Reduction of patulin in aqueous solution by lactic acid bacteria

This study aims to investigate the ability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to remove patulin (PAT) from aqueous solution with respect to the bacterial viability, initial PAT concentration, incubation time, temperature, and pH. The removal of PAT determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV detector. The maximum PAT uptake was achieved by Bifidobacterium bifidum 6071 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus 6149 strains (52.9% and 51.1%) for viable and (54.1% and 52.0%) for nonviable cells after 24 h incubation. The highest removal of PAT was at pH 4.0 and 37 °C and increased with decreasing of toxin levels. The removal ability of selected strains could represent new strategies for a possible application in contaminated food products and animal feed.

Ability of inactivated yeast powder to adsorb patulin from apple juice

This study aimed to investigate the adsorption of patulin from apple juice, using two types of inactivated yeast powder: laboratory-prepared yeast powder (LYP) and commercial yeast powder (CYP). The effects of incubation time, pH, incubation temperature, adsorbent amount, and initial concentration of patulin and the stability of the yeast-mycotoxin complex were assessed. The results showed that the efficiencies of the two yeast types in adsorbing patulin were similar. The ability of the powders to remove patulin increased with longer incubation times, and patulin concentration was below detectable levels with LYP and CYP at approximately 36 and 30 h, respectively. The highest removal of patulin was achieved at pH 5.0 for both powder types, and there were no significant differences in patulin decrease at different temperatures (4, 29, and 37°C). Additionally, the adsorption percentage of patulin increased significantly with the increase of absorbent amount and decrease of initial concentration of patulin. Stability of the yeast-patulin complex was assessed, and patulin was more stable when washed in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 4.0) than in absolute ethyl alcohol. These results suggest that inactivated yeast powder has potential as a novel and promising adsorbent to bind patulin effectively.

Prevalence of Salmonella on raw poultry at retail markets in China

Data regarding Salmonella on raw poultry are very limited in China. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Salmonella on raw poultry at the retail level in six provinces and two national cities in China. Whole chicken carcasses (n = 1,152) were collected from three types of retail markets (large, small, and wet). All samples were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella by using the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service method. Of 1,152 chicken samples, overall Salmonella prevalence was 52.2%. The highest prevalence was observed in Guangxi Province (65.3%), next in Guangdong Province (64.6%), and then in Beijing (63.9%), Shaanxi Province (50.7%), Henan Province (47.9%), Shanghai (44.4%), and Fujian Province (42.4%), and lowest prevalence was observed in Sichuan Province (38.9%). Salmonella prevalence was significantly different among the six provinces and two national cities. Salmonella prevalence was highest in the wet markets (54.4%) compared with the large markets (50.3%) and the small markets (52.1%), but differences were not significant (P > 0.05). Good manufacturing practices, good agricultural practices, and hazard analysis critical control point systems for Salmonella control in poultry production at the farm, processing, and retail level should be implemented.

Reducing patulin contamination in apple juice by using inactive yeast

The mycotoxin, patulin (4-hydroxy-4H-furo[3,2c]pyran-2[6H]-one), is a secondary metabolite produced mainly in rotten parts of fruits and vegetables, most notably apples and apple products, by a wide range of fungal species in the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys. Due to its mutagenic and teratogenic nature and possible health risks to consumers, many countries have regulations to reduce levels of patulin in apple products. In the present study, reduction of patulin contamination in apple juice by using 10 different inactivated yeast strains was assessed. Our results indicated that nearly twofold differences in biomass existed among the 10 yeast strains. Eight of the 10 inactivated yeast strains could provide >50% patulin reduction in apple juice within 24 h, with the highest reduction rate being >72%. Furthermore, juice quality parameters, i.e., degrees Brix, total sugar, titratable acidity, color value, and clarity, of the treated apple juice were very similar to those of the untreated patulin-free juice. Potential applications of using inactivated yeast strain for patulin control are also discussed.

Tobacco biomass hydrolysate enhances coenzyme Q10 production using photosynthetic Rhodospirillum rubrum

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a potent antioxidative dietary supplement, was produced using a photosynthetic bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum ATCC 25852 by submerged fermentation supplemented with tobacco biomass hydrolysate (TBH) in comparison with media supplemented with hydrolysates prepared with alfalfa (ABH) or spinach (SBH). Growth medium supplemented with 20% (v/v) TBH was found favorable with regard to cell density and CoQ10 concentration. The stimulation effects on cell growth (shortened lag phase, accelerated exponential growth, and elevated final cell concentration) and CoQ10 production (enhanced specific CoQ10 content per unit cell weight) could be attributed to the presence of solanesol, the precursor of CoQ10, in the tobacco biomass. The final yield of CoQ10 reached 20.16 mg/l in the fermentation medium supplemented with 20% TBH.

