Characterisation of Physicochemical Properties of Propionylated Corn Starch and Its Application as Stabiliser

A series of propionylated starches with diff erent degrees of substitution (DS) was synthesised and their physicochemical properties and application as a stabiliser were investigated. Starch propionates with moderate DS were prepared by esterifi cation of native corn starch with propionic anhydride. By varying the reaction times of the esterifi cation process, twelve starch propionates with DS of 0.47 to 0.94 were prepared. FTIR and NMR confi rmed the introduction of propionyl groups to the starch. X-ray diff raction patt ern showed reduced crystallinity in the starch propionates. The contact angle was found to increase proportionately with the increase in DS. Swelling power results showed that starch propionates were able to swell more than native corn starch at low temperature (40 °C). Oil-in- -water (O/W) emulsions prepared using starch propionates (DS of 0.64 to 0.86) showed exceptional stability when challenged by centrifugation stress test. These stable O/W emulsions had viscosities in the range of 1236.7–3330.0 mPa·s. In conclusion, moderately substituted short-chain (propionylated) starches could be a promising cold swelling starch, thickener and O/W emulsion stabiliser in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries

Effect of tea polyphenols on α-amylase activity in starch hydrolysis

Tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) contain bioactive compounds that can help prevent certain diseases. In this study, the inhibitory effect of polyphenolic components of different types of tea leaves (green, oolong and black) extracted using different solvents (ethanol, methanol and water) on α-amylase activity of human saliva were investigated in vitro. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferric reducing/antioxidant power and inhibition of free radical scavenging activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl of the extracts were measured. Content of gallic acid, caffeine and four catechins also were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. The ethanol extracts had the highest TPC (124.34-231.23 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g sample), followed by the methanol extracts (124.28-209.76 mg GAE/g sample) and the water extracts (66.89-136.51 mg GAE/g sample). All three solvent extractions of green tea leaves contained the highest TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity, followed by oolong and black tea leaves. Green tea leaves contained higher amounts of catechins than oolong and black tea leaves. All four catechins were detected in green and oolong tea leaves but only gallocatechin gallate was found in black tea leaves. Next, the effect of tea leaves extracts on starch hydrolysis by α-amylase enzyme from human saliva at 37°C was studied. The starches were hydrolyzed with 0.01% enzyme for 240 min and the extent of hydrolysis was determined based on the dextrose equivalent value. The extent of starch hydrolysis by the tea leaves was as follows: green tea > oolong tea > black tea. The low degree of hydrolysis for black tea was due to its strong inhibitory effect on α-amylase activity. Thus, green, oolong and black tea leaves inhibit activity of α-amylase to different degrees due to their differing compositions and structures of phenolic compounds

Fizikalno-kemijska svojstva hidroksipropiliranog kukuruznog škroba te njegova moguća primjena kao stabilizatora emulzija

A series of propionylated starches with diff erent degrees of substitution (DS) was synthesised and their physicochemical properties and application as a stabiliser were investigated. Starch propionates with moderate DS were prepared by esterifi cation of native corn starch with propionic anhydride. By varying the reaction times of the esterification process, twelve starch propionates with DS of 0.47 to 0.94 were prepared. FTIR and NMR confirmed the introduction of propionyl groups to the starch. X-ray diffraction pattern showed reduced crystallinity in the starch propionates. The contact angle was found to increase proportionately with the increase in DS. Swelling power results showed that starch propionates were able to swell more than native corn starch at low temperature (40°C). Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions prepared using starch propionates (DS of 0.64 to 0.86) showed exceptional stability when challenged by centrifugation stress test. These stable O/W emulsions had viscosities in the range of 1236.7–3330.0 mPa·s. In conclusion, moderately substituted short-chain (propionylated) starches could be a promising cold swelling starch, thickener and O/W emulsion stabiliser in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.U radu su ispitana fizikalno-kemijska svojstva hidroksipropiliranog škroba različitog stupnja supstitucije, te je istražena mogućnost njegove primjene kao stabilizatora emulzija. Djelomično supstituirani škrob pripremljen je esterifikacijom prirodnog škroba s propilen-oksidom, pri čemu je, ovisno o trajanju reakcije, dobiveno dvanaest uzoraka modificiranog škroba stupnja supstitucije od 0,47 do 0,94. Pomoću spektroskopskih metoda FTIR i NMR potvrđena je prisutnost propionskih skupina u strukturi škroba. Rendgenski je difrakcijski uzorak pokazao smanjenje kristaličnosti škroba. Utvrđeno je da se povećanjem stupnja supstitucije škroba proporcionalno povećao i kontaktni kut. Ispitivanjem bubrenja utvrđeno je da modificirani škrob pri niskoj temperaturi (40 °C) jače bubri od prirodnog škroba. Emulzije modificiranog škroba stupnja supstitucije od 0,64 do 0,86 bile su izuzetno stabilne i nakon centrifugiranja, a njihova viskoznost bila je od 1236,7 do 3330,0 MPa•s. Iz rezultata se može zaključiti da se djelomično supstituirani kratkolančani škrob može upotrijebiti kao sredstvo za zgušnjavanje i stabilizator emulzija pri niskim temperaturama u prehrambenoj, farmaceutskoj i kozmetičkoj industriji

