Abstract In this study, the effects of degradation on ascorbic acid (AA) in asparagus-lemon juice with different blending ratios were investigated during storage. The R2 values of the first-order kinetic model for predicting AA loss were 0.8216-0.9990, indicating that the model described well the degradation of AA in asparagus-lemon juice with different blending ratios. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the blending ratio of asparagus-lemon juice during storage. The optimum blending ratios that selected by the RSM were: 23%, 26%, 27%, 28% and 29% of diluted asparagus juice blended with 85% of diluted lemon juice, and the desirability were 0.820. The RSM correlation coefficients (R2) between experimental and model predicted values ranged from 0.6394 to 0.9975. Therefore, RSM and the first-order model may be effective tools to optimize the blending ratio of blended juice and AA degradation in juices.

Abstract Spices play an important role in the formation of stewed meat flavor, and it is necessary to establish a rapid detection technology for flavor in stewed meat production. The aim of this work was to discover the variation of volatiles from Cinnamomum cassia Presl in different processing processes and to establish a real-time detection method during processing. The relative content of volatile components of Cinnamomum cassia Presl from powder to extract and from extract to beef was compared in different processes. The volatile compounds were analyzed by headspace sampling and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS). A total of 20 components were detected in the cinnamon powder. In the marinade processing, the most volatile components was detected in marinade when marinating for 1 hour, such as cinnamic acid(4.39%), cinnamaldehyde (46.57%), anethole(8.05%), α-pinene(7.38%), naphthalene,1,2,4a,5,6,8a-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-(0.93%), α-muurolene(8.99%), naphthalene,1,2,3,5,6,8a-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-,(1S-cis)-(20.31%), naphthalene,1,2,3,4,4a,7-hexahydro-1,6-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-(3.03%) and α-calacorene(0.35%). In the bittern processing, the flavor components in the bittern when cooking for 15 minutes were the most and 7 components were detected which were cinnnamic acid(3.69%), cinnamaldehyde(70.67%), anethole(4.37%), α-pinene(1.62%), α-muurolene(3.69%), naphthalene,1,2,3,5,6,8a-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-, (1S-cis)-(14.17%) and naphthalene,1,2,3,4,4a,7-hexahydro-1,6-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-(1.79%). The relative content of the volatile components in two bittern were slightly different. In two processes, only cinnamaldehyde was detected in the stewed beef, where a small amount of α-pinene was detected when marinating for 1 hour and bitterning for 45 minutes. Cinnamaldehyde can be used as the main indicator for the detection of processing. HS-GC-MS can be used as a real-time detection method in the marinade and bittern processing.

Abstract Ligustrazine is widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medication. It has been reported that Ligustrazine decreases the concentration of intracellular calcium ions (Ca2+); however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, the effect of Ligustrazine on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation was evaluated using a turbidimetric approach. The changes in concentration of intracellular Ca2+ stimulated by ADP was measured using fluo-4, a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator dye. The mRNA expression of stromal interaction molecule l (STIM1) and Orai1, calcium sensor, was determined using real-time PCR. In addition, the protein expression of STIM1, Orai1, and serum/glucocorticoid-regulated protein kinase 1 (SGK1) was determined using Western blot analysis. The data demonstrated that Ligustrazine significantly suppressed platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner and reduced the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ triggered by ADP. Our data showed that Ligustrazine treatment inhibited the expression of STIM1 and Orai1 induced by ADP at both mRNA and protein levels, and suppressed the protein expression of SGK1. Taken together, our data indicated that Ligustrazine suppressed platelet aggregation by partly inhibiting the activities of calcium sensors, thereby suggesting that Ligustrazine may be a promising candidate for the treatment of platelet aggregation.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of hepatitis B virus with A1762T/G1764A double mutation in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and create a sensitive, fast, accurate assay for detection of A1762T/G1764A double mutation.METHODS: We developed an accurate and fast real-time amplification refractory mutation system to detect A1762T/G1764A double mutation. Cloned hepatitis B virus genome was used as a control. Assay sensitivity was determined by serial dilution and mixed template experiments. Specificity was determined by cross experiments with wild and mutant hepatitis B virus. Fifty clinical samples were tested by the real-time amplification refractory mutation system and the results were compared with sequencing.RESULTS: The real-time amplification refractory mutation system had a sensitivity of 100 copies of virus with these mutations, and 0.1% weak population virus with double mutation could be found in mixtures. A total of 50 randomly collected clinical samples were detected by real-time amplification refractory mutation system, and the results were consistent with those by DNA sequencing. Hepatitis B virus genotype C was more prevalent in 39 of 50 samples than genotype B (11 samples), and about 75% of genotype C carried a double mutation compared to 45% of genotype B. However, the percentage of A1762T/G1764A double mutation in hepatitis B e antigen-negative (58.3%) samples was almost the same as in hepatitis B e antigen-positive (61%) samples.CONCLUSION: The real-time amplification refractory mutation system is sensitive and specific for detection of hepatitis B virus double mutation.

