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AbstractConsiderable interest has focused on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. We investigated maternal plasma DNA methylation using a simple protocol. Eighty plasma samples from pregnant women were separated for cfDNA methylation determination, including 13 from patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Four CpG sites of the LHX3 gene were detected. The results show that methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) may be used for semi-quantitative determination of cfDNA methylation. There are extensive cfDNA methylation modifications at different gestational ages and different patterns were observed at different CpG sites. Hypermethylation was observed in the second trimester of pregnancy and GDM. Significant differences were observed in the two CpG sites in LHX3 between those with GDM and in the second trimester. It is suggested that cfDNA methylation and its level may be biomarkers for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problems of low and unstable prediction accuracy of the current yarn quality prediction model based on neural network, three prediction models were established, including RF (random forest) algorithm prediction model, MLP (multi-layer perceptron) neural network algorithm prediction model and LR (linear regression) algorithm prediction model. Experiments were conducted to compare the three models' prediction performance on the sensitivity with small samples in different data distribution, the sensitivity in different data dimensions and the sensitivity in different training sample sizes. The coefficient of determination and root mean square error were used to evaluate the prediction performance of each model. The experimental results showed that, compared with MLP algorithm and LR algorithm, in most cases, RF algorithm had higher prediction accuracy, better stability of prediction accuracy, better adaptability to small training sample size, and higher comprehensive prediction performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to explore the hypoglycemic effects of a hydrolysate on Takifugu bimaculatus skin (TBSH). The effect of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activities from different TBSH fractions was investigated on basic indexes, gut hormones, blood lipid indexes, viscera, and the gut microbiota and its metabolites in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The results showed that the <1 kDa peptide fraction from TBSH (TBP) exhibited a more potent DPP-IV inhibitory effect (IC50 = 0.45 ± 0.01 mg/mL). T2DM rats were induced with streptozocin, followed by the administration of TBP. The 200 mg/kg TBP mitigated weight loss, lowered fasting blood glucose levels, and increased insulin secretion by 20.47%, 25.23%, and 34.55%, respectively, rectified irregular hormonal fluctuations, lipid metabolism, and tissue injuries, and effectively remedied gut microbiota imbalance. In conclusion, TBP exerts a hypoglycemic effect in rats with T2DM. This study offers the potential to develop nutritional supplements to treat T2DM and further promote the high-value utilization of processing byproducts from T. bimaculatus. It will provide information for developing nutritional supplements to treat T2DM and further promote the high-value utilization of processing byproducts from T. bimaculatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method was developed for the multi‐residue analysis of pesticides and antibiotics in aquaculture sediment using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). The developed method is based on ultrasonic extraction with acetonitrile and phosphate buffer, salting with sodium chloride, and cleaning with dispersive solid‐phase extraction adsorbent using primary secondary amine, C18, and graphitized carbon black, followed by HPLC‐MS/MS detection. We optimized different extraction methods and the ratio of the cleanup adsorbents to achieve good recoveries at three spiking levels that ranged from 60.4% to 114% with a relative standard deviation below 15% (n = 6). For all analytes, except for flufenoxuron, the limits of quantification were between 1 and 5 µg/kg (dry weight). The validated method was successfully applied to real samples collected from 20 aquacultural ponds, confirming the feasibility of the proposed method. The concentrations of the target analytes in the sediments (dry weight) were in the ranges of 2.2–35.0 µg/kg for sulfonamides, 0–409.1 µg/kg for quinolones, 0–6.56 µg/kg for macrolides, and 0–4.9 µg/kg for pesticides. Moreover, the co‐occurrence of pesticides and antibiotics