Degassing 4-tert-Butylpyridine in the Spiro-MeOTAD Film Improves the Thermal Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells.

The organic molecular 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis(4,4'-dimethoxy-3-methyldiphenylamino)-9,9'-spirobifluorene (Spiro-MeOTAD) is known as a typical hole transport material in the development of an all-solid-state perovskite solar cell (PSC). Spiro-MeOTAD requires additives of lithium bifurflimide (LiTFSI) and 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP) to increase the conductivity and solubility for enhancing the photovoltaic performance of PSCs. However, those additives have an adverse effect on the thermal stability. We report on the origin of instability of additive-containing Spiro-MeOTAD at 85 °C and the methodology to solve the thermal instability. We have found that the interaction of LiTFSI with the underneath perovskite surface facilitated by diffusive tBP is responsible for thermal degradation. Degasification of tBP from the Spiro-MeOTAD film is found to be the key to achieving thermally stable PSCs, where the optimal degassing process achieves 90% of the initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) at 85 °C after 1000 h.

Transcriptomics to evaluate the influence mechanisms of ethanol on the ester production of Wickerhamomyces anomalus with the induction of lactic acid.

Wickerhamomyces anomalus is one of the most important ester-producing strains in Chinese baijiu brewing. Ethanol and lactic acid are the main metabolites produced during baijiu brewing, but their synergistic influence on the growth and ester production of W. anomalus is unclear. Therefore, in this paper, based on the contents of ethanol and lactic acid during Te-flavor baijiu brewing, the effects of different ethanol concentrations (3, 6, and 9% (v/v)) combined with 1% lactic acid on the growth and ester production of W. anomalus NCUF307.1 were studied and their influence mechanisms were analyzed by transcriptomics. The results showed that the growth of W. anomalus NCUF307.1 under the induction of lactic acid was inhibited by ethanol. Although self-repair mechanism of W. anomalus NCUF307.1 induced by lactic acid was initiated at all concentrations of ethanol, resulting in significant up-regulation of genes related to the Genetic Information Processing pathway, such as cell cycle-yeast, meiosis-yeast, DNA replication and other pathways. However, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and the inhibition of pathways associated with carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism may be the main reason for the inhibition of growth in W. anomalus NCUF307.1. In addition, 3% and 6% ethanol combined with 1% lactic acid could promote the ester production of W. anomalus NCUF307.1, which may be related to the up-regulation of EAT1, ADH5 and TGL5 genes, while the inhibition in 9% ethanol may be related to down-regulation of ATF2, EAT1, ADH2, ADH5, and TGL3 genes.

Predictive and prognostic value of aurora kinase A combined with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Aurora kinase A (AURKA) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are both known to play an essential role in tumorigenesis. However, the expression and prognostic value of the AURKA and TILs in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) have not yet been investigated. Patients and methods: Surgical specimens and clinical data of 137 patients diagnosed with MTC were collected. AURKA expression and TILs infiltration were quantified by immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Subsequently, the prognostic value of AURKA expression and TIL infiltration in MTC was evaluated. Results: AURKA was highly expressed in patients with multifocal tumor, cervical lymph node metastasis, and an advanced TNM stage, indicating a high probability of recurrence. AURKA further exhibited a positive correlation with TILs (R = 0.44, P < 0.001). High expression of AURKA combined with a low numbers of TILs (AURKAhigh/TILslow) was identified as an independent prognostic factor for biochemical recurrence (odds ratio: 4.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.54-14.66, P < 0.01) and recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio: 3.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.52-8.71, P < 0.001). The combination of AURKA and TILs apparently improves the prognostic value for biochemical recurrence (area under the curve: 0.751) and structural recurrence (area under the curve: 0.836) of MTC. Notably, AURKAhigh/TILslow demonstrated a high value for prediction of distant or unresectable locoregional recurrence, with an overall accuracy of 86.9%. Conclusion: AURKAhigh is associated with the MTC malignancy. The combination of AURKAhigh/TILslow was identified as novel independent prognostic marker in MTC, predicting incurable disease recurrence with high accuracy.

