Enzymatic treatment to improve permeability and quality of cherry tomatoes for production of dried products.

BACKGROUND: Cherry tomatoes are nutritious and favored by consumers. Processing them into dried cherry tomatoes can prolong their storage life and improve their flavor. The pretreatment of tomato pericarp is crucial for the subsequent processing. However, the traditional physical and chemical treatments of tomato pericarp generally cause nutrient loss and environmental pollution. RESULTS: In this study, a novel enzymatic method for cherry tomatoes was performed using mixed enzymes containing cutinase, cellulase and pectinase. Results showed that the pericarp permeability of cherry tomatoes was effectively improved due to enzymatic treatment. Changes in the microscopic structure and composition of the cuticle were revealed. After treatment with different concentrations of enzymes, cherry tomatoes exhibited higher pericarp permeability and sensory quality to varying degrees. The lycopene content and total polyphenol content significantly increased 2.4- and 1.45-fold, respectively. In addition, the satisfactory effect of the six-time reuse of enzymes on cherry tomatoes could still reach the same level as the initial effect, which effectively reduced the cost of production. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed for the first time that a mixed enzymatic treatment consisting of cutinase, pectinase and cellulase could effectively degrade the cuticle, enhance the pericarp permeability and improve the quality of cherry tomatoes, with the advantages of being mildly controllable and environmentally friendly, providing a new strategy for the processing of dried cherry tomatoes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Simultaneous sulfamethoxazole degradation with electricity generation by microbial fuel cells using Ni-MOF-74 as cathode catalysts and quantification of antibiotic resistance genes.

Antibiotic wastewater presents serious challenges in water treatment. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have received significant attention as promising precursors and sacrificial templates in the preparation of porous carbon-supported catalysts. Herein, we investigated the sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation and electrochemical performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) that applied as-prepared Ni-MOF-74 and Ni-N-C (Ni-MOF-74 underwent pyrolysis treatment at different temperatures) as air-cathode catalyst. Firstly, the electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the catalyst was investigated by rotating disk electrode. The results showed that electron transfer number for Ni-MOF-74 was 2.12, while that of 800Ni-N-C was 3.44, which was close to four-electron reduction. Applying Ni-MOF-74 in MFCs, a maximum power density of 446 mW/m2 was obtained, which was close to that of 800Ni-N-C. Besides, using Ni-MOF-74 as cathode catalyst, a chemical oxygen demand removal rate of about 84% was obtained, and the degradation rate of 10 mg/L SMX was 61%. The degradation rate decreased with increasing antibiotic concentration, but the average degradation efficiency increased stepwise. Additionally, the relative abundance of resistant gene sul1 in the reactors of the new catalytic material was about 62% lower than that of sul1 in the control (Pt/C) reactors, and the relative abundance of sul2 was about 73% lower. Moreover, cost assessments related to the catalyst performance are presented. The findings of this study demonstrated that Ni-MOF-74 could be considered as a two-electron transfer ORR catalyst, and offers a promising technique for preparation of Ni-N-C for use as four-electron transfer ORR catalysts. In comparison, Ni-MOF-74 could be a promising ORR catalyst of MFCs for antibiotic degradation.

Grey situation group decision-making method based on prospect theory.

This paper puts forward a grey situation group decision-making method on the basis of prospect theory, in view of the grey situation group decision-making problems that decisions are often made by multiple decision experts and those experts have risk preferences. The method takes the positive and negative ideal situation distance as reference points, defines positive and negative prospect value function, and introduces decision experts' risk preference into grey situation decision-making to make the final decision be more in line with decision experts' psychological behavior. Based on TOPSIS method, this paper determines the weight of each decision expert, sets up comprehensive prospect value matrix for decision experts' evaluation, and finally determines the optimal situation. At last, this paper verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the method by means of a specific example.

Pellino2 accelerate inflammation and pyroptosis via the ubiquitination and activation of NLRP3 inflammation in model of pediatric pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a common and frequently-occurring disease in pediatrics. This study aims to via unveiling the novel effects and mechanisms of Pellino2 in model of pediatric pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male infancy C57BL/6 mice were injected with 2 mg/kg of LPS (Sigma-Aldrich Merck KGaA). THP-1 cells were induced with LPS and ATP. RESULTS: The expression of Pellino2 mRNA and protein in patients with pediatric pneumonia or mice with pediatric pneumonia were reduced. Pellino2 accelerated lung injury and expanded inflammation and pyroptosis in lung tissue of pediatric pneumonia in vivo and vitro model. Furthermore, the inhibition of Pellino2 reduced lung injury and weakened inflammation and pyroptosis in lung tissue of pediatric pneumonia in vivo and vitro model. Pellino2 protein catenated NLRP3 protein, and Pellino2 promoted ubiquitination and activation of NLRP3 inflammation in model of pediatric pneumonia. Pellino2 accelerate inflammation and pyroptosis in model of pediatric pneumonia by NLRP3. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Pellino2 accelerate inflammation and pyroptosis via the induction of ubiquitination and activation of NLRP3 inflammation in model of pediatric pneumonia, Pellino2 may serve as a potential approach for the treatment of pediatric pneumonia and other inflammatory diseases.

Evodiamine Enhanced the Anti-Inflammation Effect of Clindamycin in the BEAS-2B Cells Infected with H5N1 and Pneumoniae D39 Through CREB-C/EBPß Signaling Pathway.

