Dried strawberries as a high nutritional value fruit snack

The purpose of this study was to determine the possibility of using a chokeberry juice concentrate as a component of osmotic solution and convection-microwave-vacuum drying applying to obtain dried pro-health-promoting strawberries. The research material was Honeoye strawberries, which were dehydrated in sucrose and sucrose with chokeberry juice concentrate addition, and then subjected to microwave-convection-vacuum or freeze-drying. Analyses were conducted to determine the influence of the applied processes on vitamin C content, total polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and sensory properties in dried fruit. Study results confirmed the possibility of using a chokeberry juice concentrate as a component of the osmotic solution, especially with regard to polyphenolics content and antioxidant activity. In addition, convection-microwave-vacuum drying was shown to be a promising technology for the production of dried strawberries, with high pro-health potential and acceptable sensory qualities.     

The Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Kinases II and IV as Therapeutic Targets in Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

CaMKII and CaMKIV are calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases playing a rudimentary role in many regulatory processes in the organism. These kinases attract increasing interest due to their involvement primarily in memory and plasticity and various cellular functions. Although CaMKII and CaMKIV are mostly recognized as the important cogs in a memory machine, little is known about their effect on mood and role in neuropsychiatric diseases etiology. Here, we aimed to review the structure and functions of CaMKII and CaMKIV, as well as how these kinases modulate the animals’ behavior to promote antidepressant-like, anxiolytic-like, and procognitive effects. The review will help in the understanding of the roles of the above kinases in the selected neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, and this knowledge can be used in future drug design.     

Functional Expression of TRPV1 Ion Channel in the Canine Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

TRPV1, known as a capsaicin receptor, is the best-described transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel. Recently, it was shown to be expressed by non-excitable cells such as lymphocytes. However, the data regarding the functional expression of the TRPV1 channel in the immune cells are often contradictory. In the present study, we performed a phylogenetical analysis of the canine TRP ion channels, we assessed the expression of TRPV1 in the canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by qPCR and Western blot, and we determined the functionality of TRPV1 by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and calcium assay. We found high expression of TRPV2, -M2, and -M7 in the canine PBMCs, while expression of TRPV1, -V4 and, -M5 was relatively low. We confirmed that TRPV1 is expressed on the protein level in the PBMC and it localizes in the plasma membrane. The whole-cell patch-clamp recording revealed that capsaicin application caused a significant increase in the current density. Similarly, the results from the calcium assay show a dose-dependent increase in intracellular calcium level in the presence of capsaicin that was partially abolished by capsazepine. Our study confirms the expression of TRPV1 ion channel on both mRNA and protein levels in the canine PBMC and indicates that the ion channel is functional.     

Assessment of Tractable Cysteines for Covalent Targeting by Screening Covalent Fragments

Targeted covalent inhibition and the use of irreversible chemical probes are important strategies in chemical biology and drug discovery. To date, the availability and reactivity of cysteine residues amenable for covalent targeting have been evaluated by proteomic and computational tools. Herein, we present a toolbox of fragments containing a 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl core that was equipped with chemically diverse electrophilic warheads showing a range of reactivities. We characterized the library members for their reactivity, aqueous stability and specificity for nucleophilic amino acids. By screening this library against a set of enzymes amenable for covalent inhibition, we showed that this approach experimentally characterized the accessibility and reactivity of targeted cysteines. Interesting covalent fragment hits were obtained for all investigated cysteine-containing enzymes.     

Macroalgal Defense against Competitors and Herbivores

Macroalgae are the source of many harmful allelopathic compounds, which are synthesized as a defense strategy against competitors and herbivores. Therefore, it can be predicted that certain species reduce aquaculture performance. Herein, the allelopathic ability of 123 different taxa of green, red, and brown algae have been summarized based on literature reports. Research on macroalgae and their allelopathic effects on other animal organisms was conducted primarily in Australia, Mexico, and the United States. Nevertheless, there are also several scientific reports in this field from South America and Asia; the study areas in the latter continents coincide with areas where aquaculture is highly developed and widely practiced. Therefore, the allelopathic activity of macroalgae on coexisting animals is an issue that is worth careful investigation. In this work, we characterize the distribution of allelopathic macroalgae and compare them with aquaculture locations, describe the methods for the study of macroalgal allelopathy, present the taxonomic position of allelopathic macroalgae and their impact on coexisting aquatic competitors (Cnidaria) and herbivores (Annelida, Echinodermata, Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Chordata), and compile information on allelopathic compounds produced by different macroalgae species. This work gathers the current knowledge on the phenomenon of macroalgal allelopathy and their allelochemicals affecting aquatic animal (competitors and predators) worldwide and it provides future research directions for this topic.     

