Search Results (476)

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which exogenous guanosine monophosphate (GMP) enhances the stress tolerance of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Y12. Phenotypic assays demonstrated that GMP supplementation significantly improved biofilm formation, adhesion index, and auto-aggregation ability. The survival ability of Y12 in simulated gastric juice, intestinal juice, and freeze-drying stress was also significantly increased. Transcriptomic results revealed that GMP increased the intracellular content of the second messengers C-di-AMP and C-di-GMP by reducing phosphodiesterase (PDE, RS04640). This, together with the upregulated expression of luxR and rpoN, synergistically promoted biofilm formation. Furthermore, GMP enhanced acid tolerance by increasing glutamate decarboxylase activity (GAD, RS05235). It also significantly elevated the levels of extracellular proteins, exopolysaccharides, membrane polysaccharides, and membrane fatty acids by modulating genes related to proteins (yidC, yajC), polysaccharides (agaB, agaC), and membrane fatty acid synthesis (RS02005, plsY), which was also demonstrated by quantitative determination. Collectively, these regulatory mechanisms substantially improve the stress tolerance of L. plantarum Y12, providing a theoretical basis for its application. Full article

In summary, near-surface icing risk in complex alpine terrain is jointly controlled by freezing conditions, moisture supply, freeze–thaw transitions, and topographic energy processes. Traditional approaches relying on sparse station data or single temperature thresholds fail to capture spatial heterogeneity, and frequent cloud cover together with topographic errors severely limit the application of thermal infrared remote sensing. Taking the area along the Duku Highway in the Tianshan Mountains as the study region, a daily icing risk assessment framework at 250 m resolution was constructed using multi-source remote sensing, ERA5-Land reanalysis data, topographic correction, and an energy–moisture dual-constrained model. A diurnal temperature cycle model, the CAP index, and physics-constrained machine learning were integrated to reconstruct the daily minimum land surface temperature (T_s,min) at 250 m resolution under all weather conditions. A probabilistic two-tier risk assessment model was then established by incorporating moisture, topography, and freeze–thaw transitions. The results show that high-risk zones occur primarily in valleys and topographically constrained corridors rather than the coldest elevations. Validation against Landsat LST (r = 0.886) and the Bayanbulak station (bias −0.76 °C, RMSE 5.62 °C, r = 0.91) confirms spatial and seasonal accuracy. Sensitivity and Monte Carlo analyses indicate the RiskScore is mainly controlled by the low-temperature weight, while upstream parameters are less influential. The framework is best applied as a screening and early-warning product to identify sub-kilometer potential icing corridors, complementing point measurements and short-range forecasts. Full article

Nanoemulsion (NEM) is an effective adjuvant and delivery system for vaccines and nucleic acids, capable of inducing immune responses against diverse pathogens. Background/Objectives: Conventional NEM manufacture uses multi-step operations, typically high-shear homogenization and then microfluidization (HSHM), thereby increasing process complexity and contamination risk. As water-rich colloidal dispersions, NEM is prone to microbial proliferation and droplet coalescence; freezing further disrupts microstructure, causing phase fusion and separation, so NEM adjuvants are often stored separately from antigens in multi-vial formats. Lyophilization could reduce cold-chain dependence and enable single-vial products, but there is no systematic study on lyoprotectants comparation and process optimization of lyophilized NEM. Methods: An impingement jet mixing (IJM) process was evaluated as a simplified, scalable route for NEM production. Key IJM parameters, including flow ratio, total flow rate, preparation temperature, microchannel type, and shear mode—were examined to match attributes of conventional HSHM. Lyophilized and reconstituted NEM were characterized by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and/or in vitro potency to inform lyoprotectant selection, and Taguchi Design of Experiment (DOE) methodology guided lyophilization processes. Results: IJM yielded NEM with droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI) and morphology comparable to HSHM, with higher throughput and fewer unit operations. Optimized lyophilization technique with designed lyoprotectant and process formed closed structures to prevent the easy-to-flow monolayer of the emulsion from fusing, producing robust and stable NEM. Conclusions: Coupling IJM with targeted lyophilization establishes a scalable, lower-risk manufacturing paradigm for NEM that preserves critical quality attributes, reduces cold-chain reliance and enables single-vial adjuvanted vaccine formats with tangible industrial and clinical benefits. Full article

