Protein Patterns of Growing and Starved Cells of a Marine Vibrio sp.

Fingerprint protein patterns were produced by two-dimensional polyacrylamide electrophoresis on lysed cells of a Vibrio sp., Ant-300, which were prepared from growing and starved cultures. The cells were labeled with [³⁵S]methionine during growth and subsequently starved for up to 30 days. Samples were taken at selected time points representing stages in the starvation-survival process. Unlabeled starved cells were allowed to recover in the presence of [³⁵S]methionine to determine protein changes associated with the recovery from starvation. All growth conditions produced similar protein fingerprints; however, some protein spots disappeared, whereas others were seen only during starvation.     

Phosphorylation of NBR1 by GSK3 modulates protein aggregation

The autophagy receptor NBR1 (neighbor of BRCA1 gene 1) binds UB/ubiquitin and the autophagosome-conjugated MAP1LC3/LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3) proteins, thereby ensuring ubiquitinated protein degradation. Numerous neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases are associated with inappropriate aggregation of ubiquitinated proteins and GSK3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3) activity is involved in several of these proteinopathies. Here we show that NBR1 is a substrate of GSK3. NBR1 phosphorylation by GSK3 at Thr586 prevents the aggregation of ubiquitinated proteins and their selective autophagic degradation. Indeed, NBR1 phosphorylation decreases protein aggregation induced by puromycin or by the DES/desmin N342D mutant found in desminopathy patients and stabilizes ubiquitinated proteins. Importantly, decrease of protein aggregates is due to an inhibition of their formation and not to their autophagic degradation as confirmed by data on Atg7 knockout mice. The relevance of NBR1 phosphorylation in human pathology was investigated. Analysis of muscle biopsies of sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) patients revealed a strong decrease of NBR1 phosphorylation in muscles of sIBM patients that directly correlated with the severity of protein aggregation. We propose that phosphorylation of NBR1 by GSK3 modulates the formation of protein aggregates and that this regulation mechanism is defective in a human muscle proteinopathy.     

Stabilization of activity of oxidoreductases by their immobilization onto special functionalized glass and novel aminocellulose film using different coupling reagents

Glucose oxidase (GOD), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and lactate oxidase (LOD) were covalently immobilized on special NH(2)-functionalized glass and on a novel NH(2)-cellulose film via 13 different coupling reagents. The properties of these immobilized enzymes, such as activity, storage stability, and thermostability, are strongly dependent on the coupling reagent. For example, GOD immobilized by cyanuric chloride on the NH(2)-cellulose film loses approximately half of its immobilized activity after 30 days of storage at 4 degrees C or after treatment at 65 degrees C for 30 min. In contrast, GOD immobilized by L-ascorbic acid onto the same NH(2)-cellulose film retains 90% of its initial activity after 1 year of storage at 4 degrees C and 92% after heat treatment at 65 degrees C for 30 min. Unlike GOD, in the case of LOD only immobilization on special NH(2)-functionalized glass, e.g., via cyanuric chloride, led to a stabilization of the enzyme activity in comparison to the native enzyme. The operational stability of immobilized HRP was up to 40 times higher than that of the native enzyme if coupling to the new NH(2)-cellulose film led to an amide or sulfonamide bond. Regarding the kinetics of the immobilized enzymes, the coupling reagent plays a minor role for the enzyme substrate affinity, which is characterized by the apparent Michaelis constant (K(M,app)). The NH(2)-functionalized support material as well as the immobilized density of the protein and/or immobilized activity has a strong influence on the K(M,app) value. In all cases, K(M,app) decreases with increasing immobilized enzyme protein density and particularly drastically for GOD.     