Oncogenic Pathway Combinations Predict Clinical Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

Many solid cancers are known to exhibit a high degree of heterogeneity in their deregulation of different oncogenic pathways. We sought to identify major oncogenic pathways in gastric cancer (GC) with significant relationships to patient survival. Using gene expression signatures, we devised an in silico strategy to map patterns of oncogenic pathway activation in 301 primary gastric cancers, the second highest cause of global cancer mortality. We identified three oncogenic pathways (proliferation/stem cell, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin) deregulated in the majority (>70%) of gastric cancers. We functionally validated these pathway predictions in a panel of gastric cancer cell lines. Patient stratification by oncogenic pathway combinations showed reproducible and significant survival differences in multiple cohorts, suggesting that pathway interactions may play an important role in influencing disease behavior. Individual GCs can be successfully taxonomized by oncogenic pathway activity into biologically and clinically relevant subgroups. Predicting pathway activity by expression signatures thus permits the study of multiple cancer-related pathways interacting simultaneously in primary cancers, at a scale not currently achievable by other platforms

The Properties of Different Starches under the Influence of Glucono-Delta-Lactone at Different Concentrations

In this study, glucono-delta-lactone (GDL), which is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), was added to native starches to modify their physicochemical properties. The effects of GDL on the molecular weight, pasting properties, flow behavior, gel syneresis, and crystallization properties of potato, tapioca, and corn starches were investigated. GPC results showed that as the GDL concentration increased, the molecular weight of amylose increased, whereas that of amylopectin decreased. An analysis using the Rapid Visco Analyzer revealed that the addition of GDL improved the pasting properties of potato starch, with reduced peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity, and it also improved setback viscosity. On the other hand, tapioca starch degraded substantially after GDL addition, indicating a lower tendency for short-term retrogradation, as reflected in the lower setback viscosity. The effects of GDL on corn starch pasting properties were very similar to those observed for tapioca starch, but the changes were relatively subtle. In terms of flow behavior, GDL addition decreased and increased the flow index values of the potato and tapioca starch pastes, respectively. However, the effect of GDL addition on the flow index value of the corn starch paste was found to be insignificant. The results also showed that the percentage of syneresis under the influence of GDL depended on the starch botanical origin—that is, potato starch, 14–18%, tapioca starch, 10–13%, and corn starch, 17–20%—which was substantiated by crystallinity analysis. It was observed that GDL has the potential to be used for starch modification because it creates desirable functionalities with the advantage of being a green-labelled ingredient

Effects of Thermosonication on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Enteritidis as A Function of pH and Temperature

Abstract-The effects of thermosonication and thermal treatment on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Enteritidis suspended in citrate-phosphate buffer of pH 3 to pH 6 were studied at 30, 40 and 50 °C. Application of ultrasound and low pH was found to enhance the inactivation of the pathogens; with the highest reduction of the pathogens was achieved by thermosonication at 50 °C in pH 3 buffer. Approximately 4 log cycle reduction of E. coli O157:H7 and 6 log cycle reduction of S. Enteritidis were obtained after being thermosonicated for 15 minutes at 50 °C

Photocatalytic remediation of organic waste over Keggin-based polyoxometalate materials: A review

