The impact of heat-set milk protein gel textures modified by pH on circulating amino acid appearance and gastric function in healthy female adults: a randomised controlled trial.

Modification of dairy proteins during processing impacts structural assemblies, influencing textural and nutritional properties of dairy products, and release and availability of amino acids during digestion. By modifying only pH, acid heat-set bovine dairy gels with divergent textural properties were developed to alter protein digestion. In vitro assay confirmed faster digestion of protein from a firm gel (pH 5.65) versus a soft gel (pH 6.55). We hypothesised that firm gel (FIRM-G; pH 5.6) would result in greater indispensable amino acid (IAA) appearance in circulation over 5 h and corresponding differences in gastric myoelectrical activity relative to soft gel (SOFT-G; pH 6.2). In a randomised, single-blind cross-over trial, healthy females (n = 20) consumed 150 g of each gel; plasma amino acid appearance was assessed over 5 hours. Iso-nitrogenous, iso-caloric gels were prepared from identical mixtures of bovine milk and whey protein concentrates; providing 17.7 g (FIRM-G) and 18.9 g (SOFT-G) of protein per serving. Secondary outcomes included gastric myoelectrical activity measured by body surface gastric mapping, glycaemic, triglyceridaemic, and subjective appetite and digestive responses. Overall plasma IAA (area under the curve) did not differ between gels. However, plasma IAA concentrations were higher, and increased more rapidly over time after SOFT-G compared with FIRM-G (1455 ± 53 versus 1350 ± 62 µmol L-1 at 30 min, p = 0.024). Similarly, total, branched-chain and dispensable amino acids were higher at 30 min with SOFT-G than FIRM-G (total: 3939 ± 97 versus 3702 ± 127 µmol L-1, p = 0.014; branched-chain: 677 ± 30 versus 619 ± 34 µmol L-1, p = 0.047; dispensable: 2334 ± 53 versus 2210 ± 76 µmol L-1, p = 0.032). All other measured parameters were similar between gels. Peak postprandial aminoacidaemia was higher and faster following ingestion of SOFT-G. Customised plasma amino acid appearance from dairy is achievable by altering gel coagulum structure using pH during processing and may have minimal influence on related postprandial responses, with implications for targeting food design for optimal health. The Clinical Trial Registry number is ACTRN12622001418763 (https://www.anzctr.org.au) registered November 7, 2022.

Dynamic Stomach Model-Capillary Electrophoresis-ICPMS for Evaluation of Release and Transformation Behaviors of Arsenic Species from Microplastics during Digestion.

Microplastics (MPs) can act as carriers of environmental arsenic species into the stomach with food and release arsenic species during digestion, which threatens human health. Herein, an integrated dynamic stomach model (DSM)-capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-ICPMS) is developed for online monitoring of the release and transformation behaviors of arsenic species loaded on MPs (As-MPs) in the simulated human stomach. The 3D-printed DSM with a soft stomach chamber enables the behaviors of gastric peristalsis, gastric and salivary fluid addition, pH adjustment, and gastric emptying (GE) to be controlled by a self-written program after oral ingestion of food with As-MPs. The gastric extract during digestion is introduced into the spiral channel to remove the large particulate impurity and online filtered to obtain the clarified arsenic-containing solution for subsequent speciation analysis of arsenic by CE-ICPMS. The digestion conditions and pretreatment processes of DSM are tracked and validated, and the release rates of As-MPs digested by DSM are compared with those digested by the static stomach model and DSM without GE. The release rate of inorganic arsenic on MPs is higher than that of organic arsenic throughout the gastric digestion process, and 8% of As(V) is reduced to As(III). The detection limits for As(III), DMA, MMA, and As(V) are 0.5-0.9 µg L-1 using DSM-CE-ICPMS, along with precisions of ≤8%. This present method provides an integrated and convenient tool for evaluating the release and transformation of As-MPs during human gastric digestion and provides a reference for exploring the interactions between MPs and metals/metalloids in the human body.

Death from methamphetamine intoxication in a body stuffer.

