Silver Fir (Abies alba) Extracts Inhibit Enzymes Involved in Blood Glucose Management and Protect against Oxidative Stress in High Glucose Environment

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The diet rich in fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome, including diabetes development by various mechanisms of action, mainly due to the...     

Some comments on: Mao et al. (2018) “Bibliometric analysis of insights into soil remediation” Journal of Soils and Sediments, 18(7): 2520–2534

In order to improve the bias of using the Web of Science databases for bibliometric studies, the “front page” has been proposed by Ho’s group in 2012. Using the “front page” as the filter resulted in a huge difference compared to the method from the original paper of Mao et al. Furthermore, a cited reference plays an important role in a published paper. Readers are interested in the paper’s statements and might find useful information from the following researches. The reference section is an important part in a paper; however, it was easily ignored by the authors. This comment also offered information for citing the original idea of publication indicators used for the comparison of countries’ and institutions’ publication performances.

     

Induction of apoptosis by vitamin D2, ergocalciferol, via reactive oxygen species generation, glutathione depletion, and caspase activation in human leukemia Cells

This study demonstrated that ergocalciferol was able to inhibit leukemia cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner. Exploration of the acting mechanisms involved this event revealed that ergocalciferol induced DNA fragmentation and increased sub-G1 DNA contents in HL-60 cells, both of which are hallmarks of apoptosis. Analysis of the integrity of mitochondria demonstrated that ergocalciferol caused loss of mitochondrial membrane potential with release cytochrome c to cytosol, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and depletion of glutathione (GSH), suggesting that ergocalciferol may induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells through a ROS-dependent pathway. Further results show that caspases-2, -3, -6, and -9 were all activated by ergocalciferol, together with cleavage of the downstream caspase-3 targets, DNA fragmentation factor (DFF-45), and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. In addition, ergocalciferol led to the increase in pro-apoptotic factor Bax accompanied with the decrease in anti-apoptotic member Mcl-1, and the reduced Mcl-1 to Bax ratio may be a critical event concerning mitochondrial decay by ergocalciferol. Furthermore, ergocalciferol also led to induction of Fas death receptor closely linked to caspase-2 activation, suggesting the involvement of a Fas-mediated pathway in ergocalciferol-induced apoptosis. Totally, these findings suggest that ergocalciferol causes HL-60 apoptosis via a modulation of mitochondria involving ROS production, GSH depletion, caspase activation, and Fas induction. On the basis of anticancer activity of ergocalciferol, it may be feasible to develop chemopreventive agents from edible mushrooms or hop.     

Utilization of monolinolein as a substrate for conjugated linoleic acid production by Bifidobacterium breve LMC 520 of human neonatal origin

This study was designed to isolate bifidobacteria from human intestines that efficiently converts monolinolein, a monoglyceride form of linoleic acid, into conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), as well as to optimize culture conditions for improving CLA production during milk fermentation. Among 150 screened neonatal bifidobacteria, Bifidobacterium breve LMC 520 showed the highest CLA-producing ability and was tested with different types of fat substrates at various concentrations to determine the optimal conditions for CLA production. Monolinolein was tested as a substrate for CLA production. The incubation time optimized for CLA production was 24 h, and CLA production was proportionally increased with monolinolein concentration. The incubation of LMC 520 with commercial starter strains caused minimal reduction in CLA production. Our results demonstrate that the CLA-producing ability of B. breve LMC 520 could offer beneficial effects when utilized as a starter culture for the development of functional dairy products.     

Effect of nicotinic acid on the plasma membrane function and polyunsaturated fatty acids composition during cryopreservation in boar sperm

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nicotinic acid on plasma membrane integrity and fatty acid composition in frozen–thawed boar sperm. Boar semen was cryopreserved using freezing extender containing nicotinic acid (NA), then plasma membrane integrity, osmotic equilibration, lipid peroxidation and fatty acid were analysed. The plasma membrane integrity of frozen–thawed sperm was significantly higher in the 10 mM NA than in the 0 and 20 mM NA treatment groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, the osmotic equilibration ability was not different in treatment groups, but lipid peroxidation was significantly decreased in the 10 mM NA treatment group (p < 0.05). The saturated fatty acids were significantly decreased in the 10 mM NA treatment group, and C18:1n‐9, C18:2n‐6, C20:4n‐6, C22:5n‐6 and C22:6n‐3, and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were significantly increased in the 10 mM NA treatment groups (p < 0.05). In summary, 10 mM NA improved plasma membrane integrity, inhibited lipid peroxidation and increased PUFAs in frozen–thawed boar sperm. These results suggest that NA may be useful to protect the plasma membrane and inhibit the loss of PUFAs for sperm cryopreservation in pigs.     

