Search Results (836)

Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) have emerged as a cutting-edge strategy for achieving superior thermal insulation across a wide range of applications, including refrigerators, cold-chain transportation and building envelopes. The key factor for the exceptional performance of VIPs is maintaining an ultralow pressure environment within the panels, which is crucial for minimizing heat transfer. However, the presence of non-condensable gases can compromise the vacuum state, leading to a reduced insulation effectiveness during a panel’s service life. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of getter materials used in VIPs, focusing on their fundamental properties, types, integration techniques and performance characteristics, further emphasizing the challenges and potential directions for the development of getter materials. Overall, this review intends to provide novel insights into the development of getter materials for use in VIPs, offering essential viewpoints to aid future studies on this topic. Full article

Background/Objectives: Eggshell quality is a critical factor influencing consumer preference and the economic benefits of poultry enterprises, and the uterus is the key site for eggshell synthesis. Yaoshan chicken (YS), an indigenous chicken breed in China, is renowned for its flavorful meat and high-quality eggs. However, its egg production is lower compared to specialized strains. Therefore, the GYR crossbreed was developed by three-line hybridization for YS chicken, which can produce green-shelled eggs with better eggshell thickness and strength than YS chicken (p < 0.01). To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the differences in eggshell quality between GYR and YS chickens, we conducted an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. Methods: Twelve uterus samples (six from GYR and six from YS chickens) were collected during the period of eggshell calcification at 260 days of age. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential metabolites (DMs), respectively. Results: A total of 877 DEGs were identified in the GYR group, including 196 upregulated and 681 downregulated genes (|log₂ (fold change)| > 1, p-value < 0.05). Additionally, 79 DMs were detected, comprising 50 upregulated and 29 downregulated metabolites (|log₂ (fold change)| > 1, VIP > 1). Notably, the key DEGs (SLCO1B3, SLCO1B1, PTGR1, LGR6, MELTF, CRISP2, GVINP1, and OVSTL), important DMs (prostaglandin-related DMs and biliverdin) and signaling pathways (calcium signaling, neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, arachidonic acid metabolism, bile secretion, and primary bile acid biosynthesis) were major regulators of the eggshell quality. Furthermore, an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis revealed two significant gene–metabolite pairs associated with eggshell quality: PTGDS–prostaglandin E2 and PTGS1–prostaglandin E2. Conclusions: This study provides a theoretical foundation for the improved eggshell quality of Yaoshan chicken. Full article

Sichuan pepper is known for its unique aroma and tingling, numbing sensation, making it a key ingredient in Sichuan cuisine. This study explored the effect of harvest periods on the quality of Sichuan pepper at five selected harvest periods (LSA (early harvest), LSB, LSC, LSD, and LSE (late harvest)) along the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. Apart from evaluating their physicochemical and volatile profiles, the growth characteristics, polyphenol and flavonoid contents, antioxidant properties, and free amino acid and other nutrient concentrations in these peppers were also analysed. Results showed that the moisture content, weight, and shape of Sichuan peppers improved progressively, peaking at the LSE harvest period. Throughout maturation, the energy content of the Sichuan pepper remained stable. Polyphenols and flavonoids, indicators of antioxidant capacity, increased in later harvest periods. A total of 18 amino acids were detected in Sichuan pepper. Proline was the most abundant amino acid, followed by serine, arginine, and glutamic acid, accounting for 83% of the total amino acids. Based on the taste threshold values of amino acids, a taste activity value (TAV) analysis of the amino acids was conducted. The TAV analysis of arginine and glutamic acid were greater than 1, indicating their significant contribution to the bitterness and umami taste, respectively. Through the principal component analysis of the electronic tongue, it was found that Sichuan pepper picked in late July (LSA stage) had a significant difference from that picked in September (LSD and LSE stages), while the difference in taste characteristics between Sichuan pepper in early September and late September was relatively small. Terpenes were the primary volatile compounds, and the number of compounds increased as the harvest period was delayed. PLS-DA analysis revealed that D-limonene had the highest VIP value, indicating its significant contribution to the overall odour of Sichuan pepper, and thus can serve as an indicator for assessing the maturity of Sichuan pepper. This study offers valuable insights for optimising the harvesting period of Sichuan pepper and serves as a theoretical reference for enhancing the development of the seasoning industry. Full article

