Effect of thermosonication on enzymatic oxidation and physicochemical properties of soursop (Annona muricata) pulp

Soursop is an exotic tropical fruit, highly perishable, presents losses around 30% in postharvest, has marked commercial importance especially for internal consumption and a maximum shelf life. The objective of the present work was to study the effect of thermosonication (TS) on some physicochemical properties and the enzymatic oxidation of soursop pulp. The thermosonication treatments used on the samples were at 40 kHz, in a temperature range between 20-60 ºC, for 25 minutes. The soluble solids, pH, vitamin C concentration, inactivation of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) in the soursop pulp were evaluated before and after the treatments. The results indicate a loss of vitamin C was observed in a 2.63; 13.16 and 28.95% for temperatures at 20, 40 and 60 ºC, respectively. On the other hand, a partial inactivation of the enzymes, POD, in 48.41; 69.83 and 74.24% and for PPO in 56.38; 74.47 and 81.91% was achieved at temperatures at 20, 40 and 60 ºC respectively. Finally, it was demonstrated that the US combined with heat (TS) inactivates in a large percentage the POD and PPO enzymes in the soursop pulp needing less heat, which could make it more efficient in comparison with the thermal treatments. Highlights Ultrasound combined with heat (TS) can inactivate POD and PPO enzymes in the soursop pulp, achieving considerable retention of vitamin C. Peroxidase (POD) and Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) trigger enzymatic processes affecting product natural color. Soursop is an exotic fruit with high levels of bioactive compounds, and great agro-industrial potential given its high recovery yields and excellent sensory characteristics. A vitamin C retention level of 71.05- to 86.84% was achieved in soursop pulps that have undergone thermosonification.

Recurrent neural circuits overcome partial inactivation by compensation and re-learning

Technical advances in artificial manipulation of neural activity have precipitated a surge in studying the causal contribution of brain circuits to cognition and behavior. However, complexities of neural circuits challenge interpretation of experimental results, necessitating theoretical frameworks for systematic explorations. Here, we take a step in this direction, using, as a testbed, recurrent neural networks trained to perform a perceptual decision. We show that understanding the computations implemented by network dynamics enables predicting the magnitude of perturbation effects based on changes in the network's phase plane. Inactivation effects are weaker for distributed network architectures, are more easily discovered with non-discrete behavioral readouts (e.g., reaction times), and vary considerably across multiple tasks implemented by the same circuit. Finally, networks that can "learn" during inactivation recover function quickly, often much faster than the original training time. Our framework explains past empirical observations by clarifying how complex circuits compensate and adapt to perturbations.

A Cross-Direction and Progressive Network for Pan-Sharpening

In this paper, we propose a cross-direction and progressive network, termed CPNet, to solve the pan-sharpening problem. The full processing of information is the main characteristic of our model, which is reflected as follows: on the one hand, we process the source images in a cross-direction manner to obtain the source images of different scales as the input of the fusion modules at different stages, which maximizes the usage of multi-scale information in the source images; on the other hand, the progressive reconstruction loss is designed to boost the training of our network and avoid partial inactivation, while maintaining the consistency of the fused result with the ground truth. Since the extraction of the information from the source images and the reconstruction of the fused image is based on the entire image rather than a single type of information, there is little loss of partial spatial or spectral information due to insufficient information processing. Extensive experiments, including qualitative and quantitative comparisons demonstrate that our model can maintain more spatial and spectral information compared to the state-of-the-art pan-sharpening methods.

Use of topinambur in technology of flour products

The article considers the use of Jerusalem artichoke processing products in technology flour yeast products. In terms of productivity, Jerusalem artichokes significantly exceed potatoes, sugar beets, corn and other crops of intensive type, but grow it on small area mainly for fodder purposes. Recently, in the food industry is observed reorientation to the production of products with new qualities, aimed at improving the situation health and disease prevention. Jerusalem artichoke is a unique raw material that can increase the biological value of finished products. Useful properties of Jerusalem artichoke are used to strengthen the immune system, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, eliminate salt deposits in the joints, in the therapeutic diet for diabetes. However, its limited use in the processing industry is due to the rapid enzymatic darkening of Jerusalem artichoke tubers during processing. Given the specific properties of Jerusalem artichoke, it is advisable to investigate the enzymatic darkening of Jerusalem artichoke tubers during processing by determining the activity of the enzyme polyphenol oxidase and the use of Jerusalem artichoke puree in the technology of yeast dough. Analysis of tubers and Jerusalem artichoke puree was performed by organoleptic and physicochemical indicators. The quality of finished products was controlled by organoleptic, physicochemical and structural and mechanical indicators, among which special attention was paid to indicators acidity, humidity, porosity, shape stability. The activity of the enzyme in whole and crushed Jerusalem artichoke tubers and its effect on the activity of the enzyme pre-blanching in water for 10 minutes It is determined that when blanching is a partial inactivation of the enzyme polyphenol oxidase, which prevents darkening of raw materials during grinding. The effect of adding Jerusalem artichoke puree in the amount of 10, 15 and 20 % was studied on gluten of wheat flour. The partial replacement of wheat flour in mashed Jerusalem artichoke leads not only to a decrease in the amount of gluten, but also to a change in its quality. The gluten becomes more elastic, the extensibility decreases, and with the addition of 20 % puree gluten is torn. It is determined that the duration of fermentation of dough samples varies depending on the amount introduced Jerusalem artichoke puree. With increasing percentage of Jerusalem artichoke puree in the dough recipe, the duration of dough fermentation is reduced by 6.25…8.75 %. The addition of puree had a positive effect Jerusalem artichoke to increase the yield of the finished product by 5.20…26.34 %. Research of the main quality indicators of experimental samples confirm that according to the set of indicators, the optimal sample is 10 % of Jerusalem artichoke puree, which makes it possible to recommend it for the production of yeast bakery products of high biological value.

