Effects of carbon monoxide packaging on color and lipid stability of irradiated ground beef

The effects of packaging atmosphere (aerobic, vacuum or MAP + CO) on ground beef treated with ionizing radiation (0, 2.0 and 4.5 kGy) were investigated. Ground beef quality attributes that were measured included lipid oxidation (TBA values), surface color (CIE L*, a*, b*), and sensory evaluation of color and odor. Measurements of color and lipid oxidation utilizing instrumental and sensory analysis were made during a 28-day storage period at refrigerated (0-20 C) temperatures. Irradiation had significant effects (p\u3c0.001) on color and TBA values. The MAP + CO treatments provided the highest L* and a* values (p\u3c0.001) over the 28-day storage period, regardless of irradiation dose, as indicated by instrumental and sensory analysis. The TBA values obtained from MAP + CO packages were well below the standard of what is considered rancid . In addition, sensory scores indicated minimal production of off-odors with MAP + CO packaging

Structural view of TORC2 signaling

TORC1 and TORC2 protein kinases play crucial roles in maintenance of cellular homeostasis and regulation of cell growth. Rapamycin potently inhibits TORC1, but not TORC2. Budding yeast TORC2 consists of the kinase Tor2 and the accessory subunits Avo1-3, Lst8 and Bit61/2. Our 7.9Å cryo-EM structure of TORC2 reveals its architecture and the structural basis for its rapamycin insensitivity. It also sheds a new light on the functions of the non-catalytic subunits. TORC2 resides at plasma membrane where it plays a key role in maintenance of plasma membrane tension homeostasis. Increasing tension triggers re-localization of the proteins Slm1/2 from eisosomes to TORC2 and its subsequent activation. A different pathway is involved in TORC2 inactivation upon tension decrease. It requires clustering of PtdIns(4,5)P2 into micron-sized domains, which correspond to large membrane invaginations. All in all, this work deepens the understanding of how cells sense mechanical cues and communicate them to TORC2

Effects of carbon monoxide packaging on color and lipid stability of irradiated ground beef

The effects of packaging atmosphere (aerobic, vacuum or MAP + CO) on ground beef treated with ionizing radiation (0, 2.0 and 4.5 kGy) were investigated. Ground beef quality attributes that were measured included lipid oxidation (TBA values), surface color (CIE L*, a*, b*), and sensory evaluation of color and odor. Measurements of color and lipid oxidation utilizing instrumental and sensory analysis were made during a 28-day storage period at refrigerated (0-20 C) temperatures. Irradiation had significant effects (p<0.001) on color and TBA values. The MAP + CO treatments provided the highest L* and a* values (p<0.001) over the 28-day storage period, regardless of irradiation dose, as indicated by instrumental and sensory analysis. The TBA values obtained from MAP + CO packages were well below the standard of what is considered "rancid". In addition, sensory scores indicated minimal production of off-odors with MAP + CO packaging.</p

The flipside of the TOR coin – TORC2 and plasma membrane homeostasis at a glance

Target of rapamycin (TOR) is a serine/threonine protein kinase conserved in most eukaryote organisms. TOR assembles into two multiprotein complexes (TORC1 and TORC2), which function as regulators of cellular growth and homeostasis by serving as direct transducers of extracellular biotic and abiotic signals, and, through their participation in intrinsic feedback loops, respectively. TORC1, the better-studied complex, is mainly involved in cell volume homeostasis through regulating accumulation of proteins and other macromolecules, while the functions of the lesser-studied TORC2 are only now starting to emerge. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster, we aim to highlight recent advances in our understanding of TORC2 signalling, particularly those derived from studies in yeast wherein TORC2 has emerged as a major regulator of cell surface homeostasis.</p

TORC2 Structure and Function

The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase functions in two multiprotein complexes, TORC1 and TORC2. Although both complexes are evolutionarily conserved, only TORC1 is acutely inhibited by rapamycin. Consequently, only TORC1 signaling is relatively well understood; and, at present, only mammalian TORC1 is a validated drug target, pursued in immunosuppression and oncology. However, the knowledge void surrounding TORC2 is dissipating. Acute inhibition of TORC2 with small molecules is now possible and structural studies of both TORC1 and TORC2 have recently been reported. Here we review these recent advances as well as observations made from tissue-specific mTORC2 knockout mice. Together these studies help define TORC2 structure-function relationships and suggest that mammalian TORC2 may one day also become a bona fide clinical target

Effects of tramadol on alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors in the rat brain

WOS: 000222923000015PubMed ID: 15246863In recent years, it has been postulated that tramadol, used mainly for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, might display a potential as an antidepressant drug. The present study investigated the effects of acute and repeated tramadol administration on the binding of [H-3]RX 821002, a selective alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor ligand, in the rat brain. Male Wistar rats were used. Tramadol (20 mg/kg, i.p.) administered acutely (single dose), at 24 h after dosing, induced a significant decrease in the alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors in all brain regions studied. The most pronounced effects were observed in all subregions of the olfactory system, nucleus accumbens and septum, thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and cerebral cortex. Repeated treatment with tramadol (20 mg/kg, i.p., once daily for 21 days) also induced statistically significant downregulation of [H-3]RX 821002 binding sites in the rat brain. However, the effect-although statistically significant-was less pronounced than in the group treated acutely with the drug. Since drugs such as mianserin and mirtazapine are potent antagonists of central alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors and are effective antidepressants, it is tempting to suggest that, in addition to other alterations induced by tramadol, downregulation of these receptors may represent a potential antidepressant efficacy. On the other hand, one should be careful to avoid the treatment of chronic pain with tramadol in patients already receiving antidepressant drugs. Tramadol-induced downregulation Of alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors-when combined with ongoing antidepressant therapy with drugs, which themselves inhibit serotonin reuptake or are antagonists of alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors-might cause threatening complications. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Some neurochemical effects of tramadol in the rat brain resemble the effects of antidepressant drugs

17th Congress of the European-College-of-Neuropsychopharmacology -- OCT 09-13, 2004 -- Stockholm, SWEDENWOS: 000225460400138…European Coll Neuropsychopharmaco