Sugar Groups Research Articles

Influence of multigenerational and living-alone households on high fat, sugar or sodium (HFSS) food consumption pattern in aging population

ObjectivesTo investigate the correlation between household composition and consumption of different groups of high fat, sugar or sodium (HFSS) among older persons in Thailand. Study DesignThis study used cross-sectional data from the 2021 population-based survey called the Health Behavior of Population Survey. MethodsData from this study were drawn from 39,384 sampled Thai older persons age 60 years or over. A food frequency questionnaire was used to collect information about frequency of HFSS food consumption, household composition, and socio-demographic characteristics. Binary logistic regression was performed to investigate correlations between household composition and food consumption. ResultsMore than three in five older Thais lived in a multigenerational home. The probabilities of consuming high-fat food, fast food, and snacks among older persons who lived with working-age person(s) and child(ren)/adolescents were much higher than for those living alone. Older persons who lived alone had the highest probability of consuming instant food, compared with other types of household composition. Participants who lived with child(ren)/adolescents only or with working-age person(s) only (p≤0.01) and child(ren)/adolescents only (p≤0.001) were more likely to consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). ConclusionsThe findings point to life course interventions to discourage HFSS consumption across generations. Social interventions and public policy aiming at increasing intergenerational interactions could be beneficial for healthier diets for not only older persons but also across generations.

From plant to nanomaterial: Green extraction of nanomucilage from Cordia dichotoma fruit and its multi-faceted biological and photocatalytic attributes

This study aimed to evaluate the extraction efficiency of mucilage from Cordia dichotoma fruits using various aqueous extraction methods, including microwave-assisted water extraction (MWE), hot-water extraction (HWE), and cold-water extraction (CWE). Different analytical techniques were employed to characterize the Cordia dichotoma mucilage (CDM). Additionally, the functional properties, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and dye reduction potential of CDM were assessed. The results indicated a significantly (p < 0.05) higher yield of CDM (13.44 ± 0.94 %) using MWE compared to HWE (12.08 ± 0.82 %) and CWE (7.59 ± 0.73 %). The optimal extraction condition was utilized for the spray-drying process, yielding a spray-dried mucilage powder (SDMP) with a yield of 9.52 ± 1.27 %. The presence of galactose and arabinose as major sugar and functional groups such as OH, COOH, CH, and NH from proteins, uronic acids, and sugars were identified. CDM predominantly comprises galactose and arabinose as major sugars. CDM particles exhibited an irregular morphology and demonstrated thermal stability, with maximum weight loss occurring between 221.83 and 478.66 °C. The particle size of CDM was 681.16 ± 2.18 nm with a zeta potential of −21.46 ± 1.72 mV. Rheological analysis revealed that CDM exhibits shear-thinning behavior. Furthermore, CDM displayed inherent biological activities, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The dye reduction potential of CDM was evidenced by an 88.67 % degradation of indigo carmine dye. In summary, this study provides insights into the cost-effective extraction methods for CDM and its potential utilization as an eco-friendly material for dye reduction.

Bioactive Compounds and Valorization of Coffee By-Products from the Origin: A Circular Economy Model from Local Practices in Zongolica, Mexico.

