Identification of Tartary Buckwheat Tea Aroma Compounds with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Journal of Food Science. Aug, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22417522

  Tartary buckwheat tea, which is an important and healthy product, has a distinct malty aroma. However, its characteristic aroma compounds have not been elucidated. The aims of present study were identification and quantification of its aroma compounds. The analyses were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after 3 different isolation techniques. Seventy-seven compounds were identified. Among these compounds, 35 were quantified by available standards. The compounds with a high probability of contribution to the tartary buckwheat tea aroma (OAV ≥ 10) were as follows: 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone, nonanal, 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, benzeneacetaldehyde, maltol, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine, trimethylpyrazine. Some nutritional and bioactive compounds were also identified in this study, such as linoleic acid, niacin, vanillic acid, 7-hydroxycoumarin, butylated hydroxytoluene.

All 4 Bile Salt Hydrolase Proteins Are Responsible for the Hydrolysis Activity in Lactobacillus Plantarum ST-III

Journal of Food Science. Nov, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22416715

In vertebrates, bile salt hydrolysis plays an essential role in fat metabolism. Bile salts are synthesized in the liver. And in the small intestine glycine and taurine are de-conjugated from bile salts by the enzyme bile salt hydrolase (BSH) from intestinal microbes. However, the mechanism of bile salt hydrolysis in Lactobacillus plantarum is still ambiguous. Four predicted bile salt hydrolase (bsh) genes from L. plantarum ST-III were cloned into Escherichia coli. The function of these genes was explored by overexpression. All 4 proteins that were studied showed activity against glycine- or taurine-conjugated bile salts. Substrate preference was also observed in BSH proteins, especially for the enzyme BSH1, which had high hydrolysis activity for glycodeoxycholic acid. These results suggest that all 4 bile salt hydrolases may be responsible for the bile salt hydrolysis activity in L. plantarum ST-III. Practical Application:  Hypercholesterolemia is considered one of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease. More interest has focused on intestinal microbes because of their role in the decrease of serum cholesterol. BSH proteins play an important role in the reduction of cholesterol. This paper adds to a better understanding of BSH proteins of intestinal microbes. It gives a great hint that probiotics can be used to solve hypercholesterolemia one day.

Complement Activation and Cell Uptake Responses Toward Polymer-Functionalized Protein Nanocapsules

Biomacromolecules. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22416762

Self-assembling protein nanocapsules can be engineered for various bionanotechnology applications. Using the dodecahedral scaffold of the E2 subunit from pyruvate dehydrogenase, we introduced non-native surface cysteines for site-directed functionalization. The modified nanoparticle's structural, assembly, and thermostability properties were comparable to the wild-type scaffold (E2-WT), and after conjugation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to these cysteines, the nanoparticle remained intact and stable up to 79.7 ± 1.8 °C. PEGylation of particles reduced uptake by human monocyte-derived macrophages and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, with decreased uptake as PEG chain length is increased. In vitro C4-depletion and C5a-production assays yielded 97.6 ± 10.8% serum C4 remaining and 40.1 ± 6.0 ng/mL C5a for E2-WT, demonstrating that complement activation is weak for non-PEGylated E2 nanoparticles. Conjugation of PEG to these particles moderately increased complement response to give 79.7 ± 6.0% C4 remaining and 87.6 ± 10.1 ng/mL C5a. Our results demonstrate that PEGylation of the E2 protein nanocapsules can modulate cellular uptake and induce low levels of complement activation, likely via the classical/lectin pathways.

DNA-Hosted Copper Nanoclusters for Fluorescent Identification of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

ACS Nano. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22417109

Metal nanoclusters have received considerable interests due to their unique properties and potential applications in numerous fields. Particularly, newly emerging Cu nanoclusters offer excellent potential as functional biological probes. In this work, we for the first time report that the fluorescence of DNA-hosted Cu nanoclusters is very sensitive to base type located in major groove. This intriguing finding provides a sensitive fluorimetric diagnostic of the mismatch type in a specific DNA sequence, which is difficult to achieve by the traditional methods. Furthermore, the research results have shed some light on the luminescent mechanism of Cu nanoclusters. Owing to its high specificity and easy operation without rigorously controlled temperature and arduous probe DNA design, it is expected that the proposed procedure can provide a tool for early diagnosis and risk assessment of malignancy.

