Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 389 in total

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  1. Ultrasound and enzyme assisted preparation of novel lactoferrin-cereal phenolic acid conjugates: structural, physicochemical and functional properties
    Li Y, Dong L, Liu Y, Chen Q, Wu Z, Liu L, et al.
    Food Chem, 2024 Mar 01;435:137572.
    PMID: 37778268 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137572
    The effects of covalent binding of protocatechuic acid (PA) and gallic acid (GA) to lactoferrin (LF) on the structure, functional, and antioxidant properties of the protein conjugate were investigated. These protein-phenolic conjugates were produced by laccase cross-linking and ultrasound-assisted free radical grafting, which were characterized using turbidity, particle size, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analyses. Structural changes in conjugates were monitored by endogenous fluorescence spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and circular dichroism (CD). The antioxidant capacities and pH stability were determined using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and potentiometric analysis. The enzymatic cross-linking and free radical grafting yielded LF-PA/GA conjugates with altered hydrodynamic diameter and zeta-potential. Spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses revealed that binding to PA/GA altered the molecular structure of LF, with a decrease in LF isoelectric point post binding to PA/GA, without affecting antioxidant activities. In conclusion, LF-PA/GA conjugates present potential applications in the food industry.
  2. Synergistic effect of hydrophilic polyglycerol fatty acid esters and protein on the stability of interfacial membrane in low-fat aerated emulsions with different homogenization conditions
    Han W, Chai X, Zaaboul F, Sun Y, Tan CP, Liu Y
    Food Chem, 2024 Mar 01;435:137584.
    PMID: 37774617 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137584
    This study investigates the impact of various chain lengths of hydrophilic polyglycerol fatty acid esters (HPGEs), namely SWA-10D, M-7D and M-10D on protein interactions and their influence on the surface morphology and interfacial properties of low-fat aerated emulsions under different pressures conditions. M-7D and M-10D samples exhibited larger particle sizes, higher ζ-potential and rougher surface compared to SWA-10D sample at 1 % concentration of HPGEs. Consequently, M-7D and M-10D samples demonstrated lower values of G', G'', and higher values tan δ at the oil-water interface as pressure increased, thereby promoting the formation of less viscoelastic structures. M-7D sample, characterized by lower content of α-helix structures, resulted in an observable redshift in the NH and CO groups of the protein. Molecular docking analysis affirmed that M-7D sample exhibited a lower absolute binding energy value, indicating stronger interaction with the protein compared to other samples, ultimately contributing to the unstable interfacial membrane formed.
  3. Fulltext Long-Term Retrogradation Properties and In Vitro Digestibility of Waxy Rice Starch Modified with Pectin
    Zhai Y, Zhang H, Xing J, Sang S, Zhan X, Liu Y, et al.
    Foods, 2023 Oct 31;12(21).
    PMID: 37959100 DOI: 10.3390/foods12213981
    In recent years, the blending of hydrocolloids and natural starch to improve the properties of natural starch has become a research hotspot. In this study, the effects of pectin (PEC) on the retrogradation properties and in vitro digestibility of waxy rice starch (WRS) were investigated. The results showed that PEC could significantly (p < 0.05) reduce the retrogradation enthalpy and reduce the hardness of WRS gel. X-ray diffraction results indicated that PEC could reduce the relative crystallinity of the composite system, and the higher the PEC content, the lower the relative crystallinity. When the PEC content was 10%, the relative crystallinity of the composite system was only 10.6% after 21 d of cold storage. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results proved that the interaction between PEC and WRS was mainly a hydrogen bond interaction. Furthermore, after 21 d of cold storage, the T23 free water signal appeared in the natural WRS paste, while only a small free water signal appeared in the compound system with 2% PEC addition. Moreover, addition of PEC could reduce the starch digestion rate and digestibility. When the content of PEC increased from 0% to 10%, the digestibility decreased from 82.31% to 71.84%. This study provides a theoretical basis for the further application of hydrocolloids in starch-based foods.
  4. Effect of different chain lengths of monoglyceride on the O/W interfacial properties with high-melting and low-melting crystals in low-fat aerated emulsion
    Han W, Chai X, Zaaboul F, Sun Y, Tan CP, Liu Y
    Food Chem, 2023 Nov 30;427:136656.
