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[Objective] This study aimed to improve the water solubility of propolis, and expand the application of propolis in food industry. [Methods] By utilizing the film dispersion method, propolis liposome was prepared with cholesterol and soy lecithin as the wall material and propolis as the core component. The optimal preparation process for propolis liposome was optimized through a combination of one-factor experiments and response surface methodology with the encapsulation rate as the test index, and its antioxidant activity was also analyzed and evaluated. [Results] The optimal process for preparing propolis liposome consisted of 2.5 g/100 mL soy lecithin, a cholesterol to soy lecithin ratio of 1∶10.3, and a cholesterol to propolis ratio of 1∶3.8. These optimized conditions resulted in a high encapsulation rate of 93.09% for propolis liposome. In addition, it was found that the scavenging efficiencies of the 50 μL/mL propolis liposome were 88.60%, 60.53%, and 82.25% for clearance of DPPH radicals, ABTS+ radicals, and hydroxyl radicals, respectively. [Conclusion] The prepared propolis liposome has high encapsulation efficiency, good water solubility and good antioxidant capacity.

Color is one of the most important sensory quality indexes of fermented meat products. Addition of nitrite makes traditional fermented meat products have a good color. However, nitrite can be transformed to N-nitrosamine in the human body, which is a potential carcinogen and can cause health problems. Therefore, it cannot meet the green and safety requirements in food manufacturing. In recent years, the chromogenic effect of microorganisms has been discovered and excavated, indicating the potential to replace nitrite in fermented meat products. In this review, the color conversion mechanism of fermented meat products is introduced in detail, and recent progress in research on the chromogenic mechanism of microorganisms is summarized. The important functions of five key enzymes in microbial color development and two dominant strains used to make fermented meat products are outlined. This review may provide novel ideas for the green and healthy development of fermented meat products.

(1) Background: The non-enzymatic glycation of proteins is a significant contributor to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and intermediates that are responsible for diabetic complications. It is imperative to explore effective inhibitors to prevent protein glycation. (2) Methods: This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory potential of various aqueous ethanol extracts of poplar-type propolis on AGEs and oxidative modifications in bovine serum albumin (BSA)-glucose and BSA-methylglyoxal models. (3) Results: The results revealed that these propolis extracts exhibited significant effectiveness in inhibiting the formation of total AGEs, pentosidine, and Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML). Furthermore, the investigation discovered that these propolis extracts can effectively inhibit oxidative modification, based on measuring the levels of carbonyl and thiol groups and analyzing tryptophan fluorescence quenching. Notably, 75% ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) exhibited the highest inhibitory activity, surpassing the chemical inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG). (4) Conclusions: The remarkable anti-glycation potency of aqueous ethanol extracts of poplar-type propolis can be attributed to their elevated contents of phenolic compounds, especially abundant flavonoids, which inhibit the formation of AGEs by scavenging free radicals, decreasing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and capturing reactive carbonyl species (RCS) in the protein glycation process. Our results indicate that poplar-type propolis may be a potential AGE inhibitor and could be used to develop functional foods and nutraceuticals to prevent diabetic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose monitoring sensors with high softness and flexibility are critical for the developments of wearable and implantable healthcare devices that enable diagnosis, prognosis, and management of diabetes. The design and implementation of such sensors have been extensively exploited by electrochemical strategies, which, however, suffer from poor reusability and complex modification procedures, and necessitate frequent calibration or sensor replacement due to enzymatic reaction instability. Here, a soft and plasmonic hydrogel optical sensor is created for quantitative and continuous glucose monitoring under physiological conditions. The optical sensor consists of a flexible optical fiber made from composites of gold nanoparticles and glucose-responsive hydrogels. The reversible binding of glucose to the nanocomposite optical fiber results in dynamic volume expansion of the hydrogel matrix, which modulates the localized surface plasmon resonance effect, enabling glucose to be quantified from the light transmission. To achieve robust readout, a dual-wavelength differential approach is employed to endow the sensor with self calibration capability. We show that the sensor is reversible and reusable for detecting physiological glucose levels with high linearity and negligible hysteresis. The soft and flexible glucose sensor holds great promises of serving as a minimally-invasive probe for point-of-care glucose monitoring in clinics.

