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关键词： Heat treatment   Pasta filata type cheese   Ripening   Starter culture  

摘要： In this study, three different types of starter cultures (S1, S2, and S3) were applied either before (A1) or after (A2) scalding stage in Tel Cheese production and their chemical, biochemical, electrophoretic, and sensory properties were investigated during ripening. In general, there was no significant difference between the dry matter, fat, protein and salt values of the cheese samples (P > 0.05). However, there were significant differences between the pH and titration acidity values of the samples (P < 0.05). Especially the titration acidity values of cheeses in the A2 application increased significantly until maturity. The WSN (water-soluble nitrogen), TCA-SN (trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen) and PTA-SN (phosphotungstic acid-soluble nitrogen) values were significantly affected by ripening period and increased continuously (P < 0.05). These values for A2S2 and A2S3 cheeses increased more than the others suggesting better ripening characteristics. Electrophoretograms indicated that alpha(s1)-and beta-casein degradation rates were the highest in A2S2 cheese. Finally, sensory scores of A1 cheeses were found to be higher than those of the A2 cheeses.

关键词： Aluminum   Pomegranate juice   Learning   Memory retention   Dopamine   Serotonin   Oxidative stress  

摘要： Purpose: Aluminum (Al) is a harmful metal to organisms and is capable of entering the human body in multiple ways, such as through drinking, breathing, deodorant use, and vaccination. This study examined the prospective toxicity of Al and the protective attributes of pomegranate juice (PJ) on neurobehavioral and biochemical parameters of male mice. Methods: Six groups of male mice were treated for 35 days with 20 % PJ (group II), 40 % PJ (group III), 400 mg/ kg Al (group IV), Al + 20 % PJ (group V), Al + 40 % PJ (group VI) or tap water (control, group I). Behavioral assessments were conducted for learning and memory evaluations at the end of experiment. In addition, the forebrain was isolated for biochemical analysis. Results: The exposure of male mice to Al decreased learning and memory retention in the shuttle box, Morris water-maze and T-Maze tests. Biochemical analysis revealed significant depletions in neurotransmitters including DA, 5-HT and AChE and oxidative proteins including GSH, GST, CAT and SOD and increased TBARES levels in Al-treated mice compared to untreated mice. Pomegranate juice provided protection against these effects after Al exposure by ameliorating learning and memory retention and oxidative state in a dose-independent manner. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that Al exposure caused behavioral and biochemical disorders. Pomegranate juice in lower dose has beneficial properties for health and can be used as a source of antioxidants to reduce the toxicity of Al and other substances.

关键词： Ga-68-PSMA PET   CT   Negative PSMA   Biochemical recurrence   Prostate cancer  

摘要： Purpose To evaluate the clinical value of(68)Ga-PSMA PET/CT negativity in patients with biochemical recurrent prostate cancer (BCR). Methods One hundred three BCR patients (median age, 70 years;median PSA, 0.47 ng/mL) with negative(68)Ga-PSMA PET/CT, followed up for at least 1 year, were retrospectively identified in a database of 1003 consecutive patients undergoing(68)Ga-PSMA PET/CT for BCR. Clinical recurrence (CR) was determined or excluded on follow-up imaging selected as per clinical practice. Clinical recurrence-free survival (CRFS) was computed from the date of negative(68)Ga-PSMA PET/CT to the date of evident disease;frequencies of CRFS were described as per ISUP patient subset (subset 1: ISUP grades 1 and 2;subset 2: ISUP grade 3;subset 3: ISUP grades 4 and 5) and other conventional variables. Results In 57 patients out of 103 (55.3%), CR was detected in the prostatic fossa (45.6%), nodes (38.6%), and bone (15.8%). The median CRFS was 15.4 months (range, 12.1-20.5), with a CRFS at 12 months in 61.4% of cases (range, 50.9-70.4) whereas the 24-month CRFS was 34.8% (range, 24-45.8). ISUP subset 1 benefited from significantly longer CRFS compared to subset 2 and subset 3 (median CRFS, 20.5 months, 12.6 months, and 12.1 months, respectively). ISUP subset 3 had significantly poorer 24-month CRFS (9.3%) compared to subset 1 (47.8%) and subset 2 (33.5%). At the univariate and multivariate analyses, the ISUP subset was the only significant risk factor for clinical relapse;ISUP subset 3 and subset 2 patients held a higher risk of CR compared to subset 1 patients (HR of 2.75 [1.35-5.57] for subset 3 versus subset 1;HR of 2.08 [1.11-3.88] for subset 2 versus subset 1). Conclusion Ga-68-PSMA PET/CT negativity in early BCR patients (PSA < 0.5 ng/mL) with low-grade primary prostate cancer (ISUP1 and 2) may support the exploration of a clinical surveillance approach in future prospective studies.

