High water resistance starch based intelligent label for the freshness monitoring of beverages.

The traditional starch-based intelligent freshness labels struggle to maintain long-term structural stability when exposed to moisture. To solve this problem, we prepared composite crosslinked labels using phytic acid for double crosslinking of corn starch and soybean isolate proteins, with anthocyanin serving as the chromogenic dye. The mechanical properties, hydrophobic characteristics, and pH responsivity of these crosslinked labels were assessed in this study. The prepared double-crosslinked labels showed reduced moisture content (15.96%), diminished swelling (147.21%), decreased solubility (28.55%), and minimized water permeability, which suggested that they have enhanced hydrophobicity and densification. The crosslinked labels demonstrated the ability to maintain morphological stability when immersed in water for 12 h. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the crosslinked labels were enhanced without compromising their pH-sensing capabilities, demonstrated a color response visible to the naked eye for milk and coconut water freshness monitoring, suggesting great potential for application in beverages freshness monitoring.

Influence of key component interactions in flour on the quality of fried flour products.

In the field of food, the interaction between various components in food is commonly used to regulate food quality. Starches, proteins, and lipids are ubiquitous in the food system and play a critical role in the food system. The interaction between proteins, starches, and lipids components in flour is the molecular basis for the formation of the classical texture of dough, and has a profound impact on the processing properties of dough and the quality of flour products. In this article, the composition of the key components of flour (starch, protein and lipid) and their functions in dough processing were reviewed, and the interaction mechanism of the three components in the dynamic processing of dough from mixing to rising to frying was emphatically discussed, and the effects of the components on the network structure of dough and then on the quality of fried flour products were introduced. The analysis of the relationship between dough component interaction, network structure and quality of fried flour products is helpful to reveal the common mechanism of quality change of fried flour products, and provide a reference for exploring the interaction of ingredients in starch food processing.

Enhancing the strength and toughness of polylactic acid-based composites through one-step co-deposition of active coating onto wood fiber.

A facial strategy of co-deposition is proposed to enhance the interfacial bonding in wood fiber (WF)/polylactic acid (PLA) composites. Dopamine or tannic acid (TA) was co-deposited with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) onto the WF surface to create active coatings. These coatings were formed through Michael addition and Schiff base reactions and effectively attached to the WF through a combination of hydrogen and covalent bonding. Such active coatings facilitated the connection between WF and PLA through both covalent bonds and physical entanglements, thereby enhancing the interfacial interactions and compatibility between the two components. The co-deposition of TA with APTES was found to be more effective than with dopamine, leading to a dramatic improvement in the tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites by 33.4 % and 185.9 %, respectively. This work offers a facile method to prepare high performance plant fiber reinforced PLA composites, thereby broadening the potential applications of PLA.

Recent advances in enzymatic modification techniques to improve the quality of flour-based fried foods.

Flour-based fried foods are among the most commonly consumed foods worldwide. However, the sensory attributes and nutritional value of fried foods are inconsistent and unstable. Therefore, the creation of fried foods with desirable sensory attributes and good nutritional value remains a major challenge for the development of the fried food industry. The quality of flour-based fried foods can sometimes be improved by physical methods and the addition of chemical modifiers. However, enzyme modification is widely accepted by consumers due to its unique advantages of specificity, mild processing conditions and high safety. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the effects of enzyme treatments on the sensory attributes (color, flavor and texture), oil absorption and digestibility of flour-based fried foods. This paper reviews recent research progress in utilizing enzyme modification to improve the quality of flour-based fried foods. This paper begins with the effects of common enzymes on the physicochemical properties (rheological property, retrogradation property and specific volume) of dough. Based on the analysis of the mechanism of formation of sensory attributes and nutritional properties, it focuses on the application of amylase, protease, transglutaminase, and lipase in the regulation of sensory attributes and nutritional properties of flour-based fried foods.

Review of formation mechanisms and quality regulation of chewiness in staple foods: Rice, noodles, potatoes and bread.