Combination of Artemisia selengensis Turcz leaves polysaccharides and dicaffeoylquinic acids could be a potential inhibitor for hyperuricemia.

Caffeioyl quinic acids and polysaccharides from Artemisia selengensis Turcz are considered potential bioactive substances for hyperuricemia (HUA) treatment. While the mechanism of multi-component combined intervention of polysaccharides and dicaffeoylquinic acids (diCQAs) is not yet clear. In this study, we investigated the effect of A. selengensis Turcz leaves polysaccharides (APS) on the HUA treatment with diCQAs in vitro by direct inhibition of XOD activities and in vivo by using animal model. The results showed that APS had almost no inhibitory effect on XOD activities in vitro, but the inhibitory activity of diCQAs on XOD was affected by changes in inhibition type and inhibition constant. Compared to APS and diCQAs alone, high-dose APS and diCQAs in combination (ADPSh) could significantly reduce the production of uric acid (16.38 % reduction compared to diCQAs group) and oxidative stress damage. Additionally, this combined therapy showed promise in restoring the gut microbiota balance and increasing the short-chain fatty acids levels. The results suggested that APS and diCQAs in combination could be a potential inhibitor for HUA treatment.

Time Kinetics and prognosis roles of calcitonin after surgery for medullary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a malignant tumor with low incidence. Currently, most studies have focused on the prognostic risk factors of MTC, whatever, time kinetic and risk factors related to calcitonin normalization (CN) and biochemical persistence/recurrence (BP) are yet to be elucidated. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted for 190 MTC patients. Risk factors related to calcitonin normalization (CN) and biochemical persistence/recurrence (BP) were analyzed. The predictors of calcitonin normalization time (CNT) and biochemical persistent/recurrent time (BPT) were identified. Further, the prognostic roles of CNT and BPT were also demonstrated. RESULTS: The 5- and 10-year DFS were 86.7% and 70.2%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year OS were 97.6% and 78.8%, respectively. CN was achieved in 120 (63.2%) patients, whereas BP was presented in 76 (40.0%) patients at the last follow up. After curative surgery, 39 (32.5%) and 106 (88.3%) patients achieved CN within 1 week and 1 month. All patients who failed to achieve CN turned to BP over time and 32/70 of them developed structural recurrence. The median time of CNT and BPT was 1 month (1 day to 84 months) and 6 month (3 day to 63months), respectively. LNR > 0.23 and male gender were independent predictors for CN and BP. LNR > 0.23 (Hazard ratio (HR), 0.24; 95% CI,0.13-0.46; P < 0.01) and male gender (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42-0.99; P = 0.045) were independent predictors for longer CNT. LNR > 0.23 (HR,5.10; 95% CI,2.15-12.11; P < 0.01) was still the strongest independent predictor followed by preoperative serum Ctn > 1400ng/L (HR,2.34; 95% CI,1.29-4.25; P = 0.005) for shorter BPT. In survival analysis, primary tumor size > 2 cm (HR, 5.81; 95% CI,2.20-15.38; P < 0.01), CNT > 1 month (HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 1.17-27.61; P = 0.031) and multifocality (HR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.45-6.65; P = 0.004) were independent predictor of DFS. CONCLUSION: Early changes of Ctn after curative surgery can predict the long-term risks of biochemical and structural recurrence, which provide a useful real-time prognostic information. LNR significantly affect the time kinetic of biochemical prognosis. Tumor burden and CNT play a crucial role in MTC survival, the intensity of follow-up must be tailored accordingly.

Evaluation of the effect of Torulaspora delbrueckii on important volatile compounds in navel orange original brandy using E-nose combined with HS-SPME-GC-MS.