关键词： Selenium nanoparticles   kappa-carrageenan   Surfaces charge   Liver   Toxic damage   Malondialdehyde   Alanine aminotransferase   Aspartate aminotransferase  

摘要： The ever-increasing application of selenium nanoparticles in medicine generates a need for thorough assessment of their effects on the living organism to prevent undesirable and dangerous toxic processes. The biological action of selenium nanoparticles strongly depends on the administrated dose. This stimulates in-depth study of possible mechanisms of their toxic effect, especially when they are applied in high doses. In this work, we have studied the effect of a high dose of selenium nanoparticles on rats and found that it is different in a healthy organism and in the case of modeled liver toxic damage. It has been revealed that the administration of a high dose of selenium nanoparticles to rats with toxic liver damage decreases the concentration of lipid peroxidation products in the blood and normalizes the level of liver enzymes at a time of the damage of the urinary system. At the same time, in a healthy organism, excess of selenium nanoparticles augments concentrations of urea, aspartate aminotransferase and malondialdehyde probably due to the fact that excess selenium nanoparticles induces the lipid peroxidation and damage the urinary system. However, the experiments show that, no mortality is observed among the animals treated with selenium in a dose of 6 times higher than the normal one. The use of sulfated polysaccharide kappa-carrageenan as a stabilizer of nanoparticles generates a densely negative charge (zeta-potential -29 mV) on the nanoparticles surface. Probably, the high biocompatibility of nanoparticles is explained by the prolongation of their interaction with cells due to involvement of opsonization stage of negatively charged surface of nanoparticles into their metabolism.

关键词： urinary free cortisol   late-night salivary cortisol   dexamethasone suppression test   UFC   LNSC   DST  

摘要： Due to the variable clinical features and its rarity diagnosis of Cushing's disease (CD) is often delayed. Clearly, awareness for CD needs to be raised, accompanied by the availability of simple and accurate screening tests. Late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC), 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST), and urinary free cortisol (UFC) have all been extensively studied, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. However, each of those well-established tests has its own distinctive features, making it preferable in specific clinical conditions and patient groups. To choose the most appropriate test in individual patients, an expert endocrinologist should be consulted. This review will discuss the pitfalls for each of those tests. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

关键词： Acute pancreatitis   Endoscopic ultrasound   Idiopathic pancreatitis  

摘要： Acute pancreatitis (AP) is termed as idiopathic (IAP) when the underlying conditions of pancreatic inflammation remain unknown. The aim of this study was to identify different clinical features in patients with IAP and AP of known aetiology. All patients hospitalized in our Gastroenterology Unit with an initial diagnosis of AP were recruited. AP was classified as of known aetiology or idiopathic according to clinical examination, serum biochemistry testing, and radiological imaging investigations, and clinical data in both patient groups were compared. A total of 127 patients (80 males, mean age: 57 years) were eligible for the analysis, 92 of which (73%) with AP of known aetiology and 35 (27%) with IAP. The major causes of AP were biliary obstruction (65%) or alcohol abuse (25%). Previous cholecystectomy was more frequent in patients with AP of known aetiology than in patients with IAP (14% versus 0%);patients with IAP showed lower gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels, lower daily alcohol intake, and higher frequency of gastroenteritis than patients with AP of known aetiology (34.3% versus 15.2%). Previous intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was more frequent in patients with IAP than in patients with AP of known aetiology (23% versus 0%). No further differences in clinical features were found between the two patient groups. IAP accounts for almost 20% of cases of AP. An association of AP with gastroenteritis or the use of NSAIDs should be considered if time-related with disease onset, especially in patients with no recurrent attacks.

