Modulation of fried spring roll wrapper quality upon treatment of batter with maltogenic amylase, transglutaminase and bromelain.

BACKGROUND: Fried foods are favored for their unique crispiness, golden color and flavor, but they also face great challenge because of their high oil content, high calories and the existence of compounds such as acrylamide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Long-term consumption of fried foods may adversely affect health. Therefore, it is necessary to explore fried foods with lower oil contents and a high quality to meet the demand. RESULTS: A method of enzyme treatment was explored to investigate the effects of maltogenic amylase (MA), transglutaminase (TG) and bromelain (BRO) on the physicochemical properties of the batter and the quality of fried spring roll wrapper (FSRW). The results showed that the MA-, TG- or BRO-treated batters had a significant shear-thinning behavior, especially with an increase in viscosity upon increasing TG contents. FSRW enhanced its fracturability from 419.19 g (Control) to 616.50 g (MA-6 U g-1), 623.49 g (TG-0.75 U g-1) and 644.96 g (BRO-10 U g-1). Meanwhile, in comparison with BRO and MA, TG-0.5 U g-1 endowed batter with the highest density and thermal stability. MA-15 U g-1 and TG-0.5 U g-1 displayed FSRW with uniform and dense pores, and significantly reduced its oil content by 18.05% and 25.02%, respectively. Moreover, compared to MA and TG, BRO-50 U g-1 improved the flavor of FSRW. CONCLUSION: MA, TG or BRO played a key role in affecting the physicochemical properties of the batter and the quality of FSRW. TG-0.5 U g-1 remarkly reduced the oil content of FSRW with a great potential in practical application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Thladiantha nudiflora Hemsl. ex F.B.Forbes & Hemsl. 1887 (Cucurbitaceae).

Thladiantha nudiflora Hemsl. ex F.B.Forbes & Hemsl. 1887 (Cucurbitaceae) has been widely known as a traditional medicine plant. In this study, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the complete chloroplast genome of T. nudiflora. The chloroplast genome of T. nudiflora is 156,824 base pair (bp) in length, containing a large single-copy region of 86,566 bp and a small single-copy region of 18,070 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeats of 26,094 bp. The chloroplast genome contains 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding, 37 transfer RNA, and eight ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis of the chloroplast genome revealed that species of the genus Thladiantha were clustered together in the phylogenetic trees. This study will not only shed light on T. nudiflora's evolutionary position but also provide valuable chloroplast genomic information for future studies into the origins and diversification of the genus Thladiantha and the Cucurbitaceae family.

Multifunctional Covalent Organic Framework-Based Microneedle Patch for Melanoma Treatment.

Melanoma is resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore, it is essential to develop a targeted, low-toxic, and minimally invasive treatment. Here, DTIC/ICG-Fe3O4@TpBD BSP/HA microneedles (MNs) were designed and fabricated, which can enhance targeting to melanoma and perform photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemotherapy simultaneously to synergistically exert anticancer effects. The system consisted of magnetic nanoparticles (DTIC/ICG-Fe3O4@TpBD), dissoluble matrix (Bletilla polysaccharide (BSP)/hyaluronic acid (HA)), and a polyvinyl alcohol backing layer. Due to the good magnetic responsiveness of Fe3O4@TpBD, dacarbazine (DTIC) and indocyanine green (ICG) can be better targeted to the tumor tissue and improve the therapeutic effect. BSP and HA have good biocompatibility and transdermal ability, so that the MNs can completely penetrate the tumor tissue, be dissolved by the interstitial fluid, and release DTIC and ICG. Under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, ICG converts light energy into thermal energy and induces ablation of B16-OVA melanoma cells. In vivo results showed that DTIC/ICG-Fe3O4@TpBD BSP/HA MNs combined with chemotherapy and PTT could effectively inhibit the growth of melanoma without tumor recurrence or significant weight loss in mice. Therefore, DTIC/ICG-Fe3O4@TpBD BSP/HA MNs are expected to provide new ideas and therapeutic approaches for the clinical treatment of melanoma.

Effects of high-pressure processing on the functional properties of pork batters containing Artemisia sphaerocephala krasch gum.

