Free-Range Feeding Alters Fatty Acid Composition at the sn-2 Position of Triglycerides and Subcutaneous Fat Physicochemical Properties in Heavy Pigs

The nutritional value of fat consumption depends on both the fatty acid composition and the positional distribution of fatty acids within the triglyceride molecule. This research studies the effect of feeding with three different diets (4% lard-enriched; 11.5% high-oleic sunflower-enriched; and extensive feeding mainly with acorns) on the composition of fatty acids in the sn-2 position (and sn-1,3) of triglycerides and the textural properties of subcutaneous fat in heavy Iberian pigs (n = 210 castrated males). A moderate dietary enrichment with oleic acid in mixed diets did not alter the regulation of the sn-2 position of triglyceride (69.9% and 13.9% of palmitic and oleic acids, respectively), but the extremely high intake of oleic acid in pigs fed mainly on acorns changed the proportions of palmitic and oleic acids at the sn-2 position in the subcutaneous fat of pigs (55.0% and 27.2%, respectively). Hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness showed the least values in EXT pigs, and the greatest values in LARD-fed barrows. SUN cohesiveness and gumminess did not differ from those fed LARD. In addition, Iberian pigs raised in free-range conditions had a more favorable nutritional lipid profile for human health compared to pigs fed conventional diets.

XSTREME: Comprehensive motif analysis of biological sequence datasets

XSTREME is a web-based tool for performing comprehensive motif discovery and analysis in DNA, RNA or protein sequences, as well as in sequences in user-defined alphabets. It is designed for both very large and very small datasets. XSTREME is similar to the MEME-ChIP tool, but expands upon its capabilities in several ways. Like MEME-ChIP, XSTREME performs two types of de novo motif discovery, and also performs motif enrichment analysis of the input sequences using databases of known motifs. Unlike MEME-ChIP, which ranks motifs based on their enrichment in the centers of the input sequences, XSTREME uses enrichment anywhere in the sequences for this purpose. Consequently, XSTREME is more appropriate for motif-based analysis of sequences regardless of how the motifs are distributed within the sequences. XSTREME uses the MEME and STREME algorithms for motif discovery, and the recently developed SEA algorithm for motif enrichment analysis. The interactive HTML output produced by XSTREME includes highly accurate motif significance estimates, plots of the positional distribution of each motif, and histograms of the number of motif matches in each sequences. XSTREME is easy to use via its web server at https://meme-suite.org, and is fully integrated with the widely-used MEME Suite of sequence analysis tools, which can be freely downloaded at the same web site for non-commercial use.

Decomposability and Relative Invariance: the Structural Approach to Network Complexity and Resilience

Economic complexity highlights the relationship between interdependence (a positional characteristic of elements belonging to a given network or structure) and connectivity (a functional characteristic of elements belonging to a given field of interaction). Positional interdependence (as the one between pieces in a jigsaw puzzle) is central to studies investigating the architecture of a complex system (Simon) while connectivity is central to the analysis of responsiveness patterns in social networks and strategic action fields. This paper discusses the fundamentals of a structural approach to economic and spatial complexity by highlighting the hierarchical arrangement of network elements as a distinctive feature of system identity. The positional distribution of network elements is a fundamental characteristic of complex networks and a central condition constraining the dynamics of those networks through the principle of relative structural invariance. The paper investigates the role of this principle by connecting it with the aggregation criterion followed in assigning network elements to specific subsystems. The type of aggregation is essential in determining the resilience properties of the network with respect to specific dynamic impulses. The paper concludes highlighting the need to combine the investigation of positional interdependence with the analysis of connectivity since positional interdependence is fundamental in determining which patterns of connection are more likely to arise (and which ones are excluded), due to the role of alternative properties of relative invariance constraining the feasible transformations in the positions of network elements.

A discovery about the positional distribution pattern among candidate homologous pixels and its potential application in aerial multi-view image matching

In aerial multi-view photogrammetry, whether there is a special positional distribution pattern among candidate homologous pixels of a matching pixel in the multi-view images? If so, can this positional pattern be used to precisely confirm the real homologous pixels? These problems have not been studied at present. Therefore, the study of the positional distribution pattern among candidate homologous pixels based on the adjustment theory in surveying is investigated in this paper. Firstly, the definition and computing method of pixel’s pseudo object-space coordinates are given, which can transform the problem of multi-view matching for confirming real homologous pixels into the problem of surveying adjustment for computing the pseudo object-space coordinates of the matching pixel. Secondly, according to the surveying adjustment theory, the standardized residual of each candidate homologous pixel of the matching pixel is figured out, and the positional distribution pattern among these candidate pixels is theoretically inferred utilizing the quantitative index of standardized residual. Lastly, actual aerial images acquired by different sensors are used to carry out experimental verification of the theoretical inference. Experimental results prove not only that there is a specific positional distribution pattern among candidate homologous pixels, but also that this positional distribution pattern can be used to develop a new object-side multi-view image matching method. The proposed study has an important reference value on resolving the defects of existing image-side multi-view matching methods at the mechanism level.

