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According to the literatures, Flammulina velutipes contains biologically active components such as dietary fiber, polysaccharide, andmycosterol, whose effects in reducing blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol have been proven. This study used the active components extracted from Flammulina velutipes powder (FVP) and Flammulina velutipes extract (FVE) to investigate the impact of these active components on lipid metabolism of hamsters. The results show that the total dietary fiber content in FVP and FVE is 29.34mg/100 g and 15.08mg/100 g, respectively. The total mycosterol content is 46.57 ± 0.37mg/100 g and 9.01 ± 0.17mg/100 g, respectively. The male hamsters were subjected to lipid metabolism monitoring by adding 1, 2, and 3% FVP or FVE into their diets for a period of 8 weeks. The animal assay results show that the 3% FVP and FVE groups have the lowest concentration of TC (total cholesterol), TG (triacylglycerol), LDL (low density lipoprotein cholesterol), and LDL/HDL (high density lipoprotein cholesterol) in the serum and liver (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that the addition of 3% FVP or FVE has a significant effect on the lipid metabolism in hamsters whose increased level of HDL in the serum was induced by high fat diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volatile components in single-flowered and double-flowered Chinese narcissus were identified by headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with GC and GC/MS. Changes in aroma during the vase-life (days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) of two samples were also studied. A total of 35 compounds were identified, of which all were present in single-flowered and 26 in double-flowered samples. The main aroma components were (E)-β-ocimene, and benzyl acetate. Single-flowered narcissus have a higher percentage of benzyl acetate, while double-flowered narcissus have a higher percentage of 1,8-cineole. In vase-life, the total volatile component content peaked on day 2 for single-flowered and day 3 for the double-flowered narcissus. For both single-flowered and double-flowered narcissus flowers, the total content of volatile components had decreased significantly by day 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of erythritol on the quality characteristics of Danish cookies were studied. Danish cookies were formulated using erythritol as a sweetener to replace 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% sucrose. The results showed that Hunter L -values and erythritol contents of cookies increased with increasing erythritol level whereas there was no difference in the moisture, protein, fat, ash and hardness of cookies prepared with sucrose or erythritol. The erythritol was stable during baking. In descriptive analysis, the surface color of cookies became lighter, and the sweetness of cookies became less sweet as erythritol level increased and sucrose decreased. The 50, 75 and 100% erythritol cookies had a cooling sensation. The moistness and hardness of cookies showed no difference among all samples. In hedonic test, the degree of surface color, sweetness, hardness, flavor and overall liking of cookies prepared with 0, 25 and 50% replacement of sucrose with erythritol revealed no difference. However, lower degree of sensory qualities (except hardness) liking of 75 and 100% erythritol cookies was observed. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Sucrose is one of the principal ingredients of cookies. But a sucrose-rich diet had been proven to be associated with lipogenesis and obesity. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol and has a good tolerance by humans. It is a noncariogenic, nonglycemic and low-calorie sweetener that is safe for diabetics. In addition, it possesses antioxidant properties. The study explores the possibility of utilizing erythritol to produce acceptable cookies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrium esculentum Moench) was used to substitute 15% of wheat flour to make husked and unhusked buckwheat breads. Volatile compounds and taste components in buckwheat breads were analyzed and compared with those in white bread. Both buckwheat breads contained more sugars and had higher sugar contents than white bread. Both buckwheat breads contained more total free amino acids (86.36–87.73 mg/g) than white bread (73.90 mg/g). Contents of flavor 5′ -nucleotides were higher in both buckwheat breads. Both buckwheat breads had higher umami intensities than white bread. Three breads had different profiles of volatile compounds, and total volatile contents in buckwheat breads (3564.36–4951.39 µg/g) were 2- to 3-folds higher than that in white bread (1,706.46 µg/g). In addition, buckwheat breads possessed a more characteristic aroma than white bread. Overall, buckwheat could be incorporated into bread and provide buckwheat bread with more sugars, a stronger umami taste and a more characteristic aroma. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Common buckwheat ( Fagopyrium esculentum Moench) is commonly used as an important functional food and most popularly is ground to make buckwheat noodles. Buckwheat can be added to food as a supplement to provide beneficial health effects and prevent oxidation of food during processing. Bread is consumed all over the world, and many food ingredients have been included in bread formulations to increase the diversity, nutritional value and product appeal of bread. In the present study, buckwheat was used to substitute 15% of wheat flour to make buckwheat breads. Volatile compounds and taste components, including soluble sugars, free amino acids and 5′-nucleotides, in buckwheat bread are valuable information for its practical application. The present work showed that buckwheat could be incorporated into bread and provides buckwheat bread with more sugars, a stronger umami taste and a more characteristic aroma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes [Berk.] Pegler) stipe was used to substitute wheat flour to make bread. Bread quality including specific volume, color and sensory evaluation, and taste components including proximate composition, soluble sugars, free amino acids and 5′ -nucleotides in shiitake stipe bread were analyzed and compared with those of white bread. Specific volumes were 4.02, 4.00, 3.89 and 3.75 cm3/g for white bread, 2%, 5% and 7% shiitake stipe breads, respectively. All breads had a comparable profile in proximate composition. Furthermore, 5% shiitake stipe bread contained more total soluble sugars and total free amino acids. Both breads contained considerately low amounts of monosodium glutamate-like and sweet components of free amino acids. Content of flavor 5′ -nucleotides in 5% shiitake stipe bread was much higher than that in white bread. Shiitake stipe flour added into the dough resulted in 5% shiitake stipe bread with lower lightness and whiteness index values. All sensory results exhibited that substituting 5% of wheat flour in the bread formula with shiitake stipe flour did significantly lower bread acceptability. Overall, shiitake stipe could be incorporated into bread to provide its beneficial health effects. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Shiitake ( Lentinula edodes[Berk.] Pegler) is commonly used as food in Asian countries and also a traditional Chinese medicine. Shiitake can be added to food as a supplement to extend and broaden its consumption and provide the beneficial health effects through various food products. Bread is consumed all over the world and many food ingredients have been included in bread formulation to increase its diversity, nutritional value and product appeal. Accordingly, shiitake stipe, a potential source of fungal chitin, was used to substitute wheat flour to make bread. Bread quality including specific volume, color and sensory evaluation, and taste components including proximate composition, soluble sugars, free amino acids and 5′-nucleotides in shiitake stipe bread were valuable information for its practical application. The present work showed that shiitake stipe could be incorporated into bread to provide its beneficial health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an aim to effectively shorten the ageing period and reduce process cost, a nanogold photocatalyzed process was developed. This process successfully accelerated maturity of young sorghum spirit less than 120 min at ambient temperature. Process parameters relevant to process design were determined to be (1) the amount of acetic acid (≥1.53 g/100 ml); (2) an operation temperature ≤37°C; (3) a degree of mineralization ≤4.87%. Kinetic analysis indicated that to cautiously control dissolved oxygen (DO) to facilitate optimum production of hydroxyl free radical [-OH] could be a crucial step, while the kinetic equations elucidated to indicate production of ethyl acetate and acetic acid could be applicable to reactor scale-up. More importantly, this process provides several benefits including container-saving, spacesaving, labor-saving, and no storage-loss due to evaporation; hence, a huge amount of cost reduction (20-24%) in a 4-year aging period could be attainable for each batch cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant decreases of the hematocrit, hemoglobin, and plasma iron levels were observed in rats receiving daily intraperitoneal injections of aluminum at a dose of 27 mg Al/kg body wt for 3 wk, as compared to untreated controls. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was also significantly lower in the treated animals as a result of the accumulation of aluminum in the liver (p<0.05).Following aluminum administration, the plasma concentrations of aluminum and copper were also significantly increased, whereas the plasma zinc levels and oxidative stress measured through thiobarbituric acid reaction products showed nonsignificant differences between the two groups (p>0.05).The erythrocyte concentrations of aluminum, copper, zinc, and iron and of superoxide dismutase activity were found to be significantly higher in the study group as compared to controls. The treated animals also showed evidence of higher oxidative stress in comparison to controls.These results suggest that erythrocyte aluminum accumulation could result in abnormal trace element homeostasis and increasing oxidative stress, which might be a mechanism of aluminum-induced anemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition of the essential oil obtained from the hydrodistillation of the leaves of Psidium guajava L. was analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. A total of 50 compounds were identified. The major constituents identified in the oil were: β-caryophyllene (27.7%), α-pinene (14.7%) and 1,8-cineole (12.4%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ponkan (Citrus poonensis hort.) juice and ponkan pulp were used as raw materials for the production of ponkan wines fermented with six different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that ponkan wines fermented with S. cerevisiae BCRC 22332 and commercial yeast HF-08 had higher alcohol contents (10.70e11.86%), lower contents of residual sugar (0.64e1.14%), lower degrees of browning (OD420 ¼ 0.20e0.34), higher clarity (OD660 ¼ 0.07e0.17), and higher sensory scores (5.15e6.25 points). Flavor analysis revealed that, in addition to the citrus flavor characters of a-pipene, limonene, and a-terpineol, ponkan wine contained the yeast-generated characteristic aromatic components of isoamyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, 2,3-butandiol, ethyl acetate, diethyl succinate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl 3-hydroxybutyrate, ethyl caproate, ethyl 4-hydroxybutanoate, ethyl caprylate, phenethyl acetate, ethyl caprate, and ethyl 3-methylbutyl butanedioate. The aromatic components of isobutyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol, diethyl succinate, phenethyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, and isoamyl acetate in the ponkan wine fermented with HF-08 were higher in amounts than that fermented with BCRC 22332. In summary, S. cerevisiae HF-08 produced more types of aroma and higher aroma contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of taurine(Tau) on ICAM-1, VCAM-1 by p-p38 pathway in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells(PAECs) and explore its mechanism of action. Generation 4-12 cells in primary cultures of PAECs were used in experiments and divided into five groups： control group, hypoxia(hyp) group, inhibitor(SB203580) group, treatment(Tau) group, and treatment+inhibitor(SB+Tau) group. The concentration of Tau：100 mmol•L⁻¹; p38 inhibitor SB203580： 20 μmol•L⁻¹; and the treatment time was 12 h. MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of different concentrations of Tau on PAECs. Western blot and Real-time PCR method were used to detect the p38 pathway proteins and ICAM-1, VCAM-1 expression levels. Immunofluorescence was used to investigate p38 nuclear displacement situation. The results of MTT showed that the inhibitory effect was gradually increased with increasing concentrations of Tau. Western blot and RT-PCR revealed that the protein and mRNA expression levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 were reduced by Tau. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed Tau can inhibit p38 activation. Tau may decrease the expression levels of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in endothelial cells induced by hypoxia through MAPK p38 pathway., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

