Search Results (708)

An oat protein isolate is an ideal raw material for producing a wide range of plant-based products. However, oat protein exhibits weak functional properties, particularly in emulsification. Casein-based ingredients are commonly employed to enhance emulsifying properties as a general practice in the food industry. pH-shifting processing is a straightforward method to partially unfold protein structures. This study modified a mixture of an oat protein isolate (OPI) and casein by combining a pH adjustment (adjusting the pH of two solutions to 12, mixing them at a 3:7 ratio, and maintaining the pH at 12 for 2 h) with an atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment to improve the emulsifying properties. The results demonstrated that the ACP treatment significantly enhanced the solubility of the OPI/casein mixtures, with a maximum solubility of 82.63 ± 0.33%, while the ζ-potential values were approximately −40 mV, indicating that all the samples were fairly stable. The plasma-induced increase in surface hydrophobicity supported greater protein adsorption and redistribution at the oil/water interface. After 3 min of treatment, the interfacial pressure peaked at 8.32 mN/m. Emulsions stabilized with the modified OPI/casein mixtures also exhibited a significant droplet size reduction upon extending the ACP treatment to 3 min, decreasing from 5.364 ± 0.034 μm to 3.075 ± 0.016 μm. The resulting enhanced uniformity in droplet size distribution signified the formation of a robust interfacial film. Moreover, the ACP treatment effectively enhanced the emulsifying activity of the OPI/casein mixtures, reaching (179.65 ± 1.96 m²/g). These findings highlight the potential application value of OPI/casein mixtures in liquid dairy products. In addition, dairy products based on oat protein are more conducive to sustainable development than traditional dairy products. Full article

AAA+ ATPases are ring-shaped hexameric protein complexes that operate as elaborate macromolecular motors, driving a variety of ATP-dependent cellular processes. AAA+ ATPases undergo large-scale conformational changes that lead to the conversion of chemical energy from ATP into mechanical work to perform a wide range of functions, such as unfolding and translocation of the protein substrate inside a proteolysis chamber of an AAA+-associated protease. Despite extensive biochemical studies on these macromolecular assemblies, the mechanism of substrate unfolding and degradation has long remained elusive. Indeed, until recently, structural characterization of AAA+ protease complexes remained hampered by the size and complexity of the machinery, harboring multiple protein subunits acting together to process proteins to be degraded. Additionally, the major structural rearrangements involved in the mechanism of this complex represent a crucial challenge for structural biology. Here, we report the main advances in deciphering molecular details of the proteolytic reaction performed by AAA+ proteases, based on the remarkable progress in structural biology techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on the latest findings from high-resolution structural analysis of the ClpXP proteolytic complex, using crystallographic and cryo-EM investigations. In addition, this review presents some additional dynamic information obtained using solution-state NMR. This information provides molecular details that help to explain the protein degradation process by such molecular machines. Full article

Digital transformation (DT) fundamentally reshapes how organisations operate, create value, and respond to complex environments through the integration of digital technologies. Beyond mere technical deployment, DT involves behavioural, strategic, and institutional changes. As these transformations are increasingly managed through projects and programmes, project management plays a pivotal role, not only in delivering these transformations but also in enabling them. However, the relationship between DT and project management remains fragmented and insufficiently explored. This paper addresses this gap by systematically reviewing 66 peer-reviewed articles using a qualitative thematic coding approach informed by sociotechnical systems theory. The analysis reveals four interrelated themes: methodologies and the sociotechnical integration of digital tools, misalignments in sociotechnical interfaces, governance and leadership, and industry- or project-specific transformation trajectories. Based on these findings, the paper proposes three key future research agenda: (1) embedding digital tools through methodological mediation and governance integration, (2) governance and leadership as strategic enablers, and (3) advancing sector-specific insights into DT. By offering a structured synthesis and a theory-driven research agenda, this review contributes to a more integrated understanding of how DT unfolds within project-based contexts and lays the groundwork for future interdisciplinary research. Full article

The mechanical stability and deformability of erythrocytes are vital for their function as they traverse capillaries, where shear stress can reach up to 10 Pa under physiological conditions. Human serum albumin (HSA) is known to help maintain erythrocyte stability by influencing cell shape, membrane integrity, and resistance to hemolysis. However, the precise mechanisms by which albumin exerts these effects remain debated, with some studies indicating a stabilizing role and others suggesting the opposite. This review highlights that under high shear rates, albumin molecules may undergo unfolding due to normal stress differences. Such structural changes can significantly alter albumin’s interactions with the erythrocyte membrane, thereby affecting cell mechanical stability. We discuss two potential scenarios explaining how albumin influences erythrocyte mechanics under shear stress, considering both the viscoelastic properties of blood and those of the erythrocyte membrane. Based on theoretical analyses and experimental evidence from the literature, we propose that albumin’s effect on erythrocyte mechanical stability depends on (i) the transition between unfolded and folded states of the protein and (ii) the impact of shear stress on the erythrocyte membrane’s ζ-potential. Understanding these factors is essential for elucidating the complex relationship between albumin and erythrocyte mechanics in physiological and pathological conditions. Full article

