Chitosan-based biodegradable active food packaging film containing Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) root extract for food application.

The objective of the present study was to develop chitosan (CS) based novel functional films containing Chinese chive root extract (CRE) using solution casting method. CRE at different concentrations (1, 3 and 5% in w/w) were incorporated into the film-forming solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal behavior analysis (DSC & TGA) were performed to investigate the structure, potential interaction and thermal stability of prepared films. It was revealed by SEM that higher extract concentration triggered the formation of agglomerates within the films. Incorporation of CRE into CS resulted in decrease tensile properties of the films from 28.9 to 15.4 MPa, whereas thickness was increased from 0.076 to 0.113 mm. The water solubility, swelling degree and water vapor permeability were significantly decreased from 31.6 to 18.7%, 57.4 to 40.5% and 15.67 to 7.81 × 10-11 g·m-1s-1Pa-1, respectively. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging ability of CS-CRE films were increased from 6.95 to 47.05% and 11.98 to 57.38%, respectively. CS-CRE5 film showed the highest biodegradability of 47.36%. The films prepared by addition of CRE into CS exhibited good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity indicating that it could be developed as bio-composite food packaging material for food industry.

Effect of NaCl stress and supplemental CaCl2 on carotenoid accumulation in germinated yellow maize kernels.

Germinated edible seeds and sprouts are becoming increasingly common in the human diet because they are rich in bioactive compounds and antioxidants and are highly nutritious. In this study, the effects of NaCl stress and supplemental CaCl2 on carotenoid accumulation, antioxidant capacity and expression of key enzymes in yellow maize kernels were investigated. The results showed that the lutein and zeaxanthin contents increased with NaCl treatment, and further increased with supplemental CaCl2. Additionally, germinated yellow maize kernels showed increased antioxidant capacity in response to NaCl and CaCl2. The transcript levels of carotenogenic genes ZmPSY and ZmCYP97C were upregulated and the expression levels of ZmLCYB and ZmBCH1 were downregulated under NaCl stress. The expression of all key carotenogenic genes was upregulated by CaCl2 supplementation. These results suggested that NaCl and CaCl2 contribute to carotenoid accumulation via increased expression of related carotenogenic genes and increased antioxidant capacity in germinated yellow maize kernels.

Effect of UV-B radiation and a supplement of CaCl2 on carotenoid biosynthesis in germinated corn kernels.

This study investigated effects of UV-B radiation and CaCl2 on the enhancement of carotenoid content in germinated corn kernels. UV-B radiation and CaCl2 treatments were effective for promoting both carotenoid content and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the carotenoid content was greater when under the combined treatments of UV-B radiation and CaCl2. Activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were enhanced but malondialdehyde content was weakened by UV-B radiation plus CaCl2 compared to the UV-B radiation only. The mRNA expression of PSY, PDS, ZDS, LCYB, LCYE, BCH1, CYP97C genes involved in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway showed different patterns in UV-B radiation and CaCl2 treatments. This reveals that the UV-B radiation can increase carotenoid content and antioxidant enzyme activity. Moreover, CaCl2 can further improve carotenoid content and reduce photooxidative damage caused by UV-B radiation.

Evaluation of the impact of food matrix change on the in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) slices during two drying processes.

The food matrix is a limiting factor in determining the bioaccessibility of carotenoids. The impact of food matrix change on the bioaccessibility of carotenoids during drying processes is still unknown. The effect of intermittent microwave vacuum-assisted drying (IMVD) and hot air drying (HAD) on the in vitro liberation and micellization of carotenoids in pumpkin slices was studied. This variable depended on the changes of the matrix driven by the drying process. Different changes in the cell morphology and carotenoid distribution of pumpkin slices during the two processing methods were observed. For IMVD, cell wall degradation and complete chromoplast organelle disruption contributed to the improvement in the liberation and micellization of carotenoids. In the HAD-dried sample, large pigment aggregates hindered the liberation of carotenoids. The carotenoid level in the micellar fraction appeared to be lower than that in the aqueous supernatant during the two processes, suggesting that the new obstacles formed during processing and/or digestion hindered the incorporation of carotenoids in mixed micelles.

[Lung Nodules Assessment--Analysis of Four Guidelines].

In the past 20 years, with the popularization of low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening, detection rate of lung nodules increased significantly. However, there are still many difficulties in making qualitative diagnosis for pulmonary nodules. The Lung nodule is a clinical common lung disease. The early onset for malignant nodules is quite hidden. Without early intervention, the course of disease can develop rapidly. For malignant nodules, the exacerbation can be very severe. Besides, the therapeutic effect can be unsatisfactory. If the lesion resection can be performed in early stage, lung cancer patients' prognosis can be improved significantly. At present, the guidelines of lung nodules' treatment are diverse, but these guidelines still can't reach a consensus until now. This article reviews the literature in National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules, Fleischner society lung cancer treatment strategy guide, and clinical practice consensus guidelines for Asia, which are pertaining to lung nodules diagnosis and treatment strategy and try to explain the similarities and differences between them.