Here, the effect of high-pressure conditions (0.1-400 MPa) on the water-loss, texture, gel strength, color, dynamic rheological property, and water migration of pork batters containing 0.1% (W/W) Artemisia sphaerocephala krasch gum (PB-AG) is studied. Results indicated that the cooking yield, water-holding capacity, texture, gel strength, L* values, and G' values increased with the increase in pressure (0.1-300 MPa) (p < 0.05). Dynamic rheological results (G') revealed that the thermal gelling ability of the PB-AG gel gradually increased with pressure (0.1-300 MPa). The minimum of T22 content was observed and the proportion of immobilized water decreased at 300 MPa by low-filed nuclear magnetic resonance. However, excessive high-pressure processing treatments (400 MPa) resulted in lower gel strength, WHC, texture, and G'. The scanning electron microscopy results shown that a denser network structure with small cavities was observed at 300 MPa. Therefore, moderate pressure treatment (≤300 MPa) may improve gelation properties of PB-AG gel, while excessive pressure treatment (400 MPa) may weaken the gelation properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: High-pressure processing combining Artemisia sphaerocephala krasch gum could enhance the gelation properties of pork batters. To do so, establishing knowledge on gelation properties of pork batters with Artemisia sphaerocephala krasch gum at different pressure levels treatment would be of paramount importance, because this contributes furnishing engineering data pertinent to the technical progress for the processing of emulsion-type meat with high quality.

Efficacy of weekly paclitaxel for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of weekly paclitaxel (WP) for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer (AOC). METHODS: This study will systematically search bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, PSYCINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, CNKI, WANGFANG, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database) and other literature sources from inception to the March 1, 2020 without language and publication time limitations. Two authors will independently complete all literature selection, data collection, and study quality evaluation. Any disagreements will be solved by a third author through discussion. We will analyze data by RevMan V.5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will systematically generate a comprehensive summary on the efficacy and safety of WP for the treatment of AOC. CONCLUSION: This study may provide beneficial evidence of WP for the treatment of AOC. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: INPLASY202040193.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of stromal cell derived factor-1α in focal ischemic cerebral tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Baihui" (GV20) and "Zusanli" (ST36) on the expression of stromal cell derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and CD34 in ischemic cortex tissue of cerebral ische-mia /reperfusion injury (CI/RI) rats, so as to study its mechanisms underlying improving CI/RI. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were equally and randomly divided into sham operation, model and EA groups (n=10 rats in each group). The CI/RI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 120 min, followed by reperfusion. EA (40 Hz, 1-2 mA) was applied to GV20 and left ST36 for 20 min, once daily for successive 14 days. The neurological deficit severity was assessed by using Longa's and colleagues' methods. The histopathological changes of the ischemic tissues were observed after H.E. staining and the expression of SDF-1α and CD34 in the ischemic cortex tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After modeling, the neurological deficit score, and the numbers of SDF-1α and CD34-positive cells in the ischemic cerebral cortex tissue were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05). Following EA intervention, the increased neurological deficit score was reversed at the 3rd, 7th and 14th day, and the increased SDF-1α and CD34-positive cells were significantly further up-regulated in the EA group (P<0.05). H.E. staining showed tissue edema, widening of the intercellular space, cavitation-like changes, neuronal shrinkage, nuclear pyknosis with hyperchroma or even disappearance, and aggregation of inflammatory and neurogliocytes in the model group. These situations were relatively milder in the EA group. CONCLUSION: EA of GV20 and ST36 can improve neurological function of CI/RI rats, which may be associated with its effect in up-regulating the expression of SDF-1α and CD34 proteins in the ischemic cerebral cortex tissues.

BICELLULAR POLLEN 1 is a modulator of DNA replication and pollen development in Arabidopsis.

During male gametogenesis in Arabidopsis, the haploid microspore undergoes an asymmetric division to produce a vegetative and a generative cell, the latter of which continues to divide symmetrically to form two sperms. This simple system couples cell cycle with cell fate specification. Here we addressed the role of DNA replication in male gametogenesis using a mutant bicellular pollen 1 (bice1), which produces bicellular, rather than tricellular, pollen grains as in the wild-type plant at anthesis. The mutation prolonged DNA synthesis of the generative cell, which resulted in c. 40% of pollen grains arrested at the two-nucleate stage. The extended S phase did not impact the cell fate of the generative cell as shown by cell-specific markers. BICE1 encodes a plant homolog of human D123 protein that is required for G1 progression, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here we showed that BICE1 interacts with MCM4 and MCM7 of the pre-replication complex. Consistently, double mutations in BICE1 and MCM4, or MCM7, also led to bicellular pollen and condensed chromosomes. These suggest that BICE1 plays a role in modulating DNA replication via interaction with MCM4 and MCM7.

