Search

Background/Objectives: Human milk is the optimal source of nutrition and protection against infection for infants. If breastfeeding is not possible, standard and hydrolyzed infant formulas (IF) are an alternative. Extensively hydrolyzed IFs (eHFs) contain bioactive peptides, but their activities have rarely been evaluated. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the bioactive peptide profiles of different eHFs and standard IFs before and after in vitro digestion. Methods: Two forms, liquid and powder, of intact protein formula (iPF) and eHF were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, mimicking a young infants gut (age 0-4 months) and an older infants gut (>6 months). Bioactive peptides of in vitro digested and undigested formulas were analysed with Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). Results: In all samples, a variety of peptides with potential bioactive properties were found. Immuno-regulatory peptides, followed by antimicrobial and antioxidative peptides were most frequent, as were peptides promoting wound healing, increasing mucin secretion, regulating cholesterol metabolism, and preventing bacterial infection. Peptides typically found in yoghurt and colostrum were identified in some formula samples. Conclusions: The high amounts of bioactive peptides with various properties in eHFs and iPFs indicate a possible contribution to infection protection, healthy gut microbiomes, and immunological development of infants. eHFs showed similar compositions of bioactive peptides to iPFs, with intermittently increased peptide variety and quantity.

The total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay has been extensively used for detecting PFAS pollutants that do not have analytical standards. It uses hydroxyl radicals (HO•) from the heat activation of persulfate under alkaline pH to convert H-containing precursors to perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) for target analysis. However, the current TOP assay oxidation method does not apply to emerging PFAS because (i) many structures do not contain C-H bonds for HO• attack and (ii) the transformation products are not necessarily PFCAs. In this study, we explored the use of classic acidic persulfate digestion, which generates sulfate radicals (SO4-•), to extend the capability of the TOP assay. We examined the oxidation of Nafion-related ether sulfonates that contain C-H or -COO-, characterized the oxidation products, and quantified the F atom balance. The SO4-• oxidation greatly expanded the scope of oxidizable precursors. The transformation was initiated by decarboxylation, followed by various spontaneous steps, such as HF elimination and ester hydrolysis. We further compared the oxidation of legacy fluorotelomers using SO4-• versus HO•. The results suggest novel product distribution patterns, depending on the functional group and oxidant dose. The general trends and strategies were also validated by analyzing a mixture of 100000- or 10000-fold diluted aqueous film-forming foam (containing various fluorotelomer surfactants and organics) and a spiked Nafion precursor. Therefore, (1) the combined use of SO4-• and HO• oxidation, (2) the expanded list of standard chemicals, and (3) further elucidation of SO4-• oxidation mechanisms will provide more critical information to probe emerging PFAS pollutants.

The human intestinal microbiota is composed of a wide variety of microorganisms that play an important role in intestinal permeability, digestion, and especially, in the maturation of host's immune system. At the same time, effectiveness of immunomodulatory nutrients is known, especially in situations of stress and in strengthening body's defenses. However, the influence of the use of immunonutrients on microbiota's composition and variability is still poorly investigated. Studies indicate that the use of immunomodulators such as omega 3, glutamine, and arginine, can play a role in its modulation, through the immunological enhancement of the hosts. Therefore, this article sought to concentrate the latest evidence on the influence of the use of the main immunonutrients used in clinical practice on human gut microbiota, and their potential benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoencapsulation has found numerous applications in the food and nutraceutical industries. Micro and nanoencapsulated forms of bioactives have proven benefits in terms of stability, release, and performance in the body. However, the encapsulated ingredient is often subjected to a wide range of processing conditions and this is followed by storage, consumption, and transit along the gastrointestinal tract. A strong understanding of the fate of nanoencapsulates in the biological system is mandatory as it provides valuable insights for ingredient selection, formulation, and application. In addition to their efficacy, there is also the need to assess the safety of ingested nanoencapsulates. Given the rising research and commercial focus of this subject, this review provides a strong focus on their interaction factors and mechanisms, highlighting their prospective biological fate. This review also covers various approaches to studying the fate of nanoencapsulates in the body. Also, with emphasis on the overall scope, the need for a new advanced integrated common methodology to evaluate the fate of nanoencapsulates post-administration is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics have gained significant attention owing to their roles in regulating human health. Recently, spray drying has been considered as a promising technique to produce probiotic powders due to its advantages of high efficiency, cost-saving, and good powder properties. However, the severe environmental conditions from drying and digestion can significantly reduce cell viability, resulting in poor bioaccessibility and bioavailability of live cells. Therefore, there is a need to develop effective targeted delivery systems using spray drying to protect bacteria and to maintain their physiological functions in the targeted sites. This review highlights recent studies about spray-dried targeted delivery vehicles for probiotics, focusing on key strategies to protect bacteria when encountering external stresses, the formation mechanism of particles, the targeted release and colonization mechanisms of live cells in particles with different structures. Advances in the targeted delivery of live probiotics via spray-dried vehicles are still in their early stages. To increase the possibilities for industrialization and commercialization, functional improvement of microcapsules in terms of protection, targeted release, and colonization of bacteria, as well as the effect of spray drying on bacterial physiological functions in the host, need to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HNTX-XXI, a peptide toxin derived from the venom of the spider Ornithoctonus hainana, comprises a 64-amino-acid protein architecture that notably incorporates eight cysteine residues positioned at positions 2, 10, 14, 16, 17, 23, 36, and 63. The close spatial proximity of Cys16 and Cys17 poses a challenge in resolving their disulfide bridge configurations using standard methodologies. In this study, we introduce an innovative and highly efficient approach for delineating disulfide pairings in peptides containing adjacent cysteines. Our methodology integrates a two-step proteolytic digestion strategy utilizing trypsin and Glu-specific staphylococcal V8 protease coupled with a subsequent round of Edman degradation. This multifaceted approach enables the precise characterization of the disulfide bonds within the peptide. Specifically, targeted proteolysis by trypsin and V8, followed by reversed-phase HPLC separation of the resulting peptides, facilitated the unambiguous identification of disulfide linkages between Cys10-Cys23 and Cys14-Cys63. For the fragment containing the four remaining cysteines, a single cycle of Edman degradation was employed, strategically breaking the peptide bond between the adjacent cysteines. This pivotal step enabled the isolation and analysis of the resulting fragments. Subsequently, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was utilized, revealing the presence of two additional disulfide bonds: Cys2-Cys17 and Cys16-Cys36. Collectively, these findings allow for the definitive assignment of the four disulfide linkages in HNTX-XXI as Cys2-Cys17, Cys10-Cys23, Cys14-Cys63, and Cys16-Cys36. This rapid and sensitive methodology represents a significant advancement in the structural characterization of peptide toxins with complex disulfide bond