Simultaneous inoculation of non-Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the alcoholic fermentation process has been found to be an effective strategy for enhancing wine flavor. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Torulaspora delbrueckii NCUF305.2 on the flavor of navel orange original brandy (NOOB) using E-nose combined with HS-SPME-GC-MS. The results showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the sensitivity of NOOB to W5C, W3C, W1S, and W3S sensors by mixed fermentation (MF). Esters in NOOB increased by 4.13%, while higher alcohols increased by 21.93% (p < 0.001), terpenes and others increased by 52.07% and 40.99% (p < 0.01), respectively. Notably, several important volatile compounds with relative odor activity values above 10 showed an increase. Sensory analysis revealed that a more pronounced citrus-like flavor and higher overall appearance scores were found in MF than in pure fermentation (PF). These findings offer valuable theoretical guidance for enhancing the quality of fruit brandies.

Influence mechanisms of linoleic acid and oleic acid on the gel properties of egg yolk protein.

BACKGROUND: Gel property is among the crucial functional properties of egg yolk (EY), which determines the texture and flavor of EY products. In the present study, the effects of two unsaturated fatty acids [monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid (OA) and diunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid (LA)] on the gel properties of EY protein were investigated. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the addition of LA and OA (10-50 g kg-1) improved the gel hardness (from 270.54 g to 385.85 g and 414.38 g, respectively) and viscosity coefficient (from 0.015 Pa.sn to 11.892 Pa.sn and 1.812 Pa.sn, respectively). The surface hydrophobicity of EY protein increased to a maximum value of 40 g kg-1 with the addition of both fatty acids (39.06 µg and 41.58 µg, respectively). However, excess unsaturated fatty acids (≥ 50 g kg-1) disrupted the completeness of the gel matrix and weakened the structural properties of the EY gel. CONCLUSION: Both fatty acids improved the gel properties of EY protein. At the same addition level, OA was superior to LA in improving gel properties. The present study provides a theoretical underpinning for the sensible application of unsaturated fatty acids in improving EY gel properties. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Multidimensional data analysis revealed thyroiditis-associated TCF19 SNP rs2073724 as a highly ranked protective variant in thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer represents the most prevalent malignant endocrine tumour, with rising incidence worldwide and high mortality rates among patients exhibiting dedifferentiation and metastasis. Effective biomarkers and therapeutic interventions are warranted in aggressive thyroid malignancies. The transcription factor 19 (TCF19) gene has been implicated in conferring a malignant phenotype in cancers. However, its contribution to thyroid neoplasms remains unclear. RESULTS: In this study, we performed genome-wide and phenome-wide association studies to identify a potential causal relationship between TCF19 and thyroid cancer. Our analyses revealed significant associations between TCF19 and various autoimmune diseases and human cancers, including cervical cancer and autoimmune thyroiditis, with a particularly robust signal for the deleterious missense variation rs2073724 that is associated with thyroid function, hypothyroidism, and autoimmunity. Furthermore, functional assays and transcriptional profiling in thyroid cancer cells demonstrated that TCF19 regulates important biological processes, especially inflammatory and immune responses. We demonstrated that TCF19 could promote the progression of thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo and the C>T variant of rs2073724 disrupted TCF19 protein binding to target gene promoters and their expression, thus reversing the effect of TCF19 protein. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these findings implicate TCF19 as a promising therapeutic target in aggressive thyroid malignancies and designate rs2073724 as a causal biomarker warranting further investigation in thyroid cancer.

Lnc-SNHG5 Promoted Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression Through the RPS3-NFκB Pathway.

Background: We planned to explore the underlying mechanism and clinical significance of lnc-SNHG5 and RPS3 in hepatocellular carcinoma in this current study. Methods: The expression of Lnc-SNHG5 and RPS3 in HCC tissues and several cell lines were affirmed, respectively, using UALCAN, TIMER, TCGA and RT-qPCR assay. Cell proliferation ability was detected by colony formation assay and CCK8 assay. Cell apoptosis was monitored by flow cytometry assay. Next, the RPS3 expression levels and the related proteins in NFκB pathway were examined using Western blot analysis. The role of lnc-SNHG5 and RPS3 in vivo was identified by subcutaneous tumor bearing experiment. Results: Lnc-SNHG5 was significantly increased in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Further investigation showed that up-regulated lnc-SNHG5 promoted cell viability and cell proliferation ability of SMMC-7721 cells by regulating the cell apoptosis, while down-regulation of lnc-SNHG5 revealed opposite results in QGY-7703 cells. In terms of mechanism, we found that lnc-SNHG5 interacted with RPS3. Lnc-SNHG5 regulated the NFκB pathway through RPS3 in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: This study suggested that lnc-SNHG5 expression was signally up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, and lnc-SNHG5 promoted the malignant phenotypes in vitro and in vivo via directly regulating RPS3-NFκB pathway. Lnc-SNHG5 might be a target for molecular targeted therapy, a potential and novel diagnostic marker for HCC patients.