    PMID: 37393637 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136656
    The effect of different types of monoglycerides, including monopalmitin, capryl monoglyceride (GMB), and succinylated monoglyceride (GMSA) in combination with palm kernel stearin (PKS) and beeswax (BW), on the formation, crystal network structure, and partial coalescence properties of aerated emulsions (20 % w/w fat) was investigated. The stability of BW and PKS crystals with a 1 % concentration of GMSA and GMB, respectively, in the oil phase was lower than the other crystals. BW-GMSA and PKS-GMB crystals exhibited a lower crystallization rate, higher contact angles and no significant peak shift in the small-angle X-ray scattering results. The BW-GMSA and PKS-GMB emulsions had a lower nucleation rate in the bulk and a higher nucleation rate at the interface, resulting in a higher fraction of crystals adsorbed at the oil/water interface. This reduced the number of interfacial proteins and led to a high degree of partial coalescence and the formation of stable aerated networks.
  5. Chemotherapy impairs ovarian function through excessive ROS-induced ferroptosis
    Zhang S, Liu Q, Chang M, Pan Y, Yahaya BH, Liu Y, et al.
    Cell Death Dis, 2023 May 24;14(5):340.
    PMID: 37225709 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05859-0
    Chemotherapy was conventionally applied to kill cancer cells, but regrettably, they also induce damage to normal cells with high-proliferative capacity resulting in cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, peripheral nerve toxicity, and ovarian toxicity. Of these, chemotherapy-induced ovarian damages mainly include but are not limited to decreased ovarian reserve, infertility, and ovarian atrophy. Therefore, exploring the underlying mechanism of chemotherapeutic drug-induced ovarian damage will pave the way to develop fertility-protective adjuvants for female patients during conventional cancer treatment. Herein, we firstly confirmed the abnormal gonadal hormone levels in patients who received chemotherapy and further found that conventional chemotherapeutic drugs (cyclophosphamide, CTX; paclitaxel, Tax; doxorubicin, Dox and cisplatin, Cis) treatment significantly decreased both the ovarian volume of mice and the number of primordial and antral follicles and accompanied with the ovarian fibrosis and reduced ovarian reserve in animal models. Subsequently, Tax, Dox, and Cis treatment can induce the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs), likely resulting from excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production-induced oxidative damage and impaired cellular anti-oxidative capacity. Thirdly, the following experiments demonstrated that Cis treatment could induce mitochondrial dysfunction through overproducing superoxide in GCs and trigger lipid peroxidation leading to ferroptosis, first reported in chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage. In addition, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment could alleviate the Cis-induced toxicity in GCs by downregulating cellular ROS levels and enhancing the anti-oxidative capacity (promoting the expression of glutathione peroxidase, GPX4; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1, HO-1). Our study confirmed the chemotherapy-induced chaotic hormonal state and ovarian damage in preclinical and clinical examination and indicated that chemotherapeutic drugs initiated ferroptosis in ovarian cells through excessive ROS-induced lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to ovarian cell death. Consequently, developing fertility protectants from the chemotherapy-induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis perspective will ameliorate ovarian damage and further improve the life quality of cancer patients.
  6. Identification and protective role of CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse spleen
    Dama G, Hu X, Yan Y, Li Y, Li H, Yang F, et al.
    Histochem Cell Biol, 2023 Jul;160(1):11-25.