patterns, underscoring its potential for broad application in the field of venom peptide research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to its established thermoregulatory and cardiovascular effects, heat stress provokes alterations in macronutrient metabolism, gastrointestinal integrity, and appetite. Inadequate energy, carbohydrate, and protein intake have been implicated in reduced exercise and heat tolerance. Classic exercise heat acclimation (HA) protocols employ low-to-moderate–intensity exercise for 5–14 days, while recent studies have evolved the practice by implementing high-intensity and task-specific exercise during HA, which potentially results in impaired post-HA physical performance despite adequate heat adaptations. While there is robust literature demonstrating the performance benefit of various nutritional interventions during intensive training and competition, most HA studies implement few nutritional controls. This review summarizes the relationships between heat stress, HA, and intense exercise in connection with substrate metabolism, gastrointestinal function, and the potential consequences of reduced energy availability. We discuss the potential influence of macronutrient manipulations on HA study outcomes and suggest best practices to implement nutritional controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-based protein sources as a sustainable alternative to animal sources are highly relevant for food and dietary supplements industries. Plant proteins are becoming popular as an eco-friendly source for meeting global protein requirements due to their importance in nutrition, management of metabolic diseases, biological activities, functionality in processed food products and their low carbon footprints. We applied biochemical protein extraction protocol and prepared protein concentrate from an underutilised cereal, foxtail millet, with plausible applications in foods and supplements. Herein efforts were utilised to obtain foxtail millet protein (FMP) concentrate by means of standardisation of processes of extraction cum isolation. The conditions including flour to solvent ratio, extraction-precipitation pH, dissolution time, etc. were optimised to significantly improve protein yield and recovery. The FMP concentrate prepared was also analysed for nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, amino acid content and digestion properties in comparison to packaged brown rice protein concentrate. The protein concentrate prepared was found to have high digestibility, rich in essential amino acids with good phenolic and flavonoid content, thereby making it a potential sensory and antioxidant additive for food/pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In bee diets, nectar is the primary source of carbohydrates. During scarcity of bee flora, such as in winter, beekeepers typically provide supplemental sugar syrup as a nectar substitute. We examined four types of sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose, and a mixture of fructose and glucose) on bee longevity, bee appetitive, and their impact on pollen digestion. The results showed that sucrose and glucose had extended the longevity in cages. Bees preferred sucrose at a 50% concentration since they consumed more than the other sugar types in cages and in the multiple-choice test experiment in apiary. Bees given sucrose solution consumed the most pollen. In contrast, the cages provided the fructose solution consumed the least amount of pollen, increasing body fat percentage, which can be considered evidence of a digestive disorder. Generally, the type of sugar affects bee's benefits from nutrition. Finally, sucrose is the best type of sugar and is considered the ideal substitute for nectar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Curcumin (Cur) is a natural pigment containing a diketone structure, which has attracted extensive attention due to its strong functional activities. However, the low solubility and poor stability of Cur limit its low bioavailability and multi-function. It is essential to develop effective measures to improve the unfavorable nature of Cur and maximize its potential benefits in nutritional intervention. Scope and approach: The focus of this review is to emphasize the construction of lipo-solubility delivery vehicles for Cur, including emulsion, nanoliposome and solid liposome. In addition, the potential benefits of vehicles-encapsulated Cur in the field of precise nutrition were summarized, including high targeting properties and multiple disease interventions. Further, the deficiencies and prospects of Cur encapsulated in vehicles for precise nutrition were discussed. Key findings and conclusions: The well-designed lipo-solubility delivery vehicles for Cur can improve its stability in food processing and the digestion in vivo. To meet the nutritional requirements of special people for Cur-based products, the improvement of the bioavailability by using delivery vehicles will provide a theoretical basis for the precise nutrition of Cur in functional food. HIGHLIGHTS: Structural properties and bioavailability of curcumin were summarized. The practical problems and challenges in the utilization of curcumin were discussed. Various technologies for preparing lipo-solubility delivery vehicles for curcumin were described. The design of delivery vehicles for curcumin and intervention strategies in precise nutrition was reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lower risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with the intake of insoluble fiber. This contradicts the postulate that insoluble fibers do not decrease postprandial glycemic response and that only viscous gel-forming soluble fibers would do this. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a dose of insoluble fibers that meets dietary recommendations on postprandial hyperglycemia in T2DM patients. This is a randomized crossover clinical trial. Nineteen T2DM men randomly ate a balanced breakfast either without (Control) or with prior consumption of insoluble fibers (5.8 g) in the form of 15 g of raw wheat bran (RWB). Glycemia was measured at fasting and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min postprandially. Markers of taste intensity and palatability were assessed after breakfast intake. The glucose peak rise of 87 mg/dL and the incremental area under the curve (AUC) elicited by the breakfast were decreased by RWB (15.80 % and 23.14 %, respectively). Time-to-glucose-peak did not differ between groups. The addition of the RWB to the meal decreased its level of creaminess and tasty and increased the sourness and bitterness. The postprandial hyperglycemia in T2DM patients in response to complex carbohydrates was decreased by prior intake of a recommended dose of raw insoluble fibers. This antihyperglycemic effect is in accordance with the acarbose-like property of raw insoluble fibres, but not of heated ones (e.g., bread and pasta), to inhibit the activities of the carbohydrate-digesting enzymes alpha-glucosidase/alpha-amylase. RBR-98tx28b (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-98tx28b). • Postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic patients was decreased by raw insoluble fibers. • Hyperglycemia elicited by complex carbohydrates was decreased by raw insoluble fibers. • Wheat raw insoluble fiber lowers the glycemic peak rise in diabetics. • Raw wheat bran showed an acarbose-like effect–an α-glucosidase activity inhibition. • Raw insoluble fiber lowers glycemia like acarbose, but heated fiber does not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is more to nutrition than food composition, and the biophysics of food structures, from the nanoscale to microscale, regulates and controls the release of macro- and micro-nutrients, bioactives and phytochemicals. As diets shift from whole foods to including more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) or UPFs designed to mimic whole foods (plant-based milk, cheese and cellular meat), research must focus not only on the sensory and organoleptic appeal but also on the postprandial responses, satiety and on satiation. For example, plant-based milk and cheese are visually similar to their dairy equivalent, yet they lack highly phosphorylated casein micelle calcium nanoclusters. The coevolution of the casein micelle highlights the role structure plays in digestion as chymosin preferentially cleaves κ-casein at the 105-106 phe-met bond, which destabilizes the micelle surface and curdles milk into solid cheese, altering subsequent digestive kinetics, postprandial response and satiety. Food structures