Immunochemical probes for food proteins after heat processing

While better hygiene controls and vaccinations have diminished the occurrence of infectious diseases in humans, food-borne diseases have increased. Thus sterilization of food products is of prime importance. The introduction of new technologies applied to food has necessitated new methods for the control of food safety and food quality. This review aims to point out the importance of immunochemistry in the identification of structural changes induced in food proteins during food processing. New technologies have introduced the use of additives in food products, therefore it is important to identify and quantify such additives, even after complete hear denaturation. Toxic chemicals, toxins and pesticides which can contaminate food products before or during processing should also be identified. Finally, the use of immunochemical tests as a control of sterilization procedures in heterogeneous foodstuffs is discussed.     

浅谈我国食品安全保障机制的改进

随着生活水平的提高,提高食品质量安全已经成为我国食品生产的首要任务.本文总结了食品安全内涵的演变,分析了我国食品质量存在的不足,提出为改进我国食品质量安全,需要借鉴国内外成功经验建立食品质量安全可追溯系统以加强食品生产的全程监管和引入”肯定列表制度”以完善食品质量评价.为此,需要改革食品安全管理体制、规范食品安全信息采集及加强食品质量安全标准制定.政府对食品安全的日益重视及食品生产集约化程度的日益提高为此提供了便利.相信在不远的将来,我国也一定能建立起”源头能控制、过程可追溯、质量可保证、产品可召回”的食品质量安全保证体系.从而为广大消费者提供安全食品,并在国际市场占有一席之地.     

Implication of gut microbiota metabolites in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases

Evidence from the literature keeps highlighting the impact of mutualistic bacterial communities of the gut microbiota on human health. The gut microbita is a complex ecosystem of symbiotic bacteria which contributes to mammalian host biology by processing, otherwise, indigestible nutrients, supplying essential metabolites, and contributing to modulate its immune system. Advances in sequencing technologies have enabled structural analysis of the human gut microbiota and allowed detection of changes in gut bacterial composition in several common diseases, including cardiometabolic disorders. Biological signals sent by the gut microbiota to the host, including microbial metabolites and pro-inflammatory molecules, mediate microbiome–host genome cross-talk. This rapidly expanding line of research can identify disease-causing and disease-predictive microbial metabolite biomarkers, which can be translated into novel biodiagnostic tests, dietary supplements, and nutritional interventions for personalized therapeutic developments in common diseases. Here, we review results from the most significant studies dealing with the association of products from the gut microbial metabolism with cardiometabolic disorders. We underline the importance of these postbiotic biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment of human disorders.     

Uninterrupted protein synthesis is essential for survival in the early stages of carbontetrachloride-induced hepatocellular necrosis in the mouse

Summary The fatal syndrome produced by cycloheximide given 6 h after a hepatonecrogenic dose of CCl₄ is due neither to direct toxic synergism between CCl₄ and cycloheximide nor to transient sinusoidal thrombosis. It is suggested that survival in the presence of unknown factors released from dying liver cells requires uninterrupted protein synthesis. The life-saving effect of sterilization of the intestine by antibiotics indicates that the gut flora or its products play a vital role in pathogenesis.Acknowledgments. I wish to thank Mr C. R. West for carrying out the statistical analysis, Mrs Brenda Brooks for histological processing, and Berk Pharmaceuticals Ltd for information on Ancrod defibrination in mice.     

Tyrosinase inhibitors from natural and synthetic sources: structure, inhibition mechanism and perspective for the future

Tyrosinase is known to be a key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis, involved in determining the color of mammalian skin and hair. Various dermatological disorders, such as melasma, age spots and sites of actinic damage, arise from the accumulation of an excessive level of epidermal pigmentation. In addition, unfavorable enzymatic browning of plant-derived foods by tyrosinase causes a decrease in nutritional quality and economic loss of food products. The inadequacy of current conventional techniques to prevent tyrosinase action encourages us to seek new potent tyrosinase inhibitors. This article overviews the various inhibitors obtained from natural and synthetic sources with their industrial importance.Received 9 February 2005; received after revision 4 April 2005; accepted 14 April 2005     

Common Molecular Mechanisms of Mammary Gland Development and Breast Cancer

Hypoxia affects many important processes in tumour progression and is a key feature in the tumour microenvironment that needs to be taken into account when evaluating prognostics and therapeutic options for cancer patients. Hypoxia-regulating proteins, i.e. hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs), and associated gene products have been linked to certain tumour behaviours and might be useful as prognostic and predictive markers. Recently, hypoxia-driven gene products have been launched as novel cancer treatment targets with the potential to increase tumour-specific effects. Breast cancer consists of a multitude of different diseases with certain common characteristics, but also clearly disparate behaviours and genetic alterations. In this review we will summarise the role of hypoxia in breast cancer and specifically outline the importance of hypoxia and HIF-1alpha regarding prognostic and treatment-specific implications. (Part of a Multi-author Review).     