Editorial to Special Issue-Food Brewing Technology and Brewing Microorganisms.

Food brewing technology is an important technology in the modern worldwide food industry, which uses the specific traits of microorganisms to produce food by traditional or modern engineering techniques [...].

Partial preservation of the normal thyroid gland based on tumor diameter may be possible in small medullary thyroid carcinoma: a two-center 15-year retrospective study.

Background: At present, there are some controversies in the formulation of surgical protocol for small medullary thyroid carcinoma(s-MTC). We wanted to explore the feasibility of normal thyroid gland retention in small medullary thyroid carcinoma based on different tumor diameters and its prognostic impact on the tumor. Methods: The data of patients with stage T1 MTC treated at Tianjin Cancer Hospital and Sichuan Cancer Hospital from 2006 to 2021 were analyzed. The tumor diameters of 0.5 cm and 1.0 cm were used as dividing points. The outcomes were tumor recurrence, metastasis, or patient death. Survival was estimated by the Kapan-Meier curve. Results: A total of 121 T1 s-MTC patients were included, including 55 with total thyroidectomy (TT) and 66 with subthyroidectomy (Sub-TT). There were eleven cases of tumor recurrence and metastasis, and four patients died. When the tumor diameter was 1.0 cm as the cut-off point, tumor diameter (p = 0.010), TT (p = 0.028), unilateral and bilateral type (p = 0.009), and TNM staging (p = 0.007) had significant effects on progression-free survival (PFS). The tumor diameter, unilateral and bilateral type, and TT were risk factors for the prognosis of T1 MTC (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The tumor diameter of 1.0 cm can be used as a cut-off point for stage T1 MTC. Alt-hough there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between T1a and T1b in patients, tumor diameter significantly influenced PFS. TT is not necessary for patients with sporadic MTC with T1a.

Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer.

The diagnosis and treatment of locally advanced thyroid carcinoma are challenging. The challenge lies in the evaluation of the tumor scope and the formulation of an individualized treatment plan. Three-dimensional (3D) visualization has a wide range of applications in the field of medicine, although there are limited applications in thyroid cancer. We previously applied 3D visualization for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. Through data collection, 3D modeling, and preoperative evaluation, we can obtain 3D information regarding the tumor outline, determine the extent of tumor invasion, and conduct adequate preoperative preparation and surgical risk assessment. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of 3D visualization in locally advanced thyroid cancer. Computer-aided 3D visualization can be an effective method for accurate preoperative evaluation, the development of surgical methods, shortening the surgical time, and reducing the surgical risks. Furthermore, it can contribute to medical education and doctor-patient communication. We believe that the application of 3D visualization technology can improve outcomes and quality of life in patients with locally advanced thyroid cancer.

Fermentative Production of Diacylglycerol by Endophytic Fungi Screened from Taxus chinensis var. mairei.

