Interaction between amino acid degradation,sensory attributes and lipid peroxidation in wheat rolls

The influence of lipid peroxidation and heating duration on the amino acid pattern of wheat rolls was assessed in a model baking test. Therefore, three different types of dough were prepared including dough without any fat and two doughs with fat. To estimate the impact of lipid peroxidation products on the amino acid pattern, the two doughs containing fat were both made with rapeseed oil, one with fresh oil, the other with oxidised rapeseed oil. All kinds of dough were baked for three different duration times (18, 24 and 30 min). The lipid peroxidation status of both rapeseed oils was measured with the peroxide value and the p‐anisidine value of the unbaked fat. The amino acid content was analysed by HPLC after acid and alkaline hydrolysis. Besides determining water content and protein content, a sensory analysis was performed. Whereas the amino acid content in the dough without fat was only affected by the baking time, the doughs with rapeseed oil additionally showed a significant increase in amino acid degradation caused by lipid peroxidation products. Especially in the dough prepared with oxidised rapeseed oil, the amino acid content was partly decreased in raw dough without any heating influence. Confirming the influence of lipid peroxidation products in dough prepared with oxidised rapeseed oil, sensory analysis also showed the significantly worst overall score.     

Apoptosis Signaling Is Altered in CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T Regulatory Lymphocytes in Pre-Eclampsia

The aim of our study was to estimate the surface expressions of CD95 (APO-1/Fas) antigen and the intracellular expressions of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic protein Bax in CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs) as well as the percentage of CD8(+)CD28(+) T cytotoxic cells in peripheral blood of patients with pre-eclampsia in comparison with healthy pregnant women in the third trimester of physiological pregnancy. Twenty-four women with pre-eclampsia and 20 normal third trimester pregnant women were included in the study. The lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood samples and labeled with monoclonal antibodies. The expressions of surface antigens and intracellular proteins were estimated using flow cytometry. The population of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg cells was significantly lower in peripheral blood of patients with pre-eclampsia when compared to normal third trimester pregnant women. The percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg cells that express Bcl-2 protein were significantly lower in peripheral blood of patients with pre-eclampsia when compared to healthy pregnant women, whereas the percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg cells with the expressions of Bax protein did not differ in both groups. Moreover, the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of Bcl-2 protein in CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg cells was significantly lower and MFI of Bax protein significantly higher in pre-eclampsia when compared to the control group. The percentage of CD8(+)CD28(+) T cells did not differ in both studied groups but MFI of CD28 antigen on T CD8(+) cells was significantly higher in pre-eclampsia when compared to the control group. The obtained results suggest that the deficit of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) Treg lymphocytes which is observed in pre-eclampsia may be associated with altered apoptosis signaling in Tregs.     

Exploring the Origin of the Temperature‐Dependent Behavior of PbS Nanocrystal Thin Films and Solar Cells

Temperature‐dependent studies of the electrical and optical properties of cross‐linked PbS nanocrystal (NC) solar cells can provide deeper insight into their working mechanisms. It is demonstrated that the overall effect of temperature on the device efficiency originates from the temperature dependence of the open‐circuit voltage and the short‐circuit current, while the fill factor remains approximately constant. Extensive modeling provides signs of band‐like transport in the inhomogeneously coupled NC active layer and shows that the charge transport is dominated by diffusion. Moreover, via low temperature absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements, it is shown that the optical properties of PbS thin films before and after benzenedithiol (BDT) treatment exhibit very distinct behavior. After BDT treatment, both the optical density (OD) and PL are shifted to lower energies, indicating the occurrence of electronic wave function overlap between adjacent NCs. Decrease of the temperature leads to additional red‐shift of the OD and PL spectra, which is explained by the well‐known temperature dependence of the PbS NCs' bandgap. Moreover, BDT treated PbS NCs show unusual properties, such as decrease of the PL signal and broadening of the spectra at low temperatures. These features can be attributed to the partial relaxation of the quantum confinement and the opening of new radiative and nonradiative pathways for recombination at lower temperatures due to the presence of trap states.     

Non-invasive pre-lens tear film assessment with high-speed videokeratoscopy

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of two types of daily contact lenses (delefilcon A and omafilcon A) on the tear film and establish whether it is dependent on pre-corneal tear film characteristics using a new method to analyse high-speed videokeratoscopy recordings, as well as to determine the sensitivity of the method in differentiating between contact lens materials on eye.

Application of various methods for determination of the color of cocoa beans roasted under variable process parameters

Cocoa beans of Forastero variety from Togo were subjected to roasting under either constant or variable process parameters. The variable process parameters were roasting air flow rate, temperature and relative humidity. The color of roasted cocoa beans was determined by pigment extraction under various conditions followed by either their spectrophotometric assays or CIE L*a*b measurements. Also the Maillard compounds index and total polyphenols content correlated with progress of the browning of beans were determined. It was found that an increase in the roasting air relative humidity stimulated formation of brown pigments, while elevated temperature caused worsening of color parameters of roasted cocoa beans. The most suitable method of color characterization of roasted cocoa beans was found to be pigments extraction combined with either separation of their fractions or CIE L*a*b measurements. These assays revealed that cocoa beans roasted under variable roasting air flow rate were characterized by improved color parameters. The relatively simple and inexpensive CIE L*a*b measurements ensured fast analysis of color parameters, while total polyphenols in roasted cocoa beans were quickly estimated by using F–C reagent. Furthermore, quantification of melanoid pigments in roasted cocoa beans can be based on determination of the index of nonenzymatic browning products content, which is relatively simple and inexpensive.     