Forsythia suspensa is a crucial plant resource due to its considerable edible and medicinal value. Its fruit, named Forsythiae Fructus (FF), has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to the fruit maturity stage, FF is categorized into GFF (green Forsythiae Fructus) and RFF (ripe Forsythiae Fructus). In this study, metabolomics based on UPLC-Q/Orbitrap MS and HS-GC-MS, combined with chemometric methods, was employed to differentiate GFF from RFF and identify potential differential metabolites. Additionally, the mid-level data fusion method was employed to integrate data from both techniques, and the performance of the OPLS-DA model (R²Y = 0.986, Q² = 0.974) surpassed that of the single HS-GC-MS technique (R²Y = 0.968, Q² = 0.930). Moreover, using the criteria of VIP > 1 and p-value < 0.05, 30 differential compounds were selected via mid-level data fusion, compared to the initial 61 differential compounds identified by single techniques, effectively reducing data noise and eliminating irrelevant variables. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of volatile and non-volatile compounds in FF, offering valuable insights into quality control and clinical differentiation between GFF and RFF. The findings highlight the potential use of multi-technology metabolomics in the quality control of TCM and offer new perspectives for future research on medicinal plants. Full article

Although there are over 5 million cases of snakebites each year, up-to-date data on epidemiology and management in European children are lacking in literature. Snakebite envenoming is a rare but potentially life-threatening event, and children are more susceptible due to their lower weight-to-venom ratio. Symptoms of viper envenomation in children are mainly local, but the lymphatic and blood diffusion of the venom may cause systemic symptoms, mainly hemotoxic and cytotoxic symptoms. Immunotherapy with anti-viper serums is the cornerstone of treatment for viper bites, while the use of antibiotics, steroids and analgesics is still unclear and unstandardized. Recently, efforts have been made to improve the pediatric approach to viper envenomation in European children. Several pediatric case reports in children were reported in literature, and a pediatric grading severity score and electronic clinical tool (VipGrade^®) were created to better manage this issue. However, larger studies are needed to validate these pediatric tools. This narrative review focuses on the clinical characteristics and management of European snake envenomation in children. Full article

Plants experience various abiotic stresses, among which pollutant stress is one of the most damaging, threatening plant productivity and survival. Thiocyanate (SCN⁻), a recalcitrant byproduct of industrial processes, poses escalating threats to agroecosystems by disrupting plant hormonal homeostasis, which is critical for stress adaptation. Here, we dissect the regulatory interplay of phytohormones in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under SCN⁻ stress (4.80–124.0 mg SCN/L) through integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling. Quantitative hormonal assays revealed dose- and tissue-specific perturbations in phytohormone homeostasis, with shoots exhibiting higher sensitivity than roots. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that a number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) mapped in different phytohormone pathways in SCN⁻-treated rice seedlings, and their transcript abundances are tissue-specific. To identify the phytohormones governing rice’s sensitivity to SCN⁻ stress, we developed a Total Hormonal Sensitivity Index (THSI) through an integrative multivariate framework, which combines Modified Variable Importance in Projection (VIP_(m)) scores to quantify hormonal fluctuations and Total Weighted Contribution Scores (TWCS) at the gene-level from hormonal pathways. This study establishes a system-level understanding of how phytohormonal crosstalk mediates rice’s adaptation to SCN⁻ stress, providing biomarkers for phytoremediation strategies in contaminated paddies. Full article

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are cosmopolitan generalist pests of many agricultural crops. Their ability to reproduce rapidly through parthenogenesis allows them to quickly reach population sizes that are difficult to control. Their damage potential is further exacerbated when they act as vectors for plant pathogens, causing diseases in plants. Aphids are typically managed through the widespread use of insecticides, increasing the likelihood of short-term insecticide resistance. However, for the past few decades, entomopathogenic bacteria have been used as an alternative management strategy. Entomopathogenic bacteria have demonstrated their effectiveness for biologically suppressing insect pests, including aphids. In addition to identifying bacterial species that are pathogenic to aphids, research has been conducted on toxins such as Cry, Cyt, Vip, recombinant proteins, and other secondary metabolites with insecticidal activity. Most studies on aphids have been conducted in vitro, exposing them to an artificial diet contaminated with entomopathogenic bacteria or bacterial metabolites for periods ranging from 24 to 96 h. The discovery of new bacterial species with insecticidal potential, as well as the possibility of biotechnological applications through the genetic improvement of crops, will provide more alternatives for managing these agricultural pests in the future. This will also help address challenges related to field application. Full article