A 28-year-old man was admitted dead to the emergency department of the regional hospital. All resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful in this case. Attending officers stated that he was suspected of possessing drugs at the time of arrest and had taken them quickly to cover up. Upon arrival at the hospital, signs of violence were noted all over his body. During the autopsy, two large blue plastic packages were found in the antrum of the stomach. The first was 6.3 × 2.2 cm and had two tight knots, while the second was 7.6 x 1.7 cm and had a single knot. Both packages were irregularly shaped and contained tablet debris that was clearly leaking, as a large amount of gastric juice was present in both packages. A confirmatory forensic toxicology analysis revealed toxic concentrations of methamphetamine in the blood of the dissected case. The patient died of acute methamphetamine intoxication associated with a severe stress condition resulting from violent resistance during arrest.

Exploring the pathology of liver, kidney, muscle, and stomach of fledgling seabirds associated with plastic ingestion.

There remain significant gaps in knowledge about 'sub-lethal' impacts of plastic ingestion, particularly chronic impacts on cells, tissues, or organs. Few studies have applied traditional animal health tools, such as histopathology, to assess physiological damage to wildlife, with fewer still providing information on the dosage or exposure to plastics needed to elicit negative effects. Our study seeks to investigate a common hypothesis in plastic pollution research; that an increasing plastics burden will have an impact on an animal's health, examining two wild species with high levels of environmental exposure to plastic through their diet. Here we assess the histopathology of the muscle, upper digestive tract, liver and kidney of two seabird species that are known to be commonly exposed to plastic, comparing exposed and non-exposed individuals. Fledgling seabirds showed histopathological evidence of cumulative pressures such as starvation, disease, and endoparasite burden. However, we observed no evidence of chronic harm that could be explicitly linked to the plastics. We found one case of haemorrhage, reaffirming that large/sharp plastic foreign bodies may cause acute physical damage. Given the numerous interacting pressures on the health of fledging seabirds, including exposure to plastic, this study highlights the need to scrutinise plastic-animal interactions and research though a One Health lens.

Digestive fluid components affect speciation and bioaccessibility and the subsequent exposure risk of soil chromium from stomach to intestinal phase in in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

The simulated in-vitro gastrointestinal method provides a simple way to evaluate the health risk of human body exposed to soil contaminants. Several in-vitro methods have been successfully established for soil As, Pb, and Cd. However, the method development for soil Cr failed up to now, which could be resulted from alteration in the species of Cr (e.g., Cr(VI)/Cr(III)) caused by the gastrointestinal digestion components, ultimately affecting the accessibility of Cr. This study explored the transformation and bioaccessibility of Cr in two Cr-contaminated soils during the physiologically based extraction test. The water-soluble and exchangeable Cr in soil was dissolved in gastrointestinal tract, accompanied with reduction of Cr(VI) into Cr(III), and the reduction occurred after the chemical extraction in two soils rather than during the extraction. Pepsin and organic acids in gastric phase could reduce Cr(VI) into Cr(III) and reduction efficiency were 20.4%- 53.0%, while in intestinal phase, pancreatin and bile salt had little effect on the Cr(VI) reduction, instead, more Cr(VI) was released from soil. In the gastric solution, Cr(VI) was mainly present as HCrO4- and Cr(III) as free Cr3+ ion. In the intestinal phase, Cr(VI) mainly occurred as CrO42- and Cr(III) as Cr(OH)3 (aq). Cr in the soil solid phase was dominated as the precipitates of Cr-Fe oxide, which was hardly extracted. Bioaccessibility of Cr in gastric phase increased as extraction duration increased and decreased in the intestinal phase, the contrary trend was observed for the hazard quotient of Cr in two phases due to Cr(VI)/Cr(III) transformation. This study indicates that the gastrointestinal components could influence the Cr transformation and subsequently affect the Cr bioaccessibility, which would help for a successful establishment of in vitro determination method for soil Cr bioaccessibility.

Elevated radon level in drinking water of Ajodhya Hill Area of West Bengal, India: probable health impact on lung and stomach.