designed to slow digestion and their postprandial response are reinventing ingredient isolate, emphasizing the inclusion of intact plant cells in UPFs. With every intended trait imparted to the food, unintended consequences may alter satiety, food choice and postprandial responses and must constantly be reevaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nonferrous Metals (Extractive Metallurgy) is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Pacific fat sleeper, Dormitator latifrons, is an omnivorous freshwater fish that primarily feeds on detritus. Our understanding of the digestive physiology of this species still needs to be completed, particularly concerning the characterization of its digestive enzymes. This information is crucial in guiding the design of diets that promote optimal digestion of this species, which has the potential for aquaculture. Thus, this study aimed to optimize enzymatic methods and characterize the digestive enzymes of the digestive tract regions: anterior region (AR), middle region (MR), posterior region (PR), and hepatopancreas (HP). Total acid protease, total alkaline protease, amylase, and lipase activities were measured. The enzymatic methods were optimized at an eco-physiological temperature of 25 °C based on extract volume, extract dilution, incubation time, pH, and CaCl2 concentration to determine specific activity (U/mg of protein). The optimal pH for acid protease (AR) was pH 2.0; while for alkaline protease, the optimal pH was between 7.5 and 11.0. For AR, chymotrypsin was pH 7.0; for the remaining digestive regions, it was pH 9.0–11.0. The optimal pH for amylase was 6.0 to 7.5 (all regions), and for lipase, it was between 7.0 and 11.0, with two apparent in vitro activity peaks (PR). HP experimental samples showed low or no chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase activity. CaCl2 did not affect enzyme activity except for amylase and lipase (only in PR and HP, respectively). The acid proteolytic activity (pH 2.0) found in AR and the proteolytic inhibition by pepstatin suggest the presence of a stomach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating is a pleasure and a universal human experience. However, both the positive aspects of eating and the nature of happiness have only recently become subjects of psychological research. What connections can be found between eating and positive emotions? What insights does gastro-psychology, a relatively young discipline, provide on this topic? For humans, food has served not only as a means of survival but also as a source of pleasure. Nutrients ingested through food can exert a relatively rapid effect on our mood, and conversely, our mood can influence our digestion. It is important to be more aware of the potential pleasure-enhancing effects of food, cooking, and eating. Therefore, it is advisable to become as fluent as possible in one’s “gastronomic mother tongue”, while also acquiring some knowledge of a “gastronomic foreign language”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atlantic salmon are one of the most important fish species in global aquaculture production. However, temperature increases attributed to climatic events impair the production of Atlantic salmon during summer. Additionally, the nutritional requirements for this species when reared under elevated temperatures require elucidation. To address this gap, a feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of glutamine supplementation—a functional amino acid (AA) important for energy production and gut health—on the growth, metabolism, gut morphology, antioxidant capacity and thermal tolerance of Atlantic salmon parr at elevated temperatures (22°C). Atlantic salmon were pair‐fed three isoenergetic diets: a control diet (D1, no addition of glutamine), D2 (7% glutamine supplementation with other dietary AA levels reduced—isonitrogenous to D1) and D3 (6% glutamine and with the same AA profile as D1). Metabolic rate measurements and sampling commenced after 7.5 weeks on diets and 3 weeks of exposure to 22°C. Glutamine supplementation (D2 and D3) did not affect specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor, relative gut mass or carcass composition despite fish fed D3 having increased pyloric caeca fold height (hF). Resting, maximum and digestive metabolic rates were also unaffected by glutamine supplementation. Contrary to findings in other fish species at optimum temperatures, this study showed that glutamine supplementation did not improve the growth performance of Atlantic salmon parr at elevated temperatures despite enhancing pyloric caeca surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Nile tilapia were fed a blend of oilseed meals (BOM) that includes cottonseed meal (CSM), linseed meal (LSM), sesame meal (SSM), and sunflower meal (SFM) at a ratio of 1 CSM: 1 LSM: 1 SSM: 1 SFM. Six diets were formulated where the first diet included FM and SBM as protein sources and considered the positive control diet (FM). Another five FM-free diets were formulated, where SBM was substituted with BOM and included at 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 g/kg diet. After 90 days, the FBW, WG, and PER were markedly increased while FCR decreased by FM-based diet and BOM at 0, 100, or 200 g/kg compared to fish-fed BOM at 300, and 400 g/kg (P < 0.05). The groups treated with BOM at 100–200 g/kg demonstrated considerable impairments, followed by those treated with BOM at 300 g/kg. Furthermore, fish given BOM at 400 g/kg had significantly less intestinal histological characteristics than the other groups. The relative expression of the IGF-1, GHR1, FABP, and CCK genes were downregulated in tilapia-fed BOM at 200, 300, and 400 g/kg compared to fish-fed FM-based diet (P < 0.05). The relative cost of feed per kg fish gain showed 4.42, 7.11, 8.14, 10.32, and 8.10% reduction rates in fish-fed SBM, or BOM at 100, 200, 300, and 400 g/kg. In conclusion, dietary BOM can be incorporated in Nile tilapia diets at up to 200 g/kg without affecting growth performance or feed utilisation. High inclusion levels (300 and 400 g/kg) may impair growth performance and feed utilisation by disrupting intestinal histological characteristics and reducing expression of growth and metabolic genes (GHR1, IGF-1, FABP, and CCK) in the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFor the current aging population, protein is an important macronutrient to counteract the development of sarcopenia. Protein digestion is influenced by the capacity of the digestive system. The current evidence is reviewed about the impact of aging on the human digestive system and related to protein digestion in vivo. Aging changes the digestive organs which impacts protein digestion. Dentition decreases and mastication changes, potentially affecting particle size reduction. Stomach gastric acidity is unchanged, gastric emptying is delayed, while total transit time remains unchanged. Production of enzymes by the pancreas is decreased, but any changes in the small intestine remain unresolved. Animal studies showed decreased fecal protein digestion in older compared to young animals. Human studies showed decreased postprandial peripheral plasma appearance of ingested amino acids and increased splanchnic extraction. The findings suggest that the deteriorating digestive system with aging results in decreased protein digestion. Interpretation of the results should be taken with caution because of interindividual differences in the aging process, and because studies on protein digestion in aging humans are scarce. More information is needed on healthy aging and its relation to the digestive tract and protein digestion, several methods including in vitro experiments are valuable in this perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many people associate fermentation with provisions like kimchi, kombucha, sourdough, beer, wine, and sauerkraut. These sundries, many staples in various cultural gastronomies, have long been known to encourage various health benefits including gut probiotics, aid in digestion, and, among other wonders, nutrient accessibility. While these benefits are important, many scholars working in multispecies ethnographies have turned to non-human organisms (viruses, animals, and microbes) to continue critical conversations decentering human experience and reimagining epistemology, relationality, and ethics. This project positions fermentation – and the microbes and bacteria involved – as a site of pedagogical potentiality that resonates with notions of biophilia, relationality, and care. Using my own experiences with pickles (fermented!) and