The by-products of green coffee processing are rich in compounds that can be recycled for their possible use in the production of beverages, fertilizers and weed control in production areas. The objective of this work was to identify the organic and inorganic bioactive compounds of green coffee and the coffee by-products related to the production of origin, such as dried cascara (skin-pulp), parchment and silverskin (unroasted), in order to investigate the role their biomolecules may have in reuse through practices and local knowledge, not yet valued. The metabolomic profile by HPLC-ESI-HRMS of the aqueous extract of the dried cascara highlighted 93 non-volatile molecules, the highest number reported for dried cascara. They belong to groups of organic acids (12), alkaloids (5), sugars (5), fatty acids (2), diglycerides (1), amino acids (18), phospholipids (7), vitamins (5), phenolic acids (11), flavonoids (8), chlorogenic acids (17), flavones (1) and terpenes (1). For the first time, we report the use of direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) for the identification of metabolites in aqueous extracts of dried cascara, parchment, silverskin and green coffee. The DART analysis mainly showed the presence of caffeine and chlorogenic acids in all the extracts; additionally, sugar adducts and antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols were detected. The mineral content (K, Ca, P, S, Mg and Cl) by EDS spectrometry in the by-products and green coffee showed a relatively high content of K in the dried cascara and green coffee, while Ca was detected in double quantity in the silverskin. These metabolomic and mineral profile data allow enhancement of the link between the quality of green coffee and its by-products and the traditional local practices in the crop-growing area. This consolidates the community's experience in reusing by-products, thereby minimizing the impact on the environment and generating additional income for coffee growers' work, in accordance with the principles of circular economy and bioeconomy.

Characterization of salt brine sulfated polysaccharides: immunomodulatory activity based on gut microbiota

A sulfated polysaccharide consisting of two components with molecular weights of 439 kDa and 16 kDa was extracted from the salt brine. The structural properties, immunomodulatory activity, in vitro fermentation behaviors, and effects of SP on regulating the gut microbiota were investigated. The chemical composition and monosaccharide composition analysis showed that the neutral sugar, protein, uronic acid, and sulfated group contents of SP were 60.42 ± 0.04%, 2.90 ± 0.01%, 13.34 ± 0.01% and 10.51 ± 0.01%, respectively, containing arabinose, galactose, glucose, rhamnose, xylose, mannose, and glucuronic acid in a molar ratio of 33.24:19.18:16.64:13.25:8.31:4.11:5.27. Results from the macrophage cell model showed that SP intervention improved the proliferation activity, phagocytosis of neutral red, and production of IL-6 and TNF-α in RAW 264.7. Furthermore, in vitro fermentation of SP by gut microbiota showed that SCFA production in all treatment groups was significantly higher than that of the blank control group after 48 h of fermentation, especially butyric acid which was 1.70 folds that of the control group. Moreover, long-term fermentation (48 h) of SP improved the diversity of microbiota, decreased the F/B ratio (30.75 at 0 h vs. 1.22 at 48 h), and promoted the growth of probiotics (Parabacteroides, Bacteroidetes, Ruminococcaceae, and Phascolarctobacterium). The positive regulatory effect of SP on the gut microbiota and its metabolites is considered a potential target for its immunomodulatory activity.Graphical abstract

The Effect of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Hemoglobin Glycation in Diabetics and Non-diabetics.

Background Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent form of nutritional anemia worldwide, affecting a substantial portion of the population. It has significant negative effects on health and the economy, especially in poorer nations, and is more prevalent than anemia alone. Although hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is frequently used to track long-term glycemic management, several variables, including iron deficiency, might affect its values.For proper diabetic care, it is essential to comprehend this link. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of IDA on HbA1c levels in individuals with and without diabetes. Materials and methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, BLDE (Deemed to be University). Group 1 consists of diabetic patients with IDA, Group 2 consists of diabetic patients without IDA, and Group 3 consists of non-diabetics with IDA. A total of 108 patients were involved in the study. A complete hemogram, anemia profile, and HbA1c values were also a part of the data-gathering process. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York) was used for the statistical analysis, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results The study found no significant changes in the mean age, gender distribution,hypertension prevalence, weight, height, pulse rate, or blood pressure across the groups. Group 2 exhibited considerably higher hemoglobin levels than Groups 1 and3. Group 1 showed substantially higher mean blood sugar and HbA1c levelsthan Group 3 (p < 0.05). Diabetic individuals had higher HbA1c levels than non-diabetic individuals, with the greatest levels found in diabetic patients with IDA. Conclusion This study found that IDA had a significant influence on HbA1c levels in diabetic patients, indicating that iron deficiency should be addressed when interpreting HbA1c levels in these individuals. These findings underscore the need for more study to better understand the processes behind this connection and the consequences for clinical management.

