Detection of Promyelocytic Leukemia/Retinoic Acid Receptor α (PML/RARα) Fusion Gene with Functionalized Graphene Oxide

An attempt was made to use functionalized graphene oxide (GO) to detect the Promyelocytic leukemia/Retinoic acid receptor α fusion gene (PML/RARα fusion gene), a marker gene of acute promyelocytic leukemia. The functionalized GO was prepared by chemical exfoliation method, followed by a polyethylene glycol grafting. It is found that the functionalized GO can selectively adsorb the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled single-stranded DNA probe and quench its fluorescence. The probe can be displaced by the PML/RARα fusion gene to restore the fluorescence, which can be detected by laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. These can be used to detect the presence of the PML/RARα fusion gene. This detection method is verified to be fast, simple and reliable.     

异硫氰酸酯的合成方法及应用

介绍了异硫氰酸酯的合成方法及该系列化合物在杂环化合物的合成、生物技术领域、医疗领域的应用。     

Growth behavior prediction of fresh catfish fillet with Pseudomonas aeruginosa under stresses of allyl isothiocyanate,temperature and modified atmosphere

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen which can be found on fresh catfish fillet, grows rapidly when temperature rises above 4 °C. The combination of allyl isothiocyanate (AIT) and modified atmosphere (MA) was applied and proved effective to retard the growth of P. aeruginosa. The objective of this research was to develop simple mathematical models to predict the growth behavior of P. aeruginosa in catfish fillet and its potential storage time (in abuse temperature condition) as a function of AIT and temperature with/without MA treatment. The antimicrobial effect of gaseous AIT (0, 18 and 36 μL/L) on the growth of P. aeruginosa cocktail was evaluated at 8, 15 and 20 °C. Furthermore, the effects of MA (49% CO₂, 50.5% N₂ and 0.5% O₂) alone and AIT/MA combination were also investigated. These data obtained through an experimental design were used for model development. The regression models for lag phase, growth rate and “shelf life” (based on P. aeruginosa which closely related to Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas pudita and all belong to the same RNA group used to classify the Pseudomonas at the subgenus level) were validated experimentally. Surface plot of models was also drawn to lucidly represent the interaction of AIT and temperature. The developed models may provide useful information for food industry in designing or selecting the proper packaging system with incorporation of AIT to attain the food safety with acceptable “shelf life” of fresh fish products under specified and potential abuse (with temperature deviation) distribution and storage conditions.     

Characteristics of papaya seed oils obtained by extrusion-expelling processes

BACKGROUND: In general, about 300 g kg^?1 of the weight of papaya fruits appears as waste materials during processing, including a considerable amount of papaya seeds. To make a more efficient use of papaya, it is worth investigating the utilization of the seeds. The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the lipid characteristics of papaya seed oil obtained by expelling processes. RESULTS: Papaya seed oil was found to have several unique characteristics, including its high oleic content, the relative ratio of saturated/monounsaturated/polyunsaturated fatty acids of 29/68/3, the polyunsaturated fatty acids merely accounting for 3.34% and its triacylglycerol composition being very similar to that of olive oil. Also, this oil was rich in chemopreventive benzyl isothiocyanate, the level ranging from 4.0 to 23.3 g kg^?1 dependent on the various processing methods for the pretreatment of papaya seeds. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our results, papaya seed oil can be considered as a high‐oleic oil with a chemoprotective effect, and may be viewed as a healthy alternative in the functional food industry. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

辣木籽异硫氰酸酯抑制皮肤鳞状癌A431细胞的生长

研究辣木籽异硫氰酸酯(MITC)对皮肤鳞状细胞癌A431细胞生长的影响。通过MTT法、克隆形成实验及流式细胞术检测经不同浓度MITC处理后的A431细胞增殖、凋亡和细胞周期的变化情况;采用异种移植瘤模型检测MITC对A431细胞体内生长的影响。研究结果表明,随着MITC浓度和处理时间增加,A431细胞活力逐渐降低,在12μM的MITC刺激72 h后,细胞存活率降低为10%(p0.001);克隆形成实验表明,MITC(5和10μM)显著抑制A431细胞克隆形成,24 h的细胞克隆形成率分别从100%降低到63.22%(p0.001)和26.07%(p0.001);细胞凋亡和周期检测结果表明,当MITC处理细胞48 h后,细胞凋亡率分别从17.22%增加到31.73%(p0.001)和44.77%(p0.001),S期细胞从7.43%显著增加到14.44%(p0.001)和17.43%(p0.001)。体内实验结果表明,用MITC干预异种移植瘤小鼠20天后,小鼠肿瘤体积从1549.02 mm3降低到857.77 mm3(p0.05);肿瘤重量从1.30 g降低到0.91 g(p0.05)。以上结果表明,MITC在体外和体内均能够抑制A431细胞的生长。     

Tannic acid cross-linked gelatin–gum arabic coacervate microspheres for sustained release of allyl isothiocyanate: Characterization and in vitro release study