Preparation of camellia oil-based W/O emulsions stabilized by tea polyphenol palmitate: Structuring camellia oil as a potential solid fat replacer.

Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions with a discontinuous aqueous phase dispersed in a continuous camellia oil phase were prepared by using tea polyphenol palmitate (Tp-palmitate) particle as effective stabilizers and their properties were characterized by droplet size, slip melting point (SMP), stability, microstructure and rheology. The d(4,3) and d(3,2) decreased from 7.96 µm to 4.67 µm and from 5.98 µm to 3.07 µm, respectively, and the SMP rose from 33.73 °C to 38.60 °C when the Tp-palmitate concentration increased from 1.0% to 2.5% (m/v). The storage stability, freeze/thaw stability and thermal stability significantly enhanced and the droplets aggregation progressively increased with the increasing of Tp-palmitate concentration. The liquid camellia oil was transformed into solid-like viscoelastic emulsion gels with a SMP of 38.6 °C when using 2.5% Tp-palmitate as particle stabilizers. This study provides a promising method for production of edible gel-like W/O emulsions using polyphenol-lipid complexes to potentially replace solid fats.

Inhibition on angiotensin-converting enzyme exerts beneficial effects on trabecular bone in orchidectomized mice.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to study the osteo-preservative effects of captopril, an inhibitor on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), on bone mass, micro-architecture and histomorphology as well as the modulation of captopril on skeletal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and regulators for bone metabolism in mice with bilateral orchidectomy. METHODS: The orchidectomized (ORX) mice were orally administered with vehicle or captopril at low dose (10mg/kg) and high dose (50mg/kg) for six weeks. The distal femoral end, the proximal tibial head and the lumbar vertebra (LV) were stained by hematoxylin and eosin, Safranin O/Fast Green and masson-trichrome. Micro-computed tomography was performed to measure bone mineral density (BMD). RESULTS: Treatment with captopril increased trabecular bone area at distal metaphysis of femur, proximal metaphysis of tibia and LV-4, moreover, high dose of captopril significantly elevated trabecular BMD of LV-2 and LV-5. The mRNA expressions of renin receptor, angiotensinogen, carbonic anhydrase II, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly decreased in tibia of ORX mice following treatment with captopril. The administration with captopril enhanced the ratio of OPG/RANKL mRNA expression, the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-beta and the protein expression of bradykinin receptor-1. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition on ACE by captopril exerts beneficial effects on trabecular bone of ORX mice. The therapeutic efficacy may be attributed to the regulation of captopril on local RAS and cytokines in bone.

Microwave hyperthermia promotes caspase­3-dependent apoptosis and induces G2/M checkpoint arrest via the ATM pathway in non­small cell lung cancer cells.

Post-operative microwave (MW) hyperthermia has been applied as an important adjuvant therapy to enhance the efficacy of traditional cancer treatment. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of MW hyperthermia may provide guided and further information on clinical hyperthermia treatment. In this study, we examined the effects of MW hyperthermia on non­small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells in vitro, as well as the underlying mechanisms. In order to mimic clinical treatment, we developed special MW heating equipment for this study. Various NSCLC cells (H460, PC-9 and H1975) were exposed to hyperthermia treatment using a water bath or MW heating system. The results revealed that MW hyperthermia significantly inhibited cell growth compared with the water bath heating system. Furthermore, MW hyperthermia increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and induced caspase­3 dependent apoptosis. It also induced G2/M phase arrest through the upregulation of the expression of phosphorylated (p­) ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), p­checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) and p21, and the downregulation of the expression of cdc25c, cyclin B1 and cdc2. On the whole, the findings of this study indicate that the exposure of NSCLC cells to MW hyperthermia promotes caspase­3 dependent apoptosis and induces G2/M cell cycle arrest via the ATM pathway. This preclinical study may help to provide laboratory-based evidence for MW hyperthermia treatment in clinical practice.

Enzymatic lipophilization of epicatechin with free fatty acids and its effect on antioxidative capacity in crude camellia seed oil.

