Search

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and the risk factors of fungal sepsis in 25 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) among preterm infants in China, and to provide a basis for preventive strategies of fungal sepsis. Methods: This was a second-analysis of the data from the "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units using the evidence-based practice for improving quality" study. The current status of fungal sepsis of the 24 731 preterm infants with the gestational age of <34 +0 weeks, who were admitted to 25 participating NICU within 7 days of birth between May 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. These preterm infants were divided into the fungal sepsis group and the without fungal sepsis group according to whether they developed fungal sepsis to analyze the incidences and the microbiology of fungal sepsis. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidences of fungal sepsis in preterm infants with different gestational ages and birth weights and in different NICU. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to study the outcomes of preterm infants with fungal sepsis, which were further compared with those of preterm infants without fungal sepsis. The 144 preterm infants in the fungal sepsis group were matched with 288 preterm infants in the non-fungal sepsis group by propensity score-matched method. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of fungal sepsis. Results: In all, 166 (0.7%) of the 24 731 preterm infants developed fungal sepsis, with the gestational age of (29.7±2.0) weeks and the birth weight of (1 300±293) g. The incidence of fungal sepsis increased with decreasing gestational age and birth weight (both P <0.001). The preterm infants with gestational age of <32 weeks accounted for 87.3% (145/166). The incidence of fungal sepsis was 1.0% (117/11 438) in very preterm infants and 2.0% (28/1 401) in extremely preterm infants, and was 1.3% (103/8 060) in very low birth weight infants and 1.7% (21/1 211) in extremely low birth weight infants, respectively. There was no fungal sepsis in 3 NICU, and the incidences in the other 22 NICU ranged from 0.7% (10/1 397) to 2.9% (21/724), with significant statistical difference ( P <0.001). The pathogens were mainly Candida (150/166, 90.4%), including 59 cases of Candida albicans and 91 cases of non-Candida albicans , of which Candida parapsilosis was the most common (41 cases). Fungal sepsis was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (adjusted OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.04-2.22, P= 0.030) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (adjusted OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.12-5.80, P= 0.025). Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR= 2.50, 95% CI 1.50-4.17, P< 0.001), prolonged use of central line (adjusted OR= 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.08, P< 0.001) and previous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) duration (adjusted OR= 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, P< 0.001) were all independently associated with increasing risk of fungal sepsis. Conclusions: Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis are the main pathogens of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in Chinese NICU. Preterm infants with fungal sepsis are at increased risk of moderate to severe BPD and severe ROP. Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure, prolonged use of central line and prolonged duration of TPN will increase the risk of fungal sepsis. Ongoing initiatives are needed to reduce fungal sepsis based on these risk factors.

This study aimed to report the three-dimensional reconstruction of the foramen ovale (FO) based on computed tomography angiography and describe its shape and related angles. A retrospective analysis of 199 adult patients who were hospitalised at the Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China, from January to December 2020 was conducted. The original DICOM files of patients' computed tomography scans were processed by 3D Slicer software to reconstruct the three-dimensional skull. The morphological characteristics of the FO on both sides were analysed. Their size, related angles and volumes, and the differences between the two sides and gender were compared. A total of 398 FO from 199 patients were studied. The most frequent shape of the FO was oval, accounting for 54.27%. The mean lengths of the right and the left sides were 5.40±1.51 and 5.10±1.18mm, respectively. The mean width on the right and left sides was 3.23±1.16 and 3.33±1.19 mm, respectively. The FO is most commonly oval in shape. Clinicians may use the anatomical characteristics regarding the size and shape of the FO for diagnosis and treatment. Key Words: Foramen ovale, Computed tomographic angiography, 3-Dimensional anatomy.

To investigate the effects of ultrasonic treatment on proteolysis and taste development of defective dry-cured ham, sensory attributes, enzyme activities, protein degradation and free amino acids were evaluated after different ultrasonic treatments. The ultrasonic treatment of 1000 W & 50 °C significantly increased the intensities of overall taste, umami, sweetness and richness, and decreased bitterness values compared with other groups. The residual activities of DPP I and cathepsin B + L in 1000 W & 50 °C maintained 48.71% and 24.94% of control group, respectively; the intense degradation of structural proteins was observed by label-free proteomics, accordingly. The contents of total free amino acids from 4522.64 mg/100 g muscles in control group increased to 5838.75 mg/100 g muscles in 1000 W & 50 °C; the largest increase of sweet and umami amino acids observed in 1000 W & 50 °C was responsible for the improvement of taste quality of defective dry-cured ham., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous micro-balloon compression (PBC) assisted by Dyna-CT-based image fusion technique in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). This study is the retrospective analysis of the efficacy and safety of 18 patients with TN treated by PBC assisted with Dyna-CT-based image fusion technique from May 2020 to May 2021. The puncture route from the skin to the foramen ovale（FO）was reconstructed after Dyna-CT scanning; and the puncture direction was adjusted according to the virtual puncture route until the puncture was completed. Dyna-CT-assisted puncture was successful in all 18 patients. The puncture was accurate and effectively shortened the operation time. Importantly, pain was relieved in all patients, and no puncture-related complications occurred. Dyna-CT-based image fusion real-time-assisted PBC for the treatment of TN is safe and effective, making the operation easier and faster, greatly improving the success rate of the puncture, and reducing the risk of operation-related complications. Key Words: Dyna-CT, Percutaneous micro-balloon compression, Trigeminal neuralgia.

Excessive bitterness, pastiness, and adhesiveness are the main organoleptic and textural defects of dry-cured ham, which often cause a lot of financial losses to manufacturers and seriously damage the quality of the product. These sensory and textural defects are related to the protein degradation of dry-cured ham. Proteomics shows great potential to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism of sensory and textural defects and identify biomarkers for monitoring their quality traits. This review presents some of the major achievements and considerations in organoleptic and textural defects of dry-cured ham by proteomics analysis in the recent decades and gives an overview about how to correct sensory and textural defects of dry-cured ham. Proteomics reveals that muscle proteins derived from myofibril and cytoskeleton and involved in metabolic enzymes and oxygen transport have been identified as potential biomarkers in defective dry-cured ham. Relatively high residual activities of cathepsin B and L are responsible for the excessive degradation of these protein biomarkers in defective dry-cured ham. Ultrasound-assisted mild thermal or high-pressure treatment shows a good correction for the organoleptic and textural defects of dry-cured ham by changing microstructure and conformation of muscle proteins by accelerating degradation of proteins and polypeptides into free amino acids., (© 2021 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

