Modification of soy protein isolate by Maillard reaction and its application in microencapsulation of Limosilactobacillusreuteri.

Limosilactobacillusreuteri was encapsulated using Maillard-reaction-products (MRPs) of soy protein isolate (SPI) and α-lactose monohydrate by freeze-drying. The mixed solution of SPI and α-lactose monohydrate was placed in a water bath at 89°C for 160 min for Maillard reaction, and then freeze-dried to obtain MRPs. The effects of Maillard reaction on functional characteristics of MRPs and the properties of MRPs-microcapsules were studied. SDS-PAGE indicated that SPI subunit reacted with lactose to form a polymer, and the band of MRPs disappeared around the molecular weights of 33, 40, 63, and 100 kDa. Compared with SPI, the emulsion stability, emulsion activity, foaming capacity, foam stability, and gel strength of MRPs were increased by 259%, 55.71%, 82.32%, 58.53%, and 3266%, respectively. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and scanning electron micrographs confirmed that the protein structure also changed significantly. Then, MRPs were used as wall material to prepare L. reuteri microcapsules. Physical properties and viable counts of L. reuteri during the simulated gastrointestinal digestion and storage period were determined. The particle size of MRPs-microcapsules (68 µm) was smaller than that of SPI-microcapsules (91 µm). The viable counts of L. reuteri in simulated gastrointestinal digestion and after storage for 30 days were improved. The modifications with Maillard reaction can improve emulsification, foaming, and gel strength of SPI, and MRPs could be used as a new type of wall material in the production of L. reuteri microcapsules.

Analysis of microbial community, physiochemical indices, and volatile compounds of Chinese te-flavor baijiu daqu produced in different seasons.

BACKGROUND: Chinese te-flavor baijiu (CTF), the most famous Chinese baijiu in Jiangxi province, China, is made from a unique daqu. Its characteristic style is closely related to the daqu used for fermentation. However, current studies on the effects of different production seasons on microbial communities, physicochemical indices, and volatile compounds in CTF daqu are very rare. RESULTS: The relationships of microbial communities, physicochemical indices, and volatile compounds in CTF daqu produced in summer (July and August) and autumn (September and October) were studied. The results of Illumina MiSeq sequencing indicated that there was greater bacterial diversity in the CTF daqu-7 (produced in July) and CTF daqu-8 (produced in August) and greater fungal diversity in the CTF daqu-9 (produced in September) and CTF daqu-10 (produced in October). The physicochemical indices of CTF daqu produced in different seasons were significantly different. It was determined that CTF daqu-9 had the highest esterification and liquefaction abilities. A total of 44 volatile compounds, including alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and ketones were identified in CTF daqu produced during different seasons. Among them, CTF daqu-9 had the greatest alcohol content. CONCLUSION: September (early autumn) is the best production period for CTF daqu. The results of the study provide a theoretical basis for the standardized and uniform production of Chinese baijiu. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Lymph Node Metastases in Elderly Patients with Papillary Thyroid Micro-Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: With guidance from the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual, 8th edition, we explored the characteristics of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) of papillary thyroid micro-carcinoma (PTMC) in elderly patients ≥55 years of age. Our goal was to provide references for establishing a lymph node dissection scheme in such patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of thyroid cancer patients admitted to the Head and Neck Surgery Center of Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, China, from January 2015 to September 2018. Then, we screened and analyzed eligible PTMC cases in strict accordance with our inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The study included 107 patients, including 24 men and 83 women. Median age was 59.99 ± 4.58 years. The maximum diameter range of the cancer foci was 4-10 mm, and the median was 7.59 ± 1.78 mm. Unilateral lobectomy had been performed in 32 cases, total thyroidectomy in 75 cases and lateral cervical lymph node dissection in 21 cases. There were 60 cases of CLNM (56.07%) and 13 cases of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis (12.10%). The sensitivity of preoperative ultrasound in predicting CLNM was 100%, but its accuracy was only 50.47%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that multiple cancer foci (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.632), extra-thyroidal expansion of cancer focus (AUC = 0.721), and irregular nodules (AUC = 0.603) were independent risk factors for CLNM of PTMC in elderly patients (P < 0.05). Overall predictability for PTMC-CLNM was 80.30%. CONCLUSION: 1) Preoperative color Doppler ultrasound is not recommended as the basis for cervical lymph node dissection in PTMC patients. 2) For multiple cancer foci, irregular nodules, and elderly patients with PTMC extra-thyroidal expansion, we recommend a prophylactic central lymph node dissecting. 3) Nonsurgical observation of PTMC in elderly patients with low risk should be carefully selected.