Frequent seasonal phase transitions in cold and arid lakes require different remote sensing indices for frozen and open-water periods, complicating the use of traditional empirical indices for automated monitoring. To address this challenge, this study proposes an intelligent indexing framework integrating the heuristic reasoning of Large Language Models (LLMs) with Random Forest (RF) feature selection. Leveraging the Google Earth Engine (GEE) and Landsat 8 data from Ulansuhai Lake, five LLMs such as Gemini and ERNIE were employed to generate candidate spectral indices based on typical sample spectra. Optimal band combinations were identified via RF importance, and Land Surface Temperature (LST) was incorporated as a physical constraint for unified cross-seasonal classification and determine the optimal threshold. Results show that the LLM-derived ERNIE-WISI and Gemini-WISI exhibit high robustness. During the freezing period, ERNIE-WISI significantly outperformed other indices, achieving an Overall Accuracy (OA) of 89% and a Kappa of 0.86. Spatially, it yielded snow and ice mapping with clear textures and low commission errors. During the non-freezing period, ERNIE-WISI achieved an OA of 95% with a Kappa of 0.84. While Gemini-WISI achieved an OA of 94% with a Kappa of 0.80, performing comparably to MNDWI. Notably, ERNIE-WISI effectively suppressed background interference in complex landscapes like narrow channels and aquaculture areas, maintaining high geometric fidelity and spatial continuity. A key advantage of ERNIE-WISI is its consistent performance without seasonal threshold adjustments. Aligned with the AI for Science paradigm, this methodology bridges AI-driven heuristic discovery and physical remote sensing, offering a robust, transferable solution for long-term dynamic lake monitoring in extreme environments, thereby facilitating sustainable water management. Full article

Background: Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom widely recognized for its high content of bioactive polysaccharides, particularly β-glucans with immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to optimize polysaccharide extraction conditions to maximize yield and glucan content, and to evaluate the biological activity of the obtained fractions in an experimental model of intestinal mucositis. Methods: Polysaccharides were extracted using a combination of hot-water extraction and ethanol precipitation, optimized by response surface methodology. Optimal conditions (121 °C for 120 min followed by 90% ethanol precipitation) yielded a crude polysaccharide fraction (Poli-GL). A subsequent freeze–thaw process generated a soluble fraction (S-Poli-GL). Structural and compositional characterization was performed using enzymatic assays, monosaccharide profiling, and NMR spectroscopy. The biological effects of Poli-GL and S-Poli-GL were evaluated in a 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis model following oral administration at doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg. Results: The optimized extraction protocol enabled efficient recovery of polysaccharides enriched in glucans. S-Poli-GL exhibited a high total glucan content, including 43.3% β-glucans and 3.45% α-glucans, along with minor amounts of galactose and mannose. Structural analysis confirmed the predominance of branched β-(1→3),(1→6)-D-glucans. While Poli-GL did not prevent mucositis development, S-Poli-GL significantly reduced the disease activity index and attenuated intestinal inflammation, indicating enhanced biological activity associated with the soluble glucan-rich fraction. Conclusions: Optimization of extraction and fractionation improves the functional properties of G. lucidum polysaccharides. The soluble glucan-enriched fraction (S-Poli-GL) demonstrated significant protective effects in intestinal mucositis, supporting its potential as a therapeutic candidate and warranting further investigation for clinical application. Full article

Background: The overall objective of this pilot diet intervention study was to determine the effect of grape powder (GP) supplementation on gut microbiota composition and inflammatory markers in individuals with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: Adult CD participants were recruited from the Digestive Health Institute at University Hospitals Medical Center, Cleveland. All participants were supplemented with 45 g/day of freeze-dried grape powder (equivalent to ~1.5 cups of fresh grapes) daily for 21 days. The primary outcome was the change in fecal microbiome profiles. Secondary outcomes included the absolute difference (day 21-day 0) in Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI) score, fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Results: A total of 21 CD participants were included in the final analysis. After 21 days of GP supplementation, more than half of the participants (13, 61.9%) experienced a reduction in fecal MPO, while 80% (17) experienced either a reduction or no change in HBI score. Microbiome analysis revealed modest but directional shifts, including enrichment of Akkermansiaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Tannerellaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Monoglobaceae. While overall community structure did not significantly change at the cohort level, individualized microbiome responses as well as functional pathway shifts were observed following the intervention. Conclusions: Daily supplementation with freeze-dried grape powder for 21 days was safe and well-tolerated in adults with CD and was associated with modest shifts in gut microbiome composition. This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05972694; 5 February 2024). Full article