Staple foods serve as vital nutrient sources for the human body, and chewiness is an essential aspect of food texture. Age, specific preferences, and diminished eating functions have broadened the chewiness requirements for staple foods. Therefore, comprehending the formation mechanism of chewiness in staple foods and exploring approaches to modulate it becomes imperative. This article reviewed the formation mechanisms and quality control methods for chewiness in several of the most common staple foods (rice, noodles, potatoes and bread). It initially summarized the chewiness formation mechanisms under three distinct thermal processing methods: water medium, oil medium, and air medium processing. Subsequently, proposed some effective approaches for regulating chewiness based on mechanistic changes. Optimizing raw material composition, controlling processing conditions, and adopting innovative processing techniques can be utilized. Nonetheless, the precise adjustment of staple foods' chewiness remains a challenge due to their diversity and technical study limitations. Hence, further in-depth exploration of chewiness across different staple foods is warranted.

Elucidating VSMC phenotypic transition mechanisms to bridge insights into cardiovascular disease implications.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide, despite advances in understanding cardiovascular health. Significant barriers still exist in effectively preventing and managing these diseases. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial for maintaining vascular integrity and can switch between contractile and synthetic functions in response to stimuli such as hypoxia and inflammation. These transformations play a pivotal role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, facilitating vascular modifications and disease advancement. This article synthesizes the current understanding of the mechanisms and signaling pathways regulating VSMC phenotypic transitions, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease interventions.

Achieving High Thermoelectric Performance in ZnSe-Doped CuGaTe2 by Optimizing the Carrier Concentration and Reducing Thermal Conductivity.

The CuGaTe2 thermoelectric material has garnered widespread attention as an inexpensive and nontoxic material for mid-temperature thermoelectric applications. However, its development has been hindered by its low intrinsic carrier concentration and high thermal conductivity. This study investigates the band structure and thermoelectric properties of (CuGaTe2)1-x (ZnSe)x (x = 0, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%). The research revealed that the incorporation of Zn and Se atoms enhanced the level of band degeneracy and electron density of states near Fermi level, significantly raising carrier concentration through the formation of ZnGa- point defects. Simultaneously, when the doping content reached 1.5%, the ZnTe second phase emerged, collaborating with point defects and high-density dislocations, effectively scattering phonons and substantially reducing lattice thermal conductivity. Therefore, introducing ZnSe can simultaneously optimize the material's electrical and thermal transport properties. The (CuGaTe2)0.985(ZnSe)0.015 sample reaches peak ZT of 1.32 at 823 K, representing a 159% increase compared to pure CuGaTe2.

Effects of frying on the surface oil absorption of wheat, potato, and pea starches.

The effects of structural changes on surface oil absorption characteristics of wheat starch, pea starch and potato starch during frying under different water content (20%, 30%, 40%, 50%) were studied. Fried potato starch with a 40% water content exhibited the highest surface oil content. When the initial moisture content reached 30%, the scattering intensity of the crystal layer structure decreased for wheat and pea starches, while the scattering peak for potato starch completely disappeared. At 40% moisture content, the amorphous phase ratio values for fried potato, wheat and pea starches were 13.50%, 11.78% and 11.24%, respectively, and the nitrogen adsorption capacity of fried starch decreased in turn. These findings that the structure of potato starch was more susceptible to degradation compared to pea starch and wheat starch, resulting in higher surface oil absorbed by potato starch during frying process.

Unlocking the health potential of anthocyanins: a structural insight into their varied biological effects.

Anthocyanins have become increasingly important to the food industry due to their colorant features and many health-promoting activities. Numerous studies have linked anthocyanins to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic properties, as well as protection against heart disease, certain types of cancer, and a reduced risk of diabetes and cognitive disorders. Anthocyanins from various foods may exhibit distinct biological and health-promoting activities owing to their structural diversity. In this review, we have collected and tabulated the key information from various recent published studies focusing on investigating the chemical structure effect of anthocyanins on their stability, antioxidant activities, in vivo fate, and changes in the gut microbiome. This information should be valuable in comprehending the connection between the molecular structure and biological function of anthocyanins, with the potential to enhance their application as both colorants and functional compounds in the food industry.