Application of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Three-Dimensional (3D) Visualization Technologies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Refractory Thyroid Tumors.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the application of computer-aided design (CAD) and three-dimensional (3D) visualization techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of refractory thyroid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data from 12 cases of refractory thyroid tumors treated with CAD and 3D visualization techniques from September 2016 to January 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Ten cases were malignant, while two cases were benign. All tracheas in the 12 cases were invaded or oppressed by the thyroid tumors. Six of the cases experienced type III dyspnea, while the other six cases had type II dyspnea. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging. RESULTS: CAD and 3D visualization technologies were used to guide the surgeries. Ten cases of malignant thyroid tumors underwent total thyroidectomy, cervical lymph node dissection, and invaded organ resection. Among the ten cases, five underwent sleeve resections and anastomosis reconstructions, one underwent a tracheal sleeve resection and total laryngectomy, two underwent tracheal window resections, one case underwent a sternotomy, and one case underwent a laryngopharyngectomy, invaded skin resection, and pectoralis major muscle flap reconstruction. The two cases of benign thyroid tumors underwent subtotal thyroidectomies. Using CAD and 3D visualization techniques, surgeons can visually observe the relationship of the tumor with the respiratory tract and essential blood vessels, which can lead to optimized surgical plans and improved surgical outcomes. CONCLUSION: CAD and 3D visualization technologies have an important role in the personalized surgical intervention of thyroid cancer, which will likely have important clinical implications.

Pathway and rate-limiting step of glyphosate degradation by Aspergillus oryzae A-F02.

Aspergillus oryzae A-F02, a glyphosate-degrading fungus, was isolated from an aeration tank in a pesticide factory. The pathway and rate-limiting step of glyphosate (GP) degradation were investigated through metabolite analysis. GP, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and methylamine were detected in the fermentation liquid of A. oryzae A-F02, whereas sarcosine and glycine were not. The pathway of GP degradation in A. oryzae A-F02 was revealed: GP was first degraded into AMPA, which was then degraded into methylamine. Finally, methylamine was further degraded into other products. Investigating the effects of the exogenous addition of substrates and metabolites showed that the degradation of GP to AMPA is the rate-limiting step of GP degradation by A. oryzae A-F02. In addition, the accumulation of AMPA and methylamine did not cause feedback inhibition in GP degradation. Results showed that degrading GP to AMPA was a crucial step in the degradation of GP, which determines the degradation rate of GP by A. oryzae A-F02.

Optimization of liquid-state fermentation conditions for the glyphosate degradation enzyme production of strain Aspergillus oryzae by ultraviolet mutagenesis.

This study aimed to obtain strains with high glyphosate-degrading ability and improve the ability of glyphosate degradation enzyme by the optimization of fermentation conditions. Spore from Aspergillus oryzae A-F02 was subjected to ultraviolet mutagenesis. Single-factor experiment and response surface methodology were used to optimize glyphosate degradation enzyme production from mutant strain by liquid-state fermentation. Four mutant strains were obtained and named as FUJX 001, FUJX 002, FUJX 003, and FUJX 004, in which FUJX 001 gave the highest total enzyme activity. Starch concentration at 0.56%, GP concentration at 1,370 mg/l, initial pH at 6.8, and temperature at 30°C were the optimum conditions for the improved glyphosate degradation endoenzyme production of A. oryzae FUJX 001. Under these conditions, the experimental endoenzyme activity was 784.15 U/100 ml fermentation liquor. The result (784.15 U/100 ml fermentation liquor) was approximately 14-fold higher than that of the original strain. The result highlights the potential of glyphosate degradation enzyme to degrade glyphosate.

Effects of micronized okara dietary fiber on cecal microbiota, serum cholesterol and lipid levels in BALB/c mice.

Micronized by a dry grinding method (D-ODF) or a wet granulating method (W-ODF), okara dietary fiber (ODF), was fed to BALB/c mice for 28 d. The water holding capacity of D-ODF and W-ODF was significantly enhanced after micronization. W-ODF had a larger swell capacity and a higher content of soluble dietary fiber than crude ODF and D-ODF. After feeding for 28 d, the populations of Escherichia coli and Lactobacilli in the cecum were significantly lower and higher in the W-ODF group than other groups, respectively, while the population of Bifidobacterium increased in all groups. The effect of each diet on the population of E. coli. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium was all maintained for a short period of time except that the effectiveness of W-ODF diet on the Bifidobacterium population lasted slightly longer than other diets. At the end of the feeding period, serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride in D-ODF and W-ODF diets were significantly lower and HDL-C/TC ratio was significantly higher than those in crude ODF.

Enrichment and purification of gardenia yellow from Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans Makino by column chromatography technique.

