Ultrasonication of Micellar Casein Concentrate to Reduce Viscosity-Role of Undissolved Material.

This research reveals the underlying mechanisms that make high-intensity ultrasound an effective tool to reduce the viscosity of micellar casein concentrates and to enhance the solubility of the respective powders. Micellar casein concentrates (MCC) gained great importance in the production of valuable food products with high protein content, but the processing properties of the reconstituted solutions are deficient. Even though several presumptions were established, the reasons why ultrasound is able to reduce the product viscosity and what limitations occur when using sonication technology are still not clear yet.

Characterization of bitter peptides in casein hydrolysates using comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography.

Casein hydrolysates are important additives to foods for elderly and sports nutrition. However, due to the enzymatic generation of so-called bitter peptides, their application is limited. Therefore, the procedure needs to be optimized in order to restrict their occurrence.

Retrospective Review of Multitarget Stool DNA as a Screening Test for Colorectal Cancer.

Objectives: To review the effectiveness of noninvasive multitarget stool DNA testing as a screening test for colorectal cancer.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients referred to 2 high volume outpatient procedural centers for colonoscopy for positive Cologuard test. Positive findings for colorectal cancer based on pathologic findings and also advanced adenomas were recorded.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: a case report, review and recommendations.

Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the ampulla of Vater is a rare presentation of biliary obstruction. Here, we present a case of NET and discuss the current recommendations that necessitate different management and surgical treatment than other sites. A 56-year-old Caucasian female presented with 2 years of right upper quadrant pain.

Advantages of determining the fertile window with the individualised Natural Cycles algorithm over calendar-based methods.

This study aims to compare the accuracy of fertile window identification with the contraceptive app Natural Cycles against the Rhythm Method and Standard Days Method (SDM). Menstruation dates, basal body temperature (BBT), and luteinising hormone (LH) test results were collected anonymously from Natural Cycles app users. The fraction of green days (GDs) and wrong green days (WGDs) allocated by the various algorithms was determined over 12 cycles.

Effect of glucose depletion during the synthesis of galactooligosaccharides using a trienzymatic system.

In this study the effect of glucose depletion using glucose oxidase and catalase, simultaneously to the synthesis of prebiotic galactooligosaccharides (GOS) by β-galactosidase was studied. Considering total GOS yield, a strong dependency on the source of β-galactosidase was found. Using an Aspergillus oryzae lactase, a small increase in GOS yield (from 50.

Combination of two β-galactosidases during the synthesis of galactooligosaccharides may enhance yield and structural diversity.

In this study, the combination of two β-galactosidases to synthesize prebiotic galactooligosaccharides (GOS) was evaluated in terms of total GOS yield as well as GOS structures (chain length). Two different combinations of either Aspergillus oryzae and Cryptococcus laurentii or Aspergillus oryzae and Kluyveromyces lactis were tested to examine the influence of enzyme origin. Neither consecutive nor simultaneous synthesis with A.

Synthesis of Galactooligosaccharides in Milk and Whey: A Review.

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are synthesized by the enzyme β-galactosidase during the hydrolysis of lactose. In this so-called transgalactosylation reaction the galactosyl moiety is transferred to another sugar molecule instead of water resulting in oligosaccharides of different chain lengths and glycosidic linkages. Because their structures are similar to oligosaccharides present in human breast milk, they act as prebiotics, which has been shown for infants and adults to be alike.

Development of smart cell-free and cell-based assay systems for investigation of leukotriene C synthase activity and evaluation of inhibitors.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) cause bronchoconstriction in anaphylaxis and asthma. They are formed by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) from arachidonic acid (AA) yielding the unstable leukotriene A (LTA) that is subsequently conjugated with glutathione (GSH) by LTC synthase (LTCS). Cys-LT receptor antagonists and LTCS inhibitors have been developed, but only the former have reached the market.

Lipoxin and resolvin biosynthesis is dependent on 5-lipoxygenase activating protein.

Resolution of acute inflammation is an active process coordinated by proresolving lipid mediators (SPMs) such as lipoxins (LXs) and resolvins (Rvs), which are formed by the concerted action of 2 lipoxygenases (LOs). Because the exact molecular mechanisms of SPM biosynthesis are not completely understood, we aimed to investigate LX and D-type Rv formation in human leukocytes and HEK293T cells overexpressing leukotriene (LT) pathway enzymes. Activity assays in precursor (15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, 17-HDoHE)-treated granulocytes [polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs)] showed a strict dependence of LXA4/RvD1 biosynthesis on cell integrity, and incubation with recombinant human 5-LO did not lead to LX or Rv formation.

Tandem Benzophenone Amino Pyridines, Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Human Leukotriene C4 Synthase.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are lipid mediators of inflammation. The enzyme catalyzing synthesis of cys-LTs, leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S), is considered an important drug target. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of three tandem benzophenone amino pyridines as inhibitors of LTC4S in vitro and in vivo.