The endophytic strain Zong1 isolated from root nodules of the legume Sophora alopecuroides was characterized by conducting physiological and biochemical tests employing gfp-marking, observing their plant growth promoting characteristics (PGPC) and detecting plant growth parameters of inoculation assays under greenhouse conditions. Results showed that strain Zong1 had an effective growth at 28 ºC after placed at 4-60 ºC for 15 min, had a wide range pH tolerance of 6.0-11.0 and salt tolerance up to 5% of NaCl. Zong1 was resistant to the following antibiotics (µg/mL): Phosphonomycin (100), Penicillin (100) and Ampicillin (100). It could grow in the medium supplemented with 1.2 mmol/L Cu, 0.1% (w/v) methylene blue and 0.1-0.2% (w/v) methyl red, respectively. Zong1 is closely related to Pseudomonas chlororaphis based on analysis the sequence of 16S rRNA gene. Its expression of the gfp gene indicated that strain Zong1 may colonize in root or root nodules and verified by microscopic observation. Furthermore, co-inoculation with Zong1 and SQ1 (Mesorhizobium sp.) showed significant effects compared to single inoculation for the following PGPC parameters: siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, organic acid production, IAA production and antifungal activity in vitro. These results suggest strains P. chlororaphi Zong1 and Mesorhizobium sp. SQ1 have better synergistic or addictive effect. It was noteworthy that each growth index of co-inoculated Zong1+SQ1 in growth assays under greenhouse conditions is higher than those of single inoculation, and showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) when compared to a negative control. Therefore, as an endophyte P. chlororaphis Zong1 may play important roles as a potential plantgrowth promoting agent.

Background: Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is the most devastating disease in peanut. Planting resistant peanut cultivars is deemed as the sole economically viable means for effective control of the disease. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying resistance and facilitate breeding process, differences in gene expression between seeds of Rihua 1 (a Virginia type peanut variety resistant to bacterial wilt) inoculated with the bacterial pathogen suspension (10(9) cfu ml-1) and seeds of the same cultivar treated with water (control), were studied using the GenefishingTM technology. Results: A total of 25 differentially expressed genes were isolated. Expression of genes encoding cyclophilin and ADP-ribosylation factor, respectively, were further studied by real time RT-PCR, and full length cDNAs of both genes were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Conclusions: The study provided candidate genes potentially useful for breeding peanut cultivars with both high yield and bacterial wilt resistance, although confirmation of their functions through transgenic studies is still needed.

Estudo fotoquímico das folhas e galhos de Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C. B. Rob. forneceu um novo diglucosídeo megastimano (6S, 7E, 9R)-6, 9-dihidroxi-4, 7-megastigmadieno-3-ona-9-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosil-(l→6)]-β-d-glucopiranosídeo (1), juntamente com os glicosídeos (6S, 7E, 9R)-roseosido (2), (7'R, 8'R)-3, 5'-dimetoxi-9, 9'-dihidroxi-4, 7'-epóxi lignina 4'-β-D-glucopiranosídeo (3), álcool (7'R, 8'S)-dihidrodehidrodiconifenil 9'-O-β-D-xilopiranosídeo (4) e pinoresinol 3-O-β-D-glucopiranosídeo (5). Suas estruturas foram estabelecidas com base em métodos espectroscópicos e químicos. Compostos 2-5 são reportados pela primeira vez nestas espécies. Composto 1 foi avaliado para atividades citotóxicas de linhagens de células tumorais humanas (células leucemia mielóide HL-60, carcinoma hepatocelular SMMC-7721, câncer de pulmãoA-549, câncer da mama MCF-7 e câncer do colo SW480), para as quais provou-se ser inativo (IC50 > 40 µM).

Phytochemical study on the leaves and twigs of afforded the new megastigmane diglycoside (6S, 7E, 9R)-6, 9-dihydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-3-one-9-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(l→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with glycosides (6S, 7E, 9R)-roseoside (2), (7'R, 8'R)- 3, 5'-dimethoxy-9, 9'-dihydroxy-4, 7'-epoxylignan 4'-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), (7'R, 8'S)-dihydrodehydrodiconifenyl alcohol 9'-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (4) and pinoresinol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5). Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compounds 2-5 were reported for the first time in this species. Compound 1 was evaluated for cytotoxic activities against human tumor cell lines (myeloid leukemia HL-60, hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721, lung cancer A-549, breast cancer MCF-7 and colon cancer SW480 cells), for which it was proved to be inactive (IC50 > 40 µM).

