Expression of alcohol acyltransferase is a potential determinant of fruit volatile ester variations in Capsicum.

The transcript level of alcohol acyltransferase 1 (AAT1) may be the main factor influencing the variations in volatile esters that characterizing the fruity/exotic aroma of pepper fruit. Volatile esters are key components for characterizing the fruity/exotic aroma of pepper (Capsicum spp.) fruit.

Enhancement of the effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy by simultaneous hyperthermia.

In the present study, we have investigated a combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and simultaneous hyperthermia (HT) on osteosarcoma (HOSM-1) cells, squamous cell carcinoma (KB) cells and fibroblasts (HF), including an assessment of the differences in the sensitivity of these cells to such treatment in vitro. The intracellular accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) formed by metabolism of ALA in mitochondria and the influence of the treatment on the mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated using flow cytometry. The antitumor effects of HT, PDT using ALA (ALA-PDT) and ALA-PDT combined with HT (PDT+HT) were determined by an MTT assay.