Effect of the Partial Substitution of Soy Proteins by Highly Methyl-esterified Pectin on Chemical and Sensory Characteristics of Sausages

Pectin can be used as a natural emulsifier in food formulations. In this study, textured soybean protein (TSP), used as an emulsifier in commercial sausages, was partially replaced by a mixture containing pectin and isolated soybean proteins, which were either extruded (EXT) or not extruded (MIX), and the chemical and sensory characteristics of samples were evaluated after 60 days of storage at 4 degrees C. Responses such as oxidation measured by PV and TBARS, hardness, color, pH and sensory characteristics were compared with those of a commercial sausage (CON). The mixture containing highly methyl-esterified pectin, textured soybean proteins and isolated soybean proteins, as emulsifier agent, reduced the hardness (EXT: 21.69 +/- 0.98 and MIX: 20.17 +/- 2.76 N) and the pH (EXT: 5.46 +/- 0.03 and MIX: 5.29 +/- 0.01) of the samples and increased the concentration of peroxides (EXT: 0.10 +/- 0.01 and MIX: 0.15 +/- 0.01 meq/kg) when compared with samples formulated only with TSP (28.57 +/- 2.54 N, pH of 6.92 +/- 0.04 and PV = 0.07 +/- 0.01 meq/kg). These effects were likely caused by the anionic character of the emulsifier. However, no sensory difference was observed between the sausages containing highly methyl-esterified pectin, textured soybean proteins and isolated soybean proteins submitted to the extrusion process (EXT) and the control sausages, suggesting that the formulation proposed in this study can be a potential alternative for the further development of sausages that have functional properties or are free of artificial additives.

Manufacture of low-sodium Minas fresh cheese: Effect of the partial replacement of sodium chloride with potassium chloride

We investigated the effect of sodium reduction by partial substitution of sodium chloride (NaCl) with potassium chloride (KCl) on the manufacture of Minas fresh cheese during 21 d of refrigerated storage. Four treatments of low-sodium Minas fresh cheese were manufactured, with partial replacement of NaCl by KCl at 0, 25, 50, and 75% (wt/wt), respectively. The cheeses showed differences in the content of moisture, ash, protein, salt, and lipid contents, as well as on the extent of proteolysis and hardness throughout the storage period. However, no difference was observed among treatments within each storage day tested. The partial substitution of NaCl by KCl decreased up to 51.8% the sodium concentration of the cheeses produced. The consumer test indicated that it is possible to manufacture a low-sodium Minas fresh cheese that is acceptable to consumers by partial substitution of NaCl by KCl at 25% (wt/wt) in the salting step.

Pimaradienoic acid inhibits vascular contraction and induces hypotension in normotensive rats

The present investigation was designed to investigate the effect of the diterpene ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid (pimaradienoic acid, PA) on smooth muscle extracellular Ca2+ influx. To this end, the effect of PA on phenylephrine- and KCI-induced increases in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+](c)) measured by the variation in the ratio of fluorescence intensities (R340/ 380 nm) of Fura-2, was analysed. Whether bolus injection of PA could induce hypotensive responses in conscious normotensive rats was also evaluated. PA inhibited the contraction induced by phenylephrine (0.03 or 10 mu mol L-1) and KCI (30 or 90 mmol L-1) in endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings in a concentration dependent manner. Pre-treatment with PA (110, 100, 200 mu mol L-) attenuated the contraction induced by CaCl2 (0.5 nmol L(-)1 or 2.5 mmol L-1) in denuded rat aorta exposed to Ca2+- free medium containing phenylephrine (0.1 mu mol L-1) or KCI (30 mmol L-1). Interestingly, the inhibitory effect displayed by PA on CaCl2-induced contraction was more pronounced when KCI was used as the stimulant. Phenylephrine- and KCI-induced increases in (Ca2+,](c) were inhibited by PA. Similarly, verapamil, a Ca2+-channel blocker, also inhibited the increase in [Ca2+](c) induced by either phenylephrine or KCI. Finally, bolus injection of PA (1-15 mg kg(-1)) produced a dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial pressure in conscious normotensive rats. The results provide the first direct evidence that PA reduces vascular contractility by reducing extracellular Ca2+ influx through smooth muscle cellular membrane, a mechanism that could mediate the hypotensive response induced by this diterpene in normotensive rats.

