Fatty acid composition of five Malaysian biscuits (cream crackers) with special reference to trans-fatty acids

The fatty acid composition and trans fatty acids (TFA) contents of samples of five Malaysian cream crackers biscuit brands were determined by gas-liquid chromatography, using a 60 m Supelco SP2340 fused silica capillary column and flame ionization detection. The identities of the fatty acids were established by comparing their retention times with authentic standards from Supelco. The results were expressed as relative percentages. The total saturated fatty acids (SFA) in the samples ranged from 48.90% to 54.87% of total fatty acids. As for the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), the total PUFA in the samples ranged from 9.97% to 11.73% of total fatty acids. Total trans fatty acids (TFA) ranged from 0.17% to 0.77% of total fatty acids. The monotrans 18:2 tc or 18:2 ct isomer content ranged from 0.07% to 0.10% of total fatty acids and the ditrans 18:2 isomer (9t, 12t) was not detected. The results indicate that all the fat sources of the 5 sample crackers biscuit brands were palm oil based

Two surgical treatment methods for open angle glaucoma and cataract

AIM: To compare the curative effects of two surgical treatment methods for open angle glaucoma and cataract patients.<p>METHODS: Totally 69 patients with primary open angle glaucoma and cataract were divided into two groups: group A and group B. Thirty-four patients(34 eyes)in group A underwent small incision non-phacoemulsification cataract surgery combined with trabeculectomy, just combined operations, 35 patients(35 eyes)in group B underwent small incision non-phacoemulsification cataract surgery beyond 6mo after trabeculectomy, just two stage operations. Postoperative intraocular pressure at 1wk and 3mo, postoperative corrected visual acuity and filtering bleb at 3mo were observed, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared. All the patients were followed up for 3-6mo.<p>RESULTS: All the visual acuity were increased compared with that before surgery in two groups, the difference was not statistically significant. All the intraocular pressure was controlled in two groups, the difference was not statistically significant, and the difference about the filtering bleb was neither statistically significant(<i>P</i>>0.05). There were no serious intraoperative and postoperative complications in two groups.<p>CONCLUSION: The two stage operations and the combined operations both can control theintraocular pressure and improved visual acuity of open angle glaucoma and cataract. The two stage operations may prevent a second operation for post trabeculectomy cataract, allowing earlier visual rehabilitation

Novel compositions and methods for trehalose phospholipids

Provided herein are compositions of trehalose phospholipids and uses thereof, e.g., compounds and compositions comprising 6,6'-diphosphatidyltrehalose (diPT) and analogs thereof with modifications of the diPT chemical scaffold, that bind and agonize Mincle, and the use thereof as adjuvants

Cloning and characterization of an S-RNase gene in Camellia sinensis

AbstractSelf-incompatibility (SI) prevents inbreeding depression in angiosperms. Camellia sinensis is an important cash crop, but breeding improvements and genetic studies of the plant are hindered by SI. However, the SI mechanism in C. sinensis remains unclear. In this study, a putative S-RNase gene (KU852488) was cloned from C. sinensis. The full-length cDNA of CsS-RNase is 1121bp, which encodes 238 amino acids. It shares the closest relationship with an S-RNase gene (ADA67883.1), which was cloned from a self-incompatibility Citrus reticulata cultivar ‘Wuzishatangju’. The expression level of CsS-RNase in the styles were 3–259 (‘Fuding Dabaicha’) and 5.6–119 (‘Zhongcha108’) times higher than the other tissues, for example petals, pollen grains, filaments and buds. And its expression rose in self-pollinated styles with 24h earlier than cross-pollinated styles. The genotypes of CsS-RNase in 10 cultivars and one breeding line of C. sinensis were analyzed. Totally, 11 polymorphic amino acid residues were identified. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker of CsS-RNase was developed. Finally, the CsS-RNase was mapped onto a reference genetic linkage map of tea plant

ER stress in antigen‐presenting cells promotes NKT cell activation through endogenous neutral lipids

CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells constitute a common glycolipid-reactive innate-like T-cell subset with a broad impact on innate and adaptive immunity. While several microbial glycolipids are known to activate iNKT cells, the cellular mechanisms leading to endogenous CD1d-dependent glycolipid responses remain largely unclear. Here, we show that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in APCs is a potent inducer of CD1d-dependent iNKT cell autoreactivity. This pathway relies on the presence of two transducers of the unfolded protein response: inositol-requiring enzyme-1a (IRE1α) and protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK). Surprisingly, the neutral but not the polar lipids generated within APCs undergoing ER stress are capable of activating iNKT cells. These data reveal that ER stress is an important mechanism to elicit endogenous CD1d-restricted iNKT cell responses through induction of distinct classes of neutral lipids

