Effect of microwave treatment on the physicochemical properties of potato starch granules

BACKGROUND: The degree of polymerization of amylose starch in potato was so large that the gel was hardness after gelatinization. Therefore, it is one of the most important ways that the microwave treatment was used to change the physicochemical properties of starch gel to make it suitable for the preparation of instant food. RESULTS: The effect of microwave treatment on the physicochemical properties including morphology, crystalline structure, molecular weight distribution and rheological properties of potato starch granules was evaluated by treating time of varying duration (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 s) at 2450 MHz and 750 W. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of potato starch granules showed flaws or fractures on the surface after 5 to 10s of microwaving and collapse after 15 to 20 s. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) indicated that microwave treating damaged the crystalline structure of potato starch, such that the birefringence of starch granules gradually decreased after 5 to 10s and even disappeared after microwaving from 15 to 20 s. The molecular weight (Mw) values of potato starch and the proportion of large M(W) fraction were considerably reduced with increasing the microwave treating time from 0 to 20s. The molecular weight slowly decreased over 5 ~ 15 s microwave treating but decreased abruptly at the time of 20s microwave treating. The apparent viscosity decreased as shear rate increased and presented shear-thinning behavior. The magnitudes of the storage modulus (G’) and loss modulus (G”) obtained at each shear rate increased with duration of microwave treating from 0 to 15 s but decreased from 15 to 20 s. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that the morphology and crystalline structure was damaged by microwave treatment. The high molecular weight of potato starch above 2 × 10(8) Da was so sensitive to the vibrational motion of the polar molecules due to the application microwave energy and broke easily for longer dextran chains. The fracture of starch granules, molecular chains leached from the starch granules and degradation of dextran chains contributing to the development of rheological properties

Roles of circulating soluble interleukin (IL)-6 receptor and IL-6 receptor expression on CD4+ T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B

SummaryObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the potential clinical roles of circulating soluble interleukin (IL)-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and IL-6R expression on CD4+ T cells (CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.MethodsOne hundred and thirty-three subjects, including 72 CHB patients, 27 asymptomatic carriers, eight acute hepatitis B (AHB) patients, and 26 healthy donors were included in this study. Plasma IL-6 and sIL-6R levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the frequency of CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells was detected by flow cytometry analysis.ResultsOur data showed a significant increase in plasma sIL-6R levels and the frequency of CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells in peripheral blood in CHB patients compared to asymptomatic carriers and healthy controls (both p<0.05). The elevated prevalence of CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells was positively associated with increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels in CHB patients (r = 0.316, p = 0.007), but was not correlated with serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA load. Moreover, CHB patients with an HBV DNA load >1.0×106 copies/ml had a lower level of plasma sIL-6R than those with an HBV DNA load <1.0×106 copies/ml.ConclusionsCirculating sIL-6R and CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells were increased in CHB patients. Elevated plasma sIL-6R is probably associated with HBV elimination, and CD4+ IL-6R+ T cells in peripheral blood might contribute to the pathogenesis of liver injury in CHB patients

Elevated IL-6 Receptor Expression on CD4+ T Cells contributes to the increased Th17 Responses in patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Increased numbers of Interleukin-17-producing CD4⁺T cells (Th17) have been found in association with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver injury. However, the mechanism underlying the increase of Th17 responses in patients with HBV infection remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the possible regulatory mechanisms of increased Th17 responses in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Th17 response and IL-6R expression on CD4⁺T cells in peripheral blood samples were determined by flow cytometry. Cytokines TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17 in plasma and/or supernatant samples were determined by ELISA and the IL-17 and IL-6R mRNA levels were quantified by quantitative real-time reverse polymerase chain reaction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All these data indicated that the frequency of periphery Th17 cells is significantly correlated with the percentage of CD4<b>⁺</b>T cells expressing IL-6R in CHB patients. CD4⁺T cells from patients with CHB, but not those from healthy donors, produced higher levels of IL-17 and had more IL-6R expression upon stimulation with the HBV core antigen (HBcAg) in vitro. The PMA/ionomycin and HBcAg -stimulated up-regulation of IL-17 production by CD4⁺T cells could be reversed by a neutralizing antibody against IL-6R.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>we showed that enhancement of IL-6R expression on CD4⁺T cells upon HBV infection contributes to increased Th17 response in patients with CHB.</p

MicroRNA-483 amelioration of experimental pulmonary hypertension.

Endothelial dysfunction is critically involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and that exogenously administered microRNA may be of therapeutic benefit. Lower levels of miR-483 were found in serum from patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), particularly those with more severe disease. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analyses showed that miR-483 targets several PAH-related genes, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), TGF-β receptor 2 (TGFBR2), β-catenin, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and endothelin-1 (ET-1). Overexpression of miR-483 in ECs inhibited inflammatory and fibrogenic responses, revealed by the decreased expression of TGF-β, TGFBR2, β-catenin, CTGF, IL-1β, and ET-1. In contrast, inhibition of miR-483 increased these genes in ECs. Rats with EC-specific miR-483 overexpression exhibited ameliorated pulmonary hypertension (PH) and reduced right ventricular hypertrophy on challenge with monocrotaline (MCT) or Sugen + hypoxia. A reversal effect was observed in rats that received MCT with inhaled lentivirus overexpressing miR-483. These results indicate that PAH is associated with a reduced level of miR-483 and that miR-483 might reduce experimental PH by inhibition of multiple adverse responses