The highly conserved heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) contributes to survival at a cellular level and greatly enhances stress tolerance in many organisms. In this study, we isolate and characterize Cshsp702, which encodes an inducible form of HSP70 in the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis. Cshsp702 does not contain introns; the translational product is comprised of 629 amino acids with an isoelectric point of 5.69. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that Cshsp702 was expressed at maximal levels in hemocytes and was minimally expressed in the midgut. Expression of Cshsp702 in response to a range of temperatures (-11 to 43 °C) indicated significant induction by extreme cold and hot temperatures, with maximum expression after 2 h at 42 °C. The induction of Cshsp702 in response to the endoparasite Cotesia chilonis was also studied; interestingly, Cshsp702 expression in C. suppressalis was significantly induced at 24 h and 5 days, which correspond to predicted times of C. chilonis feeding and growth, respectively. The potential induction of Cshsp702 as an inflammatory response due to parasitic stress is discussed. In conclusion, Cshsp702 is induced in response to both environmental and biotic stress and plays an important role in the physiological adaptation of C. suppressalis.

Evidence suggests that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is not only the main cause of gastric cancer (GC), but is also closely associated with its metastasis. One of the major virulence factors in H. pylori is the cytotoxin‑associated gene A (CagA). With the growing proportion of amoxicillin‑resistant H. pylori strains, the present study aimed to explore the effects of CagA‑ and penicillin‑binding protein 1A (PBP1A) mutation‑positive H. pylori (H. pyloriCagA+/P+) on GC cells, and its clinical significance. The clinical significance of H. pyloriCagA+/P+ infection was analyzed in patients with GC. In vitro, GC cells were infected with H. pyloriCagA+/P+ to investigate whether it was involved in the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) of SGC‑7901 cells using immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. The results of clinical analysis demonstrated that, although CagA‑negative H. pylori infection had no significant association with the characteristics of patients with GC, H. pyloriCagA+/P+ infection was significantly associated with various clinicopathological parameters, including invasion depth, lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis. In vitro, the results indicated that H. pyloriCagA+/P+ promoted proliferation, invasion and EMT of SGC‑7901 cells. MicroRNA (miR)‑134 was downregulated in H. pyloriCagA+/P+ infected tissues compared with in those with H. pyloriCagA+/P‑ infection. miR‑134 overexpression significantly reversed H. pyloriCagA+/P+ infection‑associated cell proliferation, invasion and EMT. Furthermore, the results revealed that Forkhead box protein M1 (FoxM1) was a direct target of miR‑134, and FoxM1 knockdown impeded H. pyloriCagA+/P+‑induced EMT. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that miR‑134 may suppress the proliferation, invasion and EMT of SGC‑7901 cells by targeting FoxM1, and may serve a protective role in the process of H. pyloriCagA+/P+‑induced GC. These findings may lead to an improved understanding of H. pyloriCagA+/P+‑associated poor clinical characteristics in patients with GC.

To evaluate the effect of structural change on the digestibility of sarcoplasmic proteins in Nanjing dry-cured duck during processing, carbonyl content, sulfhydryl (SH) group, disulfide (S-S) group, surface hydrophobicity, particle size, secondary structures, and in vitro digestibility were determined. During processing, carbonyl content increased; SH groups turned into S-S groups; α-helix turned into β-sheet. From marinating to early dry-ripening stage, surface hydrophobicity increased but particle size decreased, whereas these had opposite tendencies at the late dry-ripening stage. The in vitro digestibility of pepsin decreased at drying-curing and drying-ripening stages, whereas the one of pancreatic proteases kept stable until late drying-ripening stage. We concluded that salting, drying, and protein oxidation caused the denaturation and aggregation during processing. The oxidation and aggregation of sarcoplasmic proteins of Nanjing dry-cured duck resulted in a loss of nutritional quality during drying-ripening stage.

Bacillus cereus was isolated from ready-to-serve brine goose, identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis and treated with a commercial microwave sterilization condition (a power of 1,800 W at 85°C for 5 min). The influence of microwaves on the morphology, the permeability of membrane and the expression of total bacterial proteins was observed. Microwave induced the clean of bacterial nuclear chromatin, increased the permeability and disrupted the integrity of membrane. Twenty-three proteins including 18 expressed down-regulated proteins and 5 expressed up-regulated proteins were identified by HPLC-MS/MS in the samples treated with microwave. The frequencies of proteins changed after microwaves treatment were labeled as 39.13% (synthesis and metabolism of amino acid or proteins), 21.74% (carbohydrate metabolism), 8.70% (anti-oxidant and acetyl Co-A synthesis), and 4.35% (the catalyst of catabolism of bacterial acetoin, ethanol metabolism, glyoxylate pathway, butyrate synthesis and detoxification activity), respectively. This study indicates that microwaves result in the inactivation of Bacillus cereus by cleaning nuclear chromatin, disrupting cell membrane and disordering the expression of proteins.

In order to figure out the effect of ultrasound treatments (UT) on the tenderizing pathway of goose meat, breast muscles of 32 Eastern Zhejiang White Geese were treated with different ultrasound powers (the control, 300 and 600 W) at 40 kHz for 30 min. Shear force, cooking loss, myofibrillar fraction index (MFI), particle size, morphological analysis of actin filaments and the levels of F-actin and G-actin were investigated during 168 h storage. Results showed that 600 W group had the lowest shear force and cooking loss at 24, 48, 96 and 168 h among treatments, while 300 W UT decreased shear force and cooking loss compared to the control. UT increased MFI and induced myofibrillar small particles (D3,2) by disrupting actin filaments for myofibril and transforming of F-actin to G-actin compared to the control. We concluded that UT tenderized goose meat by fragmenting actin filaments and myofibrillar fraction.

