Role of the ACE2‑Ang‑(1‑7)‑Mas axis in blood pressure regulation and its potential as an antihypertensive in functional foods (Review).

The renin‑angiotensin system (RAS) serves a critical role in blood pressure regulation and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Efforts to develop functional foods that enhance the RAS have focused on inhibition of angiotensin‑converting enzyme (ACE) activity in the ACE‑angiotensin II (Ang II)‑Ang II type 1 receptor axis. ACE2 and the Mas receptor are important components of this axis.

Fungus-derived hydroxyl radicals kill hepatic cells by enhancing nuclear transglutaminase.

We previously reported the importance of induced nuclear transglutaminase (TG) 2 activity, which results in hepatic cell death, in ethanol-induced liver injury. Here, we show that co-incubation of either human hepatic cells or mouse primary hepatocytes derived from wild-type but not TG2 mice with pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and C. glabrata, but not baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, induced cell death in host cells by enhancing cellular, particularly nuclear, TG activity.

Halomonas alkalicola sp. nov., isolated from a household product plant.

A Gram-stain-negative, alkaliphilic and moderately halophilic bacterium, designated 56-L4-10aEnT, was isolated from a household product plant in China. Cells of the novel isolate were rod-shaped, non-spore-forming and non-motile. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 56-L4-10aEnT belongs to the genus Halomonas, with the six closest neighbours being Halomonas mongoliensis Z-7009T (97.

Preparation, Identification and Antioxidant Properties of Black-Bone Silky Fowl ( Brisson) Iron(II)-Oligopeptide Chelate.

Black-bone silky fowl iron(II)-oligopeptide chelate was synthesized from iron(II) solution and the black-bone silky fowl oligopeptide, which was extracted from the muscle protein of black-bone silky fowl ( Brisson). Orthogonal array analysis was used to determine the optimal conditions for the iron(II)-oligopeptide chelate preparation. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to identify the structure of iron(II)-oligopeptide chelate.

EGAR, A Food Protein-Derived Tetrapeptide, Reduces Seizure Activity in Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Epilepsy Models Through α-Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazole Propionate Receptors.

A primary pathogeny of epilepsy is excessive activation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptors (AMPARs). To find potential molecules to inhibit AMPARs, high-throughput screening was performed in a library of tetrapeptides in silico. Computational results suggest that some tetrapeptides bind stably to the AMPAR.

Protective Effects of Genistein and Puerarin against Chronic Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice via Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Anti-apoptotic Mechanisms.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of genistein or puerarin on chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in vivo and to explore the underlying mechanisms of hepatoprotective effects. Mice were administered genistein or puerarin (0.3 mmol kg(-1) body weight) and gastrically infused with 50% alcohol once per day for 5 weeks.

Overexpressing target helper genes enhances secretion and glycosylation of recombinant proteins in Pichia pastoris under simulated microgravity.

In this study, the potential helper genes were identified through the data analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic profiling in recombinant Pichia pastoris cultured under simulated microgravity (SMG). Co-expressing of four genes PRX1, YAP1, AHA1, and YPT6, involved in the oxidative stress response and protein folding, exhibited promising helper factor effects on the recombinant protein yields in engineered P. pastoris, respectively.

Scopulibacillus daqui sp. nov., a thermophilic bacterium isolated from high temperature daqu.

A Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, thermophilic bacterium, designated ZQ18-1T, was isolated from a high temperature daqu sample collected from the sesame-flavour liquor-making process. Oval endospores were formed at the centre of cells with swollen sporangia. The isolate was able to grow at temperatures of 20-60 °C (optimum growth at 50 °C), at pH 4-9 (optimum growth at pH 8) and in the presence of 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum growth with 2 % NaCl).

Microsporomyces hainanensis sp. nov., Isolated from Hybrid Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Seeds.

A total of five strains were isolated from two different hybrid rice seeds samples (Oryza sativa L. Shenliangyou 5814 and Yliangyou 900) in Sanya city, Hainan province, China. Sequence analysis and physiological characteristics indicated that these strains were identical and represented a novel species.

Assessment of the key aroma compounds in rose-based products.

In this study, headspace solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and GC-olfactometry were used to analyze the key aroma compounds in three types of rose-based products, including low-temperature extracts (LTEs), high-temperature extracts (HTEs), and rose drinks (RDs). In combination with the Guadagni theory, it was confirmed that the key aroma components of LTE were β-phenyl ethyl alcohol, citronellol, geraniol, and eugenol. The main aroma compounds in HTE were β-phenyl ethyl alcohol, citronellol, geraniol, eugenol, linalool, and rose oxide.

[Immunomodulatory effect of oyster peptide on immunosuppressed mice].

Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulating effect of oyster peptide on immunosuppressed mice.

Methods: ICR mice injected with cyclophosphamide (CTX) were adopted as the module group, with mice without treatment as the control group, and different dosages of oyster peptide (0.5 g/kg, 1.

Simultaneous extraction and determination of free and conjugated phytosterols in tobacco.

Acid hydrolysis and alkaline saponification were incorporated into a microwave-assisted extraction process for the simultaneous extraction of free and conjugated phytosterols from tobacco. The crude extract of the microwave-assisted extraction was purified by C18 solid-phase extraction and then determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Phytosterols of cholesterol, ergosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, and β-sitosterol were determined by chromatographic quantification.

