However, the results did not differ significantly with the group fed with 50% protein. A second-order polynomial regression on the growth performance suggested that 51.3% is required for best growth during the transition of megalopa larvae to the early instar stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic hydrolysis is an efficient processing method for valorizing chicken rest raw material by generating new food- or feed ingredients. This paper characterizes two types of chicken rest raw material: viscera and a mixture of bones, skin and remaining meat, and evaluates how industrially relevant hydrolysis process designs affect overall yield of all products, including hydrolysate, sediment, lipid, and emulsion. Eleven hydrolyses were performed using viscera and bone materials, endogenous and commercial enzymes, pre-treatments, variations in water addition and hydrolysis times. Compared to bone materials, viscera had higher proteolytic activity, more readily water-soluble components, and lower effect of adding commercial enzymes on product yields. The process of heating the raw material to hydrolysis temperature greatly impacted product yields, representing about 50 % of the overall hydrolysate production from viscera during hydrolysis. Pre-inactivation of endogenous enzymes reduced initial, but not final, hydrolysate yields. Adding commercial enzymes to pre-inactivated viscera had no effect on yields compared to not adding enzymes. Reducing water addition lowered initial hydrolysate yield from bone material. Lipid yield reflected lipid content in the raw material, and thermal pre-separation of lipids did not increase the total lipid recovery. In general, hydrolysis of viscera generated more emulsion than the bone material. [Display omitted] • Composition and proteolytic activity vary between chicken rest raw material fractions. • Hydrolysate represents 10–25 % of total dry yield of hydrolysis products. • Heating raw material before hydrolysis contributes to the overall hydrolysate yield. • Industrially relevant process design affect product yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Milk proteins are known for their exceptional nutritional and technological attributes, making them a staple in the food industry. Nonetheless, the partial substitution of milk proteins with plant‐based proteins in dairy products may be an effective strategy to meet the increasing consumer demand for a reduction in the consumption of animal‐derived proteins. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of partial substitution (25% and 50%) of milk proteins with pea protein on the manufacturing and technological attributes of high‐protein yogurt during refrigerated storage. The replacement of up to 50% of the milk proteins with pea protein did not alter the fermentation time and all yogurts had a total lactic acid bacteria count greater than 107 CFU g−1 after manufacturing. However, replacing 50% of milk proteins with pea protein affected the pH, syneresis, water holding capacity, consistency, firmness, viscosity index, and cohesiveness of the yogurts. In turn, no effect was observed on the pH, syneresis, water holding capacity, firmness, and cohesiveness of the product after replacing 25% of the dairy base with pea protein (P >0.05). Hence, the findings indicate that substituting 25% of the milk protein with pea protein in high‐protein yogurts can be achieved without compromising the product's stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The growing recognition of environmental conservation and human well‐being has led to a surge in the advancement of plant‐based meat. These meat alternatives are similar to animal meat products regarding texture, flavour, shape, and other characteristics. These products consist of three main components: plant tissue proteins, fat mimetics, and plant‐based glues that act as binders. Since meat substitutes are subjected to high temperatures and pressures or refrigeration, the junction between the tissue proteins and fat mimetics is prone to cracking, necessitating the development of adhesives with excellent bonding characteristics. The physicochemical properties and functional applications of plant glues are currently attracting significant research attention. Plant‐based glues are essentially gels derived from substances such as proteins, polysaccharides, or various compounds. This article summarised the basic principles of gel formation, focusing on acid‐, salt‐, heat‐, and enzyme‐induced gel formation pathways, as well as the role of pH adjustment and enzyme or salt ion addition in improving their functional properties. Optimal conditions can enhance the adhesive properties of plant‐based glues. This article reviewed the types, gelation mechanisms, influencing factors, and challenges of plant‐based glues to provide a theoretical basis for research on their application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The growing global population has increased the protein needs and the combination of animal with plant proteins can be an effective strategy to meet future protein demand. This study aimed to investigate the impact of pH between 6.2 and 7.0 on the thermal stability of a 1:1 mixture of chickpea protein concentrate (CPC) and whey protein isolate (WPI), and their respective control. After heat treatment, CPC:WPI mixture showed an increase