Ice cream with sucralose, stevioside, and erythritol as sugar substitutes: Sensory profile and customer preference.

Sugar-free food has been gaining popularity because of low-calorie content. But sugar replacement by high-intensity sweeteners can negatively affect sensory. In this study, the effect of the addition of sucralose (Suc), stevioside (Ste), and erythritol (Ery) as sugar substitutes on the sensory profile and overall acceptance of ice cream were evaluated by penalty analysis (PA) based on the check-all-that apply (CATA) method, with those of the partial least squares (PLS) regression. Twelve sweetening agents of ice cream samples were presented to 106 consumers who answered on an overall liking question using the 15-point hedonic scale and a CATA question with 32 attributes that described the sensory characteristics of ice cream. The results showed that mixed sweeteners (60%Suc+20%Ste+20%Ery or 60%Suc+10%Ste+30%Ery) can present an advantageous performance when used separately, and making ice cream similar to that of sucrose (Sac) added. Adding Suc, Ste, and Ery to ice cream hardly felt bitterness, astringency, and chemical-like sensations of the sweetening agent. The significant difference between different sweeteners is the intensity and speed of sweetness. Developing combination of high-potency sweeteners that can make sweetness appear quickly could open up new ways to design sugar-free ice cream.

Antioxidant Effect of Chrysanthemum morifolium (Chuju) Extract on H2O2-Treated L-O2 Cells as Revealed by LC/MS-Based Metabolic Profiling.

Chrysanthemum has a long history of being used to attenuate various oxidative stress-related discomforts and diseases; however, its mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the antioxidant effect of chrysanthemum aqueous extract was investigated, and the potential mechanisms were explored via a metabolomics study. Chrysanthemum extract could significantly inhibit hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated cell death in L-O2 hepatocytes. Propidium iodide staining and annexin V-PI dual staining revealed that the antioxidant effect of chrysanthemum extract was related to the relief of cell cycle arrest and inhibition of non-apoptotic cell damage. The activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were also upregulated by chrysanthemum extract. Through metabolomics studies, it was found that chrysanthemum extract mainly targeted the arginine synthesis pathway and purine metabolism pathway, in which antioxidation-related endogenous substrates including L-arginosuccinate, citrulline and inositol monophosphate were significantly upregulated by chrysanthemum extract. These results indicated that chrysanthemum extract can antagonize oxidative stress through multiple pathways and have potential therapeutic applications.

Identify the molecular target of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by bioinformatics analysis / 天津医药

Objective To study the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and identify potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Methods Microarray data (GSE12452 and GSE13597) were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. Processing of original microarray data and screening of differentially expressed genes were performed through bioinformatics analysis. Then, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed for these genes using DAVID database. Real time-PCR and Western blot assay were used to detect the expression levels of the identified genes. Results A total of 260 overlap DEGs were obtained including 16 GO entries and 4 signal pathways. Eighteen potential therapeutic targets that relative to cell cycle were identified by gene enrichment analysis. Expression levels of 12 selected genes were confirmed by real-time PCR. Finally, 4 selected genes were confirmed by Western blot assay. Conclusion By bioinformatics analysis of two sets of microarray data and molecular biology research, four genes were found including CDC6, CDK1,MCM2 and CCNB1, which might be potential key genes that can be developed for therapy targets of NPC in the future.

Assessment on antibody test for diagnosis performance of heparin induced thrombocytopenia / 临床检验杂志

Objective To assess the antibody test for the diagnosis performance of heparin induced thrombocytopenia(HIT).Methods 52 plasma samples of patients with HIT,126 plasma samples of heparin treated patients without HIT and 50 plasma samples of healthy individuals were collected from 2014 September to 2016 November.According to thrombosis,the patients were further divided into two groups:isolated HIT group without thrombosis (30 cases) and heparin induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITY) group (22 cases).The whole HIT antibody in plasma was assayed by using ACL-TOP 700 coagulation analyzer and reagent (HemosIL HIT-AbPF4-H).The IgG-specific HIT antibody in plasma was assayed by using ACL AcuStar chemiluminescent analyzer and reagent (HemosIL AcuStar HIT-IgGPF4-H).Results The levels of whole antibody and IgG-specific antibody in the patients of heparin control group was higher than those in healthy control (U value was 1 644.0 and 1 911.0,respectively,P ＜ 0.01).The levels of two HIT antibodies in HIT patients group were higher than those in the patients of heparin control group (U value was 550.0 and 4.7,respectively,P ＜ 0.01).ROC curve showed that the sensitivities of both whole antibody and IgG-specific antibody were 100％,and up-regulating the cut-off value could improve the specificity of both tests.The positive incidence of the whole antibody was 27.8％ in the heparin control group and 100％ in HIT patients group while the cut-off value was 1.50 U/mL.The positive incidence of IgG-specific antibody was 0 in the heparin control group and 100％ in the HIT patients group while the cut-off value was 1.51 U/mL.While the cut-off value of IgG-specific antibody was 2.32 U/mL,the diagnosis sensitivity of thrombosis assessment was 90.9％ and the specificity was 80.0％.In case the cut-off value exceeded 2.32 U/mL,the accumulating risk of HIT increased significantly in HIT patients within 15 days (Log-rank x2 =56.577,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The whole antibody and IgG-specific antibody could contribute to excluding diagnosis,diagnosis or risk assessment for the suspected HIT patients.