Photocatalytic remediation of industrial water pollution has courted intense attention lately due to its touted green approach. In this respect, Keggin-based polyoxometalates (POMs) as green solid acids in photocatalytic reaction possess superior qualities, viz. unique photoinduced charge-transfer properties, strong photooxidative-photoreductive ability, high chemical and thermal stability, and so forth. Unfortunately, it suffers from a large bandgap energy, low specific surface area, low recoverability, and scarce utilization in narrow absorption range. Therefore, the pollutant degradation performance is not satisfactory. Consequently, multifarious research to enhance the photocatalytic performance of Keggin-based POMs were reported, viz. via novel modifications and functionalizations through a variety of materials, inclusive of, inter alia, metal oxides, transition metals, noble metals, and others. In order to advocate this emerging technology, current review work provides a systematic overview on recent advancement, initiated from the strategized synthetic methods, followed by hierarchical enhancement and intensification process, at the same time emphasizes on the fundamental working principles of Keggin-based POM nanocomposites. By reviewing and summarizing the efforts adopted global-wide, this review is ended with providing useful outlooks for future studies. It is also anticipated to shed light on producing Keggin-based POM nanocomposites with breakthrough visible- and solar-light-driven photocatalytic performance against recalcitrant organic waste

Factors associated with alteration of nipple or skin sensation and impact of duration of time following nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM): an analysis of 460 cases with comparison of conventional versus endoscopic- or robotic-assisted NSM

Abstract Background The current study aims to evaluate the nipple and skin sensation following nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) and identify patient-, surgical-, or treatment-related factors affecting nipple or skin sensation in this cohort. Methods Patients who received NSM with postoperative nipple and skin sensation test evaluation at a single institution over the past 10 years were retrospectively retrieved from a prospectively collected breast cancer surgery database. Results A total of 460 NSM procedures were included in this current study, with the mean age of 48.3 ± 9.1. Three-hundred eighty-three (83.3%) patients had breast reconstructions. One-hundred seventy-four (37.8%) received conventional NSM (C-NSM), 195 (42.4%) endoscopic-assisted NSM (E-NSM), and 91 (19.8%) robotic-assisted NSM (R-NSM) procedures. For nipple sensation assessment, 15 (3.3%) were grade 0, 83 (18.2%) grade I, 229 (49.7%) grade II, and 133 (28.9%) grade III (normal sensation), respectively, with mean grade score of 2.1 ± 0.7. The preserved (grade III) nipple sensation rate was 36.2% (63/174) in the C-NSM group, 26.7% (52/195) in the E-NSM group, and 19.7% (18/91) in the R-NSM group (P = 0.06). The “time since surgery to last evaluation” was significantly longer in the C-NSM group (45.6 ± 34 months) or E-NSM group (44.7 ± 35.8 months) as compared to R-NSM group (31.8 ± 16 months, P  60 months vs. ≦ 12 months: nipple odds ratio (OR) = 5.75, P < 0.01; skin, OR = 1.97, P < 0.05). Conclusion Our current analysis showed some factors to be related to postoperative nipple or skin sensation, and longer “time after surgery” was associated with significant improvement of nipple and skin sensation in patients who received NSM, regardless of the surgical approaches. Synopsis Our current analysis showed a significant portion of patients with decrease or loss of nipple or skin sensation after nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). Several factors associated with preserved nipple or skin sensation were identified, including age, surgical methods, surgical wound location, and association of time from surgery showing that improvement of partial nipple or skin sensation was evident after a longer follow-up

Clustering of HR + /HER2- breast cancer in an Asian cohort is driven by immune phenotypes.

Funder: Cancer Research UK; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000289Funder: Scientex FoundationFunder: Estée Lauder CompaniesFunder: Vistage MalaysiaFunder: Yayasan PETRONASFunder: Yayasan Sime Darby; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100019524Breast cancer exhibits significant heterogeneity, manifesting in various subtypes that are critical in guiding treatment decisions. This study aimed to investigate the existence of distinct subtypes of breast cancer within the Asian population, by analysing the transcriptomic profiles of 934 breast cancer patients from a Malaysian cohort. Our findings reveal that the HR + /HER2- breast cancer samples display a distinct clustering pattern based on immune phenotypes, rather than conforming to the conventional luminal A-luminal B paradigm previously reported in breast cancers from women of European descent. This suggests that the activation of the immune system may play a more important role in Asian HR + /HER2- breast cancer than has been previously recognized. Analysis of somatic mutations by whole exome sequencing showed that counter-intuitively, the cluster of HR + /HER2- samples exhibiting higher immune scores was associated with lower tumour mutational burden, lower homologous recombination deficiency scores, and fewer copy number aberrations, implicating the involvement of non-canonical tumour immune pathways. Further investigations are warranted to determine the underlying mechanisms of these pathways, with the potential to develop innovative immunotherapeutic approaches tailored to this specific patient population