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The freezing point (FP) is an important quality indicator of the superchilled meat. Currently, the potential of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for predicting beef FP as affected by multiple freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles was explored. Correlation analysis revealed that the FP had a negative correlation with the proportion of bound water (P 21) and a positive correlation with the proportion of immobilized water (P 22). Moreover, the optimal wavelengths were selected by principal component analysis (PCA). Principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were successfully developed based on the optimal wavelengths for predicting FP with determination coefficient in prediction (R P 2) of 0.76, 0.76 and root mean square errors in prediction (RMSEP) of 0.12, 0.12, respectively. Additionally, PLSR based on full wavelengths was established for predicting P 21 with R P 2 of 0.80 and RMSEP of 0.67, and PLSR based on the optimal wavelengths was established for predicting P 22 with R P 2 of 0.87 and RMSEP of 0.66. The results show the potential of hyperspectral technology to predict the FP and moisture distribution of meat as a nondestructive method. • Effect of freeze-thawing on the freezing point were studied. • The freezing point of beef was successfully predicted by HSI combining PLSR. • HSI successfully revealed the proportion of bound water and immobilized water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling pathway controls reproductive functions and cancer growth and progression. However, few studies investigated roles of genetic variants of GnRH pathway genes in survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, we first evaluated associations between 22,528 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 101 GnRH pathway genes and survival of 1185 NSCLC patients using a dataset from Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. We found 572 SNPs to be significantly associated with overall survival (OS) of NSCLC (P ≤ 0.05, Bayesian false discovery probability ≤0.80). We then validated these SNPs in another dataset with 984 NSCLC patients from the Harvard Lung Cancer Susceptibility Study. Finally, two independent SNPs (HBEGF rs4150236G>A and ITPR3 rs116454384C>T) remained significantly associated with NSCLC OS in the combined analysis with hazards ratios of 0.84 (95% confidence interval = 0.76-0.92, P = 0.0003) and 0.85 (0.78-0.94, 0.0012), respectively; their genetic score (the number of protective genotypes) was associated with a better OS and disease-specific survival (Ptrend = 0.0002 and 0.0001, respectively). Further expression quantitative trail loci analysis showed a significant correlation between ITPR3 rs116454384 T allele and an increased mRNA expression level in both whole blood and normal lung tissue, and high ITPR3 mRNA expression levels in tumors were associated with a better survival of NSCLC patients. Because ITPR3 mutations were rare in tumors, ITPR3 rs116454384C>T likely had an effect on cancer progression by regulating the gene expression. Therefore, genetic variants of HBEGF rs4150236G>A and ITPR3 rs116454384C>T may be predictors for NSCLC survival, but HBEGF rs4150236G>A functional relevance remains to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Psychrotrophic microorganisms reproduce rapidly, producing some high thermal stability lipases and proteases in refrigerated foods, which have negative effects on food quality. There are many researches on the detection of psychrotrophic microorganisms in foods, especially on the development of rapid and automatic technologies. Scope and approach The present review focuses on the development of rapid detection methods of psychrotrophic microorganisms in cold storage foods, including direct epi-fluorescent filter technique, flow cytometry method, real-time polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence in situ hybridization, temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of the methods and applications are compared, and methods for controlling the multiplication of psychrotrophic microorganisms are also discussed. Key findings and conclusions For better control of psychrotrophic bacteria, a significant number of studies have been performed by employing different detection methods such as polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence in situ hybridization, quartz crystal microbalance, etc., and most of the detection techniques are based on combination of immunoassay and electronic sensors. Although these rapid detection technologies show some obvious advantages, there still exist great challenges in achieving high accuracy and sensitivity. More rapid and convenient detection methods such as microscopic hyperspectral imaging should thus be developed for realizing online microbial detection in the food industry in future. Highlights • The spoilage of cold storage food is mainly caused by psychrotrophic bacteria. • Mechanisms of psychrotrophic bacteria growth at low temperatures are elaborated. • Advantages and disadvantages of rapid detection methods are compared. • Some methods for controlling psychrotrophic microorganism are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of sorbic and benzoic acid amide derivatives were synthesized by conjugating sorbic acid (SAAD, a 1 – a 7 ) or benzoic acid (BAAD b 1 – b 6 ) with amino acid esters and their antimicrobial activities were investigated against Escherichia coli , Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus , mixed bacteria from rancid milk, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus niger . The antimicrobial activity of sorbic acid amides was better than that of benzoic acid amides. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of compound isopropyl N-[1-oxo-2, 4-hexadien-1-yl]-L-phenylalaninate ( a 7 ) were 0.17 mM against B. subtilis , and 0.50 mM against S. aureus, while the MIC values of sorbic acid were more than 2 mM respectively. Also, compound a 7 displayed pH-independent antimicrobial activity in the range of pH 5.0–9.0 and was effective at pH 9.0. These results demonstrated that the conjugation of sorbic acid with amino acid esters led to significant improvement of in vitro antimicrobial attributes, but little effect was observed for benzoic acid amide derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are a sort of complex products formed by the Maillard reaction between the carbonyls of reducing sugars and the free amino groups of amino acids. Some of AGEs ingested through foods accumulate in human body, causing a series of chronic diseases. However, due to the complex and varied structures, there is lack of systematic reviews on dietary AGEs. Scope and approach This paper summarizes the aspects of AGE formation, influencing factors and hazards, as well as their distribution in foods. The detecting methods available for dietary AGEs are also highlighted. Finally, the main challenges and future efforts for studying AGEs in foods and their effects on health are discussed. Key findings and conclusions The study of AGEs has great significance in foods and human health. Although great advances in understanding the effects of AGEs in human body are made, more unequivocal guidance for dietary AGEs to people should be provided in future. Highlights • We describe fundamentals for advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). • We discuss AGEs influencing factors and their distribution in foods. • We explain details of effects of AGEs in human body. • We highlight methods available for measuring and quantifying AGEs in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) oncoprotein and p14 ARF tumor suppressor play pivotal roles in regulating p53 and function in the MAPK pathway, which is mutated frequently in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). We hypothesized that functional polymorphisms in the promoters of MDM2 and p14 ARF contribute to the interindividual difference in predisposition to DTC. Methods: MDM2-rs2279744, MDM2-rs937283, p14 ARF -rs3731217, and p14 ARF -rs3088440 were genotyped in 303 patients with DTC and 511 cancer-free healthy controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: MDM2-rs2279744 and p14 ARF -rs3731217 were associated with a significantly increased risk of DTC (MDM2-rs2279744: TT versus TG/GG; OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1–2.0; p14 ARF -rs3731217: TG/GG versus TT; OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2–2.3). No association was found for MDM2-rs937283 or p14 ARF -rs3088440. Individuals carrying 3–4 risk genotypes of MDM2 and p14 ARF had 2.2 times (95% CI, 1.4–3.5) the risk for DTC of individuals carrying 0–1 risk genotypes (P trend = .021). The combined effect of MDM2 and p14 ARF on risk of DTC was confined to young subjects (≤45 years), nonsmokers, nondrinkers, and subjects with a first-degree family history of cancer. These associations were quite similar in strength when cases were restricted to those with papillary thyroid cancer. Conclusion: Our results suggest that polymorphisms of MDM2 and p14 ARF contribute to the interindividual difference in susceptibility to DTC, either alone or more likely jointly. The observed associations warrant further confirmation in independent studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To date, no biomarkers have been found to predict, before treatment, which patients will develop radiation pneumonitis (RP), a potentially fatal toxicity, after chemoradiation for lung cancer. We investigated potential associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HSPB1 and risk of RP after chemoradiation for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and Materials: Subjects were patients with NSCLC treated with chemoradiation at 1 institution. The training data set comprised 146 patients treated from 1999 to July 2004; the validation data set was 125 patients treated from August 2004 to March 2010. We genotyped 2 functional SNPs of HSPB1 (rs2868370 and rs2868371) from all patients. We used Kaplan-Meier analysis to assess the risk of grade ≥2 or ≥3 RP in both data sets and a parametric log-logistic survival model to evaluate the association of HSPB1 genotypes with that risk. Results: Grade ≥3 RP was experienced by 13% of those with CG/GG and 29% of those with CC genotype of HSPB1 rs2868371 in the training data set (P=.028); corresponding rates in the validation data set were 2% CG/GG and 14% CC (P=.02). Univariate and multivariate analysis confirmed the association of CC of HSPB1 rs2868371 with higher risk of grade ≥3 RP than CG/GG after adjustment for sex, age, performance status, and lung mean dose. This association was validated both in the validation data set and with Harrell''s C statistic. Conclusions: The CC genotype of HSPB1 rs2868371 was associated