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This study investigated the quality characteristics of dry-fermented sausage using goat meat and evaluated its applicability. For this, the samples were prepared by dry-fermenting a control (100% pork) and two treatments (50% goat meat replacement or 100% goat meat replacement) for 21days. The moisture content, ㏗ and water activity were decreased in all treatments whereas lactic acid bacteria (LAB), texture profile analysis (TPA) and volatile compounds were increased during dry fermentation periods. In comparison of treatments, the dry-fermented sausage showed no significant difference in proximate compositions, yield, ㏗, water activity, LAB and TPA compared to the control (P>0.05). However, sausages with goat meat also had significantly higher values of C14:1, C18:1t and C18:3 than the control (P 0.05). Therefore, goat meat could be useful on raw material in dry-fermented sausage as well as pork.

The aim of this study was to determine meat quality characteristics and fatty acid composition of Korean native black goats (KNBG) finished on intensive feeding of alfalfa (ALF) and conventional feeding of commercial concentrate pellets (CCP) with low-energy common grasses. Ten KNBG (12 months old) were divided into two groups and subjected to either ALF or CCP treatments. The goats were slaughtered after 6 months of feeding with experimental diets to investigate meat quality characteristics and fatty acid compositions of longissimus lumborum muscle. There were no significant differences in proximate chemical composition, collagen, or myoglobin content between ALF and CCP groups of goats. Meat color, water-holding capacity, or tenderness was not significantly different between the two groups either. However, proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly (p

Anti-bacterial and anti-viral neuraminidase agents inhibit neuraminidase activity catalyzing the hydrolysis of terminal N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) from glycoconjugates and help to prevent the host pathogenesis that lead to fatal infectious diseases including influenza, bacteremia, sepsis, and cholera. Emerging antibiotic and drug resistances to commonly used anti-neuraminidase agents such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) have highlighted the need to develop new anti-neuraminidase drugs. We obtained a serendipitous complex crystal of the catalytic domain of Clostridium perfringens neuraminidase (CpNanICD) with 2-(cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid (CHES) as a buffer. Here, we report the crystal structure of CpNanICD in complex with CHES at 1.24 Å resolution. Amphipathic CHES binds to the catalytic site of CpNanICD similar to the substrate (Neu5Ac) binding site. The 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid moiety and cyclohexyl groups of CHES interact with the cluster of three arginine residues and with the hydrophobic pocket of the CpNanICD catalytic site. In addition, a structural comparison with other bacterial and human neuraminidases suggests that CHES could serve as a scaffold for the development of new anti-neuraminidase agents targeting CpNanI., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • We determined the crystal structure of CpNanI bound to CHES at 1.24 Å resolution. • CHES binds to the catalytic site of CpNanI similar to the substrate binding site. • We suggest strategies for modification of CHES for the development of anti-CpNanI agents.

New Pb(IV) precursors for lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films were synthesized, and their solid-state structures were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. First, tetraphenyl lead (Ph4Pb) was synthesized from the reaction of PbCl2 with the Grignard reagent, PhMgBr, by a published method. Two of the phenyl ligands in Ph4Pb were replaced by bromines, and then were substituted with bis(trimethylsilyl)amides (btsa) to yield Ph2Pb(btsa)2 (1), or with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptadiketonate (thd) ligands to yield Ph2Pb(thd)2 (2). Single crystals of these two new Pb(IV) precursors were obtained by recrystallization in hexane, and their chemical compositions were characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR. In TG analyses, both compounds exhibited sharp decomposition curves, with major mass losses in the region of 200–250 °C. PZT films were fabricated from one of the newly prepared Pb(IV) precursors by an MOCVD process involving Ti(OiPr)4 and Zr(OPr)4, and the development of the perovskite phase with temperature was monitored by an XRD method.