in Jewish delis as a kind of organic site of inquiry, this essay makes a case for the importance of environment for cultivating relational life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-specific amplification (NSA, amplification in the absence of a target analyte) in bioanalytical rolling circle amplification (RCA) assays, especially those involving pre-synthesized circular DNA (cDNA), affects its analytical sensitivity. Despite extensive development of RCA-based bioanalytical methods, the NSA in RCA remains uncharacterized in terms of its magnitude or origin. NSA may originate from inefficient ligation or succeeding cDNA purification steps. This study comprehensively quantifies NSA across several ligation and digestion techniques for the first time since the innovation of RCA. To quantify the NSA in RCA, cDNAs were prepared using self-annealing, splint-padlock, or cohesive end ligations. The cDNAs were then subjected to nine different exonuclease digestion steps and quantified for NSA under linear as well as hyperbranched RCA conditions. We investigated buffer compositions, divalent ion concentrations, single or dual enzyme digestion, cohesive end lengths, and splint lengths. The optimized conditions successfully mitigated absolute NSA by 30–100-fold and relative NSA (normalized against primer-assisted RCA) to ∼5%. Besides understanding the mechanistic origin of NSA, novel aspects of enzyme–substrate selectivity, buffer composition, and the role of divalent ions were discovered. With increasing bioanalytical RCA applications, this study will help standardize NSA-free assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet shapes the gut microbiome, which in turn influences host phenotype. Accordingly, there is much interest in leveraging diet to modulate gut microbial communities and host biology. However, recent approaches have not fully appreciated that hosts and gut microbes experience diet differently. Whether dietary nutrients reach the gut microbiota, which primarily resides in the colon in humans and other hindgut fermenters, depends on nutrient absorption in the small intestine. That gut microbes utilize the fraction of diet that escapes host-driven digestion creates a paradigm where host nutrient status is decoupled from, and often negatively correlated with, gut microbiota nutrient status. Here, we present a framework based on this concept of decoupled nutrient status (DNS), which can be used to understand distinct host and gut microbial phenotypes that are ultimately mediated by the small intestinal digestibility of the diet. We evaluate our framework against existing research employing diets of varying digestibility and demonstrate convergence of host phenotypes and gut microbial signatures across studies. Further, we highlight that gut microbial signatures predicted by DNS manifest most strongly in humans living industrialized lifestyles and in captive animals that habitually consume diets with high host-driven digestibility. We posit that the evolutionary decoupling of nutritional status between hosts and their gut microbiota has likely been especially pronounced in humans due to our intensified pursuit of calorie-rich, easy-to-digest diets. We conclude by proposing future research directions to better capture diet as it appears to gut microbes, a perspective likely to deliver new understanding of diet-microbiome interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum is a significant source of polyphenols, whose content, antioxidant properties and bioaccessibility may be modulated by digestion. Studies have reported sorghum polyphenol changes after simulated digestion. However, the effects of simulated digestion on processed, pigmented sorghum are unknown. This study investigated the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of black (BlackSs and BlackSb), red (RedBa1, RedBu1, RedBa2, RedBu2) and white (WhiteLi2 and White Li2) sorghum samples using a Caco-2 in vitro model. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography—online 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (UHPLC–online ABTS)—and quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography mass spectra (QTOF LC–MS) facilitated the identification of digested and transported compounds. Simulated digestion showed increased bioaccessibility and total phenolic content (TPC) for BlackSs by 2-fold. BlackSs and BlackSb exhibited high antioxidant capacities, with variations dependent on processing in other varieties. Kaempferol-3-O-xyloside exhibited a 4-fold increase in TPC following digestion of processed BlackSs and BlackSb but was absent in the others. BlackSs, BlackSb, and RedBu1 revealed twelve bioaccessible and Caco-2 transported compounds not previously reported in sorghum, including trans-pinostilbene, tryptophan and maackin a. This study demonstrates that in vitro digestion increases the bioaccessiblity of sorghum polyphenols through the process of cellular biotransformation, possibly improving transport and bioactivity in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a fundamental unit for packaging genomic DNA into chromatin, the eukaryotic nucleosome core comprises a canonical octamer with two copies for each histone, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, wrapped around with 147 base pairs of DNA. While H3 and H4 share structure-fold with archaeal histone-like proteins, the eukaryotic nucleosome core and the complete nucleosome (the core plus H1 histone) are unique to eukaryotes. To explore whether the eukaryotic nucleosome can assemble in prokaryotes and to reconstruct the possible route for its emergence in eukaryogenesis, we developed an in vivo system for assembly of nucleosomes in the model bacterium, Escherichia coli, and successfully reconstituted the core nucleosome, the complete nucleosome, and unexpectedly the non-canonical (H3-H4)4 octasome. The core and complete nucleosomes assembled in E. coli exhibited footprints typical of eukaryotic hosts after in situ micrococcal nuclease digestion. Additionally, they caused condensation of E. coli nucleoid. We also demonstrated the stable formation of non-canonical (H3-H4)2 tetrasome and (H3-H4)4 octasomes in vivo, which are suggested to be 'fossil complex' that marks the intermediate in the progressive development of eukaryotic nucleosome. The study presents a unique platform in a bacterium for in vivo assembly and studying the properties of non-canonical variants of nucleosome. Development of an in vivo system for assembly of eukaryotic nucleosomes in Escherichia coli, including the non-canonical (H3-H4)4 octasome, suggests the H3-H4 tetrasome and octasomes are likely intermediate complexes in the evolution of the eukaryotic nucleosome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipophilic micronutrients with health-promoting effects are highly sought after globally. Encapsulation protects these lipophilic micronutrients from oxidative degradation and enables controlled delivery at the targeted absorption site. Pickering emulsion, a particle-stabilized emulsion, has garnered research interest due to its excellent stability and surfactant-free properties. This review provides an up-to-date overview of bio-based Pickering emulsions stabilized by protein-, polysaccharide-, and protein/polysaccharide-based Pickering emulsifiers in delivering lipophilic micronutrients. Firstly, recent developments of bio-based Pickering emulsions in delivering lipophilic micronutrients are presented. The delivery performances of bio-based Pickering emulsions in terms of lipid digestibility and bioaccessibility are highlighted. The pros and cons of the latest characterization techniques for determining the lipid digestion profile and bioaccessibility by using in vitro digestion models of bio-based Pickering emulsions are also presented where the multi-stage static digestion model has advantages such as its ease of operation and relatively cheaper cost over dynamic digestion models. Lastly, the research gaps and suggestions for future research are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Engineering plant-based microgel particles (MPs) at a molecular scale is meaningful to prepare functional fat analogues. We hypothesize that oat protein isolate (OPI) and κ-carrageenan (CA) have synergy in MPs formation, using MPs with controllable structure, and further to fabricate fat analogues with adjustable characteristics is feasible. Their digestion fate will also be possibly modulated by interfacial coatings. OPI-based conjugated MPs with tunable rigidities by changing crosslinking densities were designed. The relationship between