in viscosity (from 20.5 mPa.s at pH 7.0 to 110.8 mPa.s at pH 6.2, respectively), and particle size (from 5.7 to 56.5 μm at pH 7.0 and 6.2, respectively). The physical stability of the heat‐treated CPC:WPI mixture decreased, as the sediment increased from 3.3 mm at pH 7.0 to 7.8 mm at pH 6.2. This study highlighted the enhanced thermal stability of CPC:WPI at pHs closer to neutrality and offers valuable insights for the formulation of innovative plant protein‐enriched food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Faba beans are emerging as highly nutritious ingredients that have the potential to contribute to the global demand for healthy and sustainable plant‐based proteins. The current review aims to provide a summarized overview of faba bean macronutrients, protein quality, and antinutritional factors (ANFs), as well as their reduction strategies through a variety of processing means. Findings: Relative to other pulses, faba beans are higher in protein content and similar in protein quality. However, without proper preparation and/or processing, the presence of minor amounts of ANFs can hinder their nutritional value. These nonnutritive, but biologically active, compounds can be diminished through mechanical, thermal, and nonthermal treatments. Conclusions: Nonconventional processing techniques to retain or improve protein quality remain an area of future research for improving faba bean nutrition and expanding its utilization. Significance and Novelty: This review will advance the science and utilization of faba bean ingredients while providing future research opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the functional and phytochemical characteristics, as well as the antioxidant properties, of bran from five distinct rice varieties. Additionally, it evaluated the impact of extrusion cooking on the composition and quantity of individual phytochemicals in both free and bound states in the bran of these varieties. Findings: The functional properties and phytochemical profiles of raw and extruded rice bran from different rice varieties differed significantly. The extrusion process significantly influenced the color, protein solubility, foaming properties, polyphenolics, and amino acid composition of rice bran. Total phenolics ranged from 3.18 to 4.80 mg GAE/g, increased by 12.6%–17% postextrusion. Similarly, total flavonoid content ranged from 15.22 to 17.37 mg RTE/100 g, with a 30%–33% increase after extrusion cooking. Throughout the extrusion process, a rise in the concentration of free phenolics accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of bound phenolics was observed. Conclusion: The study revealed the impact of extrusion cooking on the distribution of total phytochemicals, particularly phenolics and flavonoids, and the levels of antioxidant activity in free and bound phenolics, as well as amino acid composition and functional properties. The extrusion cooking increased levels of free phenolics and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl activity, while bound forms decreased. Extrusion cooking variably impacted the functionality and phytochemical content of bran from different rice varieties, thus influencing their likely applications. Significance and Novelty: This study established the foundation for producing food products using extruded rice bran, offering health benefits and meeting the growing demand in the functional food sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of nutrition and environmental protection is driving the demand for healthy and environmentally friendly food alternatives. Various plant‐based substitute products are gaining popularity. Fats are crucial components of food, playing a pivotal role in human nutrition and contributing to the sensory properties of food. In addition to the use of healthier plant oils, the development of plant‐based fat substitutes offers innovative ways to replicate the texture and mouthfeel of animal fats. A wide range of plant‐derived matrices has been extensively employed in the creation of fat substitutes, including protein matrices, polysaccharide matrices, and complex matrices. The objective of this review is to examine the current advancements in plant‐based fat substitutes. It will primarily focus on the selection of suitable substitutes and their specific applications within diverse food systems. By doing so, this review aims to shed light on the potential of plant‐based fat substitutes in the development of low‐fat foods, providing valuable insights into this emerging field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background/Objectives: In this study, the differences in protein and fat bioactive components between the milk from purebred Polish Holstein Friesian (PHF) cows and PHF cows crossbred with Swedish Red (SRB) were investigated. The objective was to assess the impact of genetic variation on the nutritional quality of their milk. Methods: This study was conducted at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences' (WULS) experimental dairy farm in Warsaw, Poland, and involved 60 primiparous cows divided into two groups: 30 PHF×SRB crossbred cows and 30 purebred PHF cows. All cows were housed in a free-stall system with an average lactation yield exceeding 10,000 kg/lactation. The milk composition analyses included total protein, casein, whey protein, fatty