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Crystallization inhibition of an amorphous sucrose system using raffinose
Leinen K.M., Labuza T.P.
Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology), 2006, 7(2): 1-.
https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0085
The shelf life of pure amorphous sucrose systems, such as cotton candy, can be very short. Previous studies have shown that amorphous sucrose systems held above the glass transition temperature will collapse and crystallize. One study, however, showed that adding a small percent of another type of sugar, such as trehalose, to sucrose can extend the shelf life of the amorphous system by slowing crystallization. This study explores the hypothesis that raffinose increases the stability of an amorphous sucrose system. Cotton candy at 5 wt% raffinose and 95 wt% sucrose was made and stored at room temperature and three different relative humidities (%RH) 11%RH, 33%RH, and 43%RH. XRD patterns, and glass transition temperatures were obtained to determine the stability as a function of %RH. The data collected showed that raffinose slows sucrose crystallization in a low moisture amorphous state above the glass transition temperature and therefore improves the stability of amorphous sucrose systems.
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Nutritional evaluation of caseins and whey proteins and their hydrolysates from Protamex
Sindayikengera Séverin, Xia Wen-shui
Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology), 2006, 7(2): 2-.
https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0090
Whey protein concentrate (WPC 80) and sodium caseinate were hydrolyzed by Protamex to 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% degree of hydrolysis (DH). WPC 80, sodium caseinate and their hydrolysates were then analyzed, compared and evaluated for their nutritional qualities. Their chemical composition, protein solubility, amino acid composition, essential amino acid index (EAA index), biological value (BV), nutritional index (NI), chemical score, enzymic protein efficiency ratio (E-PER) and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) were determined. The results indicated that the enzymatic hydrolysis of WPC 80 and sodium caseinate by Protamex improved the solubility and IVPD of their hydrolysates. WPC 80, sodium caseinate and their hydrolysates were high-quality proteins and had a surplus of essential amino acids compared with the FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) reference standard. The nutritive value of WPC 80 and its hydrolysates was superior to that of sodium caseinate and its hydrolysates as indicated by some nutritional parameters such as the amino acid composition, chemical score, EAA index and predicted BV. However, the E-PER was lower for the WPC hydrolysates as compared to unhydrolyzed WPC 80 but sodium caseinate and its hydrolysates did not differ significantly. The nutritional qualities of WPC 80, sodium caseinate and their hydrolysates were good and make them appropriate for food formulations or as nutritional supplements.
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Changes of CREB in rat hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens during three phases of morphine induced conditioned place preference in rats
Zhou Lian-fang, Zhu Yong-ping
Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology), 2006, 7(2): 4-.
https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0107
Objective: To investigate the changes in CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) in hippocampus, PFC (prefrontal cortex) and NAc (nucleus accumbens) during three phases of morphine induced CPP (conditioned place preference) in rats, and to elucidate the role of CREB during the progress of conditioned place preference. Methods: Morphine induced CPP acquisition, extinction and drug primed reinstatement model was established, and CREB expression in each brain area was measured by Western Blot methods. Results: Eight alternating injections of morphine (10 mg/kg) induced CPP, and 8 d saline extinction training that extinguished CPP. CPP was reinstated following a priming injection of morphine (2.5 mg/kg). During the phases of CPP acquisition and reinstatement, the level of CREB expression was significantly changed in different brain areas. Conclusion: It was proved that CPP model can be used as an effective tool to investigate the mechanisms underlying drug-induced reinstatement of drug seeking after extinction, and that morphine induced CPP and drug primed reinstatement may involve activation of the transcription factor CREB in several brain areas, suggesting that the CREB and its target gene regulation pathway may mediate the basic mechanism underlying opioid dependence and its drug seeking behavior.
