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.

Curcumin Suppresses Lung Cancer Stem Cells via Inhibiting Wnt/ß-catenin and Sonic Hedgehog Pathways.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly implicated in the progression of human cancers. Thus, targeting CSCs may be a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Wnt/ß-catenin and Sonic Hedgehog pathways play an important regulatory role in maintaining CSC characteristics. Natural compounds, such as curcumin, possess chemopreventive properties. However, the interventional effect of curcumin on lung CSCs has not been clarified. In the present study, tumorsphere formation assay was used to enrich lung CSCs from A549 and H1299 cells. We showed that the levels of lung CSC markers (CD133, CD44, ALDHA1, Nanog and Oct4) and the number of CD133-positive cells were significantly elevated in the sphere-forming cells. We further illustrated that curcumin efficiently abolished lung CSC traits, as evidenced by reduced tumorsphere formation, reduced number of CD133-positive cells, decreased expression levels of lung CSC markers, as well as proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction. Moreover, we demonstrated that curcumin suppressed the activation of both Wnt/ß-catenin and Sonic Hedgehog pathways. Taken together, our data suggested that curcumin exhibited its interventional effect on lung CSCs via inhibition of Wnt/ß-catenin and Sonic Hedgehog pathways. These novel findings could provide new insights into the potential therapeutic application of curcumin in lung CSC elimination and cancer intervention. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Liquid chromatography-tandem electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometric assay for the metabolites of jatrorrhizine in rat urine].

AIM: To identify the main metabolites of jatrorrhizine in rat urine. METHODS: The rat urine samples were collected 0 - 72 h after ig 12 mg x kg(-1) jatrorrhizine, then the samples were purified through C18 solid-phase extraction cartridge. The purified samples were analyzed by combining liquid chromatography and tandem electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/ITMS(n)). Identification and structural elucidation of the metabolites were performed by comparing the changes in molecular masses, retention-times and full scan MS(n) spectra with those of the parent drug. RESULTS: At least seven phase I metabolites (such as de-methyl, de-hydrogen and hydroxyl metabolites) and eleven phase II metabolites (such as glucuronide conjugates and methyl-conjugates) were identified in rat urine. CONCLUSION: The developed LC-ESI/ITMS(n) method is not only simple and rapid but also sensitive and specific for the identification of metabolites of jatrorrhizine in rat urine.