Bovine Coronavirus Immune Milk Against COVID-19

After a year of evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, there is still no specific effective treatment for the disease. Although the majority of infected people experience mild disease, some patients develop a serious disease, especially when other pathologies concur. For this reason, it would be very convenient to find pharmacological and immunological mechanisms that help control SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since the COVID-19 and BCoV viruses are very close phylogenetically, different studies demonstrate the existence of cross-immunity as they retain shared epitopes in their structure. As a possible control measure against COVID-19, we propose the use of cow’s milk immune to BCoV. Thus, the antigenic recognition of some highly conserved structures of viral proteins, particularly M and S2, by anti-BCoV antibodies present in milk would cause a total or partial inactivation of SARS-COV-2 (acting as a particular vaccine) and be addressed more easily by GALT’s highly specialized antigen-presenting cells, thus helping the specific immune response.

Genome-wide study on the polysomic genetic factors conferring plasticity of flower sexuality in hexaploid persimmon

Sexuality is one of the fundamental mechanisms that work towards maintaining genetic diversity within a species. In diploid persimmons (Diospyros spp.), separated sexuality, the presence of separate male and female individuals (dioecy), is controlled by the Y chromosome-encoded small-RNA gene, OGI. On the other hand, sexuality in hexaploid Oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is more plastic, with OGI-bearing genetically male individuals, able to produce both male and female flowers (monoecy). This is thought to be linked to the partial inactivation of OGI by a retrotransposon insertion, resulting in DNA methylation of the OGI promoter region. To identify the genetic factors regulating branch sexual conversion, genome-wide correlation/association analyses were conducted using ddRAD-Seq data from an F1 segregating population, and using both quantitative and diploidized genotypes, respectively. We found that allelic ratio at the Y-chromosomal region, including OGI, was correlated with male conversion based on quantitative genotypes, suggesting that OGI can be activated in cis in a dosage-dependent manner. Genome-wide association analysis based on diploidized genotypes, normalized for the effect of OGI allele dosage, detected three fundamental loci associated with male conversion. These loci underlie candidate genes, which could potentially act epigenetically for the activation of OGI expression.

Inactivation of the mitochondrial protease Afg3l2 results in severely diminished respiratory chain activity and widespread defects in mitochondrial gene expression

The m-AAA proteases plays a critical role in the proteostasis of the inner mitochondrial membrane proteins, and mutations in the genes encoding these proteases cause severe incurable neurological diseases. To further explore the biological role of the m-AAA proteases and the pathological consequences of their deficiency, we used a genetic approach in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to inactivate the ATPase family gene 3-like 2 (AFG3L2) gene, which encodes a component of the m-AAA proteases. We found that null alleles of Drosophila AFG3L2 die early in development, but partial inactivation of AFG3L2 using RNAi extended viability to the late pupal and adult stages of development. Flies with partial inactivation of Afg3l2 exhibited marked behavioral defects, neurodegeneration, mitochondrial morphological alterations, and diminished respiratory chain (RC) activity. Further work revealed that reduced RC activity was a consequence of widespread defects in mitochondrial gene expression, including diminished mitochondrial transcription, translation and impaired mitochondrial ribosome biogenesis. These defects were accompanied by the compensatory activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mito-UPR) and accumulation of unfolded mitochondrial proteins, including proteins involved in transcription. Overexpression of the mito-UPR components partially rescued the Afg3l2-deficient phenotypes, indicating that sequestration of essential components of the mitochondrial gene expression into aggregates partly accounts for these defects. However, Afg3l2 also co-sediments with the mitochondrial ribosome biogenesis machinery, suggesting an additional novel role for Afg3l2 in ribosome biogenesis. Our work suggests that strategies designed to modify mitochondrial stress pathways and mitochondrial gene expression could be therapeutic in the diseases caused by mutations in AFG3L2.Author SummaryMitochondria produce virtually all of the cellular energy through the actions of the respiratory chain (RC) complexes. However, both the assembly of the RC complexes, and their biological functions come at a cost. Biogenesis of the RC complexes depends on the coordinated expression of nuclear and mitochondrially encoded subunits and an imbalance in this process can cause protein aggregation. Moreover, the RC complexes produce highly damaging reactive oxygen species as a side product of their activity. The Mitochondrial AAA+ family of proteases are believed to provide the first line of defense against these insults. The importance of this protease family is best exemplified by the severe neurodegenerative diseases that are caused by mutations in their respective genes. To better understand the biological roles of the AAA+ proteases, and the physiological consequences of their inactivation we used a genetic approach in Drosophila to study the Afg3l2 AAA+ protease. Unexpectedly, we found that Afg3l2 deficiency profoundly impaired mitochondrial gene expression, including transcription, translation and ribosome biogenesis. These phenotypes were accompanied by accumulation of insoluble mitochondrial proteins, and compensatory activation of mito-UPR and autophagy. Our work indicates Afg3l2 plays critical roles in degrading unfolded mitochondrial proteins and regulating mitochondrial gene expression.

