Preparation, identification, and molecular docking of novel angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides derived from rice-based distillers' spent cakes.

BACKGROUND: Rice-based distillers' spent cake (RDSC), a by-product of the Chinese liquor (Baijiu) industry, is a potential source of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide. Since ACE plays a crucial role in controlling hypertension, inhibition of ACE has been widely emphasized. The ACE inhibitory active peptide derived from by-products of food has been recognized as a safer and cheaper inhibitor. RESULTS: Aimed to discover ACE-inhibiting active peptides in RDSC. Hydrolysis of RDSC by alcalase for 4 h followed by ultrafiltration yielded low-molecular-weight (< 3 kDa) fractions. Subsequently, a comprehensive method using a combination of liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) and LC-Q-Exactive-MS to identify the novel short peptides (3-5 amino acids residues; n = 7) and medium-sized peptides (more than 6 amino acids residues; n = 6). In vitro activity assay showed that the peptides KPFFPGL, GFPRPLL, GPPGVF, and VGK exhibited the highest activity with inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) of 11.63, 12.34, 19.55, and 33.54 µmol L-1. Molecular docking reveal that the active and inactive sites (Glu123, Asp121, Arg522, and Lys118) play important roles in enhancing the ACE inhibitory activity of peptides. CONCLUSION: Here we report a comprehensive method that effectively extracted and identified the bioactive peptides from RDSC. Four highly active novel peptides may be the most promising candidates for functional foods against hypertension, provide significant information for enhancing value of rice-based distilled by-products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Workshop environment heterogeneity shaped the microbiome and metabolome profiles during Xiasha round of Jiangxiangxing Baijiu.

Workshop with different fermentation years plays an essential role in the yield and quality of Baijiu. In actual production, the quality of base Baijiu in newly built workshop is inferior to the older one. In this study, the microbiota of workshop environment and fermentation process from two workshops namely N (ferment 2 years) and O (ferment 20 years) and flavor compounds were studied during Xiasha round. Results showed workshop O accumulated more environmental microorganisms and fungi including P. kudriavzevii, Wickerhamomyces anomalus and Saccharomyces sp mainly came from ground. Yeasts including Pichia, Cyberlindnera, Wickerhamomyces and Candida were responsible for flavor substances formation in O while Saccharopolyspora was in N. This study for the first time explored the reasons for the brewing differences among N and O workshop from perspectives of workshop environment, microbial community and flavor substances, providing new ideas for guiding production as well as improvement of Baijiu quality.

Risk Factors for Influenza A(H7N9) Disease in China, a Matched Case Control Study, October 2014 to April 2015.

Background. Human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus have been associated with exposure to poultry and live poultry markets (LPMs). We conducted a case-control study to identify additional and more specific risk factors. Methods. Cases were laboratory-confirmed A(H7N9) infections in persons in China reported from October 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015. Poultry workers, those with insufficient data, and those refusing participation were excluded. We matched up to 4 controls per case by sex, age, and residential community. Using conditional logistic regression, we examined associations between A(H7N9) infection and potential risk factors. Results. Eighty-five cases and 334 controls were enrolled with similar demographic characteristics. Increased risk of A(H7N9) infection was associated with the following: visiting LPMs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-15.3), direct contact with live poultry in LPMs (aOR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.1-15.6), stopping at a live poultry stall when visiting LPMs (aOR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1-6.9), raising backyard poultry at home (aOR, 7.7; 95% CI, 2.0-30.5), direct contact with backyard poultry (aOR, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.1-22.1), and having ≥1 chronic disease (aOR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.5-6.5). Conclusions. Our study identified raising backyard poultry at home as a risk factor for illness with A(H7N9), suggesting the need for enhanced avian influenza surveillance in rural areas.

Measles transmission among adults with spread to children during an outbreak: Implications for measles elimination in China, 2014.

INTRODUCTION: Following implementation of China's 2006-2012 Action Plan for measles elimination, which led to a nadir of measles in 2012, a resurgence started in 2013 that continued into 2014. Measles typically is a disease that mainly affects children. We investigated a community outbreak in 2014 with measles virus transmission among adults without children serving as virus reservoirs. Our investigation highlights adult susceptibility to measles. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective active case search, and analyzed confirmed case data to describe person, place, and time characteristics of the outbreak. All individuals with measles with onset during the first 2 months of the outbreak were interviewed face-to-face to determine source(s) of infection and transmission route (from whom and to whom). RESULTS: Among the 280 cases, 220 (77.6%) were among ≥20-year-old adults, 24 (8.6%) were among 8-23 month olds, 22 (7.9%) were among <8-month-old infants, and the remaining 14 (5.9%) were among 2-19 year olds. Of the 83 cases in the early stage of the outbreak, 41 (49.4%) were acquired in the community, 24 (28.9%) were acquired nosocomially, 13 (15.7%) were acquired by family contact, and 5 were imported. Among 44 clearly determined transmission linkages, 37 (84.1%) were adult to other age-group (these include 29 adult-to-adult, seven adult-to-child, and one adult-to-infant), six were from infants to adult and children, and one was child-to-child. Outbreak response immunization activities were implemented by non-selective supplementary immunization activities, with 51.3% of targeted 5-19-year-old children and adolescents, and 30.2% of targeted 20-49-year-old adults being vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: Despite high population immunity among children and adolescents following three rounds of measles vaccine supplementary immunization activities, sustained measles virus transmission still occurred among adults in this community. Adult measles immunity gaps might threaten measles elimination, highlighting the importance targeting susceptible adults during outbreak response immunization.