Effects of Processing on Curd Yield and Nutrient Composition of Rapid Hydration Hydrothermal Cooking and Traditionally Processed Soymilk and Soybean Curd

Soymilk processed by the Rapid Hydration Hydrothermal Cooking (RHHTC) method had higher thiamin and protein when compared to traditionally extracted soymilk (P<0.0001). Traditionally processed soybean curd had higher protein (P < 0.0001) and fat (P < 0.001) while carbohydrate and ash were lower (P<0.0001) when compared to RHHTC produced soybean curd. Variation in amino acid compositions occurred in soymilks and soybean curds. RHHTC-produced soybean curd had greater curd yields than traditionally produced soybean curd.     

Social Capital and Housing Tenure in an Adelaide Neighbourhood

In this article we compare and contrast elements of social capital across different housing tenures in an Adelaide neighbourhood. Using the results of 530 self-completion questionnaires and in-depth qualitative interviews with 16 people we assess perceptions of conflict across housing tenures and between socio-economic groups, feelings of acceptance and belonging in the local neighbourhood, and levels of involvement in local formal and informal networks. While only a small number of questionnaire respondents reported negative views of socio-economic diversity in the area a theme emerging in the qualitative data indicated that housing tenure was relevant to some of these negative perceptions. Respondents from across different tenure types also reported differences in feelings of acceptance in the neighbourhood, and involvement in formal and informal networks. The study findings suggest that housing tenure is relevant to the development of neighbourhood-based social capital, and that this factor needs to be considered by social planners, housing policy makers and others involved in implementing social mix policies. In addition, the findings indicate the need to consider the community housing and public housing tenures in their own right, given the different models of housing provision, rather than collectively under the common banner of social housing as most research studies do. It is recommended that the full diversity of housing tenure is considered in any future analysis.     

Effect of ALDH1A1 Gene Knockout on Drug Resistance in Paclitaxel and Topotecan Resistant Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines in 2D and 3D Model

Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of gynecological cancer death. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) characterized by drug transporters and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules expression are responsible for drug resistance development. The goal of our study was to examine the role of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) expression in paclitaxel (PAC) and topotecan (TOP) resistant ovarian cancer cell lines. In both cell lines, we knocked out the ALDH1A1 gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Additionally, we derived an ALDH1A1 positive TOP-resistant cell line with ALDH1A1 expression in all cells via clonal selection. The effect of ALDH1A1 gene knockout or clonal selection on the expression of ALDH1A1, drug transporters (P-gp and BCRP), and ECM (COL3A1) was determined by Q-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence. Using MTT assay, we compared drug resistance in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture conditions. We did not observe any effect of ALDH1A1 gene knockout on MDR1/P-gp expression and drug resistance in the PAC-resistant cell line. The knockout of ALDH1A1 in the TOP-resistant cell line resulted in a moderate decrease of BCRP and COL3A1 expression and weakened TOP resistance. The clonal selection of ALDH1A1 cells resulted in very strong downregulation of BCPR and COL3A1 expression and overexpression of MDR1/P-gp. This finally resulted in decreased resistance to TOP but increased resistance to PAC. All spheroids were more resistant than cells growing as monolayers, but the resistance mechanism differs. The spheroids’ resistance may result from the presence of cell zones with different proliferation paces, the density of the spheroid, ECM expression, and drug capacity to diffuse into the spheroid.     

Genetic Background of Fetal Growth Restriction

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is one of the most formidable challenges in present-day antenatal care. Pathological fetal growth is a well-known factor of not only in utero demise in the third trimester, but also postnatal morbidity and unfavorable developmental outcomes, including long-term sequalae such as metabolic diseases, diabetic mellitus or hypertension. In this review, the authors present the current state of knowledge about the genetic disturbances responsible for FGR diagnosis, divided into fetal, placental and maternal causes (including preeclampsia), as well as their impact on prenatal diagnostics, with particular attention on chromosomal microarray (CMA) and noninvasive prenatal testing technique (NIPT).     