Tannic acid cross-linked gelatin-gum arabic coacervate microspheres, capable of sustained release of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) with high encapsulation efficiency, were developed for safe and efficient oral delivery of AITC. The microspheres were spherical in shape and clustered. Statistical screening and optimization studies revealed that a maximum AITC encapsulation efficiency could be obtained when the microspheres were prepared with 4.5% total biopolymer, 6.5% oil, and 5.9% AITC in oil phase. Release studies showed that the sustained release performance of the optimized microspheres was greatly enhanced by using more tannic acid without loss in the encapsulation efficiency. The microspheres optimized with 1.5% tannic acid, having an encapsulation efficiency of 83.75% and a mean cluster size of 116.80 ??m, released 46% of encapsulated AITC after 2 h in pepsin-containing simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2), followed by releasing additional 48% in 6 h after being transferred to pancreatin-containing simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7.5).     

Anti‐influenza virus activity of extract of Japanese wasabi leaves discarded in summer

BACKGROUND: Japanese wasabi (Wasabia japonica) is now habitually used as a spice in some kinds of Japanese foods, and its pungent taste and flavor are preferred. Generally, rhizomes and winter leaves are used as a spice and for processed foods such as pickled wasabi. Since the leaf area of summer leaves is far greater than that of winter leaves, they are not used for food, and are discarded. Thus, we need to develop an effective use for summer leaves. We investigated anti‐influenza virus activity in these summer leaves as a new function. RESULTS: Seventy percent ethanol extracts of leaves harvested in July exhibited a high replication inhibition rate (98% or higher) in the type A strain (AH1N1, A/shimane/48/2002), its subtype (AH3N2, A/shimane/122/2002), and type B strain (B/shimane/2/2002). The extracts of summer leaves exhibited the same anti‐influenza virus activity as winter leaves, and showed a stronger activity than stems, roots, and rhizomes. CONCLUSION: A potent anti‐influenza virus activity was discovered in summer leaves of Japanese wasabi. The ethanol extracts inhibited influenza virus replication regardless of the hemagglutinin antigen type. Therefore, such extracts are expected to be a promising source of a novel anti‐influenza virus agent. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Growth stimulation of ectomycorrhizal fungi by root exudates of Brassicaceae plants: role of degraded compounds of indole glucosinolates

Brassicaceae plants are nonmycorrhizal. They were found to inhibit VA mycorrhizal infection in their host plants. We tested if they can influence growth of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. When roots and leaves of Brassicaceae plants and ECM fungi were cultured together in the same petri dishes, the root exudates of turnip (Brassica rapa), swede (B. napobrassica), cabbage (B. oleracea, var. capitata), broccoli (B. oleracea, var. italica Plenck), kohlrobi (B. caulorapa Pasq.), mustard (B. juncea), radish (Raphanus sativus), and choy (B. napus) significantly stimulated hyphal growth of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus. Root exudates of turnip and cabbage stimulated hyphal growth of Pisolithus tinctorius and two isolates of P. involutus. Colony area of P. involutus was increased by 452 and 414%, respectively, in the presence of turnip and cabbage germinants. Root exudates of turnip increased the biomass of P. involutus and P. tinctorius by 256 and 122% and cabbage by 220 and 82%, respectively. The stimulatory effect was not affected by autoclaving the root exudates. Root exudates had chemical reactions with glutathione and lysine, which resulted in a reduction of the growth stimulation of ECM fungi. Myrosinase enhanced further the stimulatory effects of turnip on the ECM colony diameter growth by 23%. Autoclaved roots and leaves of turnip did not stimulate fungal growth, but mechanically ground roots and leaves of turnip stimulated growth of involutus by 147 and 135%, respectively. After desulfuration with aryl sulphatase, the glucosinolates (GLSs) in turnip roots and leaves were identified by HPLC. The major ones were indole GLSs. Prominent compounds identified were 1-methoxy-3-indolymethyl GLS and 4-methoxy-3-indolymethyl GLS. The finding provides an opportunity to field test the use of Brassicaceae plants in enhancing ectomycorrhizal formation in conifers by interplanting conifers with Brassicaceae plants in forest tree nursery and agroforestry systems.     

Effect of allyl isothiocyanate on field behavior of crucifer-feeding flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

When water traps baited with allyl isothiocyanate (AIC)diffusing through polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and rubber membranes were used to monitor four species of crucifer-feeding flea beetle adults in a rutabaga field at L'Assomption, Que. in 1980–1981, differential responses to AIC were observed.Phyllotreta cruciferae was more attracted to AIC thanP. striolata, whereas the behavior ofPsylliodes punctulata was not affected by the presence of AIC. The traps with the PVC membrane caught significantly more flea beetles than the traps with the rubber membrane in 1980, but caught a similar number in 1981. Sticky traps covered with AIC mixed with Tangletrap® caught significantly more flea beetles than control sticky traps.