Diacylglycerol (DAG) production by microbial fermentation has broad development prospects. In the present study, five endophytic fungi which could accumulate DAG were screened from Taxus chinensis var. mairei by using potato dextrose agar plate and flask cultivation in potato dextrose broth culture medium. The strains were biologically identified based on morphological features and semi-quantitative PCR. The identification results indicated that the five strains belonged to different genera: Fusarium annulatum (F. annulatum, coded as MLP41), Trichoderma dorotheae (T. dorotheae, coded as MLG23), Colletotrichum aeschynomenes (C. aeschynomenes, coded as MLY23), Pestalotiopsis scoparia (P. scoparia, coded as MLY31W), and Penicillium cataractarum (P. cataractarum, coded as MLGP11). The crude lipids from the strains and their corresponding triacylglycerol, 1,2-DAG, and 1,3-DAG fractions separated via thin-layer chromatography were mainly composed of palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid, which in total accounted for higher than 94% of the content. The effects of fermentation conditions on the DAG productivity were discussed, and the yields of DAG were determined based on the 1H NMR spectra of crude lipids. The highest total DAG yields of F. annulatum, T. dorotheae, C. aeschynomenes, P. scoparia, and P. cataractarum were 112.28, 126.42, 189.87, 105.61, and 135.56 mg/L, respectively. C. aeschynomenes had the strongest potential to produce DAG. The results showed that this may be a new promising route for the production of DAG via fermentation by specific endophytic fungi, such as C. aeschynomenes.

A review on polyphenols and their potential application to reduce food allergenicity.

This review summarized recent studies about the effects of polyphenols on the allergenicity of allergenic proteins, involving epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidins, quercetin, ferulic acid and rosmarinic acid, etc. Besides, the mechanism of polyphenols for reducing allergenicity was discussed and concluded. It was found that polyphenols could noncovalently (mainly hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding) and covalently (mainly alkaline, free-radical grafting, and enzymatic method) react with allergens to induce the structural changes, resulting in the masking or/and destruction of epitopes and the reduction of allergenicity. Oral administration in murine models showed that the allergic reaction might be suppressed by regulating immune cell function, changing the levels of cytokines, suppressing of MAPK, NF-κb and allergens-presentation pathway and improving intestine function, etc. The outcome of reduced allergenicity and suppressed allergic reaction was affected by many factors such as polyphenol types, polyphenol concentration, allergen types, pH, oral timing and dosage. Moreover, the physicochemical and functional properties of allergenic proteins were improved after treatment with polyphenols. Therefore, polyphenols have the potential to produce hypoallergenic food. Further studies should focus on active concentrations and bioavailability of polyphenols, confirming optimal intake and hypoallergenic of polyphenols based on clinical trials.

Effects of bio-augmented Daqu on microbial community, aroma compounds and physicochemical parameters of fermented grains during the brewing of Chinese special-flavor baijiu.

BACKGROUND: Bio-augmented Daqu is used to improve the microbial community and physicochemical parameters of fermented grains, thus affecting the flavor and quality of baijiu. This study investigated the effects of bio-augmented Daqu inoculated with Aspergillus niger NCUF413.1 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCUF304.1 on the microbial community, aroma compounds, and physicochemical parameters of fermented grains during special-flavor baijiu brewing. RESULTS: Compared with the control group (CG), the utilization of starch and production of ethanol in the inoculated group (IG) increased by 3.55% and 12.59%, respectively. The use of bio-augmented Daqu changed the bacterial communities. For example, Kroppenstedsia was the dominant bacterial genus (the relative abundance was about 22%) in the CG while Lactobacillus was the main dominant genus (the relative abundance was more than 30%) in the IG on days 20-30. Lactobacillus showed a significant positive correlation with the aroma compounds. The use of bio-augmented Daqu increased the aroma compound content - such as the ethyl heptanoate and ethyl hexanoate content. CONCLUSION: The addition of bio-augmented Daqu with A. niger and S. cerevisiae could change microbial communities, resulting in an increase in the yield of ethanol and the aroma compound content of fermented grains, thus improving the quality of baijiu. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Diagnosis and treatment of ectopic thyroid carcinoma: A case report and literature review.