with severe RP after chemoradiation for NSCLC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: We investigated the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the heat shock protein beta-1 (HSPB1) gene and the risk of radiation-induced esophageal toxicity (RIET) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and methods: The experimental dataset comprised 120 NSCLC patients who were treated with radio(chemo)therapy between 2005 and 2009, when novel radiation techniques were implemented at MD Anderson. The validation dataset comprised 181 NSCLC patients treated between 1998 and 2004. We genotyped two SNPs of the HSPB1 gene (rs2868370 and rs2868371) by TaqMan assay. Results: Univariate and multivariate analyses of the experimental dataset showed that the CG/GG genotypes of HSPB1 rs2868371 were associated with significantly lower risk of grade ⩾3 RIET than the CC genotype (univariate hazard ratio [HR] 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10–0.91; P =0.033; multivariate HR 0.29; 95% CI, 0.09–0.97; P =0.045). This difference in risk was replicated in the validation cohort despite the different radiation techniques used during that period. Conclusions: The CG/GG genotypes of HSPB1 rs2868371 were associated with lower risk of RIET, compared with the CC genotype in patients with NSCLC treated with radio(chemo)therapy. This finding should be validated in large multi-institutional prospective trials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Carbon quantum dots were firstly used to detect 17 β -estradiol successfully. • The aptasensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity for 17 β -estradiol detection. • A low limit of detection of 3.48 × 10-12 M was obtained. • 17 β -estradiol in milk and water samples were analyzed with satisfied recovery. Trace amounts of 17 β -estradiol (E2) in food and the environment poses a threat to human health, which has created the demand for sensitive analytical methods to detect E2. In this study, a novel fluorescent aptasensor was developed for sensitive detection of E2 based on double-chain hybridization between carbon quantum dots-labelled with E2 aptamer (CQDs-aptamer) and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles modified by complementary DNA (Fe 3 O 4 -cDNA). Under the optimal conditions, the aptasensor displayed a good linear range of 10-11–10-6 M for E2 with the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.996, and a low detection limit of 3.48 × 10-12 M was obtained. Besides, the aptasensor showed high selectivity and good reproducibility for E2 detection, which was successfully applied to the sensitive detection of E2 in milk as compared with tap water and lake water with satisfactory recoveries from 85.21% to 114.80%, suggesting the great significance of this aptasensor for detecting food contaminants in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A fluorescent biosensor for acrylamide (AM) detection was developed. • High affinity between the DNA and AM ensured the specificity of the biosensor. • A linear range with a low limit of detection was obtained. • The biosensor showed good applicability for AM detection in bread crust. As a potential carcinogen produced in food thermal processing, acrylamide (AM) can cause irreversible harm to human health. For the detection of AM in food products, a simple fluorescent biosensor based on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was developed. Reduced fluorescence intensity of CQDs at 445 nm (excitation at 350 nm) was induced by the attachment of ssDNA. In the presence of AM, ssDNA was preferentially bound to AM by hydrogen bonding and the degree of fluorescence reduction was smaller than that without AM. Under optimized conditions, results showed that the sensing approach for detecting AM had a low detection limit of 2.41 × 10−8 M in the standard solution, and a linear relationship ranging from 5 × 10−3 to 1 × 10−7 M with the determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9895 was obtained. Furthermore, a good recovery percentage (91.36–98.11%) in bread crust showed the potential for practical applications of this proposed biosensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ability of K-1735 murine melanoma cells to repair DNA damage correlates with their metastatic potential. Three nonmetastatic clones, four metastatic clones and three somatic-cell hybrids between metastatic and nonmetastatic clones were exposed to incident ultraviolet (UV) light (254 nm). Cell survival was determined by the microculture tetrazolium assay, which measures cell metabolic activity. DNA repair capacity was determined with a host-cell reactivation assay, which measures the activities of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase encoded by the reporter gene in both UV-damaged and undamaged plasmid (control) pCMV cat 40 h after transfection. No discernible differences in transfection efficiencies were found between K-1735 clones with low and high metastatic potential or between cells transfected with UV-damaged and control plasmids. DNA repair capacity directly correlated with cell survival (p < 0.05) and with metastatic potential in the K-1735 clones and somatic cell hybrids (p < 0.05). These data suggest that the intrinsic resistance of melanoma metastases to systemic chemotherapy may be due, in part, to the cells' enhanced DNA repair capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]