microgel structures, and emulsion gel properties was explored through spectroscopy, microstructure, rheology and tribology. The delivery to lycopene, as well as inhibiting digestion behaviors of fat analogues was evaluated in a simulated gastro-intestinal tract. The rigidity of conjugated MPs could be tailored to optimize the performance of fat analogues. OPI-1 %CA MPs could stabilize emulsions up to 95 % oil fraction with fine texture. Tribological behaviors had a dependence on microgel elasticity and interfacial coatings, medium hard MP-stabilized emulsion was less disrupted without coalescence after oral processing. Digestion was delayed by denser and harder MPs by softening the interfacial particle layer or limiting lipase accessibility. Softer conjugated MPs possessed better flexibility and were broken down more easily leading to a higher rate of lipid digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine milk proteins account for 10% of the global protein supply, which justifies the importance of thoroughly understanding their digestive processes. Extensive research on digestion is being conducted both in vivo and in vitro. However, interpretations and comparisons across different studies require a thorough understanding of the methodologies used. Both the rate and extent of milk protein digestion can be affected by several intrinsic and extrinsic factors with potential implications for overall digestibility and physiological responses. Among intrinsic factors, the impact of genetic variants in native milk proteins has emerged as a growing research area. To these, further complexity is added by the processing conditions frequently applied to milk prior to consumption. The main aim of this work is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the impact of variations in milk protein profiles (particularly whey: casein ratio and protein polymorphisms), the treatments applied during processing (pasteurisation, homogenisation) and consumption (temperature changes) on protein digestion. To support the interpretation of the current literature, this manuscript also presents a historical perspective into research in this field and summarizes the protocols that are most frequently used, presently, on in vitro digestion studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their exopolysaccharides (EPS) have the potential to enhance the quality of flour-based products. This study investigated the effect of EPS produced by Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis Ls5 on the quality of Mantou. LAB strains with high EPS production were isolated from traditional fermenters, and their characteristics and EPS properties were examined. Four different fermentation conditions (Blank, Yeast, Ls5-Yeast, and EPS-Yeast) were compared in terms of their effects on the physicochemical properties, in vitro digestion characteristics, and shelf-life of Mantou. The incorporation of Ls5 and its EPS into Mantou resulted in a lower dough fermentation pH, increased organic acid production, and enhanced fermentation activity. Additionally, the incorporation of Ls5 and its EPS led to significant improvements in the quality of the Mantou, including the extension of shelf-life, improved sensory evaluation, and a reduction in the sugar content. Additionally, there was an increase in resistant starch content during digestion in both types of Mantou, which could offer potential benefits to human glycemic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Holocene accumulations of rodent bones digested by raptors have been found in El Bolsón, a high-altitude valley in Catamarca, Argentina. Yet, so far there were no relevant taphonomic frames of reference to account for them. We thus studied a modern accumulation in Los Viscos rockshelter from a taphonomic perspective. The rockshelter is used for roosting, and the surface is covered by rodent skeletal remains. The analysed sample (NISP = 421) is dominated by remains of Phyllotis vaccarum, and also comprises other cricetid species, cavids, ctenomids and abrocomids. The anatomical, breakage and digestion patterns were compared to data on different predators. The most probable predator related to this accumulation is a Strigiformes (Aves) species. Most variables, including digestion, suggest a low-intensity modifier, probably Tyto alba, an individual of which was spotted around. Although Athene cunicularia may produce similar bone breakage, the prey taxa are not compatible with its diet. Alternatively, intense fragmentation may relate to postdepositional processes such as trampling. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the formation of the zooarchaeological and palaeontological record in the area, as well as for helping assess the global variability of Tyto alba taphonomic signature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the amount of thiamine in selected legumes using two different cooking techniques, pressure cooking and pan cooking, and determine thiamine bioaccessibility in cooked legumes by in vitro gastrointestinal system. Cooking loss of thiamine ranged from 1.9% to 34.5% by pressure cooking and from 9.2% to 47.1% when cooked in a pan. The losses of thiamine in legumes were low by pressure cooking. The average bioaccessibility of thiamine in legumes cooked under pressure was 81.6%, and cooked in the pan was 79.6%. Thiamine was more stable when legumes were cooked with pressure than pan cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiome has a well‐documented relationship with host fitness, physiology, and behavior. However, most of what is known comes from captive animals where diets and environments are more homogeneous or controlled. Studies in wild populations that experience dynamic environments and have natural life history variation are less common but are key to understanding the drivers of variation in the gut microbiome. Here we examine a wild population of yellow‐bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventer), an obligate winter hibernator, to quantify multivariate associations between host‐associated factors (e.g., age, sex, environmental harshness, and social behavior) and gut microbial composition. Across 5 years and 143 individuals, we found that males had a higher relative abundance of microbes associated with mass gain and cellulose digestion, which suggests a metabolic investment in mass gain (such as phylum Firmicutes and family Lachnospiraceae). By contrast, females had higher relative abundances of microbes associated with inflammation and metabolism (from microbial groups such as Tenericutes and Ruminococcus), possibly reflecting the importance of lactation and offspring investment. Post hoc analyses of lactating females showed a negative relationship with the abundance of microbes associated with mass gain but a positive relationship with microbes associated with metabolic energy, suggesting a trade‐off between investment in pups and maternal mass gain. Older animals also had reduced Proteobacteria relative abundance, a phylum associated with reduced inflammation. Results demonstrate that sex and age‐based traits, not sociality or environmental harshness, are associated with microbe‐mediated metabolism and inflammation in a wild, hibernating mammal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch is a polysaccharide with diverse functionalities as a thickener and a gelling and water retention agent. These activities impact in the sensory, functional, and digestibility characteristics of the products where it is used as an ingredient. Native starch has diverse drawbacks, such as low resistance to acid conditions, syneresis, and sensitivity to high shear rates, among others. Those disadvantages are overcome by chemical, physical, and enzymatic modifications. In the last decade, the use of dual‐modified starch has been suggested to expand its applications, and eco‐friendly modifications are recommended. This review is designed to identify the effect of double modifications on starch structure, functionality, and digestibility characteristics considered by food manufacturers to develop new or improved products. The increase in the starch degree of substitution by dual modification is key to incipient applications, such as 3D printing, biodegradable packing materials with high mechanical resistance, and foods with slow resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of preheat treatment (70–100 °C) and syringic acid (SA) grafting on the antioxidant, antibacterial, and physicochemical properties of black soybean protein isolate (BSPI) before and after in vitro digestion. The results revealed that both preheat