Vinasse-cured duck was processed by boiling, salting, and vinasse-dry-curing or vinasse-wet-curing. Volatile compounds, moisture contents, reducing sugars, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values during processing were determined. Reducing sugars decreased during boiling and increased after vinasse-curing. TBARS values increased throughout the processing. The volatiles of ducks during processing and vinasse-curing agents (dry vinasse and vinasse sauce) were 125 compounds. The first principal component (PC1) belonged to the flavor of cooked duck, whereas the second principal component (PC2) represented the flavor of yellow rice wine. The 66.49 and 29.61% of typical aroma of vinasse-dry-cured product were from dry vinasse and lipid oxidation, respectively, whereas the 75.58 and 21.89% of aroma of vinasse-wet-cured product were from vinasse sauce and lipid oxidation, respectively. Lipid oxidation products increased after boiling, whereas salting promoted their release. Compared with vinasse-wet-cured duck, vinasse-dry-cured product presented richer aroma of lipid oxidation and weaker flavor of vinasse-curing agents. Besides, protein denaturation which was caused by ethanol could influence the retention and release of flavor. In conclusion, two kinds of vinasse-curing methods influenced the characteristic volatiles of products and their generation during processing.

Background: In order to evaluate the effect of cooking temperature on the nutrition quality of dry-cured hams, 60 biceps femoris samples from 16 Jinhua hams were divided into four groups (control, 70, 100 and 120 °C) and cooked for 30 min. Carbonyl content, sulfhydryl groups, surface hydrophobicity, microstructure, protein aggregation and digestibility of myofibrillar proteins were investigated., Results: Cooking promoted carbonylation and decreased sulfhydryl groups in a temperature-dependent way. Scanning electron microscopy and Nile Red revealed that protein aggregation became a main phenomenon at 120 °C; it coincided with surface hydrophobicity. The increased carbonyl content and decreased sulfhydryl groups contributed to the formation of aggregates. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles showed the initial difference in proteolysis rate among four groups. The in vitro digestibility of pepsin and of trypsin and α-chymotrypsin increased from the control to 100 °C and decreased from 100 to 120 °C., Conclusion: The increased digestibility could be attributed to the oxidation of proteins and exposing recognition sites of digestive enzymes, while the decreased digestibility was due to the formation of aggregates. Cooking was a main factor that affected the digestibility of Jinhua ham, and cooking at 100 °C could be an ideal way to gain the highest digestibility of Jinhua ham. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins some of which form high capacity water-selective channels, promoting water permeation across cell membranes. In this study, we isolated the aquaporin transcript ( Cs Drip1) of Chilo suppressalis , one of the important rice pests. Cs Drip1 included two variants, Cs Drip1&#95;v1 and Cs Drip1&#95;v2. Although Cs Drip1&#95;v2 sequence (>409 bp) was longer than Cs Drip1&#95;v1, they possessed the same open reading frame (ORF). Protein structure and topology of Cs Drip1 was analyzed using a predicted model, and the results demonstrated the conserved properties of insect water-specific aquaporins, including 6 transmembrane domains, 2 NPA motifs, ar/R constriction region (Phe 69 , His 194 , Ser 203 , and Arg 209 ) and the C-terminal peptide sequence ending in "SYDF." Our data revealed that the Xenopus oocytes expressing Cs Drip1 indicated Cs Drip1 could transport water instead of glycerol, trehalose and urea. Further, the transcript of Cs Drip1 expressed ubiquitously but differentially in different tissues or organs and developmental stages of C. suppressalis. Cs Drip1 mRNA exhibited the highest level of expression within hindgut and the third instar larvae. Regardless of pupae and adults, there were significantly different expression levels of Cs Drip1 gene between male and female. Different from at low temperature, the transcript of Cs Drip1 in larvae exposed to high temperature was increased significantly. Moreover, the mRNA levels of Cs Drip1 in the third instar larvae, the fifth instar larvae, pupae (male and female), and adults (male and female) under different humidities were investigated. However, the mRNA levels of Cs Drip1 of only female and male adults were changed remarkably. In conclusions, Cs Drip1 plays important roles in maintaining water homeostasis in this important rice pest.

To investigate the influence of oxidative modifications of G-actin on its binding ability with aroma compounds, the influence of H 2 O 2 treatments on G-actin structure and the absorption for alcohols and aldehydes was investigated. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate structural changes of G-actin; GC-MS was used to analyze the binding with alcohols and aldehydes. Results showed that 0-5mM H 2 O 2 enhanced the absorption of G-actin toward alcohols involved in the formation of hydrogen bonds by increasing α-helix and carbonyl values. 0-1mM H 2 O 2 caused the release of aldehydes with decreased sulfhydryl sites. 1-20mM H 2 O 2 increased the retention of aldehydes, due to the increased hydrophobic sites by G-actin rebuilding and aggregating. The aggregated G-actin favoured the hydrophobic interactions with aroma compounds, forming the protein-aroma compound complex, thus enhancing the resultant binding ability, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy and GC/MS analysis., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In order to study the tenderization mechanism of ATP treatments by depolymerizing actin filaments, breast muscles of Eastern Zhejiang White Geese were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, 10 and 20 mM groups. Shear force (SF), sarcomere length (SL) and myofibrillar fraction index (MFI), the content of F-actin and G-actin, the expression of actin associated proteins (cofilins and tropomodulins) were investigated during conditioning. In 20 mM group, cofilins content increased from 48 to 168 h, while tropomodulins decreased; the content of F-actin decreased from 24 to 168 h, while the increased G-actin was observed upto 48 h. In the control, the degraded tropomodulins were observed at 168 h, and the increased cofilins and G-actin were detected at the same time; the increase of MFI and decrease of F-actin content were shown at 96 and 168 h. Compared to control group, 20 mM group accelerated the transformation of F-actin into G-actin; it showed higher SL and MFI, and lower SF at 48, 96 and 168 h, respectively. We concluded that depolymerization of actin filaments, which was regulated by cofilins and tropomodulins, contributed to myofibrillar fraction and low SF during conditioning., (© 2017 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) constitute a large, diverse, and functionally uncharacterized family of heat shock proteins. To gain insight regarding the function of sHSPs in insects, we identified genes encoding two sHSPs, Cshsp22.9b and Cshsp24.3, from the rice pest Chilo suppressalis. The cDNAs of Cshsp22.9b and Cshsp24.3 encoded proteins of 206 and 216 amino acids with isoelectric points of 5.79 and 9.28, respectively. Further characterization indicated that both Cshsp22.9b and Cshsp24.3 lacked introns. Real-time quantitative PCR indicated that Cshsp22.9b and Cshsp24.3 were expressed at higher levels within the fat body as compared to other tissues (head, epidermis, foregut, midgut, hindgut, Malpighian tubules, and hemocytes). Expression of Cshsp22.9b and Cshsp24.3 was lowest in the hindgut and Malpighian tubules, respectively. Cshsp22.9b and Cshsp24.3 showed identical patterns in response to thermal stress from -11 to 43 °C, and both genes were up-regulated by hot and cold temperatures. The mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) expression levels of Cshsp22.9b (KY701308) and Cshsp24.3 (KY701309) were highest after a 2-h exposure at 39 °C and started to decline at 42 °C. In response to cold temperatures, both Cshsp22.9b and Cshsp24.3 showed maximal expression after a 2-h exposure to -3 °C. The two Cshsps were more responsive to hot than cold temperature stress and were not induced by mildly cold or warm temperatures. In conclusion, Cshsp22.9b and Cshsp24.3 could play a very important role in the regulation of physiological activities in C. suppressalis that are impacted by environmental stimuli.