Isolation and characterization of polygalacturonase producing thermophilic Aspergillus niger isolated from decayed tomato fruits

This study aimed to isolate a fungal strain capable of producing acidophilic and thermostable polygalacturonase. In this study, the fungal isolate was isolated from decaying tomatoes. Based on the colony characteristics, microscopic and morphological observations, the isolated fungal pathogen has been identified as Aspergillus niger. The isolated fungus was used in solid-state fermentation to produce an acidic polygalacturonase enzyme. The enzyme was then purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation and column chromatography, and its activity was assayed by measuring the releasing sugar group from citrus pectin using a 3, 5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) reagent assay. The crude extract obtained from solid-state fermentation had an activity of 94.6 U/mL. Ammonium sulphate precipitation increased the enzyme's specific activity from 6.89 U/mg to 12.42 U/mg. Sephadex G-200 was used to purify the enzyme 3.58 times, and its specific activity was determined to be 24.66 U/mg. The Sephacryl S-100 column achieved a final fold purification of 9.93 times and a specific activity of 68.41 U/mg. The purified enzyme performed best when polygalacturonic acid was used as a substrate. The enzyme's optimum temperature and pH were 55°C and 5, respectively. CaCl2 was found to be the best chelating ion for the enzyme. This enzyme is recommended for use in a variety of industrial applications as the enzyme was found to be stable at acidic pH and high temperature.

Investigating the Emulsifying Mechanism of Stereoisomeric Sugar Fatty Acyl Molecular Gelators.

The emulsifying mechanism of supramolecular stereoisomeric sugar fatty acyl molecular gelators was evaluated. In-house-synthesized mannitol dioctanoate (M8) and sorbitol dioctanoate (S8) were tested. The stereoisomeric difference between the sugar groups significantly affected the gelation and emulsifying properties of the gelators. M8 and S8 formed oleogels at 2 and 3.5% (w/v) and emulsified water up to 30 and 60% (v/v), respectively. Microscopy showed that the gelator fibers are at the W/O interfaces, demonstrating a solid particle or network mode of stabilization. The long fibers of M8 were unable to completely encompass the water droplets, resulting in poor emulsification. Small, hair-like fibers of S8 showed better emulsification. When sunflower wax (SFW, 1% w/v) was added as a coemulsifier, synergetic action between the wax and S8 improved the stability of emulsions. Such synergy was not seen between SFW and M8, henceforth emulsion stability was not improved. This study proved that a subtle stereoisomeric difference at the molecular level can greatly alter the supramolecular and emulsifying properties of sugar-fatty acyl compounds.

Lipoprotein(a) and diet: consuming sugar-sweetened beverages lowers lipoprotein(a) levels in obese and overweight adults

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] contributes to cardiovascular disease risk. A genetically determined size polymorphism in apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)], determined by the number of Kringle (K) repeats, inversely regulates Lp(a) levels. Nongenetic factors including dietary saturated fat influence Lp(a) levels. However, less is known about the effects of carbohydrates including dietary sugars. In this double-blind, parallel arm study among 32 overweight/obese adults, we investigated the effect of consuming glucose- or fructose-sweetened beverages providing 25% of energy requirements for 10 weeks on Lp(a) level and assessed the role of the apo(a) size polymorphism. The mean (±SD) age of participants was 54 ± 8 years, 50% were women, and 75% were of European descent. Following the 10-week intervention, Lp(a) level was reduced by an average (±SEM) of −13.2% ± 4.3% in all participants (P = 0.005); −15.3% ± 7.8% in the 15 participants who consumed glucose (P = 0.07); and −11.3% ± 4.5% in the 17 participants who consumed fructose (P = 0.02), without any significant difference in the effect between the two sugar groups. Relative changes in Lp(a) levels were similar across subgroups of lower versus higher baseline Lp(a) level or carrier versus noncarrier of an atherogenic small (≤22K) apo(a) size. In contrast, LDL-C increased. In conclusion, in older, overweight/obese adults, consuming sugar-sweetened beverages reduced Lp(a) levels by ∼13% independently of apo(a) size variability and the type of sugar consumed. The Lp(a) response was opposite to that of LDL-C and triglyceride concentrations. These findings suggest that metabolic pathways might impact Lp(a) levels.