关键词： Biofilm   Extracellular polymeric substances   Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis   Caseous lymphadenitis   Raman spectroscopy   Field emission scanning electron microscopy  

摘要： Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is a ruminant disease caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, a Gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen. The present work was performed to investigate the biochemical composition, morphology and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of C. pseudotuberculosis biofilm using Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and microplate biofilm assay respectively. Results showed that the 24-h-old biofilm was characterized by Raman spectral peaks at 615 cm(-1) (CCC symmetric bend phenyl ring), 668 cm(-1) (Valine) and 825 cm(-1) (Ring breath Tyr.) whilst the 48-h-old and 72-h-old biofilms were characterized by Raman spectral peaks at 1400 cm(-1) (COO- sym.), 1450 cm(-1) (COOsym.), 1581 cm(-1) (Ring breath Trp.), 1650 cm(-1) (COO- asym.) and 1725 cm(-1) (C@O str.). Raman spectra also revealed the biochemical heterogeneity in C. pseudotuberculosis biofilm. FESEM images clearly showed the biofilm cells which were surrounded by the extracellular matrix. Treatment with nalidixic acid, streptomycin, tetracyclin, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the viability of C. pseudotuberculosis biofilm. The present study suggests that the biochemical composition of C. pseudotuberculosis biofilm may vary across different developmental stages. Meanwhile, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, tetracyclin, EDTA and DMSO may be useful in the treatment of CLA. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.

关键词： Red beets (Beetroots   Beta vulgaris)   Phytochemical analysis   Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity   Anti-inflammatory   Antioxidant   Neurodegenerative disorders  

摘要： Research background: Red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is commercially grown in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) regions while cultivated as vegetable in Baluchistan and Sindh regions of Pakistan. It is well known for its health-promoting role in several clinical and pathologic outcome due to abundance of betalains and other bioactive compounds. The purpose of study was to interpret bioactivity of of B. vulgaris leaves (BvLM) and roots (BvRM) extracts for finding natural cure of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Experimental approach: BvLM and BvRM extracts were evaluated for phytochemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase potential using standard protocols with modifications. Results: Phytochemicals analysis of BvLM and BvRM extracts depicted the presence of flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, saponins and glycosides. The IC50 values for free radical scavenging activity for BvRM and BvLM showed that BvLM (DPPH: 2.20 +/- 0.72 mu g/mL, H2O2: 0.0519 1.02 mu g/mL) is more significant as compared to BvRM (DPPH: 2.312 +/- 0.72 mu g/mL, H2O2: 2.668 +/- 0.49 mu g/mL). BvLM showed significant protection against heat induced hemolysis of HRBCs and protein denaturation (2.322 +/- 0.1 > 2.324 +/- 0. 06 mu g/mL) as compared to BvRM (8.572 +/- 0.2 > 50.18 +/- 1.0 mu g/mL). Both extracts found to exhibit strong inhibitory potential against acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Discussion/Conclusion: Our study highlighted B. vulagris extracts as rich and nutritious source of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and cholinesterase inhibitors that could be helpful in preventing and treating neurodegenerative disorders (NDs). In consideration of multifactorial and complex etiology of NDs, BvLM and BvRM extracts would be apt candidates for development of therapeutic strategy for management of multiple cognitive disorders. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.

关键词： Thermococcus gammatolerans   DNA glycosylase   Deaminated DNA   Alkylated DNA   Base excision repair  

摘要： The hyperthermophilic and radioresistant euryarchaeon Thermococcus gammatolerans encodes a putative 3-methlyadenine DNA glycosylase II (Tg-AlkA). Herein, we report biochemical characterization and catalytic mechanism of Tg-AlkA. The recombinant Tg-AlkA can excise hypoxanthine (Hx) and 1-methlyadenine (1-meA) from dsDNA with varied efficiencies at high temperature. Notably, Tg-AlkA is a bi-functional glycosylase, which is sharply distinct from all the reported AlkAs. Biochemical data show that the optimal temperature and pH of Tg-AlkA for removing Hx from dsDNA are ca.70 degrees C and ca.7.0-8.0, respectively. Furthermore, the Tg-AlkA activity is independent of a divalent metal ion, and Mg2+ stimulates the Tg-AlkA activity whereas other divalent ions inhibit the enzyme activity with varied degrees. Mutational studies show that the Tg-AlkA W204A and D223A mutants abolish completely the excision activity, thereby suggesting that residues W204 and D223 are involved in catalysis. Surprisingly, the mutations of W204, D223, Y139 and W256 to alanine in Tg-AlkA lead to the increased affinity for binding DNA substrate with varied degrees, suggesting that these residues are flexible for conformational change of the enzyme. Therefore, Tg-AlkA is a novel AlkA that can remove Hx and 1-meA from dsDNA, thus providing insights into repair of deaminated and alkylated bases in DNA from hyperthermophilic Thermococcus.