Optimization of production, purification and lyophilisation of cellobiose dehydrogenase by Sclerotium rolfsii.

Background: The enzyme cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) can be used to oxidize lactose to lactobionic acid. As Sclerotium rolfsii is known to be a good producer of CDH, the aim of this paper was to simplify its production and secondly to systematically study its purification aiming for a high yield. Two preservation methods (freezing and freeze-drying) and the influence of several protectants were investigated.

Progression and reversal of coronary and mesenteric vascular dysfunction associated with obesity.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine progression and reversal of microvascular complications when rats were fed a high fat diet.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats 10 weeks of age were fed a diet containing 45% kcal fat for up to 32 weeks. Blood pressure and heart rate was measured by telemetry.

Structure and inhibition of mouse leukotriene C4 synthase.

Leukotriene (LT) C4 synthase (LTC4S) is an integral membrane protein that catalyzes the conjugation reaction between the fatty acid LTA4 and GSH to form the pro-inflammatory LTC4, an important mediator of asthma. Mouse models of inflammatory disorders such as asthma are key to improve our understanding of pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. Here, we solved the crystal structure of mouse LTC4S in complex with GSH and a product analog, S-hexyl-GSH.

Binding of Pro-Gly-Pro at the active site of leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase and development of an epoxide hydrolase selective inhibitor.

Leukotriene (LT) A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase (LTA4H) is a bifunctional zinc metalloenzyme that catalyzes the committed step in the formation of the proinflammatory mediator LTB4. Recently, the chemotactic tripeptide Pro-Gly-Pro was identified as an endogenous aminopeptidase substrate for LTA4 hydrolase. Here, we determined the crystal structure of LTA4 hydrolase in complex with a Pro-Gly-Pro analog at 1.

The lower saxony bank of health. rationale, principles, services, organization and architectural framework.

Introduction: This article is part of a Focus Theme of METHODS of Information in Medicine on Health Record Banking.

Background: Poor communication of health care information between health care providers (HCP) is still a major problem. One recent approach is the concept of Health Record Banking.

Crystal structures of leukotriene C4 synthase in complex with product analogs: implications for the enzyme mechanism.

Leukotriene (LT) C4 synthase (LTC4S) catalyzes the conjugation of the fatty acid LTA4 with the tripeptide GSH to produce LTC4, the parent compound of the cysteinyl leukotrienes, important mediators of asthma. Here we mutated Trp-116 in human LTC4S, a residue proposed to play a key role in substrate binding, into an Ala or Phe. Biochemical and structural characterization of these mutants along with crystal structures of the wild type and mutated enzymes in complex with three product analogs, viz.

Primary care provider's acceptance of health information exchange utilizing IHE XDS.

Objective: We assessed primary care providers' perception of a health information exchange system (HIE) based on IHE XDS in the metropolitan area of Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany.

Design: An application enabling access to medical documents in an XDS Affinity Domain was developed. We examined usability and factors related to user acceptance.

Design and implementation of an informed consent process for a standardized health information exchange solution on the example of the lower saxony bank of health.

Objective: Multicenter medical treatment requires health related data to be available across institutions. Since health information exchange solutions are emergent, fulfillment of privacy needs, including patients' informed consent, is vital for successful data exchange.

Methods: We designed a software supported consent process for the recently founded Lower Saxony Bank of Health (LSBH) with regard to particularities of German law.

A Regional health care network: eHealth.Braunschweig. Domain fields and architectural challenges.

Background: Health care network eHealth.Braunschweig has been started in the South-East region of Lower Saxony in Germany in 2009. It composes major health care players, participants from research institutions and important local industry partners.

Role of the effect of inhibition of neutral endopeptidase on vascular and neural complications in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

We have previously shown that treating streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, an animal model of type 1 diabetes, with Ilepatril (an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)) improves vascular and neural function. In this study we sought to determine the individual effect of inhibition of neutral endopeptidase and ACE on diabetes-induced vascular and neural dysfunction. After 4 weeks of untreated diabetes, rats were treated for 12 weeks with Ilepatril, Enalapril (ACE inhibitor) or Candoxatril (neutral endopeptidase inhibitor) followed by analysis of neural and vascular function.

eHealth vision towards cooperative patient care--domain fields and architectural challenges of regional health care networks.

Numerous eHealth projects and efforts to establish inter-organizational communication and to build up regional health care networks could be observed in the last ten years. Nevertheless the success of such efforts is profoundly different. The aim of this paper is to introduce the lately started regional initiative eHealth.

[Embolization of acute abdominal and thoracic hemorrhages with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx): initial experiences with arteries of the body trunk].

During the last years most embolizations with the liquid agent Onyx have been performed in the field of neuroradiological interventions. There is minimal experience with arterial embolizations of the body trunk. 23 patients suffering from acute abdominal or thoracic bleeding underwent 28 embolizations with Onyx (17 male, 6 female, mean age 69 years).