Isolation, functional, and partial biochemical characterization of galatrox, an acidic lectin from Bothrops atrox snake venom

Snake venom lectins have been studied in regard to their chemical structure and biological functions. However, little is known about lectins isolated from Bothrops atrox snake venom. We report here the isolation and partial functional and biochemical characterization of an acidic glycan-binding protein called galatrox from this venom. This lectin was purified by affinity chromatography using a lactosyl-sepharose column, and its homogeneity and molecular mass were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The purified galatrox was homogeneous and characterized as an acidic protein (pI 5.2) with a monomeric and dimeric molecular mass of 16.2 and 32.5 kDa, respectively. Alignment of N-terminal and internal amino acid sequences of galatrox indicated that this protein exhibits high homology to other C-type snake venom lectins. Galatrox showed optimal hemagglutinating activity at a concentration of 100 mu g/ml and this effect was drastically inhibited by lactose, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and heating, which confirmed galatrox`s lectin activity. While galatrox failed to induce the same level of paw edema or mast cell degranulation as B. atrox crude venom, galatrox did alter cellular viability, which suggested that galatrox might contribute to venom toxicity by directly inducing cell death.

Partial characterization of proteins from baru (Dipteryx alata Vog) seeds

BACKGROUND: Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) is a fruit distributed throughout the Brazilian savanna and contains a seed with a high protein content, whose properties have been rarely explored. The purpose of this study was to characterize this protein, especially by isolation and quantifying its fractions and measuring some of its molecular properties. RESULTS: Baru seeds contain 244 g kg(-1) protein on a dry weight basis. Solubility profiles showed a preponderance of globulins. This fraction dominated the seed composition, with 61.7 wt% of the total soluble proteins. Albumins and glutelins accounted for 14 and 3.3 wt%, respectively. SDS-PAGE resolution of albumin and globulin showed main bands with molecular weights of 84 kDa and 64,66 and 73 kDa, respectively. The total protein of the flour and the globulin showed values of in vitro digestibility of 85.59% and 90.54%, relative to casein. Total globulin produced only one chromatographic peak, both on Sepharose CL-6B gel filtration and on DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange columns, eluted at a concentration of 0.12 mol L(-1) NaCl. CONCLUSION: The baru seed had high protein content with large quantities of storage proteins. The chromatographic and solubility profiles indicate the predominance of a fraction with characteristics of a legumin-type protein. (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

Evaluation of the Contraction of Cutaneous Wounds in Wistar Rats Treated with Brazilian Green Propolis Gel

In this work the effects of topic use of Brazilian green propolis gel in the contraction of wounds performed in rat`s skin was evaluated. In ten female Wistar rats were done four wounds in dorsal region. Two wounds in each rat were treated daily with Brazilian green propolis gel during 10 days. The wounds were photographed daily, and the images were analyzed with ImageJ software, in order to measure wound areas and evaluate wound contraction. In the graphic analysis, treated group and control group had similar behavior, and both evolved for complete closure in 10th experimentation day. The wound clots fell down before in treated wounds. Green propolis in the gel formulation at 5% in topical use had not effect in the process of wound contraction. The macroscopic visualization of the contraction of wounds, by itself, does not seem to be a good indicator of the process of tissue repair.

