A high-throughput differential scanning fluorimetry method for rapid detection of thermal stability and iron saturation in lactoferrin.

Thermal stability and iron saturation of lactoferrin (LF) are of great significance not only for the evaluation of the biological activities of LF but also for the optimization of the isolation and drying process parameters. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a well-established and efficient method for thermal stability and iron saturation detection in LF. However, multiple DSC measurements are typically performed sequentially, thus time-consuming and low throughput. Herein, we introduced the differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) approach to overcome such limitations. The DSF can monitor LF thermal unfolding with a commonly available real-time PCR instrument and a fluorescent dye (SYPRO orange or Glomelt), and the measured melting temperature of LF is consistent with that determined by DSC. On the basis of that, a new quantification method was established for determination of iron saturation levels using the linear correlation of the degree of ion saturation of LF with DSF measurements. Such DSF method is simple, inexpensive, rapid (<15 min), and high throughput (>96 samples per experiment), and provides a valuable alternative tool for thermal stability detection of LF and other whey proteins.

Anatomical study of the atypical azygos venous system and its clinical significance / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To investigate the morphology and classification of the atypical azygos venous system,and to provide reference for diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal and thoracic vascular diseases.Methods Thirty cadavers were perfused with 10%formalin solution, and immersed in the solution for one month before dissection.The vertebral levels of termination and diameters of the azygos,hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins were examined.Results There were 24 cases of classical azygos venous system,which contained the azygos, hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins.And there were 6 cases of atypical azygos venous system,which were further divided into 4 sub-groups.Namely,type a(2 cases)which showed an inverted"Y"shape;type b(2 cases)which was single column with hemiazygos and ac-cessory hemiazygos veins absent;type c(1 case)which showed an accessory hemiazygos vein draining into the left brachiocephalic vein;and type d(1 case)with azygos vein and double superior vena cava variation.Diameters of termination of the azygos,hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins were(10.39 ±1.98)mm,(8.51 ±2.28)mm,and(6.29 ±1.56)mm,respectively.The vertebral levels of termination of the azygos,hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins were T 4(83.3%),T7to T10,T4to T8respectively.Conclusion All morphometrical diameters and their termination levels can be used during preoperative CT evaluations before planning invasive mediastinal procedures.The re-sults of this study could be helpful in mediastinal surgery,mediastinoscopy and the surgery of the deformations of the vertebral column in the thoracic cavity.

Cellulase-Assisted Extraction of Polysaccharides from White Hyacinth Bean: Characterization of Antioxidant Activity and Promotion for Probiotics Proliferation.

Food-derived polysaccharides have advantages over synthetical compounds and have attracted interest globally for decades. In this study, we optimized the cellulase-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from white hyacinth bean (PWBs) with the aid of response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum extraction parameters were a pH of 7.79, a cellulase of 2.73%, and a ratio of water to material of 61.39, producing a high polysaccharide yield (3.32 ± 0.03)%. The scavenging ability of PWBs varied on three radicals (hydroxyl > 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) > superoxide). Furthermore, PWBs contributed to the proliferation of three probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5, Bifidobacterium bifidum BB01, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus LB6). These investigations of PWBs provide a novel bioresource for the exploitation of antioxidant and probiotic bacterial proliferation.

[Electroacupuncture intervention combined with general anesthesia for craniocerebral operations].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention combined with general anesthesia (GA) for craniocerebral tumor-removal surgery involving cerebral eloquent areas. METHODS: A total of 20 patients with cerebral tumors (durosarcoma, neurogliocytoma, metastatic tumor) involving the cerebral eloquent areas were recruited in the present summary. They were equally divided into general anesthesia (GA) group and EA + GA group. Patients of the EA + GA group were treated with EA stimulation (2 Hz/100 Hz) of the bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Shuaigu (GB 8) and acupuncture stimulation of Quanliao (SI 18), Zulinqi (GB 41) and Taichong (LR 3), and not given intubation during surgery. Patients of the GA group were treated with intravenous administration of Propofol, Fentanyl, Midazolam, Isopropanol, etc. In addition, all the patients were given with controlled hypotension by intravenous injection of Propofol and Fentanyl. Dosages of Propofol and Sulfentanyl used were recorded. Karnofsky performance status scale was used to assess the patient's general well-being and activities of daily life. RESULTS: The craniocerebral tumor-removal surgery was successful in all the 20 patients. Compared with the GA group, the dosages of Sulfentanyl and Propofol of the EA+ GA group were significantly lower (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the GA and EA+ GA groups in Karnofsky performance scores (P > 0.05). Patients of the EA+GA group experienced successful tumour-removal surgery without trachea cannula, were awake and could make a good cooperation with the operator during surgery. They had no aggravation of neurofunctional disturbance following the operation. CONCLUSION: EA combined with general anesthesia is safe and effective for patients with craniocerebral tumor-removal operations involving cerebral eloquent areas.