BACKGROUND: Crude camellia seed oil is rich in free fatty acids, which must be removed to produce an oil of acceptable quality. In the present study, we reduced the free fatty acid content of crude camellia seed oil by lipophilization of epicatechin with these free fatty acids in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435), and this may enhance the oxidative stability of the oil at the same time. RESULTS: The acid value of crude camellia seed oil reduced from 3.7 to 2.5 mgKOH g-1 after lipophilization. Gas chomatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that epicatechin oleate and epicatechin palmitate were synthesized in the lipophilized oil. The peroxide, p-anisidine, and total oxidation values during heating of the lipophilized oil were much lower than that of the crude oil and commercially available camellia seed oil, suggesting that lipophilized epicatechin derivatives could help enhance the oxidative stability of edible oil. CONCLUSION: The enzymatic process to lipophilize epicatechin with the free fatty acids in crude camellia seed oil described in the present study could decrease the acid value to meet the quality standards for commercial camellia seed oil and, at the same time, obtain a new edible camellia seed oil product with good oxidative stability. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Simultaneous separation and detection of principal component isomer and related substances of raw material drug of ammonium glycyrrhizinate by RP-HPLC and structure confirmation].

A simple, fast and sensitive analytical method for the simultaneous separation and detection of 18alpha-glycyrrhizinic acid, 18beta-glycyrrhizinic acid, related substance A and related substance B by RP-HPLC and drug quality standard was established. The structures of principal component isomer and related substances of raw material drug of ammonium glycyrrhizinate have been confirmed. Reference European Pharmacopoeia EP7.0 version, British Pharmacopoeia 2012 version, National Drug Standards of China (WS 1-XG-2002), domestic and international interrelated literature were referred to select the composition of mobile phase. The experimental parameters including salt concentration, pH, addition quantities of organic solvent, column temperature and flow rate were optimized. Finally, the assay was conducted on a Durashell-C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) with 0.01 mol x mL(-1) ammonium perchlorate (add ammonia to adjust the pH value to 8.2) -methanol (48 : 52) as mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.8 mL x min(-1), and the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. The column temperature was 50 degrees C and the injection volume was 10 microL. The MS, NMR, UV and RP-HPLC were used to confirm the structures of principal component isomer and related substances of raw material drug of ammonium glycyrrhizinate. Under the optimized separation conditions, the calibration curves of 18 alpha-glycyrrhizinic acid, 18beta-glycyrrhizinic acid, related substance A and related substance B showed good linearity within the concentration of 0.50-100 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 9). The detection limits for 18alpha-glycyrrhizinic acid, 18beta-glycyrrhizinic acid, related substance A and related substance B were 0.15, 0.10, 0.10, 0.15 microg x mL(-1) respectively. The method is sensitive, reproducible and the results are accurate and reliable. It can be used for chiral resolution of 18alpha-glycyrrhizinic acid, 18Pbeta-glycyrrhizinic acid, and detection content of principal component and related substances of raw material drug of ammonium glycyrrhizinate. It is concluded that the separation of principal component isomer of raw material drug of ammonium glycyrrhizinate and the validity of the substance's structure assignments of retention time being 1.2 in the European pharmacopoeia EP7.0 version, British pharmacopoeia 2012 version remains open to question. It may be of practical value for the quality control of raw material drug, preparation, and Chinese herbal medicine of ammonium glycyrrhizinate.

Two new ent-kaurane diterpenoids from Pteris semipinnata.

In this study, two new compounds and six known compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Pteris semipinnata. The chemical structures of these two new compounds were elucidated as 6ß,11α-dihydroxy-15-oxo-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (1) and 7α,11α-dihydroxy-15-oxo-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (2) by the extensive spectral methods including 2D NMR and HR-MS techniques.

[Classification of Cimicifuga species based on 1H-NMR fingerprint combined with pattern recognition technique].

The metabolomic analysis of three Cimicifuga species was performed using H-NMR spectroscopy and pattern recognition (PR) techniques. A broad range of metabolites could be detected by 'H-NMR spectroscopy without any chromatographic separation. The analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant partial least square (DPLS) of the 1H-NMR spectrum showed a clear discrimination between C. foetida and the other two species. The major metabolites responsible for the discrimination were triterpenoid saponins and saccharides. These results indicated that the combination of 1H-NMR and PR provides a useful tool for chemotaxonomic analysis and authentification of Cimicifuga species, and could used for the quality control of plant materials.

Characterization of root response to phosphorus supply from morphology to gene analysis in field-grown wheat.