Reduction of patulin in apple cider by UV radiation

The presence of the mycotoxin patulin in processed apple juice and cider presents a continual challenge to the food industry as both consumer health and product quality issues. Although several methods for control and/or elimination of patulin have been proposed, no unifying method has been commercially successful for reducing patulin burdens while maintaining product quality. In the present study, exposure to germicidal UV radiation was evaluated as a possible commercially viable alternative for the reduction and possible elimination of the patulin mycotoxin in fresh apple cider. UV exposure of 14.2 to 99.4 mJ/cm(2) resulted in a significant and nearly linear decrease in patulin levels while producing no quantifiable changes in the chemical composition (i.e., pH, Brix, and total acids) or organoleptic properties of the cider. For the range of UV doses tested, patulin levels decreased by 9.4 to 43.4%; the greatest reduction was achieved after less than 15 s of UV exposure. The method of UV radiation (the CiderSure 3500 system) is an easily implemented, high-throughput, and cost-effective method that offers simultaneous UV pasteurization of cider and juice products and reduction and/or elimination of patulin without unwanted alterations in the final product.

Isolation and identification of thermo-acidophilic bacteria from orchards in china

Eight strains of thermo-acidophilic bacteria have been isolated from apple orchards in Shaanxi Province, China. The isolated strains were identified at the species level by comparing 16S rRNA gene sequences. It was found that all strains could be assigned to two genera. The strain YL-5 belonged to Alicyclobacillus, and other isolates belonged to Bacillus. The enzymatic patterns by the API ZYM system showed very significant differences between 12 strains of Alicyclobacillus and 8 strains of Bacillus. The ability of guaiacol production varied among different strains.

Postconditioning with a volatile anaesthetic in alveolar epithelial cells in vitro

Acute lung injury is a common complication in critically ill patients. The present study examined possible immunomodulating effects of the volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) in vitro. Sevoflurane was applied after the onset of injury, simulating a "postconditioning" scenario. Rat AEC were stimulated with LPS for 2 h, followed by a 4-h co-exposure to a CO(2)/air mixture with sevoflurane 2.2 volume %; control cells were exposed to the CO(2)/air mixture only. Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, as well as the potential protective mediators inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)2 and heat shock protein (HSP)-32, were analysed. Additionally, functional assays (chemotaxis, adherence and cytotoxicity assay) were performed. A significant reduction of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated, sevoflurane-exposed AEC was found, leading to reduced chemotaxis, neutrophil adherence and neutrophil-induced AEC killing. While iNOS2 was increased in the sevoflurane group, blocking experiments with iNOS2 inhibitor did not affect sevoflurane-induced decrease of inflammatory mediators and AEC killing. Interestingly, sevoflurane treatment also resulted in an enhanced expression of HSP-32. The data presented in the current study provide strong evidence that anaesthetic postconditioning with sevoflurane mediates cytoprotection in the respiratory compartment in an in vitro model of acute lung injury.

Pathological, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical observations of adenoma of retinal pigment epithelium

PURPOSE

To Study the clinical, pathological, ultrastructural and immunohistchemical characters of adenoma of the retinal pigment epithelium in order to offer evidence to diagnose this tumor.

METHODS

Routine paraffin slices HE stain, histochemistry PAS and VG stain, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry for S-100 and vimentin with LSAB method were used.

RESULTS

The tumor cells were oval and cuboidal in shape. Part of the tumor had a tubular arrangement. Around the sheets of tumors cells there was a large amount of uniform red stick-like substances. The above matter represented positive in PAS stain. Most of the above matter was yellow, while less of the matter showed red in VG stain. Transmission electron microscopy showed that there were tight junctions between tumor cells. Immunohistochemistry showed positive for S-100, negative for vimentin.

CONCLUSIONS

The ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characters of the adenoma of retinal pigment epithelium are consistent with the retinal pigment epithelium.