treatment and SA grafting increased the digestibility and the absolute zeta potential value of BSPI. However, as the preheating temperature increased, the antioxidant ability of BSPI decreased, which was improved by SA grafting. During in vitro digestion, the absolute zeta potential and antioxidant activities of preheated BSPI and preheated BSPI–SA complex followed the order: intestine > gastric > before digestion. Compared with before digestion, preheated BSPI with its SA complex after in vitro digestion exhibited excellent antibacterial activities. Importantly, the preheated BSPI–SA complex enhanced the SA recovery rate during digestion and SA stability, with the highest recovery rate observed for the SA‐grafted BSPI with preheat treatment at 100°C (BSPI100–SA). The principal component analysis sufficiently distinguished preheated BSPI and preheated BSPI–SA complexes. There were partitions between BSPI and BSPI–SA treated at different preheating temperatures. This study contributes to expanding the potential applications of BSPI with its SA complex in food products and offers guidance for designing SA delivery systems. Practical Application: Preheated BSPI–SA complexes could serve as functional ingredients in food or health products. Besides, preheated BSPI has application potential as a carrier for SA delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the concentration of phenolic compounds, glucosinolates, proteins, sugars and vitamin C between kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. acephala gongylodes), Savoy cabbage (B. oleracea sabauda), Brussels sprouts (B. oleracea gemmifera), cauliflower (B. oleracea botrytis), radish (Raphanus sativus) and garden cress (Lepidium sativum) microgreens for their antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential. In addition, we applied an in vitro-simulated system of human digestion in order to track the bioaccessibility of the selected phenolic representatives, and the stability of the microgreens' antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential in terms of α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition after each digestion phase. Using spectrophotometric and RP-HPLC methods with statistical analyses, we found that garden cress had the lowest soluble sugar content, while Savoy cabbage and Brussels sprouts had the highest glucosinolate levels (76.21 ± 4.17 mg SinE/g dm and 77.73 ± 3.33 mg SinE/g dm, respectively). Brussels sprouts were the most effective at inhibiting protein glycation (37.98 ± 2.30% inhibition). A very high positive correlation (r = 0.830) between antiglycation potential and conjugated sinapic acid was recorded. For the first time, the antidiabetic potential of microgreens after in vitro digestion was studied. Kohlrabi microgreens best inhibited α-amylase in both initial and intestinal digestion (60.51 ± 3.65% inhibition and 62.96 ± 3.39% inhibition, respectively), and also showed the strongest inhibition of α-glucosidase post-digestion (19.22 ± 0.08% inhibition). Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and radish had less stable α-glucosidase than α-amylase inhibitors during digestion. Kohlrabi, Savoy cabbage, and garden cress retained inhibition of both enzymes after digestion. Kohlrabi antioxidant capacity remained unchanged after digestion. The greatest variability was seen in the original samples, while the intestinal phase resulted in the most convergence, indicating that digestion reduced differences between the samples. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of various microgreens as sources of bioactive compounds with antidiabetic and antiglycation properties. Notably, kohlrabi microgreens demonstrated significant enzyme inhibition after digestion, suggesting their promise in managing carbohydrate metabolism and supporting metabolic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intradiscal injection is required to deliver therapeutic agents to the intervertebral disc (IVD) nucleus pulposus (NP). However, injectate leakage following needle retraction may result in decreased treatment efficacy and adverse side effects. While enzymatic digestion is a common research approach for simulating degeneration in healthy animal IVDs, contributions to the leakage phenomenon are unknown. In this study, bovine caudal discs were treated with injection into the NP of either a tris buffer control, collagenase (to primarily target collagen), or trypsin (to primarily target proteoglycans) and then injected with fluorescent saline using a through-puncture defect protocol. Pressure–volume records during injection were used to determine volume and pressure at leakage. Discs were then frozen, transected, and photographed to visualize injectate dispersion. Collagenase treatment resulted in a large increase in injectate dispersion, along with a decrease in injection pressure relative to control. Trypsin treatment resulted in a moderate increase in dispersion, with no associated effect on pressure. This study concludes that care should be taken when employing enzymatic digestion to simulate IVD degeneration, as NP tissue disruption may affect both retention and dispersion of subsequent therapeutic injections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review critically evaluates current in vitro gastrointestinal models for assessing infant formulas from a perspective focusing on a process along digestion, absorption and microbial fermentation. Despite their potential, none of the current in vitro gastrointestinal models fully considers the dynamics and continuous upstream‐downstream process of the human digestive tract. Considering the substantial differences between infants and adults, there is a pressing need for whole‐process gastrointestinal models tailored to infants. Developing such models is crucial for accurately assessing infant formula nutritional value and physiological function, enhancing the formulation of infant formulas to better meet the needs of infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are especially hydrophobic and dissolve poorly in water. Encapsulation is used to increase their solubility in water-based food products. However, it is not yet known whether encapsulation with a combination of lecithin and medium-chain triglycerides improves carotenoid bioaccessibility and intestinal cell uptake. The relative bioaccessibility and Caco-2 cell uptake of two water-soluble carotenoid (i.e. lutein and astaxanthin) dispersions in a liquid form (VitaSperse®) and a powdered form (VitaDry®) were compared to the carotenoid ingredient alone. An in vitro digestion model was used to assess bioaccessibility, measuring the micellarized fraction postdigestion. The micelle fraction was incubated with Caco-2 cells to assess intestinal uptake of carotenoids. Encapsulation (by either VitaDry® or Vitasperse®) increased total astaxanthin bioaccessibility 2-2.4× and cell uptake by ∼2× relative to control. Encapsulation also increased total lutein bioaccessibility by 3–5× and cell uptake 2.3× relative to control. There was no significant difference between VitaDry® and VitaSperse® products in regards to Caco-2 cell uptake. Increased bioaccessibility largely drove increased carotenoid cell uptake from the encapsulated formulations. These results suggest further study is warranted to determine if this encapsulation approach increases carotenoid bioavailability in human studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric fluid plays a key role in food digestion and drug dissolution, therefore, the amount of gastric fluid present in a fasted state may influence subsequent digestion and drug delivery. We aimed to describe intra‐ and interindividual variation in fasted gastric content volume (FGCV) and to determine the association with age, sex, and body size characteristics. Methods: Data from 24 MRI studies measuring FGCV in healthy, mostly young individuals after an overnight fast were pooled. The analysis included 366 participants who had up to 6 repeated measurements, with a total of 870 measurements. Linear mixed model analysis was performed to calculate intra‐ and interindividual variability and to assess the effects of age, sex, weight, height, weight*height as a proxy for body size, and body mass index (BMI). Results: FGCV ranged from 0 to 156 mL, with a mean (± SD) value of 33 ± 25 mL. The overall coefficient of variation within the study population was 75.6%, interindividual SD was 15 mL, and the intraindividual SD was 19 mL. Age, weight, height, weight*height, and BMI had no effect on FGCV. Women had lower volumes compared to men (MD: −6 mL), when corrected for the aforementioned