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterial strain, designated JW-1 T , was isolated from activated sludge collected from the outlet of an aeration tank in a prometryn-manufacturing plant, located in Binzhou City, Shandong province, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, indicated that strain JW-1 T belongs to the genus Leucobacter and its closest neighbours are 'Leucobacter kyeonggiensis' F3-P9 (98.95 % similarity), Leucobacter celer subsp. astrifaciens CBX151 T (98.62 %), Leucobacter celer subsp. celer NAL101 T (98.53 %), Leucobacter chromiiresistens JG31 T (97.86 %) and Leucobacter chironomi DSM 19883 T (97.37 %). DNA-DNA hybridization values with the above strains were <55 %. The DNA G+C content of strain JW-1 T was 72.6 mol%. The major fatty acids of strain JW-1 T were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and glycolipid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-11. The cell wall amino acids were 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, alanine, glutamic acid, glycine and threonine. Based on the molecular and chemotaxonomic data, as well as the physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain JW-1 T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Leucobacter, for which the name Leucobacter triazinivorans is proposed. The type strain is JW-1 T (=DSM 105188 T =LMG 30083 T ).

In this study, the structure of proanthocyanidins purified from cherimoya (Annona squamosa) pericarp was analyzed by ESI-QTOF-MS and HPLC analyses. The result indicated that these compounds were procyanidin-type proanthocyanidins, consisting mainly of (epi)catechin units linked b y B-type interflavan bonds. The analyses of enzymology showed that the activities of monophenolase and diphenolase of tyrosinase could be powerfully inhibited by the proanthocyanidins. Further researches on the inhibition mechanism demonstrated that they were reversible and competitive inhibitors with the K I value of 27.1±3.1μg/mL. These inhibitors quenched the fluorescence of tyrosinase through a static quenching mechanism and spontaneously formed proanthocyanidins-enzyme complex. Fluorescence changes of proanthocyanidins in the presence of copper ion suggested that the interactions could reduce the fluorescence intensity of these polymers and the molecular docking analysis revealed that copper irons of the enzyme could be chelated by adjacent hydroxyl groups on the B ring of proanthocyanidins. Moreover, proanthocyanidins were proved to be efficient quencher of substrates. These results would lay scientific foundation for their farther application in food and medicine industry., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In order to clarify the influence of curing agents on the flavor of duck, the effect of pH on the surface hydrophobicity, secondary structures, and adsorption capacity of myofibrillar proteins to alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and esters was assessed using Raman spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, and other methodologies. The hydrophobicity decreased as pH increased from 5.0 to 8.0; β-turn turned into α-helix and random coil as pH increased from 5.0 to 7.0, while α-helix and random coil turned into β-sheet and β-turn as pH increased from 7.0 to 8.0. With the increase of pH, the decreased adsorbing of alcohols could depend on hydrogen bonds. As pH increased from 5.0 to 8.0, the increase of aldehydes and esters was attributed to the unfolding of myofibrillar proteins and decreased hydrophobicity. The decreased adsorbing of ketones was due to the decreased hydrophobicity as pH increased from 5.0 to 8.0. The present work provided information about the correlation between structure and adsorption capacity of myofibrillar proteins to flavor compounds., (© 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

Twelve pieces of longissimus dorsi were processed into Chinese traditional dry-cured loins. The changes in the proteolylic enzymes activities, myofibrillar proteins degradation, and free amino acids content were investigated during processing. Compared with fresh piece (0 day), the cathepsin B + L and calpains activities decreased after dry-curing and maintained potential activities values of 23.25 and 15.04% in the final products, respectively. The myosin heavy chain (MHC) and C protein were intensely degraded at the dry-ripened stage; the 50 kDa desmin increased at day 2 and then disappeared at day 11. The total free amino acids content increased from 333.18 mg/100 g in the raw to 1096.54 mg/100 g at the end of the dry-ripening. This work provided a mechanism for the accumulation of free amino acids and predicted the proteolysis extent of myofibrillar proteins by monitoring the changes of three marker proteins (MHC, C protein and 50 kDa desmin) during Chinese traditional dry-cured loins processing., Competing Interests: Compliance with ethical standardsThe authors declare no conflict of interest.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of black pepper essential oil (BPEO) on Escherichia coli , further evaluate the potential mechanism of action. Results showed that the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of BPEO was 1.0 μL/mL. The diameter of inhibition zone values were with range from 17.12 to 26.13 mm. 2 × MIC treatments had lower membrane potential and shorter kill-time than 1 × MIC, while control had the highest values. E. coli treated with BPEO became deformed, pitted, shriveled, adhesive, and broken. 2 × MIC exhibited the greatest electric conductivity at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 h, leaked DNA materials at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 h, proteins at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 h, potassium ion at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 h, phosphate ion at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 h and ATP ( P < 0.05); 1 × MIC had higher values than control. BPEO led to the leakage, disorder and death by breaking cell membrane. This study suggested that the BPEO has potential as the natural antibacterial agent in meat industry.