PROPERTIES OF CHITIN DEACETYLASE FROM CRUDE EXTRACTS OF MUCOR ROUXII MYCELIUM

The catalytic properties of chitin deacetylase from Mucor rouxii were studied with the aim of using the results for control of the properties of chitosan prepared by enzymatic deacetylation. A crude deacetylase extract from the mycelium of Mucor rouxii exhibited maximal activity at pH 5.8 with both water-soluble and acid-soluble chitosan. The extracellular enzyme of the culture medium exhibited maximal activity at pH 4.8. The deacetylase in the crude extract was stable over the pH range of 4.1–8.9 at 25C, retaining 85–100% of maximal activity at 40C. The extract was most active towards acid-soluble chitosan at 50C and pH 5.8. Chitin deacetylase was stable to 40C when incubated without substrate, with 85% of the activity retained at 50C. Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Zn²⁺ had no effect on activity, while EDTA, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺ caused partial inhibition in extracts incubated without substrate for 1 h at 25C and pH 5.8. The deacetylase in the mycelial extract and in the culture medium was slightly activated by Co²⁺. The differences in temperature optima and thermal stability of deacetylase and hydrolytic enzymes can be used for controlling the degree of hydrolysis of chitosan, while the difference in pH stability has been used for prepurification, resulting in 3-fold increase in specific activity of deacetylase .     

A COMPARISON OF THREE INSTRUMENTAL TECHNIQUES TO EVALUATE BUTTER SPREADABILITY

Three instrumental techniques, cone penetrometry, probe penetration and Instron TPA, were compared as means to describe butter spreadability. A factorial experiment was set up to examine the consistency of winter and summer butter, mechanically worked and unworked, before and after storage and at two measurement temperatures, 5° C and 15° C. Probe penetration provided useful information on the relaxation behavior of butter, as well as contributing to the fundamental knowledge of butter structure. The Instron TPA has the advantage of a link with an internationally recognized system of texture analysis. The technique was also found to show greatest potential as a method to assess the effectiveness of mechanical treatment of butter. Cone penetrometry results were converted to yield values and in conjunction with Haighton's ready reckoner scale of assessment provided a simple and rapid method to describe butter spreadability.     

Estimation of iron reserves in the body of pregnant women

The iron reserves were assessed using Cook's formulas in 86 women in following trimesters of pregnancy and in the course of labour. The range of obtained iron reserves' levels was wide and amounted from -570 mg to 874 mg. The iron reserves' levels differed statistically in the groups of women with normal iron amount, with hypoferraemia and with sideropenic anaemia diagnosed on the basis of haematologic and iron indexes. Iron reserves insufficient for the maintenance of iron positive balance in organism were found in about 30% of examined gravidae.     

WHAT'S THE 'HOOD GOT TO DO WITH IT? PARENTAL PERCEPTIONS ABOUT HOW NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANISMS AFFECT THEIR CHILDREN

ABSTRACT: During the past decade, a rapidly expanding body of empirical research has emerged that statistically links disadvantaged neighborhood environments with social and economic outcomes of low‐income, minority children. Nonetheless, the mechanisms by which neighborhoods putatively affect children remain poorly understood. This article examines the perceptions of low‐income parents regarding how their neighborhood might affect their children. We examine quantitative and qualitative data gathered from phone interviews with 246 parents who live in subsidized housing scattered across a wide variety of neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado. We supplement this information with data obtained through a series of focus group interviews with a subset of these parents. Our findings indicate that low‐income parents perceive the following primary neighborhood mechanisms: (1) the degree (or lack) of social norms and collective efficacy (24%); (2) influence of children's peers (12%); (3) exposure to crime and violence (11%); and (4) the presence and quality of institutional resources (3%). Approximately one‐third of all parents reported that their neighborhood had no impact at all on their children, citing that their children were either “too young” to be affected by these mechanisms or that parents had sufficient resources to buffer any deleterious effects of the neighborhood. Parents residing in high‐poverty neighborhoods were much more likely to perceive a neighborhood effect, however. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the extent to which an array of demographic characteristics and neighborhood type correlated with parents' perceptions. Latino parents were significantly less likely than other low‐income parents to report a neighborhood impact mechanism. Relative to those who reported no particular neighborhood impact mechanism, those who identified: (1) safety issues were more likely to have a spouse or parent present, and have low self‐esteem; (2) peer influences were more likely to have higher levels of education and live in a high‐poverty but low‐crime area.