    PMID: 37014442 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-023-02186-5
    Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a classical animal model of human multiple sclerosis (MS) that is most commonly used to study the neuropathology and therapeutic effects of the disease. Telocytes (TCs) are a specialized type of interstitial or mesenchymal cell first identified by Popescu in various tissues and organs. However, the existence, distribution and role of CD34+ stromal cells (SCs)/TCs in the EAE-induced mouse spleen remain to be elucidated. We conducted immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence (double staining for CD34 and c-kit, vimentin, F4/80, CD163, Nanog, Sca-1, CD31 or tryptase) and transmission electron microscopy experiments to investigate the existence, distribution and role of CD34+ SCs/TCs in the EAE-induced mouse spleen. Interestingly, immunohistochemistry, double-immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy results revealed that CD34+ SCs/TCs were significantly upregulated in the EAE mouse spleen. Immunohistochemical or double-immunofluorescence staining of CD34+ SCs/TCs showed positive expression for CD34, c-kit, vimentin, CD34/vimentin, c-kit/vimentin and CD34/c-kit, and negative expression for CD31 and tryptase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results demonstrated that CD34+ SCs/TCs established close connections with lymphocytes, reticular cells, macrophages, endothelial cells and erythrocytes. Furthermore, we also found that M1 (F4/80) or M2 (CD163) macrophages, and haematopoietic, pluripotent stem cells were markedly increased in EAE mice. Our results suggest that CD34+ SCs/TCs are abundant and may play a contributing role in modulating the immune response, recruiting macrophages and proliferation of haematopoietic and pluripotent stem cells following injury to promote tissue repair and regeneration in EAE mouse spleens. This suggests that their transplantation combined with stem cells might represent a promising therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of multiple autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders.
  7. The mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between job stress and professional identity in Chinese medical interns
    Liu Y, Han Y, Xiong L, Ma Q, Mei L, Chong MC, et al.
    Work, 2023 Jun 24.
    PMID: 37393480 DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230022
    BACKGROUND: Adaption to clinical work during the internship can induce several stressors among medical students, especially in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Particularly, job stress could be linked to the development of psychological traits and the formation of the professional identity of medical interns.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the relationship between job stress, psychological capital, and professional identity through a mediation analysis of Chinese medical interns.

    METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 30 hospitals and clinics in China from June 2021 to March 2022. A total of 665 medical interns filled out questionnaires related to demographic questions, psychological capital, job stress, and professional identity. Data analysis was executed using the IBM SPSS version 22.0 software and its add-in PROCESS Windows version 4.0.

    RESULTS: The findings indicated a statistically significant mediating effect of psychological capital between job stress and professional identity. Job stress and job stress combined with psychological capital accounted for 5.3% and 37.9%, respectively, of the variance in professional identity. The bootstrapping method corroborated the significance of the indirect effect of job stress through psychological capital (95% bootstrap CI = -4.7921, -2.4345).

    CONCLUSION: The current findings underscore the need for increased attention on improving the psychological capital of medical interns.

  8. Inhibitory Mechanism of Flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. on Rhizopus nigricans
    Ge Q, Wang K, Shao X, Wei Y, Zhang X, Liu Y, et al.
    Foodborne Pathog Dis, 2023 May;20(5):197-208.
    PMID: 37172299 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2022.0083
    Rhizopus nigricans is a widespread phytopathogen in fruits and vegetables that can cause considerable economic effects and resource waste. Flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. (FSAL) have specific antifungal activities. This study selected FSAL as an antifungal to prolong the preservation of fruits and vegetables. The results showed that the mycelial morphology and ultrastructure were damaged by the FSAL treatment (1.0 minimum inhibitory concentration), led to the increase of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and affected the activity of key enzymes in the glycolytic pathway, such as lactic dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, and hexokinase of R. nigricans. Key genes in glycolysis were upregulated or downregulated. In addition, in the treatment and control groups, 221 differentially expressed genes were found, including 89 that were upregulated and 32 that were downregulated, according to the transcriptome results. The differential genes were mainly enriched in glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, and citrate cycle pathways. The results revealed some insights into the antifungal mechanism of FSAL against R. nigricans and offered a theoretical foundation for its advancement as a novel plant-derived antifungal agent.
  9. Physico-chemical and biological remediation techniques for the elimination of endocrine-disrupting hazardous chemicals
    Wu Y, Liu Y, Kamyab H, Rajasimman M, Rajamohan N, Ngo GH, et al.
    Environ Res, 2023 Sep 01;232:116363.