Simultaneously Boosting Thermoelectric and Mechanical Properties of n-Type Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5-Based Zintls through Energy-Band and Defect Engineering.

Incorporating donor doping into Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5 to achieve n-type conductivity is one of the crucial strategies for performance enhancement. In pursuit of higher thermoelectric performance, we herein report co-doping with Te and Y to optimize the thermoelectric properties of Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5, achieving a peak ZT exceeding 1.7 at 703 K in Y0.01Mg3.19Sb1.5Bi0.47Te0.03. Guided by first-principles calculations for compositional design, we find that Te-doping shifts the Fermi level into the conduction band, resulting in n-type semiconductor behavior, while Y-doping further shifts the Fermi level into the conduction band and reduces the bandgap, leading to enhanced thermoelectric performance with a power factor as high as >20 µW cm-1 K-2. Additionally, through detailed micro/nanostructure characterizations, we discover that Te and Y co-doping induces dense crystal and lattice defects, including local lattice distortions and strains caused by point defects, and densely distributed grain boundaries between nanocrystalline domains. These defects efficiently scatter phonons of various wavelengths, resulting in a low thermal conductivity of 0.83 W m-1 K-1 and ultimately achieving a high ZT. Furthermore, the dense lattice defects induced by co-doping can further strengthen the mechanical performance, which is crucial for its service in devices. This work provides guidance for the composition and structure design of thermoelectric materials.

Band Engineering and Phonon Engineering Effectively Improve n-Type Mg3Sb2 Thermoelectric Material Properties.

Mg3Sb2-based thermoelectric materials can convert heat and electricity into each other, making them a promising class of environmentally friendly materials. Further improving the electrical performance while effectively reducing the thermal conductivity is a crucial issue. In this paper, under the guidance of the oneness principle calculation, we designed a thermoelectric Zintl phase based on Mg3.2Sb1.5Bi0.5 doped with Tb and Er. Calculation results show that using Tb and Er as cationic site dopants effectively improves the electrical properties and reduces the lattice thermal conductivity. Experimental results confirmed the effectiveness of codoping and effectively enhanced thermoelectric performance. The most immense ZT value obtained by the Mg3.185Tb0.01Er0.005Sb1.5Bi0.5 sample was 1.71. In addition, the average Young's modulus of the Mg3.185Tb0.01Er0.005Sb1.5Bi0.5 sample is 51.85 GPa, and the Vickers hardness is 0.99 GPa. Under the same test environment, the material was subjected to 12 cycles in the temperature range of 323-723 K, and the average power factor error range was 1.8% to 2.1%, which is of practical significance for its application in actual device scenarios.

Enhancement of polymer thermoresponsiveness and drug delivery across biological barriers by addition of small molecules.

Thermoresponsive polymers that undergo sol-gel transitions in the physiological temperature range have been widely used in biomedical applications. However, some commercially and clinically available thermoresponsive materials, particularly poloxamer 407 (P407), have the significant drawback of insufficient gel strength, which limit their performance. Furthermore, co-delivery with some small molecules, including chemical permeation enhancers (CPEs) can further impair the physical properties of P407. Here, we have developed a thermoresponsive platform by combination of CPEs with the poloxamer P188 to enable gelation at physiological temperatures and enhance gel strength. P188 gels at 60 °C, which is far above the physiological range. In combination with limonene (LIM) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), P188 gels at ∼25 °C, a temperature that in useful for biomedical applications. Gelation behavior was studied by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments, which identified micelle-to-cubic mesophase transitions with increasing temperature. Analysis of the SANS intensities revealed that P188 micelles became larger as LIM or SDS molecules were incorporated, making it easier to form a micellar gel structure. P188-3CPE (i.e., 2% LIM, 1% SDS and 0.5% bupivacaine (BUP)) had low viscosity at room temperature, facilitating administration, but rapidly gelled at body temperature. P188-3CPE enabled the flux of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin across the TM and completely eradicated otitis media from nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) in chinchillas after a single administration.

AgCl Addition to Chalcopyrite Compound for Ultra-Low Thermal Conductivity in Realizing High ZT Thermoelectric Materials.

