Decolourization of paprika dye effluent with hydrogen peroxide produced by glucose oxidase

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide was produced from bran by a two-step process using cellulase/xylanase and glucose oxidase, sequentially. The decolourization efficiency of the produced reagent was tested using paprika oil dye (effluent from industrial source) and high levels of colour removal (96%) were achieved after saponification pre-treatment and hydrogen peroxide application. The method is economically and environmentally advantageous since lower energy and chemical input are needed and wastewater pollution is considerably reduced. At the same time, the utilization of waste materials was successfully achieved.     

The SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin promotes systemic FFA mobilization,enhances hepatic β-oxidation,and induces ketosis

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been shown to increase ketone bodies in patients with type 2 diabetes; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here we examined the effect of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin (1 mg/kg/day, formulated in a water, PEG400, ethanol, propylene glycol solution, 4 weeks) on lipid metabolism in obese Zucker rats. Fasting FFA metabolism was assessed in the anesthetized state using a [9,10-³H(N)]-palmitic acid tracer by estimating rates of plasma FFA appearance (R_a), whole-body FFA oxidation (R_ox), and nonoxidative disposal (R_st). In the liver, clearance (K_β-ox) and flux (R_β-ox) of FFA into β-oxidation were estimated using [9,10-³H]-(R)-bromopalmitate/[U-¹⁴C]palmitate tracers. As expected, dapagliflozin induced glycosuria and a robust antidiabetic effect; treatment reduced fasting plasma glucose and insulin, lowered glycated hemoglobin, and increased pancreatic insulin content compared with vehicle controls. Dapagliflozin also increased plasma FFA, R_a, R_ox, and R_st with enhanced channeling toward oxidation versus storage. In the liver, there was also enhanced channeling of FFA to β-oxidation, with increased K_β-ox, R_β-ox and tissue acetyl-CoA, compared with controls. Finally, dapagliflozin increased hepatic HMG-CoA and plasma β-hydroxybutyrate, consistent with a specific enhancement of ketogenesis. Since ketogenesis has not been directly measured, we cannot exclude an additional contribution of impaired ketone body clearance to the ketosis. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that the dapagliflozin-induced increase in plasma ketone bodies is driven by the combined action of FFA mobilization from adipose tissue and diversion of hepatic FFA toward β-oxidation.     

Discovery of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives as GPR119 agonists

We designed and synthesized a novel series of phenylamino- and phenoxy-substituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives as GPR119 agonists. SAR studies indicated that electron-withdrawing substituents on the phenyl ring are important for potency and full efficacy. Compound 26 combined good potency with a promising pharmacokinetic profile in mice, and lowered the glucose excursion in mice in an oral glucose-tolerance test.     

Serum metabonomics study of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus based on LC-MS

ObjectiveThrough metabolomics method, the objective of the paper is to differentially screen serum metabolites of GDM patients and healthy pregnant women, to explore potential biomarkers of GDM and analyze related pathways, and to explain the potential mechanism and biological significance of GDM.MethodsThe serum samples from 30 GDM patients and 30 healthy pregnant women were selected to conduct non-targeted metabolomics study by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The differential metabolites between the two groups were searched and the metabolic pathway was analyzed by KEGG database.ResultsMultivariate statistical analysis found that serum metabolism in GDM patients was different significantly from healthy pregnant women, 36 differential metabolites and corresponding metabolic pathways were identified in serum, which involved several metabolic ways like, fatty acid metabolism, butyric acid metabolism, bile secretion, and amino acid metabolism.ConclusionThe discovery of these biomarkers provided a new theoretical basis and experimental basis for further study of the early diagnosis and pathogenesis of GDM. At the same time, LC-MS-based serum metabolomics methods also showed great application values in disease diagnosis and mechanism research.     

Sexual maturation,serum steroid concentrations,and mRNA expression of IGF-1, luteinizing and progesterone hormone receptors and survivin gene in Japanese quail hens

In avian species, sexual maturation represents the evidence of start laying, which is a consequence of the development of ovarian follicles. These follicles are the functional reproductive unit whose maturation and viability critically depends on endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine factors beyond the signals from the central nervous system. The present study was undertaken to investigate the correlation of sexual maturity with tissue growth, mRNA expression of certain genes, and serum steroid concentrations in Japanese quail hens. To carry out the present study, a total of forty Japanese quail hens (5 weeks) were housed individually under uniform husbandry condition with ad libitum quail layer ration and water at 14-hour photo schedule. On sixth week onwards, four birds were sacrificed at each time on 1, 3, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, and 28 days. Serum was extracted aseptically to analyze the gonadal steroid hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and corticosterone to investigate the liaison with sexual maturation of the species. Expression analyses of four genes i.e., insulin-like growth factor-1, luteinizing hormone receptor, progesterone receptor, and survivin were carried out in the three largest ovarian yellow follicles. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight gain and oviduct weight was recorded during the phase of sexual maturation. Smaller follicles revealed higher insulin-like growth factor-1 and survivin gene expression, whereas the reverse result was manifested in both the luteinizing and progesterone hormone receptors. In biochemical study, the gonadal steroids (estrogen and progesterone) were recorded higher at the first half of the experiment when a gradual decrease in corticosterone concentration was confirmed from the very beginning of this study. This result substantiated that sexual maturation in Japanese quail may be completed by the time of 8 weeks after its birth in support of the analyzed information studied in the current investigation.     