Allergic contact dermatitis: epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, in vitro methods and regulatory aspects

Contact allergies are complex diseases, and one of the important challenges for public health and immunology. The German 'Federal Institute for Risk Assessment' hosted an 'International Workshop on Contact Dermatitis'. The scope of the workshop was to discuss new discoveries and developments in the field of contact dermatitis. This included the epidemiology and molecular biology of contact allergy, as well as the development of new in vitro methods. Furthermore, it considered regulatory aspects aiming to reduce exposure to contact sensitisers. An estimated 15-20% of the general population suffers from contact allergy. Workplace exposure, age, sex, use of consumer products and genetic predispositions were identified as the most important risk factors. Research highlights included: advances in understanding of immune responses to contact sensitisers, the importance of autoxidation or enzyme-mediated oxidation for the activation of chemicals, the mechanisms through which hapten-protein conjugates are formed and the development of novel in vitro strategies for the identification of skin-sensitising chemicals. Dendritic cell cultures and structure-activity relationships are being developed to identify potential contact allergens. However, the local lymph node assay (LLNA) presently remains the validated method of choice for hazard identification and characterisation. At the workshop the use of the LLNA for regulatory purposes and for quantitative risk assessment was also discussed.     

The sugar industry, political authorities, and scientific institutions in the regulation of saccharin: Valencia (1888-1939)

In the late-nineteenth century food production and trade were greatly transformed. Changes in the food chain gave rise to new problems connected with food safety and food quality, which caused new controls to be introduced throughout Europe. In this paper I will contribute to ongoing debates by focusing on the regulation of saccharin in an agrarian city in the south of Europe, Valencia. The laboratory-made sweetener was introduced into the food market at the turn of the century, becoming highly controversial shortly afterwards. Several local groups of players got involved in this dispute. The sugar industry was not only an important stakeholder in the passing of some specific laws that were to constrain the use of saccharin, but also the main driver of regulation, primarily in periods when saccharin could become a serious competitor and reduce the sector's profit. Furthermore, the combined work of the sugar industry and the municipal laboratories was essential for the implementation of regulations. It was in such municipal laboratories that scientists played a main role in regulation. My paper will address the commercial disputes linked to the use of saccharin and the limited role of science and scientists in its control.     

Establishment of intestinal homeostasis during the neonatal period

The intestinal mucosa faces the challenge of regulating the balance between immune tolerance towards commensal bacteria, environmental stimuli and food antigens on the one hand, and induction of efficient immune responses against invading pathogens on the other hand. This regulatory task is of critical importance to prevent inappropriate immune activation that may otherwise lead to chronic inflammation, tissue disruption and organ dysfunction. The most striking example for the efficacy of the adaptive nature of the intestinal mucosa is birth. Whereas the body surfaces are protected from environmental and microbial exposure during fetal life, bacterial colonization and contact with potent immunostimulatory substances start immediately after birth. In the present review, we summarize the current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the transition of the intestinal mucosa during the neonatal period leading to the establishment of a stable, life-long host–microbial homeostasis. The environmental exposure and microbial colonization during the neonatal period, and also the influence of maternal milk on the immune protection of the mucosa and the role of antimicrobial peptides, are described. We further highlight the molecular mechanisms of innate immune tolerance in neonatal intestinal epithelium. Finally, we link the described immunoregulatory mechanisms to the increased susceptibility to inflammatory and infectious diseases during the neonatal period.     

基于STM32F103和M33的家居安防监视系统的硬件设计与实现

详细介绍了一种家居安防监视系统的硬件设计.该系统使用主控芯片STM32F103和模块M33,实现了图像采集和处理、GSM/GPRS通讯、短距离无线通讯、人机交互信息显示、红外感应、外部电源和内部锂电池供电等功能.实际运行表明,该系统具有可靠性好、功能强、成本低、安装和使用方便的特点,满足了人们对家居安防产品的要求.     

We find them here, we find them there: Functional bacterial amyloid

Protein amyloid is often deposited in connection with neurodegenerative diseases. Such deposits generally possess three principal drawbacks: cytotoxicity, lack of spatial control in their deposition and structural polymorphism. These are typical features of biologically non-optimized systems which have not been exposed to evolutionary pressure. Nevertheless, Nature uses the cross-beta self-organizing principle in many structural contexts where a strong but pliable material is needed. Functional amyloid is found in humans, invertebrates, fungi and, not least, bacteria, in which amyloid may be the rule rather than the exception. Detailed case studies reveal how directed nucleation can use tailor-made proteins optimized to assume a specific amyloid conformation, leading to remarkably robust assemblies. This makes it highly challenging to purify and analyze the products formed in vivo. We contrast pathogenic and in-vitro-formed amyloid with functional amyloid, paying particular reference to bacterial amyloid, and discuss challenges and perspectives in identifying and characterizing this class of protein.     

Stérilisation de l'ovaire gauche du Poulet et de la Caille par l'action de la thymidine-3H pendant l'ovogenèse

Summary After successive in ovo³H-thymidine pulses during the period of oogenesis complete sterilization of the left ovary of the female chicken and quail have been obtained at the moment of hatching.     