A screening survey has been carried out to measure the radon concentration in drinking water at various locations of Ajodhya hill and surrounding areas in Purulia district of West Bengal, India, using AlphaGUARD radon monitor. The obtained 222Rn concentration in ground water varies from 5.71 ± 0.29 to 579.47 ± 23.18 Bq/l with an average of 110.00 ± 6.61 Bq/l. Comparison between our results with the internationally recommended reference levels reveals that drinking of water from the majority of these tube-wells can pose significant health risks to the local people. Correlation study indicates that tube-well depth has significant influence on the radon level in water samples. Using 60 l/yr and 1642.50 l/yr water consumption estimated annual effective radon doses for most of the samples (almost 70% and 96%, respectively) are high compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union (EU) Commission prescribed reference dose limit of 100 µSv/yr. Also, the evaluated Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) values associated with the tube-wells are showing serious threat to the health of the locals.The primary goal of this work is to develop a radon profile map of this area and to find out the possible reasons behind the elevated radon level in ground water. This type of work may play a very crucial role to aware the locals in perspective of human exposure to radon. The local health officials and the water quality regulators of India are requested to take necessary steps for protecting the local people from water radon hazard.

In Vitro Assessment of the Physiologically Relevant Oral Bioaccessibility of Metallic Elements in Edible Herbs Using the Unified Bioaccessibility Protocol.

In this work, the total content of seven metallic elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg, Pb, Ni, and Co) in common edible herbs was determined and related to their bioaccessibility by an in vitro human digestion model. Specifically, the unified bioaccessibility protocol developed by the BioAccessibility Research Group of Europe (BARGE) was used to determine the release of each element during gastric and gastrointestinal digestion. The results show that Fe, Zn, and Mg are released during gastric digestion (34-57% Fe, 28-80% Zn, 79-95% Mg), but their overall bioaccessibility is reduced in the gastrointestinal tract (<30%). On the contrary, Cu is more bioaccessible during gastrointestinal digestion (38-60%). Pb, Ni, and Co exhibited similar bioaccessibility in both gastric and gastrointestinal fluids. Principle component analysis of the data shows that the classification of the nutritional value of herbs differs between the total and the gastrointestinal concentration, suggesting that the total concentration alone is not an adequate indicator for drawing secure conclusions concerning the nutritional benefits of edible plant species.

Properties of cell wall polysaccharides of raw nectarine fruits after treatment under conditions that modulate gastric digestion.

The results of the study of the physicochemical properties of the high-molecular-weight soluble and insoluble components of nectarine cell walls obtained by fruit treatment under conditions that modulate of gastric digestion are presented. Homogenized nectarine fruits were sequentially treated by natural saliva and simulated gastric fluid (SGF) at pH 1.8 and 3.0. The isolated polysaccharides were compared with polysaccharides obtained by sequential extraction of nectarine fruit with cold, hot, and acidified water, solutions of ammonium oxalate and sodium carbonate. As a result, high-molecular-weight water-soluble pectic polysaccharides, weakly bound in the cell wall, were dissolved in the simulated gastric fluid, regardless of pH. Homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) were identified in all pectins. It was shown that their quantity and ability to form highly viscous solutions determine high values of the rheological characteristics of the nectarine mixture formed under simulated gastric conditions. The modifications occurring with the insoluble components under the influence of acidity of SGF were importance. They determined difference in the physicochemical properties of both the insoluble fibres and the nectarine mixtures.

The Forms of the Lectin Tff2 Differ in the Murine Stomach and Pancreas: Indications for Different Molecular Functions.

The lectin TFF2 belongs to the trefoil factor family (TFF). This polypeptide is typically co-secreted with the mucin MUC6 from gastric mucous neck cells, antral gland cells, and duodenal Brunner glands. Here, TFF2 fulfills a protective function by forming a high-molecular-mass complex with the MUC6, physically stabilizing the mucus barrier. In pigs and mice, and slightly in humans, TFF2 is also synthesized in the pancreas. Here, we investigated the murine stomach, pancreas, and duodenum by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) and proteomics and identified different forms of Tff2. In both the stomach and duodenum, the predominant form is a high-molecular-mass complex with Muc6, whereas, in the pancreas, only low-molecular-mass monomeric Tff2 was detectable. We also investigated the expression of Tff2 and other selected genes in the stomach, pancreas, and the proximal, medial, and distal duodenum (RT-PCR analysis). The absence of the Tff2/Muc6 complex in the pancreas is due to a lack of Muc6. Based on its known motogenic, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects, we propose a protective receptor-mediated function of monomeric Tff2 for the pancreatic ductal epithelium. This view is supported by a report that a loss of Tff2 promotes the formation of pancreatic intraductal mucinous neoplasms.