Regulation of Th1/Th2 Polarization by Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 Via Modulating Dendritic Cells

Blood. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22415751

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-3 is one of a family of proteins inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), which has also been identified as a mediator for checking inflammation. Meanwhile, it is well known that inflammation causes the activation of the immune response. However, it is not clear whether TIMP-3 plays a role in the immune system. In the present study, we demonstrated a novel function of TIMP-3 in Th1/Th2 polarization through its influence on the antigen presenting cells. Firstly, TIMP-3 was found strikingly up-regulated by IL-4 during the differentiation of human dendritic cells via the p38MAPK pathway. Secondly, the expression of co-stimulatory molecule-CD86 was repressed by TIMP-3. Besides, the induction of IL-12 in matured DCs was significantly inhibited in a PI3K-dependent manner. Furthermore, DCs matured in the presence of TIMP-3 could stimulate allogeneic naïve T helper (Th) cells to display a prominent Th2 polarization. Importantly, in an autoimmune disorder-primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), TIMP-3 showed a statistically positive correlation with IL-4 and platelet count, but a negative correlation with IFN-γ in patient blood samples. Collectively, these in vitro and in vivo data clearly suggested a novel role of TIMP-3 in Th1/Th2 balance in human.

Chronic Bile Duct Hyperplasia is a Chronic Graft Dysfunction Following Liver Transplantation

World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22416178

To investigate pathological types and influential factors of chronic graft dysfunction (CGD) following liver transplantation (LT) in rats.

[Prokaryotic Expression of HN Gene of Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 and the Establishment of Indirect ELISA Method]

Bing Du Xue Bao = Chinese Journal of Virology / [bian Ji, Bing Du Xue Bao Bian Ji Wei Yuan Hui]. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22416346

The prokaryotic expression plasmid pQE30-HN of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein gene of bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3) strain HJ-1 was expressed by IPTG induction in E. coli XL1Blue. The recombinant HN protein(rHN) was purified by electroeluting method, and used as coated antigen. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect the antibody valence of BPIV3. The best working conditions of ELISA were as follows: the antigen concentration was 6 microg/mL; the serum dilution was 1:50; the blocking reagent was 5% skimmed milk; the blocking time was 60 min at 37 degrees C; the second antibody concentration was 1:10 000; The cut-off value was 0.30. The method revealed a good specificity, no cross-reaction to the positive sera of BCV, IBRV or BRSV was observed. We applied the method to detect 323 serum samples of dairy cow in Heilongjiang Province, the seropositivity rate of BPIV3 was about 58%. The indirect ELISA established provided a technological basis for the development of ELISA kit.

Multi-directional ÄŒerenkov Second Harmonic Generation in Two-dimensional Nonlinear Photonic Crystal

Optics Express. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22418151

We study ÄŒerenkov-type second-harmonic generation in a two-dimensional quasi-periodically poled LiNbO₃ crystal. We employ a new geometry of interaction to observe simultaneous emission of multi-directional nonlinear ÄŒerenkov radiation with comparable intensities. This opens a way to control the angle of ÄŒerenkov emission by tailoring the nonlinearity of the material, which is otherwise intrinsically defined by dielectric constants of the medium and their dispersion.

Randomized Phase II Study of Concurrent Cisplatin/etoposide or Paclitaxel/carboplatin and Thoracic Radiotherapy in Patients with Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands). Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22418243

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the activity and safety of concurrent thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) plus weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin (PC) regimen compared with widely used cisplatin/etoposide (PE) regimen in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive the following treatments: PE arm, cisplatin (50mg/m(2)) on days 1, 8, 29, and 36 and etoposide (50mg/m(2)) on days 1-5 and 29-33 plus 60Gy of TRT; PC arm, weekly concurrent carboplatin (AUC=2) and paclitaxel (45mg/m(2)) plus 60Gy of TRT. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients were randomized (PE arm, n=33; PC arm, n=32). The 3-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the PE arm than in the PC arm (33.1% vs. 13%, P=.04). The incidence of Grade 3/4 neutropenia was 78.1% in the PE arm and 51.5% in the PC arm (P=.05). The rate of Grade 2 or greater radiation pneumonitis was 25% in the PE arm and 48.5% in the PC arm (P=.09). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to PE regimen, weekly PC regimen cannot be recommended since it failed to achieve an improvement in either OS or PFS.