To investigate the metabolic differences and mechanisms during the fermentation process of coffee-grounds craft beer, HS-SPME-GC/MS untargeted metabolomics technology was used to study the metabolic differences during the fermentation process of coffee-grounds craft beer. Multivariate statistical analysis and pathway analysis were combined to screen for significantly different metabolites with variable weight values of VIP ≥ 1 and p < 0.05. The results indicate that at time points T7, T14, T21, and T28, a total of 183 differential metabolites were detected during the four fermentation days, with 86 metabolites showing significant differences. Its content composition is mainly composed of lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic oxygen compounds, and benzoids, accounting for 63.64% of the total differential metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis of differentially expressed metabolites showed a total of 35 metabolic pathways. The top 20 metabolic pathways were screened based on the corrected p-value, and the significantly differentially expressed metabolites were mainly enriched in pathways such as protein digestion and absorption, glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis heparan sulfate/heparin, and benzoxazinoid biosynthesis. The different metabolic mechanisms during the fermentation process of coffee-grounds craft beer reveal the quality changes during the fermentation process, providing theoretical basis for improving the quality of coffee-grounds craft beer and having important theoretical and practical significance for improving the quality evaluation system of coffee-grounds craft beer. Full article

Flavor is an important property affecting consumer acceptance, yet little is known about the correlation between the sensory attributes, volatile compounds, and consumer preference during cider consumption. This study was the first to evaluate which sensory attributes of commercial apple ciders in China were preferred by Chinese consumers. Meanwhile, GC-MS and GC-IMS were conducted to characterize the aroma release both in orthonasal and retronasal olfactory perceptions. The sensory analyses exhibited that Chinese consumers preferred “sweet cider”, and sensory attributes such as “a-tropical fruit”, “f-fruity” and “t-sweet” were the most popular. A total of 63 volatile compounds were identified using GC-MS, while both the variety and concentrations of these compounds detected by GC-IMS were lower. Finally, partial least squares (PLS) analysis was used to establish two models based on sensory data, and orthonasal and retronasal volatile compounds. The two models had 32 and 29 compounds with variable importance in projection (VIP) values > 1, respectively. The results revealed that the compounds with high correlation with “t-sweet” and “f-fruity” were roughly the same in two PLS models, whereas the number of compounds contributing positively to “t-sour” and “f-fermented” changed significantly. Full article

Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 may develop mild respiratory symptoms but also Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Additionally, severe systemic inflammation contributes to morbidity and mortality. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the cell by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, followed by cleavage by transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is known for its immune-modulating effects by suppressing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhancing regulatory T-cells. Furthermore, it has been tested in SARS-CoV-2-related clinical trials. We set out to investigate its role in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Epithelial cells (CaCo-2) were stimulated with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, treated with native VIP and analyzed to investigate the mRNA and surface expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, the enzyme activity of TMPRSS2 and the infection rate by a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. VIP downregulated ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA and surface expression. Beyond these direct effects, VIP mediates the shedding of surface-expressed ACE2 and TMPRSS2 via upregulation of a sheddase protease (ADAM10). Functionally, these dual mechanisms of VIP-mediated downregulation of proteins involved in SARS-CoV-2 cell entry resulted in a reduced infection rate by the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. These data imply that VIP hampers viral entry mechanisms based on SARS-CoV-2 and the linkage to ADAM10 may stimulate research in other indications beyond SARS-CoV-2. Full article

Functional constipation ranks among the most common disorders impacting human health, which is manifested by difficulty in defecation and a complex etiology. L-Arabinose, a pentose found naturally in fruit rinds and cereal husks, has been reported to regulate glycolipid metabolism, improve glucose homeostasis, and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect and precise mechanism of L-Arabinose on functional constipation remain unclear. In this study, the effect of L-Arabinose in alleviating functional constipation induced by diphenoxylate was evaluated. The model group consisted of functional constipation mice that did not receive any intervention. The positive drug group was treated with 2.0 g/kg lactulose, while the intervention group was given 0.5 g/kg, 0.75 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg, and 2.0 g/kg L-Arabinose, respectively. The data suggested that 20 days of L-Arabinose intervention could shorten the first black stool defecation time, increase fecal water content, and enhance the rate of small intestinal propulsion in mice with functional constipation induced by diphenoxylate. Additionally, L-Arabinose reversed the protein expression of functional constipation-related intestinal factors in the colon, characterized by a decrease in the expression of water channel proteins AQP3 and AQP4, as well as an increase in the expression of tight-junction proteins ZO-1, Claudin-1 and Occludin. Furthermore, L-Arabinose modulated the levels of hormones (MTL, Gas) and neurotransmitters (5-HT, VIP) related to the digestive systems of mice with constipation, resulting in elevated levels of 5-HT, MTL, and Gas and decreasing levels of VIP. Histopathological analysis also revealed that L-Arabinose intervention improved the intestinal inflammatory response. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics of the intestinal microbiota demonstrated that L-Arabinose treatment improved both the intestinal microbiota composition and the metabolite levels. This study suggests that L-Arabinose can serve as a potential functional ingredient to promote intestinal health, enhance gastrointestinal motility and barrier function, regulate osmotic pressure, restore neurotransmitter levels, and effectively relieve functional constipation. Full article