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Surgical results of pars plana vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification
Yang Chong-qing, Tong Jian-ping, Lou Ding-hua
Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology), 2006, 7(2): 7-.
https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0129
Objectives: To evaluate the technical feasibility, safety, outcome, and incidence of complications after combined clear corneal phacoemulsification (PEA) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and vitreoretinal surgery. Methods: Combined operations of PEA and PPV were performed on 52 eyes of 52 patients with cataract and vitreoretinal diseases. Results: The mean follow-up time was (10.3±2.8) months. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved in 46 eyes (88.5%); was unchanged in 6 eyes (11.5%). The best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were the following: 20/40 or better (9 eyes), 20/50 to 20/100 (24 eyes), 20/200 (5 eyes), 20/400 (10 eyes), and fingers counting (FC) to light perception (LP) (4 eyes). In 38 eyes BCVA was 20/200 or better, and in 9 eyes it was 20/40 or better postoperatively. Postoperative complications included posterior capsual opacification (7 eyes); secondary glaucoma (1 eye); and retinal detachment (2 eyes). Conclusion: Although further studies are indicated, our study suggests that the combined operation of PPV, PEA and IOL implantation is safe and effective for patients. The visual outcome and complications depended primarily on underlying posterior segment pathology and were not related to the combined procedure technique.
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Hemodynamic changes in depressive patients
Ma Ying, Li Hui-chun, Zheng Lei-lei, Yu Hua-liang
Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology), 2006, 7(2): 8-.
https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0133
Objective: This study is aimed at exploring the relationship between hemodynamic changes and depressive and anxious symptom in depression patients. Methods: The cardiac function indices including the left stroke index (LSI), ejection fraction (EF), heart rate (HR), diastolic pressure mean (DPM), systolic pressure mean (SPM), left ventricle end-diastolic volume (LVDV), effective circulating volume (ECV), resistance total mean (RTM) and blood flow smooth degree (BFSD) were determined in 65 patients with major depressive disorders and 31 healthy normal controls. The clinical symptoms were assessed with Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA). Results: In patients with depression without anxiety, LSI, EF, LVDV, DPM, SPM, ECV, BFSD were significantly lower than those in controls, while RTM was higher than that in controls. Patients with comorbidity of depression and anxiety showed decreased LVDV, ECV, BFSD, and increased HR in comparison with the controls. The anxiety/somatization factor score positively correlated with LSI, EF, LVDV, but negatively correlated with RTM. There was negative correlation between retardation factor score and DPM, SPM, LVDV. Conclusion: The study indicated that there are noticeable changes in left ventricle preload and afterload, blood pressure, peripheral resistance, and microcirculation in depressive patients, and that the accompanying anxiety makes the changes more complicated.
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A case of overlapping Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome
Wang De-sheng, Tang Ying, Wang Ye
Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology), 2006, 7(2): 9-.
https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0138
Objective: There is no report on Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis (BBE) patients in China. We here report the first case of BBE in China. Methods: Clinical features, results of electromyography, electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination were studied to clarify the characteristics of this syndrome. Results: A 44-year-old man presented himself at our inpatient department with somnolence and dizziness as his initial symptoms. He developed multiple cranial nerves paralysis especially internal and external ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and tetraparesis within 1 week. His condition rapidly deteriorated, and he experienced coma. Electromyography showed indications of peripheral nerve dysfunction, electroencephalography revealed loss of basic rhythm, MRI demonstrated high-intensity abnormalities on T2-weighted images of medulla oblongata, and CSF albuminocytological dissociation was defined abnormally as high protein. Ten months later, he almost completely recovered. Conclusion: BBE, fisher syndrome (FS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are similar clinically; BBE and FS were proposed to be the variant of GBS.