Molecular Arrangement in Water: Random but Not Quite

Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22418283

Water defines life on Earth from the cellular to the terrestrial level. Yet the molecular level arrangement in water is not well understood, posing problems in comprehending its very special chemical, physical and biological properties. Here we present high-resolution x-ray diffraction data for water clearly showing that its molecular arrangement exhibits specific correlations that are consistent with the presence of rings of H(2)O molecules linked together by hydrogen bonds into tetrahedral-like units from a continuous network. This level of molecular arrangement complexity is beyond what a simple 'two-state' model of water (Bernal and Fowler 1933 J. Chem. Phys.1 515-48) could explain. It may not be explained by the recently put forward 'chains-clusters of completely uncorrelated molecules' model (Wernet et al 2004 Science 304 995-9) either. Rather it indicates that water is homogeneous down to the molecular level where different water molecules form tetrahedral units of different perfection and/or participate in rings of different sizes, thus experiencing different local environments. The local diversity of this tetrahedral network coupled to the flexibility of the hydrogen bonds that hold it together may explain well the rich phase diagram of water and why it responds non-uniformly to external stimuli such as, for example, temperature and pressure.

Disturbance of Ca2+ Homeostasis Converts Pro-Met into Non-canonical Tyrosine Kinase P190MetNC in Response to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in MHCC97 Cells

The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22418436

c-Met, the tyrosine kinase receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), plays a critical role in the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. The mature c-Met protein p190Metαβ (consists of a α subunit and a β subunit) is processed from pro-Met. Here, we show that pro-Met is processed into p190MetNC by sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor thapsigargin. p190MetNC compensates for the degradation of p190Metαβ and protects human HCC cells from apoptosis mediated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In compared with p190Metαβ, p190MetNC is not cleaved and is expressed as a single-chain polypeptide. Thapsigargin-initiated p190MetNC expression depends on the disturbance of ER calcium homeostasis. Once induced, p190MetNC is activated independent of HGF engagement. p190MetNC contributes to sustained high basal activation of c-Met downstream pathways during ER calcium disturbance-mediated ER stress. Both p38 MAPK-promoted glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) expression and sustained high basal activation of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK are involved in the cytoprotective function of p190MetNC. Importantly, the expression of p190MetNC is detected in some HCC cases. Taken together, these data provide a potential mechanism to explain how c-Met promotes HCC cells survival in response to ER stress. We propose that context-specific processing of c-Met protein is implicated in HCC progression in stressful microenvironments.

Optical Coherence Tomography for Whole Eye Segment Imaging

Optics Express. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22418490

We proposed a dual focus dual channel spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for simultaneous imaging of the whole eye segments from cornea to the retina. By using dual channels the system solved the problem of limited imaging depth of SD-OCT. By using dual focus the system solved the problem of simultaneous light focusing on the anterior segment of the eye and the retina. Dual focusing was achieved by adjusting the collimating lenses so the divergence of the two probing beams was tuned to make them focused at different depth in the eye. We further achieved full range complex (FRC) SD-OCT in one channel to increase the depth range for anterior segment imaging. The system was successfully tested by imaging a human eye in vivo.

Fine Mapping of a QTL for Ear Size on Porcine Chromosome 5 and Identification of High Mobility Group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) As a Positional Candidate Gene

Genetics, Selection, Evolution : GSE. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22420340