This study investigated the effects of curdlan (CUR) with different helical conformations on the gelling behavior and mechanisms of heat-induced soy protein isolate (SPI) gels. The results demonstrated that CUR significantly improved the functional properties of SPI gels, including water-holding capacity (0.31–5.06% increase), gel strength (7.01–240.51% enhancement), textural properties, viscoelasticity, and thermal stability. The incorporation of CUR facilitated the unfolding and cross-linking of SPI molecules, leading to enhanced network formation. Notably, SPI composite gels containing CUR with an ordered triple-helix bundled structure exhibited superior gelling performance compared to other helical conformations, characterized by a more compact and uniform microstructure. This improvement was attributed to stronger hydrogen bonding interactions between the triple-helix CUR and SPI molecules. Furthermore, the entanglement of triple-helix CUR with SPI promoted the formation of a denser and more homogeneous interpenetrating polymer network. These findings indicate that triple-helix CUR is highly effective in optimizing the gelling characteristics of heat-induced SPI gels. This study provides new insights into the structure–function relationship of CUR in SPI-based gel systems, offering potential strategies for designing high-performance protein–polysaccharide composite gels. The findings establish a theoretical foundation for applications in the food industry. Full article

Vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-associated protein B (VAPB) serves as a tethering factor that interacts with various proteins and recruits these proteins to the ER surface, exerting multiple functions, such as organelle membrane tethering, lipid transfer between organelles, regulation of calcium homeostasis, autophagy, and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Its interaction is often mediated by its MSP (major sperm) domain, which binds with FFAT (two phenylalanines in an acidic tract)-motif-containing proteins. However, pathogenic variations, such as P56S, P56H, and T46I, in the VAPB MSP domain lead to the familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS8). Still, the underlying pathophysiology of ALS8 due to pathogenic variations in the VAPB MSP domain remains elusive. In this study, we conducted molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to understand the pathogenic-variant-derived changes in the structural dynamics of the VAPB MSP domain. We found that pathogenic variants altered the fluctuations and conformational dynamics of the VAPB protein. Analyzing the organizations of the secondary structure revealed that pathogenic variants changed the composition of secondary structure elements, especially increasing the proportion of α-helix while reducing β-sheet formation, which might affect the organelle tethering and other functions of VAPB, as well as VAPB homodimer and heterodimer formation. Taken together, these findings can be further investigated through in vivo and/or in vitro studies to not only clarify the pathophysiology of ALS8 resulting from VAPB MSP domain pathogenic variants but also develop novel therapeutics for the disease that restore the native structural organizations as well as fluctuations and motions. Full article

Grass-covered levees commonly protect river and estuarine areas against flooding. Climate-induced water level changes may increasingly expose these levees to overflow events. This study investigates whether grass-covered levees can withstand such events, and under what conditions failure may occur. Between 2020 and 2022, full-scale overflow tests were conducted at the Living Lab Hedwige-Prosperpolder along the Dutch–Belgian Scheldt Estuary to assess erosion resistance under varying hydraulic conditions and vegetation states. A custom-built overflow generator was used, with instrumentation capturing flow velocity, water levels, and erosion progression. The results show that well-maintained levees with intact grass cover endured overflow durations up to 30 h despite high terminal flow velocities (4.9–7.7 m/s), without structural damage. In contrast, levee sections with pre-existing surface anomalies, such as animal burrows, slope irregularities, surface damage, or reed-covered soft soils, failed rapidly, often within one to two hours. Animal burrows facilitated subsurface flow and internal erosion, initiating fast, retrograde failure. These findings highlight the importance of preventive maintenance, particularly the timely detection and repair of anomalies. Once slope failure begins, the process unfolds rapidly, leaving no practical window for intervention. Full article