factors. Conclusion: FGCV is highly variable, with higher intraindividual compared to interindividual variability, indicating that FGCV is subject to day‐to‐day and within‐day variation and is not a stable personal characteristic. This highlights the importance of considering FGCV when studying digestion and drug dissolution. Exact implications remain to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Encapsulation efficiency (EE), structure, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of liposomes loaded with chitooligosaccharide–gallic acid conjugate (COS–GAL) as affected by cholesterol (CHO) and ascorbyl palmitate (AP) as stabilisers were investigated. In addition, release kinetics and in vitro digestion of selected liposomes were also studied. The higher EE was obtained for liposome (AP/COS–GAL) stabilised by 0.50% AP, when used to encapsulate 0.10% COS–GAL conjugate. The highest EE was noticed for 0.25% CHO when used to encapsulate 1.00% conjugate (CHO/COS–GAL) as compared to the counterparts (P < 0.05). Almost similar antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were noticed for all COS–GAL liposomes and COS–GAL powder. Microstructure study suggested the formation of bilayer in liposomes. CHO/COS–GAL showed a lower release efficiency than the AP/COS–GAL. CHO/COS–GAL was also able to protect conjugate during the in vitro digestion. Therefore, liposomes could be used as a promising carrier of COS–GAL conjugate in both foods as well as medical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Laminaria japonica polysaccharide, which is an important bioactive substance of Laminaria japonica with anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, the molecular weight, functional groups and surface morphology were investigated to evaluate the digestive properties of Laminaria japonica polysaccharide before and after steam explosion. RESULTS: The results indicated that the Laminaria japonica polysaccharide entered the large intestine to be utilized by the gut microbiota after passing through the oral, gastric and small intestinal. Meanwhile, Laminaria japonica polysaccharide of steam explosion promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria Phascolarctobacterium and Intestinimonas, and increased the content of acetic, propionic and butyric acids, which was 2.29‐folds, 2.60‐folds and 1.63‐folds higher than the control group after 48 h of fermentation. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that the effect of steam explosion pretreatment on the digestion in vitro and gut microbiota of Laminaria japonica polysaccharide will provide a basic theoretical basis for the potential application of Laminaria japonica polysaccharide as a prebiotic in the food industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastroparesis (GP) is a debilitating gastric motility disorder associated with digestive dysfunction, reduced quality of life (QoL), and increased mortality rates. There is no known cure for GP and treatment options are limited. The oral cavity is responsible for initiating digestion, yet the impact of GP symptom frequency on oral health status and oral healthcare utilization is not well understood. Methods: A 21‐item electronic survey was developed and disseminated to a private GP social media forum. Survey questions explored GP symptom frequency, oral health status, dental care utilization, and oral health education post GP diagnosis. Descriptive and inferential statistics analysed data. Key Results: There were 434 study participants. An overwhelming 83% reported GP negatively influenced their oral health and oral function. Significance was observed between GP symptom frequency and oral health status (p = <0.0001). The majority (81%) reported receiving dental care post GP diagnosis, yet (63%) reported current untreated dental concerns. Interestingly, (74%) of participants reported that they have never been educated about oral health risks associated with GP by any healthcare professionals. Conclusions: GP negatively affects oral health. Study participants reported a need for extensive dental treatments and high levels of untreated dental concerns. Results strongly support that preventive oral healthcare and education must be provided for individuals with a GP diagnosis. As leading oral disease prevention specialists, dental hygienists must be aware of the effects of GP on the oral cavity to help provide person‐centred evidence‐based care, improve digestive processes, and increase QoL for GP sufferers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomophagy is being proposed as a sustainable and nutritious alternative protein source. Additionally, insect consumption is also associated with some health benefits mediated by bioactive compounds produced during gastrointestinal (GI) digestion. The antihypertensive property resulting from the inhibition of the somatic angiotensin-converting enzyme (sACE) by small peptides is one of the most common bioactivities related to insect consumption. This study aimed to investigate the potential sACE-inhibitory capacity of six peptides (AVQPCF, CAIAW, IIIGW, QIVW, PIVCF, and DVW), previously identified by the in silico GI digestion of Acheta domesticus proteins, validate their formation after in vitro GI digestion of A. domesticus by LC-MS/MS, and assess the bioactivity of the bioaccessible digesta. The results showed that the IC50 values of AVQPCF, PIVCF, and CAIAW on sACE were 3.69 ± 0.25, 4.63 ± 0.16, and 6.55 ± 0.52 μM, respectively. The obtained digesta demonstrated a sACE-inhibitory capacity of 77.1 ± 11.8 µg protein/mL extract (IC50). This is the first report of the sACE-inhibitory capacity attributed to whole A. domesticus subjected to GI digestion without any pre-treatment or protein concentration. This evidence highlights the potential antihypertensive effect of both the digesta and the identified peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to investigate how substituting fish meal (FM) with mealworm larval (Tenebrio molitor L.) meal (TM) in the diet affects the growth performance, meat quality, nutrient digestibility, and carcass of broiler chicks. A total of one hundred chicks were divided into five groups, each containing twenty birds. The fish meal was replaced with mealworm meal at different levels of 25% (TM25), 50% (TM50), 75% (TM75), and 100% (TM100) in the diets. At the end of the study, replacing different levels the fish meal with mealworms linearly suppressed nutrient digestion, growth, carcass parameters, and water holding capacity and cooking loss. However, the best energy efficiency ratios were obtained in the TM100 group. Consequently, it was concluded that replacement of FM with mealworm up to 25% had no adverse effect on growth performance, carcass parameters, meat quality and nutrient utilization efficiency of broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Inorganic Analytical Chemistry / Zhongguo Wuji Fenxi Huaxue is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: The assessment of bowel function in patients with Hirschsprung disease (HD) remains controversial, as several different bowel function scores are used in the literature and are therefore not suitable for reliable comparison. Conference Section: The OASIS-Holistic Care in Hirschsprung Disease Network Group addressed this issue and evaluated the most commonly used scores for their utility in HD patients. Scoping Review and Expert Group Consensus were performed. It was agreed that the ideal score for patients with Hirschsprung disease should be a comprehensive, validated score that allows reliable assessment of bowel function and continence, depicts changes according to management and natural history, and quantifies baseline parameters. This score should also enable comparisons of bowel function in patients born with HD worldwide. Concluding Remarks: The OASIS-Holistic Care in Hirschsprung Disease Network Group agreed that this ideal score does not yet exist and is therefore a future goal of the group. Meanwhile, clinicians should use a score for comparable, standardized, objective assessment, and the Rintala Score is suggested. Future developments may also lead to easily accessible patient-reported outcome measures and semi-automated dashboards that allow automated data extraction from electronic health records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocellulose (NC), known for its unique properties including high mechanical strength, low density, and extensive surface area, presents significant potential for broad application in the food sector. Through further modification, NC can be enhanced and adapted for various purposes. Applications in the food industry include stabilizing, encapsulating, and packaging material. Additionally, due to its unique characteristics during digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, NC and its derivatives exhibit the potential to be used as health‐promotion food ingredients. However, while the safety data on unmodified NC is readily available, the safety of modified forms of NC for use in food remains uncertain. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of recent breakthroughs in NC and its derivatives for innovative food applications. It synthesizes existing research on safety evaluations, with a particular emphasis on the latest findings on toxicity and biocompatibility. Furthermore, the paper outlines the regulatory landscape for NC‐based food ingredients and food contact materials in the United States and European Union and provides recommendations to expedite regulatory authorization and commercialization. Ultimately, this work offers valuable insights to promote the sustainable and innovative application of NC compounds in the food sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whey protein emulsion gel is an ideal model food for revealing how the multilength scale food structures affect food digestion, as their structure and mechanical properties can be precisely manipulated by controlling the type and intensity of intermolecular interactions between protein molecules. However, there are still significant understanding gaps among intermolecular interactions, protein aggregation and gelation, emulsion gel formation, gel breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and the practical use of whey protein emulsion gels, which limits their GIT‐targeted applications. In this regard, the relationship between the structure and digestion behavior of heat‐set whey protein emulsion gels is reviewed and discussed mainly from the following aspects: (1) structural characteristics of whey protein molecules; (2) how different types of intermolecular interactions influence heat‐induced aggregation and gelation of whey protein in the aqueous solutions and the oil‐in‐water emulsions, and the mechanical properties of the final gels; (3) functions of the mouth, the stomach, and the small intestine in processing of solid foods, and how different types of intermolecular interactions influence the breakdown properties of heat‐set whey protein emulsion gels in GIT (i.e., their respective role in controlling gel digestion). Finally, the implications of knowledge derived from the formation and gastrointestinal breakdown of heat‐set whey protein emulsion gels for developing controlled delivery vehicles, human satiety enhancers, and sensory modifiers are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on animal energetics often focus on standardized metabolic rates to facilitate comparison across systems. Yet these standardized measurements often do not capture the realistic demographic and environmental variation that is common in natural settings. Rather, individuals included in these studies are often non-reproducing, uninjured, resting adults that have not recently eaten–far from a representative sample. We measured the respiratory rates of the sand fiddler crab Leptuca pugilator in air immediately after capture in the field, and compared rates between males, females of different reproductive states, and juveniles. As expected, we show that metabolic rates were influenced by body mass and activity level. We also show that being vitellogenic or gravid had only minor impacts on metabolic costs of females. Importantly, we demonstrate how considering demographics allows for the detection of phenomena that would otherwise go unnoticed. We found that field metabolic rates of L. pugilator in air are as much as an order of magnitude higher than previous standard metabolic rates measured on post-prandial, quiescent individuals. These higher rates may reflect a combination of high activity and active digestion, as fiddler crabs actively feed during low tide periods. Our results highlight the importance of considering differences in sex, life history stage, and reproductive state of organisms in fluctuating environments, such as intertidal habitats, when assessing energy expenditure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese (Mn) is a nutritional element required for fish growth and physiology functions. In this study, we examined the effect of Mn on the intestinal digestive function, antioxidant response, and muscle quality in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Nine hundred salmons with initial weight approximately 0.35 g were fed with six isoproteic and isoenergetic diets formulated to contain 2.4, 8.5, 14.8, 19.8, 24.6, and 33.7 mg/kg Mn for 84 days. The result showed that the activity of trypsin and lipase was elevated, whereas α‐amylase activity was not affected by various Mn diets in intestine. Dietary Mn elevated the activity of Mn‐superoxide dismutase (Mn‐SOD), total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX), and catalase (CAT), but had no influence on copper/zinc‐superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn‐SOD) in intestine. Dietary Mn at 8.5, 14.8, 19.8, 24.6, and 33.7 mg/kg enhanced the gene expression level of protein kinase B (Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In addition, the accumulation of Mn in muscle was enhanced with increasing levels of dietary Mn. Dietary Mn elevated the content of sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca), but the content of iron (Fe) and Zn was decreased by dietary Mn in the salmon muscle. The content of fatty acids and amino acids was enhanced by various levels of dietary Mn in muscle. Moreover, a significant quadratic effect was observed on the texture of salmon muscle. The dietary Mn requirement was 16.9–25.7 mg/kg Mn to acquire the highest value of muscle texture using the quadratic regression model. The diets at 14.8 and 19.8 mg/kg Mn had a higher score of sensory evaluation for raw muscle. Our result showed that dietary Mn affected the intestinal digestion function and antioxidant response, which may further result in the change of muscle quality in coho salmon. The result will provide reference for detecting the effect of dietary micronutrients on the muscle quality of salmons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abdominal surgery is a common surgical procedure that is frequently associated with substantial postoperative pain. However, rescue analgesia using opioids is associated with several adverse effects. The transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) has been demonstrated to be effective as part of multimodal analgesia. This study aims to evaluate the effects of rescue analgesia using the TAPB following abdominal surgery. Methods: Ninety patients undergoing abdominal surgery and reporting a numeric rating scale (NRS) score of cough pain ≥4 on the first postoperative day were randomized to receive either sufentanil or TAPB for rescue analgesia. Pain scores and arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) were evaluated before and after the administration of rescue analgesia. Sleep quality and gastrointestinal function were assessed postoperatively. The primary outcome was the degree of pain relief on coughing 30 min after the administration of rescue analgesia. Results: Patients of both groups reported a significantly reduced NRS score on coughing 30 min after receiving rescue analgesia (Ppaired < 0.001 for both groups). Notably, the degree of pain relief was significantly higher in the TAPB group than in the sufentanil group [median (interquartile range), −3 (−4 to −2) vs. −2 (−2 to −1), median difference = −1; 95% confidence interval, −2 to −1; P < 0.001]. Moreover, patients in the TAPB group experienced less pain than those in the sufentanil group during the following 24 h. When evaluated, PaO2 increased significantly after rescue analgesia was administered in the TAPB group (Ppaired < 0.001); however, there were no significant intragroup differences in the sufentanil group (Ppaired = 0.129). Patients receiving the TAPB experienced better quality of sleep than those receiving sufentanil (P = 0.008), while no statistical differences in gastrointestinal function were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Rescue analgesia with the TAPB on the first postoperative day alleviated pain, enhanced oxygenation, and improved sleep quality in patients undergoing abdominal surgery; however, its effect on gastrointestinal function requires further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]