In present study, the performance and separation characteristics of nine macroporous resins for the enrichment and purification of gardenia yellow from Gardenia jasminoides var. radicans Makino have been evaluated. The adsorption and desorption properties of crude gardenia yellow solution on macroporous resins including HPD722, HPD100, HPD100A, HPD400, HPD400A, D101, AB-8, XAD-16, and NKA-9 have been compared. Then, HPD722 was chosen to purify gardenia yellow because of its strong adsorption and desorption abilities as well as high selectivity. Column packed with HPD722 resin was used to perform dynamic adsorption and desorption tests to optimize the separation process of gardenia yellow. The optimal conditions were as follows: The crude gardenia yellow solution with concentration of 15 mg/mL was loaded in column packed with HPD722 resin at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and the adsorbate-laden column was washed with 800 mL water, 600 mL 15% ethanol water solution respectively at the speed of 2.5 mL/min, then desorbed with 200 mL 80% ethanol water solution at the speed of 3.5 mL/min. The colority of the product obtained were up to 300. The method developed in this study provides a new approach for scale-up separation and purification of gardenia yellow from G. jasminoides var. radicans Makino.

[Study on the integrated monitoring program regarding mouse and main mouse-borne disease in Zhejiang province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the integrated monitoring program regarding mouse and plague, hemorrhagic fever of renal syndrome (HFRS) and leptospirosis. METHODS: Integrated monitoring plan was used. A designated office coordinated 5 departments' actions within the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cage-trapping method was conducted to monitor the density of mice from June to October, respectively. RESULTS: Lishui municipal CDC had finished the integrated monitoring program on mouse and mouse-borne disease while the Longyou CDC had finished the field investigation, using the integrated monitoring program. Specimens were sent to provincial CDC. The integrated monitoring program needed more number of personnel and better coordination.Lishui reported 3 leptospirosis cases and 58 HFRS cases in 2009, with the incidence rates as 0.13 and 2.44 per 100 000, respectively. Longyou reported 2 leptospirosis case and 1 HFRS cases in 2009, with the incidence rates as 0.49 and 0.25 per 100 000, respectively. Lishui and Longyou had no plague case. Lishui caught 91 mice in 2009 and the density was 4.17%. Longyou caught 37 mice in 2009, with the density as 1.18 percent. Most mice caught from Lishui were Apodemus agrarius and the next was Mus musculus. In Longyou the Rattus tanezumi ranked the first, followed by Apodemus agrarius. The positive rate of HFRS antigen in Lishui and Longyou were 10.42% and 4.59% respectively. The positive rate of HFRS antibody in Longyou was 3.70%. The culture positive rate of leptospirosis in mouse renal of Lishui and Longyou were 0 and 0.98% respectively. The culture positive rate of leptospirosis in pig renal, duck renal, frog renal and cattle urine of Longyou was 0. The culture positive rate of leptospirosis in duck blood of Longyou was 80%. CONCLUSION: The integrated monitoring program on mouse and mouse-borne disease seemed to be feasible and could promote the integrated surveillance and control program on mouse and mouse-borne diseases in China.

[Development and evaluation of TaqMan-based one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Japanese encephalitis virus].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a TaqMan based real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the detection of Japanese encephalitis virus. METHODS: The gene sequences of Japanese encephalitis virus downloaded from the GenBank was aligned, using the biologic software. Specific primers and probes were designed in the conserved region of the C gene for Japanese encephalitis virus. The real-time RT-PCR reactive condition was optimized and the sensitivity, specificity and the stability of the assay were evaluated. Mosquitoes collected from Zhejiang province were detected by this assay. RESULTS: Mg2+, primer and probe were optimized at 5 mmol/L, 0.2 micromol/L and 0.1 micromol/L respectively. The specificity of the assay was high and there were no cross reactions with dengue virus, rabies virus, seoul virus or hantan virus. The detection limits of the assay was 0.1 TCID50. Results from preliminary application showed that TaqMan RT-PCR for Japanese encephalitis virus was sensitive, easier and faster to perform the process of traditional virus isolation and identification. It took only three hours to extract viral RNA and perform the real-time RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: This TaqMan-based one-step RT-PCR assay was a quick, sensitive and specific tool for molecular diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis virus.

[Serological surveillance on vaccine against hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the serological and epidemiological efficacy of hemorrhagic fever renal syndrome (HFRS) vaccine in Zhejiang province. METHODS: Immunofluorescent antibody assay and Mcro-CPE method were used to test specific IgG antibody and the titer of neutralizing antibody. RESULTS: Two weeks after the injection of the third dose, the sero-conversion rates by both immunofluorescent antibody test (IgG) and neutralization test were 100.0% (67/67) (95% CI: 96.3 - 100.0) and 44.4% (8/18)(95% CI: 22.0 - 69.0) with geometric mean titers (GMTs) 72.1 and 4.6 respectively. The rates of seroconversion of immunofluorescent antibody by immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA) were 28.6%, 83.3%, 75.0%, 53.1%, 22.6%, 10.0% and 55.0% before reinforcement, two weeks, one year, one year and a half years, two years, three years and five years after reinforcement. The rates of neutralizing antibody seroconversion by the Mcro-CPE method were found as 14.8%, 55.6%, 35.0%, 31.3%, 26.0%, 10.0% and 50.0% respectively. We found some antibody dependent immunization enhancement phenomenon among the inoculated population, but further observation was needed. CONCLUSION: HFRS vaccine was immunologically effective and the duration of serous antibody last long.