Membrane Lipid Requirements of the Lysine Transporter Lyp1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Membrane lipids act as solvents and functional cofactors for integral membrane proteins. The yeast plasma membrane is unusual in that it may have a high lipid order, which coincides with low passive permeability for small molecules and a slow lateral diffusion of proteins. Yet, membrane proteins whose functions require altered conformation must have flexibility within membranes. We have determined the molecular composition of yeast plasma membrane lipids located within a defined diameter of model proteins, including the APC-superfamily lysine transporter Lyp1. We now use the composition of lipids that naturally surround Lyp1 to guide testing of lipids that support the normal functioning of the transporter, when reconstituted in vesicles of defined lipid composition. We find that phosphatidylserine and ergosterol are essential for Lyp1 function, and the transport activity displays a sigmoidal relationship with the concentration of these lipids. Non-bilayer lipids stimulate transport activity, but different types are interchangeable. Remarkably, Lyp1 requires a relatively high fraction of lipids with one or more unsaturated acyl chains. The transport data and predictions of the periprotein lipidome of Lyp1, support a new model in which a narrow band of lipids immediately surrounding the transmembrane stalk of a model protein allows conformational changes in the protein

Short Communication: Detection Of The Serotype Of Avibacterium Paragallinarum From Indonesian Poultry Field Isolate Using Hemagglutination Inhibition Test

Infectious coryza (IC) is an opportunistic and infectious upper respiratory tract disease in poultry, caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum. This disease has high morbidity but low mortality. The major losses caused by IC are the reduced egg production and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR). There are three recognized Avibacterium paragallinarum serovars, which are serovar A, B, and C. Limited reports regarding the serovars of Avibacterium paragallinarum in Indonesia are available. This research was done to detect the serovar of Avibacterium paragallinarum from Indonesian poultry field isolate using hemagglutination inhibiotion (HI) test. Ten field isolates of Avibacterium paragallinarum were re-identified, then processed into antigen solution using sonication, further on used for hemagglutination (HA) test. After the 4HA unit titer was obtained, the antigens were tested with HI using reference antisera (Strain 221 serovar A, strain Spross serovar B, and strain Modesto, serovar C). The results showed that one isolate had the highest titer with antiserum serovar A which was &gt;5120 HI unit and nine isolates had the highest titer with antiserum serovar B which was &gt;5120 HI Unit. Therefore, it can be concluded that one field isolates of Avibacterium paragallinarum from layer chicken is serovar A and nine field isolates of Avibacterium paragallinarum from layer, broiler, free range chicken, quail field isolates are serovar B.Infectious coryza (IC) merupakan penyakit saluran pernapasan atas yang bersifat oportunistik dan menular pada unggas. Penyakit ini disebabkan oleh Avibacterium paragallinarum. Sifat infeksi penyakit ini dikenal memiliki morbiditas yang tinggi namun dengan mortalitas yang rendah. Kerugian utama yang disebabkan oleh IC adalah berkurangnya produksi telur dan peningkatan rasio konversi pakan (FCR). Ada tiga serovarian Avibacterium paragallinarum yang dikenal, yaitu serovarian A, B, dan C. Laporan mengenai serovarian Avibacterium paragallinarum di Indonesia masih sangat terbatas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeteksi serovaran Avibacterium paragallinarum dari isolat peternakan unggas di Indonesia menggunakan uji hemaglutinasi inhibisi (HI). Sepuluh isolat lapang Avibacterium paragallinarum diidentifikasi ulang untuk kemudian diolah menjadi larutan antigen menggunakan teknik sonikasi yang selanjutnya digunakan untuk uji hemaglutinasi (HA). Setelah titer unit 4HA diperoleh, antigen diuji dengan HI menggunakan antisera referensi (Strain 221 serovar A, strain Spross serovar B, dan regangan Modesto, serovar C). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa satu isolat memiliki titer paling tinggi dengan antiserum serovarian A yaitu &gt;5120 HI unit dan sembilan isolat memiliki titer tertinggi dengan antiserum serovarian B yaitu &gt;5120 HI Unit. Oleh karena itu, dapat disimpulkan bahwa satu isolat lapang Avibacterium paragallinarum dari ayam petelur adalah serovarian A dan sembilan isolat lapang dari Avibacterium paragallinarum dari ayam petelur, ayam pedaging, ayam kampung, puyuh isolat lapangan merupakan serovarian B