Introduction: Ectopic thyroid cancer (ETC) is primary thyroid cancer occurring in ectopic thyroid tissue, and its incidence rate is approximately 0.3%-0.5% of thyroid cancer. Only approximately 132 cases of ETC have been diagnosed and treated worldwide in the past 110 years, with most of them being adults. Of note, patients with ETC are prone to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Case report: This was a 13-year-old adolescent female who reported having a sensation of swallowing obstruction when eating blocky foods. Color Doppler Ultrasound (CDU) found a 2.3 cm ×1.7 cm × 2.1 cm hypoechoic nodule slightly to the right of the deep surface of the tongue base, with a honeycomb shape. Meanwhile, a mixed echogenic nodule of approximately 2.0 cm × 1.9 cm × 2.3 cm was seen deep in the mouth floor, and a very low echogenic region of 1.4 cm × 1.1 cm × 1.8 cm was observed in the nodule. We then performed a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the thyroid nodules guided by CDU, and the results showed papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Then, a local extended resection of the thyroid carcinoma was performed. Bilateral cervical IA and adjacent subhyoid lymph node dissection was performed through a small anterior cervical incision. The patient recovered well, and was discharged on the fifth day after surgery. The patient only took levothyroxine tablets for replacement therapy after surgery. The patient was followed up for 36 months, and the thyroid function remained in the normal range. Reexamination by CDU showed no tumor recurrence, lymph node enlargement, or obvious change in the tongue base ectopic thyroid. Conclusions: ETC is an extremely rare type of thyroid cancer, which is easy to be misdiagnosed. Preoperative use of CDU, nuclide scanning, computed tomography (CT)/Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and FNAB can significantly reduce the misdiagnosis rate of this disease. Surgery is currently the main treatment for ETC. Complete resection still has a high cure rate. For patients with advanced ETC who cannot be completely resected, external radiotherapy and targeted therapy can be tried, but the prognosis needs to be verified with more cases in the future.

Increase the Content of Ester Compounds in Blueberry Wine Fermentation with the Ester-Producing Yeast: Candida glabrata, Pichia anomala, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus.

The co-fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ester-producing yeasts is considered to be an effective way to improve the flavor and quality of fruit wine. In this study, three kinds of ester-producing yeasts (Candida glabrata NCUF308.1, Pichia anomala NCUF306.1, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus NCUF307.1) and S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 were used to simulate blueberry wine co-fermentation at different ratios. The results showed that, compared with S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 fermentation (S), the population of S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 in co-fermentation samples decreased to varying degrees, and the content of ethanol also decreased. The results also showed that the co-fermentation of C. glabrata NCUF308.1 and S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 at the ratio of 1:1 (CS1), co-fermentation of P. anomala NCUF306.1 and S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 at the ratio of 5:1 (PS5), and co-fermentation of W. anomalus NCUF307.1 and S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 at the ratio of 5:1 (WS5) could significantly increase the content of ester compounds (p < 0.05), which was 3.29, 4.75, and 3.04 times that of the S sample, respectively. Among them, the sample of CS1 was characterized by phenethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate, while the samples of CS5 and PS5 were characterized by propyl octanoate and ethyl decanoate, and the sample of WS5 was characterized by 3-methylbutyl hexanoate. However, the contents of odor active compounds were higher in the CS1 sample. Therefore, the samples of CS1 had the potential to create the distinctive flavor of blueberry wine.

Effects on Cell Membrane Integrity of Pichia anomala by the Accumulating Excessive Reactive Oxygen Species under Ethanol Stress.

Ethanol stress to yeast is well recognized and exists widely during the brewing process of alcohol products. Pichia anomala is an important ester-producing yeast in the brewing process of Chinese Baijiu and other alcohol products. Therefore, it is of great significance for the alcohol products brewing industry to explore the effects of ethanol stress on the growth metabolism of P. anomala. In this study, the effects of ethanol stress on the growth, esters production ability, cell membrane integrity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism of P. anomala NCU003 were studied. Our results showed that ethanol stress could inhibit the growth, reduce the ability of non-ethyl ester compounds production and destroy the cell morphology of P. anomala NCU003. The results also showed that 9% ethanol stress produced excessive ROS and then increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, aseorbateperoxidase and glutathione reductase) compared to the control group. However, these increased antioxidant enzyme activities could not prevent the damage caused by ROS to P. anomala NCU003. Of note, correlation results indicated that high content of ROS could promote the accumulation of malondialdehyde content, resulting in destruction of the integrity of the cell membrane and leading to the leakage of intracellular nutrients (soluble sugar and protein) and electrolytes. These results indicated that the growth and the non-ethyl ester compounds production ability of P. anomala could be inhibited under ethanol stress by accumulating excessive ROS and the destruction of cell membrane integrity in P. anomala.

