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1. Anthocyanins (ACNs) are a subclass of polyphenolic pigments belonging to the flavonoids and constitute an important group of human diets. There is accumulated evidence that consumption of ACN-rich diets such as Vitis amurensis Rupr of "Beibinghong" exerts protective activities against some human diseases. These beneficial properties may be due to the biotransformation by intestinal microbiota and its related bacterial dependent metabolism of ACNs. However, despite the compositional characterization of ACNs in extracts from V. amurensis Rupr, the biotransformation pathways of these compounds in the human intestinal tract have not been investigated so far. 2. In this study, the biotransformation of ACNs by the human intestinal microbiota and the derived metabolites were analyzed and characterized by RRLC-Q-TOF-MS and MS/MS methods. Eight kinds of ACNs were identified and could be bio-transformed under the action of human intestinal microbiota. The biotransformation pathway analysis showed that the microbiota acted by removing all glucosides to produce the corresponding aglycones, which were subsequently converted to phenolic acid and aldehydes. 3. These findings shed light on the mechanisms of ACNs degradation by the human intestinal microbiota and will lay a foundation for the industrial and pharmacological applications of the ACNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the major active ingredient of Cordyceps militaris , cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine) has been well documented to possess lipid-lowering and anti-oxidative activities, making it a promising candidate for treatment of NAFLD. Autophagy was recently identified as a critical protective mechanism during NAFLD development. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the mechanism of cordycepin regulating autophagy and lipid metabolism. Here, we found that cordycepin decreased palmitate-induced lipid accumulation by Oil Red O staining, Nile Red staining assays, triglyceride and total cholesterol measurements. Based on Western blot assay and immunocytochemistry, we found that cordycepin induced autophagy in PA-induced steatotic HepG2 cells. Whereas pretreatment with CQ, an autophagy inhibitor, substantially deteriorated the mitigative effects of cordycepin on PA-induced hepatic lipid accumulation. These data taken together indicate that cordycepin protects against PA-induced hepatic lipid accumulation via autophagy induction. Further, cordycepin remarkably increased the expression of P-PKA and decreased P-mTOR, whereas pretreatment with H89, a PKA inhibitor, abolished the ability of cordycepin to activate autophagy via mTOR activation. These data suggested that cordycepin protects against PA-induced hepatic lipid accumulation through the promotion of autophagy. The underlying mechanism might be associated with the PKA/mTOR pathway. Image 1 • Cordycepin decreased palmitate-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. • Cordycepin induced autophagy in PA-induced steatotic HepG2 cells. • Cordycepin decreased PA-induced hepatic lipid accumulation via autophagy induction. • The underlying mechanism might be associated with the PKA/mTOR pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural anthocyanins are safer and nutritious as compared to synthetic pigments; however, their stability is poor. They can produce spontaneous copigmentation with organic acids, leading to the improvement of colour stability, albeit slowly. Box–Behnken experimental design was used to elucidate the mechanism of copigmentation between Vitis amurensis Rupr anthocyanins (0.1 mg/mL) and organic acids (0.87 mg/mL, ferulic acid: d -gluconic acid:caffeic acid:vanillic acid = 1.5:2.5:2.5:0.5, w/w/w/w) promoted by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP; 300 MPa, 2 min). The copigmentation effect and antioxidant activity of anthocyanins were also evaluated. The structure of anthocyanins was analysed using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The results of HHP copigmentation showed that the following anthocyanins were newly formed—delphinidin-3- O -catechol, petunidin-3- O -catechol, delphinidin-4-vinyl-catechol, petunidin-3- O -guaiacol, malvidin-4-vinyl-guaiacol, cyanidin-3- O -(6″- O -caffeoyl)-glucoside, peonidin-3- O -(6″- O -caffeoyl)-glucoside, delphinidin-3- O -(6″- O -caffeoyl)-glucoside, malvidin-3- O -glucoside-4-vinyl-guaiacol, and malvidin-3- O -(6″- O -feruloyl)-glucoside—owing to appropriate modifications that increased the copigmentation rate (R = 42.12%), photo-thermal stability (R > 45%), and potential antioxidant activities expressed in vivo ( p  < 0.01 vs. Model Group). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the economic burden for ischemic stroke (IS) patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in China.Aim: We aimed to compare the economic burden of treatment-related costs in IS patients with AF vs. without AF in China.Methods: This retrospective analysis used economic burden data from the Beijing urban health insurance database. Using a random sampling method, 10% of the patients diagnosed with IS from 1 January through 31 December 2012 were enrolled. First hospitalization was considered as the index event and hospital utilization after the index event was followed up until September 2013. Overall healthcare cost during the study period was analyzed.Results: In 4061 patients with IS (mean ± SD age, 68.45 ± 13.95 years; AF: 992; without AF: 3069), the AF group had a higher percentage of patients with co-morbidities at baseline. Compared with the non-AF group, the AF group had significantly greater hospitalization at the index event (p < .001). Overall inpatient cost per patient during the observational period (Renminbi (RMB) 141,875.9 ± 121,071.8 vs. RMB 53,834.03 ± 63,535.72, in 2012 terms), total healthcare cost per patient (RMB 163,550.4 ± 131,103.5 vs. RMB 64,735.41 ± 67,584.95), total healthcare cost covered by health insurance, and annualized total healthcare cost per patient were higher in the AF group than in the non-AF group (p < .001). Treatment costs were significantly associated with old age, male gender, AF, and frequency of outpatient visits and hospitalization.Conclusions: AF increased the use of healthcare resources, treatment cost, and economic burden in patients with IS. Therefore, prevention of cardio-embolic events in patients with AF by anticoagulants may decrease the economic burden in patients with IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research was to discuss the Vitis amurensis rich in anthocyanins in wide plantation and low prices. Beibinghong, Gongniangyihao, Shuanghong, Shuangyou and Zuoyouhong were selected