Microbiological Stability and Overall Quality of Ready-to-Heat Meals Based on Traditional Recipes of the Basilicata Region

The quality of ready meals is affected by several factors that may impair stability and nutritional value. In this work, we evaluated the overall quality of four traditional meals (Basilicata region) prepared according to the cook&chill method, packaged in air or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 70% N2 and 30% CO2), and stored at 4 °C for seven days. The shelf-life was determined by Listeria monocytogenes challenge testing and inactivation by microwave (MW) heating was assessed. The counts at the production day were excellent in three meals out of four, whereas one had high levels of spoilage and pathogens both as soon as the preparation and after seven days. MAP was partially effective only against the growth of the aerobic mesophilic species, whereas sensory analysis revealed that MAP may preserve many of sensory attributes. The average shelf-life of the meals ranged from 11 to 13 days, however, the potential shelf-life was undetectable in one out four meals, as L. monocytogenes growth was inhibited two days after the inoculum. In the inoculated meals, MW heating provided a partial inactivation (25%) of the pathogen. The overall quality of type the meals was partially satisfactory; post-cooking contaminations may affect the microbial load and reduce the palatability over the storage period and, above all, may involve biological hazards which consumers’ habits may not be able to eliminate.

Improvement of catalytic properties of the strain producing aspartase Pectobacterium carotovorum in the process of obtaining L-aspartic acid

The paper presents the results of studies to determine the optimal functioning parameters of aspartase and fumarase of the bacterial strain P. carotovorum MDC-8727, an aspartase producer. The temperature and pH optima of both enzymes are close and are in the range of T (35-40 °C) and pH (8.5-9.0). At a temperature of 50 °C, the thermal stability of aspartase is twice higher than that of fumarase. It was found that thermal treatment of cell biomass in the culture broth at low pH values contributed to the partial inactivation of fumarase. A similar treatment of cells at temperature of 50 °C and pH 5 for 90 minutes contributed to the complete inactivation of fumarase without harming the aspartase activity. fumarase, aspartase, L-aspartic acid, biotransformation

THE EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANT THERAPY ON THE SEVERITY OF THE COURSE, THERAPY EFFICACY AND DURATION OF REMISSION IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS

The prevalence of psoriasis has accentuated the high relevance of searching new approaches towards its treatments. This article describes the connection between the development of the clinical picture and lipid peroxidation, and studies the expediency of using drugs with antioxidant properties as a component of the treatment. The products of lipid peroxidation regulate cell proliferation and permeability of cell membranes, thus the function and structure of the skin is directly dependent on the level of lipids and phospholipids. Patients with either mild or severe psoriasis have been found out to demonstrate some changes in the blood serum: increased cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids, as well as a change in the ratio of the fractional content of phospholipids in erythrocyte membranes. Taking into account the above mentioned factors of psoriasis, we can suggest that it would be reasonable to include antioxidants into the integrated therapy. Antioxidants are the group of biologically active substances that possess an ability to interact with various reactogenic oxidants, reactive oxygen species and other free radicals that leads to their full or partial inactivation. During this study resveratrol was added to standard psoriasis therapy. The scope of laboratory research included: diagnosis of changes in the blood biochemical analysis taken on an empty stomach in the morning to investigate the content of total protein, albumin, bilirubin, low and high density lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase. It has been found out the reduction of symptom in the patients who received complex therapy modified with resveratrol was more marked than in patients who received standard therapy only. A more intensive decrease in infiltration, erythema, desquamation, and itching has been clinically observed as well.