Milk fat composition modifies the texture and appearance of Cantal-type cheeses but not their flavor

Although the effects of cow diet on cheese sensory properties have been well documented, the putative interactions between the biochemical and microbial milk components and their respective roles in the development of the sensory properties of cheeses have yet to be explored in depth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the specific contribution of milk fat composition to the formation of cheese sensory properties. Two creams with different fat compositions were obtained from cows fed either pasture or maize silage. Cheeses were manufactured from the same skim milk (identical chemical and microbial composition) with either the pasture- or maize silage-origin pasteurized cream added. The gross composition and microbial composition of milks did not vary with cream origin. In milks and cheeses, the fatty acid (FA) profiles were modified by the origin of the cream. The concentrations of C18:0 and unsaturated FA such as cis-9 C18:1, trans-11 C18:1, C18:3n-3, total conjugated linoleic acids, and mono- and polyunsaturated FA were higher in milks and cheeses with the pasture-origin cream than in those with the maize-origin cream. In contrast, the maize milks and cheeses had higher concentrations of short- and medium-chain saturated FA, C16:0, and C18:2n-6. The level of lipolysis was 11% in the cheese rind and only 0.30% in the cheese core. The rind of pasture cheeses had a higher concentration of free C18:0 and C18:3n-3 and a lower concentration of free C14:0 and free C16:0 than the rind of maize cheeses. The levels of major microbial groups were similar in pasture and maize cheeses at different stages of ripening. The pasture cheeses had a more elastic and creamier texture, a yellower color, and a thinner rind than the maize cheeses, but the odor and aroma of cheeses were not affected by the origin of the cream, despite a few modifications in the balance of volatile compounds from FA catabolism. Based on these results, we conclude that milk fat composition modulated by cow diet had a direct role in the texture of the cheese but no effect on flavor. The high degree of lipolysis in cheese rind, along with the higher concentration of long-chain unsaturated free FA in pasture cheeses may be responsible for antimicrobial activity, which could explain differences in the appearance of cheese rind.     

Antioxidant capacity and related parameters of different fruit formulations

Fruits and vegetables are known as good sources of phytochemicals, essential to prevent degenerative diseases like cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). They contain a variety of antioxidants, which are useful to scavenge radical oxygen species (ROS). Besides smoothies, fruit purees, concentrates and juices - used by the food industry for these new beverages - were analysed. Total phenolics by Folin-Ciocalteu method, vitamin C content and antioxidant capacity (AOC) by FRAP, TEAC and ORAC assay were analysed by using high-throughput methods on a microplate reader. Vitamin C content ranged from 31 ± 3 mg/100 g in drinkable pomegranate concentrate to 1373 ± 125 mg/100 g in acerola puree; total phenolics content was quantified between 51 ± 1 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g in the mango-peach smoothie and 1152 ± 62 mg/100 g in the ascorbic acid rich acerola puree. The AOC differed depending on kind of fruit and antioxidant assay used. In most fruit products the major portion of AOC was generated by polyphenolic compounds, except acerola puree and orange juice. Very good correlations between total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity were found in the single fruit products, however not in the fruit and vegetable smoothies. Most of the analysed smoothies were able to supply with one package nearly the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of vitamin C for adults of 100 mg per day.     

Cytotoxic Triosmium Carbonyl Clusters: A Structure–Activity Relationship Study

A structure–activity relationship (SAR) study of the triosmium carbonyl cluster Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCCH₃)₂ was carried out with a series of clusters of the general formula Os₃(CO)_12?nL_n, cationic osmium clusters and a hemi‐labile maltolato‐Os cluster. The SAR results showed that good solubility in DMSO and at least one vacant site are required for cytotoxicity. In vitro evaluation of these new compounds showed that some are selectively active against estrogen receptor (ER)‐independent MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cell lines relative to ER‐dependent MCF‐7 breast cancer cells, suggesting that the compounds have a different biological target specific to MDA‐MB‐231 cells. In particular, the maltolato cluster exhibits strong antiproliferative activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 3 μM after only 24 h incubation. Additionally, biochemical assays conducted with the cationic cluster show that it induces apoptosis, although a biological target has not yet been identified. Further research to establish the molecular targets of these compounds and to develop improved organometallic clusters as potential breast cancer therapeutics is underway.     

Soft-Chemistry Synthesis, Characterization, and Stabilization of CGO/Al2O3/Pt Nanostructured Composite Powders

Soft-chemistry routes were used to synthesize Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95-based powders with attractive and stable structural, morphological, and textural properties. In the intermediate temperature range between 500° and 700°C, the average Gd-doped CeO₂ (CGO) crystallite size is in the range 9–22 nm and the specific surface area varies from 43.4 to 8 m²/g. Above 700°C, a phase separation occurs between ceria and gadolinium oxide. Addition of alumina was found to be useful in stabilizing the CGO nanocrystallites at a high temperature and to avoid phase separation. A homogeneous dispersion of Pt nanoparticles (<10 nm at 1000°C) in the CGO materials was found to be possible by post-impregnation, although direct insertion of the Pt precursors during the synthesis led to aggregated particles, with less potential for catalytic applications.     

Impact of rye-based evening meals on cognitive functions,mood and cardiometabolic risk factors: a randomized controlled study in healthy middle-aged subjects

Background

Whole grain (WG) intake is associated with reduced risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, whereas type 2 diabetes increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of short-term intervention with WG rye on cognitive functions, mood and cardiometabolic risk markers in middle-aged test subjects.

Method

Rye-based breads were provided to 38 healthy test subjects (aged 52-70y) during three consecutive days in a crossover study design, using white wheat flour bread (WWB) as a reference. The rye-based bread consisted of a WG rye kernel/flour mixture (1:1 ratio) supplemented with resistant starch type 2 (RS2) (RB?+?RS2). The last bread portion was ingested at 2100 h, and cognitive function, mood and cardiometabolic risk markers were determined the following morning, 11???14 h post intake.