    PMID: 37295587 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116363
    Due to their widespread occurrence and detrimental effects on human health and the environment, endocrine-disrupting hazardous chemicals (EDHCs) have become a significant concern. Therefore, numerous physicochemical and biological remediation techniques have been developed to eliminate EDHCs from various environmental matrices. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art remediation techniques for eliminating EDHCs. The physicochemical methods include adsorption, membrane filtration, photocatalysis, and advanced oxidation processes. The biological methods include biodegradation, phytoremediation, and microbial fuel cells. Each technique's effectiveness, advantages, limitations, and factors affecting their performance are discussed. The review also highlights recent developments and future perspectives in EDHCs remediation. This review provides valuable insights into selecting and optimizing remediation techniques for EDHCs in different environmental matrices.
  10. Effects of N-succinyl-chitosan coating on properties of astaxanthin-loaded PEG-liposomes: Environmental stability, antioxidant/antibacterial activities, and in vitro release
    Liu A, Chai X, Zhu S, Chin PT, He M, Xu YJ, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2023 Jul 31;244:125311.
    PMID: 37302627 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125311
    Astaxanthin (AST) has outstanding antioxidant and anti-inflammation bioactivities, but the low biocompatibility and stability limit its application in foods. In this study, N-succinyl-chitosan (NSC)-coated AST polyethylene glycol (PEG)-liposomes were constructed to enhance the biocompatibility, stability, and intestinal-targeted migration of AST. The AST NSC/PEG-liposomes were uniform in size, had larger particles, greater encapsulation efficiency, and better storage, pH, and temperature stability than the AST PEG-liposomes. AST NSC/PEG-liposomes exerted stronger antibacterial and antioxidant activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus than AST PEG-liposomes. The NSC coating not only protects AST PEG-liposomes from gastric acid but also prolongs the retention and sustained release of AST NSC/PEG-liposomes depending on the intestinal pH. Moreover, caco-2 cellular uptake studies showed that AST NSC/PEG-liposomes had higher cellular uptake efficiency than AST PEG-liposomes. And AST NSC/PEG-liposomes were taken up by caco-2 cells through clathrin mediated endocytic, macrophage pathways and paracellular transport pathway. These results further proved that AST NSC/PEG-liposomes delayed the release and promoted the intestinal absorption of AST. Hence, AST PEG-liposomes coated with NSC could potentially be used as an efficient delivery system for therapeutic AST.
  11. Fulltext Psychology in action: Social media communication, CSR, and consumer behavior management in banking
    Liu Y, Naveed RT, Kanwal S, Tahir Khan M, Dalain AF, Lan W
    PLoS One, 2023;18(8):e0289281.
    PMID: 37590276 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289281
    In today's digitally interconnected world, social media emerges as a powerful tool, offering different opportunities for modern businesses. Not only do organizations use social media for marketing purposes, but they also endeavor to influence consumer psychology and behavior. Although prior studies indicate social media's efficacy in disseminating corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications, there remains a dearth of research addressing the impact of CSR-related messaging from banks on consumers' brand advocacy behavior (CBAB). Our study seeks to bridge this gap, exploring the CSR-CBAB relationship within the banking sector of an emerging economy. Additionally, we investigate the roles of consumers' emotions and values in mediating and moderating their CBAB, introducing two mediating factors, consumer happiness (HP) and admiration (BRAD), and moderating variable altruistic values (ATVL). Data collection involved an adapted questionnaire targeting banking consumers. The structural analysis revealed a positive correlation between a bank's CSR-related social media communications and CBAB. HP and BRAD were identified as mediators in this relationship, while ATVL emerged as a moderator. These findings hold significant theoretical and practical implications. For instance, our research highlights the indispensable role of social media in effectively conveying CSR-related information to banking consumers, subsequently enhancing their advocacy intentions.
  12. Fulltext An investigation of the PM2.5 concentrations and cumulative inhaled dose during subway commutes in Changchun, China
    Chang L, Chong WT, Yau YH, Cui T, Wang XR, Pei F, et al.
    Int J Environ Sci Technol (Tehran), 2023 May 24.