The adaptations of root morphology, physiology, and biochemistry to phosphorus supply have been characterized intensively. However, characterizing these adaptations at molecular level is largely neglected under field conditions. Here, two consecutive field experiments were carried out to investigate the agronomic traits and root traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at six P-fertilizer rates. Root samples were collected at flowering to investigate root dry weight, root length density, arbusular-mycorrhizal colonization rate, acid phosphatase activity in rhizosphere soil, and expression levels of genes encoding phosphate transporter, phosphatase, ribonucleases, and expansin. These root traits exhibited inducible, inhibitory, or combined responses to P deficiency, and the change point for responses to P supply was at or near the optimal P supply for maximum grain yield. This research improves the understanding of mechanisms of plant adaptation to soil P in intensive agriculture and provides useful information for optimizing P management based on the interactions between soil P dynamics and root processes.

Protective effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

This study was to investigate the protective effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (rhBMP-7) on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injuries and their underlying mechanisms. An intraluminal suture method was used to generate a middle cerebral artery occlusion model in rats, which was followed by reperfusion. A sham operation (SO) group underwent the procedure without occlusion, whereas an IR group and rhBMP-7 treated group (RT) underwent occlusion in the absence and presence of rhBMP-7 (250 µg/kg) administered via a femoral vein injection 30 minutes prior to reperfusion. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, neurological function, brain water content and morphological alterations were examined. Apoptosis was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assays, and immunohistochemical staining and Western blot assays were used to detect nuclear nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 expression. Compared with the SO group, IR rats showed a decrease in neurological function, an increase in brain water content, and pathological and morphological damage (p < 0.05). Higher levels of apoptosis were also detected in the infarct region area. In contrast, RT rats had reduced injury after IR. In addition, while immunohistochemical staining and western blot assays consistently detected increased expression of nuclear NF-κB after IR, these levels were reduced in the RT group. Administration of rhBMP-7 prior to reperfusion effectively inhibited the extent of IR injury by attenuating cerebral edema and ameliorating ultrastructural damage. The underlying mechanisms responsible for these observations potentially involve the inhibition of apoptosis induced by IR by rhBMP-7 via an NF-κB-related signaling cascade.

[GC-MS analysis of volatile oil components from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum concreted by a new artificial method].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the volatile oil from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum by the technical of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum making incense. METHODS: Volatile Oil Extraction method was used to extract volatile constituents from different batches of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, and the composition was analyzed by GC-MS. RESULTS: 56 chemical constituents were extracted from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, 36 constituents of them were reported for the first time;The chemical constituents were slightly different among three batches of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, but all the volatile oils were mainly composed of sesquiterpenes and aromatic composition; And all three batches of samples contained characteristic active ingredients including Aloes spiral alcohol, Benzyl acetone and the contents of them had increasing trend with the Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum concreting period growing. CONCLUSION: Chemical constituents extracted from the Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum concreting by new method were similar with natural Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, and in a relatively short period of time, can produce relatively high content of effective and characteristic components.

[Enhancing effect of compound Kusheng injection in combination with chemotherapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the enhancing effect of compound Kusheg injection in chemotherapy for patients with stage III and IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A total of 286 patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this study. The patients were treated with either compound Kusheng injection in combination with NP (NVB + CBP) chemotherapy (vinorelbine and carboplatin, n = 144), or with NP (NVB + CBP) chemotherapy alone (n = 142). The chemotherapy was performed for 4 cycles of 3 weeks, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated every 2 weeks. The following indicators were observed: levels of Hb, WBC, PLT and T cell subpopulations in blood, serum IgG level, short-term efficacy, adverse effects and quality of life. RESULTS: The gastrointestinal reactions and the myelosuppression in the combination chemotherapy group were alleviated as compared with the chemotherapy alone group, showing a significant difference (P < 0.05). CD(8)(+) cells were markedly declined in the combination chemotherapy group, and the CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) ratio showed an elevation trend in the chemotherapy alone group. The KPS scores and serum IgM and IgG levels were higher in the combination chemotherapy group than those in the chemotherapy alone group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The serum lgA levels were not significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The compound Kusheng injection plus NP chemotherapy regimen shows better therapeutic effect, reduces adverse effects of chemotherapy and improves the quality of life in patients with stage III and IV NSCLC.

Two new alpha-pyrones and other components from the cladodes of Opuntia dillenii.

The aqueous ethanolic extract from the fresh cladodes of Opuntia dillenii HAW. was found to show anti-inflammatory activity. Two new alpha-pyrones, named opuntioside II (1) and opuntioside III (2), were isolated from the extract together with six known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence.