Functional relevance and health benefits of soymilk fermented by lactic acid bacteria

The growing interest of consumers towards nutritionally enriched, and health promoting foods, provoke interest in the eventual development of fermented functional foods. Soymilk is a growing trend that can serve as a low-cost non-dairy alternative with improved functional and nutritional properties. Soymilk acts as a good nutrition media for the growth and proliferation of the micro-organism as well as for their bioactivities. The bioactive compounds produced by fermentation of soymilk with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exhibit enhanced nutritional values, and several improved health benefits including antihypertensive, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer and hypocholesterolaemic effects. The fermented soymilk is acquiring a significant position in the functional food industry due to its increased techno-functional qualities as well as ensuring the survivability of probiotic bacteria producing diverse metabolites. This review covers the important benefits conferred by the consumption of soymilk fermented by LAB producing bioactive compounds. It provides a holistic approach to obtain existing knowledge on the biofunctional attributes of fermented soymilk, with a focus on the functionality of soymilk fermented by LAB.     

In vitro floral induction from thin longitudinal sections and micro-cuttings of juvenile cork oak material

In vitro flowers were obtained from thin longitudinal sections excised at the proximity of the apical region or nodal regions of the main stem and axillary shoots of in vitro Quercus suber stock shoots as well as from field-grown seedlings. In vitro floral induction was also achieved from nodal segments of 8- to 9-month-old seedlings or from micro-cuttings of embryonic main shoot and its axillary shoots of 2-month-old seedlings. The more juvenile the material the shorter the period required to achieve flowering. Under the described experimental conditions we have thus been able to induce the expression of neoteny in a woody, long-cycle species such as cork oak.     

Potent and selective biphenyl azole inhibitors of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aFABP)

Herein we report the first disclosure of biphenyl azoles that are nanomolar binders of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aFABP or aP2) with up to thousand-fold selectivity against muscle fatty acid binding protein and epidermal fatty acid binding protein. In addition a new radio-ligand to determine binding against the three fatty acid binding proteins was also synthesized.     

Intestinal Parasitosis in Relation to Anti-Retroviral Therapy,CD4+ T-cell Count and Diarrhea in HIV Patients

Intestinal parasitic infections are one of the major causes of diarrhea in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive individuals. Antiretroviral therapy has markedly reduced the incidence of many opportunistic infections, but parasite-related diarrhea still remains frequent and often underestimated especially in developing countries. The present hospital-based study was conducted to determine the spectrum of intestinal parasitosis in adult HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) patients with or without diarrhea with the levels of CD4⁺ T-cell counts. A total of 400 individuals were enrolled and were screened for intestinal parasitosis. Of these study population, 200 were HIV seropositives, and the remaining 200 were HIV uninfected individuals with or without diarrhea. Intestinal parasites were identified by using microscopy as well as PCR assay. A total of 130 (32.5%) out of 400 patients were positive for any kinds of intestinal parasites. The cumulative number of parasite positive patients was 152 due to multiple infections. A significant association of Cryptosporidium (P<0.001) was detected among individuals with CD4⁺ T-cell counts less than 200 cells/μl.     

An unusual presentation of a malignant jejunal tumor and a different management strategy

BACKGROUND: Malignant small bowel tumors are very rare and leiomyosarcoma accounts for less than 15% of the cases. Management of these tumors is challenging in view of nonspecific symptoms, unusual presentation and high incidence of metastasis. In this case report, an unusual presentation of jejunal sarcoma and management of liver metastasis with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is discussed. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old male presented with anemia and features of small bowel obstruction. Operative findings revealed a mass lesion in jejunum with intussusception of proximal loop. Resection of bowel mass was performed. Histopathological findings were suggestive of leiomyosarcoma. After 3-years of follow-up, the patient developed recurrence in infracolic omentum and a liver metastasis. The omental mass was resected and liver lesion was managed with radiofrequency ablation. CONCLUSION: Jejunal leiomyosarcoma is a rare variety of malignant small bowel tumor and a clinical presentation with intussusception is unusual. We suggest that an aggressive management approach using a combination of surgery and a newer technique like RFA can be attempted in patients with limited metastatic spread to liver to prolong the long-term survival in a subset of patients.     

Species loss of stoneflies (Plecoptera) in the Czech Republic during the 20th century

1. Rapid expansion and intensification of anthropogenic activities in the 20th century has caused profound changes in freshwater assemblages. Unfortunately, knowledge of the extent and causes of species loss (SL) is limited due to the lack of reliable historical data. An unusual data set allows us to compare changes in the most sensitive of aquatic insect orders, the Plecoptera, at some 170 locations in the Czech Republic between two time periods, 1955–1960 and 2006–2010. Historical data (1890–1911) on assemblages of six lowland rivers allow us to infer even earlier changes. 2. Regional stonefly diversity decreased in the first half of the 20th century. Streams at lower altitudes lost a substantial number of species, which were never recovered. In the second half of the century, large‐scale anthropogenic pressure caused SL in all habitats, leading to a dissimilarity of contemporary and previous assemblages. The greatest changes were found at sites affected by organic pollution and a mixture of organic pollution and channelisation or impoundment. Colonisation of new habitats was observed in only three of the 80 species evaluated. 3. Species of moderate habitat specialisation and tolerance to organic pollution were most likely to be lost. Those with narrow specialisations in protected habitats were present in both historical and contemporary collections. 4. Contemporary assemblages are the consequence of more than a 100 years of anthropogenic impacts. In particular, streams at lower altitude and draining intensively exploited landscapes host a mere fragment of the original species complement. Most stonefly species are less frequently present than before, although their assemblages remain almost intact in near‐natural mountain streams. Our analyses demonstrate dramatic restriction of species ranges and, in some cases, apparent changes in altitudinal preference throughout the area.     

Enzyme field effect transistor (ENFET) for estimation of triglycerides using magnetic nanoparticles

Ion-selective field effect transistor (ISFET) is a robust platform to develop biosensors. A variety of methods are used including covalent attachment or polymer entrapment, to associate enzymes or antibodies to the gate surface of a FET. We have employed a novel method of retaining the enzyme molecules at the gate surface by immobilizing the enzyme on magnetic nickelferrite nanoparticles and applying a permanent magnet below the gate of the FET. We were able to estimate the triglyceride concentrations in the range of 0.1–1.5% by immobilizing a thermostable lipase on nanoparticles. Tributyrin, trioctanoate and triolein have given similar results. The reaction volume could be scaled down to 0.2 ml without a loss in slope or sensitivity. Ionic strength (>150 mM NaCl) has a strong influence on the sensitivity of the measurement. The advantages of this configuration of enzyme biosensor are reduction of mass transfer problems, increasing the amount of enzyme at the gate surface besides providing an opportunity to use a single FET device for multiple analyte detection.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litsea glutinosa</Emphasis> (Lour.) in Central India

Litsea glutinosa (Lour.), one of the most dwindling forest species in central India, is represented by highly fragmented populations that have been drastically reduced for the last 40 years, promulgating government ban on its extraction. For the first time with the help of ISSR markers, we investigated genetic variation and population structure of L. glutinosa in central Indian states. A total of 84 genotypes from 10 populations covering the entire potential pockets of the species in central India were collected. The percentage of polymorphic loci ranged from 44.79% (Rewa) to 94.79% (Marvahi) with a mean value of 70.10%. The sampled populations harbored high level of genetic diversity (mean h?=?0.294 and I?=?0.424) that was partitioned more within populations (73%) than between populations (27%). Bayesian structure analysis revealed the existence of four admixed genetic pools in L. glutinosa. The unsustainable extraction rather than genetic factor seems to be responsible for population fragmentation and dwindling status of this species. The dioecious nature of the species advocates an in-situ conservation to be the most suited approach for which Chhindwara, Jagdalpur, Balaghat and Jabalpur populations are appropriate.     

A novel mutation 5’ to the HMG box of theSRY gene in a case of Swyer syndrome

We describe a novel mutation in the coding region of theSRY gene in a 46, XY female with Swyer syndrome. Analysis ofSRY was carried out by direct sequencing of a 780-bp PCR product that included theSRY open reading frame (ORF). This revealed the presence of a point mutation, ins 108A, in the coding region 5’ to the HMG box which results in a frame shift and premature termination of the encoded protein. No other mutation was found in theSRY ORF. We infer that sex reversal in this individual is a result of this insertion. In none of the 13 other 46, XY females that were studied was a mutation detected inSRY, confirming earlier findings that most cases of XY femaleness are due to causes other than mutation inSRY. These observations and those of others are discussed in relation to the aetiology of XY sex reversal.     

Aglycone exploration of C-arylglucoside inhibitors of renal sodium-dependent glucose transporter SGLT2

Inhibition of sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2), the transporter that is responsible for renal re-uptake of glucose, leads to glucosuria in animals. SGLT-mediated glucosuria provides a mechanism to shed excess plasma glucose to ameliorate diabetes-related hyperglycemia and associated complications. The current study demonstrates that the proper relationship of a 4′-substituted benzyl group to a β-1C-phenylglucoside is important for potent and selective SGLT2 inhibition. The lead C-arylglucoside (7a) demonstrates superior metabolic stability to its O-arylglucoside counterpart (4) and it promotes glucosuria when administered in vivo.