Citrons have been widely used for medicinal purposes for a long time, but the application of citron in the food industry is still restricted. The extensive advantages of nanotechnology in the food industry have greatly broadened the application of foods. In this study, by employing nanotechnology, we prepared citron-extract nanoparticle with an average size of 174.11 ± 3.89 nm, containing protein peptide and/or liposome. In order to evaluate the toxicity of nanoparticles and to ensure food safety, biological cytotoxicity at the cell and genomic levels was also identified to examine the toxicity of citron extracts by using an in vitro system. Our results demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of citronliposome was dependent on cell type in high concentrations (1 and 5 mg/mL), selectively against primary human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs), and human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) in MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Interestingly, for the NIH-3T3 and H9C2 cell lines, cell cytotoxicity was observed with slight genotoxicity, especially from citronpeptide extract for both cell lines. Taken together, our study provides cytotoxicity data on nanoengineered citron extracts according to different cell type as is crucial for further applications.

Meju, a naturally fermented soy block used to produce soy paste and soy sauce in Korea, is suggested to exhibit hypolipidemic and antiinflammatory activities; however, its mechanisms of action are elusive. Here, we report that the water-soluble fibers but not the amino acids and peptides from meju exhibited hypolipidemic activity in vivo. Feeding of fermented soybean fibers (FSF) from meju reduced plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, adipocyte size, and hepatic lipid accumulation in C57BL/6J mice. FSF treatment reduced HMG-CoA reductase expression, whereas the expression of genes in the fatty acid uptake and subsequent beta-oxidation were significantly induced in the livers. Hepatic lipogenic genes, including Srebp1c and Lxrα, were unaltered. Feeding with the fermented soybean peptides and amino acids (FSPA) induced the expression of lipogenic genes, which may have canceled the induction of low-density lipoprotein receptor and Cyp7a1 gene expressions in FSPA livers. The plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein, TNF-α,andinterlukin-6weresignificantlyreducedintheFSF, FSPA,andmejugroups compared with the control groups, suggesting that both of the fibers and peptides/amino acids from meju may be beneficial. These findings suggest that soluble fibers from meju are critical hypolipidemic components that regulate hepatic gene expressions and reduce proinflammatory cytokinesin vivo. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

EF-hand domain-containing protein D2/Swiprosin-1 (EFhd2) is an actin-binding protein mainly expressed in the central nervous and the immune systems of mammals. Intracellular events linked to EFhd2, such as membrane protrusion formation, cell adhesion, and BCR signaling, are triggered by the association of EFhd2 and F-actin. We previously reported that Ca2+ enhances the F-actin-bundling ability of EFhd2 through maintaining a rigid parallel EFhd2-homodimer structure. It was also reported that the F-actin-bundling ability of EFhd2 is regulated by a phosphorylation-dependent mechanism. EGF-induced phosphorylation at Ser183 of EFhd2 has been shown to inhibit F-actin-bundling, leading to irregular actin dynamics at the leading edges of cells. However, the underlying mechanism of this inhibition has remained elusive. Here, we report the crystal structure of a phospho-mimicking mutant (S183E) of the EFhd2 core domain, where the actin-binding sites are located. Although the overall structure of the phospho-mimicking mutant is similar to the one of the unphosphorylated form, we observed a conformational transition from ordered to disordered structure in the linker region at the C-terminus of the mutant. Based on our structural and biochemical analyses, we suggest that phosphorylation at Ser183 of EFhd2 causes changes in the local conformational dynamics and the surface charge distribution of the actin-binding site, resulting in a re-coordination of the actin-binding sites in the dimer structure and a reduction of F-actin-bundling activity without affecting the F-actin-binding capacity.

Quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (QPRT) catalyses the production of nicotinic acid mononucleotide, a precursor of de novo biosynthesis of the ubiquitous coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. QPRT is also essential for maintaining the homeostasis of quinolinic acid in the brain, a possible neurotoxin causing various neurodegenerative diseases. Although QPRT has been extensively analysed, the molecular basis of the reaction catalysed by human QPRT remains unclear. Here, we present the crystal structures of hexameric human QPRT in the apo form and its complexes with reactant or product. We found that the interaction between dimeric subunits was dramatically altered during the reaction process by conformational changes of two flexible loops in the active site at the dimer-dimer interface. In addition, the N-terminal short helix α1 was identified as a critical hexamer stabilizer. The structural features, size distribution, heat aggregation and ITC studies of the full-length enzyme and the enzyme lacking helix α1 strongly suggest that human QPRT acts as a hexamer for cooperative reactant binding via three dimeric subunits and maintaining stability. Based on our comparison of human QPRT structures in the apo and complex forms, we propose a drug design strategy targeting malignant glioma.

This study examined the effect of the casting temperature on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/titanium dioxide (TiO2) composite films for use as the protective sheet of photovoltaic cells and modules. The structure, crystalline behavior, thermal behavior, surface morphology and color properties of the PVDF/PMMA/TiO2 composite films were investigated by FTIR, XRD, DSC, surface roughness analysis and color spectrometry. The results showed that different crystal structures-PVDF (form I) and PVDF (form II) — could be created in PVDF/PMMA/TiO2 composite films. By melt extruding PVDF/PMMA/TiO2 (65/20/ 15) blends, and casting at different temperatures, it was found that PVDF (form I) was predominant at low casting temperatures. However, with increasing casting temperature, PVDF (form II) dominated the PVDF/PMMA/TiO2 composite films. After aging and PCT (pressure cooker tester), form I came to dominate the PVDF/PMMA/TiO2 composite film and increased the Color — b index of CIELAB color space.

In Gram-negative bacteria, proper placement of the FtsZ ring, mediated by nucleoid occlusion and the activities of the dynamic oscillating Min proteins MinC, MinD and MinE, is required for correct positioning of the cell division septum. MinE is a topological specificity factor that counters the activity of MinCD division inhibitor at the mid-cell division site. Its structure consists of an anti-MinCD domain and a topology specificity domain (TSD). Previous NMR analysis of truncated Escherichia coli MinE showed that the TSD domain contains a long alpha-helix and two anti-parallel beta-strands, which mediate formation of a homodimeric alpha/beta structure. Here we report the crystal structure of full-length Helicobacter pylori MinE and redefine its TSD based on that structure. The N-terminal region of the TSD (residues 19-26), previously defined as part of the anti-MinCD domain, forms a beta-strand (betaA) and participates in TSD folding. In addition, H. pylori MinE forms a dimer through the interaction of anti-parallel betaA-strands. Moreover, we observed serial dimer-dimer interactions within the crystal packing, resulting in the formation of a multimeric structure. We therefore redefine the functional domain of MinE and propose that a multimeric filamentous structure is formed through anti-parallel beta-strand interactions.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the mating system on the retail cut yield and meat quality in pigs. A total of 210 samples were used to estimate meat productivity and meat quality two blocks of two boarlines Duroc (D) and Berkshire (B) were mated to sows of the sowlines Yorkshire ×Landrace (YL) and Berkshire (B). Results showed that YLD (YL×D ) and BD (B×D ) had higher percentages of Boston butt and belly than YLB while it has higher percentages of lean meat yield than YLB (YL×B ). There were no significant differences in crude protein and ash content of pork from different breeds (P>0.05). However, YLB and YLD had higher moisture content in loin and Boston butt than BD (P

The purpose of this work was to examine the effect of peptide on blood pressure and serum lipid concentration of spontaneously hypertensive rat(SHR). This peptide was extracted from beef muscle hydrolysates and identified as hexapeptide, V-L-A-Q-Y-K. This peptide showed angiotensin converting enzymc(ACE) inhibition activity in vitro experimentation/ml). Diets containing 0.2g. 0.5g. and 1.0g of the peptide per kg body weight were fed to SHR every day for 8 weeks while the control group was ted on a diet and lml of drinking water instead of the peptide. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations of the treatment groups were lower than those of the control diet feeding group. The significant suppression of systolic blood pressure was shown by increasing the concentration of peptide supplement. especially by 3 weeks of feeding. although it started fluctuating later. These results suggest that the peptide may beneficially affect blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rat by the 3-week administration.

Quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (QAPRTase) is a key enzyme in NAD biosynthesis; it catalyzes the formation of nicotinate mononucleotide (NAMN) from quinolinate and 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate. In order to elucidate the mechanism of NAMN biosynthesis, crystals of Sus scrofa QAPRTase (Ss-­QAPRTase) purified from porcine kidney in complex with NAMN were obtained and diffraction data were collected and processed to 2.1 A resolution. The Ss-QAPRTase–NAMN cocrystals belonged to space group P321, with unit-cell parameters a = 119.1, b = 119.1, c = 93.7 A, γ = 120.0°. The Matthews coefficient and the solvent content were estimated as 3.10 A3 Da–1 and 60.3%, respectively, assuming the presence of two molecules in the asymmetric unit.

The hemiacetals of (+)- and (−)-N-glyoxyloylbornane-10,2-sultam and their imines reacted with allyl iodide in the presence of indium in DMF to give the corresponding α-hydroxy and α-amino camphor sultam derivatives with high diastereoselectivities (86–90% de). This method could be useful for preparation of α-hydroxy and α-amino acids.

Indium mediated reduction of azide and nitro groups in the presence of HCl (1.5 equiv based on indium) at room tempera- ture in aqueous THF successfully provided the corresponding amine in high to quantitative yields. Under the same reaction condi- tions, selective reduction of azide and nitro group in the presence of vinyl group could be accomplished.

Calumenin is a multiple EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding protein localized in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) with C-terminal SR retention signal HDEF. Recently, we showed evidence that calumenin interacts with SERCA2 in rat cardiac SR (Sahoo, S. K., and Kim, D. H. (2008) Mol. Cells 26, 265-269). The present study was undertaken to further characterize the association of calumenin with SERCA2 in mouse heart by various gene manipulation approaches. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that calumenin and SERCA2 were partially co-localized in HL-1 cells. Knockdown (KD) of calumenin was conducted in HL-1 cells and 80% reduction of calumenin did not induce any expressional changes of other Ca(2+)-cycling proteins. But it enhanced Ca(2+) transient amplitude and showed shortened time to reach peak and decreased time to reach 50% of baseline. Oxalate-supported Ca(2+) uptake showed increased Ca(2+) sensitivity of SERCA2 in calumenin KD HL-1 cells. Calumenin and SERCA2 interaction was significantly lower in the presence of thapsigargin, vanadate, or ATP, as compared with 1.3 mum Ca(2+), suggesting that the interaction is favored in the E1 state of SERCA2. A glutathione S-transferase-pulldown assay of calumenin deletion fragments and SERCA2 luminal domains suggested that regions of 132-222 amino acids of calumenin and 853-892 amino acids of SERCA2-L4 are the major binding partners. On the basis of our in vitro binding data and available information on three-dimensional structure of Ca(2+)-ATPases, a molecular model was proposed for the interaction between calumenin and SERCA2. Taken together, the present results suggest that calumenin is a novel regulator of SERCA2, and its expressional changes are tightly coupled with Ca(2+)-cycling of cardiomyocytes.

The effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on color and lipid oxidation of beef patties were investigated. Ground beef was divided into three batches. The control patties were prepared with 90% lean meat and 10% tallow. The second treatment consisted of 90% lean meat with 9.5% tallow+0.5% CLA sources. The third treatment consisted of 90% lean meat with 8% tallow+2% CLA sources. The patties were wrap-packaged and then stored at 4° for 14 days. The CLA concentration significantly increased (P