Bioethanol Production from Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) by Microwave-Assisted Acid Hydrolysis Pretreatment

The world's high consumption of fossil energy increases carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The depletion of fossil fuel sources, combined with rising CO2 emissions, has prompted intensive research into renewable energy sources. Bioethanol is an environmentally friendly energy source that has the potential to reduce reliance on gasoline. Bioethanol is produced through the fermentation of monosaccharides. The first and second generations of bioethanol are derived, respectively, from food crops, agricultural waste, and plantations, while the third generation is derived from algae. However, the third generation bioethanol research is still being conducted intensively to develop an optimal process. Macro/microalgae are low-level plants that have the potential to become raw materials for bioethanol. Arthrospira platensis, a spirulina species, is a microalgae with a high carbohydrate content. Apart from that, this type of microalgae is easy to cultivate and grow. This research aims to determine the reducing sugar content which are monosaccharides produced from acid hydrolysis using a microwave at a temperature of 100 °C for 60 – 120 minutes with 0.2 M H2SO4 as the solvent. The hydrolysate obtained was then fermented anaerobically with Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a shaking water bath. The High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) test was carried out to identify the reducing sugar groups in the hydrolysate. Moreover, the solid content of the biochar remaining from the hydrolysis process was analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). From the test results, it was found that the highest concentration of D-glucose (1.19 g/L) occurred at 90 minutes of the hydrolysis. In addition, the hydrolysis of microalgae was also carried out with 0.3 M H2SO4 solvent for 90 minutes. The hydrolysate was then fermented for 96 hours. From the distillation process, it was obtained a bioethanol yield of 2.89%.

Determination of Reducing Sugar Groups from Hydrolysis of Arthrospira platensis Microalgae using Microwaves

The depletion of fossil fuel sources and increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have encouraged research into renewable energy sources. Bioethanol is an environmentally friendly energy source with considerable potential for reducing dependence on gasoline. Bioethanol is produced from the fermentation process of monosaccharides. The first and second generations of bioethanol are derived from food crops, agricultural waste, and plantation waste, whereas the third generation is produced from microalgae. Arthrospira platensis is a carbohydrate-rich microalgae. This study attempts to determine the content of reducing sugar groups which are monosaccharides formed from a hydrolysis with microwaves. A total of 10 g of microalgae powder was added to 100 mL of 0.3 M H2SO4 solution. The hydrolysis process was carried out in a microwave reactor at a temperature of 100°C for 90 minutes. The hydrolysate obtained was then fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae anaerobically in a shaking water bath. The High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) test was performed to identify reducing sugar groups in the hydrolysate, and the Gas Chromatography (GC) test was performed to determine the concentration of bioethanol produced during the fermentation process. Meanwhile, the solid content of biochar that remained after hydrolysis was analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectoscopy (FTIR). The HPLC test findings showed that the glucose concentrations before and after fermentation were 10.52 and 1.91 g/L, respectively, indicating that 81.8% of the glucose was converted to bioethanol. Furthermore, the distillation results from the fermented hydrolysate were analyzed using GC, yielding a bioethanol content of 3.90 g/L.