Effects of normobaric hypoxic bed rest on the thermal comfort zone

Future Lunar and Mars habitats will maintain a hypobaric hypoxic environment to minimise the risk of decompression sickness during the preparation for extra-vehicular activity. This study was part of a larger study investigating the separate and combined effects of inactivity associated with reduced gravity and hypoxia, on the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurohumoural, and thermoregulatory systems. Eleven healthy normothermic young male subjects participated in three trials conducted on separate occasions: (1) Normobaric hypoxic ambulatory confinement, (2) Normobaric hypoxic bedrest and (3) Normobaric normoxic bedrest. Normobaric hypoxia was achieved by reduction of the oxygen fraction in the air (F_iO₂=0.141±0.004) within the facility, while the effects of reduced gravity were simulated by confining the subjects to a horizontal position in bed, with all daily routines performed in this position for 21 days. The present study investigated the effect of the interventions on behavioural temperature regulation. The characteristics of the thermal comfort zone (TCZ) were assessed by a water-perfused suit, with the subjects instructed to regulate the sinusoidally varying temperature of the suit within a range considered as thermally comfortable. Measurements were performed 5 days prior to the intervention (D-5), and on days 10 (D10) and 20 (D20) of the intervention. no statistically significant differences were found in any of the characteristics of the TCZ between the interventions (HAMB, HBR and NBR), or between different measurement days (D-5, D10, D20) within each intervention. rectal temperature remained stable, whereas skin temperature (T_sk) increased during all interventions throughout the one hour trial. no difference in T_sk between D-5, D10 and D20, and between HAMB, HBR and NBR were revealed. subjects perceived the regulated temperature as thermally comfortable, and neutral or warm. we conclude that regulation of thermal comfort is not compromised by hypoxic inactivity.     

Interactions with LC3 and polyubiquitin chains link nbr1 to autophagic protein turnover

Nbr1, a ubiquitous kinase scaffold protein, contains a PB1, and a ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain. We show here that the nbr1 UBA domain binds to lysine-48 and -63 linked polyubiquitin-B chains. Nbr1 also binds to the autophagic effector protein LC3-A via a novel binding site. Ubiquitin-binding, but not PB1-mediated p62/SQSTM1 interaction, is required to target nbr1 to LC3 and polyubiquitin-positive bodies. Nbr1 binds additionally to proteins implicated in ubiquitin-mediated protein turnover and vesicle trafficking: ubiquitin-specific peptidases USP8, and the endosomal transport regulator p14/Robld3. Nbr1 thus contributes to specific steps in protein turnover regulation disrupted in several hereditary human diseases.

Structured summary

MINT-7034452: USP8 (uniprotkb:P40818) physically interacts (MI:0218) with NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7034438: SQSTM1 (uniprotkb:Q13501) and LC3 (uniprotkb:Q9H492) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)MINT-7034309: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Ubiquitin (uniprotkb:P62988) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7034323: NBR1 (uniprotkb:P97432) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Ubiquitin (uniprotkb:P62988) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7034233: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) physically interacts (MI:0218) with USP8 (uniprotkb:P40818) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-7034207: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Robld3 (uniprotkb:Q9JHS3) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-7034400, MINT-7034418: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) and LC3 (uniprotkb:Q9H492) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)MINT-7034167: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Ubiquitin B (uniprotkb:Q78XY9) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-7034470: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) and USP8 (uniprotkb:P40818) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)MINT-7034194: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) physically interacts (MI:0218) with LC3-A (uniprotkb:Q91VR7) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-7034336: SQSTM1 (uniprotkb:Q13501) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Ubiquitin (uniprotkb:P62988) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7034375: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) physically interacts (MI:0218) with LC3 (uniprotkb:Q9H492) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7034350: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) and Ubiquitin (uniprotkb:P62988) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)MINT-7034181: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Tmed10 (uniprotkb:Q9D1D4) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-7034220: NBR1 (uniprotkb:Q14596) physically interacts (MI:0218) with ube2o (uniprotkb:Q6ZPJ3) by two hybrid (MI:0018)     

Use of an in vitro flat-bed biofilm model to measure biologically active anti-odour compounds