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Ear size and shape are distinct conformation characteristics of pig breeds. Previously, we identified a significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) influencing ear surface on pig chromosome 5 in a White Duroc x Erhualian F2 resource population. This QTL explained more than 17% of the phenotypic variance. METHODS: Four new markers on pig chromosome 5 were genotyped across this F2 population. RT-PCR was performed to obtain expression profiles of different candidate genes in ear tissue. Standard association test, marker-assisted association test and F-drop test were applied to determine the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on ear size. Three synthetic commercial lines were also used for the association test. RESULTS: We refined the QTL to an 8.7-cM interval and identified three positional candidate genes i.e. HMGA2, SOX5 and PTHLH that are expressed in ear tissue. Seven SNP within these three candidate genes were selected and genotyped in the F2 population. Of the seven SNP, HMGA2 SNP (JF748727: g.2836 A > G) showed the strongest association with ear size in the standard association test and marker-assisted association test. With the F-drop test, F value decreased by more than 97% only when the genotypes of HMGA2 g.2836 A > G were included as a fixed effect. Furthermore, the significant association between g.2836 A > G and ear size was also demonstrated in the synthetic commercial Sutai pig line. The haplotype-based association test showed that the phenotypic variance explained by HMGA2 was similar to that explained by the QTL and at a much higher level than by SOX5. More interestingly, HMGA2 is also located within the dog orthologous chromosome region, which has been shown to be associated with ear type and size. CONCLUSIONS: HMGA2 was the closest gene with a potential functional effect to the QTL or marker for ear size on chromosome 5. This study will contribute to identify the causative gene and mutation underlying this QTL.

Dickkopf-1 Inhibits the Invasive Activity of Melanoma Cells

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22420644

Background.  Malignant melanoma (MM) has the highest morbidity of any malignant tumour. It is known that the Wnt pathway of enhances the development of melanoma. Dickkopf (DKK)-1, an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway, might also inhibit the development of MM. Aim.  To examine the influence of DKK-1 expression on the invasive activity of MM cells. Methods.  To detect DKK-1 expression level we performed immunohistochemistry on human tissue sections of normal skin, malignant melanoma (MM) in situ, and MM with lymph-node metastasis. To clarify the role that DDK-1 plays in the invasive activity of MM cells, we performed a scratch-wound healing assay and Transwell invasion assay for A375 cells infected with appropriate recombinant adenoviruses, then assessed the migration of these cells. Results.  Fewer DDK1-overexpressing A375 cells than control cells migrated to the scratch-wound area or through the pores of the Transwell membrane to the lower wells. Downregulation of DKK-1 in A375 cells had the opposite effect. Conclusions.  In the present study, we found for the first time that DKK-1 expression inhibits the invasive activity of MM cells.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Complicating Discoid Lupus Erythematosus in Chinese Patients: Review of the Literature, 1964-2010

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Apr, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22421120

An Enzymatic Immunoassay Microfluidics Integrated with Membrane Valves for Microsphere Retention and Reagent Mixing

Biosensors & Bioelectronics. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22421588

The present study presents a new microfluidic device integrated with pneumatic microvalves and a membrane mixer for enzyme-based immunoassay of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) biomarkers, namely, myoglobin, and heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP). Superparamagnetic microspheres with carboxyl groups on their surfaces were used as antibody solid carriers. A membrane mixer consisting of four ψ-type membrane valves was assembled under the reaction chamber for on-chip performing microsphere trapping and reagent mixing. The entire immunoassay process, including microsphere capture, reagent input, mixing, and subsequent reaction, was accomplished on the device either automatically or manually. The post-reaction substrate resultant was analyzed using a microplate reader. The results show that the average absorbance value is correlated with the concentration of cardiac markers, in agreement with the results obtained using a conventional microsphere-based immunoassay; this indicated that the proposed on-chip immunoassay protocol could be used to detect both myoglobin and H-FABP. The minimum detectable concentration is 5ng/mL for myoglobin and 1ng/mL for H-FABP.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells: a Double-edged Sword in Regulating Immune Responses

Cell Death and Differentiation. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22421969

