This study evaluated how a magnesium-associated persimmon polysaccharide preparation (PP-Mg) affected kudzu starch (KS) gels. Persimmon polysaccharide (PP) and MgCl2 were combined at mass ratios of 4:1, 4:2, and 4:3. PP-Mg 4:2 had the highest geometric mean apparent viscosity across the shear-rate sweep and the highest viscoelastic moduli within the common strain interval. It also ranked first in a four-criterion comparison. This preparation was then added at 0.8% or 2.0% (w/v) to dispersions containing 15%, 20%, or 25% (w/v) KS before gelatinization. The six gels were compared using utensil tests, texture profile analysis, rheology, water mobility, and deformation stability. The 2.0% PP-Mg/20% KS gel ranked first in the combined evaluation (Ci = 0.927). It showed good cohesion during handling, moderate hardness, predominantly elastic behavior, and restricted water mobility. Its mean observational texture score was 93.5/100 across six assessors. This score was developed for this study and is not an official score of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI). The same gel ranked first when the observational texture score was excluded. These results identify 2.0% PP-Mg/20% KS as the preferred formulation among the gels tested under the stated preparation conditions.

The unusual formation of Hg(III)-coordinated polymer at room temperature offers a unique electro-optical platform to explore the rare high-valent electronic properties of mercury, surpassing conventional redox boundaries. In this work, Hg(III) reduction is restricted through its encapsulation within the donor pockets of supramolecular hybrid semisynthetic polymer system composed of chitosan, collagen, synthetic 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AAMPS), and in-situ generated 2-methyl-2-(3-(N-(2-methyl-1-sulfopropan-2-yl)acrylamido)propanamido)propane-1-sulfonic acid (MMSPAPPSA). The -C(=O)N<, -C(=O)NH-, -C(=N)OH, -C(O) = N+<, -NH2, -CH2OH, >CHOH, -CH2SH, and -SO3H functionalities of the constituent matrices form donor pockets to coordinate and stabilize Hg(III). Therefore, semisynthetic opto-electroactive polymers (SOEPs) are synthesized through grafting of chitosan in the matrix of AAMPS and MMSPAPPSA. In SOEPs, chitosan manifests dual emission and higher conductivity compared to that of poly(AAMPS-co-MMSPAPPSA). However, to further increase the fluorescence intensity, open circuit potential, and conductivity, SOEP2 (optimized composition) is modified with different amounts of collagen to fabricate hybrid opto-electroactive polymers (HOEPs). The opto-electrochemically optimized HOEP2 shows high selectivity toward Hg(II). In the cyclic voltammetry, Hg(II) → Hg(III) oxidation by HOEP-modified Pt electrode is confirmed from the anodic signal at 0.27 V (Hg(II)/Hg(III)), supported by the spectroscopic analyses of Hg(II/ III)-HOEP2 prepared from electrolyzed product and HOEP2 at the room temperature. Indeed, chitosan-collagen-synthetic polymer system promotes Hg(II) oxidation through electron-rich functionalities and stabilizes Hg(III) through their robust coordination microenvironments, collectively generating Hg(III) within the semisynthetic polymer framework. Additionally, HOEP2 is employed for fluorometric, voltammetric, and impedimetric sensing of Hg(II) in distilled, tap, and pond water with high selectivity, reversibility, reproducibility, and low limits of detection.