Von Willebrand factor in evaluating stroke risk of patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation after elective percutaneous coronary intervention / 临床检验杂志

Objective To assess stroke risk in the patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF∶Ag).Methods A total of 127 patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation after PCI (new-onset AF after PCI group),50 new inpatients with acute coronary syndrome without undergoing PCI (ACS control),50 patients without AF after PCI (PCI control) and 50 healthy individuals (healthy control) were selected in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from 2016 February to 2017 February for retrospective cohort study.To assay the plasma vWF∶Ag for all objects,receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the predicting performance of vWF∶Ag with stroke risk in the patients with new-onset AF.x2 test was used to analyze the relevance between vWF∶Ag and clinical pathological factors in the patients with new-onset AF.Kaplan-Meier curve was used to implement survival analysis.Results The results of plasma vWF∶Ag were as follows:104.5％ (88.0％,133.7％) for the control group,161.7％ (120.7％,270.5％) for ACS control group,208％ (125.2％,360.7％) for PCI control group and 284.9％ (172.4％,494.2％) for new-onset AF after PCI group,respectively.The level of plasma vWF∶Ag of PCI control was higher than that of ACS control (U =526.0,P ＜0.01) and the level in new-onset AF after PCI group was higher than that of PCI control (U =824.0,P ＜ 0.01).The area under the curve was 0.882 (95％ CI:0.811-0.854) for plasma vWF∶Ag level predicting stroke risk with new-onset AF.When the cut-off value of vWF∶Ag was defined as 312.0％,the sensitivity was 94.4％ and specificity was 60.6％.Compared with the patients whose vWF∶Ag was less than 312.0％,the cumulative probability increased significantly (Log-rankx2 =44.308,P ＜ 0.01) during 90 days of follow-up period in the patients with new-onset AF after PCI whose vWF∶Ag was over 312.0％.There were relevances between the vWF∶Ag level and chronic heart failure/left ventricular dysfunction,hypertension,age,stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA)/history of thromboembolism and vascular disease (P ＜ 0.01).The level of plasma vWF∶Ag and risk of stroke event in the patients with dual antithrombotic therapy were higher than those of the patients with triple antithrombotic therapy (U =1 075.5,P ＜ 0.01;x2 =10.45,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The level of plasma vWF ∶ Ag could reflect the damage condition of vascular endothelial cells,stroke risk and the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy in the patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation after PCI.

Influence of partial replacement of NaCl with KCl on profiles of volatile compounds in dry-cured bacon during processing.

This study investigated the influence of partial substitution of NaCl with KCl on the formation of volatile compounds in bacons during processing using a purge and trap dynamic headspace GC/MS system. Three substitutions were 0% KCl (I), 40% KCl (II), and 70% KCl (III). The profiles of the volatile compounds significantly changed during processing, particularly during the drying/ripening. At the end of process, the bacons from substitution III formed significantly higher levels of lipid-derived volatiles, such as straight chain aldehydes, hydrocarbons than bacons from substitution I and II, whereas the latter formed higher levels of volatiles from amino acid degradation such as 3-methylbutanal. There were very few differences in volatile formation between 0% and 40% KCl application. These results suggest that K(+) substitution of Na(+) by more than 40% may significantly change profiles of volatiles in finished dry-cured bacons and therefore would result in changes in the product aroma and/or flavour.

Proteolysis and sensory properties of dry-cured bacon as affected by the partial substitution of sodium chloride with potassium chloride.

Quadriceps femoris muscle samples (48) from 24 pigs were processed into dry-cured bacon. This study investigated the influence of partial substitution of sodium chloride (NaCl) with potassium chloride (KCl) on proteolysis and sensory properties of dry-cured bacon. Three salt treatments were considered, namely, I (100% NaCl), II (60% NaCl, 40% KCl), and III (30% NaCl, 70% KCl). No significant differences were observed among treatments in the proteolysis, which was reflected by SDS-PAGE, proteolysis index, amino acid nitrogen, and peptide nitrogen contents. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the moisture content between control and treatment II, whereas the moisture content in treatment III was significantly higher (p<0.05) in comparison with control (treatment I). The sensory analysis indicated that it was possible to reduce NaCl by 40% without adverse effects on sensory properties, but 70% replacement of NaCl with KCl resulted in bacon with less hardness and saltiness and higher (p<0.05) juiciness and bitterness.