Perception of Asian carp as a possible food source among Missouri anglers

Silver and bighead carps were imported from China to the United States in the 1970s as a biological control mechanism for improving water quality. After escaping captivity, both species spread into the Mississippi River Basin and now threaten to enter the Great Lakes. Human consumption is one solution, but many Americans believe that carp is unsavory. A random sample of 2,000 licensed anglers in Missouri was asked to complete a mail-back questionnaire about Asian carp, yielding a 27% response rate (n = 465). Results indicated that knowledge and perception about carp were poor, and food neophobia (fear of new foods) scores were above average. Less than 15% of respondents had eaten carp, but nearly 53% were willing to try. Marketing should focus on the benefits of consumption while downplaying any possible concerns. Although education programs are worthwhile, taste might be more influential to change public attitudes toward Asian carp.     

Effects of illite supplementation on in vitro and in vivo rumen fermentation,microbial population and methane emission of Hanwoo steers fed high concentrate diets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding supplemental illite to Hanwoo steers on methane (CH₄) emission and rumen fermentation parameters. An in vitro ruminal fermentation technique was conducted using a commercial concentrate as substrate and illite was added at different concentrations as treatments: 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% illite. Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were different (P < 0.05) at 24 h of incubation where the highest total VFA was observed at 1.0% of illite. Conversely, lowest CH₄ production (P < 0.01) was found at 1.0% of illite. In the in vivo experiment, two diets were provided, without illite and with addition of 1% illite. An automated head chamber (GreenFeed) system was used to measure enteric CH₄ production. Cattle received illite supplemented feed increased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentrations in the rumen compared with those fed control. Feeding illite numerically decreased CH₄ production (g/day) and yield (g/kg dry matter intake). Rumen microbial population analysis indicated that the population of total bacteria, protozoa and methanogens were lower (P < 0.05) for illite compared with the control. Accordingly, overall results suggested that feeding a diet supplemented with 1% illite can have positive effects on feed fermentation in the rumen and enteric CH₄ mitigation in beef cattle.     

Enhancing β‐Carotene Content in Asian Noodles by Adding Pumpkin Powder

The influence of ripened pumpkin powder on the characteristics and qualities of noodles was investigated. Varying amounts of pumpkin powder levels (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10%) were added in making instant fried noodles. These four samples were then evaluated for β‐carotene content, physical dough properties, color, cooking properties, and sensory characteristics. Adding more pumpkin powder increased the level of β‐carotene in the noodles. Amylograph maximum viscosity and temperature and farinograph water absorption and stability decreased as the amount of pumpkin powder increased. Noodles made with more pumpkin powder had a more yellow color than those with less pumpkin powder. Cooked weight and volume were increased by 37 and 59%, respectively, when 5.0% pumpkin powder was added to the flour sample. Gumminess was lowest in the noodles with 5.0% pumpkin powder, while chewiness and hardness were lowest in the noodles with 10.0% pumpkin. Noodles with 5.0% pumpkin powder were the most favorable in appearance, taste, texture, and acceptability among the four samples.     

Comparative stomach contents and growth of the juvenile black seabream, Acanthopagrus schlegeli, reared in illuminated and unilluminated cages

The present study was designed to determine the positive effects of artificial illumination on the juvenile black seabream, Acanthopagrus schlegeli , by comparing stomach contents and growth between juveniles exposed to light and those maintained in the absence of light. The major prey items for juvenile black seabream reared in illuminated cages were amphipods (IRI%=50.5), copepods (IRI%=44.7) and polychaetes (IRI%=3.0), whereas those for the juveniles maintained in unilluminated cages were copepods (IRI%=96.0), amphipods (IRI%=3.4) and polychaetes (IRI%=0.6). The specific growth rates (SGR) of the juveniles reared in illuminated cages (0.99%) were significantly higher than those of the juveniles maintained in unilluminated cages (0.78%).