RNA and protein-dependent mechanisms in tauopathies: consequences for therapeutic strategies

Tauopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterised by intracellular deposits of the microtubule-associated protein tau. The most typical example of a tauopathy is Alzheimer’s disease. The importance of tau in neuronal dysfunction and degeneration has been demonstrated by the discovery of dominant mutations in the MAPT gene, encoding tau, in some rare dementias. Recent developments have shed light on the significance of tau phosphorylation and aggregation in pathogenesis. Furthermore, emerging evidence reveals the central role played by tau pre-mRNA processing in tauopathies. The present review focuses on the current understanding of tau-dependent pathogenic mechanisms and how realistic therapies for tauopathies can be developed. Received 3 December 2006; received after revision 23 February 2007; accepted 20 March 2007     

Uninterrupted protein synthesis is essential for survival in the early stages of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocellular necrosis in the mouse

The fatal syndrome produced by cycloheximide given 6 h after a hepatonecrogenic dose of CCl4 is due neither to direct toxic synergism between CCl4 and cycloheximide nor to transient sinusoidal thrombosis. It is suggested that survival in the presence of unknown factors released from dying liver cells requires uninterrupted protein synthesis. The life-saving effect of sterilization of the intestine by antibiotics indicates that the gut flora or its products play a vital role in pathogenesis.     

食物分类与血压的关系研究

目的通过对人群不同食物分类的摄入天数的调查,分析食物分类与血压之间的关系。方法随机从某单位选取101名职工为调查对象,年龄在31～57岁,男性34人,女性67人。所有调查对象均进行膳食问卷调查和血压的测量,通过logistics回归分析食物分类与血压之间的关系。结果血压偏高组人群平均每周摄入各类食物的比例均较血压正常少,其中蛋类及其制品、豆类及豆制品、谷类（大米,面食,杂粮）、牛奶及奶制品、肉类（猪,牛,羊,家禽）、新鲜蔬菜和水果的天数明显少于血压正常纽（P〈0．05）;通过logistics回归分析发现,谷类、牛奶及奶制品摄入的天数的增多对血压有一定的保护作用（P〈0．05）,其logistics回归分析OR值分别为0．61、0．41。结论食用谷类及奶制品对于预防高血压发生有重要的意义。     

Structure-function relationships in methionine adenosyltransferases

Methionine adenosyltransferases (MATs) are the family of enzymes that synthesize the main biological methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine. The high sequence conservation among catalytic subunits from bacteria and eukarya preserves key residues that control activity and oligomerization, which is reflected in the protein structure. However, structural differences among complexes with substrates and products have led to proposals of several reaction mechanisms. In parallel, folding studies begin to explain how the three intertwined domains of the catalytic subunit are produced, and to highlight the importance of certain intermediates in attaining the active final conformation. This review analyzes the available structural data and proposes a consensus interpretation that facilitates an understanding of the pathological problems derived from impairment of MAT function. In addition, new research opportunities directed toward clarification of aspects that remain obscure are also identified. Received 22 August 2008; received after revision 22 September 2008; accepted 26 September 2008     

Microbial carcinogenic toxins and dietary anti-cancer protectants

Several toxins are known which account for the ability of some bacteria to initiate or promote carcinogenesis. These ideas are summarised and evidence is discussed for more specific mechanisms involving chymotrypsin and the bacterial chymotryptic enzyme subtilisin. Subtilisin and Bacillus subtilis are present in the gut and environment and both are used commercially in agriculture, livestock rearing and meat processing. The enzymes deplete cells of tumour suppressors such as deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) and neogenin, so their potential presence in the food chain might represent an important link between diet and cancer. Over-eating increases secretion of chymotrypsin which is absorbed from the gut and could contribute to several forms of cancer linked to obesity. Inhibition of these serine proteases by Bowman–Birk inhibitors in fruit and vegetables could account for some of the protective effects of a plant-rich diet. These interactions represent previously unknown non-genetic mechanisms for the modification of tumour suppressor proteins and provide a plausible explanation contributing to both the pro-oncogenic effects of meat products and the protective activity of a plant-rich diet. The data suggest that changes to farming husbandry and food processing methods to remove these sources of extrinsic proteases might significantly reduce the incidence of several cancers.     

Über eine Arbeitstheorie zu den Beziehungen zwischen dem Stadium einer Infektionskrankheit und der Höhe des Cholesterinspiegels im Blut

Summary By following the level of cholesterine in the blood in infectious diseases the possibility is afforded theoretically of determining the organism's reaction during the period of incubation, which may perhaps be of practical and theoretical importance.     

激光剥离制作无机纳米粒子

纳米粒子具有高的表面积，呈现更佳的物理与化学特性，常用于塑橡胶的添加物来改善或增进应用的特性，有许多纳米粒子的制作方法已商用化，激光剥离方式以脉冲能量自物体表面产生纳米粒子，为制作各种纳米粒子尤其组成或晶相复杂的纳米粒子的重要方法。随使用靶材的微结构与晶相，可经由剥离条件的调整获得多晶相的纳米粒子，粒径在50纳米以下同时呈现圆形的外观，纳米粒子的组成由靶材组成，反应性气体与激光能量决定。使用如氧化钛光触媒之还原效果，进一步在纳米粒子表面披覆银粒子，具有核壳结构的纳米粒子具有更多的特性，有更大的应用潜力。