Twenty-four Eastern Zhejiang White Geese were slaughtered, dry-cured by 2 different kinds of salt contents (12 geese with 4% low salt level [LS]; 12 geese with 8% high salt level [HS]) for one d, marinated in brine for one d, and air dry-ripened at 16 °C for 7 d. The effect of dry-curing salt contents on the changes in myofibril proteins, potential proteolysis activities, and total free amino acid (TFAA) in dry-cured goose was investigated. Compared to the raw, cathepsin B+L and calpains activities decreased at the end of dry-curing and the third d of dry-ripening. At the final products, the activities of cathepsin B+L and calpains were about half of those in raw meat. There was no difference in proteolysis activities except for the end of dry-curing (P < 0.05) and the 3 d of dry-ripening (P < 0.05) for cathepsin B+L, and the end of dry-curing (P < 0.05) for calpains (P < 0.05) between groups. Myosin light chain (MLC) and troponin-I were cleaved. Compared to the raw, TFAA increased by 36.64 and 31.82% in the final products for HS (P < 0.001) and LS (P < 0.01), respectively. The increase of TFAA could be attributed to the proteolysis of myofibril proteins and retained proteolysis activities. No significant difference on TFAA and MLC and troponin-I bands was observed between groups in final products. This means that different proteolysis activities during processing did not cause the difference in quality of final products between groups, and that 4% low salt can be used in future applications., (© 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

The effect of different concentrations (0, 0.1 and 0.5%, v/v) of black pepper essential oil (BPEO) on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), meat color, the percentage of metmyoglobin (MetMb%), microbiological parameters and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) of pork loins stored at 4°C for 9days was evaluated. BPEO treatments showed lower TBARS, MetMb%, yellowness (b*) values, Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae count and TVB-N values and higher lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values than the control during storage; the effectiveness of BPEO was dose-dependent. The retardation of the formation of MetMb by adding BPEO ensured higher L* and a* values and lower b* values than the control at 6 and 9days; the MetMb content has a similar trend to the lipid oxidation. The lower TVB-N value of BPEO treatments than the control could be attributed to the inhibition of Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae. Gram-negative bacteria were more sensitive than Gram-positive bacteria to BPEO., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Molecularly imprinted silica layers appended to quantum dots (MIP-QDs) with customized selective artificial recognition sites were fabricated in this study by optimizing the ratio of the functional monomer to the template. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–emmett–teller, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and selectivity assay analyses were also performed. Results demonstrated that the selective fluorescence quenching properties of MIP-QDs toward cypermethrin (CYP) are due to strong interactions between these molecules. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-like method based on the MIP-QDs was established under optimal conditions. The fluorescence quenching observed from this method showed a linear relationship with CYP concentration over the range of 0.05–60.0 mg/kg with a correlation coefficient of 0.9838. Good recovery (82.7–92.4%) and a relative standard deviation of less than 10.1% were obtained from fish samples spiked with three levels of CYP. This method also demonstrated a low detection limit of 1.2 μg/kg. The ELISA-like method based on MIP-QDs can be successfully employed to detect residual of CYP in fish samples.

Hyperlipidemia is a major factor causing coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a major indicator for measuring lipid levels. However, there is no an effective medicine that can obviously increase HDL-C at present. According to previous laboratory studies, atractylodes macrocephalae extracts could significantly increase HDL-C level. In this study, the metabolic hyperlipidemia rat model was established by feeding high-sugar and fat diets and alcohol-drinking to explore the effect and mechanism of atractylodes macrocephalae extracts on hyperlipidemia rats. According to the findingins, different doses of atractylodes macrocephalae extracts could reduce the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ACAT and increase the contents of LCAT, HDL-C. Particularly, the atractylodes macrocephalae extracts (100 mg · kg(-1) group showed increase in HDL-C by about 50% and significant declines in HMG-CoA reductase, TC, TG. In conclusion, Atractylodes Macrocephelae Rhizoma extracts could effectively regulate the dyslipidemia of hyperlipidemia rats, especially on HDL-C. Its mechanism may be related to reduction in cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase in livers and increase in lipid metabolism and transport by regulating LCAT and ACAT levels.

Objective: To observe the effect of composite factors, like long-term high-salt & fat diet and alcohol abuse on blood viscosity and blood pressure in rats, and compare with a model induced by high molecular dextran, in order to build a chronic hyperviscosity aminal model which is similar to human hyperviscosity in clinic and lay a foundation for efficacy evaluation on traditional Chinese medicines., Method: Male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the high molecular dextran (HMD) group and the high salt & fat and alcohol (HSFA) group. The HMD group was given normal diet and water for 23 day and then 10% HMD through tail vein for 5 days. The HSFA group was fed with high salt and high fat diets every day and alcohol for 20 h x d(-1) for 13 weeks. After the modeling, whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were measured in the 5th, 8th and 11th week. Blood pressure was measured in the 5d, 7h, and 10th week. Red cell count (RBC) and hematocrit (HCT) were measured in the 11th week. PAgT, Fb, ET-1, NO, PGI, TXA2 contents of the normal group and the HSFA group were measured in the 13th week, and IECa21 content was measured with flow cytometry. Result: After the modeling, the HMD group was in good conditions with glossy hairs and active behaviors. The HSFA group was depressed with withered hairs and less activities. During the 5th-11th weeks, the HMD group and the HSFA group showed higher values in high and low shear whole blood viscosity (WBV) than the normal control group. The plasma viscosity (PV) of HMD rats was significantly increased only in the 5th week, and that of HSFA rats significantly increased in the 8"' and 11th week, particularly in the 11'h week. In the 111h week, the HSFA group showed significant increases in RBC and HCT. After the modeling, the blood pressure of HMD rats showed no significant changes, but the blood pressure of HSFA rats significantly increased during 7' and 101h weeks, particularly in the 10"' week. In the 13th week, PAgT, IECa2+, Fb, ET-1 of HSFA rats significantly increased, but with decreases in NO and PGI2., Conclusion: Long-term high salt & fat and alcohol diets can cause abnormal blood viscosity in rats. WBV significantly increased since the 5th week in rats, and PV increased since the 8th week. The mechanism for increasing BV may be: (1) increases in RBC, HCT, and IECa2+, (2) PAgT increase, (3) Fb content increase, or (4) TXA2/PGI2, ET-1/NO imbalance. Although the modeling time with the method is longer than that with the HMD method, the model is more stable and moderate, and could lead to abnormal increases in WBV and PV; Whereas the HMD method only induced transient increase in plasma viscosity and abnormal increase in SBP. The model is more similar to traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and pathogenesis, with higher value for studies on efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines.

