Isolation, identification, and tolerance analysis of yeast during the natural fermentation process of Sidamo coffee beans.

Yeast, which plays a pivotal role in the brewing, food, and medical industries, exhibits a close relationship with human beings. In this study, we isolated and purified 60 yeast strains from the natural fermentation broth of Sidamo coffee beans to screen for indigenous beneficial yeasts. Among them, 25 strains were obtained through morphological characterization on nutritional agar medium from Wallerstein Laboratory (WL), with molecular biology identifying Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain YBB-47 and the remaining 24 yeast strains identified as Pichia kudriavzevii. We investigated the fermentation performance, alcohol tolerance, SO2 tolerance, pH tolerance, sugar tolerance, temperature tolerance, ester production capacity, ethanol production capacity, H2S production capacity, and other brewing characteristics of YBB-33 and YBB-47. The results demonstrated that both strains could tolerate up to 3% alcohol by volume at a high sucrose mass concentration (400 g/L) under elevated temperature conditions (40 ℃), while also exhibiting a remarkable ability to withstand an SO2 mass concentration of 300 g/L at pH 3.2. Moreover, S. cerevisiae YBB-47 displayed a rapid gas production rate and strong ethanol productivity. whereas P. kudriavzevii YBB-33 exhibited excellent alcohol tolerance. Furthermore, this systematic classification and characterization of coffee bean yeast strains from the Sidamo region can potentially uncover additional yeasts that offer high-quality resources for industrial-scale coffee bean production.

Ultraviolet A Enhances Cathepsin L Expression and Activity via JNK Pathway in Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Cathepsin L (CatL) is a cysteine protease with strong matrix degradation activity that contributes to photoaging. Mannose phosphate-independent sorting pathways mediate ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced alternate trafficking of CatL. Little is known about signaling pathways involved in the regulation of UVA-induced CatL expression and activity. This study aims to investigate whether a single UVA irradiation affects CatL expression and activity and whether mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathway is involved in the regulation of UVA-induced CatL expression and activity in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). METHODS: Primary HDFs were exposed to UVA. Cell proliferation was determined by a cell counting kit. UVA-induced CatL production and activity were studied with quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and fluorimetric assay in cell lysates collected on three consecutive days after irradiation. Time courses of UVA-activated JNK and p38MAPK signaling were examined by Western blotting. Effects of MAPK inhibitors and knockdown of Jun and Fos on UVA-induced CatL expression and activity were investigated by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and fluorimetric assay. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: UVA significantly increased CatL gene expression, protein abundance, and enzymatic activity for three consecutive days after irradiation (F = 83.11, 56.14, and 71.19, respectively; all P < 0.05). Further investigation demonstrated phosphorylation of JNK and p38MAPK activated by UVA. Importantly, inactivation of JNK pathway significantly decreased UVA-induced CatL expression and activity, which were not affected by p38MAPK inhibition. Moreover, knockdown of Jun and Fos significantly attenuated basal and UVA-induced CatL expression and activity. CONCLUSIONS: UVA enhances CatL production and activity in HDFs, probably by activating JNK and downstreaming AP-1. These findings provide a new possible molecular approach for antiphotoaging therapy.

Erythema associated with pain and warmth on face and ears: a variant of erythermalgia or red ear syndrome?

Erythermalgia is a rare cutaneous disorder characterized by attacking of erythema, pain and increased temperature, which primarily involves the extremities and may infrequently extend to the neck, face, ears and even the scrotum. We reported an 18-year-old woman who presented with 3 years history of sole involvement of attacking erythema, pain and warmth over her face and ears without any other associations. The frequency and severity of the flares progressed gradually during the course. Cutaneous examination revealed erythema, increased temperature and tenderness on the face and ears during the flare. The symptoms could be relieved rapidly by cooling. Dermatoscope showed that vessels inside the erythema were more dilated during the episode than after application of ice. The lesion is considered a rare variant of erythermalgia with sole involvement of face and ears. The symptoms had mild response to oral antihistamines, topical steroids and tacrolimus, but had excellent response to the combinative therapy of aspirin and paroxetins.