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been employed successfully to treat various immune disorders in animal models and clinical settings. Our previous studies have shown that MSCs can become highly immunosuppressive upon stimulation by inflammatory cytokines, an effect exerted through the concerted action of chemokines and nitric oxide (NO). Here, we show that MSCs can also enhance immune responses. This immune-promoting effect occurred when proinflammatory cytokines were inadequate to elicit sufficient NO production. When inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production was inhibited or genetically ablated, MSCs strongly enhance T-cell proliferation in vitro and the delayed-type hypersensitivity response in vivo. Furthermore, iNOS(-/-) MSCs significantly inhibited melanoma growth. It is likely that in the absence of NO, chemokines act to promote immune responses. Indeed, in CCR5(-/-)CXCR3(-/-) mice, the immune-promoting effect of iNOS(-/-) MSCs is greatly diminished. Thus, NO acts as a switch in MSC-mediated immunomodulation. More importantly, the dual effect on immune reactions was also observed in human MSCs, in which indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) acts as a switch. This study provides novel information about the pathophysiological roles of MSCs.Cell Death and Differentiation advance online publication, 16 March 2012; doi:10.1038/cdd.2012.26.

Oncogenic CUL4A Determines the Response to Thalidomide Treatment in Prostate Cancer

Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany). Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22422151

Thalidomide is experimentally used to treat various human cancers; however, clinical responses to thalidomide are sporadic. Here we demonstrate that CUL4A plays an oncogenic role in prostate cancer development and prostate cancer cells with higher level of CUL4A are particularly sensitive to thalidomide treatment. We show that CUL4A is frequently overexpressed in human primary prostate cancer and cell lines. Notably, subjects with tumors that highly expressed CUL4A had poor overall survival. CUL4A downregulation inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, whereas CUL4A overexpression transformed human normal prostate epithelial cells and promoted invasion, which was attenuated by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor. We further show that the sensitivity to thalidomide is positively correlated with CUL4A expression in a panel of prostate cell lines. Ectopic CUL4A expression greatly enhanced sensitivity to thalidomide, while its downregulation conferred resistance to this drug. Mechanistically, thalidomide decreased CUL4A in a time- and dose-dependent manner, consequently leading to inaction of ERK pathway. Finally, we show that cereblon level is correlated with CUL4A expression and downregulated in thalidomide-resistant prostate cancer cell. Our results offer the first evidence that CUL4A is a potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer and may serve as a biomarker for assessing prognosis of human prostate cancer and response to thalidomide treatment.

Imprudent Blow, Catastrophic Consequence: a Case of Commotio Cordis Associated with Violence

Medicine, Science, and the Law. Apr, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22422789

Commotio cordis is a rare and catastrophic mechano-electric feedback syndrome, and it is especially apt to occur in male children, adolescents and youths during sports activities. The authors present a case of unexpected sudden death due to commotio cordis associated with violence. In a house of detention, a 19-year-old boy was punched and kicked in the face, neck and chest during a fight with another suspect in their ward. Unfortunately, his precordium was the major injured region. The victim turned pale, then lost the ability to resist and lost consciousness immediately. When the emergency medical personnel arrived, the victim was found in a condition of cardiac and respiratory arrest and he was pronounced dead at the scene without cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Both autopsy signs and forensic morphology were in accord with the criteria for commotio cordis diagnosis, showing no cardiac or other organic fatal lesions and no underlying cardiac diseases; moreover, the toxicological screening was negative for alcohol, drug and common toxicants. In the present case, the whole fight was seen by some witnesses in their ward, and it was recorded by the monitoring unit. Based on the statements of the witnesses and the monitoring videotape, combined with the forensic pathological and toxicological examinations, all the testimonies supported the conclusion that the cause of death was commotio cordis.

Role of Notch Signaling in Osteoimmunology--from the Standpoint of Osteoclast Differentiation

European Journal of Orthodontics. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22423182

The Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved cell signaling system present in most multicellular organisms. Osteoimmunology comprises the interplay between the immune system and bone metabolism. Osteoclasts, cells that resorb bone, play a crucial role in bone metabolism. In this review, we discuss the role of Notch signaling in osteoimmunology that is crucial for physiological bone remodeling (such as in orthodontic tooth movement, where bone remodeling is in balance) and undue non-physiological Notch signaling which results in pathological bone remodeling (such as in rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis, where bone remodeling is out of balance) from the point view of osteoclast differentiation. A proposal is made that Notch signaling not only controls immune system reaction but also interferes with osteoclast differentiation involved in the bone remodeling process. Therefore, Notch signaling could be a promising therapeutic target at conditions that cross link the immune system with the skeletal system.