Marketing Strategy Plan of Coca-Cola Company in the UK

Marketing is crucial to the success of an enterprise. This report is to develop a marketing strategy plan for Coca-Cola company, including seven parts: introduction, situation analysis, market segmentation, innovation, resource allocation, conclusion and recommendation. Situational analysis includes macro-environmental factors, such as policy, economy, society and technology; Industry elements like competitors, suppliers and substitutes; Internal factors, such as the strengths and weaknesses of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola divided the market into different segments and target each segment with suitable products, which including provides Coca Cola range with different varieties for age segment (18-35); Multiple size of bottles target family size segment; Multiple bottles with different materials target income group; Sugar and calories-free drink target health-conscious group; “Christmas Celebration Bottle Bow” target specific occasion - Christmas. In terms of innovation, Coca-Cola launched new products, including Coca-Cola energy, Simply smoothie and Honest cold brew coffee. Moreover, it also developed new packaging material which is KeelClip™ and is going to replace all the plastic packaging from all can multi-packs. In addition, Coca-Cola innovated its service, which is the adding of loyalty scheme to vending machine. Coca-Cola uses financial planning model to determine the budget and other resources that should be allocated to each project, it invested lots of money into Diet coke and new packaging technology. The recommendation for the future development is expanding markets to health and food areas as well as target other age group (50-54) and introduce suitable products.

Abstract 4365: Mechanistic effects of N361 glycosylation in epidermal growth factor receptor protein

Abstract Glycosylation is a tightly regulated post-translational modification where structured sugar groups are added to protein amino acid backbones, most commonly on asparagine for N-glycosylation. The glycosylation-regulating metabolic enzyme uridine diphosphate-glucose pyrophosphorylase 2 (UGP2) is required in oncogene-transformed cancer cells, but not in normal cells. UGP2 heavily regulates glycosylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) at asparagine 361 (N361), a key site near the ligand binding domain. EGFR is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that promotes cell proliferation via growth cascades. Mutations and amplifications in EGFR account for a significant fraction of non-small cell lung carcinomas and breast adenocarcinoma, with L858R being the most common oncogenic hotspot. Other glycosylation sites on EGFR have been implicated in ligand binding, dimerization, and phosphorylation of downstream targets. Molecular dynamic simulations suggested that N361 may be important for dimerization or ligand binding. However, the functional relevance of how glycosylation of EGFR at N361 impacts EGFR protein and cellular behaviors remains unclear. To determine the functional relevance of glycosylation at N361, we created glycosylation-defective EGFR N361A mutant, with or without an additional oncogenic EGFR L858R mutant. We expressed these constructs in MCF10A and 293T cells, which do not have pre-existing activation of this pathway. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the mutants were each well expressed at the cell membrane. Proximity ligation assays measuring dimerization of EGFR in cells showed that EGFR N361A greatly increased dimerization relative to wildtype controls. Loss of glycosylation of EGFR N361 impacted cell viability when grown in dose courses of its high affinity ligand EGF or lower affinity ligand amphiregulin. Furthermore, EGFR N361A desensitized cells expressing the oncogenic EGFR L858R to inhibitors targeting the extracellular domain, possibly because the mutation alters the antibody binding interface. N361A sensitized EGFR L858R to inhibitors targeting the cytoplasmic domain of EGFR. These findings help us understand the intricate relationship between EGFR and N-glycosylation, reinforcing the critical functional relevance of post-translational modifications on oncogenes. Citation Format: Dennis Lam, Ariel N. Liberchuk, Brandon Arroyo, Andrew L. Wolfe. Mechanistic effects of N361 glycosylation in epidermal growth factor receptor protein [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4365.

Plasmonic nano-bowls for monitoring intra-membrane changes in liposomes, and DNA-based nanocarriers in suspension.

Programmable nanoscale carriers, such as liposomes and DNA, are readily being explored for personalized medicine or disease prediction and diagnostics. The characterization of these nanocarriers is limited and challenging due to their complex chemical composition. Here, we demonstrate the utilization of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which provides a unique molecular fingerprint of the analytes while reducing the detection limit. In this paper, we utilize a silver coated nano-bowl shaped polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) SERS substrate. The utilization of nano-bowl surface topology enabled the passive trapping of particles by reducing mobility, which results in reproducible SERS signal enhancement. The biological nanoparticles' dwell time in the nano-trap was in the order of minutes, thus allowing SERS spectra to remain in their natural aqueous medium without the need for drying. First, the geometry of the nano-traps was designed considering nanosized bioparticles of 50-150 nm diameter. Further, the systematic investigation of maximum SERS activity was performed using rhodamine 6 G as a probe molecule. The potential of the optimized SERS nano-bowl is shown through distinct spectral features following surface- (polyethylene glycol) and bilayer- (cholesterol) modification of empty liposomes of around 140 nm diameter. Apart from liposomes, the characterization of the highly crosslinked DNA specimens of only 60 nm in diameter was performed. The modification of DNA gel by liposome coating exhibited unique signatures for nitrogenous bases, sugar, and phosphate groups. Further, the unique sensitivity of the proposed SERS substrate displayed distinct spectral signatures for DNA micelles and drug-loaded DNA micelles, carrying valuable information to monitor drug release. In conclusion, the findings of the spectral signatures of a wide range of molecular complexes and chemical morphology of intra-membranes in their natural state highlight the possibilities of using SERS as a sensitive and instantaneous characterization alternative.

Determination of sugar contents in Hyacinthella Schur bulbs and identification of sugars by cluster analysis method

Türkiye has a rich floristic diversity and is accepted as the gene center of the Hyacinthella genus. Nineteen species of the Hyacinthella genus have been described in the World, and eleven of these species are distributed in Türkiye. Additionally, ten of the eleven Hyacinthella species are endemic to our country. Therefore, any study on these species will contribute to the protection, promotion and sustainability of our country's genetic resources. Plants may have different metabolite contents depending on their genetic structure and environmental conditions. Sugar content in bulbous plants depends on sucrose metabolism and varies with species and environmental effects. In this study, the sugar contents of 11 different Hyacinthella species distributed in our country were analyzed. The presence of 9 different sugar types in the species was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. In addition, depending on the sugar content, identification and grouping techniques were used with the Cluster Analysis Method. As a result of sugar analysis, while glucose, sucrose and fructose are found in all species, differences were detected between species in other sugar contents In cluster analysis, Hyacinthella species were divided into 3 different groups in terms of sugar content. The study both identifies the sugar contents found in the bulbs of Hyacinthella species and suggests a different identification method By combining morphological, molecular and metabolic data, a complete and accurate identification of species will be achieved.

Effect of Steam Flash Explosion on Physicochemical and Emulsifying Properties of High-Temperature Rice Bran Meal Protein

High-temperature rice bran meal (HTRBM) is a valuable plant protein resource derived from heat-stabilized rice bran after oil extraction. Steam flash explosion (SFE) is a promising method for protein modification and has been shown to be effective in improving the properties of a variety of proteins. However, the effects of SFE on the Maillard reaction and emulsification of HTRBM remain poorly understood. This research evaluated how different SFE conditions affect the browning degree, physicochemical properties, solubility, emulsifying properties, thermal stability, zeta potential, and particle size of rice bran protein. Samples were labeled as follows: Sample 0 (SFE-untreated HTRBM), Sample 1 (0.8 MPa/140 s), Sample 2 (0.8 MPa/180 s), Sample 3 (1.25 MPa/90 s), Sample 4 (1.25 MPa/180 s), Sample 5 (1.7 MPa/90 s), and Sample 6 (1.7 MPa/180 s). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and other methods were employed to measure the aforementioned properties. The results revealed a substantial elevation in the browning degree of rice bran protein after SFE treatment, with A294 increasing by 82.3% and A420 increasing by 46.3% in Sample 4. The solubility and emulsifying properties exhibited notable enhancements, with an increase of 122.48% in solubility (Sample 5), and 26.51% and 26.58% increment in emulsifying activity index (EAI) and emulsifying stability index (ESI), respectively (Sample 3). FTIR and fluorescence spectra revealed the introduction of sugar groups into rice bran protein molecules, resulting in the Maillard reaction. The observed reduction in particle size and rise in zeta potential of rice bran protein emulsions, along with the reduction in denaturation temperature after SFE treatments, further confirmed the significant enhancements in physicochemical and emulsifying properties of HTRBM, thereby enhancing the utilization value of rice bran protein. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of HTRBM and its protein.