    PMID: 37360559 DOI: 10.1007/s13762-023-04994-7
    Air quality in subway systems is crucial as it affects the health of passengers and staff. Although most tests of PM2.5 concentrations in subway stations have taken place in public areas, PM2.5 is less understood in workplaces. Few studies have estimated the cumulative inhaled dose of passengers based on real-time changes in PM2.5 concentrations as they commute. To clarify the above issues, this study first measured PM2.5 concentrations in four subway stations in Changchun, China, where measuring points included five workrooms. Then, passengers' exposure to PM2.5 during the whole subway commute (20-30 min) was measured and segmented inhalation was calculated. The results showed that PM2.5 concentration in public places ranged from 50 to 180 μg/m3, and was strongly correlated with outdoors. While the PM2.5 average concentration in workplaces was 60 µg/m3, and it was less affected by outdoor PM2.5 concentration. Passenger's cumulative inhalations in single commuting were about 42 μg and 100 μg when the outdoor PM2.5 concentrations were 20-30 μg/m3 and 120-180 μg/m3, respectively. The PM2.5 inhalation in carriages accounted for the largest proportion of the entire commuting, about 25-40%, because of the longer exposure time and higher PM2.5 concentrations. It is recommended to improve the tightness of the carriage and filter the fresh air to improve the air quality inside. The average daily PM2.5 inhaled by staff was 513.53 μg, which was 5-12 times higher than that of passengers. Installing air purification devices in workplaces and reminding staff to take personal protection can positively protect their health.
  13. Fulltext Analyses of Plastome Sequences Improve Phylogenetic Resolution and Provide New Insight Into the Evolutionary History of Asian Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae
    Zhou Q, Lin CW, Ng WL, Dai J, Denda T, Zhou R, et al.
    Front Plant Sci, 2019;10:1477.
    PMID: 31824528 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01477
    Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae (Melastomataceae) comprises ca. 50 genera, two thirds of which occur in Southeast Asia. Phylogenetic relationships within this clade remain largely unclear, which hampers our understanding of its origin, evolution, and biogeography. Here, we explored the use of chloroplast genomes in phylogenetic reconstruction of Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae, by sampling 138 species and 23 genera in this clade. A total of 151 complete plastid genomes were assembled for this study. Plastid genomic data provided better support for the backbone of the Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae phylogeny, and also for relationships among most closely related species, but failed to resolve the short internodes likely resulted from rapid radiation. Trees inferred from plastid genome and nrITS sequences were largely congruent regarding the major lineages of Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae. The present analyses recovered 15 major lineages well recognized in both nrITS and plastid phylogeny. Molecular dating and biogeographical analyses indicated a South American origin for Sonerileae/Dissochaeteae during late Eocene (stem age: 34.78 Mya). Two dispersal events from South America to the Old World were detected in late Eocene (33.96 Mya) and Mid Oligocene (28.33 Mya) respectively. The core Asian clade began to diversify around early Miocene in Indo-Burma and dispersed subsequently to Malesia and Sino-Japanese regions, possibly promoted by global temperature changes and East Asian monsoon activity. Our analyses supported previous hypothesis that Medinilla reached Madagascar by transoceanic dispersal in Miocene. In addition, generic limits of some genera concerned were discussed.
  14. SpecLipIDA: a pseudotargeted lipidomics approach for polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk
    Lei J, He Y, Zhu S, Shi J, Tan CP, Liu Y, et al.
    Analyst, 2024 Jan 29;149(3):751-760.
    PMID: 38194259 DOI: 10.1039/d3an01536j
    Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play an important role in the nutritional value of milk lipids. However, a comprehensive analysis of PUFAs and their esters in milk is still scarce. In this study, we developed a novel pseudotargeted lipidomics approach, named SpecLipIDA, for determining PUFA lipids in milk. Triglycerides (TGs) and phospholipids (PLs) were separated using NH2 cartridges, and mass spectrometry data in the information-dependent acquisition (IDA) mode were preprocessed by MS-DIAL, leading to improved identification in subsequent targeted analysis. The target matching algorithm, based on specific lipid cleavage patterns, demonstrated enhanced identification of PUFA lipids compared to the lipid annotations provided by MS-DIAL and GNPS. The approach was applied to identify PUFA lipids in various milk samples, resulting in the detection of a total of 115 PUFA lipids. The results revealed distinct differences in PUFA lipids among different samples, with 44 PUFA lipids significantly contributing to these differences. Our study indicated that SpecLipIDA is an efficient method for rapidly and specifically screening PUFA lipids.