acid profiles, and vitamin content. Results: Milk from the PHF×SRB hybrids showed a significantly greater total protein content (3.53%) compared to that from the purebred PHF cows (3.28%). The casein content was higher in the hybrids' milk (2.90%) than the purebreds' milk (2.78%), while the whey protein levels were lower in the purebred milk (0.50%) than in the hybrid milk (0.63%). The hybrids exhibited higher concentrations of certain saturated fatty acids in their milk, while the purebreds' milk contained greater amounts of beneficial unsaturated fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins—E, D, and K. Conclusions: These results indicate that genetic selection through crossbreeding can enhance the nutritional quality of milk. The differences observed in protein, fatty-acid, and vitamin content underscore the role of the genotype in milk composition, suggesting that breeding strategies can optimize dairy products' health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pandan pigment (Pandanus amaryllifolius) is widely used as a natural food coloring and flavoring agent. However, its application in food is limited because of its susceptibility to thermal degradation during food processing, which affects both pigment stability and color. Despite its growing use, there is limited research on how common food ingredients can mitigate this degradation. This study addresses this gap by exploring the effects of sucrose, lactose, rice starch, whey protein, and soy protein isolate on the thermal and color stability of pandan pigment under various heating conditions (65 °C, 95 °C, 115 °C, and 121 °C for 15 min). Spectroscopic techniques (UV–visible, infrared, and fluorescence) and laser confocal microscopy were used to elucidate the molecular interactions. The results revealed that rice starch provided the strongest protection, followed by whey protein, soy protein isolate, lactose, and sucrose, although the protective effects decreased at higher temperatures. These findings offer new insights into the use of sugars and proteins to increase the thermal stability of natural pigments in food applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a model of the growth rate and elemental stoichiometry of phytoplankton as a function of resource allocation between and within broad macromolecular pools under a variety of resource supply conditions. The model is based on four, empirically-supported, cornerstone assumptions: that there is a saturating relationship between light and photosynthesis, a linear relationship between RNA/protein and growth rate, a linear relationship between biosynthetic proteins and growth rate, and a constant macromolecular composition of the light-harvesting machinery. We combine these assumptions with statements of conservation of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and energy. The model can be solved algebraically for steady state conditions and constrained with data on elemental stoichiometry from published laboratory chemostat studies. It interprets the relationships between macromolecular and elemental stoichiometry and also provides quantitative predictions of the maximum growth rate at given light intensity and nutrient supply rates. Themodel is compatible with data sets from several laboratory studies characterizing both prokaryotic and eukaryotic phytoplankton from marine and freshwater environments. It is conceptually simple, yet mechanistic and quantitative. Here, the model is constrained only by elemental stoichiometry, but makes predictions about allocation to measurable macromolecular pools, which could be tested in the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From harvesting to consumption of the faba bean (Vicia faba), different plant residues such as stems, leaves, pods, and seed husks remain as by-products. The harvest residues constitute about 50% (w/w) of the whole aboveground biomass, while the empty pods and the seed husks account for 11% and 6% (w/w) on average, respectively. Due to the environmental and dietary benefits, the global production of faba beans is most likely to increase in the future. Concomitantly, the amounts of by-products will rise as well. So far, mainly the harvest residues have been widely studied, whereas the pods and husks have received less consideration. Therefore, the aim of this review was to provide an overview of the composition of the faba bean plant residues and to illustrate their potential of being used as feedstock in food, feed, or even non-food applications. This literature survey clearly reveals that all the residual materials of faba beans contain valuable compounds and might be suitable for a multitude of different applications. The residual material should thus not be disposed of but further valorized in order to exploit the full potential of the biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The proteome profile of the female Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822), a species of great ecological and economic importance, across various age groups was investigated to comprehend the functional dynamics of the serum proteome for conservation and aquaculture, as well as sustain the population. Methods: Advanced liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS-based proteomic data were analysed and submitted to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via