Many studies have investigated the individual effects of sedimentation or inundation on the performance of wetland plants, but few have examined the combined influence of these processes. Wetland plants might show greater morphological plasticity in response to inundation than to sedimentation when these processes occur simultaneously since inundation can negate the negative effects of burial on plant growth. Here, we evaluate this hypothesis by assessing growth of the emergent macrophyte Polygonum hydropiper under flooding (0 and 40 cm) and sedimentation (0, 5, and 10 cm), separately and in combination. Deep burial and high water level each led to low oxidation-reduction potential, biomass (except for 5-cm burial), and growth of thick, short roots. These characteristics were generally more significant under high water level than under deep burial conditions. More biomass was allocated to stems in the deep burial treatments, but more to leaves in the high water level treatments. Additionally, biomass accumulation was lower and leaf mass ratio was higher in the 40-cm water level + 10-cm burial depth treatment than both separate effects. Our data indicate that inundation plays a more important role than sedimentation in determining plant morphology, suggesting hierarchical effects of environmental stressors on plant growth.

Whey fermented liquid (WFL) was studied for its hepatoprotective effects by using chronic alcohol-induced mice. Whey fermented liquid, prepared by inoculating whey with 4% (vol/vol) Lactobacillus casei and then incubating at 41°C for 8h, was used to orally treat alcohol-induced mice at 3 dosages for 5 wk. Ethanol consumption significantly reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, while lowering glutathione content and increasing levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total triglyceride, malondialdehyde, and cytochrome P450 2E1. Treatment with WFL significantly attenuated the increased levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, and cytochrome P450 2E1, while decreasing superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and glutathione levels. Pathological changes in the livers of mice who had ingested alcohol were improved by the administration of WFL. These results suggest that WFL may exert a protective effect against alcoholic liver disease by increasing antioxidant activity, which supports the use of WFL as an antialcoholic liver disease treatment., (Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Flavor, as one of the most important properties determining the acceptability and preference of fermented milks, is influenced by compositional and processing factors. In this study, we focused on the volatile organic compounds related to flavor during milk fermentation by Lactobacillus pentosus according to electronic nose analysis. Xylose (1% addition) metabolized by Lb. pentosus strongly affects the flavor of yogurt, with the potent volatile organic compounds of ethanol (3.08%), 2,3-butanedione (7.77%), and acetic acid (22.70%) detected using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Sensoryanalysis also showed skimmed yogurt fermented by Lb. pentosus with 1% xylose had the unique scores of sourness (acetic acid) and butter flavor (2,3-butanedione). Furthermore, α-acetolactate synthase and α-acetolactate decarboxylase in carbohydrate metabolism play important roles in milk fermentation. Under preferable conditions (pH 5.5, 42 °C) for α-acetolactate synthase and α-acetolactate decarboxylase, the relative content of potent flavor compound 2,3-butanedione was 10.13%, which was 2.55% higher than common culture condition (pH 4.5, 37 °C), revealing that xylose metabolized by Lb. pentosus has potential values for the milk product industry, such as the acceptability and preference of fermented milk product., (Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The study was aimed at exploring the mechanism of tenderization by establishing a correlation between caspase-3 activity and shear force, verifying the activation occurring by analyzing active caspase-3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) fragments, and understanding the pathways involved in activation of caspase-3 by evaluating its correlation with caspase-8 and -9 activities in LM, semitendinosus (STN), and psoas minor (PM) muscles. The results indicated that shear force decreased at 48 h in PM (P < 0.01), LM (P < 0.01), and STN (P < 0.05). We detected p22, p23, p20, and p18 caspase fragments as well as distinctive PARP fragments of 24 kDa by caspase-3 and 36 kDa by µ-calpain. Caspase-3 activity correlated with shear force negatively at 24 and 48 h in STN (P < 0.01 at 24 h; P < 0.01 at 48 h), PM (P < 0.001 at 24 h; P < 0.01 at 48 h), and LM muscles (P < 0.05 at 24 h; P < 0.01 at 48 h). The greatest activities of caspase-8 (P < 0.001 in PM and STN; P < 0.01 in LM) and caspase-9 (P < 0.001 in muscles) appeared at 4 h whereas that of caspase-3 was at 24 h (P < 0.001 in muscles). Caspase-9 activity correlated positively with caspase-3 at 4, 24, and 48 h in STN (P < 0.01 at 4 h; P < 0.05 at 24 h; P < 0.001 at 48 h) and at 4 and 96 h in PM (P < 0.001 at 4 h; P < 0.05 at 96 h) and LM muscles (P < 0.001 at 4 h; P < 0.001 at 96 h). The caspase-8 activity correlated with caspase-3 at 4, 48, and 96 h in STN (P < 0.05 at 4 h; P < 0.001 at 48 h; P < 0.05 at 96 h), at 4 and 24 h in PM (P < 0.001 at 4 h; P < 0.05 at 24 h), and at 4 and 96 h in LM (P < 0.001 at 4 h; P < 0.01 at 96 h). We concluded that caspase-3 was associated with the decline of shear force; the activation of caspase-3 was mediated by caspases -8 and -9 in muscles. However, more detailed studies are needed to define the precise mechanism for the cleavage of pro-caspases -8 and -9 during conditioning.

The purpose of this paper is as follows: (1) Optimizing the parameters of microwave digestion-atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and establishing method for the determination of heavy metals in artificial soils. (2) Evaluating heavy metal pollution conditions in artificial soil samples from railway rock-cut slopes. The results showed that the mixture of HNO3-H2O2-HF was found to have the best digestion efficiency; under the optimized conditions, the recoveries of the method ranged from 95% to 105%; the measurement precision and the relative deviation were less than 4% and 5%, respectively; the concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn were significantly higher in the artificial soil on railway rock-cut slope than in the control soil, and they were 4.7, 1.3 and 1.2 times as much as the control soil, respectively; compared to the contents of Cr, Cu and Fe in control soils, there was no significant difference. This research will provide a reliable method for determining metal elements in artificial soils on rock-cut slopes and a theoretical basis for the management of the railway rock-cut slopes.