may potentially pose a high risk to sediment‐dwelling organisms in nine out of the 20 investigated locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, luteolin (LUT) was used as an emulsifier, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) as a model of nutrient delivery, and different oils [corn oil (CO), linseed oil (LO), and Antarctic krill oil (AKO)] with different carbon chain lengths and unsaturated double bond numbers as oil phases to construct Pickering emulsions. The rheological properties, photostability, storage stability, microstructure, oxidation stability, and BITC retention of Pickering emulsions were investigated to clarify the effects of different oil phases with carbon chain length and unsaturated double bond content on the properties of LUT-based Pickering emulsions. Results showed that the photostability of LUT-based Pickering emulsion was not affected by the different carbon chain lengths and unsaturated double bond content in the oil phases. Compared with LUT-CO and LUT-LO Pickering emulsion, LUT-AKO Pickering emulsion had the highest apparent viscosity and most uniform spatial structure. After 14 days of storage, the average particle size of LUT-AKO Pickering emulsion was the smallest [(213.47±2.30) nm], and the absolute value of Zeta potential and the embedding rate of BITC were the highest, reaching (42.73±1.96) mV and (65.25±1.45)%, respectively. The oxidation stability of LUT-AKO Pickering emulsion was slightly lower than those of other Pickering emulsions because of the strong AKO reactive activation. This study identified that AKO with a longer carbon chain was more suitable for preparing stable Pickering emulsions. This research provides a theoretical reference for expanding the application of LUT-based Pickering emulsions with different oil phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kelp gel edible granules developed utilizing the gel properties of alginate are prone to quality deterioration if improperly stored during the storage process. This study comprehensively investigated the quality changes of kelp gel edible granules stored at 4 °C and 25 °C by evaluating indicators such as total bacterial count, coliform bacteria, pH, relaxation time, color difference, appearance, texture characteristics, gel strength, and sensory scoring. The results showed that during the storage at 4 °C, the total bacterial count remained within the national standard range, the hardness and chewiness increased, the gel strength first increased and then decreased, the partial exudation of the bound water in the product occurred, and the sensory score slightly decreased, with an overall minor change in quality. During the storage at 25 °C, significant quality changes were observed, with the total bacterial count exceeding the national standard on the 20th day; additionally, the hardness, chewiness, and gel strength all initially increased and then decreased, both the bound water and the restrained water in the product exuded, the moisture stability decreased, and the sensory score significantly decreased between 16 to 20 days. The spoilage of the product was characterized by a significant water loss, reduction in volume, color change from bright green to dark yellow-brown, and a distinct smell of decaying algae. No coliform bacteria was detected in all products during the storage period. In summary, the shelf life endpoint of the product stored at 25 °C is 16 days, and the shelf life of the product stored at 4 °C is greater than 20 days. Storage at 4 °C can better maintain product quality, extend the shelf life, and effectively maintain the overall color of the product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we demonstrated that tunable topological domain structures, e.g., center-type domains and skyrmion-like polar bubbles, can be generated at room temperature in high-density epitaxial PbTiO3 nanodots fabricated via the template-assisted tailoring of thin films. These topological domain structures can be manipulated electrically by applying an appropriate bias on the conductive atomic force microscopy tip, allowing for writing, erasing, and rewriting of topological domains into the nanodot. Moreover, ring-shaped conductive channels are observed around the center-type domain states. These findings provide a playground for further exploring their emerging functionalities and application potentials for nanoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omega-3 fatty acids are in high demand due to their efficacy in treating hypertriglyceridemia and preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, the growth of the industry is