PRIDE (PRoteomics IDEntifications database). Bioinformatics analysis of serum proteome have been done and it showed different proteins associated with GO Gene Ontology () terms, and the genes associated with enriched KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways (such as phagosome, mTOR, Apelin signalling pathways, herpes simplex virus) implicated in immune responses. Results: The expression levels of important immunological proteins, such as those involved in cellular defence and inflammatory responses, were significantly different age-dependently. In this study, we annotated 952, 494, 415, and 282 proteins in year classes IV, III, II, and I Hilsa, respectively, and analysed their Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks based on their functional characteristics. From year classes I to IV, new proteins appeared and were more than three-fold. Notably, class I hilsa displayed a lower abundance of proteins than class IV hilsa. Discussion: This is the first study, to the best of our knowledge, to report the analysis of the serum proteome of hilsa at different developmental stages, and the results can help improve the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the different changes in protein enrichment during migration in hilsa. This analysis also offers crucial insights into the immune system for hilsa conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the nitrogen fertilisation supply method on wheat silage fermentation parameters and nutritional value. Eighteen experimental plots were used in a randomised block design to assess the following treatments: (1) control (CON): crop without nitrogen fertilisation; (2) surface (SUR): 100 kg/ha N during the crop, applied in surface; (3) furrows (FUR): 100 kg/ha N during the crop, applied in furrows during the seeding. Whole plants were manually harvested at 5 cm height 83 days after the sowing. One experimental silo (PVC tubes) was produced for each agronomical plot and stored for 69 days. In general, N fertilisation did not affect silage pH and ammonia-N (NH3-N) content, but silos FUR had less NH3-N than those with SUR. Fertilisation increased the CP and DM content and reduced starch in the silage. FUR increased DM and reduced CP compared to SUR. Furthermore, N fertilisation increased non-protein nitrogen and decreased in vitro degradation of DM and OM. Fertilisation methods did not affect N fractions in silage or in vitro degradation. Therefore, N fertilisation, especially FUR, reduces NH3-N and CP and increases DM content of silage, but decreases in vitro DM and OM degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Texturized vegetable protein is currently a leading alternative to animal meat. This study examined the effects of soybean insoluble dietary fiber (SIDF) (0% to 20%) and CaCl2 (0% to 1%) on the structure and properties of extruded products made from a soybean protein isolate‐wheat gluten (SPI‐WG) composite.The study showed that SIDF (4% to 8%) increased the viscosity of extruded products, enhanced their specific mechanical energy, and improved their rehydration rate and tensile strength compared with a control group. The rehydration rate of the extruded products reached a maximum value of 331.67% in the 8% SIDF, 0.5% CaCl2 groups. The addition of excess SIDF prevented the cross‐linking of protein molecules to form a loose network structure. Analysis of the infrared spectrum and intermolecular forces showed that physical interactions between fibers and proteins were the dominant forces, with hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds primarily maintaining the structure of the extruded products. The addition of CaCl2 (0.5%) led to protein aggregation and further improved the rehydration and tensile strength of extruded products.Soybean insoluble dietary fiber can improve the rehydration rate and quality of extruded products. The addition of CaCl2 mitigated the weakening of the protein structure caused by excess SIDF. These results provide a basis for the improvement of the quality of low‐moisture‐extruded texturized vegetable protein products with a high dietary fiber concentration and a high rehydration rate. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAquatic foods (includes farmed or wild-caught fish, molluscs, crustaceans, miscellaneous aquatic invertebrates, and aquatic plants or seaweeds) represent a valuable source of essential dietary nutrients for the world population. Although at the global level, aquatic animal food products supplied over 3.4 billion people with over 20% of their total animal protein food supply in 2022, this was not the case for all regions. The composition of aquatic species consumed also varied between geographic regions. In the African region, aquatic animal foods were dominated by fish species (primarily captured pelagic and marine fish), whereas in the Asian region, aquatic animal foods were dominated by cultured freshwater fish species. In general, these differences generally reflect the seasonal availability and cost of aquatic foods, the level of consumer income, culinary traditions and preferences, and the existence of an organized productive sector; fish products generally being the cheapest source of animal protein and food available in most Asian and many African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]