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of a landslide that occurred in February 2024 in the Tau-Samal district of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Characterized by rapid onset and anthropogenic influence, this event resulted from a complex interaction of environmental and anthropogenic factors. Specifically, the landslide was triggered by seasonal temperature fluctuations leading to multiple freeze–thaw cycles, localized microseismicity (magnitude 3.5 on 4 February 2024), and a major water main break resulting in localized flooding of loess soils. The study utilizes an integrated landslide susceptibility index (LSI) model, which combines the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for factor weighting. Validation was conducted by comparing the spatial distribution of high-susceptibility zones derived from the LSI model with the actual location of the landslide. Geotechnical studies highlight the susceptibility of Almaty loess, focusing on parameters such as cohesion, internal friction angle, and liquefaction potential. The findings highlight the need for climate-adapted urban policies and improved geotechnical monitoring in high-risk loess areas. This study contributes to a regional understanding of Tien Shan geohazards by placing the Tau-Samal event within the broader context of seismically and hydrologically driven slope processes. Full article

The valorization of agri-food by-products as functional ingredients requires understanding how processing and formulation affect their nutritional and metabolic properties. This study evaluated the combined effects of drying method (hot air drying, HAD; freeze-drying, FD), particle size (80 and 500 µm), and gum Arabic (GA) addition on the compositional and metabolic functionality of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) pod flour. Proximate composition, total phenolic content (TPC), estimated glycemic index (eGI), glucose dialysis retardation index (GDRI), and enzyme inhibitory activities (α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase) were determined. Results showed that all factors significantly affected eGI, with independent contributions, whereas GDRI was mainly influenced by particle size and GA, with significant interaction effects. GA addition consistently reduced eGI and increased GDRI, indicating improved modulation of both starch hydrolysis and glucose diffusion. HAD samples showed higher enzyme inhibitory activity, while FD combined with GA enhanced TPC. Particle size modulated structural properties affecting starch accessibility and glucose diffusion. Soluble dietary fiber and phenolic compounds were key contributors to in vitro metabolic functionality, while matrix structure determined their effectiveness. These results suggest that faba bean pod powders may serve as sustainable functional ingredients for food applications, contributing to the valorization of agri-food by-products within a circular economy approach. Full article

Useful quantum neural networks should not merely explore large Hilbert spaces but should organise their expressive capacity according to the symmetries of the learning problem. We introduce symmetry-organised complexity as an ansatz-level, representation-theoretic trajectory diagnostic for quantum neural networks. The diagnostic combines symmetry-sector organisation, cross-irreducible representation organised complexity, and symmetry metastability into a composite index, which is then multiplied by a compliance factor that penalises apparent complexity arising from symmetry violation. This compliance factor is defined at the level of the implemented trainable generators rather than as a representation-independent channel metric. The representation-theoretic basis of the construction is that, for an exactly equivariant network, the effective trainable operators lie in the commutant of the group action and are controlled by multiplicity dimensions rather than by the full Hilbert-space dimension. We show that joint sector collapse and state freezing force the index to vanish under an explicit multiplicity–purity condition and that networks with identical qubit and parameter counts can have different values of the index. Two analytically tractable four-qubit examples with excitation number and total spin symmetry illustrate how the diagnostic separates sector-collapsed, symmetry-organised, and symmetry-breaking behaviour. A controlled $U\left(1\right)$-compatible teacher–student classification task further shows that, in this validation setting, the ordering of the composite index across equivariant, hybrid, and non-equivariant ansatze agrees with the ordering of generalisation accuracy. The framework is most informative when the relevant symmetry of the learning problem is known. Full article

