Influence of transport conditions and pre-slaughter water shower spray during summer on protein characteristics and water distribution of broiler breast meat.

This study investigated the effects of pre-slaughter transport during summer and subsequent water shower spray on broiler meat quality and protein characteristics. Arbor Acres broiler chickens (n = 126, 42 days old, mixed sex, 2.5-3 kg) were randomly categorized into three treatments: (i) control group without transport (C); (ii) 30 min transport (T); and (iii) 30 min transport followed by 10 min water shower spray and 20 min lairage (T/W). Each treatment consisted of six replicates with seven birds each. Ambient temperature was 32-35°C during transportation. Results indicated that transport during high ambient temperature denatured myosin and sarcoplasmic proteins, led to decreased protein solubility and resulted in glycogen phosphorylase precipitated to the myofibrillar fraction. Furthermore, meat quality in the transport group showed a pale, soft and exudative (PSE)-like syndrome. Water shower spray during lairage after transport reduced the degree of protein denaturation and lessened the deterioration of meat quality.

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of polysubstituted chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrolidine derivatives.

A powerful cascade reaction was developed for the synthesis of chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrolidines with high yields and excellent stereoselectivities. This efficient cascade reaction expeditiously established two fused rings which bear three contiguous stereogenic centers including one quaternary stereocenter in a single operation with low catalyst loading under mild conditions.

Organocatalytic asymmetric multicomponent cascade reaction via 1,3-proton shift and [3+2] cycloaddition: an efficient strategy for the synthesis of oxindole derivatives.

An efficient and powerful organocatalytic cascade reaction was achieved for the synthesis of biologically important chiral spiro[pyrrolidin-3,2'-oxindoles] using very simple and readily available starting materials. Three C-C bonds and four contiguous stereogenic centers including one quaternary stereocenter were established in a single operation with reasonable yields and good stereoselectivity.

Identification of Mutations in Myocilin and Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 3 Genes in a Chinese Family with Primary Open-angle Glaucoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. There is evidence showing that a subset of the disease is genetically determined. In this study, we screened for mutations in chromosome 1q-linked open-angle glaucoma (GLC1A) in a Chinese family with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 23 members from five generations of a family were enrolled and underwent thorough ophthalmologic examinations. In addition, 200 unrelated healthy Chinese controls were also recruited as normal control. GLC1A gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing was performed to screen for mutations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six members were diagnosed as POAG, with severe clinical manifestations, and history of high intraocular pressures. The mean age of disease onset was 26.3 years. However, the others were asymptomatic. In six affected and three asymptomatic members, gene sequencing revealed a mutation c.C1456T in exon 3 of myocilin gene (MYOC). Furthermore, we also identified a novel mutation c.G322A in beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 3 (B4GALT3) gene in all six affected and three asymptomatic members, which was not reported previously in POAG patients. The two newly identified variants were absent in other family members as well as controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mutations c.1456C < T (p.L486F) in MYOC and c.322G < A (p.V108I) in B4GALT3 are likely responsible for the pathogenesis of POAG in this family.</p>