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the utility of a modified flat-bed perfusion biofilm matrix system for testing toothpaste formulations directly, without dilution, as a layer in direct contact with the biofilm matrix surface. Final biofilm yields and volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) biogenesis were measured to show the relative efficacy of toothpaste formulations. Diffusion characteristics of the flat-bed system to exposure with Meridol® tooth and tongue gel (TTG; 1,400 ppm F^? from amine fluoride/stannous fluoride, 0.5 % zinc lactate, oral malodour counteractives) was assessed using a bioluminescent target species Escherichia coli Nissle 1917/pGLITE coupled with a low-light photon camera to visualise the kill kinetics. Tongue-flora derived, mixed culture biofilms (n?=?4) received 5, 15 and 30 min treatment with TTG, respectively, to determine the optimum time of exposure. VSC biogenesis was measured from headspace samples by gas chromatography prior to and following treatment of two daily applications for 4 days of treatment (TTG), positive control (CHX gel) and negative controls (placebo and sham treatment). Viable counts were performed at the end of experiments by destructive sampling of the biofilms and plating onto selective and non-selective agar. Following a single treatment with TTG, the E. coli biofilm with lux target gave >50 % reduction of luminescence within 2 to 3 h before recovering to a steady state over 10 h, suggesting biofilm cidal activity rather biostasis. For mixed culture biofilms, 15- and 30-min treatment exposure with TTG gave almost identical reductions in final biofilm yields. For comparing efficacy of treatments, biofilms treated with TTG gave greatest reductions in both pre–post levels of H₂S (P?<?0.01) and CH₃SH (P?<?0.05) and population yields at the end of the experiments (P?<?0.001) compared to placebo and positive control. The in vitro flat-bed perfusion model may be used to replicate many of the activities and reactions believed to be occurring by the tongue biofilm microflora within a real mouth, including VSC biogenesis and its inhibition by exposure to active agents as components of toothpastes and gels applied in direct contact with the biofilm.     

Population dynamics of lactobacilli in Grana cheese

A survey on the presence, microbial diversity, and population dynamics of lactobacilli in Grana cheese is presented. Evolution of thermophilic rod lactic acid bacteria within the first two days from cheese making and during ripening was different according to different bacterial groups, which were selectively enumerated and identified by molecular methods. Species-specific microbial counts indicated prevalence ofLactobacillus helveticus in both the whey starter and the cheese at moulding, and ofLactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.lactis in cheese after two months of ripening. In more advanced ripening, a decrease of total thermophilic lactobacilli and an increase of mesophilic lactobacilli (mostly belonging toLactobacillus casei/paracasei andLactobacillus rhamnosus) was observed. PCR fingerprinting of lactobacilli, which was performed by PCR-fingerprinting, indicated a marked microbial heterogeneity within theLactobacillus spp. populations, which enabled strain (or group)-specific fingerprints to be observed.     

Survival of anaerobic fungus Caecomyces sp. in various preservation methods: a comparative study

The present investigation was designed to observe the survival of the anaerobic fungus Caecomyces sp. in various routine preservation methods. Among all the treatments, cryopreservation of fungi at ?70°C with glycerol was found to be most effective for long-term maintenance (more than 90 days) of rumen fungi, followed by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (up to 60 days). In contrast, at ?196°C, DMSO showed maximum survival (more than 90 days), followed by glycerol (up to 90 days) and ethylene glycol (up to 30 days). At 39°C, maximum survival (up to 30 days) was observed with soft agar and wheat straw; at refrigeration temperature, preservation with Orpin's media containing straw showed maximum survival (up to 30 days).     

The Impact of Outliers on Net-Benefit Regression Model in Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Ordinary least square (OLS) in regression has been widely used to analyze patient-level data in cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). However, the estimates, inference and decision making in the economic evaluation based on OLS estimation may be biased by the presence of outliers. Instead, robust estimation can remain unaffected and provide result which is resistant to outliers. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of outliers on net-benefit regression (NBR) in CEA using OLS and to propose a potential solution by using robust estimations, i.e. Huber M-estimation, Hampel M-estimation, Tukey''s bisquare M-estimation, MM-estimation and least trimming square estimation. Simulations under different outlier-generating scenarios and an empirical example were used to obtain the regression estimates of NBR by OLS and five robust estimations. Empirical size and empirical power of both OLS and robust estimations were then compared in the context of hypothesis testing.Simulations showed that the five robust approaches compared with OLS estimation led to lower empirical sizes and achieved higher empirical powers in testing cost-effectiveness. Using real example of antiplatelet therapy, the estimated incremental net-benefit by OLS estimation was lower than those by robust approaches because of outliers in cost data. Robust estimations demonstrated higher probability of cost-effectiveness compared to OLS estimation. The presence of outliers can bias the results of NBR and its interpretations. It is recommended that the use of robust estimation in NBR can be an appropriate method to avoid such biased decision making.     