Comparative Study of the Effects of Dietary-Free and -Bound Nε-Carboxymethyllysine on Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Barrier.

Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML) is produced by a nonenzymatic reaction between reducing sugar and ε-amino group of lysine in food and exists as free and bound forms with varying digestibility and absorption properties in vivo, causing diverse interactions with gut microbiota. The effects of different forms of dietary CML on the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier of mice were explored. Mice were exposed to free and bound CML for 12 weeks, and colonic morphology, gut microbiota, fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), intestinal barrier, and receptor for AGE (RAGE) signaling cascades were measured. The results indicated that dietary-free CML increased the relative abundance of SCFA-producing genera including Blautia, Faecalibacterium, Agathobacter, and Roseburia. In contrast, dietary-bound CML mainly increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia. Moreover, dietary-free and -bound CML promoted the gene and protein expression of zonula occludens-1 and claudin-1. Additionally, the intake of free and bound CML caused an upregulation of RAGE expression but did not activate downstream inflammatory pathways due to the upregulation of oligosaccharyl transferase complex protein 48 (AGER1) expression, indicating a delicate balance between protective and proinflammatory effects in vivo. Dietary-free and -bound CML could modulate the gut microbiota community and increase tight-junction expression, and dietary-free CML might exert a higher potential benefit on gut microbiota and SCFAs than dietary-bound CML.

Interfacial Behavior and Long-Term Stability of the Emulsions Stabilized by Sugar Beet Pectin-Ca2+ Complexes with Different Cross-Linking Degrees.

Recent studies showed that sugar beet pectin exhibited more excellent emulsifying properties than traditional citrus peel pectin and apple pectin ascribed to the higher content of neutral sugar, protein, ferulic acid, and acetyl groups. It is precisely because of the extremely complex molecular structure of pectin that the emulsifying properties of the pectin-Ca2+ complex are still unclear. In this study, SBP-Ca2+ complexes with different cross-linking degrees were prepared. Subsequently, their interfacial adsorption kinetics, the resistance of interfacial films to external perturbances, and the long-term stability of the emulsions formed by these SBP-Ca2+ complexes were measured. The results indicated that the highly cross-linked SBP-Ca2+ complex exhibited slower interfacial adsorption kinetics than SBP alone. Moreover, compared with SBP alone, the oil-water interfacial film loaded by the highly cross-linked SBP-Ca2+ complex exhibited a lower elasticity and a poorer resistance to external perturbances. This resulted in a larger droplet size, a lower ζ-potential value, a larger continuous viscosity, and a worse long-term stability of the emulsion formed by the highly cross-linked SBP-Ca2+ complex. This study has very important guiding significance for deeply understanding the emulsification mechanism of the pectin-Ca2+ complex.

Mechanical strength changes of combustible municipal solid waste components during their early pyrolysis stage and mechanism analysis.