Recognition and classification for construction activities help to monitor and manage construction workers. Deep learning and computer vision technologies have addressed many limitations of traditional manual methods in complex construction environments. However, distinguishing different workers and establishing a clear recognition logic remain challenging. To address these issues, we propose a novel construction activity recognition method that integrates multiple deep learning algorithms. To complete this research, we created three datasets: 727 images for construction entities, 2546 for posture and orientation estimation, and 5455 for worker re-identification. First, a YOLO v5-based model is trained for worker posture and orientation detection. A person re-identification algorithm is then introduced to distinguish workers by tracking their coordinates, body and head orientations, and postures over time, then estimating their attention direction. Additionally, a YOLO v5-based object detection model is developed to identify ten common construction entity objects. The worker's activity is determined by combining their attentional orientation, positional information, and interaction with detected construction entities. Ten video clips are selected for testing, and a total of 745 instances of workers are detected, achieving an accuracy rate of 88.5%. With further refinement, this method shows promise for a broader application in construction activity recognition, enhancing site management efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the multiorder open-dimension three-dimensional rectangular packing problem (3D-MOSB-ODRPP), which involves packing rectangular items from multiple orders into a single, size-adjustable container. We propose a novel metaheuristic approach combining a genetic algorithm with the Gurobi solver. The algorithm incorporates a lower neighborhood search strategy and is underpinned by a mathematical model representing the multiorder open-dimension packing scenario. Extensive experiments validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The LNSGA algorithm outperforms Gurobi and the traditional genetic algorithm in solution quality and computational efficiency. For small-scale instances, LNSGA achieves optimal values in most cases. LNSGA demonstrates significant optimization improvements over Gurobi and the genetic algorithm for large-scale instances. The superior performance is attributed to the effective integration of the lower neighborhood search mechanism and the Gurobi solver. This study offers valuable insights for optimizing the packing process in e-commerce warehousing and logistics operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an increasingly prevalent global health concern that has garnered substantial attention. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear and the current treatments have significant limitations. Intestinal organoids provide an in vitro model to explore the pathogenesis, test the therapeutic effects, and develop regenerative treatments as well as offer the potential to transform drug discovery of IBD. Methods: To advance our understanding of the whole story of IBD spanning from the pathogenesis to the current therapeutic strategies and latest advancements, a comprehensive search of major databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted to retrieve original articles and reviews related to IBD, organoids, pathogenesis and therapy. Results: This review deciphers the etiopathogenesis and the current therapeutic approaches in the treatment of IBD. Notably, critical aspects of intestinal organoids in IBD, such as their potential applications, viability, cell renewal ability, and barrier functionality are highlighted. We also discuss the advances, limitations, and prospects of intestinal organoids for precision medicine. Conclusion: The latest strides made in research about intestinal organoids help elucidate intricate aspects of IBD pathogenesis, and pave the prospective avenues for novel therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oncogenic Ras-related GTP-binding proteins, referred to as Rabs, are characterized by their intricate interactions with upstream, downstream molecules, and notably, extracellular vesicles (EVs). While the expansive family of Rabs and their associated signaling pathways have been exhaustively dissected, Rab22a emerges as an entity of outstanding interest, owing to its potent influence in many biological processes and its conspicuous correlation with cancer metastasis and migration. A burgeoning interest in the interactions between Rab22a and EVs in the field of oncology underscores the necessity for more in-depth reviews and scholarly discourses. Methods: We performed a review based on published original and review articles related to Rab22a, tumor, microRNA, exosome, microvesicles, EVs, CD147, lysosome, degradation, endosomal recycling, etc. from PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. Results and conclusions: We summarize the regulatory processes governing the expression of Rab22a and the mutants of Rab22a. Notably, the present understanding of complex interactions between Rab22a and EVs are highlighted, encompassing both the impact of Rab22a on the genesis of EVs and the role of EVs that are affected by Rab22a mutants in propelling tumor advancement. The dynamic interaction between Rab22a and EVs plays a significant role in the progression of tumors, and it can provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of cancers and the development of new therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the implementation of the green development strategy and the "double carbon goal", as an important energy for sustainable development, wind power has been widely researched and vigorously developed across the world. Wind speed prediction has a major impact on the grid dispatching of wind power connection. Most current studies only focus on the deterministic prediction of wind speed. However, the traditional deterministic forecast only provides the single wind speed prediction results and cannot meet the diverse demands of dispatchers. To bridge the gap, a wind speed point-interval forecasting method is proposed that utilizes empirical wavelet transform, an improved wild horse optimization algorithm, a multi-predictor, and improved kernel density estimation. This method decomposes the wind speed sequence into stationary subsequences through empirical wavelet transform, and then optimizes three basic learners with completely different learning mechanisms to form an ensemble model using the modified wild horse optimization algorithm. Finally, the uncertainty is analysed using an improved kernel density estimation. The datasets of three sites from America's national renewable energy laboratory are used for comparison experiments with other models, and the predictions are