OBJECTIVE: The Global Campaign Against Epilepsy demonstration project in rural China aimed: to reduce the treatment gap and morbidity of people with epilepsy by using community-level interventions; to train and educate health professionals; to dispel stigma; to identify potential for prevention and to develop models of integration of epilepsy control into the local health systems. We report the overall results of the demonstration project, focusing on the prevalence and the change in the treatment gap of epilepsy after an intervention. METHODS: Door-to-door epidemiological surveys were carried out before, and 6 months after the end of, an intervention project for epilepsy in rural settings in five provinces of China. The intervention consisted of a treatment programme available to patients without prior appropriate treatment and a public health educational programme about epilepsy. The sampled population in the second survey was 51 644 people. FINDINGS: In the second survey, epilepsy was confirmed in 320 people, yielding a lifetime prevalence of 6.2/1000 and a prevalence of active epilepsy of 4.5/1000. The lifetime prevalence and prevalence of active epilepsy in the first survey were 7.0/1000 and 4.6/1000, respectively. The treatment gap of active epilepsy in the second survey was 49.8%, 12.8 percentage points lower than that of the first survey (62.6%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the intervention measures used were possibly effective and evidently feasible in rural China, contributing to a decrease in the treatment gap of epilepsy.

OBJETIVO: El proyecto piloto de la Campaña Mundial Contra la Epilepsia en la China rural se propuso los siguientes objetivos: reducir la brecha de tratamiento y la morbilidad de las personas con epilepsia aplicando intervenciones comunitarias; capacitar y educar a los profesionales de la salud; combatir la estigmatización; identificar las posibilidades de prevención, y desarrollar modelos de integración del control de la epilepsia en los sistemas de salud locales. Se informa aquí de los resultados globales del proyecto piloto, haciendo hincapié en la prevalencia y en la variación de la brecha de tratamiento de la epilepsia después de una intervención. MÉTODOS: Se llevaron a cabo encuestas epidemiológicas domiciliarias antes de iniciar y a los 6 meses de finalizar un proyecto de intervención contra la epilepsia en entornos rurales de cinco provincias de China. La intervención consistió en un programa terapéutico ofrecido a los pacientes sin tratamiento previo apropiado y un programa de educación de salud pública sobre la epilepsia. La población muestreada en la segunda encuesta fue de 51 644 personas. RESULTADOS: En la segunda encuesta se confirmó la existencia de epilepsia en 320 personas, lo que indica una prevalencia durante toda la vida de 6,2/1000 y una prevalencia de epilepsia activa de 4,5/1000. La prevalencia durante toda la vida y la prevalencia de epilepsia activa en la primera encuesta fueron de 7,0/1000 y 4,6/1000, respectivamente. La brecha terapéutica en el caso de la epilepsia activa en la segunda encuesta fue del 49,8%, un 12,8% menos que en la primera encuesta (62,6%). CONCLUSIÓN: Los resultados de este estudio parecen indicar que las medidas de intervención aplicadas fueron posiblemente eficaces y sin duda factibles en la China rural, reduciéndose en consecuencia la brecha de tratamiento de la epilepsia.

OBJECTIF: Le projet de démonstration en Chine rurale de la Campagne mondiale contre l'épilepsie avait pour objectifs : de réduire l'écart de prise en charge thérapeutique et de morbidité entre les épileptiques faisant appel à des interventions communautaires ; de former et d'éduquer les professionnels de santé ; de dissiper la stigmatisation ; d'identifier les possibilités de prévention et de développement de modèles d'intégration de la lutte contre l'épilepsie dans les systèmes de santé locaux. Nous rendons compte des résultats globaux de ce projet de démonstration, en nous concentrant sur la prévalence et l'évolution du déficit de traitement de l'épilepsie après une intervention. MÉTHODES: Des enquêtes épidémiologiques «porte à porte» ont été effectuées avant et 6 mois après un projet d'intervention concernant l'épilepsie dans des zones rurales de cinq provinces chinoises. L'intervention con sistait en un programme de traitement proposé aux patients n'ayant bénéficié auparavant d'aucun traitement approprié, et en un programme d'éducation en santé publique concernant l'épilepsie. La population échantillonnée dans la seconde enquête comprenait 51 644 personnes. RÉSULTATS: Dans la seconde enquête, l'épilepsie a été confirmée chez 320 personnes, ce qui donne une prévalence sur la durée de vie de 6,2/1000 et une prévalence de l'épilepsie active de 4,5/1000. Dans la première enquête, la prévalence sur la durée de vie et la prévalence de l'épilepsie active étaient respectivement de 7,0/1000 et de 4,6/1000. Le déficit de traitement de l'épilepsie active dans la seconde enquête était de 49,8 %, soit 12,8 % de moins que dans la première enquête (62,6 %). CONCLUSION: Les résultats de cette étude laissent à penser que les mesures d'intervention utilisées pouvaient être efficaces et étaient à l'évidence applicables en Chine rurale, où elles ont contribué à une diminution du déficit de traitement de l'épilepsie.