Lactiplantibacillus plantarun HFY11 (LP-HFY11) is a newly discovered microbial strain. This study was the first to investigate the preventive effect of LP-HFY11 on compound diphenoxylate induced constipation in mice by measuring intestinal contents, serum, and small intestinal tissue indexes. In mice suffering from constipation, LP-HFY11 could prevent the reduction in fecal weight, particle count, and water content. The constipated mice that ingested a high LP-HFY11 dose (LP-HFY11H) expelled the first black stool faster than the model group and the drug lactulose-treated group, but they were slower than the normal group. Furthermore, the small intestine in the LP-HFY11H group had a greater propulsion rate of activated charcoal than that in the model and lactulose groups, but the propulsion rate was still lower than that in the normal group. According to hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining, LP-HFY11H was more effective than lactulose at reducing intestinal villi breaking and constipation-induced harm to the small intestine. Simultaneously, compared with the model group, the LP-HFY11H group had markedly increased serum levels of motilin (MTL), endothelin-1 (ET-1), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and acetylcholinesterase (AchE). Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) expression was only higher than in the normal group, but the mRNA expression of c-Kit, stem cell factor (SCF), and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was all higher in the small intestine in the LP-HFY11H group than in the model and lactulose groups, according to the results of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) experiments. Analysis of microbial mRNA in the small intestinal contents of the constipated mice further validated the capacity of LP-HFY11 to decrease the abundance of Firmicutes and increase the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacteria, and Lactobacillus. This revealed that LP-HFY11, which produced better results than the drug lactulose, can control the gut microbiota of constipated mice and successfully cure constipation. LP-HFY11 has the potential to be used as a probiotic in the treatment of constipation. It has good application prospects in the food industry and biopharma. Full article

Type 2 diabetes is usually accompanied by premature grey hair. In this study, we analysed differences in the lipid composition of black and white hair follicles between women with type 2 diabetes and healthy populations, using lipidomic methods. We examined the correlation between the lipid composition of female grey hair follicles and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and we screened for potential grey-hair-delaying ingredients using network pharmacology. Forty-one female volunteers with type 2 diabetes (diabetes, D) and thirty-five healthy volunteers (healthy, H) aged 55–65 years were recruited. Hair roots, including the follicular portion, were collected from grey hair (D-W for diabetic volunteers and H-W for healthy volunteers) and black hair (D-B for diabetic volunteers and H-B for healthy volunteer). Lipids were extracted separately and analysed using UPLC-QTOF-MS (Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry), combined with an OPLS-DA (Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis) model to identify different lipids among different groups under VIP conditions (VIP > 1, p < 0.05, and fold change ≥ 2). Further screening was performed using the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve method, selecting lipids with an AUC (area under the curve) value greater than 0.8 and specificity plus sensitivity greater than 1.6. Finally, bioinformatics and reverse network pharmacology were used to screen relevant targets, ingredients, and herbs to find suitable raw materials with anti-grey-hair effects. We found the following: (1) Ten significant differential lipids were identified under VIP conditions in the D-W and D-B groups, and five potential differential lipids (1-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,2-eicosandiol, emmotin A, odyssic acid, PI-Cer(t18:0/26:0(2OH)), and NAPE(18:1(9Z)/16:1(9Z)/18:0)) were further screened using ROC analysis. The levels of all five lipids were significantly higher in D-W than in D-B, and these elevated levels may have been related to the production of grey hair in diabetic patients. (2) Thirteen significantly different lipids were screened under VIP conditions in the H-W and H-B groups, and five potential differential lipids were screened via ROC analysis (PS(O-16:0/13:0), PA(12:0/16:1(9Z)), PS(13:0/20:3(8Z,11Z,14Z)), GlcCer(d18:1/24:1(15Z)), and PS(O-20:0/17:2(9Z,12Z))). The levels of all five lipids were significantly higher in H-B than in H-W, and we hypothesised that their reduced levels were associated with the production of grey hair in the healthy population. (3) Twelve significantly different lipids were screened under VIP conditions in the D-W and H-W groups, and two potential differential lipids were screened via ROC analysis (fucoxanthinol 3-heptadecanoate 3′-myristate and 2-(3-hydroxyphytanyl)-3-phytanyl-sn-glycerol). The contents of both lipids were significantly higher in H-W than in D-W, and there were differences in the lipid composition of grey hair in the D and H populations. (4) Important ingredients with possible therapeutic effects were obtained through lipid-matched target screening: resveratrol, calycosin, epigallocatechin 3-gallate, and herbs such as the fruit of the glossy privet, etc. In summary, the production of grey hair in the D and H populations may be affected by different lipids. The lipid components emmotin A and fucoxanthinol 3-heptadecanoate 3′-myristate were significantly higher in the D and H populations than in the same groups (D-B, H-B), and these are pregnenolone lipids (PRs). We hypothesised that PRs can influence the production of grey hair in both populations. The screening of important differential lipids may serve to provide diagnostic loci or therapeutic targets, while matching ingredients and herbs may provide a basis and direction for the subsequent development of anti-grey-hair ingredients. Full article