Assessments of Total and Viable Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Field and Laboratory Grown Lettuce

Leafy green produce has been associated with numerous outbreaks of foodborne illness caused by strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7. While the amounts of culturable E. coli O157:H7 rapidly decline after introduction onto lettuce in the field, it remains to be determined whether the reduction in cell numbers is due to losses in cell viability, cell injury and a subsequent inability to be detected by standard laboratory culturing methods, or a lack of adherence and hence rapid removal of the organism from the plants during application. To assess which of these options is most relevant for E. coli O157:H7 on leafy green produce, we developed and applied a propidium monoazide (PMA) real-time PCR assay to quantify viable (with PMA) and total (without PMA) E. coli O157:H7 cells on growth chamber and field-grown lettuce. E. coli O157:H7, suspended in 0.1% peptone, was inoculated onto 4-week-old lettuce plants at a level of approximately 10⁶ CFU/plant. In the growth chamber at low relative humidity (30%), culturable amounts of the nontoxigenic E. coli O157:H7 strain ATCC 700728 and the virulent strain EC4045 declined 100 to 1000-fold in 24 h. Fewer E. coli O157:H7 cells survived when applied onto plants in droplets with a pipette compared with a fine spray inoculation. Total cells for both strains were equivalent to inoculum levels for 7 days after application, and viable cell quantities determined by PMA real-time PCR were approximately 10⁴ greater than found by colony enumeration. Within 2 h after application onto plants in the field, the number of culturable E. coli ATCC 700728 was reduced by up to 1000-fold, whereas PCR-based assessments showed that total cell amounts were equivalent to inoculum levels. These findings show that shortly after inoculation onto plants, the majority of E. coli O157:H7 cells either die or are no longer culturable.     

Genetic diversity of Histoplasma capsulatum strains in Brazil

This study establishes the genetic relatedness among Brazilian Histoplasma capsulatum samples obtained from different sources. A PCR-based random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay was used to delineate polymorphisms among isolates in geographically diverse regions in Brazil. RAPD fingerprints revealed distinct DNA profiles and provided a high level of discrimination among H. capsulatum strains from different locations. Cluster I was composed of H. capsulatum isolates from the northeast region. The majority of strains from southeast and south were categorized as major cluster II. The strain 84564 from Rio de Janeiro State showed no genetic correlation to any of the isolates from the same state. The RAPD patterns of H. capsulatum isolates from Goias (Cluster III) were unrelated to DNA fingerprints observed among the other H. capsulatum strains (48% similarity). This study is the first report that stratifies the clusters of H. capsulatum strains from Brazil by molecular typing and associates them with the geographical origin.     

Effect of feeding genetically modified Bt MON810 maize to ∼40-day-old pigs for 110 days on growth and health indicators