Recurrent facial erythema with burning sensation and increased temperature: a variant of erythromelalgia or a new entity?

OBJECTIVE: Erythromelalgia is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by episodic attacks of burning pain, erythema, and increased temperature, primarily affecting the extremities, and in rare instances, involving the ear, face, neck, and the scrotum. The dermatoscopic features of erythromelalgia in a case with solely facial involvement have never been described previously. OBSERVATIONS: We describe a 14-year-old female who presented with erythema, burning sensation, and warmth on her face only, which mimic the features of erythromelalgia. Physical examination showed higher temperature on the involved cheeks than on axillas during the episode, while the temperature on both areas was the same between episodes. Dermatoscope showed more dilated vessels inside the erythema during the episodes than between the episodes. The symptoms had excellent response to the combination treatment of gabapentin, indomethacin, and topical lidocaine compounds. CONCLUSIONS: The present case is considered to be a variant of erythromelalgia. Its erythema may be resulted from the dilated vessels. Combination of modalities may provide effective management for erythromelalgia. "Erythermalgia" may be better than "erythromelalgia" to describe such conditions.

[Applications of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy technique to determination of forage mycotoxins].

The near infrared reflectance spectroscopy technique (NIRS) has been explored at many fields such as agriculture, food, chemical, medicine, and so on, due to its rapid, effective, non-destructive, and on-line characteristics. Fungi invasion in forage materials during processing and storage would generate mycotoxins, which were harmful for people and animal through food chains. The determination of mycotoxins included the overelaborated pretreatments such as milling, extracting, chromatography and subsequent process such as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, high performance liquid chromatography, and thin layer chromatography. The authors hope that high precision and low detection limit spectrum instrument, and software technology and calibration model of mycotoxins determination, will fast measure accurately the quality and quantity of mycotoxins, which will provide basis for reasonable process and utilization of forage and promote the application of NIRS in the safety livestock product.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 from Panax notoginseng in rats.

Panax notoginseng is used as a therapeutic agent to stop haemorrhages and a tonic to promote health in Chinese medicine. Currently saponins of P. notoginseng (PNS) are especially given attentions for their hemorheological properties. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the main PNS are still not accurately investigated. Therefore, our preliminary aim is to elucidate the pharmacokinetic features of ginsenoside Rb(1) (Rb(1)) and ginsenoside Rg(1) (Rg(1)), two of the main PNS in rats. Firstly, quantitive analysis of Rb(1) and Rg(1) in saponins of P. notoginseng was studied and the most suitable assay method by HPLC for blood sample were established. Then Rb(1) and Rg(1) in the same serum were determined after administering PNS to rats. The decline of Rb(1) in serum could be described by a two-compartment model. The half-life of alpha phase was 23.40 min and that of beta phase was 17.96 h. Rb(1) was absorbed from the digestive tract and the bioavailability via P.O. was 4.35%. The pharmacokinetics of Rg(1) in rats also could be described by a two-compartment model. The half-lives of Rg(1) were 24.23 min for alpha phase and 14.13 h for beta phase. Rg(1) could be absorbed in the digestive tract and the oral bioavailability was 18.40%. Both of the low oral bioavailability of Rb(1) and rapid reduction of Rg(1) in blood indicated that formula modification is necessary.

[Studies on formulations of Panax notoginsenosides for intranasal administration].

AIM: To develop high bioavailability preparations without irritation for Panax notoginsenosides. METHODS: The effects of some additives such as microcrystalline cellulose, beta-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl cellulose on drug in the preparations were examined. RESULTS: Saponins of Panax notoginseng (PNS) was absorbed in rabbits more when administered intranasally than through other routines, and the formulations including MCC both gave high bioavailability and low irritation. CONCLUSION: Bioavailability of Panax notoginsenosides can be increased through changing routine of administration and formulations.