Pneumonia is a pulmonary disease among children. Evodiamine, a traditional Chinese medicine, is known for anti-inflammatory effect. This study aimed to investigate the impact of evodiamine on severe pneumonia-like cells and the underlying mechanism involved. H5N1 and pneumoniae D39 was used to induce severe pneumonia-like conditions in BEAS-2B cells. The cell viability in BEAS-2B cells after treatments with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µM evodiamine was examined using MTT assays. The protein concentrations of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1ß, and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods and the protein and mRNA changes in C/EBPß/CREB were measured using Real Time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot methods. Our results revealed that Evodiamine significantly decreased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß in BEAS-2B cells. Moreover, evodiamine markedly reduced TLR2,3,4 protein expression and the phosphorylated protein of C/EBPß and CREB. Besides, evodiamine combined with clindamycin exerted more significant effects than clindamycin alone. Taken together, our results demonstrated that evodiamine enhanced the anti-inflammation effect of clindamycin in the BEAS-2B cells infected with H5N1 and pneumoniae D39 through CREB-C/EBPß signaling pathway.

Pellino1 promoted inflammation in lung injury model of sepsis by TRAF6/ NF-κB signal pathway.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the role of Pellino1 in lung injury model of sepsis and its anti-inflammation mechanism. METHOD: C57BL/6 male mice (6-7 weeks old) and Pellino1-/- male mice were subjected to laparotomy followed by extracorporeal cecum mobilization and ligation. THP-1 cells were treated with 500 ng/ml of LPS for 4 h. Both mRNA and protein expression of Pellino1 was increased at time dependence in lung tissue of lung injury model of sepsis mice. Knockout of Pellino1 attenuated lung injury and inhibited inflammation of sepsis mice. While Pellino1 protein enhanced lung injury and increased inflammation of sepsis mice. Pellino1 promoted inflammation in in vitro model of lung injury by TRAF6/ NF-κB signal pathway. RESULT: TRAF6 inhibitor attenuated the effects of Pellino1 on inflammation and lung injury in mice of sepsis. Similarly, NF-κB inhibitor also suppressed the effects of Pellino1 on inflammation and lung injury in mice of sepsis. The activation of TRAF6 or induction of NF-κB attenuated the effects of Pellino1 on inflammation in in vitro model of sepsis. The inhibition of TRAF6 or suppression of NF-κB reduced the effects of Pellino1 on inflammation in in vitro model of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that Pellino1 promoted inflammation in lung injury model of sepsis by TRAF6/ NF-κB signal pathway.

Effects of serum starvation and vascular endothelial growth factor stimulation on the expression of Notch signalling pathway components.

Brain arteriovenous malformation (BAVM) is an abnormality in the cerebral vascular system. Although the upregulation of the Notch signalling pathway is a deterministic factor in BAVM, the mechanism by which this pathway is upregulated in patients with BAVM is uncertain. The effects of serum starvation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation on the Notch signalling pathway in brain microvascular endothelial cells (MECs) and mouse embryonic stem (mES)/embryoid body (EB)-derived endothelial cells were investigated in this study. The duration of serum starvation and VEGF concentration were changed, cell viability was measured, and reasonable time and concentration gradients were selected for subsequent studies. Protein and mRNA expression levels of Notch signalling pathway components in both MECs and mES/EB-derived endothelial cells were detected using western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. Expression levels of the Notch1, Notch4, Jagged1, delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) and Hes1 proteins and mRNAs were upregulated by lower VEGF concentrations and shorter-term serum starvation but inhibited by higher VEGF concentrations and longer-term serum starvation. This study revealed effects of changes in the duration of serum starvation and VEGF concentration on the expression of Notch signalling pathway components in both MECs and mES/EB-derived endothelial cells, potentially contributing to BAVM formation.

Effects of Different Positions and Angles of Implants in Maxillary Edentulous Jaw on Surrounding Bone Stress under Dynamic Loading: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of different placements of mesial implants and different angles of distant implants in maxillary edentulous jaws on the stress on the implant and the surrounding bone tissue under dynamic loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography was used to acquire images of maxillary edentulous jaws. Using Mimics 17.0, Geomagic, and Unigraphics NX8.5 software, three-dimensional models were established: two mesial implants were placed vertically in the anterior region of the maxilla (bilateral central incisor, lateral incisor, and canine), and two distant implants were placed obliquely in the bilateral second premolar area at different inclined angles (15°, 30°, and 45°). The established models were designated I-IX. The models were subjected to dynamic load using Abaqus 6.12, with the working side posterior teeth loading of 150 N and simulation cycle of 0.875 s. RESULTS: During the second to fourth phases of the mastication cycle, the stress was mainly concentrated on the neck of the distal implant. The stress of the distal implants was greater than that of mesial implants. Stress levels peaked in the third stage of the cycle. The stress of the distal cortical bone of distal implant of Model I reached the maximum of 183.437 MPa. The stress of the distal cortical bone and cancellous bone of distal implant of Model VIII represented the minima (62.989 MPa and 17.186 MPa, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our models showed optimal stress reductions when the mesial implants were located in the canine region and the distal implants tilted 30°.

[Randomized phase II trial on escalated doses of Rh-endostatin (YH-16) for advanced non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the response rate (RR), time to tumor progression (TTP), quality of life (QOL) and adverse reaction in the treatment of pretreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using escalated doses of rh-endostatin (YH-16), and to determine the optimal dose for clinical application. METHODS: In this phase II randomized, controlled, multicenter trial, the patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive daily 3 hours intravenous infusion of either 7.5 mg x m(-2) or 15 mg/m(2) YH-16 for 28 days. RESULTS: Totally, 68 patients were entered and 60 patients were evaluable. There were no differences in RR (3.0% in both groups, P > 0.05), median TTP (ITT: 60 days versus 71 days, P > 0.05), QOL and incidence rate of adverse reactions (48.6% versus 38.7%, P > 0.05). No significant unexpected adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Rh-endostatin may have anti-tumor activity with high clinical benefit rate and is well tolerated in pretreated advanced NSCLC patients. The dose of 7.5 mg x (m(2))(-1) x d(-1) is clinically recommended.