Objective: To explore the strategy of pediatric intractable epilepsy surgery., Methods: The clinical data of 96 pediatric cases with intractable epilepsy and epilepsy syndromes underwent surgical treatment from April 2004 to April 2006 were retrospectively analyzed., Results: The surgical treatments were performed based on the results of comprehensive data from neurological, neurosurgical and pediatric departments. Among of them, 78 cases were performed with curative procedure, 17 cases with palliative procedure and 1 case with stereotactic damage procedure. The surgical effect was judged with Engel's standard, 58 cases had no seizure during 14 to 26 months follow-up, 26 cases had significantly improved in seizure control and the total efficiency was 87.5%. 81 cases had improvements in neuropsychological tests. 22 cases had postoperative complications such as neuro-dysfunctions and 15 cases were gradually recovered after the period of follow-up ended, 1 case died of CSF over drainage after operation 3 months., Conclusions: Pediatric patients with symptomatic epilepsy and epilepsy syndromes are suitable to surgical treatment, the results are satisfactory in seizure control and neuropsychological function tests.

Objective: Rasmussen syndrome (RS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin, usually affecting one brain hemisphere. The present study aimed to analyze the electroclinical characteristics and treatment of RS., Methods: The medical records of 16 children with RS were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Of the 16 children, 8 were males and 8 were females. The age of onset was from 1 year and 11 months to 11 years and 6 months. The first symptom was seizure in all patients. The main seizure type was partial motor seizures. In all the patients, seizures gradually became frequent and in the form of epilepsia partialis continua (EPC). Thirteen cases developed hemiparesis. Fixed hemiparesis occurred from 2 months to 3 years after the onset of seizures. The cognitive deterioration was present in 14. The EEG background activity was abnormal in all the cases, asymmetric slow wave disturbances were bilateral but with unilateral predominance in 11, unilateral delta or theta wave in 8. The presence of interictal epileptiform discharges were found in all cases, unilateral in 11 and bilateral in 5. Seizures were recorded in all patients, no electroclinical correlation was found in 5. Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed progressive unihemispheric or focal cortical atrophy in all cases. Six cases transiently showed focal cortical swelling or T2/FLAIR hyperintense signal on early scans. Antiepileptic drugs were not effective in any of the patients. Three of 10 patients receiving immunoglobulin, and 4 of 8 receiving corticosteroids, had some reduction of seizure frequency for a short period. Six patients accepted functional hemispherectomy, in 4 of them seizure no longer occurred and cognitive function was improved. The results of multiple subpial transection in 2 cases and focal resection in one patient were disappointing., Conclusion: The clinical features of RS were refractory partial epilepsy, progressive hemiplegia and cognitive deterioration. The EEG background was asymmetric with slow wave activity, interictal epileptiform discharges were unilateral or bilateral, no electroclinical correlation occurred. Serial MRI showed progressive unihemispheric focal cortical atrophy. Antiepileptic drugs were not effective for RS. In some patients, immunoglobulin or corticosteroids could reduce seizure frequency in the short term. Functional hemispherectomy could lead to seizure control and prevent further development of neurological impairment and cognitive deterioration.

To evaluate the contribution of NF-kappaB and the NF-kappaB target gene p53 to nigral dopaminergic neuron degeneration in rodent models of Parkinson's disease, time-course of dopaminergic neuron loss as well as changes in the expression of some NF-kappaB-regulated proapoptotic proteins were assayed after unilateral infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine into rat medial forebrain bundle. Substantial loss of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in nigral was observed 24 h after 6-hydroxydopamine treatment. The degenerative processes began 12 h after 6-hydroxydopamine administration as evidenced by a positive silver staining. Apoptotic death of dopaminergic neurons was suggested by the appearance of TUNEL-positive nuclei in substantia nigra and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation as detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. NF-kappaB activation in dopaminergic neurons as revealed by immunohistochemistry and electrophoresis mobility shift assay, began at 12 h after 6-hydroxydopamine administration. Levels of c-Myc and p53 immunoreactivities increased after 6-hydroxydopamine treatment, mainly in dopaminergic neurons as indicated by co-localization with tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity. Blockade of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation with recombinant cell-permeable peptide NF-kappaB SN50 inhibited NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and p53 induction. SN50 and the p53 antagonist pifithrin-alpha significantly reduced nigral dopaminergic neuron degeneration. These results suggest that NF-kappaB activation contributes, at least in part, to oxidative stress-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons through a NF-kappaB-dependent p53-signaling pathway.