Liquid nitrogen ball-milled mechanochemistry (BM), with favorable clean-label characteristics, is a novel method used industrially for starch processing. In this study, corn starch (CS) was subjected to BM for 20 min, followed by dry heating (DH) treatment at 130 °C for 2-4 h. Microstructural observations revealed that DH-treated starches maintained an integrated granular structure with slight aggregation. BM-treated starch displayed a collapsed granular structure, while starches subjected to combined BM and DH modifications exhibited a morphology similar to that of BM-treated starch. The modifications altered the starch molecular structure, as demonstrated by the observed changes in amylose content (increasing from 26.14% to 27.72%-30.45%), molecular weight (decreasing from 69,385.75 kDa to 57,000.91-68,642.37 kDa), and the average degree of polymerization (DP) of amylopectin (decreasing from 21.63 to 20.72-21.61). The results of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy revealed damaged crystalline structure and reduced short-range ordered structure in modified starches, as evidenced by the reduction in relative crystallinity (RC) from 28.76% to 12.68%-26.94%, the decline in the R1047/1022 from 0.943 to 0.741-0.902, and the increase in FWHM480 from 23.30 to 24.65-27.51. The modifications also facilitated the starch gelatinization and thermal degradation, while significantly altering the swelling power, solubility, and in vitro digestibility of starches. These findings demonstrated the potential of combined BM and DH modifications as an innovative approach for modulating the multiscale structure and physicochemical properties of starch, broadening its functional utility in food-related applications.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based materials with pH-responsive colorimetric properties have attracted increasing attention for sustainable and intelligent packaging applications. Although numerous studies have reported PVA-based pH-responsive packaging films with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, further optimization is still required in achieving a balanced integration of multiple functionalities, including antioxidant performance, antimicrobial efficiency, and long-term structural stability. Thus, a new kind of multifunctional PVA based composite film was fabricated via direct solvent casting combined with ultrasonication by mixing PVA with TEMPO-oxidized nanocellulose (TOCNF), quaternary ammonium chitosan (QCS), and apple polyphenol (APP). The effects of APP and QCS incorporation on the structural, mechanical, barrier, biological, and intelligent-responsive properties of the films were systematically investigated. The optimized PT-1.5(QA) film exhibited a balanced mechanical performance, with a tensile strength of approximately 8.1 MPa and an elongation at break of approximately 243%, attributed to the formation of intermolecularly associated polymer networks. Meanwhile, APP incorporation significantly enhanced the antioxidant and UV-shielding properties, achieving approximately 92.8% DPPH and 96.5% ABTS radical scavenging activities. Furthermore, the composite film exhibited enhanced barrier properties, strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and distinct pH-responsive color changes over a broad pH range (1-12). Cytotoxicity evaluation confirmed good in vitro biocompatibility. Importantly, the composite film effectively delayed postharvest senescence and quality deterioration of litchi fruit, while maintaining favorable biodegradability. These findings highlight the potential of TOCNF/QCS/APP/PVA films as sustainable active and intelligent packaging materials for food preservation.

Shell pigmentation is a critical economic trait that influences the commercial value of aquacultural oyster, with coloration primarily governed by melanin deposition. In melanin biosynthesis, the cAMP-CREB-MITF signaling axis serves as the core regulatory pathway, wherein the CREB-regulated transcription coactivator (CRTC) functions as an important coactivator for CREB. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized the CRTC homologous gene CgCRTC from the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). The CgCRTC gene encodes a 669-amino-acid protein with three conserved functional domains: an N-terminal CREB-binding domain (CBD), a central regulatory domain (REG), and a C-terminal trans-activating domain (TAD). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed its close evolutionary grouping with other molluscan orthologs. While CgCRTC transcripts were ubiquitously detected across all examined tissues, expression levels peaked in the gill and smooth adductor muscle. Subcellular localization revealed that the CgCRTC protein is predominantly cytoplasmic. RNAi-mediated silencing of CgCRTC led to a significant transcriptional downregulation of key melanogenic genes CgMITF, CgTYR and CgOCA2 in oysters. Furthermore, dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that CgCRTC activates the promoters of CgMITF, CgTYR and CgOCA2, and overexpression of CgCRTC in mouse B16F10 melanoma cells leads to an increase in melanin deposition. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that CgCRTC acts as a positive regulator of melanogenesis by transcriptionally upregulating the expression of CgMITF, CgTYR and CgOCA2.