The spatial distribution, health risk, and cytotoxicity of metal(loid)s in contaminated field soils: The role of Cd in human gastric cells damage.

The spatial distribution and pollution level of heavy metal(loid)s in soil (0-6 m) from a typical industrial region in Jiangmen City, Southeast China was investigated. Their bioaccessibility, health risk, and human gastric cytotoxicity in topsoil were also evaluated using an in vitro digestion/human cell model. The average concentrations of Cd (87.52 mg/kg), Co (106.9 mg/kg), and Ni (1007 mg/kg) exceeded the risk screening values. The distribution profiles of metal(loid)s showed a downward migration trend to reach a depth of 2 m. The highest contamination was found in topsoil (0-0.5 m), with the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, and Ni being 46.98, 348.28, 317.44, and 2395.60 mg/kg, respectively, while Cd showed the highest bioaccessibility in the gastric phase (72.80 %), followed by Co (21.08 %), Ni (18.27 %), and As (5.26 %) and unacceptable carcinogenic risk. Moreover, the gastric digesta of topsoil suppressed the cell viability and triggered cell apoptosis, evidenced by disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and increase of Cytochrome c (Cyt c) and Caspases 3/9 mRNA expression. Bioaccessible Cd in topsoil was responsible for those adverse effects. Our data suggest the importance to reduce Cd in the soil to decrease its adverse impacts on the human stomach.

Impacts of Smoking and Stomach Disorders on Essential Elements in Biological Samples of Cement and Glass Industrial Workers.

The infection caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) disrupts the metabolism and absorption of essential trace elements. Stomach disorders are related to changes in essential trace element metabolism caused by increased toxic metal exposure and H. pylori infection. The aim of the work is to link the development of stomach-related illnesses to an imbalance of essential trace and toxic metals. We have investigated the variations in essential trace elements such zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper and toxic metals like lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in biological (scalp hair, blood) samples of glass and cement workers. The study participants are further divided into smokers and nonsmokers, as well as diseased (gastric ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic ulcer) and exposed referents (non-diseased industrial workers). Biological samples of age-matched (40-60 years) male subjects living in non-industrial areas were gathered for comparative purposes. After a pre-concentration method, the drinking water of industrial and domestic areas was analysed for both toxic metals. Microwave-aided acid digestion was used to oxidise the matrices of biological samples before atomic absorption spectrometer analysis of selected metals. Toxic metal levels in both industries' drinking water were much higher than those found in domestically treated water (p < 0.01). Industrial workers suffering different types of stomach disorders have two to three times higher Pb and Cd concentrations than age-matched referents. Toxic metals are found in higher concentrations in smoker referents and diseased patients' biological samples than in nonsmoker subjects. The findings of this study suggested that Pb and Cd toxicity's immunological effects may be associated to an increased vulnerability to chronic infections.

Evaluating the in vitro digestion of lipids rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) using dynamic and static protocols.

Investigating the digestion of lipids is paramount for developing new lipid-based products. This work evaluated the gastrointestinal (GI) digestion of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) rich lipids. The dynamic GI in vitro system was used to simulate gastric, duodenal, jejunal, and ileal GI tract portions. Results from the dynamic protocol were compared against static in vitro assays and GC analyses were conducted to assess the FA profile of FFA released during digestion. Caprylic and capric acids released during the gastric digestion of MCT oil varied from 61-63% and 36-38% of total esterified FA, respectively. Lauric acid was the most representative FFA released (31-54%) during the gastric digestion of coconut oil samples. It was observed that the gastric digestion phase plays a crucial role in the MCFA lipolysis and the lipase activity restricted the amount of free MCFA liberated during the GI digestion, resulting in incomplete lipids hydrolysis.

Microanalysis of the stomach of southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor): Histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and scanning electron microscopic studies.