Influence of the Surface Enhancement on the Flow Boiling Heat Transfer in a Minichannel

This paper presents results concerning flow boiling heat transfer in three parallel vertically oriented and asymmetrically heated rectangular minichannels. Each minichannel was 1.7 mm deep, 16 mm wide, and 180 mm long. The heated element for Fluorinert FC-72 flowing in the minichannels was a thin foil. Infrared thermography was used to determine changes in the temperature on the outer smooth side of the foil. Two-phase flow patterns were observed through a glass pane. The heated surfaces in contact with the fluid in the minichannels differed in roughness. In one minichannel the surface was smooth. In the other two, the surface was enhanced. Two types of surface enhancement were analyzed: a surface with unevenly distributed minicavities and a surface coated with metallic powder applied by soldering. This paper analyzes the effects of the microstructured heated surface on the heat transfer coefficient. The results are presented as: relationships between the heat transfer coefficient and the vapor quality, boiling curves and two-phase flow images. The experimental data obtained for the two types of enhanced surfaces was compared with the results recorded for the smooth surface. The highest local values of the heat transfer coefficient were reported for the enhanced foil with minicavities.     

Changes of amino acid and fatty acid profile in freshwater fish after smoking

Three freshwater fishes: common carp, rainbow trout and northern pike were chosen for the evaluation of amino acid and fatty acid composition—fresh and after smoking. Smoking led to the increase in almost all amino acids, with the highest amount of EAA in common carp. This process led also to the enhancement in the level of SFA and the decrease in PUFA/SFA ratio in fishes. PI values were lower after this process for all fishes. HH ratio was also decreased (except for northern pike), while AI and TI were enhanced in all smoked samples.

Practical applications

Fish and fish products consumption (especially freshwater) is still insufficient despite their proven health‐promoting properties. Because of the susceptibility of fish to perish, their preservation becomes a necessity. Smoking is one of the oldest food processing methods in the world. It imparts a characteristic color and flavor of the product. This process influences also on chemical composition of muscle protein and fat. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate changes in amino acids composition and fatty acids profile in common carp, rainbow trout and northern pike, as a result of smoking. It is very important to increase consumer knowledge concerned on the species being the most suitable for traditional preservation method, taking into consideration the retaining of beneficial fish compounds.     

Calculations of Flow Boiling Heat Transfer in a Minichannel Based on Liquid Crystal and Infrared Thermography Data

ABSTRACT

This paper analyzes results concerning flow boiling heat transfer in two parallel, asymmetrically heated vertical minichannels. The heating element for FC-72 Fluorinert flowing in the minichannels was a thin foil with an enhanced surface on the side in contact with the fluid. In one minichannel, changes in the temperature on the smooth side of the foil were monitored using liquid crystal thermography. Changes in the temperature on the outer surface of the glass in one minichannel and on the foil in the other minichannel were observed using infrared thermography. The heat transfer coefficient at the foil–fluid interface was calculated on the basis of one- and two-dimensional heat transfer models. In the two-dimensional method, the distribution of temperature on the enhanced side of the foil was determined by solving the inverse heat conduction problem. The governing equations were solved using the finite-element method combined with the Trefftz functions used as shape functions. The temperature measurement points were located at the boundary nodes of elements. Local values of the heat transfer coefficient calculated with the one- and two-dimensional models were analyzed in the function of the distance from the minichannel inlet. The values obtained with the two models were similar.     

SB203580—A Potent p38 MAPK Inhibitor Reduces the Profibrotic Bronchial Fibroblasts Transition Associated with Asthma

Subepithelial fibrosis is a component of the remodeling observed in the bronchial wall of patients diagnosed with asthma. In this process, human bronchial fibroblasts (HBFs) drive the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT) in response to transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁), which activates the canonical Smad-dependent signaling. However, the pleiotropic properties of TGF-β₁ also promote the activation of non-canonical signaling pathways which can affect the FMT. In this study we investigated the effect of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibition by SB203580 on the FMT potential of HBFs derived from asthmatic patients using immunocytofluorescence, real-time PCR and Western blotting methods. Our results demonstrate for the first time the strong effect of p38 MAPK inhibition on the TGF-β₁-induced FMT potential throughout the strong attenuation of myofibroblast-related markers: α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, fibronectin and connexin 43 in HBFs. We suggest the pleiotropic mechanism of SB203580 on FMT impairment in HBF populations by the diminishing of TGF-β/Smad signaling activation and disturbances in the actin cytoskeleton architecture along with the maturation of focal adhesion sites. These observations justify future research on the role of p38 kinase in FMT efficiency and bronchial wall remodeling in asthma.