A total of 72 male weaned pigs were used in a 110-day study to investigate the effect of feeding genetically modified (GM) Bt MON810 maize on selected growth and health indicators. It was hypothesised that in pigs fed Bt maize, growth and health are not impacted compared with pigs fed isogenic maize-based diets. Following a 12-day basal period, pigs (10.7 ± 1.9 kg body weight (BW); ∼40 days old) were blocked by weight and ancestry and randomly assigned to treatments: (1) non-GM maize diet for 110 days (non-GM), (2) GM maize diet for 110 days (GM), (3) non-GM maize diet for 30 days followed by GM maize diet up to day 110 (non-GM/GM) and (4) GM maize diet for 30 days followed by non-GM maize diet up to day 110 (GM/non-GM). BW and daily feed intake were recorded on days 0, 30, 60 and 110 (n = 15). Body composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (n = 10) on day 80. Following slaughter on day 110, organs and intestines were weighed and sampled for histological analysis and urine was collected for biochemical analysis (n = 10). Serum biochemistry analysis was performed on days 0, 30, 60, 100 and 110. Growth performance and serum biochemistry were analysed as repeated measures with time and treatment as main factors. The slice option of SAS was used to determine treatment differences at individual time points. There was no effect of feeding GM maize on overall growth, body composition, organ and intestinal weight and histology or serum biochemistry on days 60 and 100 and on urine biochemistry on day 110. A treatment × time interaction was observed for serum urea (SU; P < 0.05), creatinine (SC; P < 0.05) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST; P < 0.05). On day 30, SU was lower for the non-GM/GM treatment compared with the non-GM, GM and GM/non-GM treatments (P < 0.05). On day 110, SC was higher for the non-GM/GM and GM/non-GM treatments compared with non-GM and GM treatments (P < 0.05). Overall, serum total protein was lower for the GM/non-GM treatment compared with the non-GM/GM treatment (P < 0.05). The magnitude of change observed in some serum biochemical parameters did not indicate organ dysfunction and the changes were not accompanied by histological lesions. Long-term feeding of GM maize to pigs did not adversely affect growth or the selected health indicators investigated.     

Cross-linking studies of the protein topography of rat liver microsomes

A cleavable cross-linking reagent, dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate), DSP, was used to study the topography of the proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane of rat liver. Reaction of untreated (control), phenobarbital- or 3-methylcholanthrene-induced microsomes with 0.5 mM DSP for 30 min at 0°C resulted in the cross-linking of a protein with a molecular weight of about 52 000 to form an apparent dimer. In phenobarbital microsomes, a smaller amount of a 52 000-dalton protein also appeared in a dimer in the absence of DSP if N-ethylmaleimide was not included during homogenization. In phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene microsomes, a 48 000-dalton protein was cross-linked by DSP to a protein of about 57 000. In all three types of microsomes, a protein with an M_I of about 52 000 was also cross-linked to a protein of about 79 000. In phenobarbital and control microsomes, cross-linking resulted in an oligomeric protein of approximate molecular weight 180 000 which contained three proteins, two with M_r of about 52 000 and one about 79 000. Under the cross-linking conditions, little or no denaturation of cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was observed. The aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was significantly inhibited by the bifunctional cross-linking reagent, DSP, but not by the monofunctional reagent N-succinimidyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate. However, attempts to regenerate the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity by cleavage of the disulfide linkage with 2-mercapto-ethanol or dithiothreitol were not successful.     

S-(4-Bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)CoA: an affinity label for certain enzymes than bind acetyl-CoA.

S-(4-Bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)-CoA, a potential affinity label for enzymes possessing a receptor site(s) for short-chain acyl-CoA, was synthesized by condensing CoA and 1,4-dibromo-2,3-butanedione in acidified methanol. The new reagent was tested as an active site-directed irreversible inhibitor with four enzymes that accept a short-chain acyl-CoA as substrate. With citrate synthase (pig heart) and acetyl-CoA hydrolase (beef kidney) irreversible inhibition was observed, and the rate of inactivation obeyed first-order kinetics. Benzoyl-CoA, a reversible competitive inhibitor versus acetyl-CoA with both citrate synthase and acetyl-CoA hydrolase, protected the active site of both enzymes against the irreversible inhibitor. The new reagent was an exceptionally potent irreversible inhibitor of acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (beef liver). Relatively low concentrations of the reagent (≥1 μm) completely inhibited the thiolase in less than 2 min. Preincubation of thiolase with acetoacetyl-CoA protected the enzyme against inhibition by S-(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)-CoA. In contrast, irreversible inhibition of l-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (pig heart) was not observed. Instead, the new reagent appeared to be a weak alternate substrate for this dehydrogenase. In all cases, the new reagent exhibited tight reversible binding at the active site since the measured K_i's (and K_m) were in the range, 30 to 120 μm. It is anticipated that the new reagent will be suitable for investigating a number of acyl-CoA using enzymes by affinity labeling techniques.     

