Characterisation of volatile components of red and sparkling wines from a new wine grape cultivar 'Meili' (Vitis vinifera L.)

'Meili' (Vitis vinifera L.) is a new wine grape cultivar from China. Volatile profiles of red and sparkling wines made from 'Meili' grapes were analysed using stir bar sorptive extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in this study. Fiftyfive volatile compounds were quantified in both wines, and quantitative differences for most of the volatile compounds between 'Meili' wines were observed. 'Meili' sparkling wine had a greater content of esters, fatty acids and shikimic acid derivatives than 'Meili' red wine, although 'Meili' red wine had higher concentrations of alcohols, terpenoids and C13-norisoprenoids. On the basis of odour activity values, ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl 2-methylpropanoate, ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, octanoic acid, isoamyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethanol, linalool, β-damascenone and β-ionone were considered as important aroma compounds in 'Meili' wines. For these compounds, 'Meili' sparkling wine had higher content of ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate and isoamyl acetate than 'Meili' red wine, while 'Meili' red wine had higher levels of isoamyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol, linalool, β-damascenone and β-ionone. The concentration differences of aroma compounds due to the differential vinification procedures suggested the differences in sensory characteristics of the two types of wines. In particular, 'Meili' red wine had more rose aroma than 'Meili' sparkling wine.

A Quantitative Sequencing Method for 5-Formylcytosine in RNA

5-Formylcytosine (f5C) modification is present in human mitochondrial methionine tRNA (mt-tRNAMet) and cytosolic leucine tRNA (ct-tRNALeu), with their formation mediated by NSUN3 and ALKBH1. f5C has also been detected in yeast mRNA and human tRNA, but its transcriptome-wide distribution in mammals has not been studied. Here we report f5C-seq, a quantitative sequencing method to map f5C transcriptome-wide in HeLa and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). We show that f5C in RNA can be reduced to dihydrouracil (DHU) by pic-borane, and DHU can be exclusively read as T during reverse transcription (RT) reaction, allowing the detection and quantification of f5C sites by a unique C-to-T mutation signature. We validated f5C-seq by identifying and quantifying the two known f5C sites in tRNA, in which the f5C modification fractions dropped significantly in ALKBH1-depleted cells. By applying f5C-seq to chromatin-associated RNA (caRNA), we identified several highly modified f5C sites in HeLa and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC)

Supramolecular assemblies constructed from inverted cucurbit[7]uril and lanthanide cations: synthesis, structure and sorption properties

The interaction of a series of lanthanide cations (Ln³⁺) with inverted cucurbit[7]uril (iQ[7]) in the presence of [ZnCl₄]²⁻ anions as a structure-directing agent have been investigated. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis has revealed that the [ZnCl₄]²⁻ anions surround the iQ[7] molecules via the outer surface interactions of iQ[7]. This results in the formation of honeycomb-like frameworks, and ultimately linear supramolecular chains of iQ[7] in which Ln³⁺ cations occupy voids within the framework. Moreover, these iQ[7]/Ln³⁺-based supramolecular assemblies exhibit excellent thermal stability as well as permanent porosity, and in one case screening revealed a high CH₃OH uptake capacity compared with other porous organic materials assembled solely through hydrogen bonding under ambient conditions

Quantitative Phosphoproteomics of Proteasome Inhibition in Multiple Myeloma Cells

BACKGROUND: The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib represents an important advance in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Bortezomib inhibits the activity of the 26S proteasome and induces cell death in a variety of tumor cells; however, the mechanism of cytotoxicity is not well understood. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We investigated the differential phosphoproteome upon proteasome inhibition by using stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) in combination with phosphoprotein enrichment and LC-MS/MS analysis. In total 233 phosphoproteins were identified and 72 phosphoproteins showed a 1.5-fold or greater change upon bortezomib treatment. The phosphoproteins with expression alterations encompass all major protein classes, including a large number of nucleic acid binding proteins. Site-specific phosphopeptide quantitation revealed that Ser38 phosphorylation on stathmin increased upon bortezomib treatment, suggesting new mechanisms associated to bortezomib-induced apoptosis in MM cells. Further studies demonstrated that stathmin phosphorylation profile was modified in response to bortezomib treatment and the regulation of stathmin by phosphorylation at specific Ser/Thr residues participated in the cellular response induced by bortezomib. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our systematic profiling of phosphorylation changes in response to bortezomib treatment not only advanced the global mechanistic understanding of the action of bortezomib on myeloma cells but also identified previously uncharacterized signaling proteins in myeloma cells

The association between urinary Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein and cognitive impairment in late-life depression: A controlled pilot study

Accumulation of tau protein is associated with both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and late-life depression (LLD). Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein (AD7c-NTP), which is closely linked with the tau protein, is elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid and urine of AD patients. This study examined the association between urinary AD7c-NTP and late-life depression with cognitive impairment. One hundred and thirty-eight subjects were recruited into late-life depression with cognitive impairment (LLD-CI, n=52), late-life depression without cognitive impairment (LLD-NCI, n=29), AD (n=27), and healthy control (HC, n=30) groups. The level of urinary AD7c-NTP was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) were used to assess cognitive functions and depressive and anxiety symptoms in the AD and LLD groups. Urinary levels of AD7c-NTP in the LLD-CI group (1.0±0.7ng/ml) were significantly higher than both the LLD-NCI (0.5±0.3ng/ml) and HC groups (0.5±0.3ng/ml), but lower than in the AD group (1.6±1.7 ng/ml). No significant associations were found in the level of urinary AD7c-NTP in relation to age, gender, education and MoCA in the LLD-CI group. The level of urinary AD7c-NTP appears to be associated with cognitive impairment in late-life depression and may be a potential biomarker for early identification of cognitive impairment in LLD

Anti-tumor effects of brucine immuno-nanoparticles on hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma is difficult to diagnose early, and most patients are already in the late stages of the disease when they are admitted to hospital. The total 5-year survival rate is less than 5%. Recent studies have showed that brucine has a good anti-tumor effect, but high toxicity, poor water solubility, short half-life, narrow therapeutic window, and a toxic dose that is close to the therapeutic dose, which all limit its clinical application. This study evaluated the effects of brucine immuno-nanoparticles (BIN) on hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anionic polymerization, chemical modification technology, and phacoemulsification technology were used to prepare a carboxylated polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid copolymer carrier material. Chemical coupling technology was utilized to develop antihuman AFP McAb-polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid copolymer BIN. The size, shape, zeta potential, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and release of these immune-nanoparticles were studied in vitro. The targeting, and growth, invasion, and metastasis inhibitory effects of this treatment on liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells were tested. RESULTS: BIN were of uniform size with an average particle size of 249 ± 77 nm and zeta potential of -18.7 ± 4.19 mV. The encapsulation efficiency was 76.0% ± 2.3% and the drug load was 5.6% ± 0.2%. Complete uptake and even distribution around the liver cancer cell membrane were observed. CONCLUSION: BIN had even size distribution, was stable, and had a slow-releasing effect. BIN targeted the cell membrane of the liver cancer cell SMMC-7721 and significantly inhibited the growth, adhesion, invasion, and metastasis of SMMC-7721 cells. As a novel drug carrier system, BIN are a potentially promising targeting treatment for liver cancer