The flavour of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) is an important indicator for evaluating the quality of the millet. The volatile components in steamed millet porridge samples were analysed using electronic nose (E-Nose) and gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) techniques, and characteristic volatile fingerprints were constructed to clarify the differences in the main flavour substances in different foxtail millet varieties (two hybrids and two conventional foxtail millets). After sensory evaluation by judges, Jingu 21 (JG) scored significantly higher than the other varieties, and the others were, in order, Jinmiao K1 (JM), Changzagu 466 (CZ) and Zhangzagu 3 (ZZ). E-Nose analysis showed differences in sulphides and terpenoids, nitrogen oxides, organosulphides and aromatic compounds in different varieties of millet porridge. A total of 59 volatile components were determined by GC-IMS in the four varieties of millet porridge, including 23 aldehydes, 17 alcohols, 9 ketones, 4 esters, 2 acids, 3 furans and 1 pyrazine. Comparative analyses of the volatile components in JG, JM, ZZ and CZ revealed that the contents of octanal, nonanal and 3-methyl-2-butenal were higher in JG; the contents of trans-2-butenal, 2-methyl-1-propanol, trans-2-heptenal and trans-2-pentenal were higher in JM; and the contents of 2-octanone, hexanol, 1-octen-3-ol, 2-pentanone and butyraldehyde were higher in ZZ. The contents of 2-butanol, propionic acid and acetic acid were higher in CZ. A prediction model with good stability was established by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and 25 potential characteristic markers (VIP > 1) were screened out from 59 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These volatile components can be used to distinguish the different varieties of millet porridge samples. Moreover, we found conventional foxtail millet contained more aldehydes than the hybridised foxtail millet; especially decanal, 1-nonanal-D, heptanal-D, 1-octanal-M, 1-octanal-D and 1-nonanal-M were significantly higher in JG than in the other varieties. These results indicate that the E-Nose combined with GC-IMS can be used to characterise the flavour volatiles of different foxtail millet, and the results of this study may provide some information for future understanding of the aroma characteristics of foxtail millet and the genetic improvement of hybrid grains. Full article

At present, there are few studies on seasonal differences in the aroma quality and volatile components of Rucheng Baimao (Camellia pubescens) black tea. In this study, sensory evaluation and volatile component analysis were carried out on one sample of Rucheng Baimao black tea corresponding to spring, summer, and autumn, respectively. The results of sensory evaluation showed that the black teas of all three seasons had floral aromas. However, the aroma quality of spring black tea was the best, followed by that of autumn black tea, and summer black tea was the worst. The analysis of volatile components showed that alcohols, esters, and alkanes were the main substance categories. In addition, the results of the aroma index were consistent with those of the sensory evaluation, indicating that spring black tea had the best aroma quality, followed by autumn black tea and then summer black tea. Eleven key differential volatile components were screened by combining PLS-DA analysis (VIP > 1, p < 0.05) and rOAV > 1. Among them, geraniol, methyl salicylate, nonanal, and (E)-citral accumulated the most in spring black tea, linalool, phenylacetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, phenethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and β-ionone accumulated the most in summer black tea, and trans-nerolidol accumulated the most in autumn black tea. This study aims to provide a theoretical reference for the regulation of the aroma quality of Rucheng Baimao black tea. Full article