Contraction of the human diaphragm during rapid postural adjustments

1. The response of the diaphragm to the postural perturbation produced by rapid flexion of the shoulder to a visual stimulus was evaluated in standing subjects. Gastric, oesophageal and transdiaphragmatic pressures were measured together with intramuscular and oesophageal recordings of electromyographic activity (EMG) in the diaphragm. To assess the mechanics of contraction of the diaphragm, dynamic changes in the length of the diaphragm were measured with ultrasonography. 2. With rapid flexion of the shoulder in response to a visual stimulus, EMG-activity in the costal and crural diaphragm occurred about 20 ms prior to the onset of deltoid EMG. This anticipatory contraction occurred irrespective of the phase of respiration in which arm movement began. The onset of diaphragm EMG-coincided with that of transversus abdominis. 3. Gastric and transdiaphragmatic pressures increased in association with the rapid arm flexion by 13.8 +/- 1.9 (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 13.5 +/- 1.8 cmH(2)O, respectively. The increases occurred 49 +/- 4 ms after the onset of diaphragm EMG, but preceded the onset of movement of the limb by 63 +/- 7 ms. 4. Ultrasonographic measurements revealed that the costal diaphragm shortened and then lengthened progressively during the increase in transdiaphragmatic pressure. 5. This study provides definitive evidence that the human diaphragm is involved in the control of postural stability during sudden voluntary movement of the limbs.

Delayed postural contraction of transversus abdominis in low back pain associated with movement of the lower limb

The temporal parameters of the response of the trunk muscles associated with movement of the lower limb were investigated in people with and without low back pain (LBP). The weight shift component of the task was completed voluntarily prior to a stimulus to move to allow investigation of the movement component of the response. In the control subjects the onset of electromyographic (EMG) activity of all trunk muscles preceded that of the muscle responsible for limb movement, thus contributing to the feed forward postural response. The EMG onset of transversus abdominis was delayed in the LBP subjects with movement in each direction, while the EMG onsets of rectus abdominis, erector spinae, and oblique abdominal muscles were delayed with specific movement directions. This result provides evidence of a change in the postural control of the trunk in people with LBP.

When oceans meet: a teleost shows secondary intergradation at an Indian-Pacific interface

The Indo-West Pacific is characterized by extraordinary marine species diversity. The evolutionary mechanisms responsible for generating this diversity remain puzzling, but are often linked to Pleistocene sea level fluctuations. The impact of these sea level changes on the population genetic architecture of the estuarine fish Lates calcarifer are investigated via a natural experiment in a region of the Indo-West Pacific known to have undergone considerable change during the Pleistocene. L. calcarifer, a coastline-restricted catadromous teleost, provides an excellent model for studying the effects of sea level change as its habitat requirements potentially make it sensitive to the region's physical history. Evidence was found for a large phylogenetic break (4% mtDNA control region; 0.47% ATPase 6 and 8) either side of the Torres Strait, which separates the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, although some mixing of the clades was evident. This suggests clinal secondary introgression of the clades via contemporary gene flow. Further, populations on Australia's east coast appear to have passed through a bottleneck. This was linked to the historical drying of the Great Barrier Reef coastal lagoon, which resulted in a significant loss of habitat and forced retreat into isolated refugia. These results suggest that historical eustatic changes have left a significant imprint on the molecular diversity within marine species as well as among them in the Indo-West Pacific.

The contribution of classical (beta(1/2)-) and atypical beta-adrenoceptors to the stimulation of human white adipocyte lipolysis and right atrial appendage contraction by novel beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists of differing selectivities

The role of beta(3)- and other putative atypical beta-adrenaceptors in human white adipocytes and right atrial appendage has been investigated using CGP 12177 and novel phenylethanolamine and aryloxypropanolamine beta(3)-adrenoceptor (beta(3)AR) agonists with varying intrinsic activities and selectivities for human cloned PAR subtypes. The ability to demonstrate beta(1/2)AR antagonist-insensitive (beta(3) or other atypical beta AR-mediated) responses to CGP 12177 was critically dependent on the albumin batch used to prepare and incubate the adipocytes. Four aryloxypropanolamine selective beta(3)AR agonists (SB-226552, SB-229432, SB-236923, SB-246982) consistently elicited beta(1/2)AR antagonist-insensitive lipolysis. However, a phenylethanolamine (SB-220646) that was a selective full beta(3)AR agonist elicited full lipolytic and inotropic responses that were sensitive to beta(1/2)AR antagonism, despite it having very low efficacies at cloned beta(1)- and beta(2)ARs. A component of the response to another phenylethanolamine selective beta(3)AR agonist (SB-215691) was insensitive to beta(1/2)AR antagonism in some experiments. Because novel aryloxypropanolamine had a beta(1/2)AR antagonist-insensitive inotropic effect, these results establish more firmly that beta(3)ARs mediate lipolysis in human white adipocytes, and suggest that putative 'beta(4)ARs' mediate inotropic responses to CGP 12177. The results also illustrate the difficulty of predicting from studies on cloned beta ARs which beta ARs will mediate responses to agonists in tissues that have a high number of beta(1)- and beta(2)ARs or a low number of beta(3)ARs.