Background: Oral delivery of chemotherapeutic agents remains challenging due to gastrointestinal degradation, poor intestinal permeability, and extensive first-pass metabolism, which collectively limit bioavailability. Lipid-based drug delivery systems offer a promising strategy to overcome these barriers. This study aimed to develop a freeze-dried, solid-dispersible self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) using a water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) double emulsion approach for the co-encapsulation of hydrophilic (doxorubicin) and lipophilic (ellipticine) agents to enhance oral delivery. Methods: Double-emulsion SEDDS were prepared via a two-stage emulsification process to enable compartmentalized drug loading within aqueous and oil phases. The formulations were freeze-dried to improve stability and storage. Physicochemical properties were characterized using dynamic light scattering for droplet size and polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential analysis for colloidal stability, and differential scanning calorimetry for thermal behavior. Drug encapsulation efficiency was determined, and cellular uptake was evaluated in breast cancer cells using fluorescence microscopy. Results: Optimized SEDDS exhibited droplet sizes of 90–347 nm with low PDI values (0.005–0.336), indicating uniform and stable dispersions. Zeta potential values (−10.64 to 2.38 mV) supported colloidal stability, while freeze-dried formulations retained dispersion characteristics upon reconstitution over extended storage. Both drugs demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency (>97%), and thermal analysis confirmed the formation of stable amorphous systems. Fluorescence imaging revealed enhanced intracellular uptake of both agents. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that freeze-dried double-emulsion SEDDS enable efficient co-delivery of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, improving stability and cellular uptake. This platform shows strong potential for overcoming key barriers in oral chemotherapy and provides a promising strategy for combination drug delivery. Full article

The quality of glutinous rice flour (GRF) plays a critical role in determining the processing suitability of Tangyuan, a traditional Chinese glutinous rice-based food. This study systematically characterized the physicochemical, pasting, textural and digestive properties of twelve representative GRFs, as well as the cooking behaviors of the resulting product of Tangyuan. The results revealed that different GRFs displayed varied protein, total starch and amylopectin contents. The microstructure of Tangyuan exhibited three main types: robust and dense (e.g., H1 and H3), porous and soft (e.g., S1 and S4), and fragmented and disrupted (e.g., S2 and S3) networks. Rheological and pasting profiling revealed that doughs with extreme rigidity (G′ > 10⁴ Pa) and high setback values exhibited rapid retrogradation, leading to severe frost cracking during cold-chain storage. Tangyuan with moderate G′, loss tangent (tan δ) below 0.35, and balanced peak viscosities provided optimal viscoelasticity for both mechanical machinability and freeze–thaw stability. Furthermore, S5 with naturally high resistant starch contents significantly attenuated the hydrolysis index, successfully shifting Tangyuan from a high-glycemic to a medium-glycemic profile. The results provide valuable insights into the screening of raw glutinous rice flour from different origins, offering theoretical guidance for the standardized production of freeze–thaw-stable and low-glycemic functional Tangyuan. Full article

The pursuit of sustainable winter road maintenance has intensified the need for deicers that balance functional effectiveness, economic viability, and minimal environmental impact. However, the absence of a systematic, multi-dimensional evaluation framework has hindered informed product selection and green procurement. This study develops and validates the Comprehensive Deicer Multi-criteria Evaluation System (CDMES)—a structured assessment framework that integrates economic, functional, environmental, and infrastructural sustainability dimensions. The evaluation index system was constructed for deicers, consisting of 18 indicators including preparation cost, engineering maintenance cost, operability of agent preparation, application difficulty, asphalt binder adhesion loss, minimum application concentration, proportion of active ingredients, effective time, ambient temperature, freezing point, solid dissolution rate, relative snow/ice-melting capacity, seed damage rate, chlorophyll attenuation, soil pH, aqueous solution pH, steel–carbon corrosion rate, and pavement friction attenuation rate. Subsequently, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was employed to determine the weight of each indicator, and evaluation criteria were established in accordance with relevant standards and literature. Finally, this weight determination method, combined with the simple additive weighting (SAW) method for index aggregation, forms a quantitative evaluation model. These elements together constitute a comprehensive deicer evaluation system, designated as the Comprehensive Deicer Multi-criteria Evaluation System (CDMES). Validation using three representative deicers—sodium chloride, a composite chloride-based formulation, and an organic acetate-based product—demonstrated that the CDMES can effectively discriminate product performance across multiple sustainability dimensions and identify critical weaknesses that may be obscured by purely compensatory scoring. The framework offers a transparent and reproducible decision-support tool for winter maintenance managers seeking to align deicer selection with sustainability objectives. Full article