Implementation of municipal solid waste (MSW) source segregation leads to a more convenient recycle of combustible MSW components. Textiles, plastics and papers are commonly available combustible components in MSW. Their shredding is conducive to resources recovery. But these components usually have high tensile strengths and are difficult to shred. To understand their mechanical strength changes in their early pyrolysis stage will help to address this problem. In this study, a universal electronic testing machine was used to determine the breaking strengths of the materials including cotton towel, polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET), ivory board (IB), kraft paper (KP) and wool scarf in the temperature range of 30-250°C under N2 atmosphere, and the mechanisms of their strength changes were explored. The reaction force field molecular dynamics (ReaxFF-MD) simulation was used to explain the decomposition behaviours of different sugar groups of hemicellulose in cotton and paper and the change of van der Waals energy of wool during their early pyrolysis stages. The results showed that breaking strengths of all the combustible MSW components reduced as the temperature increased. The breaking strength of PET was found to have the highest descent rate with increasing temperature, then the descent rates of wool and cotton came as the second and third, respectively. Compared with cotton, the breaking strengths of KP and IB decreased more slowly. As the temperature increased, the breaking strength of cotton reduced mainly due to the decomposition of the glucuronic acid in hemicellulose, and the reduction was characterized by CO2 release. The breaking strength reduction of PET was caused by its molecular chain being relaxed. The breaking strength reduction of wool was firstly caused by the decrease in the van der Waals energy between its molecules, and then caused by molecular chain breaking. In addition, in order to understand the influence of material size on the breaking strength change during thermal treatment, the breaking strengths of cotton yarn bundles were correlated with their yarn number and temperature. This study lays the foundation for understanding changes in mechanical strengths of combustible MSW components during their early pyrolysis stage.

Design, Synthesis, and Anti-Osteoporotic Characterization of Arginine N-Glycosylated Teriparatide Analogs via the Silver-catalyzed Solid-Phase Glycosylation Strategy.

In spite of effective antiosteoporosis potency, teriparatide, a bone-building agent approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), was proven to exhibit various side effects. In our previous work, we developed a universal strategy for synthesizing arginine N-glycosylated peptides termed silver-promoted solid-phase glycosylation (SSG) strategy. However, it is unknown whether the SSG strategy can be applied in the peptide drug design. Herein, we first reported the optimization of teriparatide via SSG strategy. Using Arg20 and/or Arg25 as the modifying positions, three series of arginine N-glycosylated teriparatide analogs were successfully synthesized, of which the introduced sugar groups included glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose, ribose, 2-acetamino-2-deoxy-glucose, xylose, lactose, and maltose. Among the 27 arginine N-glycosylated derivatives, Arg20-xylose and Arg25-maltose teriparatide analogs, termed PTH-1g and PTH-2i, respectively, indicated enhanced serum stability and significantly improved antiosteoporotic activities in vitro and in vivo compared with the native counterpart. They may serve as effective therapeutic candidates for treating osteoporosis.

Insulin Resistance through High-sugar Diets and its Effects on the Endometrium in Swiss Albino Mice: An Experimental Study to Elicit the Beneficial Effects of Coconut Sugar

Introduction: Insulin resistance (IR) has an insidious onset and is mainly due to the consumption of high-energy diets. Refined sugars contain high fructose which predisposes to IR and affects the endometrium since endometrium exhibits high-affinity insulin receptors, and the natural unrefined sugars such as coconut sugar are proved to be beneficial, but scientific studies are scarce to validate the findings. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, in which 36 female Swiss albino mice were divided into control and high-fructose and high-coconut sugar diet groups. The respective diets were prepared daily and fed for a period of 12 weeks, and the animals were sacrificed by the administration of ether. Biochemical parameters were assessed, and the uterus was removed and processed for histopathological analysis. Results: Glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment-IR were assessed, in which there was an increase in the levels in the high-fructose group than the control and coconut sugar groups. The values were statistically significant in the Kruskal–Wallis analysis (P &lt; 0.001) and post hoc test showed a significant difference between the control and fructose diet groups. Hormonal assay showed elevated testosterone levels in the fructose group (Kruskal–Wallis test, P &lt; 0.001), which showed significance in post hoc test when compared with the control group (P &lt; 0.030). Histopathological examination revealed complex hyperplasia with nuclear atypia in the fructose group, whereas the findings were normal in the coconut sugar and control groups. Discussion: The present study proved coconut sugar to be beneficial, and there is a strong correlation of high-energy diets on the endometrium due to IR. Conclusion: The present study concludes that the intake of natural sugars does not cause damage to the endometrium which is sensitive to insulin resistance.