Factors influencing alcohol and extract separation in beer dialysis

An 8-m thick Cuprophane hollow-fibre membrane not only had a higher ultrafiltration coefficient than an 11-m thick membrane but was more permeable and selective for ethanol dialysis and extract removal from beer. Transmembrane pressures above 40 Pa did not affect alcohol removal but did prevent further extract removal and therefore improved the final beer quality. To achieve selective removal of alcohol, beer flow rates must be above the critical velocities but remain below values which would require too great a membrane area.     

Factors influencing the diastolic pressure-volume relation of the cardiac ventricles

The diastolic pressure-volume relationship of either ventricle is a direct measure of the properties of its chamber. While this relation is, to a large extent, determined by the myocardium and its mechanical properties, there are a number of physiological factors that are also capable of influencing the diastolic pressure-volume-relation. This review examines our current understanding of the importance of a number of these factors with respect to the diastolic properties of the chamber. The factors discussed are heart rate, arterial pressure, coronary perfusion pressure, the pericardium, and the mechanical interplay between ventricles. The influence of heart rate, arterial pressure, and coronary perfusion pressure can be considered as minor provided they remain within their normal physiological range. On the other hand, the diastolic pressure-volume relation is highly dependent on the volume in the other ventricle, particularly in the presence of the pericardium. An awareness and understanding of the interrelationship between these factors and the diastolic pressure-volume relation is essential when evaluating the properties of the chamber and when such pressure-volume data are used to estimate the mechanical properties of the myocardium.     

Factors influencing disease phenotype and penetrance in HFE haemochromatosis

Haemochromatosis is predominantly associated with the HFE p.C282Y homozygous genotype, which is present in approximately 1 in 200 people of Northern European origin. However, not all p.C282Y homozygotes develop clinical features of haemochromatosis, and not all p.C282Y homozygotes even present abnormal iron parameters justifying venesection therapy. This situation was not apparent from initial genotype/phenotype correlation studies as there was a selection bias of patients. Only those patients with a significant iron burden were included in these early studies. It is now largely accepted that the p.C282Y/p.C282Y genotype is necessary for the development of HFE haemochromatosis. However, this genotype provides few clues as to why certain symptoms are associated with the disease. Expression of iron overload in people with this genotype depends on the complex interplay of environmental factors and modifier genes. In this review, we restrict our discussion to work done in humans giving examples of animal models where this has helped clarify our understanding. We discuss penetrance, explaining that this concept normally does not apply to autosomal recessive disorders, and discuss the usefulness of different biochemical markers in ascertaining iron burden. Hepcidin, a peptide synthesized primarily by the liver, has been identified as the central regulator in iron homeostasis. Consequently, understanding its regulation is the key. We conclude that the main goal now is to identify important modifiers that have a significant and unambiguous effect on iron storage.     

Moderate alcohol consumption: effects on lipids and cardiovascular disease risk

Light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, as well as ischaemic stroke and possibly type 2 diabetes. Epidemiological and physiological data are in favour of a causal relationship. Proposed protective mechanisms include the stimulation of HDL-mediated processes such as reverse cholesterol transport and antioxidative effects. More well-controlled studies are needed to provide a complete understanding of the complexity of the underlying physiological mechanisms.     

肠道菌群与疾病关系的研究进展

人类肠道是一个多元化和充满活力的微生态系统,它的结构和功能成为目前生命科学和医学的研究热点。人类肠道拥有100万亿近1 000-1 150种细菌,在这个空间中它们与人类相互作用,对人类健康产生了巨大影响,其中有积极的作用,同时又伴随着潜在的威胁。本文详细论述了国内外关于肠道菌群与疾病关系的研究现状,益生菌对肠道菌群和健康的影响,以及研究肠道菌群的最新方法,为我国开展肠道微生物的研究提供部分参考,同时让人们更加了解肠道微生物对人类健康的影响。     

棕色脂肪组织与心血管疾病的关系

棕色脂肪组织 (BAT)是由棕色脂肪细胞和血管基质成分 (SVF)组成,其中SVF中包括内皮细胞、淋巴细胞、成纤维细胞以及具有多种分化功能的干细胞,在调节心血管健康与疾病上扮演着重要角色,参与心血管疾病的发生与发展。一方面,BAT通过能量代谢以及自分泌或旁分泌方式分泌的细胞因子对机体产生重要影响。BAT可以作用于心血管系统,发挥抗炎、抗心室重构等作用,从而对心血管起到保护作用。另一方面,脂肪组织来源干细胞的发现与应用,也为心血管疾病的治疗提供了有效途径。本文回顾了BAT自发现以来在人体及动物模型上的相关研究进展,论述了其与心血管损伤的相关性。     

Observations on the relation between alcohol absorption and the rate of gastric emptying.

Alcohol (ethanol) is absorbed slowly from the stomach and rapidly from the small intestine, and the rate of its absorption depends on the rate of gastric emptying. When gastric emptying is fast, the absorption of alcohol is fast. When gastric emptying is slow the absorption of alcohol is delayed and peak blood alcohol concentrations are reduced. Alterations of the gastric emptying rate, which may have a physiologic, pharmacologic or pathologic cause, markedly influence the rate of alcohol absorption. The gastric emptying rate makes an important contribution to inter- and intraindividual variations in the rate of alcohol absorption and therefore the timing and magnitude of the acute intoxicating effect of an oral dose of alcohol.     

The relation of saturated fatty acids with low-grade inflammation and cardiovascular disease

The mantra that dietary (saturated) fat must be minimized to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has dominated nutritional guidelines for decades. Parallel to decreasing intakes of fat and saturated fatty acids (SFA), there have been increases in carbohydrate and sugar intakes, overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The “lipid hypothesis” coined the concept that fat, especially SFA, raises blood low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and thereby CVD risk. In view of current controversies regarding their adequate intakes and effects, this review aims to summarize research regarding this heterogenic group of fatty acids and the mechanisms relating them to (chronic) systemic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and notably CVD. The intimate relationship between inflammation and metabolism, including glucose, fat and cholesterol metabolism, revealed that the dyslipidemia in Western societies, notably increased triglycerides, “small dense” low-density lipoprotein and “dysfunctional” high-density lipoprotein, is influenced by many unfavorable lifestyle factors. Dietary SFA is only one of these, not necessarily the most important, in healthy, insulin-sensitive people. The environment provides us not only with many other proinflammatory stimuli than SFA but also with many antiinflammatory counterparts. Resolution of the conflict between our self-designed environment and ancient genome may rather rely on returning to the proinflammatory/antiinflammatory balance of the Paleolithic era in consonance with the 21st century culture. Accordingly, dietary guidelines might reconsider recommendations for SFA replacement and investigate diet in a broader context, together with nondietary lifestyle factors. This should be a clear priority, opposed to the reductionist approach of studying the effects of single nutrients, such as SFA.     

阿尔采末病与免疫炎症反应的相关性

阿尔采末病（Ａｌｚｈｅｉｍｅｒ’ｓｄｉｓｅａｓｅ,ＡＤ）可能是中枢神经系统内免疫活性细胞过程激活而导致的免疫炎症反应,其病灶周围存在大量激活的小胶质细胞和星形细胞,可产生大量补体,炎性细胞因子,急性期反应物等导致神经细胞损伤,破坏和死亡。同时体内寂体调节剂和抑制性细胞因子的水平明显长高,虽然不足以保护神经元免遭破坏,但却提示抑制或阻断中枢神经系统的免疫炎症反应的药物可能在ＡＤ的防治中具有重要作用。     

Commonalities between genetics of cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Numerous epidemiological and clinical data suggest that neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, may be related directly or indirectly to cardiovascular risk. Genetic studies have demonstrated that they share at least one common susceptibility gene, encoding apolipoprotein E, a modulator of cardiac risk and of cognitive impairment. Several studies have suggested that other genes involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases may be involved. Previous studies indicated that additional genes contribute to Alzheimer's disease, in particular to the sporadic, more common late-onset form. In this review, the authors focus on recent findings concerning the modulation of the risk of Alzheimer's disease by genes also involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: The intensive search conducted in the past year gave rise to many publications, more than half of which were related to genes common to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. The majority of the genes studied are involved in cholesterol metabolism, hypertension, lipid oxidation and detoxication, or inflammatory processes. SUMMARY: In the past year, approximately 100 studies concerning the genetics of Alzheimer's disease were published around the world. Results suggest that the risk of Alzheimer's disease is modulated by various genes encoding proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism, in the detoxication of lipoprotein oxidation or encoding cytokines.     

食蟹猴心血管病风险因素与心血管病相关基因在外周血白细胞表达的相关性

研究心血管病风险因素和心血管病相关基因表达的相关性有助于心血管病风险预警和早期诊断研究。该文采用温和的动脉粥样硬化膳食(0.053mg胆固醇/千焦、40%的能量来源于脂肪)喂养中老年雄性食蟹猴(Macaca fascicularis)(12个月),根据传统心血管病风险因素筛选低、高风险食蟹猴,然后采用荧光定量PCR技术检测113个心血管病相关基因在正常组、低风险和高风险组食蟹猴外周血白细胞内的表达差异。结果在食蟹猴外周血白细胞中共检测到65个心血管病相关基因,其中低、高风险组有16个基因相对于正常组表达上调(P<0.05),19个基因表达下调(P<0.05),另外,还有15个基因表达模式特异(P<0.05)。此外,还检测到42个心血管病相关基因在人和食蟹猴外周血白细胞内均有效表达,其中22个基因在两者之间表达模式一致。上述结果为进一步研究心血管病风险预警和早期诊断指标,缩小了基因遴选范围。     

Factors influencing the operational stability of NADPH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase and an NADH-dependent variant thereof in gas/solid reactors

The continuous enzymatic gas/solid bio-reactor serves both for the production of volatile fine chemicals and flavors on an industrial scale and for thermodynamically controlled investigation of substrate and water effects on enzyme preparations for research purposes. Here, we comparatively investigated the molecular effects on the operational stability of NADPH-dependent Lactobacillus brevis alcohol dehydrogenase and an NADH-dependent variant thereof, LbADH G37D, in the gas/solid bioreactor. The reference reaction is the reduction of acetophenone to (R)-1-phenylethanol with concomitant oxidation of 2-propanol to acetone for the purpose of regeneration of the redox cofactor.It could be clearly shown that not the thermostability of the cofactor, but the thermostability of the proteins in the solid dry state govern the order of magnitude of the operational stability of both purified enzymes in the gas/solid reactor at low thermodynamic activity of water and substrate. However, at higher thermodynamic activity the operational stability in the gas/solid reactor is overlaid by stabilizing and destabilizing effects of the substrates that require further investigation. We demonstrated first evidence that the substrate affinity of the two variants in the gas/solid reactor is similar to the affinity in aqueous medium. We could also show that partial unfolding of the proteins with subsequent aggregation are the factors governing protein thermo-in-stability both in the dissolved and in the dry state. Thus, stability investigations of enzymes in the dry state are suggested to predict their basal level of operational stability in gas/solid reactions.     

The relation between the electric impedance of apple-tree tissues and the proliferation disease

Between the electric impedance of the roots of healthy apple-trees and that of apple-trees infected with the proliferation disease there were highly significant differences at the beginning of November. However, the results were not necessarily the same in all roots of the same plant, but varied according to the extent of infection.     

Nutrigenomics: a case for the common soil between cardiovascular disease and cancer

The border between health and disease is often set by a complex equilibrium between two elements, genetics on one hand, lifestyle on the other, To know it better, means to give new weapons, often crucial, in the hands of the doctors and their patients. It also means to adjust therapies, to find out which drug is good for a patient and which prevention strategy will work better for him/her. Nutrigenomics is an approach to individualize or personalize food and nutrition, and ultimately health, by tailoring the food to the individual genotype. In this review, we present the interaction between certain genetic polymorphisms and diet and increased cardiovascular or cancer risk. It is, indeed, now clear that a large number of bioactive food components may provide risk or protection at several stages of both atherosclerosis and cancer formation processes. We are giving here few examples of gene-food interactions relevant for both the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, since a common soil could exist in the genesis of cardiovascular disease and of some types of cancer (mainly gastrointestinal tract and hormone-dependent).