Drought stress severely restricts plant growth and development. Although AP2/ERF family transcription factors (TFs) participate extensively in abiotic stress responses, they remain largely unexplored in Fraxinus mandshurica. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized FmRAV4, a TF from the RAV subfamily. FmRAV4 is localized in the nucleus, lacks transcriptional activation activity, and is significantly upregulated in leaves under drought stress. Functional analyses using transient overexpression, gene silencing in F. mandshurica, and stable transformation in Arabidopsis thaliana demonstrated that FmRAV4 enhances drought tolerance by increasing SOD and POD activities, scavenging excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), and alleviating membrane lipid peroxidation. Mechanistically, yeast one-hybrid, EMSA, and ChIP-qPCR assays revealed that FmRAV4 directly binds to conserved CAACA motifs in the promoters of FmSOD2, FmPOD1, FmPOD2, and FmPOD4 to activate their transcription. Importantly, yeast two-hybrid, luciferase complementation imaging, and pull-down assays confirmed that FmRAV4 physically interacts with FmMYB1 both in vivo and in vitro, and that FmMYB1 upregulation improves drought tolerance in F. mandshurica. Co-overexpression of these two genes synergistically activates antioxidant genes in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby enhancing ROS scavenging and conferring stronger drought tolerance than single-gene overexpression. Collectively, these findings reveal that the FmRAV4-FmMYB1 interaction forms a synergistic regulatory module mediating drought tolerance, providing valuable genetic resources for the molecular breeding of drought-tolerant woody plants.

Astragalus polysaccharides (APS), derived mainly from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge and Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Bunge) P. K. Hsiao, have attracted considerable attention as plant-derived immunomodulatory macromolecules. Accumulating evidence suggests that APS-mediated immunomodulation is context-dependent rather than unidirectional. Raw-material characteristics, processing methods, extraction procedures, fractionation, and purification can generate APS fractions with different structural characteristics, including molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkages, branching patterns, chain conformation, solubility, and aggregation behavior. This review summarizes recent progress in APS structural characterization, structure-activity relationships, immunomodulatory effects, mechanisms of action, and immune-related applications. Under immunosuppressive conditions, APS may help restore impaired immune defenses, whereas during immune hyperactivation, APS may suppress excessive inflammatory responses and support immune homeostasis. Mechanistically, APS may modulate innate and adaptive immune responses, gut microbial composition and metabolite production, mucosal barrier function, and gut-organ communication. Toll-like receptor 4-associated nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways are among the most frequently reported mechanisms, whereas nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling, regulation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome, interleukin-22/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling, and microbiota-mediated pathways may contribute in specific settings. In addition, APS-based interventions have been investigated for supportive clinical care, vaccine adjuvants, veterinary use, functional foods, immune-support products, and pharmaceutical or topical formulations. By linking structural variation to immune effects, mechanistic pathways, and application contexts, this review provides a basis for the structural standardization of APS, quality control, activity optimization, and immune-related product development.

Coated controlled-release fertilizers can synchronize nutrient supply with crop demand, yet single-layer systems are often limited by poor structural integrity and restricted functionality. Here, salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were immobilized on biochar and embedded in a dually crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)/sodium alginate hydrogel (PSBP). A dual-layer controlled-release urea fertilizer (PSBPEU-CRF) was fabricated using an ethyl cellulose inner diffusion barrier and a PSBP outer hydrogel coating. PSBPEU-CRF enabled sustained viable-cell release and improved bacterial immobilization stability. PSBP hydrogel reached an equilibrium swelling ratio of 424%, improved soil water retention and showed 70.65% mass loss after 28 d. At 2% (w/w), soil water retention remained 20.96% on day 10, compared with 2.35% in unamended soil. PSBPEU-CRF markedly retarded urea release in water and soil; the release profiles fitted the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, indicating anomalous transport governed by diffusion and polymer-network swelling/relaxation. In saline-alkali pakchoi pots, PSBPEU-CRF increased chlorophyll accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activities while reducing lipid peroxidation and the Na[+]/K[+] ratio. Overall, the integration of controlled nutrient release, soil water retention, and rhizosphere functional regulation provided by the PSBP hydrogel layer offers a promising approach for developing multifunctional fertilizers for salt-affected soils. Nevertheless, its long-term field performance, manufacturing scalability, and economic feasibility require further evaluation.

Neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by cavernous nerve injury remains difficult to treat because conventional therapies improve erectile responses without repairing the underlying neurovascular damage. Here, a photocrosslinkable hydrogel composed of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HAMA) was developed for localized and sustained delivery of nerve growth factor-β (NGF-β). The GelMA/HAMA precursor exhibited shear-thinning behavior and underwent rapid ultraviolet-induced gelation, while the resulting hydrogel showed gradual degradation and sustained NGF-β release. After ultraviolet exposure, 88.37-99.77% of NGF-β remained detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay across the tested assay concentrations, and release samples collected through day 7 retained neurite-promoting activity in PC-12 cells. In mouse Schwann cells, the NGF-β-loaded hydrogel enhanced proliferation and activated AKT- and ERK-associated signaling. In rats with bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury, local treatment increased the maximal intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure ratio, improved cavernous tissue architecture, enhanced neurovascular and myelin-associated markers, and improved reproductive outcomes. The most pronounced functional recovery was observed after in situ photocrosslinking of the NGF-β-loaded hydrogel. These findings establish a localized neuroregenerative platform that couples light-triggered hydrogel formation with sustained NGF-β delivery for cavernous nerve injury-induced ED.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a clinically formidable subtype, while resistant to conventional apoptotic cell death pathways, it exhibits a unique and exploitable vulnerability to ferroptosis. Here, we identify the FK506-binding protein-like (FKBPL) as a novel scaffold that dictates ferroptosis sensitivity and promotes TNBC progression. Bioinformatic and clinical analyses revealed that FKBPL was significantly overexpressed in TNBC and correlated with inferior patient prognosis. Functional characterization demonstrated that FKBPL knockdown markedly impaired TNBC cell proliferation and migration in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, FKBPL modulated the kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (KEAP1)-associated ubiquitination and increased nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (NRF2) protein abundance, reinforcing cellular antioxidant defenses and reducing ferroptosis sensitivity. Notably, the clinically approved agent rapamycin was found to directly bind to FKBPL, inducing its proteasomal degradation and significantly sensitizing TNBC cells to ferroptosis. Given the emerging links between ferroptosis and immunogenicity, single-cell transcriptomic analysis further illustrated that FKBPL[+] malignant cells are predicted to interact with neighboring immune compartments, suggesting a potential association with microenvironmental remodeling within the TNBC microenvironment. Collectively, this study identifies FKBPL as a pivotal regulatory node connecting protein homeostasis with ferroptosis and provides a mechanistic rationale for repurposing rapamycin to therapeutically target the inherent ferroptotic vulnerability of TNBC.

Developing sustainable, high-performance cosmetic formulations requires a paradigm shift toward multifunctional ingredients that combine efficacy with environmental responsibility. In this work, sustainable cream formulations were rationally designed through the synergistic integration of lignin and quercetin, employing a controlled solvent-exchange precipitation approach optimized via ζ-potential analysis and systematic selection of technical lignins. The resulting lignin-quercetin hybrid system were incorporated into topical formulations and evaluated for their photoprotective, antioxidant and antimicrobial performance. The developed systems exhibited outstanding broad-spectrum ultraviolet (UV) shielding, achieving transmittance profiles comparable to commercial Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 formulations, while also promoting safer energy dissipation pathways. In addition, a pronounced synergistic antioxidant effect was observed, preserving the high radical-scavenging activity achieved with 7 wt% free quercetin using only 1.4 wt% quercetin incorporated into the lignin-quercetin hybrid (80% reduction in quercetin content). Furthermore, some formulations showed antimicrobial activity against representative human pathogenic microorganisms with distinct cell wall features and exhibited a cellular viability above 70% in concentrations up to 100 μg·mL[-1] . Overall, these findings establish a robust platform for the development of lignin-based hybrid systems, positioning them as promising candidates for next-generation sustainable cosmetic applications.