This paper explores the concept of evolutionary urban resilience by framing cities as complex, open, and adaptive Social-Ecological-Technological Systems (SETS), shaped by multi-scalar dynamics, systemic uncertainty, and interdependent crises. It challenges the reductionist view of resilience as a fixed capacity or linear sequence of risk management phases, and instead proposes a process-based paradigm rooted in learning, creativity, and the ability to navigate disequilibrium. The framework defines urban resilience as a continuous and iterative transformation process, supported by: (i) a combination of tangible and intangible qualities activated according to problem typology; (ii) cross-domain processes involving infrastructures, flows, governance, networks, and community dynamics; and (iii) the engagement of diverse agents in shared decision-making and coordinated action. These dimensions unfold across three incremental and interdependent scenarios—baseline, critical, and chronic crisis—forming a ladder of resilience that guides communities through escalating challenges. Special emphasis is placed on the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as relational and adaptive tools enabling distributed intelligence and inclusive governance. The framework also outlines concrete operational and policy implications for cities aiming to build anticipatory and transformative resilience capacities. Applied to the case of Taranto, the approach offers insights into how structurally fragile communities facing conflicting adaptive trajectories can unlock transformative potential. Ultimately, the paper calls for a shift from government to governance, from control to co-creation, and from reactive adaptation to chaos generativity, recasting urban resilience as an evolving project of collective agency, systemic reconfiguration, and co-production of emergent urban futures. Full article

Walnut gluten (WGLU) is a plant-based protein rich in essential amino acids for the human body. Due to its poor water solubility and functional properties, its application in the food industry is limited. For the first time, this study looks into how different durations (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 s) of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment affect the structure and functional properties of WGLU. ACP processing destroys the spatial structure of the WGLU and alters its functional properties. The comprehensive performance reached its best after 60 s of ACP treatment, the main manifestations included increased β-sheet content, reduced α-helix content, and unfolding of the tertiary structure, which ultimately improved the stability of emulsification and foam. Meanwhile, the solubility (86.35%), water retention rate (2.15 g/g), oil retention rate (5.31 g/g), emulsification rate (10.59 m²/g), and foaming rate (24.67%) of WGLU reached their maximum values. However, longer treatment times (90 and 120 s) induce WGLU aggregation, followed by decreased functional properties. In summary, the physicochemical and functional properties of WGLU can be significantly enhanced through ACP treatment, enhancing the bioavailability of gluten and providing an effective strategy for its application in food processing. Full article

Odontogenesis, the development of teeth, is a complex, multistage process that unfolds from early embryogenesis through tooth eruption and maturation. It serves as a classical model of organogenesis due to the intricate reciprocal interactions between cranial neural crest-derived mesenchyme and oral epithelium. This narrative review synthesizes current scientific knowledge on human tooth development, tracing the journey from the embryological origins in the first branchial arch to the formation of a fully functional tooth and its supporting structures. Key morphogenetic stages—bud, cap, bell, apposition, and root formation—are described in detail, highlighting the cellular events and histological features characterizing each stage. We discuss the molecular and cellular regulatory networks that orchestrate odontogenesis, including the conserved signaling pathways (Wnt, BMP, FGF, SHH, EDA) and transcription factors (e.g., PAX9, MSX1/2, PITX2) that drive tissue patterning and cell differentiation. The coordinated development of supporting periodontal tissues (cementum, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, gingiva) is also examined as an integral part of tooth organogenesis. Finally, developmental anomalies (such as variations in tooth number, size, and form) and the fate of residual embryonic epithelial cells are reviewed to underscore the clinical significance of developmental processes. Understanding the normal course of odontogenesis provides crucial insight into congenital dental disorders and lays a foundation for advances in regenerative dental medicine. Full article

We review recent developments in structural stability as applied to key topics in general relativity. For a nonlinear dynamical system arising from the Einstein equations by a symmetry reduction, bifurcation theory fully characterizes the set of all stable perturbations of the system, known as the ‘versal unfolding’. This construction yields a comprehensive classification of qualitatively distinct solutions and their metamorphoses into new topological forms, parametrized by the codimension of the bifurcation in each case. We illustrate these ideas through bifurcations in the simplest Friedmann models, the Oppenheimer-Snyder black hole, the evolution of causal geodesic congruences in cosmology and black hole spacetimes, crease flow on event horizons, and the Friedmann–Lemaître equations. Finally, we list open problems and briefly discuss emerging aspects such as partial differential equation stability of versal families, the general relativity landscape, and potential connections between gravitational versal unfoldings and those of the Maxwell, Dirac, and Schrödinger equations. Full article