This study was designed to provide more detailed knowledge on the stomach histochemistry and immunohistochemistry in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor). Two animals were used in the present work. Periodic acid Schiff's (PAS) and Alcian blue were used for histochemical purposes. SOX9, gastrin, serotonin, and glucagon markers were traced immunohistochemically. The mucosa was extremely folded in the fundus with numerous opening of glands. The body and pylorus mucosa were almost smooth and equipped with gastric gland openings. A simple columnar epithelium covered the stomach entirely. Cardiac glands region was mucus secreting with both positive and negative reactions to PAS. Fundic mucosa was contained cardiac glands near to the cardia, and toward the body it was divided into the light and dark zones. These zones and body contained proper gastric gland, which constituted of parietal, chief, and mucous neck cells. These glands contained PAS-positive cells on their basal portions. The pyloric glands were mucus secreting but negative for PAS. All gastric glands were Alcian blue-negative, but epithelium showed moderate reaction especially in the pylorus. SOX and gastrin were express highly in the body and fundus. The expression of serotonin and glucagon was rare. Comparatively, some similarities between the stomach of hedgehog and dog can be assumed. The present findings provide additional information concerning the histochemical characteristics and endocrine cells distribution in the stomach of the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor). Further detailed studies are required to enhance the current knowledge on histophysiology of the digestive system in this species as a pet and exotic animal. HIGHLIGHTS: The stomach was simple glandular type. The fundus was divided into light and dark zones similar to the dog. The proper gastric glands were periodic acid Schiff's positive at their basal parts.

[Microplastics in the stomach and intestine of pelagic squid: A case study of Dosidicus gigas in open sea of Peru]. / å¤§æ´‹æ€§å¤´è¶³ç±»èƒƒå’Œè‚ é“ä¸­çš„å¾®å¡‘æ–™­­ä»¥ç§˜é²å¤–海茎柔鱼为例.

Microplastic (MP) ingestion by marine animals has been well documented, but less being known about pelagic squid. Jumbo squid Dosidicus gigas supports the world's largest cephalopod fishery and plays an important ecological role in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. In this study, D. gigas taken from the open sea of the Peruvian Exclusive Economic Zone were selected as research objects. We estimated the abundance and characteristics of MPs in the stomach and intestine of D. gigas and investigated the differences between tissues and sexes. Similar abundance and characteristics of MPs were observed in the same tissue of females and males. However, the stomach had a higher abundance of MPs with larger size than the intestine, while the MP abundance by stomach wet weight was lower than that of the intestine. The MPs were predominantly fiber-shaped, with blue or black color. The most frequent polymers were high-density cellophane and polyacrylic acid. These polymers could sink into deeper sea layers and were available for D. gigas living there during the daytime. Our findings revealed the distribution pattern of MPs in the waters of the Peruvian fishing ground. This study could improve our understanding of the MP contamination level in pelagic squid, and have implications for evaluating the ecological effects of MP on cephalopods.

Identification and validation of PGLS as a metabolic target for early screening and prognostic monitoring of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of 6-phosphogluconolactonase (PGLS) in gastric cancer. METHODS: The protein extracted from a panel of four pairs of gastric cancer tissues and adjacent tissues, labeled with iTRAQ (8-plex) reagents, and followed by LC-ESI-MS/MS. The expressions of proteins were further validated by immunohistochemistry analysis. The expression levels of mRNA were analyzed and validated in the Oncomine database. The correlations of PGLS with prognostic outcomes were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier plotter database. RESULTS: The present study found that PGLS was significantly up-regulated in gastric cancer by using iTRAQ-based proteomics and immunohistochemistry analysis. The sensitivity of PGLS in gastric cancer was 72.9%. The high expression of PGLS was significantly correlated with TNM staging in gastric cancer (p = 0.02). The overexpression of PGLS predicts worse overall survival (OS) and post-progression survival (PPS) for gastric cancer (OS, HR = 1.48, p = 2.1e-05; PPS, HR = 1.35, p = 0.015). Specifically, the high PGLS expression predicts poor OS, PPS in male gastric cancer patients, in patients with lymph node metastasis and in patients with Her-2 (-). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that PGLS was aberrantly expressed in gastric cancer and predicts poor overall survival, post-progression survival for gastric cancer patients. The present study collectively supported that PGLS is an important target for early determining and follow-up monitoring for gastric cancer.

The Photobiomodulation of MAO-A Affects the Contractile Activity of Smooth Muscle Gastric Tissues.