Protein changes during programmed cell death in tobacco

Programmed cell death (PCD) was induced by the Yariv reagent in Nicotiana tabacum cv. Bright Yellow-2 cell suspension. The analyses of proteins extracts by 2-D electrophoresis clearly show massive protein degradation which was mainly due to cysteine protease activity. In contrast, some proteins remained unchanged up to 72 h after PCD induction. Peptide mass fingerprints of these proteins, obtained by MALDI-TOF, identified calreticulin, heat shock protein (HSP) 60, HSP70, malate dehydrogenase and mitochondrial ATP synthase β-subunit.     

Highly active, recyclable catalyst for the manufacture of viscous, low molecular weight, CO-ethene-propene-based polyketone, base component for a new class of resins

A highly active, recyclable homogeneous palladium(II) catalyst is described for the manufacture of viscous, low molecular weight CO-ethene-propene-based polyketone (CariliteOligomer), used for the manufacture of a new class of resins (CariliteResins). The catalyst is composed of palladium acetate, and a sulfonated diphosphine ligand, bdompp-S (1,3-bis(di-(2-methoxy, 5-sulfonatophenyl)phosphino)propane). In comparison with its non-sulfonated counterpart this catalyst not only exhibits a much more favourable partitioning coefficient in liquid-liquid separation of the polyketone product and solvent, but it also exhibits an approximately 2.5 times higher catalytic activity (up to 11.2 kg PK (g Pd)⁻¹ h⁻¹) in the manufacture of PK-PE-30 (polyketone terpolymer built up of CO, ethene and propene in a molar ratio of 100:30:70). A variety of salts were found to exert a positive influence on the activity of the catalyst. Possible origins of this ‘salt-effect’ are briefly discussed. The bdompp-S ligand was synthesised by sulfonation of bdompp using either a boric acid-oleum mixture or sulfuric acid as the sulfonation reagent. The product was isolated either as sodium-salt (bdompp-S[Na]₄·nNa₂SO₄), by extraction with methanol after neutralisation, or, in acidic, hydrated form (bdompp-S[H]₄·nH₂O), via a new and highly efficient procedure, i.e. cooling the reaction mixture after dilution with water. The X-ray crystal structure of bdompp-S[H]₄·nH₂O is discussed.     

Monitoring and Evaluating the Quality Consistency of Compound Bismuth Aluminate Tablets by a Simple Quantified Ratio Fingerprint Method Combined with Simultaneous Determination of Five Compounds and Correlated with Antioxidant Activities

A combination method of multi-wavelength fingerprinting and multi-component quantification by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detector (DAD) was developed and validated to monitor and evaluate the quality consistency of herbal medicines (HM) in the classical preparation Compound Bismuth Aluminate tablets (CBAT). The validation results demonstrated that our method met the requirements of fingerprint analysis and quantification analysis with suitable linearity, precision, accuracy, limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ). In the fingerprint assessments, rather than using conventional qualitative “Similarity” as a criterion, the simple quantified ratio fingerprint method (SQRFM) was recommended, which has an important quantified fingerprint advantage over the “Similarity” approach. SQRFM qualitatively and quantitatively offers the scientific criteria for traditional Chinese medicines (TCM)/HM quality pyramid and warning gate in terms of three parameters. In order to combine the comprehensive characterization of multi-wavelength fingerprints, an integrated fingerprint assessment strategy based on information entropy was set up involving a super-information characteristic digitized parameter of fingerprints, which reveals the total entropy value and absolute information amount about the fingerprints and, thus, offers an excellent method for fingerprint integration. The correlation results between quantified fingerprints and quantitative determination of 5 marker compounds, including glycyrrhizic acid (GLY), liquiritin (LQ), isoliquiritigenin (ILG), isoliquiritin (ILQ) and isoliquiritin apioside (ILA), indicated that multi-component quantification could be replaced by quantified fingerprints. The Fenton reaction was employed to determine the antioxidant activities of CBAT samples in vitro, and they were correlated with HPLC fingerprint components using the partial least squares regression (PLSR) method. In summary, the method of multi-wavelength fingerprints combined with antioxidant activities has been proved to be a feasible and scientific procedure for monitoring and evaluating the quality consistency of CBAT.