Freeze–thaw cycles lead to undesirable gelation in egg yolk, which negatively affects its functional properties, restricting its application in the food industry. This study aimed to investigate whether enzymatic treatment can prevent the freeze-induced gelation of egg yolk, thereby maintaining its desirable quality attributes. Egg yolk samples were treated with an enzyme preparation (Biocatalysts Flavorpro™ 750MDP) at concentrations of 0.05, 0.3, and 0.5 w/w%, homogenized, and incubated at 40 °C for 120 min, followed by rapid cooling and freezing at −24 ± 1 °C for 60 d. Control samples without enzyme treatment were subjected to the same processing steps as the other samples. After thawing, all samples were analyzed for pH, color, rheological and thermophysical properties, turbidity and visual appearance. The results demonstrated that although enzymatic treatment and its combination with freezing significantly altered color, turbidity, rheological and thermophysical properties of egg yolk, it effectively inhibited freezing-induced gel formation, particularly at 0.3 w/w%. The parameters characterizing rheological behavior—yield stress, consistency coefficient, and flow behavior index—were preserved close to those of fresh yolk after the freeze–thaw process. These findings suggest that exopeptidase treatment is a promising approach for controlling freeze–thaw-induced gelation in egg yolk, supporting its wider use in frozen and processed egg products. Full article

Chia seed mucilage (CSM) is a promising plant-derived hydrocolloid characterized by unique physicochemical and functional properties that are strongly influenced by the extraction methodology. In this research, an optimized sonication–freezing-assisted extraction (SFAE) process was developed to obtain mucilage while preserving its structural integrity. Results indicate that the extracted mucilage has a high total dietary fiber content of 75.87% and a moderate protein level of 8.71%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of hydroxyl and ionized carboxylate (COO⁻) groups associated with uronic acids, highlighting the anionic and polyelectrolyte nature of the system. Rheological characterization of optimized-CSM revealed Newtonian behavior in dilute solutions, indicating minimal intermolecular interactions and permitting accurate measurement of intrinsic viscosity and viscosity-average molecular weight. A critical overlap concentration (c** ≈ 0.2% w/v) was identified, marking the transition to semi-dilute regimes, chain entanglement, and the onset of shear-thinning and viscoplastic behavior. Functionally, the optimized-CSM exhibited high water holding capacity and competitive emulsifying properties (emulsion activity index (EAI): 62.50%; emulsion stability index (ESI): 49.32%), attributed to synergistic interactions between proteins and polysaccharides. Overall, this work provides new insights into how processing conditions influence the chemical composition and molecular structure, which fundamentally govern the rheological and functional performance of CSM. These findings underscore its potential as a versatile hydrocolloid for food and biomedical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gated cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) synchronizes PET data to the cardiac cycle based on an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, providing left ventricular (LV) functional and geometrical parameters. Nevertheless, image artifacts, due to cardiac-, breathing-, and/or patient-motion occurring during image acquisition, undermine the reliability and clinical utility of these parameters. This study aims to elucidate the effect of two motion correction (MC) tools, CardioFreeze (CF) and a data-driven motion correction (DDMC) prototype, on LV functional and geometrical parameters. Methods: ECG-gated rest/stress [¹³N]NH₃ PET/CT scans from forty patients with myocardial ischemia and thirty-nine patients with normal myocardial perfusion were included. The following four reconstructions were performed for each patient scan: without motion correction (NMC), with CF, DDMC, and DDMC & CF. Images were processed with Cedars-Sinai QPET software. Results: End-diastolic volume (EDV) in rest and stress increased significantly using DDMC. End-systolic volume (ESV) increased significantly, while LV ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased significantly using any MC tool, regardless of the phase. Shape index end-systole (SI ES) and shape-index end-diastole (SI ED) increased significantly when using MC, except for SI ED in rest, where DDMC did not cause any difference. Eccentricity index end-systole (ECC ES) in rest and stress increased significantly in patients with normal myocardial perfusion, while it did not differ in ischemic patients after applying MC. Conclusions: MC tools significantly increase ESV values and decrease EF values. The highest effect is observed with the combined use of DDMC & CF. Image quality is greatly improved when using MC, regardless of the method, particularly in patients with the highest myocardial displacement. Full article