  15. MenSCs Transplantation Improve the Viability of Injured Endometrial Cells Through Activating PI3K/Akt Pathway
    Zhang S, Zhang R, Yin X, Lu Y, Cheng H, Pan Y, et al.
    Reprod Sci, 2023 Nov;30(11):3325-3338.
    PMID: 37308799 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01282-0
    Endometrial injury is one of the leading causes of female infertility and is caused by intrauterine surgery, endometrial infection, repeated abortion, or genital tuberculosis. Currently, there is little effective treatment to restore the fertility of patients with severe intrauterine adhesions and thin endometrium. Recent studies have confirmed the promising therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on various diseases with definite tissue injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the improvements of menstrual blood-derived endometrial stem cells (MenSCs) transplantation on functional restoration in the endometrium of mouse model. Therefore, ethanol-induced endometrial injury mouse models were randomly divided into two groups: the PBS-treated group, and the MenSCs-treated group. As expected, the endometrial thickness and gland number in the endometrium of MenSCs-treated mice were significantly improved compared to those of PBS-treated mice (P 
  16. Fulltext Amylase-assisted extraction alters nutritional and physicochemical properties of polysaccharides and saponins isolated from Ganoderma spp
    Chen BJ, Liu Y, Yang K, Li X, Dong X, Guan Y, et al.
    Food Chem X, 2023 Dec 30;20:100913.
    PMID: 38144747 DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2023.100913
    This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of amylase in hydrolyzing complex carbohydrates of different parts of Ganoderma spp. The aqueous extracts of the Ganoderma samples were analyzed for their selected nutritional composition and physicochemical properties. The purified extracts were also structurally characterized. The aqueous canopy extracts of red-purple Ganoderma had a notably higher total sugar and saponin content than their stalks, but not for the black-type Ganoderma. The enzymatic extraction effectively improved the extraction yields, whereas the amounts of sugars and saponins in some extracts were increased after the enzymatic treatment. The results also showed that only those enzyme-treated cultivated black Ganoderma canopy had increased total sugar and total saponin content. The antioxidant activities of all stalk extracts were higher than the canopy extracts. Their emulsifying properties were comparable with lecithin due to their high saponin content. Therefore, these extracts are new natural emulsifiers.
  17. Validation and Calibration for Embedding Rating of Perceived Exertion Into High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Adolescents: A Lab-Based Study
    Liu Y, Williams CA, Weston KL, Duncombe SL, Malik AA, Barker AR
    Pediatr Exerc Sci, 2024 Jan 08.
    PMID: 38194950 DOI: 10.1123/pes.2023-0084
    PURPOSE: Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is a convenient and cost-effective tool that can be used to monitor high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE). However, no methodological study has demonstrated the validity of RPE in this context. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate and calibrate RPE for monitoring HIIE in adolescents.

    METHODS: RPE, heart rate (HR), and oxygen uptake (V˙O2) data were retrospectively extracted from 3 lab-based crossover studies, with a pooled sample size of 45 adolescents, performing either cycling-based or running-based HIIE sessions. Within-participant correlations were calculated for RPE-HR and RPE-V˙O2, and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was used to establish RPE cut points.

    RESULTS: The results showed that RPE-HR demonstrated acceptable criterion validity (r = .53-.74, P < .01), while RPE-V˙O2 had poor validity (r = .40-.48, P < .01), except for HIIE at 100% peak power (r = .59, P < .01). RPE cut points of 4 and 5 were established in corresponding to HR/V˙O2 based thresholds.

    CONCLUSION: RPE has some utility in evaluating intensity during lab-based running or cycling HIIE in adolescents. Future studies should expand the validation and calibration of RPE for prescribing and monitoring HIIE in children and adolescents in field-based contexts.

  18. Comparative structural, digestion and absorption characterization of three common extruded plant proteins
    Wang Y, Zheng Z, Zhang C, Wu C, Tan CP, Liu Y
    Food Res Int, 2024 Feb;177:113852.