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Inhibition of mitochondria responsible for the anti-apoptotic effects of melatonin during ischemia-reperfusion
Han Yi-xiang, Zhang Sheng-hui, Wang Xi-ming, Wu Jian-bo
Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology), 2006, 7(2): 10-.
https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0142
Objective: To investigate a possible mechanism responsible for anti-apoptotic effects of melatonin and provide theoretical evidences for clinical therapy. Methods: Ischemia-reperfusion mediated neuronal cell injury model was constructed in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) by deprivation of glucose, serum and oxygen in media. After ischemia, melatonin was added to the test groups to reach differential concentration during reperfusion. DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activity were observed after subjecting cerebellar granule neurons to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Results: The results showed that OGD induced typical cell apoptosis change, DNA ladder and apoptosis-related alterations in mitochondrial functions including depression of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (its maximal protection ratio was 73.26%) and release of cytochrome c (its maximal inhibition ratio was 42.52%) and the subsequent activation of caspase-3 (its maximal protection ratio was 59.32%) in cytoplasm. Melatonin reduced DNA damage and inhibited release of mitochondrial cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3. Melatonin can strongly prevent the OGD-induced loss of the mitochondria membrane potential. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that the direct inhibition of mitochondrial pathway might essentially contribute to its anti-apoptotic effects in neuronal ischemia-reperfusion.
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A study of the relationship between expression level of TRF1 protein and telomerase activity in human acute leukemia
Shi Ji-min, Huang He, Chen Qiao-fang, Lin Mao-fang
Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology), 2006, 7(2): 12-.
https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0154
Objective: To study the expression level of TRF1 (telomeric repeat binding factor 1) protein in human acute leukemia and relationship between expression level of TRF1 protein and telomerase. Methods: A quantitative Western-Blot technique was developed using anti-TRF133-277 monoclonal antibody and GST-TRF1 purity protein as a standard to further determine the expression level of TRF1 protein in total proteins extracted from clinical specimens. Results: Bone marrow tissues of 20 acute leukemia patients were studied, 11 healthy donors’ bone marrows were taken as a control. The expression level of TRF1 protein was significantly higher (P<0.01) in normal bone marrow ((2.217±0.462) µg/µl) than that of acute leukemia patients ((0.754±0.343) µg/µl). But there was no remarkable difference between ALL and ANLL patients ((0.618±0.285) µg/µl vs (0.845±0.359) µg/µl, P>0.05). After chemotherapy, TRF1 expression level of patients with complete remission elevated ((0.772±0.307) µg/µl vs (1.683±0.344) µg/µl, P<0.01), but lower than that of normal ((2.217±0.462) µg/µl, P<0.01). There was no significantly difference after chemotherapy ((0.726±0.411) µg/µl vs (0.895±0.339) µg/µl, P>0.05). TRF1 expression level of patients with complete remission is higher than that of patients without complete remission ((1.683±0.344) µg/µl vs (0.895±0.339) µg/µl, P<0.01). All samples were determined for telomerase activity. It was confirmed that the activity of telomerase in normal bone marrow was lower than that of acute leukemia patients ((0.125±0.078) µg/µl vs (0.765±0.284) µg/µl, P<0.01). There was no significant difference of expression level of TRF1 protein between ALL and ANLL patients ((0.897±0.290) µg/µl vs (0.677±0.268) µg/µl, P>0.05). After chemotherapy, telomerase activity of patients with complete remission decreased ((0.393±0.125) µg/µl), but was still higher than that of normal ((0.125±0.078) µg/µl, P<0.01). Conclusion: The expression level of TRF1 protein has correlativity to the activity of telomerase (P<0.001).
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The role of genomics in medicine—past, present and future
BYERS Peter
Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology), 2006, 7(2): 159-160.
https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0159
The fundamental idea that responses to environmental factors or treatments is to be found in our individual differences, the underlying concept of \"genomic medicine\", is rooted in antiquity and based on millennia of simple observation. Simply put, the objective of genomic medicine is to determine the genetic bases of those differences in response to environmental agents, including medications, and differences that may predispose to the development of common and potentially personally devastating and societally expensive disorders, and to use them in populations to thwart adverse response, increase the frequency of beneficial response, and intervene to prevent or delay onset of disease.
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20 articles
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