Evaluation of Quality Properties of Brown Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.) Tubers from Six Major Growing Regions of China: A New Source of Vegetable Oil and Starch.

Tigernut has been recognized as a promising resource for edible oil and starch. However, the research on the quality characteristics of tigernut from different regions is lagging behind, which limits the application of tigernut in food industry. Tigernut tubers were obtained from six major growing regions in China, and the physicochemical properties of their main components, oil and starch, were characterized. Tigernut tubers from Baoshan contained the most oil (30.12%), which contained the most ß-carotene (130.4 µg/100 g oil) due to high average annual temperature. Gas chromatography analysis and fingerprint analysis results indicated that tigernut oil (TNO) consists of seven fatty acids, of which oleic acid is the major component. Changchun TNO contained the least total tocopherols (6.04 mg/100 g oil) due to low average annual temperature. Tigernut tubers from Chifeng (CF) contained the most starch (34.85%) due to the large diurnal temperature range. Xingtai starch contained the most amylose (28.4%). Shijiazhuang starch showed the highest crystallinity (19.5%). Anyang starch had the highest pasting temperature (76.0°C). CF starch demonstrated superior freeze-thaw stability (syneresis: 50%) due to low mean annual precipitation. The results could be further applied to support tigernut industries and relevant researchers that looks for geographical origin discrimination and improvements on tigernut quality, with unique physicochemical and technological properties.

Impact of high temperature on microstructural changes and oil absorption of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.) starch: Investigations in the starch-oil model system.

This study was to explore the internal reasons for the changes in oil absorption performance of tigernut starch (TS) by revealing the high-temperature induced variations of structural and functional properties of TS. The results showed that as the temperature increased from 80 °C to 140 °C, the degree of starch gelatinization increased, while the proportion of double helix structures, the total proportion of B1 and B2 chains, the relative crystallinity and the molecular weight decreased, accompanied by the fragmentation and swelling of TS granules. The oxidation of tigernut oil (TNO) led to a decrease in oil density and an increase in total polar component content. These phenomena could result in an increase of oil absorption capacity of TS and starch-lipid complex index. With further increase in temperature from 170 °C to 200 °C, the disruption of the crystalline structure and chain structure increased, resulting in the melting and disintegration of TS granules. This caused a decrease in the starch-oil contact area and capillary absorption of TNO by the TS granules. The results will contribute to revealing the effect of high-temperature induced changes in the structural and functional properties of TS on its oil absorption properties.

Nickel-catalyzed regio- and enantio-selective Markovnikov hydromonofluoroalkylation of 1,3-dienes.

A highly enantio- and regio-selective Markovnikov hydromonofluoro(methyl)alkylation of 1,3-dienes was developed using redox-neutral nickel catalysis. It provided a facile strategy to construct diverse monofluoromethyl- or monofluoroalkyl-containing chiral allylic molecules. Notably, this represents the first catalytic asymmetric Markovnikov hydrofluoroalkylation of olefins. The practicability of this methodology is further highlighted by its broad substrate scope, mild base-free conditions, excellent enantio- and regio-selectivity, and diversified product elaborations to access useful fluorinated building blocks.

Colon Sparing Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection for Advanced Colorectal Lesions: Is It Time for Global Adoption?

The majority of colon lesions are <10 mm in size and are easily resected by endoscopists with appropriate basic training. Lesions ≥10 mm in size are difficult to remove technically and are associated with higher rates of incomplete resection. Currently, the main endoscopic approaches include endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for lesions without submucosal invasion, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for relatively larger lesions involving the superficial submucosal layer. Both of these approaches have limitations, EMR cannot reliably ensure complete resection for larger tumors and recurrence is a key limitation. ESD reliably provides complete resection and an accurate pathological diagnosis but is associated with risk such as perforation or bleeding. In addition, both EMR and ESD may be ineffective in treating subepithelial lesions that extend beyond the submucosa. Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is an emerging innovative endoscopic therapy which was developed to overcome the limitations of EMR and ESD. Advantages include enabling a transmural resection, complete resection of complex colorectal lesions involving the mucosa to the muscularis propria. Recent studies comparing EFTR with current resection techniques and radical surgery for relatively complicated and larger lesion have provided promising results. If the current trajectory of research and development is maintained, EFTR will likely to become a strong contender as an alternative standard of care for advanced colonic lesions. In the current study we aimed to address this need, and highlighted the areas of future research, while stressing the need for multinational collaboration provide the steppingstone(s) needed to bring EFTR to the mainstream.