Glucose metabolism and dehydrogenase activities in the cytosol and mitochondria of mouse LS cells in chemostat culture

Summary Energy metabolism has been examined in mouse LS cells growing under steady-state conditions in chemostat culture. The metabolic quotient of glucose oxidized (glucose consumed, but not fermented) remained constant, independent of growth rate between cell doubling times of 6 days and 1.2 days. Specific activities of cytochrome oxidase and malate dehydrogenase in the mitochondria remained constant at different growth rates, in accord with the constancy of the glucose oxidation rate. Cytosolic malate dehydrogenase activity was about fourfold greater than the mitochondrial isozyme. The steady-state rate of lactate production fluctuated because of technical limitations but correlated well with cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase activity. This work was supported by Grant A-3458 from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council Canada.     

Interaction of human serum albumin with membranes containing polymer-grafted lipids: spin-label ESR studies in the mushroom and brush regimes

The adsorption of human serum albumin (HSA) to dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer membranes containing poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-DPPE) was studied as a function of content and headgroup size of the polymer lipid. In the absence of protein, conversion from the low-density mushroom regime to the high-density brush regime of polymer-lipid content is detected by the change in ESR outer hyperfine splitting, 2A_max, of chain spin-labelled phosphatidylcholine in gel-phase membranes. The values of 2A_max remain constant in the mushroom regime, but decrease on entering the brush regime. Conversion between the two regimes occurs at mole fractions X_PEG(m→b)≈0.04, 0.01-0.02 and 0.005-0.01 for PEG-DPPE with mean PEG molecular masses of 350, 2000 and 5000 Da, respectively, as expected theoretically. Adsorption of HSA to DPPC membranes is detected as a decrease of the spin label 2A_max hyperfine splitting in the gel phase. Saturation is obtained at a protein/lipid ratio of ca. 1:1 w/w. In the presence of polymer-grafted lipids, HSA adsorbs to DPPC membranes only in the mushroom regime, irrespective of polymer length. In the brush regime, the spin-label values of 2A_max are unchanged in the presence of protein. Even in the mushroom regime, protein adsorption progressively becomes strongly attenuated as a result of the steric stabilization exerted by the polymer lipid. These results are in agreement with theoretical estimates of the lateral pressure exerted by the grafted polymer in the brush and mushroom regimes, respectively.     

Common behaviors alterations after extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure in rat animal model

ABSTRACT

Naturally, the presence of electromagnetic waves in our living environment affects all components of organisms, particularly humans and animals, as the large part of their body consists of water. In the present study, we tried to investigate the relation between exposure to the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) and common behaviors such as body weight, food and water intake, anorexia (poor appetite), plasma glucose concentration, movement, rearing and sniffing in rats. For this purpose, rats were exposed to 40 Hz ELF-EMF once a day for 21 days, then at days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 after exposure, any changes in the above-mentioned items were assessed in the exposed rats and compared to the non-exposed group as control. Body weight of irradiated rats significantly increased only a week after exposure and decreased after that. No significant change was observed in food and water intake of irradiated rats compared to the control, and the anorexia parameter in the group exposed to ELF-EMF was significantly decreased at one and two weeks after irradiation. A week after exposure, the level of glucose was significantly increased but at other days these changes were not significant. Movements, rearing and sniffing of rats at day 1 after exposure were significantly decreased and other days these changes did not follow any particular pattern. However, the result of this study demonstrated that exposure to ELF-EMF can alter the normal condition of animals and may represent a harmful impact on behavior.     

Purification of Gekko Small Peptide Fraction and Its Effect of Inducing Apoptosis of EC 9706 Esophageal Cancer Cells by Inhibiting PI3K/Akt/GLUT1 Signaling Pathway

This study aimed to isolate and purify a cytotoxic extraction from Gekko japonicus, identify its components and determine its cytotoxic activity in vitro. We isolated and identified the most potent cytotoxic Gekko small peptide LH-20-15. The identification and analysis of peptide sequences of LH-20-15 were performed by de novo peptide sequencing, and two new peptides were found. LH-20-15 significantly inhibited the proliferation of human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC 9706 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, LH-20-15 induced apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Further research showed that LH-20-15 inhibited the PI3 K/Akt/GLUT1 signaling pathway. In conclusion, LH-20-15 from Gekko japonicus is a peptide mixture and may inhibit EC 9706 cell proliferation and induce apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. It also regulates glucose metabolism by targeting the PI3 K/Akt/GLUT1 signaling pathway. These small peptides could be new sources of natural cytotoxic ingredients against esophageal cancer with potential drug values.