Properties of sucrose-free chocolates enriched with viable lactic acid bacteria

Chocolate formulated with isomalt and enriched with lactic acid bacteria Streptococcus thermophilus MK-10 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus 151, added in the form of powdered yoghurt, prepared by spray-drying is a sucrose-free, low-calorie product with functional properties. The technique of the production of chocolate sweetened with isomalt and containing live cells of the aforementioned bacterial strains has been established. Physicochemical and sensory properties of this product as well as survival of cells during 6-months storage at 4 and 18 °C have been determined. The isomalt-containing yoghurt chocolates displayed satisfactory sensory attributes. Their calorific value and consistency (hardness) were similar to those of control sucrose-free chocolates. The total acidity of yoghurt and standard milk chocolates was also similar, whereas yoghurt-containing dark chocolates displayed higher acidity. The characteristics of yoghurt-containing chocolates were a relatively low solid substance content (96.82–96.91% w/w), low Casson viscosity and yield value for milk chocolate masses, and enhanced rheological parameters for dark chocolate masses compared with control sucrose-free chocolates. Because the total number of lactic acid bacteria after 6-months storage at 4 and 18 °C was high (approximately 10⁷ cfu/g), the sucrose-free yoghurt-containing chocolates can be regarded as functional foods.     

Biodiversity of brewery yeast strains and their fermentative activities

We investigated the genetic, biochemical, fermentative and physiological characteristics of brewery yeast strains and performed a hierarchical cluster analysis to evaluate their similarity. We used five different ale and lager yeast strains, originating from different European breweries and deposited at the National Collection of Yeast Cultures (UK). Ale and lager strains exhibited different genomic properties, but their assimilation profiles and pyruvate decarboxylase activities corresponded to their species classifications. The activity of another enzyme, succinate dehydrogenase, varied between different brewing strains. Our results confirmed that ATP and glycogen content, and the activity of the key metabolic enzymes succinate dehydrogenase and pyruvate decarboxylase, may be good general indicators of cell viability. However, the genetic properties, physiology and fermentation capacity of different brewery yeasts are unique to individual strains. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SELECTIVITY OF RESINS WITH GUANIDYL GROUPS TOWARDS DICYANOAURATE ANIONS

ABSTRACT

Resins having two types of ligands: guanidine and aminoguanidine on copolymers of vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC)/ methyl methacrylate (MM)/ divinylbenzene (DVB) and on styrene (S)/DVB have been investigated in respect to their selectivity towards dicyanoaurate anions Resins coded CH and CP displayed high selectivity and sorption of gold from its diluted solution. They sorbed 10 - 11?mg of gold/g and dicyanoaurate distribution coefficient reached 1890 and 2290, respectively. Resins have the following selectivity order when sorption was carried out from solution of 5.08?mg Au/dm³: resin U-BIS Zn>Ag>Au>Cu; resin CP Au>Zn»Cu»Ag; resin CH Au>Zn=Ag»Cu. Resins have weak affinity towards iron complexes.     

Functionality of graphene as a result of its heterogenic growth on SiC nanoparticles on the basis of reversible hydrogen storage

This article presents the results from research related to graphene functionality based on the production of spatial structures provided for the reversible storage of hydrogen. The functionality process was conducted during graphene synthesis onto a liquid metallic support, on a single level, using SiC nanoparticles. Within the scope of research it was proved that heterogenic growth of the domains of polycrystalline graphene onto the SiC nanoparticles is possible. These nanoparticles are in-built into the graphene structure constituting the pillars of the spatial structure. Material produced in such a way constitutes the foundation for creating a spatial 3D structure (through the rolling operation), called GraphRoll, for the reversible storage of hydrogen in order to conduct its sorption and de-sorption. So, independently of the theoretical configuration, deviations or a possible exception from the 2D configuration on the silicon carbide/graphene were discussed. These differences resulted from the difference between the crystallographic structures of the analyzed forms as well as the structure determined to decrease tensions within the structure.     

Molecular Characterisation of Uterine Endometrial Proteins during Early Stages of Pregnancy in Pigs by MALDI TOF/TOF

The molecular mechanism underlying embryonic implantation is vital to understand the correct communications between endometrium and developing conceptus during early stages of pregnancy. This study’s objective was to determine molecular changes in the uterine endometrial proteome during the preimplantation and peri-implantation between 9 days (9D), 12 days (12D), and 16 days (16D) of pregnant Polish Large White (PLW) gilts. 2DE-MALDI-TOF/TOF and ClueGO^TM approaches were employed to analyse the biological networks and molecular changes in porcine endometrial proteome during maternal recognition of pregnancy. A total of sixteen differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified using 2-DE gels and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Comparison between 9D and 12D of pregnancy identified APOA1, CAPZB, LDHB, CCT5, ANXA4, CFB, TTR upregulated DEPs, and ANXA5, SMS downregulated DEPs. Comparison between 9D and 16D of pregnancy identified HP, APOA1, ACTB, CCT5, ANXA4, CFB upregulated DEPs and ANXA5, SMS, LDHB, ACTR3, HP, ENO3, OAT downregulated DEPs. However, a comparison between 12D and 16D of pregnancy identified HP, ACTB upregulated DEPs, and CRYM, ANXA4, ANXA5, CAPZB, LDHB, ACTR3, CCT5, ENO3, OAT, TTR down-regulated DEPs. Outcomes of this study revealed key proteins and their interactions with metabolic pathways involved in the recognition and establishment of early pregnancy in PLW gilts.