as raw materials. The ultrahigh-pressure method was applied in extraction, pH differential method - in total content determination, HPLC - in component analysis, light-heat treatment - in stability analysis, DPPH and ABTS methods - in antioxidation analysis. The total content of anthocyanin in the five varieties of grapes was 166.65 ± 4.63, 67.80 ± 2.87, 398.77 ± 7.45, 100.19 ± 4.04 and 147.62 ± 4.23 mg/100 g, respectively. Besides, there were five kinds of anthocyanosides in hydrolysate, including delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, paeonidin and malvidin, with high stability to antioxidation. There are differences between varieties. Vitis amurensis can be used as a new kind of raw material for anthocyanin extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast is a fungus that is widely applied in the food industry to produce yeast-raised bread and fermented alcoholic beverages, sausages, and dairy products. The growth and applications of yeast strains are affected by physicochemical factors, such as temperature, pH, and osmotic pressure. Mutagenesis, protoplast fusion, hybridization, genome shuffling, and structural synthetic biotechnology can be used to improve the tolerance of yeast to these physicochemical factors and alcohol to increase their flavor and ethanol production and positively influence wine color and antioxidant properties. Engineered strains exhibit a more effective metabolic activity under polar conditions and can improve the function and quality of fermented foods. This may pave the way for increasing the utilization value of yeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The quality of dehydrated vegetables is affected by the degree to which they are returned to their original state during rehydration (restorability). At present, whether this mechanism occurs at the cell-wall or cell-membrane level is unclear. This paper reviews the important factors affecting the mechanism of dehydration–rehydration, focusing on the analysis of the composition and structure of the cell wall and cell membrane, and summarizes the related detection and analytical techniques that can be used to explore the mechanisms of dehydration–rehydration at the cell-wall and cell-membrane levels. The integrity and permeability of the cell membrane affect water transport during the dehydration–rehydration process. The cell wall and cell membrane are supporting materials for tissue morphology. The arabinan side chains of the primary structure and fibers are important for water retention. Water transport may be classified as symplastic and apoplastic. Cell membrane disruption occurs with symbiotic transport but increases the drying rate. An in-depth analysis of the dehydration–rehydration mechanism of vegetables will help develop and improve their processing methods and inspire new applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The skin secretions of amphibians are a rich source of bioactive peptides. We isolated chensirin-1 and chensirin-2 from the skin secretion of the Chinese frog Rana chensinensis. Sephadex-G-50 and RP-HPLC were employed to purify these peptides. The amino acid sequences of these peptides were VLPLVGNLLNDLLGE and IIPLPLGYFAKKT, respectively, as determined by Edman degradation. The molecular weights were 1578.7 and 1460.8 Da, respectively, as analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS. The chensirin cDNA was cloned by 5′ and 3′ amplification of cDNA ends, synthesized and purified. The antibacterial activities of the chensirins were tested using minimum inhibitory concentration, the results indicated that chensirins inhibit the growth of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Among them, chensirin-1 is a novel peptide with a higher antibacterial activity compared to other similar antimicrobial peptides. These low molecular weight peptides with good antimicrobial efficacy are considered potential sources for developing new antimicrobial agents to improve traditional drug resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The main source of wine aroma and the formation mechanism are discussed. • The main influencing factors of aroma formation are analyzed. • The production and control of aroma in the winemaking process are concluded. As an important sensory indicator, aroma affects the quality of wine and consumer preference. In this review, the following aspects are comprehensively analyzed: (1) Varietal aroma, fermentation aroma and aging aroma formation mechanism include metabolic pathways etc. (2) The main factors affecting the aroma formation include environment, raw and auxiliary materials and brewing process. (3) In the process of winemaking, environmental factors can be controlled by regulating deficit irrigation, leaf removal and reflective mulch; the quality of raw and auxiliary materials can also be controlled through the varieties breeding of grape and yeast; flash evaporation, ultrasonic aging and other advanced brewing technologies can be used to synergistically control aroma formation. In the future, the wine brewing process can be controlled from the following aspects to ensure the precise regulation of aroma. This research will provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of wine production technology and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotransformation for increasing the pharmaceutical effect of ginsenosides is getting more and more attractions. Strain Cellulosimicrobium sp. TH-20 isolated from ginseng soil samples was identified to produce enzymes contributing to its excellent biotransformation activity against ginsenosides, the main active components of ginseng. Based on phylogenetic tree and homology analysis, the strain can be designated as Cellulosimicrobium sp. Genome sequencing was performed using the Illumina Miseq to explore the functional genes involved in ginsenoside transformation. The draft genome of Cellulosimicrobium sp. TH-20 encoded 3450 open reading frames, 51 tRNA, and 9 rRNA. All ORFs were annotated using NCBI BLAST with non-redundant proteins, Gene Ontology, Cluster of Orthologous Gene, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases. A total of 11 genes were selected based on the functional annotation analysis. These genes are relevant to ginsenoside biotransformation, including 6 for beta-glucosidase, 1 for alpha- N-arabinofuranosidase, 1 for alpha-1,6-glucosidase, 1 for endo-1,4-beta-xylanase, 1 for alpha- l-arabinofuranosidase, and 1 for beta-galactosidase. These glycosidases were predicted to catalyze the hydrolysis of sugar moieties attached to the aglycon of ginsenosides and led to the transformation of PPD-type and PPT-type ginsenosides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]