Approximately 2.5% of young children are allergic to cow milk. In this study, milk protein hydrolysates made from full-cream milk via enzymatic hydrolysis played a positive role in regulating the immune system of ICR mice. Milk protein hydrolysates enhanced immunity in mice by stimulating host immunity, probably by increasing the weight of certain immune system organs, improving the level of hemolysin in serum, and enhancing the phagocytosis of macrophages. Milk protein hydrolysates have the capability to reduce type I hypersensitivity by decreasing IgE levels, IL-4 in serum, and the release of histamine and bicarbonate in peritoneal mast cells, as well as enhancing transforming growth factor-β levels in the serum of ovalbumin-sensitized mice., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Probiotic bacteria, especially the Lactobacillus species, can potentially play a significant role in the antiviral and antimicrobial activity of a host's immune system. Lactobacillus acidophilus, an intestinal bacterium, is involved in the intestinal epithelial cell response when a pathogen adheres to a cell. In this study, the structure of peptidoglycan (PGN) isolated from L. acidophilus was determined with the help of HPLC, NMR, FT-IR and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. The molecular mass of PGN is 875.260 Da. The anti-inflammatory capacity of PGN was evaluated in model RAW 264.7 cells. Epifluorescence microscopy images and western blot analysis provided compelling evidence of PGN's anti-inflammatory capacity on LPS-induced macrophages. A significant decrease in inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels when PGN was added up to 200 μg/ml. These data provide new insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which probiotic bacteria can contribute to maintaining good health., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in identifying the disease-associated genetic variants have been proved to be a great pioneering work. Two-stage design and analysis are often adopted in GWASs. Considering the genetic model uncertainty, many robust procedures have been proposed and applied in GWASs. However, the existing approaches mostly focused on binary traits, and few work has been done on continuous (quantitative) traits, since the statistical significance of these robust tests is difficult to calculate. In this paper, we develop a powerful F-statistic-based robust joint analysis method for quantitative traits using the combined raw data from both stages in the framework of two-staged GWASs. Explicit expressions are obtained to calculate the statistical significance and power. We show using simulations that the proposed method is substantially more robust than the F-test based on the additive model when the underlying genetic model is unknown. An example for rheumatic arthritis (RA) is used for illustration.

Purpose: To assess the effective distribution of blood supply in jejunal graft with the 3rd intestinal artery as pedicle and to afford a reliable theoretic base for clinical esophageal reconstruction., Methods: Thirty-two formalin-preserved and 21 fresh cadaver specimens were studied with anatomic measurement, acetic ester perfusion, and Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) vascular casting specimen., Results: Results demonstrate there is no significant variation of vascular in the two groups. The inner diameter of the 3rd intestinal artery is comparatively larger among five intestinal arteries. There is a wider distribution of efficient blood supply in the 3rd intestinal artery. The mean (SD) length of homogenously stained jejunum segment, and the mean (SD) ABS effective distributing length of extended arches are 142.2 (62.3) cm and 30.8 (7.3) cm, respectively., Conclusions: The 3rd intestinal artery as pedicle can afford adequate blood supply to the jejunum segment and has effective arterial arch with enough length; thus it meets the need of esophageal reconstruction.

Background: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been demonstrated to have cholesterol-reducing effects in many studies., Results: Lactobacillus fermentum SM-7 screened from ten LAB strains isolated from koumiss, a fermented milk drink, reduced cholesterol by 66.8%. It also showed acid and bile tolerance as well as antimicrobial activity against pathogenic Escherchia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Lactobacillus fermentum SM-7 cells assimilated 61.5% and co-precipitated and absorbed 38.5% of the cholesterol in the media. Co-precipitation of cholesterol with cholic acid increased rapidly at pH levels below 6. In vivo experiments using L. fermentum SM-7 on artificially induced hyperlipidaemial ICR mice significantly decreased serum total cholesterol and total triglyceride levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and atherogenic index (P < 0.01), while serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations did not increase significantly (P > 0.05). The body weight and liver weight/body weight ratio of SM-7 groups were lower than those of mice on a high-cholesterol diet that were not given lactobacilli. There was no bacterial translocation in the liver, spleen or kidney of experimental mice., Conclusion: The results suggested that L. fermentum SM-7 is a potential probiotic bacterium with cholesterol-lowering effects., (2010 Society of Chemical Industry.)

In this study, Lactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum) F1 reduced cholesterol 48.87%. The strain was screened from cattle feces using an API 50 CHL system and the 16S rRNA sequence contrasting method. L. fermentum F1 showed acid and bile tolerance, and antimicrobial activity against pathogenic Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. L. fermentum F1 deconjugated 0.186 mM of free cholalic acid after it was incubated at 37°C in 0.20% sodium taurocholate (TCA) broth for 24 h. Heat-killed and resting cells of L. fermentum F1 showed small amounts of cholesterol removal (6.85 and 25.19 mg/g, respectively, of dry weight) compared with growing cells (33.21 mg/g of dry weight). The supernatant fluid of the broth contained 50.85% of the total cholesterol, while the washing buffer and cell extracts had 13.53 and 35.39%, respectively. These findings suggest that L. fermentum F1 may remove cholesterol by co-precipitating with deconjugated bile salt, assimilating with cells and by incorporation into cellular membranes. Cholesterol assimilated by cells held 72.0% of the reduced cholesterol, while 21.65% of the reduced cholesterol was coprecipitated with deconjugated bile salt and 5.89% was adsorbed into the surface of the cells.

Aims: To isolate new lactobacilli strain with cholesterol-lowering effect and analyse its probiotic properties and possible mechanisms of cholesterol removal., Methods and Results: The strain with cholesterol-lowering effect was isolated from pickled juice. The acid and bile tolerance and antimicrobial activity were tested. The free cholalic acid, the cholesterol in supernatant fluid, washing buffer and cell extract, the cholesterol removed by growing, dead and resting cells were quantified. The isolated strain with high cholesterol-reducing rate of 43.95% was identified as Lactobacillus buchneri (Lact. buchneri) P2. It had acid and bile tolerance and antimicrobial activity. Moreover, it could remove cholesterol via coprecipitating with deconjugated bile salts, assimilating and adsorbing by cells. And the assimilation was considered to be the main reason of cholesterol removal., Conclusions: The isolated Lact. buchneri P2 showed probiotic properties of cholesterol reduction, acid and bile tolerance and antimicrobial activity and could remove cholesterol via different ways., Significance and Impact of the Study: A new strain of Lact. buchneri P2 with efficient cholesterol-reducing ability was isolated to provide species diversity of lactobacilli for functional dairy products. And the possible mechanism of cholesterol removal by Lact. buchneri was discussed.