Nowadays, the utilized electromagnetic radiation (ER) in modalities such as photobiomodulation (PBM) finds broader applications in medical practice due to the promising results suggested by numerous reports. To date, the published data do not allow for the in-depth elucidation of the molecular mechanisms through which ER impacts the human organism. Furthermore, there is a total lack of evidence justifying the relation between the enzymatic activity of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and the effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the spontaneous contractile activity of smooth muscle gastric tissues exposed to various light sources. We found that exposure of these tissues to lamps, emitting light with wavelengths of 254 nm and 350 nm, lasers, emitting light with 532 nm and 808 nm, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with ER at a wavelength of 660 nm, increased the 5-HT effect on the contractility. On the other hand, LEDs at 365 nm and 470 nm reduced it. The analysis of MAO-A enzymatic activity after exposure to the employed light emitters endorsed these findings. Furthermore, MAOA gene expression studies confirmed the possibility of its optogenetic regulation. Therefore, we concluded that the utilized emitters could alternate the functions of significant neuromediators by modulating the activity and gene transcription levels of enzymes that degrade them. Our investigations will help to disclose the selective conditions upon which PBM can effectively treat gastrointestinal and neurological disorders.

Obtainment and characterization of digestive aspartic proteases from the fish Caranx hippos (Linnaeus, 1766) / Obtenção e caracterização de proteases aspárticas digestórias do peixe Caranx hippos (Linnaeus, 1766)

This work aimed to obtain aspartic proteases of industrial and biotechnological interest from the stomach of the crevalle jack fish (Caranx hippos). In order to do so, a crude extract (CE) of the stomach was obtained and subjected to a partial purification by salting-out, which resulted in the enzyme extract (EE) obtainment. EE proteases were characterized physicochemically and by means of zymogram. In addition, the effect of chemical agents on their activity was also assessed. By means of salting-out it was possible to obtain a purification of 1.6 times with a yield of 49.4%. Two acid proteases present in the EE were observed in zymogram. The optimum temperature and thermal stability for EE acidic proteases were 55 ºC and 45 °C, respectively. The optimum pH and pH stability found for these enzymes were pH 1.5 and 7.0, respectively. Total inhibition of EE acid proteolytic activity was observed in the presence of pepstatin A. dithiothreitol (DTT) and Ca2+ did not promote a significant effect on enzyme activity. In the presence of heavy metals, such as Al3+, Cd2+ and Hg2+, EE acidic proteases showed more than 70% of their enzymatic activity. The results show that it is possible to obtain, from the stomach of C. hippos, aspartic proteases with high proteolytic activity and characteristics that demonstrate potential for industrial and biotechnological applications.

Este trabalho objetivou obter proteases aspárticas de interesse industrial e biotecnológico a partir do estômago do peixe xaréu (Caranx hippos). Para isso, foi obtido um extrato bruto do estômago, o qual foi submetido a uma purificação parcial por salting-out onde se obteve o extrato enzimático (EE). As proteases do EE foram caracterizadas físico-quimicamente e através de zimograma. Além disso, o efeito de agentes químicos sobre sua atividade também foi avaliado. Através de salting-out foi possível obter uma purificação de 1,6 vezes com rendimento de 49,4%. Foram observadas duas proteases ácidas presentes no EE através de zimograma. A temperatura ótima e a estabilidade térmica para as proteases ácidas do EE foram de 55 ºC e 45 °C, respectivamente. O pH ótimo e a estabilidade ao pH encontrados para estas enzimas foram o pH 1,5 e 7,0, respectivamente. Observou-se a inibição total da atividade proteolítica ácida do EE na presença de pepstatina A. O ditiotreitol (DTT) e o Ca2+ não promoveram efeito significativo na atividade enzimática. Na presença de metais pesados, como Al3+, Cd2+ e Hg2+, o EE manteve mais de 70% de atividade enzimática do EE. Os resultados mostram que é possível obter, a partir do estômago de C. hippos, proteases aspárticas com alta atividade proteolítica e características que demonstram potencial para aplicações industriais e biotecnológicas.

A five-lncRNA model predicting overall survival in gastric cancer compared with normal tissues.

