Effect of light,food additives and heat on the stability of sorghum 3-deoxyanthocyanins in model beverages

This work aimed to evaluate the stability of sorghum 3-deoxyanthocyanins (DXA) in model beverages (pH 3.5) elaborated with crude sorghum phenolic extract, containing ascorbic acid and sulphite, under fluorescent light exposure and subjected to heat treatment. There was no significant difference in the DXA degradation during storage under light exposure (24.16%) and absence of light (20.72%). DXA degradation did not differ in the presence of ascorbic acid during storage under light exposure (23.99–25.38%) and absence of light (19.87–21.74%). The addition of sulphite caused an initial bleaching reaction, but as a reversible reaction, the anthocyanin content was higher on the last day of storage compared to the first day. There were no significant differences in total anthocyanin content of all treatments subjected to the heat treatment (80 °C for 5 and 25 min). Thus, crude DXA are very stable under light, additives and heat, and may be useful as natural food colourants.     

Effects of nisin concentration on properties of gelatin film-forming solutions and their films

The addition of nisin into a gelatin matrix can change properties of the film. The aim of this work was to develop gelatin-based films containing different nisin concentrations in order to study their influence on the film's antimicrobial and physical properties and their rheological properties as a film-forming solution (FFS). The FFS was characterised by rheological assays, and the gelatin-based active films were characterised and assessed by the effects of nisin concentrations on their various properties, including antimicrobial activity. Nisin's concentration affected not only its viscoelastic properties of FFS but also its film solubility in water, film surface roughness and light barrier. The addition of nisin also slightly modified the water contact angle and the mechanical properties of the gelatin films. Finally, the films demonstrated activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes at concentrations above 56 mg of nisin g⁻¹ of gelatin.     

Chemo-Enzymatic Fluorescence Labeling Of Genomic DNA For Simultaneous Detection Of Global 5-Methylcytosine And 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine**

5-Methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine are epigenetic modifications involved in gene regulation and cancer. We present a new, simple, and high-throughput platform for multi-color epigenetic analysis. The novelty of our approach is the ability to multiplex methylation and de-methylation signals in the same assay. We utilize an engineered methyltransferase enzyme that recognizes and labels all unmodified CpG sites with a fluorescent cofactor. In combination with the already established labeling of the de-methylation mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine via enzymatic glycosylation, we obtained a robust platform for simultaneous epigenetic analysis of these marks. We assessed the global epigenetic levels in multiple samples of colorectal cancer and observed a 3.5-fold reduction in 5hmC levels but no change in DNA methylation levels between sick and healthy individuals. We also measured epigenetic modifications in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and observed a decrease in both modification levels (5-hydroxymethylcytosine: whole blood 30 %; peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) 40 %. 5-methylcytosine: whole blood 53 %; PBMCs 48 %). Our findings propose using a simple blood test as a viable method for analysis, simplifying sample handling in diagnostics. Importantly, our results highlight the assay‘s potential for epigenetic evaluation of clinical samples, benefiting research and patient management.     

Integrating two-dimensional water temperature simulations into a fish habitat model to improve hydro- and thermopeaking impact assessment

Storage hydropower plants, which are an important component of energy production in Switzerland, can lead to hydro- and thermopeaking, affecting river habitats and organisms. In this study, we developed an approach for integrating water temperature simulations into a habitat model to assess the impact of both hydro- and thermopeaking on the availability of suitable fish habitats. We focused on the habitat requirements of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a semi-natural braided floodplain along the Moesa River (Southern Switzerland) in early summer. First, we defined different scenarios (with and without hydropeaking) based on the local hydrological and meteorological conditions. Second, we used a two-dimensional depth-averaged hydro- and thermodynamic model to simulate the spatial distributions of water depth, flow velocity, and water temperature. Third, we applied generalized preference curves for juvenile brown trout to identify hydraulically suitable habitats, and developed a new index to assess the availability of thermally suitable habitats. Finally, we quantified the extent to which hydraulically and thermally suitable habitats overlap in space and time. During both base and peak flow phases, most of the hydraulically and thermally suitable habitats are located in the side channels. High flow conditions combined with strong cold-thermopeaking lead to a higher thermal heterogeneity. However, disconnected habitats originate in the dewatering zone, increasing the risk of stranding as well as thermal stress. By helping to better understand the effects of thermopeaking on the availability of fish habitats, our approach could contribute to the design and evaluation of ecological restoration in hydropeaking rivers.     

