Response surface methodology toward the optimization of high-energy carotenoid extraction from Aristeus antennatus shrimp

High-energy assisted extraction techniques, like ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE), are widely applied over the last years for the recovery of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, antioxidants and phenols from foods, animals and herbal natural sources. Especially for the case of xanthophylls, the main carotenoid group of crustaceans, they can be extracted in a rapid and quantitative way with the use of UAE and MAE.     

Effect of high intensity ultrasound on gelation properties of silver carp surimi with different salt contents

Surimi from silver carp with different salt contents (0–5%) was obtained treated by high intensity ultrasound (HIU, 100 kHz 91 W·cm⁻²). The gelation properties of samples were evaluated by puncture properties, microstructures, water-holding capacity, dynamic rheological properties and intermolecular interactions. As the salt content increased from 0 to 5%, gel properties of surimi without HIU significantly improved. For samples with low-salt (0–2% NaCl) content, HIU induced obvious enhancement in breaking force and deformation. HIU promoted the protein aggregation linked by SS bonds, hydrophobic interactions and non-disulfide covalent bonds in surimi gels with low-salt content. Moreover, microstructures of HIU surimi gels with low-salt content were more compact than those of the corresponding control samples. HIU also improved the gelation properties of surimi with 3% NaCl to an extent. However, for high-salt (4–5% NaCl) samples, HIU decreased the breaking force and deformation of surimi gels due to the degradation of proteins suggested by increased TCA-soluble peptides. In conclusion, HIU effectively improved the gelation properties of surimi with low-salt content (0–2% NaCl), but was harmful for high-salt (4–5% NaCl) surimi. This might provide the theoretical basis for the production of low-salt surimi gels.     

Cancer Initiation,Progression and Resistance: Are Phytocannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. Promising Compounds?

Cannabis sativa L. is a source of over 150 active compounds known as phytocannabinoids that are receiving renewed interest due to their diverse pharmacologic activities. Indeed, phytocannabinoids mimic the endogenous bioactive endocannabinoids effects through activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors widely described in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. All phytocannabinoids have been studied for their protective actions towards different biological mechanisms, including inflammation, immune response, oxidative stress that, altogether, result in an inhibitory activity against the carcinogenesis. The role of the endocannabinoid system is not yet completely clear in cancer, but several studies indicate that cannabinoid receptors and endogenous ligands are overexpressed in different tumor tissues. Recently, in vitro and in vivo evidence support the effectiveness of phytocannabinoids against various cancer types, in terms of proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis, actions partially due to their ability to regulate signaling pathways critical for cell growth and survival. The aim of this review was to report the current knowledge about the action of phytocannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. against cancer initiation and progression with a specific regard to brain, breast, colorectal, and lung cancer as well as their possible use in the therapies. We will also report the known molecular mechanisms responsible for such positive effects. Finally, we will describe the actual therapeutic options for Cannabis sativa L. and the ongoing clinical trials.     

Unlocking the Drug Potential of the Bryostatin Family: Recent Advances in Product Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

Bryostatins are a class of naturally occurring macrocyclic lactones with a unique fast developing portfolio of clinical applications, including treatment of AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. This comprehensive account summarizes the recent progress (2014–present) in the development of bryostatins, including their total synthesis and biomedical applications. An emphasis is placed on the discussion of bryostatin 1 , the most-studied analogue to date. This review highlights the synthetic and biological challenges of bryostatins and provides an outlook on their future development.     

T1Effects in Sequential Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Experiments

Residual effects of an initial bolus of gadolinium contrast agent have been previously demonstrated in sequential dynamic susceptibility contrast MR experiments. While these residual effects quickly reach a saturation steady state, their etiology is uncertain, and they can lead to spurious estimates of hemodynamic parameters in activation experiments. The possible influence ofT₁effects is now investigated with experiments in whichT₁weighting is varied as well as with serial regionalT₁measurements. Little evidence for significant residualT₁effects is found, suggesting instead that susceptibility effects underlie these observations. An initial saturation dose of contrast agent minimizes this effect.     

改善光纤倒像器的对比度传递特性

光纤倒像器是一种特殊类型的光纤板，可将传递图像直接倒转180°并应用于像增强器。由于光纤倒像器的特殊结构，造成光纤随着距扭转轴心的距离增加，数值孔径和光通量逐渐下降。相对于光纤板，光纤倒像器在透过率和对比度传递特性上均有一定程度的下降。通过改进玻璃系统，在一定程度上降低芯皮玻璃间离子扩散和相互渗透的程度，可提高光纤倒像器的实际数值孔径；通过调节EMA吸收量，既能满足像增强器对光纤倒像器荧光屏透过率的要求，又能保证最大程度地吸收光纤中逸出的杂散光，提高对比度。选择合理的芯皮比，不仅可弥补因扭转拉伸造成的皮层厚度减薄，还可进一步增加皮层厚度，抑制光从光纤中逸出。通过以上改进，可改善光纤倒像器的对比度传递特性。     

从像上提取非旋转对称系统的传递函数制作解卷空间滤波器

本文提出从高分辨电子显微像中,利用光学、全息和部分相干等方法,提取传递函数,制作相位和振幅滤波器,实现解卷,提高高分辨电子显微像的分辨率.     

Mesoscopic details of crack tip deformation field by application of differential interference contrast method

An experimental method is developed to examine the near tip deformation at the mesoscopic scale level. The differential interference contrast (DIC) method is used by application of the Nomarski prism in polarized microscope for measuring the out of surface deformation. The method is very sensitive to small height changes detected by different interference color. Discussed are results for the crack tip deformation field.     

Radiolytic unsaturation decay in polyethylene. Part III—the effect of certain chain transfer agents

Small amounts of certain halogenated compounds are found to have, at most, only a slight enhancing effect on the radiolytic decay rates of added poly-unsaturated compounds in polyethylene, but significantly increase the elastic modulus at 433 K (melt modulus) obtained thereby. Experiments with model chlorine-containing additives suggest that this increase is due to a more random distribution of polymer and monomer mediated crosslinks in the polymer, that it does not result from a significant increase in crosslinking and that it is mediated by chlorine atoms, in a similar manner to radiolytic hydrogen atoms, through facilitation of long range free radical migration. Although low molecular weight chloro-paraffins inhibit radiolytically induced growth of melt modulus in monomer containing polyethylenes, even very small additions of chlorinated polyethylenes, which form a separate phase, increase the melt modulus. This again indicates that the active species is the chlorine radical.