Complete genome sequence of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B15 isolated from grape skin, a strain of strong inhibitory activity against fungi.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B15 is a Gram-positive, plant-associated bacterium which shows strong antifungal activity, isolated from grape skin in Xinjiang, China. The genome of B. amyloliquefaciens B15 comprises a 4,006,754bp long circular chromosome containing 3991 protein coding genes and 109 RNA genes.

Fructose and glucose combined with free fatty acids induce metabolic disorders in HepG2 cell: A new model to study the impacts of high-fructose/sucrose and high-fat diets in vitro.

Scope: This work investigated the underlying mechanism of high-fructose/sucrose and high-fat diets, which rapidly induce metabolic syndrome in vivo, via a new cell model.

Methods And Results: Glucose and/or fructose were used to induce the human hepatoma cell (HepG2) in the presence of palmitic acid, oleic acid, or combined fatty acids (CFA) for 24 h. The alterations in lipid and uric acid production, glucose metabolism, oxidative status, and related genes and proteins were monitored.

Paenibacillus chinensis sp. nov., isolated from maize (Zea mays L.) seeds.

Four Gram-stain positive bacterial strains, designated as 4R1(T), 4R9, 4L13 and 4L18, isolated from seeds of hybrid maize (Zea mays L., Jingke 968), were investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The cells were found to be facultatively aerobic, motile, spore-forming and rod-shaped.

Characterization, Genome Sequence, and Analysis of Escherichia Phage CICC 80001, a Bacteriophage Infecting an Efficient L-Aspartic Acid Producing Escherichia coli.

Escherichia phage CICC 80001 was isolated from the bacteriophage contaminated medium of an Escherichia coli strain HY-05C (CICC 11022S) which could produce L-aspartic acid. The phage had a head diameter of 45-50 nm and a tail of about 10 nm. The one-step growth curve showed a latent period of 10 min and a rise period of about 20 min.

Paenibacillus zeae sp. nov., isolated from maize (Zea mays L.) seeds.

Four Gram-stain-positive bacterial strains, designated 6R2T, 6R18, 3T2 and 3T10, isolated from seeds of hybrid maize (Zea mays L., Jingke 968) were investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were aerobic, motile, spore-forming and rod-shaped.

Rapid Method for the Determination of the Stable Oxygen Isotope Ratio of Water in Alcoholic Beverages.

This paper demonstrates the first successful application of an online pyrolysis technique for the direct determination of oxygen isotope ratios (δ(18)O) of water in alcoholic beverages. Similar water concentrations in each sample were achieved by adjustment with absolute ethyl alcohol, and then a fixed GC split ratio can be used. All of the organic ingredients were successfully separated from the analyte on a CP-PoraBond Q column and subsequently vented out, whereas water molecules were transferred into the reaction furnace and converted to CO.

Development of a novel method to evaluate sialylation of glycoproteins and analysis of gp96 sialylation in Hela, SW1990 and A549 cell lines.

Background: Glycoproteins play a critical role in the cellular activities of eukaryotes. Sialic acid is typically the outermost monosaccharide of glycolipids and glycoproteins, and is necessary for normal development.

Results: A strategy based on avidin-biotin affinity was established to enrich sialylated glycoproteins from HeLa cervical carcinoma, SW1990 pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Synergistic interactions of apigenin, naringin, quercetin and emodin on inhibition of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and pancreas lipase activity.

The interactions of four natural compounds including apigenin, naringin, emodin and quercetin were investigated on inhibiting 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and pancreas lipase activity. Oil Red O staining was conducted to visualise and quantify lipid accumulation. The difference between experimental and calculated results was utilised for determining the interaction types.

Brachybacterium hainanense sp. nov., isolated from noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) branch.

A Gram-stain-positive bacterial strain, designated as NR2T, isolated from noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) branch was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The cells were small coccoid to ovoid, non-spore-forming and motile.

Enzymatic synthesis of rare sugars with L-rhamnulose-1-phosphate aldolase from Thermotoga maritima MSB8.

L-Rhamnulose-1-phosphate aldolase from a thermophilic source (Thermotoga maritima MSB8) (RhaDT.mari) was heterologously overexpressed in Escherichia coli and the stereoselectivity of this enzyme with or without Nus tag was investigated. We also applied this enzyme to the synthesis of rare sugars D-psicose, D-sorbose, L-tagatose and L-fructose using our one-pot four-enzyme system.

Aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin M1 induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage in differentiated and undifferentiated Caco-2 cells.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) are natural mycotoxins that frequently present in food and feed and pose risks to human health. There are few data in the literature regarding the impairment of them in the intestine. Therefore, the present study investigated their cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells, especially the differentiated ones that resemble mature small intestinal enterocytes.

Sphingomonas morindae sp. nov., isolated from Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) branch.

Two yellow bacterial strains, designated NBD5(T) and NBD8, isolated from Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) branch were investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile and short rod-shaped.

The chemistry of sour taste and the strategy to reduce the sour taste of beer.

The contributions of free hydrogen ions, undissociated hydrogen ions in protonated acid species, and anionic acid species to sour taste were studied through sensory experiments. According to tasting results, it can be inferred that the basic substance producing a sour taste is the hydrogen ion, including free hydrogen ions and undissociated hydrogen ions. The intensity of a sour taste is determined by the total concentration of free hydrogen ions and undissociated hydrogen ions.