Optimizing the performance of thermoelectric materials by reducing its thermal conductivity is crucial to enhance its thermoelectric efficiency. Novel thermoelectric materials like the CuGaTe2 compound are hindered by high intrinsic thermal conductivity, which negatively impacts its thermoelectric performance. In this paper, we report that the introduction of AgCl by the solid-phase melting method will influence the thermal conductivity of CuGaTe2. The generated multiple scattering mechanisms are expected to reduce the lattice thermal conductivity while maintaining sufficient good electrical properties. The experimental results were supported by first-principles calculations confirming that the doping of the Ag will decrease the elastic constants, bulk modulus, and shear modulus of CuGaTe2, which makes the mean sound velocity and Debye temperature of Ag-doped samples lower than those of CuGaTe2, indicating the lower lattice thermal conductivity. In addition, the Cl elements within the CuGaTe2 matrix escaping during the sintering process will create holes of various sizes within the sample. These combined effects of holes and impurities will induce phonon scattering, which further reduces the lattice thermal conductivity. Based on our findings, we conclude that the introduction of AgCl into CuGaTe2 has shown a lower thermal conductivity without compromising the electrical performance, resulting in an ultra-high ZT value of 1.4 in the (CuGaTe2)0.96(AgCl)0.04 sample at 823 K.

An aptamer-based depot system for sustained release of small molecule therapeutics.

Delivery of hydrophilic small molecule therapeutics by traditional drug delivery systems is challenging. Herein, we have used the specific interaction between DNA aptamers and drugs to create simple and effective drug depot systems. The specific binding of a phosphorothioate-modified aptamer to drugs formed non-covalent aptamer/drug complexes, which created a sustained release system. We demonstrated the effectiveness of this system with small hydrophilic molecules, the site 1 sodium channel blockers tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin. The aptamer-based delivery system greatly prolonged the duration of local anesthesia and reduced systemic toxicity. The beneficial effects of the aptamers were restricted to the compounds they were specific to. These studies establish aptamers as a class of highly specific, modifiable drug delivery systems, and demonstrate potential usefulness in the management of postoperative pain.

Enhancement of Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery by Pharmacological Induction of Inflammation.

Drug delivery directly across the tympanic membrane (TM) could eliminate systemic exposure to antibiotics prescribed for otitis media, the most common reason for pediatricians to prescribe antibiotics. Here, we hypothesized that inducing inflammation of the TM could enhance drug flux across the TM. We demonstrated that the flux of ciprofloxacin across the TM was greatly increased by treatment with the proinflammatory agent histamine. That enhancement was blocked by concurrent treatment with blockers of histamine receptor 1. Treatment of the TM with histamine was able to enhance drug flux sufficiently to eradicate otitis media in vivo in chinchillas, but only if the histamine was applied prior to treatment with antibiotics.

Permeation of polyethylene glycols across the tympanic membrane.

Localized and non-invasive delivery of therapeutics across barriers in the body is challenging. Examples include the flux of drugs across the tympanic membrane (TM) for the treatment of middle ear infections, and across the round window to treat inner ear disease. With the emergence of macromolecular therapies, the question arises as to whether such delivery can be achieved with macromolecules. Here, we have used polyethylene glycols (PEGs) in solutions to investigate macromolecular permeation across the TM in the chinchilla ex vivo. As the molecular weight of PEG increased, flux across the TM decreased, with an exponential relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficient and the molecular weight of the polymers. PEG flux was further decreased if it was released from a poloxamer 407 hydrogel, and lessened with increasing hydrogel concentration. Our results provide a framework for understanding the permeation of macromolecules noninvasively across barriers.

Drug Delivery across Barriers to the Middle and Inner Ear.

The prevalence of ear disorders has spurred efforts to develop drug delivery systems to treat these conditions. Here, recent advances in drug delivery systems that access the ear through the tympanic membrane (TM) are reviewed. Such methods are either non-invasive (placed on the surface of the TM), or invasive (placed in the middle ear, ideally on the round window [RW]). The major hurdles to otic drug delivery are identified and highlighted the representative examples of drug delivery systems used for drug delivery across the TM to the middle and (crossing the RW also) inner ear.