Kinetic analysis of vascular marker distribution in perfused rat livers after regeneration following partial hepatectomy

Background/Aims: Liver clearance models are based on information (or assumptions) on solute distribution kinetics within the microvasculatory system, The aim was to study albumin distribution kinetics in regenerated livers and in livers of normal adult rats, Methods: A novel mathematical model was used to evaluate the distribution space and the transit time dispersion of albumin in livers following regeneration after a two-thirds hepatectomy compared to livers of normal adult rats. Outflow curves of albumin measured after bolus injection in single-pass perfused rat livers were analyzed by correcting for the influence of catheters and fitting a long-tailed function to the data. Results: The curves were well described by the proposed model. The distribution volume and the transit time dispersion of albumin observed in the partial hepatectomy group were not significantly different from livers of normal adult rats. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the distribution space and the transit time dispersion of albumin (CV2) is relatively constant irrespective of the presence of rapid and extensive repair. This invariance of CV2 implies, as a first approximation, a similar degree of intrasinusoidal mixing, The finding that a sum of two (instead of one) inverse Gaussian densities is an appropriate empirical function to describe the outflow curve of vascular indicators has consequences for an improved prediction of hepatic solute extraction.

Familial partial epilepsy with variable foci: A new partial epilepsy syndrome with suggestion of linkage to chromosome 2

Familial partial epilepsy with variable foci (FPEVF) joins the recently recognized group of inherited partial epilepsies. We describe an Australian family with 10 individuals with partial seizures over four generations. Detailed electroclinical studies were performed on all affected and 17 clinically unaffected family members. The striking finding was that the clinical features of the seizures and interictal electroencephalographic foci differed among family members and included frontal, temporal, occipital, and centroparietal seizures. Mean age of seizure onset was 13 years (range, 0.75-43 years). Two individuals without seizures had epileptiform abnormalities on electroencephalographic studies. Penetrance of seizures was 62%. A genome-wide search failed to demonstrate definitive linkage, but a suggestion of linkage was found on chromosome 2q with a LOD score of 2.74 at recombination fraction of zero with the marker D2S133. FPEVF differs from the other inherited partial epilepsies where partial seizures in different family members are clinically similar. The inherited nature of this new syndrome may be overlooked because of relatively low penetrance and because of the variability in age at onset and electroclinical features between affected family members.

Contraction of the pelvic floor muscles during abdominal maneuvers

Objective: To determine whether voluntary abdominal muscle contraction is associated with pelvic floor muscle activity. Design: Pelvic floor muscle activity was recorded during contractions of the abdominal muscles at 3 different intensities in supine and standing positions. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: Six women and 1 man with no histories of lower back pain. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Electromyographic activity of the pelvic floor muscles was recorded with surface electrodes inserted into the anus and vagina. These recordings were corroborated by measurements of anal and vaginal pressures. Gastric pressure was recorded in 2 subjects. Results: Pelvic floor muscle electromyography increased with contraction of the abdominal muscles. With strong abdominal contraction, pelvic floor muscle activity did not differ from that recorded during a maximal pelvic floor muscle effort. The pressure recordings confirmed these data. The increase in pressure recorded in the anus and vagina preceded the pressure in the abdomen. Conclusions: In healthy subjects, voluntary activity in the abdominal muscles results in increased pelvic floor muscle activity. The increase in pelvic floor pressure before the increase in the abdomen pressure indicates that this response is preprogrammed. Dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles can result in urinary and fecal incontinence. Abdominal muscle training to rehabilitate those muscles may be useful in treating these conditions.