discussed from different angles. The simulation results demonstrate that the model can produce high-precision deterministic results and high-quality probabilistic results. The reference information the model provides can be extremely valuable for scheduling operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the law of State responsibility, particularly the principle of full reparation, provides general guidance for achieving full reparation, it is not quite obvious what kinds of reparation qualify as "full" and how to actualize full reparation. This article centres on the principles, approaches and methods surrounding full reparation for armed conflict-related environmental damage in the law of State responsibility. It examines how the environment is legally defined as an object of protection under international law, and discusses practical challenges in international compensation for wartime environmental damage. In doing so, it ascertains the underlying objective of full reparation, develops an approach to assessing wartime environmental damage, and draws on experiences of international jurisprudence to quantify compensation for wartime environmental damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain temperature is a critical factor affecting neural activity and function, whose fluctuations may result in acute life‐threatening health complications and chronic neuropathology. To monitor brain temperature, luminescent nanothermometry (LN) based on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with low autofluorescence has received extensive attention for its advantages in high temperature sensitivity and high response speed. However, most of current the LNs are based on optical imaging, which fails in temperature monitoring in deep brain regions at high spatial resolution. Here, the fiber microchannel sensor (FMS) loaded with UCNPs (UCNP‐FMS) is presented for temperature monitoring at high spatial resolution in the deep brains of freely moving animals. The UCNP‐FMS is fabricated by incorporating UCNPs in microchannels of optical fibers, whose diameter is ∼50 µm processed by femtosecond laser micromachining for spatially resolved sensing. The UCNPs provide thermal‐sensitive upconversion emissions at dual wavelengths for ratiometric temperature sensing, ensuring a detection accuracy of ± 0.3 °C at 37 °C. Superior performances of UCNP‐FMS are demonstrated by real‐time temperature monitoring in different brain regions of freely moving animals under various conditions such as taking food, undergoing anesthesia/wakefulness, and suffering external temperature changes. Moreover, this study shows the capability of UCNP‐FMS in distributed temperature sensing in mammalian brains in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endosomal cargo recycling lies at the heart of subcellular trafficking processes under the management of several Ras‐related GTP‐binding proteins (Rabs) which are coordinated by their upstream regulators and require their downstream effectors to display their functions. In this regard, several Rabs have been well‐reviewed except Rab22a. Rab22a is a crucial regulator of vesicle trafficking, early endosome and recycling endosome formation. Notably, recent studies demonstrated the immunological roles of Rab22a, which are closely associated with cancers, infection and autoimmune disorders. This review provides an overview of the regulators and effectors of Rab22a. Also, we highlight the current knowledge of the role of Rab22a in endosomal cargo recycling, including the biogenesis of recycling tubules with the help of a complex with Rab22a at its core, and how different internalized cargo chooses different recycling routes thanks to the cooperation of Rab22a, its effectors and its regulators. Of note, contradictions and speculation related to endosomal cargo recycling that Rab22a brings impacts on are also discussed. Finally, this review endeavors to briefly introduce the various events impacted by Rab22a, particularly focusing on the commandeered Rab22a‐associated endosomal maturation and endosomal cargo recycling, in addition to the extensively investigated oncogenic role of Rab22a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonlinear optical microscopy (NOM) has been widely adopted in neural imaging in vivo for its advantages in deep penetration, three‐dimensional resolution, and low phototoxicity, etc. However, it relies on femtosecond laser sources for signal excitation, which are complex and bulky for conventional solid‐state ultrafast lasers. Alternatively, the development of mode‐locking fiber lasers has successfully promoted their applications in biomedical imaging. This paper focuses on the advances of mode‐locking fiber lasers in neural imaging, based on both multiphoton fluorescence microscopy and parametric NOM. Fiber laser oscillators are summarized for exciting two‐photon microscopy directly and fiber lasers based on nonlinear frequency shifting for exciting three‐photon microscopy. Besides, the applications of mode‐locking fiber lasers in parametric NOM are briefly introduced, including harmonic generation microscopy and coherent Raman microscopy. Moreover, the potentials of mode‐locking fiber lasers are highlighted in two‐photon optogenetics for neural modulation. With the emerging of novel high‐energy fiber lasers, their widespread applications are expected in the study of neuroscience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Propolis has attracted attention in recent years due to its important pharmacological effects. The present study aimed to investigate the botanical origins of 39 propolis samples and evaluate their antioxidant activities; (2) Methods: A HPLC-PDA system was used to analyze the phenolic compositions of propolis and poplar bud resin samples. The antioxidant activities of propolis samples were evaluated by oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) and superoxide anion free radical scavenging capacity assay; (3) Results: Our study shows that 17 propolis samples were characterized by five predominant flavonoids, including 5-methoxy pinobanksin, pinobanksin, pinocembrin, pinobanksin-3-acetate, and chrysin, while 22 propolis samples were characterized by four flavonoids (pinobanksin, pinocembrin, pinobanksin-3-acetate, and chrysin). The average contents of characteristic flavonoids reached up to over 70% and 65% of total phenolics, respectively. Furthermore, the botanical origins of the two types of propolis samples were identified as Populus × euramericana cv. 'Neva' and Populus Simonii × P. nigra, respectively; (4) Conclusions: Most notably, our results reveal that these propolis samples presented excellent antioxidant activities due to their high contents of flavonoid. These flavonoid-rich propolis samples can thus be used to develop low-allergen and high-antioxidant nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]