Calycosin attenuates severe acute pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury by curtailing high mobility group box 1 - induced inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common and life-threatening complication of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). There are currently limited effective treatment options for SAP and associated ALI. Calycosin (Cal), a bioactive constituent extracted from the medicinal herb Radix Astragali exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties, but its effect on SAP and associated ALI has yet to be determined. AIM: To identify the roles of Cal in SAP-ALI and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: SAP was induced via two intraperitoneal injections of L-arg (4 g/kg) and Cal (25 or 50 mg/kg) were injected 1 h prior to the first L-arg challenge. Mice were sacrificed 72 h after the induction of SAP and associated ALI was examined histologically and biochemically. An in vitro model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI was established using A549 cells. Immunofluorescence analysis and western blot were evaluated in cells. Molecular docking analyses were conducted to examine the interaction of Cal with HMGB1. RESULTS: Cal treatment substantially reduced the serum amylase levels and alleviated histopathological injury associated with SAP and ALI. Neutrophil infiltration and lung tissue levels of neutrophil mediator myeloperoxidase were reduced in line with protective effects of Cal against ALI in SAP. Cal treatment also attenuated the serum levels and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, IL-1ß, HMGB1 and chemokine (CXC motif) ligand 1 in lung tissue. Immunofluorescence and western blot analyses showed that Cal treatment markedly suppressed the expression of HMGB1 and phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in lung tissues and an in vitro model of LPS-induced ALI in A549 cells suggesting a role for HGMB1 in the pathogenesis of ALI. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis provided evidence for the direct interaction of Cal with HGMB1. CONCLUSION: Cal protects mice against L-arg-induced SAP and associated ALI by attenuating local and systemic neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory response via inhibition of HGMB1 and the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Serum soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 as a novel inflammatory marker predicts the severity of acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease in which the regulatory pathway is complex and not well understood. Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) protein receptor functions as a decoy receptor for interleukin (IL)-33 to prevent IL-33/suppression of tumorigenicity 2L (ST2L)-pathway-mediated T helper (Th)2 immune responses. AIM: To investigate the role of sST2 in AP. METHODS: We assessed the association between sST2 and severity of AP in 123 patients enrolled in this study. The serum levels of sST2, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Th1- and Th2-related cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, were measured by highly sensitive ELISA, and the severity of AP in patients was evaluated by the 2012 Atlanta Classification Criteria. RESULTS: Serum sST2 levels were significantly increased in AP patients, and further, these levels were significantly elevated in severe AP (SAP) patients compared to moderately severe AP (MSAP) and mild AP (MAP) patients. Logistic regression showed sST2 was a predictor of SAP [odds ratio (OR): 1.003 (1.001-1.006), P = 0.000]. sST2 cutoff point was 1190 pg/mL, and sST2 above this cutoff was associated with SAP. sST2 was also a predictor of any organ failure and mortality during AP [OR: 1.006 (1.003-1.009), P = 0.000, OR: 1.002 (1.001-1.004), P = 0.012, respectively]. Additionally, the Th1-related cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α in the SAP group were higher and the Th2-related cytokine IL-4 in the SAP group was significantly lower than those in MSAP and MAP groups. CONCLUSION: sST2 may be used as a novel inflammatory marker in predicting AP severity and may regulate the function and differentiation of IL-33/ST2-mediated Th1 and Th2 Lymphocytes in AP homeostasis.

Discovery and Synthesis of a Pyrimidine-Based Aurora Kinase Inhibitor to Reduce Levels of MYC Oncoproteins.

The A-type Aurora kinase is upregulated in many human cancers, and it stabilizes MYC-family oncoproteins, which have long been considered an undruggable target. Here, we describe the design and synthesis of a series of pyrimidine-based derivatives able to inhibit Aurora A kinase activity and reduce levels of cMYC and MYCN. Through structure-based drug design of a small molecule that induces the DFG-out conformation of Aurora A kinase, lead compound 13 was identified, which potently (IC50 < 200 nM) inhibited the proliferation of high-MYC expressing small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines. Pharmacokinetic optimization of 13 by prodrug strategies resulted in orally bioavailable 25, which demonstrated an 8-fold higher oral AUC (F = 62.3%). Pharmacodynamic studies of 25 showed it to effectively reduce cMYC protein levels, leading to >80% tumor regression of NCI-H446 SCLC xenograft tumors in mice. These results support the potential of 25 for the treatment of MYC-amplified cancers including SCLC.

[Characterization of reaction kinetics between ligand and receptor on the solid and liquid interface based on optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy].

The present paper describes the use of optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS) for study of the binding interaction of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VGEF) with VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). VEGF were immobilized in the surface of an 3-amino 3-propyltriethoxy silane (APTES) modified sensor chip. The solutions with different concentration of VEGFR2 were injected to the system to investigate the kinetic character with OWLS on the solid and liquid interface. The receptor binding and dissociation on the interface, quantified by association and dissociation rate coefficients ka and kd, were determined by the OWLS experiments. The k(a) and k(d) is 6.86 x 10(5) L x mol(-1) x s(-1) and 1.15 x 10(-3) s(-1), respectively. The results show that OWLS method could meet the requirement of kinetic determination of ligand--receptor interaction in applications for related fundamental research and pharmaceutical development.