Vibration mill-assisted complex enzyme hydrolysis for flavoring of freeze-dried sea cucumber powder.

This study aims to analyze the flavor differences of freeze-dried sea cucumber powder, processed for different time intervals, under vibration mill-assisted complex enzyme hydrolysis using electronic nose (E-nose) and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). The results of principal component analysis by E-nose showed distinction among the four groups of freeze-dried sea cucumber powder (papain-neutral protease (PN) and flavorzyme-neutral protease (FN), processed for 60 and 80 min). The GC-IMS revealed 35 volatile compounds. Subsequently, based on the fingerprint and heat map results, the flavor differences among the samples were clearly distinguished. When compared to the other three groups, the 60-FN group exhibited a greater variety and quantity of volatile compounds such as octanal, heptanal, hexanal, (E, Z)-2,6-nonadienal, and nonanal. The 80-PN group exhibited high amounts of 2-propanone, ethylbenzene, ethyl acetate, and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine. In addition, the vibration mill technique was considered to be a mild enzyme-assisted method. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study found that different enzyme types and physical technology operation time can affect the different volatile flavor compounds of freeze-dried sea cucumber powder, which can be quickly and effectively be identified by E-nose and GC-IMS technology to improve the flavor and quality of the product, while facilitating the rapid adjustment and development of the industry. Meanwhile, the results of the study could provide a reference for the deep processing and flavor improvement of the sea cucumber industry and make an important contribution to the related literature. In addition, this could also promote the development and application of non-thermal processing technologies such as vibratory mill in the freeze-dried sea cucumber powder industry.

Photoluminescence and labelling for microcrack bone of N-salicylidene-3-amino-1,2,4-triazole.

A new Schiff base of N-salicylidene-3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (SAT) was synthesized and its photoluminescent, photochromic and thermochromic properties were characterized and demonstrated. The fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield of SAT were measured and the microcrack bone imaging using SAT as a fluorescent label was observed by laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). The absorption spectrum of SAT was demonstrated using DFT/TD-DFT calculation.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of a pedigree of Kennedy disease].

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical and genetic features of a pedigree of Kennedy disease in China. METHODS: The clinical data of patients from a Kennedy disease family were collected. The numbers of trinucleotide CAG repeats in exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene were determined by DNA sequencing and repeat fragment analysis. RESULTS: In the pedigree, 4 patients were identified as Kennedy disease. Clinical manifested with adult-onset, progressive proximal limb muscle weakness and atrophy, gynecomastia, oligospermia were also presented. The number of trinucleotide CAG repeats in exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene was 51 in the proband. The electrophysiological study showed sensory and motor involvement and their serum triglycerides values were elevated significantly. CONCLUSION: Androgen receptors gene testing is the most reliable diagnosing method, the patients suspected as Kennedy disease should have a gene testing of androgen receptors.

Synergy of gemcitabine and lidamycin associated with NF-kappaB downregulation in pancreatic carcinoma cells.

AIM: To investigate the effects on human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 and SW1990 cells using a combination of lidamycin (LDM) and gemcitabine. METHODS: A 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to determine the growth inhibition of drugs in PANC-1 and SW1990 cells. The effects on apoptosis were measured by terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay and flow cytometry combined with fluorescein- isothiocyanate-Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. The activity of caspase-3 was measured with a special assay kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential was determined by confocal microscopy analyses. The level of mRNA encoding K-ras in the cells was determined by RT-PCR analysis. The expression of K-ras, NF-kappaB, and Bcl-2 was detected by Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in proliferation in the pancreatic cancer cell lines treated with a combination of gemcitabine and LDM. The overall growth inhibition directly correlated with apoptotic cell death. LDM potentiated the gemcitabine-induced cell killing by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing the caspase-3 activity. Notably, the K-ras mRNA level was significantly reduced with the combination of gemcitabine and LDM. The results for K-ras, NF-kappaB, and Bcl-2 proteins also showed downregulation in the combination group relative to the single-agent treatment and the untreated control. CONCLUSION: LDM can potentiate the growth inhibition induced by gemcitabine in human pancreatic cancer cells, and the synergy may be associated with NF-kappaB downregulation.

Sodium caffeate induces endothelial cell apoptosis and inhibits VEGF expression in cancer cells.

AIM: To investigate the induction of endothelial cell apoptosis and the suppression of VEGF expression in cancer cells by sodium caffeate (SCA). METHODS: Apoptosis of transformed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECV304 cell line) was detected by flow cytometry, DNA electrophoresis assay and morphological assessment. Western blotting analysis was applied for determination of VEGF expression in cancer cells. Substrate degradation by type IV collagenase was measured by zymography. ELISA was used to detect the binding of type IV collagenase with relevant monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: SCA induced ECV304 cell apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After treatment with 100 and 250 microg X mL(-1) of SCA for 48 h, DNA laddering appeared. SCA treated cells showed strong blue fluorescence and distinct changes of nuclear morphology, such as pyknosis and the occurrence of apoptotic bodies. VEGF expression in hepatoma HepG-2 cells and prostate carcinoma DU145 cells was reduced after SCA treatment. The degradation activity of type IV collagenase including MMP-2 and MMP-9 secreted by giant cell pulmonary carcinoma PG cells was inhibited by SCA in a dose-dependent manner. SCA also reduced the binding of mAb 3D6, a relevant monoclonal antibody, to type IV collagenase. CONCLUSION: SCA can induce endothelial cell apoptosis and inhibit VEGF expression as well as type IV collagenase activity in cancer cells. SCA might be active in modulating tumor angiogenesis and the microenvironment.

Biomarkers responses of the earthworm Eisenia fetida to acetochlor exposure in OECD soil.

To examine the potential of a suite of biomarkers as early warning indicators of environmental pollution, sperm count, neutral red retention time (NRRT) and DNA damage were measured in earthworm Eisenia fetida exposed to increasing concentrations of acetochlor in OECD soil. The neutral red retention time of earthworms coelomocytes was sensitive to acetochlor pollution, and decreased significantly when the concentration was more than 10mgkg(-1) after 30 and 60 days of exposure (P<0.05). The reduced neutral red retention time correlated with the soil acetochlor residual. Sperm count decreased significantly at the concentrations of 40 and 80mgkg(-1) after 15 days of exposure (P<0.05). The DNA damage of earthworms coelomocytes increased significantly after 30 days of exposure at the highest concentration (80mgkg(-1); P<0.05). Earthworms were under physiological stress at field dose of acetochlor (10mgkg(-1)). Higher concentrations of acetochlor caused sperm count decrease and DNA damage of earthworms. Such a suite of biomarkers could serve as indicators of the health of the soil environment and to evaluate the toxicity of acetochlor on earthworms or as a means of monitoring soil acetochlor pollution.