Seafood (fish, crustacean, and mollusk) allergy represents a critical global health issue. Food processing offers a viable strategy for allergenicity mitigation and serves as a critical intervention for seafood allergy prevention. This paper reviews recent advances in seafood allergen research, with particular focus on molecular properties, epitopes, and structure–allergenicity relationships, which are foundations for designing processing technologies to mitigate allergenicity. Furthermore, an analysis of how various food processing techniques modulate allergen structures and epitopes, ultimately affecting their allergenicity, was conducted. Current World Health Organization (WHO)/International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) listings include 44 fish allergens and 60 shellfish allergens, with their characterization enabling targeted processing approaches for allergenicity elimination. Physical processing techniques, including thermal and non-thermal treatment, can dramatically influence the conformational and linear epitopes by altering or destroying the structure of an allergen. Chemistry-based processing techniques (enzymatic-catalyzed cross-linking and glycation), which induce covalent/non-covalent interactions between allergens and various modifiers, can effectively mask epitopes through molecular complexation. Biological processing attenuates allergenicity by inducing protein unfolding, polypeptide chain uncoiling, and enzymatic degradation. Nevertheless, the structure–activity relationship of seafood allergens remains insufficiently elucidated, despite its critical role in guiding processing technologies for allergenicity elimination and elucidating the fundamental mechanisms involved. Full article

This work underlines an analogy between urban and biological systems. The dialogic approach of systems biology showed us that parts constitute a whole and, in turn, the whole constitutes the parts. The development of a biological system such as an animal or a plant does not unfold by means of an autonomous internal program. Rather, it stems from the interaction of the organism’s internal response pattern and its external environment. The wide scientific literature on the genome–environment interaction confirms this. Nevertheless, the scientific community still tends to consider the environment as a mere external factor which simply modulates the organism’s program. On the contrary, the environment has a key role in development. For example, when a seed germinates after heavy rain, it does not simply react to an external signal indicating favorable conditions for germination. Rather, it interacts directly with rainwater, which becomes a developmental factor no less important than the seed coat proteins. Similar to what happens during the development of an organism, the interface between any complex system and its environment determines its structural and functional fate. We argue that large cities have blurred the interface with their natural environment and depend on delocalized global sources. They are like organisms kept alive by external devices. Hence, we propose to regenerate a vital interface between cities and their rural and natural environment as the main and promising path towards future urban civilization. Full article

Introduction: Intermittent claudication, an early symptom of peripheral artery disease, can be treated by cilostazol to alleviate symptoms and improve walking distance. Our previous investigation focused on cilostazol-induced alterations in the thermodynamic properties of plasma, utilizing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as a potential monitoring tool. The current proof-of-concept study aimed to enhance the interpretation of DSC data through deconvolution techniques, specifically examining protein transitions within the plasma proteome during cilostazol therapy. Results: Notable differences in thermal unfolding profiles were found between cilostazol-treated patients and healthy controls. The fibrinogen-associated transition exhibited a downward shift in denaturation temperature and decreased enthalpy by the third month. The albumin-related transition shifted to higher temperatures, accompanied by lower enthalpy. Transitions associated with globulins showed changes in thermal stability, while the transferrin-related peak demonstrated increased structural rigidity in treated patients compared to controls. Discussion: These observations suggest that cilostazol induces systemic changes in the thermodynamic behavior of plasma proteins. DSC, when combined with deconvolution methods, presents a promising approach for detecting subtle, therapy-related alterations in plasma protein stability. Materials and methods: Ten patients (median age: 58.6 years) received 100 milligrams of cilostazol twice daily. Blood samples were collected at the baseline and after 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months of therapy. Walking distances were also assessed. The DSC curves were retrieved from the thermal analysis investigated by deconvolution mathematical methods. Conclusions: Although the exact functional consequences remain unclear, the observed biophysical changes may reflect broader molecular adaptations involving protein–protein interactions, post-translational modifications, or acute phase response elements. Full article

Tourism gentrification and lifestyle migration are reshaping both urban and rural destinations, yet no studies have examined how these trends might support regenerative tourism. This paper addresses a clear gap in the literature by being the first, to the authors’ knowledge, to explore their combined potential to contribute to regenerative outcomes. The research questions were structured using the PICOTS framework, and the review process followed the PRISMA 2020 protocol for transparency. A two-stage review design was used. First, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using Web of Science and Scopus data, applying co-occurrence mapping to identify thematic clusters. Second, an integrative literature review was performed to synthesise these findings and interpret them across spatial levels. Findings show that, while both gentrification and lifestyle migration can produce displacement and inequality, they also offer opportunities for regeneration when guided by inclusive governance, local participation, and value-based migration. The proposed multi-level framework explains how mobility-related transformations unfold at the individual, community, and policy levels. This study contributes to the field by introducing a multi-level framework that links fragmented debates, clarifies the conditions for regenerative transformation, and provides a structured approach for analysing tourism-driven socio-spatial change. Full article