Comparison of Thermal Characteristics and Fatty Acids Composition in Raw and Roasted Cocoa Beans from Peru (Criollo) and Ecuador (Forastero)

The aim of this research was to complete the characteristics of cocoa beans and cocoa butter extracted from two different Theobroma cacao species: Criollo originated from Peru and Forastero originated from Ecuador, both in the version of raw (unroasted) and roasted beans. Before extraction, the cocoa beans were characterized by proximate analysis. The determination of fatty acids composition was carried out by gas chromatography (GC). The positional distribution of fatty acids in the sn-2 positions of triacylglycerols (TAGs) was also determined. The thermogravimetric analyses (TGA/DTG) were performed under the nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere of roasted and unroasted cocoa beans. The kinetic information was helpful to assess the oxidative stability of cocoa butter. The cocoa butter extracted from unroasted Forastero from Ecuador had the highest values of oxidation activation energy Ea. The melting characteristics of cocoa butter extracted from roasted Criollo species were very similar to their unroasted versions. The same trend was not observed for Forastero species. TGA and DTG were revealed to be useful tools for the analysis of whole cocoa beans and the fats extracted from these cocoa beans.

Total and Sn-2 Fatty Acid Profile in Human Colostrum and Mature Breast Milk of Women Living in Inland and Coastal Areas of China

Introduction: Although lipid is the major energy source and exerts beneficial effects on infant growth, research on the composition of fatty acid (FA) at the sn-2 position of human milk (HM) in China and abroad is limited. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the FA positional distribution in colostrum and mature HM of women living in the inland and coastal areas of China and explore the potential influences of geographical region and lactation stage on the FA profile of Chinese women. Methods: Colostrum milk (n = 61) and mature milk (n = 56) samples were obtained longitudinally from healthy lactating women in Guangzhou and Chengdu, China. Gas chromatography was used to determine the total and sn-2 FA composition. Results: Significant differences were observed in the FA profile of HM between different regions and lactation stages, with differences in polyunsaturated FA levels being the most pronounced. Nearly 70% of sn-2 FAs were saturated FAs, of which C16:0 accounted for approximately 75%. C8:0, C10:0, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0, and all of the unsaturated FAs were mainly located at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions, while C14:0, C15:0, and C16:0 were mainly at the sn-2 position. The proportion of C12:0 and C17:0 at sn-2 was approximately equivalent to that at the sn-1, 3 positions. Conclusions: The results indicate the variability in the FA profile of HM between regions and lactation stages. The contents of polyunsaturated FAs and sn-2 FAs, especially palmitic acid, should be paid more attention when optimizing infant formula.

Positional and Compositional Analysis of Saturated, Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fatty acids in Human Adipose Tissue Triglyceride by 13C NMR

Objectives and new findings, ends with short conclusion, no referencesThe synthesis and turnover of triglyceride in adipose tissue involves enzymes with preferences for specific fatty acid classes and/or regioselectivity with regard to the fatty acid position within the glycerol moiety. The focus of the present study was to characterize both the fatty acid composition and their positional distribution in triglycerides of biopsied human subcutaneous adipose tissue using 13C NMR spectroscopy. The triglyceride sn2 position was significantly more enriched with monounsaturated fatty acids compared to the sn1,3 sites, while saturated fatty acids abundance was significantly lower in the sn2 position compared to that of sn1,3. Furthermore, the analysis revealed significant positive correlations between the total fraction of palmitoleic acid with both BMI and HOMA-IR scores. Additionally, we established that 13C NMR chemical shifts for ω −3 signals, centered at 31.9 ppm, provided superior resolution of the most abundant FA species, including palmitoleate, compared to the ω −2 signals that were used previously. 13C NMR spectroscopy reveals for the first time a highly non-homogenous distribution of FA in the glycerol sites of human adipose tissue triglyceride and that these distributions are correlated with different phenotypes such as BMI and insulin resistance.