Endothelial protective and antishock effects of a selective estrogen receptor modulator in rats

This study investigated whether idoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), exerted protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion-induced shock. Ovariectomized rats were treated with vehicle, idoxifene, or 17beta-estradiol for 4 days. Rats were subjected to splanchnic artery occlusion (SAO) followed by reperfusion (SOA/R). In vehicle-treated rats, SAO/R resulted in hypotension, hemoconcentration, increased plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels, intestinal neutrophil accumulation, and endothelial dysfunction. 17beta-Estradiol treatment increased plasma estradiol concentration and reduced SAO/R-induced tissue injury. Idoxifene treatment had no effect on plasma estradiol concentration but reduced SAO/R-induced hemoconcentration (+8.8 +/- 1.3 vs. +14 +/- 1.3% in the vehicle group, P < 0.01), TNF-alpha production (98 +/- 3.2 vs. 214 +/- 13 pg/ml, P < 0.01), and neutrophil accumulation (0.025 +/- 0.005 vs. 0.047 +/- 0.005 U/g protein, P < 0.01). It also improved endothelial function, prolonged survival time (172 +/- 3.5 vs. 147 +/- 8 min, P < 0.01), and increased survival rate (69 vs. 23%, P < 0.01). Moreover, treatment with 17beta-estradiol or idoxifene in vivo reduced TNF-alpha-induced endothelial dysfunction in vitro. Taken together, these results demonstrated that idoxifene exerted estrogen-like, endothelial-protective, and antishock effects in ovariectomized rats, suggesting that SERMs have therapeutic potential in tissue injury resulting from ischemia-reperfusion.

BMP-2 gene expression and effects on human vascular smooth muscle cells

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their serine/threonine kinase receptors have been identified in atherosclerotic arteries and vascular smooth muscle cells, respectively. Thus, BMPs (the largest subfamily of the TGF-beta superfamily) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, the origins of BMP biosynthesis and the functional roles of BMP in blood vessels are unclear. The present study explored BMP-2 gene expression in various human blood vessels and vascular cell types. Functional in vitro studies were also performed to determine the effects of recombinant human BMP-2 on migration (transwell assay) and proliferation ([3H]-thymidine incorporation) of human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMC). RT-PCR experiments revealed BMP-2 gene expression in normal and atherosclerotic human arteries as well as cultured human aortic and coronary vascular smooth muscle cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human macrophages. In cellular migration studies, incubation with BMP-2 produced efficacious (</=610-fold), concentration- and time-dependent chemotaxis of HASMCs (EC50 = 0.8 microM) with little or no effect on HUVEC chemotaxis. The increased HASMC motility induced by BMP-2 was inhibited by coincubation with an anti-BMP-2 mAb. In addition, subthreshold concentrations of BMP-2 produced a dramatic synergistic effect upon platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced chemotaxis. In contrast to PDGF, BMP-2 had no significant effet on [3H]-thymidine incorporation in HASMC at chemotaxic concentrations (</=6.0 microM) nor did it synergize with the mitogenic effects of PDGF. In conclusion, the expression of BMP-2 by numerous cell types in the blood vessel wall may play a chemotactic or cochemotactic role in the smooth muscle cell response to vascular injury.

Arteriovenous shunt as a method of restoring venous drainage in rabbit ear replantation

An arteriovenous (AV) shunt as a method of restoring venous drainage during replantation was examined by use of the rabbit ear model. The results were compared to ears replanted using one vein (1:1) or two veins (2:1) for venous drainage. The success rate for AV shunt replantations was found similar to that of replantations with a 1:1 ratio, but lower than that of ears with a 2:1 ratio. Postoperatively, ears replanted using an AV shunt or a 1:1 ratio revealed more swelling and lower tissue oxygenation than ears with a 2:1 ratio. After 10-14 days, all ears that survived were similar in appearance, regardless of method of replantation. Microscopic venules crossing the replanted interface appeared at seven days following surgery in all groups. The authors conclude that the AV shunt method offers an alternative to venous anastomosis when vein-to-vein reconstruction cannot be established.

Subungual exostosis

From 1980 through 1990, twenty-two patients with subungual exostosis were treated in PUMC Hospital and the Sixth Hospital of Beijing. The incidence of subungual exostosis was 4.6% among all bone tumors. Post-adolescents and young adults were most commonly affected, and the female to male ratio was 1.75 to 1. The great toe was the most often involved site. Radiological findings were found to be diagnostic, and local tumor excision is the treatment of choice.

[Intraosseous pressure measurement and bone marrow venography in idiopathic necrosis of femoral head]

Intraosseous pressure measurement and bone marrow venography were performed in 14 patients (25 hips) with idiopathic necrosis of femoral head. Increase of intraosseous baseline pressure was found in 95% of hips, positive stress test found in 91% of hips and venous stasis present in all cases. Core decompression could reduce intraosseous pressure and improve venous drainage. It was suggested that intraosseous hyperpressure and venous stasis play an important role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic necrosis of femoral head. The authors suggest that intraosseous pressure measurement and bone marrow venography are sensitive in revealing early stage changes of idiopathic femoral head necrosis.