Aim: To study the protective effects and mechanisms of Se-enriched lactobacillus on liver injury caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice., Methods: Seventy-two ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, CCl4-induced model group, low Se-enriched lactobacillus treatment group (L-Se group), and high Se-enriched lactobacillus treatment group (H-Se group). During a 3-wk experimental period, the common complete diet was orally provided daily for normal group and model group, and the mice in L-Se and H-Se groups were given a diet with 2 and 4 mg of organoselenium from Se-enriched lactobacillus per kg feed, respectively. From the 2nd wk of experiment, the model group, L-Se group, and H-Se group received abdominal cavity injection of olive oil solution containing 500 mL/L CCl4 (0.07 mL/100 g body mass) to induce liver injury, and the normal group was given olive oil on every other day for over 2 wk. In the first 2 wk post injection with CCl4, mice in each group were killed. The specimens of blood, liver tissue, and macrophages in abdominal cavity fluid were taken. Then the activities of the following liver tissue injury-associated enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content were assayed. Changes of phagocytic rate and phagocytic index in macrophages were observed with Wright-Giemsa stain. Plasma TNF-alpha level was measured by radioimmunoassay. The level of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in hepatocytes was detected under a laser scanning confocal microscope., Results: During the entire experimental period, the AST and ALT activities in liver were greatly enhanced by CCl4 and completely blunted by both low and high doses of Se-enriched lactobacillus. The Se-enriched lactobacillus-protected liver homogenate GSH-Px and SOD activities were higher or significantly higher than those in model group and were close to those in normal group. CCl4 significantly increased MDA content in liver homogenates, while administration of Se-enriched lactobacillus prevented MDA elevation. Phagocytic rate and phagocytic index of macro-phages decreased after CCl4 treatment compared to those in normal control, but they were dramatically rescued by Se-enriched lactobacillus, showing a greatly higher phagocytic function compared to model group. CCl4 could significantly elevate plasma TNF-alpha and hepatocyte [Ca2+]i level, which were also obviously prevented by Se-enriched lactobacillus., Conclusion: Se-enriched lactobacillus can intervene in CCl4-induced liver injury in mice by enhancing macrophage function activity to keep normal and beneficial effects, elevating antioxidant-enzyme activities and reducing lipid peroxidation reaction, inhibiting excessive release of TNF-alpha, preventing the dramatic elevation of [Ca2+]i in hepatocytes.

Normal maize starch was fractionated into two sizes: large granules with diameters more than 5 microns and small granules with diameters less than 5 microns. The large granules were surface gelatinized by treating them with an aqueous LiCl solution (13 M) at 22-23 degrees C. Surface-gelatinized remaining granules were obtained by mechanical blending, and gelatinized surface starch was obtained by grinding with a mortar and a pestle. Starches of different granular sizes and radial locations, obtained after different degrees of surface gelatinization, were subjected to scanning electron microscopy, iodine potentiometric titration, gel-permeation chromatography, and amylopectin branch chain length analysis. Results showed that the remaining granules had a rough surface with a lamella structure. Amylose was more concentrated at the periphery than at the core of the granule. Amylopectin had longer long B-chains at the core than at the periphery of the granule. Greater proportions of the long B-chains were present at the core than at the periphery of the granule.

Twenty-six children aged from 14 months to 12 years had a total of 44 amputated digits replanted in our hospital between May 1979 and May 1985. The length of follow-up was from 9 to 15 years (average, 11 years). Among the 43 surviving digits, the mean total active motion of the thumb and fingers was 130 degrees and 151 degrees, respectively. Sensibility recovery was excellent, with normal 2-point discrimination in 88%. A mean of 19 of 20 preselected activities of daily living could be accomplished. Relative grip strength was 79% that of the normal side and the relative pinch strength was 88%. Cold intolerance was slight or moderate in 40% of patients, and slight atrophy was present in 12 digits. Angulatory deformity or malalignment were remodeled. The circulatory status of the replanted fingers was excellent in 88% of digits and good in 12%. Bone growth had a mean relative length of 93% of normal in digits without joint involvement and 88% in those with joint involvement. Assessed with Nakamura Tamai criteria, the results were excellent in 25 cases (96%) and good in 1. All patients and their parents were satisfied with the results of the digital replantation.

Eight hundred and two digits (592 complete amputation and 210 incomplete amputations) of 549 patients were replanted. The male to female ratio was 3:1 and the age range 1-63 years. 728 digits survived and 74 digits failed. The overall survival rate was 90.8%. Special varieties of complicated amputation were encountered in this series: (1) distal segment replantation, 139 digits, 131 digits (94%) survived; (2) digital replantation of children, 45 cases, 78 digits, average age 3.8 years, the youngest being 1 year old, 68 digits survived (88.7%); (3) rotational avulsion amputation of thumb, 26 digits, 23 digits (88.4%) survived; (4) bilateral digit amputation, 8 cases, 44 digits amputated, 38 digits replanted, including 9 digits of a ten-digit guillotined case. All the digits were salvaged. We conclude that thorough debridement, meticulous anastomosis of blood vessels and timely management of vascular crisis are keys to high survival rate, while judicious selection of indication, proper internal fixation of bone, anastomosis of as many blood vessels as possible, attentive repair of nerves and tendons, sound rehabilitation program are important measures in improving postoperative function.

Sixty-four digits amputated at or distal to the distal interphalangeal joint were reimplanted in 57 patients with the use of microsurgical techniques. Five patients were children under 3 years of age. The percentage of survival was 96.9%. Before the operation, the surgical anatomy of the amputated digits was studied and particular attention was focused on the microvasculature. Equal emphasis was given to the reinnervation and revascularization of the amputated digits.

Since 1978 a series of 15 avulsively amputated thumbs were replanted with survival of the replantation in 14 patients. Good restoration of sensory and motor functions for these patients eradicates the old concept that replantation for avulsively amputated digits is contraindicated or a poor risk. We emphasize the importance of proper management of the transfer technique of the severed tendons, nerves, and blood vessels during the replantation. Details are described. The only failure was a result of technical faults. We conclude that replantation of an avulsively amputated thumb is worthwhile and will be beneficial to the patient.

This article reports a series of 21 cases of digital replantation in children between 14 months and 10 years of age (mean age, 3 1/2 years) who had a total of 32 digits traumatically amputated. The amputation levels were proximal phalanx in 15 digits, proximal interphalangeal joint in 3 digits, middle phalanx in 3 digits, and distal interphalangeal joint in 11 digits. All but one digit survived after replantation, for an overall survival rate of 96.6%. The longest ischemic time was 28 hours. Several technical points related to the success of this series of cases are discussed in detail.