Results

In comparison to WWB, the RB?+?RS2 product increased ratings of mood parameters (valance, P?<?0.001; activation P?<?0.05). No differences were seen in the cognitive tests depending on intervention (P?>?0.05). RB?+?RS2 increased insulin sensitivity (P?<?0.05), fasting levels of gut hormones (PYY, P?<?0.05; GLP-2, P?<?0.01) and fasting concentrations of plasma acetate, butyrate and total SCFA (P?<?0.001). In contrast, fasting levels of IL???1β were decreased (P?<?0.05). Insulin sensitivity was positively correlated with working memory test performance (P?<?0.05).

Conclusions

This study display novel findings regarding effects of WG rye products on mood, and glucose and appetite regulation in middle-aged subjects, indicating anti-diabetic properties of WG rye. The beneficial effects are suggested to be mediated through gut fermentation of dietary fiber in the RB?+?RS2 product.

Trial registration

The study was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, register number NCT03275948. Registered September 8 2017.

     

Specific Inhibitors of the Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP)

A new class of specific breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) inhibitors was identified, showing no inhibition of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters P‐gp and MRP1. Some of these modulators inhibit BCRP with high potency; they are only slightly less potent than Ko143 and could serve as promising lead structures for the design of novel effective BCRP inhibitors. These inhibitors are structurally related to tariquidar (XR9576) and belong to a library of multidrug‐resistance modulators synthesized by our research group. The absence of the tetrahydroisoquinoline substructure appears to play a crucial role for specificity; we found that the presence of this substructure is not essential for interaction with BCRP. To determine the type of interaction between pheophorbide A and compounds with and without the tetrahydroisoquinoline substructure, various substrate pheophorbide A concentrations were used in enzyme kinetics assays. The resulting data show that these compounds share a noncompetitive‐type interaction with pheophorbide A. Experiments with imatinib and pheophorbide A revealed a mixed‐type interaction. The combination of imatinib and compounds with and without the tetrahydroisoquinoline substructure resulted in a positive cooperative effect, indicating that imatinib engages a binding site distinct from that of the new compounds on one side and distinct from that of pheophorbide A on the other side as well. The results of this study suggest that the category of BCRP‐specific inhibitors, which includes only fumitremorgin C, Ko143 and analogues, and novobiocin needs to be extended by this new class of inhibitors, which possess three key characteristics: specificity, potency, and low toxicity.     

生态建造：教育套餐和环境手册

生态建造是一个关注于传播建成环境中可持续性的需要以及促成可持续性的方式的项目。它针对于两个群体：16-19岁的学生，为他们制作了一个交互式的光盘；建造行业中的专业人员。光盘中提出了这样的问题--你的家和学校有多绿色？它说明了类似于建筑尺度和朝向的设计决策如何影响到建筑在能耗方面的表现和CO2的排放量。光盘包括了衡量如往宅温室节能效果的术语表，来解释它们对建筑的影响。这样学生们就可以对他们自己的学校和家进行评估，并提出怎样的设计可以提高它们的节能效果。如果我们想全球化地实现可持续性的未来，下一代的介入至关重要。环境手册中更深入地研究了这些问题，并关注到了其他建筑类型，如办公建筑。本文描述了正趋于完成的教育光盘和环境手册中涉及的一些根本的环境和教育因素。     

Chlorination of model drinking water biofilm: implications for growth and organic carbon removal

The influence of chlorine on biofilm in low organic carbon environments typical of drinking water or industrial process water was examined by comparing biomass and kinetic parameters for biofilm growth in a chlorinated reactor to those in a non-chlorinated control. Mixed-population heterotrophic biofilms were developed in rotating annular reactors under low concentration, carbon-limited conditions (< 2 mg/L as carbon) using three substrate groups (amino acids, carbohydrates and humic substances). Reactors were operated in parallel under identical conditions with the exception that chlorine was added to one reactor at a dose sufficient to maintain a free chlorine residual of 0.09-0.15 mg/L in the effluent. The presence of free chlorine resulted in development of less biofilm biomass compared to the control for all substrates investigated. However, specific growth and organic carbon removal rates were on the average five times greater for chlorinated biofilm compared to the control. Observed yield values were less for chlorinated biofilm. Although chlorinated biofilm's specific organic carbon removal rate was high, the low observed yield indicated organic carbon was being utilized for purposes other than creating new cell biomass. The impacts of free chlorine on mixed-population biofilms in low-nutrient environments were different depending upon the available substrate. Biofilms grown using amino acids exhibited the least difference between control and chlorinated kinetic parameters; biofilm grown using carbohydrates had the greatest differences. These findings are particularly relevant to the fundamental kinetic parameters used in models of biofilm growth in piping systems that distribute chlorinated, low-carbon-concentration water.     

绿色空间对呼吸健康的影响研究综述及综合分析框架

绿色空间具备重要的健康干预作用,其中对呼吸系统的健康影响逐渐受到关注。基于Web of Science核心数据库,遴选了2000—2020年针对绿色空间与呼吸健康相关关系开展实证研究的英文文献,采用文献计量方法探析知识网络关系现状;辨析了聚合性和个体性2类研究的主要特点。研究发现2类研究均缺乏纵向维度分析和影响路径分析;同时,城镇整体层面的研究采用的绿色空间测度指标单一,城镇内部层面的研究对微观层面绿色空间特征的关注均显不足等。基于此,建构了一个绿色空间对呼吸健康影响的综合分析框架,并提出未来研究可拓展的分析对象、测度指标和分析方法。