Selective oxidation of methane to methanol in oleum over Pd/C catalyst

The selective oxidation of methane to methanol over Pd/C catalysts generated from a PdCl2, precursor was investigated in oleum. Characterization of the catalysts was performed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and CO adsorption. The major product ill the oxidation reaction was methyl bisulfate, which was then hydrolyzed into methanol. Methane conversion of 23.6% with methanol selectivity of 69.5% and yield of 16.4% was achieved under the optimum conditions of 5% Pd/C, 30 mu mol Pd, reatction temperature 180 degrees C, methane pressure 4. 0 MPa, reaction time 4 h, and 50% sulfur trioxide concentration. After facile separation with the reactants and pretreatment, the catalyst could be reused several times with considerable stability. The selective oxidation of methane catalyzed by Pd/C catalysts in oleum possibly involved an electrophilic substitute mechanism. The catalystic performance was related to the Pd loading, dispersion, and particle size

Highly parallel and efficient single cell mRNA sequencing with paired picoliter chambers

单细胞转录组测序技术在单个细胞水平上对转录组进行高通量测序分析，从而揭示单个细胞内所有基因的表达情况，揭示细胞间的异质性，在发育生物学、免疫学、微生物学、神经科学、临床医学等领域有重要的应用前景。单细胞转录组测序的挑战在于如何高效地操控单个细胞，如何对大量的低拷贝数mRNA进行无偏倚扩增，如何避免背景游离mRNA的污染，以及如何同时对大量的单细胞进行并行测序以降低成本。化学化工学院杨朝勇教授课题组在高通量单细胞转录组测序新器件新方法研究方面取得重要进展.该工作由厦门大学、上海交通大学、美国斯坦福大学等多团队联合攻关完成。化学生物学系博士研究生张明霞、邹远和2011协同创新中心博士研究生许醒为论文的共同第一作者。ScRNA-seq has the ability to reveal accurate and precise cell types and states. Existing scRNA-seq platforms utilize bead-based technologies uniquely barcoding individual cells, facing practical challenges for precious samples with limited cell number. Here, we present a scRNA-seq platform, named Paired-seq, with high cells/beads utilization efficiency, cell-free RNAs removal capability, high gene detection ability and low cost. We utilize the differential flow resistance principle to achieve single cell/barcoded bead pairing with high cell utilization efficiency (95%). The integration of valves and pumps enables the complete removal of cell-free RNAs, efficient cell lysis and mRNA capture, achieving highest mRNA detection accuracy (R = 0.955) and comparable sensitivity. Lower reaction volume and higher mRNA capture and barcoding efficiency significantly reduce the cost of reagents and sequencing. The single-cell expression profile of mES and drug treated cells reveal cell heterogeneity, demonstrating the enormous potential of Paired-seq for cell biology, developmental biology and precision medicine.The authors thank the National Science Foundation of China (21927806, 21735004, 21521004, 21325522), the National Key R&D Program of China (2018YFC1602900), Innovative research team of high-level local universities in Shanghai, and the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (IRT13036) for their financial support.该研究工作得到国家重大科研仪器研制项目、国家基金委重点项目、创新研究群体项目等支持

Dynamics of sewage charge policies, environmental protection industry and polluting enterprises - a case study in China

The game model of sewage charges, based on incremental mode, was developed. Four modes of high/low sewage charge standards were utilized to analyze the relationship between control strategy on sewage discharge and the development of environmental protection industry. Results showed that the selection of control strategy was heavily dependent on the level of sewage charges. An empirical study was carried out to investigate the environmental protection industry in 31 regions in China in 2010. It was revealed that the sewage charge standards, formulated by the local governments and the development of environmental protection industry, varied significantly in different regions. The optimal level of environmental quality and social welfare, as a whole, was not achieved in China. It is proposed that different regions should adopt different sewage charges standards based on their economic development level and the current environmental quality. Similarly, the scientific and technological innovation of environmental protection industry should be further strengthened.Qingsong Wang, Xueliang Yuan, Jian Zuo, Ruimin Mu, Lixin Zhou, and Mingxia Su

Existence of solution for stochastic differential equations driven by G-Lévy process with discontinuous coefficients

Abstract The existence theory for the vector-valued stochastic differential equations driven by G-Brownian motion and pure jump G-Lévy process (G-SDEs) of the type d Y t = f ( t , Y t ) d t + g j , k ( t , Y t ) d 〈 B j , B k 〉 t + σ i ( t , Y t ) d B t i + ∫ R 0 d K ( t , Y t , z ) L ( d t , d z ) $dY_{t}=f(t,Y_{t})\, dt+g_{j,k}(t,Y_{t})\, d\langle B^{j},B^{k}\rangle _{t}+\sigma_{i}(t,Y_{t}) \, dB^{i}_{t}+\int _{R_{0}^{d}}K(t,Y_{t},z)L(dt,dz)$ , t ∈ [ 0 , T ] $t\in[0,T]$ , with first two and last discontinuous coefficients, is established. It is shown that the G-SDEs have more than one solution if the coefficients f, g, K are discontinuous functions. The upper and lower solution method is used