    PMID: 38225129 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113852
    Extruded plant proteins, also known as textured vegetable proteins (TVPs), serve as vital components in plant-based meat analogue, yet their structural and nutritional characteristics remain elusive. In this study, we examined the impact of high-moisture (HM) and low-moisture (LM) extrusion on the structures, digestion and absorption of three types of plant proteins. Extrusion transformed plant proteins from spherical to fibrous forms, and formed larger aggregate particles. It also led to the disruption of original disulfide bonds and hydrophobic interactions within protein molecules, and the formation of new cross-links. Intriguingly, compared to native plant proteins, TVPs' α-helix/β-sheet values decreased from 0.68 to 0.69 to 0.56-0.65. Extrusion increased the proportion of peptides shorter than 1 kD in digesta of TVPs by 1.44-23.63%. In comparison to unextruded plant proteins, TVPs exhibited lower content of free amino acids in cell transport products. Our findings demonstrated that extrusion can modify protein secondary structure by diminishing the α-helix/β-sheet value, and impact protein tertiary structure by reducing disulfide bonds and hydrophobic interactions, promoting the digestion and absorption of plant proteins. These insights offer valuable scientific backing for the utilization of extruded plant-based proteins, bolstering their role in enhancing the palatability and nutritional profile of plant-based meat substitutes.
  19. PPARβ/δ-ANGPTL4 axis mediates the promotion of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalic acid on MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma development
    Liu Y, Hamid N, Manzoor R, Zhang BF, Liao YL, Wang JX, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2024 Feb 20;912:168949.
    PMID: 38042186 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168949
    Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalic acid (DEHP) is one of the most widely used plasticizers in the industry, which can improve the flexibility and durability of plastics. It is prone to migrate from various daily plastic products through wear and leaching into the surrounding environment and decompose into the more toxic metabolite mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalic acid (MEHP) after entering the human body. However, the impacts and mechanisms of MEHP on neuroblastoma are unclear. We exposed MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)C cells to an environmentally related concentration of MEHP and found that MEHP increased the proliferation and migration ability of tumor cells. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ pathway was identified as a pivotal signaling pathway in neuroblastoma, mediating the effects of MEHP through transcriptional sequencing analysis. Because MEHP can bind to the PPARβ/δ protein and initiate the expression of the downstream gene angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), the PPARβ/δ-specific agonist GW501516 and antagonist GSK3787, the recombinant human ANGPTL4 protein, and the knockdown of gene expression confirmed the regulation of the PPARβ/δ-ANGPTL4 axis on the malignant phenotype of neuroblastoma. Based on the critical role of PPARβ/δ and ANGPTL4 in the metabolic process, a non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that MEHP altered multiple metabolic pathways, particularly lipid metabolites involving fatty acyls, glycerophospholipids, and sterol lipids, which may also be potential factors promoting tumor progression. We have demonstrated for the first time that MEHP can target binding to PPARβ/δ and affect the progression of neuroblastoma by activating the PPARβ/δ-ANGPTL4 axis. This mechanism confirms the health risks of plasticizers as tumor promoters and provides new data support for targeted prevention and treatment of neuroblastoma.
  20. A critical review of research methodologies for COVID-19 transmission in indoor built environment
    Haowei Y, Mahyuddin N, Bin Nik Ghazali NN, Wang Z, Liu Y, Pan S, et al.
    Int J Environ Health Res, 2024 Feb 22.
    PMID: 38385569 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2308731
    The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused massive losses for the global economy. Scholars have used different methods to study the transmission mode and influencing factors of the virus to find effective methods to provide people with a healthy built environment. However, these studies arrived at different or even contradictory conclusions. This review presents the main research methodologies utilized in this field, summarizes the main investigation methods, and critically discusses their related conclusions. Data statistical analysis, sample collection, simulation models, and replication transmission scenarios are the main research methods. The summarized conclusion for prevention from all reviewed papers are: adequate ventilation and proper location of return air vents, proper use of personal protective equipment, as well as the reasonable and strict enforcement of policies are the main methods for reducing the transmission. Recommendations including standardized databases, causation clarification, rigorous experiment design, improved simulation accuracy and verification are provided.
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