Effect of polymorphism and type II diabetes on aspirin resistance in patients with unstable coronary artery disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Aspirin is widely used in the secondary prevention of coronary artery diseases, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular related deaths. However, the antiplatelet effect of aspirin appears to be variable and aspirin resistance (AR) is currently still controversial for Chinese patients. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of AR, and identify possible risk factors associated with a lack of response to aspirin treatments in patients with unstable coronary artery disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Platelet function tests with arachidonic acid (ARA) and urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-DH-TXB2) concentrations were performed in 262 patients with unstable coronary artery disease who had not been taking aspirin before admission. ARA induced platelet aggregation and 11-DH-TXB2 were detected to evaluate the functional and biochemical responses to aspirin before and on days 1, 4, and 10 after aspirin administration. Six-month follow-up was completed in patients who developed AR to evaluate the effect of aspirin in a long-term treatment. GP1Bα (C1018T), Pl (A1/A2), P2Y1 (A1622G), TBXA2R (T924C) were also detected to evaluate the influence of genetic variant on aspirin responsiveness.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 8.8% of patients were indentified as AR at the first day after aspirin treatment. The level of urine 11-DH-TXB2 in the AR group was higher compared to non-AR group (P < 0.05). There was no relationship between ARA induced platelet aggregation and urinary 11-DH-TXB2 levels (r = 0.038, P = 0.412). The results of DNA sequencing showed that TBXA2R-924TT homozygotes had a significantly high rate of AR. Logistic regression demonstrated that diabetes was an independent risk factor of AR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In the beginning period of administration, aspirin was not a sufficient factor that inhibits platelet aggregation. TBXA2R-924T allele was involved in AR. Diabetes was an independent risk factor of AR.</p>

Association of polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2C9 exon 4 and -65G>C with warfarin sensitivity / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of the polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) exon 4 608T/G, 561A/C, 537A/C and 527A/C, and -65G/C with warfarin sensitivity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 102 patients under warfarin anticoagulant therapy were selected. During follow-up, warfarin dosage and associated Prothrombin Time-International Normalized Ratio (P-INR) values were recorded. Simultaneous monitoring of incidence of bleeding and thrombosis adverse effect was recommended. Genetic polymorphisms of the above mentioned loci were identified by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average age of the 102 patients was (62.1+/-10.5) years. The body mass index (BMI) was (24.7+/-3.8) kg/m2. Mean daily warfarin requirement was from 1.250 to 5.077 mg/day when therapeutic PT-INR (1.5-2.5) was maintained. DNA sequencing showed no polymorphisms of 608T/G, 561A/C, 537A/C, 527A/C in CYP2C9 exon 4. Warfarin daily dosage in CYP2C9 exon 4 -65C carriers was 3.106+/-0.619 mg/d, while it was (2.555+/-0.708) mg/d in individuals with wild-type -65G (P=0.020). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that warfarin daily dosage of more than 2.5 mg/d can be used to predict the CYP2C9 exon 4 -65GC genotype (AUC: 0.770, P=0.005, 95%CI:0.626-0.915). Logistic regression indicated that BMI was an independent factor of bleeding during anti-coagulation therapy (OR=0.794, 95%CI: 0.651-0.970, P=0.024).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Chinese population are, generally, warfarin-sensitive. Exon 4 of the CYP2C9 gene is highly conserved in this population. The warfarin maintenance dosage in CYP2C9 exon 4 -65CG carriers was significantly higher than those with wild-type -65GG. The clinical significance needs further investigation with more large-scale, multi-center trials.</p>

Changes of NO2-/NO3- and nitration tyrosine concentrations in induced sputum of silicosis patients / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the change in nitration tyrosine, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level in induced sputum of silicosis patients and dust exposure workers and to evaluate the approach and feasibility of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites as early detection indicators of silicosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nitration tyrosine, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)concentration in induced sputum of 80 dust exposure workers, 84 silicosis patients, 30 logistic personnel with no history of exposure to silica dust were determined and the relationship among Nitration tyrosine, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level and dust exposure years as well as pulmonary function tests were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level among exposed group [60.30 (46.58) micromol/l] was significantly higher than the control group [36.90 (22.28) micromol/l], (P < 0.05), and the level of NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)among the cases [79.65 (89.10) micromol/l] was significantly higher than exposed group as well as the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with control, the level of nitration tyrosine in exposed group [3.51 (0.46) nmol/l] and the cases [3.48 (0.49) nmol/l] was significantly higher (P < 0.05). NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level and dust exposure years were positively correlated (r = 0.3733 and 0.3830 respectively P < 0.05); NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level and pulmonary function tests (FVC%, FEV1.0%, PEF%, MEF25%, MEF50%) were negatively correlated (r = 0.1540, 0.1723, 0.1535, 0.1485, 0.1643 respectively, P < 0.05). There was no correlation between nitration tyrosine and dust exposure years (P > 0.05), no correlation between nitration tyrosine and pulmonary function test (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The level of NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level in induced sputum has a positive correlation with exposure to dust, suggesting that there will be a certain feasibility of the NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)as indicators of early detection of silicosis.</p>