Effect of pretreatments of camellia seeds on the quality, phenolic profile, and antioxidant capacity of camellia oil.

Camellia oil is one of the four major woody oils in the world and has high nutritional value due to its richness in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and bioactive substances. In order to compare the effects of pretreatments of camellia seeds on the quality, phenolic profile, and antioxidant capacity of camellia oil, three different pretreatment methods, i.e., hot air (HA), steam (ST) and puffing (PU), were used to treat the seed powder in the present study. All three pretreatments changed the internal structure of the camellia seeds. The oil yield was increased after all three pretreatments, with the highest oil yield increased by PU pretreatment (Based on the oil yield, we screened out the best conditions of the three pretreatments, HA pretreatment is 60°C for 40 min, ST pretreatment is 100°C for 15 min, PU pretreatment is 800 rpm). The fatty acids (FAs) of the oil were relatively stable, with no significant changes after three pretreatments. However, all three pretreatments had a significant effect on the acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), and benzo(a)pyrene (Ba P) of the camellia oil. The PU and HA pretreatments could increase the tocopherol content and the total sterols content in the camellia oil. The ST and PU pretreatments significantly increased the free phenolics (FP) content, all three pretreatments reduced the contents of conjugated phenolics (CP) and insoluble-bound phenolics (IBP) in the camellia oil. The IBP made the most significant contribution to the antioxidant capacities of camellia oil. ST and PU prtreatments increased the antioxidant capacities of the total phenolics in the camellia oil. Eight phenolics in FP, CP, and IBP were significantly correlated with the antioxidant capacities of camellia oil. The results of the present study could provide some theoretical guidance for the pretreatment of camellia seeds for higher oil yield, phenolic content and enhanced antioxidant capacities of camellia oil.

Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation on the composition of chlorogenic acids and anti-hyperuricemia activity of Artemisia selengensis Turcz.

Background: Lactobacillus fermentation has become a typical food processing method with the development of the modern food industry. Aims: This study aimed to assess the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCUF202.2 fermentation on Artemisia selengensis Turcz (AST) in relieving hyperuricemia (HUA) and the mechanisms involved. Results: The fermented Artemisia selengensis Turcz extracts (FASTE) could significantly increase the content of free polyphenol and enhance the inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase (XOD) in vitro. The result of ultrafiltration coupled with UPLC-MS/MS screened out the components that might be combined with XOD in the caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) of Artemisia selengensis Turcz extracts (ASTE) as 5-CQA, 3-CQA, 4-CQA, 1-CQA, 3,4-diCQA, 3,5-diCQA, 1,5-diCQA and 4,5-diCQA as well as caffeic acid (CA) of FASTE except the above. Our results also showed that ASTE and FASTE could alleviate HUA in rats. In contrast, FASTE had a better ability to reduce serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity than ASTE. Furthermore, FASTE could restore catalase (CAT) in HUA model rats in vivo, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity to a better degree, thereby inhibiting the production of excess malondialdehyde (MDA). Under the intervention of ASTE and FASTE, the levels of serum pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors in rats tended to be normal. However, FASTE could increase the expression of the uric acid secretion protein OAT1 and decrease the expression of reabsorption proteins URAT1 and GLUT9 in model rats, thereby reducing the serum uric acid (SUA) level in model rats. ASTE and FASTE can increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansiaceae. Conclusion: Overall, part of diCQAs and CQAs was decomposed after fermentation. FASTE had a more substantial HUA-relieving effect than ASTE. It is expected to be applied to functional foods and contribute to the research and development of uric acid lowering functional foods.