UV, Raman and XRD study of polymorphism of poly(methyl-n-propylsilane)

Raman, UV and XRD studies have been performed to characterize the structures of differently prepared samples of poly(methyl-n-propylsilane). The results demonstrate polymorphism of this polymer between T_c and T_g. At room temperature the polymer can exist in up to four modifications which comprise one amorphous disordered phase and three more ordered modifications, differing in the interchain organization and in the silicon backbone conformations. The latter are considered to be deviant, transoid and all-anti, respectively. The number of the modifications present and relative amount of each strongly depends on the preparation method and thermal history of the sample as well as on the molecular weight.     

Fibroblast growth factor,estrogen, and prolactin receptor features in different grades of prostatic adenocarcinoma in elderly men

The objective was to characterize and associate the receptor reactivities of fibroblastic growth factor (FGF)‐2, FGF‐7, FGF‐8, epidermal growth factor (EGF), α‐actin and vimentin in relation to the androgen receptor (AR), α and β estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), and prolactin receptor in the prostate of elderly men showing low‐ and high‐grade adenocarcinoma. Thirty prostatic samples were taken from 60‐ to 90‐year‐old patients without prostatic lesions and with low‐grade cancer and high‐grade cancer, from the University Hospital, School of Medicine, the State University of Campinas. The results showed that increased FGF‐2, FGF‐7, and FGF‐8 receptor reactivities and decreased AR reactivity were verified in both high‐ and low‐grade cancer. However, the FGF‐8 receptor showed greater involvement at the beginning of the malignancy alterations. Increased EGF receptor (EGFR) reactivity and diminished α‐actin immunohistochemistry were identified in both cancer groups. Also, increased ERα, PR, and vimentin receptors were verified in both cancer groups. To conclude, the ERα involvement in the reactive stroma activation led to a microenvironment, which was favorable to cancer progression, due to maximizing stromal imbalance. The prolactin could be related to cancer progression due to its interaction with ERα action, indicating that this hormone could be a relevant target to prevent the estrogenic effects in the prostatic lesions. Both FGF receptor (FGFR)‐2 and FGFR‐8 play a fundamental role in the early stages of prostate cancer, suggesting that these molecules could be a promising therapeutic target. The differential localization of the fibroblastic factors between the prostatic epithelium and stroma of elderly men, who presented prostate cancer, could indicate a favorable distinction for tumoral progression. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:321–330, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Development and immunobiological evaluation of nanoparticles containing an immunodominant epitope of herpes simplex virus

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2 are viruses that infect individuals worldwide and for which there is no cure or vaccine available. The protective response against herpes is mostly mediated by CD8 T lymphocytes that respond to the immunodominant SSIEFARL epitope. However, there are some obstacles concerning the use of free SSIEFARL for vaccine or immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of nanoencapsulation of SSIEFARL and its immunostimulatory properties. Nano/SSIEFARL was produced by interfacial polymerization in methylmetacrylate, and the physico‐chemical properties, morphology and immunobiological parameters were evaluated. To evaluate the ex vivo capacity of Nano/SSIEFARL, we used splenocytes from HSV‐1‐infected mice to enhance the frequency of SSIEFARL‐specific CD8 T lymphocytes. The results indicate that Nano/SSIEFARL has a spherical shape, an average diameter of 352 ± 22 nm, the PDI was 0.361 ± 0.009 and is negatively charged (−26.30 ± 35). The stability at 4°C was 28 days. Also, Nano/SSIEFARL is not toxic for cells at low concentrations in vitro and it is taken up by JAWS II dendritic cells. No histopathological changes were observed in kidneys, liver and lymph nodes of animals treated with Nano/SSIEFARL. Nan/SSIEFARL increased the production of IL‐1β, TNF‐α and IL‐12 by the dendritic cells. Finally, Nano/SSIEFARL expanded the frequency of SSIEFARL‐specific CD8+T lymphocytes at the same rate as free SSIEFARL. In conclusion all data together indicate that SSIEFARL is suitable for nanoencapsulation, and the system produced presents some immunoadjuvant properties that can be used to improve the immune response against herpes.