AIMS: In cancer research, normal tissues adjacent to the tumor are usually defined as controls to compare with tumor samples, in order to screen out cancer-related genes. Although there is no obvious difference in pathology between normal tissues adjacent to the tumor and healthy tissues, there are significant changes at the molecular level. We aim to explore more potential tumor biomarkers using healthy tissues as controls rather than normal tissues adjacent to the tumor. METHODS: Here we combine the Genotype-Tissue Expression project and The Cancer Genome Atlas for differential gene analysis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were applied in order to predict the biological effects of related lncRNAs. RESULTS: We established a 5-lncRNA prognosis model with an AUC value of 0.815. Pathway analysis indicated that 5-lncRNA mainly affected tissue carcinogenesis through PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, Focal adhesion, MAPK signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: The 5-lncRNA prognostic model we set up is more conducive to assess the overall survival time of gastric cancer patients.

A New Dose-Response Model for Estimating the Infection Probability of Campylobacter jejuni Based on the Key Events Dose-Response Framework.

Understanding the dose-response relationship between ingested pathogenic bacteria and infection probability is a key factor for appropriate risk assessment of foodborne pathogens. The objectives of this study were to develop and validate a novel mechanistic dose-response model for Campylobacter jejuni and simulate the underlying mechanism of foodborne illness during digestion. Bacterial behavior in the human gastrointestinal environment, including survival at low pH in the gastric environment after meals, transition to intestines, and invasion to intestinal tissues, was described using a Bayesian statistical model based on the reported experimental results of each process while considering physical food types (liquid versus solid) and host age (young adult versus elderly). Combining the models in each process, the relationship between pathogen intake and the infection probability of C. jejuni was estimated and compared with reported epidemiological dose-response relationships. Taking food types and host age into account, the prediction range of the infection probability of C. jejuni successfully covered the reported dose-response relationships from actual C. jejuni outbreaks. According to sensitivity analysis of predicted infection probabilities, the host age factor and the food type factor have relatively higher relevance than other factors. Thus, the developed "key events dose-response framework" can derive novel information for quantitative microbiological risk assessment in addition to dose-response relationship. The framework is potentially applicable to other pathogens to quantify the dose-response relationship from experimental data obtained from digestion. IMPORTANCE Based on the mechanistic approach called the key events dose-response framework (KEDRF), an alternative to previous nonmechanistic approaches, the dose-response models for infection probability of C. jejuni were developed considering with age of people who ingest pathogen and food type. The developed predictive framework illustrates highly accurate prediction of dose (minimum difference 0.21 log CFU) for a certain infection probability compared with the previously reported dose-response relationship. In addition, the developed prediction procedure revealed that the dose-response relationship strongly depends on food type as well as host age. The implementation of the key events dose-response framework will mechanistically and logically reveal the dose-response relationship and provide useful information with quantitative microbiological risk assessment of C. jejuni on foods.

Helicobacter pylori infection and hypochlorhydria in Zambian adults and children: A secondary data analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hypochlorhydria (gastric pH >4) increases susceptibility to diarrhoea, iron deficiency, and gastric cancer. We sought to clarify the prevalence of this condition and its predisposing factors in Zambia by pooling data from previous studies conducted in hospital and community settings. METHODS: Gastric pH was measured in participants from five separate studies by collecting gastric aspirate from fasted adults and children under 3 years of age undergoing gastroscopy. Gastric pH was correlated with serological testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections. RESULTS: We studied 597 individuals (487 adults and 110 children). Hypochlorhydria was present in 53% of adults and 31% of children. HIV infection was detected in 41% of adults and 11% of children. H. pylori serology was available for 366 individuals: 93% of adults and 6% of children were seropositive. In univariate analysis, hypochlorhydria was significantly associated with HIV seropositivity (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2-2.4; p = 0.004) and H. pylori antibody seropositivity (OR 4.9; 95% CI 2.8-8.6; p<0.0001), and with advancing age in HIV negative individuals (p = 0.0001). In multivariable analysis, only H. pylori was associated with hypochlorhydria (OR 4.0; 95% CI 2.2-7.2; p<0.0001) while excluding possible exposure to proton pump inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Hypochlorhydria is common in our population, with H. pylori being the dominant factor. Only young HIV seronegative individuals had a low prevalence of hypochlorhydria. This may have implications for the risk of other health conditions including gastric cancer.