hampered by low purity and insufficient productivity. This study aims to develop an efficient RP-MPLC purification method for omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters with high purity and capacity. The results indicate that the AQ-C18 featuring polar end-capped silanol groups outperformed C18 and others in retention time and impurity separation. By injecting pure fish oil esters with a volume equivalent to a 1.25% bed volume on an AQ-C18 MPLC column using a binary isocratic methanol–water (90:10, v:v) mobile phase at 30 mL/min, optimal omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters were obtained, with the notable purity of 90.34% and a recovery rate of 74.30%. The total content of EPA and DHA produced increased from 67.91% to 85.27%, meeting the acceptance criteria of no less than 84% set by the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. In contrast, RP-MPLC significantly enhanced the production efficiency per unit output compared to RP-HPLC. This study demonstrates a pioneering approach to producing omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters with high purity and of greater quantity using AQ-C18 RP-MPLC, showing this method's significant potential for use in industrial-scale manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper dissects investor sentiment into two distinct components: structured sentiment and unstructured sentiment, based on their underlying driving factors. Employing an extension of the classic noise trader model, our analysis reveals a negative relationship between market returns and both types of sentiment—structured and unstructured. Additionally, we find a positive association between market volatility and fluctuations in these sentiment components. Furthermore, the impact of fluctuations in unstructured sentiment on market volatility becomes more pronounced as the proportion of noise traders increases. Importantly, our theoretical assertions are robustly supported by empirical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

以福建紫海胆（Heliocidaris crassispina）性腺为研究对象，采用单因素实验和正交实验优化水酶法提取紫海胆性腺脂质工艺，并基于气相色谱-质谱联用（GC-MS）、二醇基硅胶固相萃取（Generik Diol SPE）、高效薄层色谱（HPTLC）和差示扫描量热（DSC）等技术，以脂质得率、理化性质、脂肪酸组成、营养指标、脂质组成、熔融与结晶特性为指标，探讨了水酶法、Folch法和Matyash法对紫海胆性腺脂质品质的影响。结果表明：水酶法提取紫海胆性腺脂质最佳工艺条件为料液比1∶ 20、中性蛋白酶添加量7 500 U/g、酶解时间5 h、酶解温度50 ℃和pH 7，该条件下脂质得率为2322%，显著低于Folch法（27.27%）和Matyash法（27.14%）；与Folch法和Matyash法相比，水酶法提取的紫海胆性腺脂质过氧化值（0.006 g/100 g）较低，碘值（95.77 g/100 g）较高，饱和脂肪酸含量（51.48%）较低，多不饱和脂肪酸含量（34.53%）较高，EPA与DHA总含量（15.04%）较高，营养指标较好，磷脂含量（4.23%）较低，熔融与结晶温度较低。综上，虽然水酶法提取紫海胆性腺脂质工艺存在得率低、破乳工艺复杂、磷脂选择性差等技术瓶颈，但其反应条件温和、绿色安全，所提取的脂质品质佳，具有较好的营养价值、较低的熔融与结晶温度，适合高品质海洋膳食脂质的研制。 The lipids from the gonad of Heliocidaris crassispina (Fujian Province, China) was extracted using enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction method (EAE), and the extraction process was optimized by single factor experiment and orthogonal experiment. By applying gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Generik Diol solid-phase extraction (SPE), high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technologies, the quality of EAE lipid was comparatively characterized with that of Folch method and Matyash method with the lipid yields, physicochemical properties, fatty acid compositions, nutritional indexes, lipid compositions, melting and crystallization characteristics as indicators. The results showed that the optimal conditions of EAE process were determined as follows: solid-liquid ratio 1∶ 20, neutral protease dosage 7 500 U/g, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 50 ℃，enzymatic hydrolysis time 5 h, and pH 7. The lipid yield was 23.22% under above conditions, which was significantly lower than that of Folch method (2727%) and Matyash method (27.14%). Compared with Folch method and Matyash method, the lipids from the gonad of Heliocidaris crassispina extracted by EAE had lower peroxide value (0.006 g/100 g), higher iodine value (95.77 gI/100 g), lower content of saturated fatty acids (51.48%), higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (34.53%), higher total content of EPA and DHA (15.04%), better nutritional indexes, lower phospholipids content (4.23%) and lower melting temperature and crystallization temperature. In conclusion, though bearing the shortages of low yield, complicated demulsification process and poor selectivity of phospholipids, EAE surpassed Folch method and Matyash method for milder conditions, eco-friendly initiatives, better quality, better nutritional value, lower melting and crystallization temperature of lipids, and suitable for the development of high quality marine dietary lipids.