Initial Method for Characterization of Tympanic Membrane Drug Permeability in Human Temporal Bones In Situ.

Background and Introduction: Acute otitis media is the most common reason for a visit to the pediatrician, often requiring systemic administration of oral antibiotics. Local drug therapy applied to the middle ear could avoid side effects associated with systemic antibiotic administration, however in the majority of patients this would require drugs to diffuse across an intact tympanic membrane. Experimental methods for testing trans-tympanic drug flux in human tissues in situ would be highly valuable to guide drug therapy development for local drug delivery to the middle ear. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 cadaveric human temporal bones were characterized by trans-tympanic impedance testing to determine how steps in tissue processing and storage might impact intactness of the tympanic membrane and thus suitability for use in studies of trans-tympanic drug flux. Ciprofloxacin drug solutions of varying concentrations were then applied to the lateral surface of the tympanic membrane in eight samples, and middle ear aspirate was collected over the following 48 h to evaluate trans-tympanic flux to the middle ear. Results: Tissue processing steps that involved extensive tissue manipulation were consistently associated with evidence of microperforations in the tympanic membrane tissue. Maintaining the tympanic membrane in situ within the temporal bone, while using an otologic drill to obtain transmastoid access to the middle ear, was demonstrated as a reliable, non-damaging technique for accessing both lateral and medial surfaces for trans-tympanic flux testing. Results in these bones demonstrated trans-tympanic flux of ciprofloxacin when administered at sufficiently high concentration. Discussion and Conclusion: The study describes key techniques and best practices, as well as pitfalls to avoid, in the development of a model for studying trans-tympanic drug flux in human temporal bones in situ. This model can be a valuable research tool in advancing progress toward eventual clinical studies for trans-tympanic drug delivery to the middle ear.

Novel carbohydrate-triazole derivatives as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors.

A series of novel pyrano[2, 3-d]trizaole compounds were synthesized and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were evaluated by in vitro enzyme assay. The experimental data demonstrated that compound 10f showed up to 10-fold higher inhibition (IC5074.0 ± 1.3 µmol·L-1) than acarbose. The molecular docking revealed that compound 10f could bind to α-glucosidase via the hydrophobic, π-π stacking, and hydrogen bonding interactions. The results may benefit further structural modifications to find new and potent α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Impact of pesticide polarity and lipid phase dimensions on the bioaccessibility of pesticides in agricultural produce consumed with model fatty foods.

For most people, the pesticide residues found on agriculture products are the main source of pesticide exposure, which may adversely influence consumer health. The potential health hazard of residual pesticides depends on the nature of the foods they are consumed with. Studies with fat-soluble vitamins and nutraceuticals have shown that their bioaccessibility depends on food matrix composition and structure. We used an in vitro method to investigate the influence of the dimensions of the lipid phase in model fatty foods (emulsified or bulk oil) on the bioaccessibility of various pesticides. Three pesticides that differed in their oil-water partition coefficients were selected: bendiocarb (log P = 1.7), parathion (log P = 3.8), and chlorpyrifos (log P = 5.3). These pesticides were mixed with tomato puree to represent pesticide-treated agricultural products. Three model foods with different oil phase dimensions were used to represent different kinds of food product: small emulsions (d32 = 0.14 µm); large emulsions (d32 = 10 µm); and, bulk oil. Our results showed that the oil droplets underwent extensive changes as they passed through the simulated gastrointestinal tract due to changes in environmental conditions, such as pH, ionic strength, bile salts, and enzyme activities. The initial rate and final amount of lipid hydrolysis decreased with increasing lipid phase dimensions. Pesticide bioaccessibility depended on both the hydrophobicity of the pesticide and the dimensions of the co-ingested lipid droplets. The least hydrophobic pesticide (bendiocarb) had a high bioaccessibility (>95%) that did not depend on lipid phase dimensions. The more hydrophobic pesticides (parathion and chlorpyrifos) has a lower bioaccessibility that increased with decreasing lipid phase dimensions. Our results demonstrate the critical role that food structure plays on the potential uptake of pesticides from agricultural products, like fruits and vegetables.