Characterization of the Probiotic Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Kimchi, Yogurt, and Baby Feces in Hong Kong and Their Performance in Soymilk Fermentation

Background: There are several potential healthy or nutritional benefits from the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in foods. This study aimed to characterize the LAB isolates from kimchi, yogurt, and baby feces in the Hong Kong area and evaluate their performance in fermented soymilk, which allowed us to assess their potential use in future experiments. Methods: General characteristics including tolerance to acid, NaCl, bile salts and phenol, antimicrobial activity to various pathogens, and adhesive ability to Caco-2 cells were evaluated using 18 LAB in this study. To further demonstrate the influence of such isolates in soymilk fermentation, we measured viability by plating and noting changes in pH, amino acid content, aglyconic isoflavones content and antioxidant capacities in vitro, such as scavenging ability, and iron chelating ability. Results: In this study, various LAB isolates belonging to Lactobacillusrhamnosus, Lactobacillus sakei, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, andLeuconostocmesenteroides isolated in Hong Kong were evaluated. L. plantarum isolates R7, AC12, and AC14.1, and L. rhamnosus AC1 showed higher tolerance to acid, NaCl, bile salts, and phenol as compared to the other isolates tested. L. plantarum isolates AC12, AC13 and AC14.1, and L. rhamnosus AC1 harbored strong antimicrobial activity. L. plantarum isolates R7, AC12, AC13 and AC14.1, and L. paracasei isolates R6 and R8 showed higher adhesive ability than the other tested isolates. In soymilk, the viable numbers of L. paracasei R5, L. plantarum R7, L. rhamnosus AC1, L. sakei AC2, and Leu. mesenteroides AC5 were much higher than the other tested isolates after 48 h of fermentation. The pH value measuring the lactic acid level in soymilk fermented by L. plantarum AC14.1 was the lowest in comparison to those in soymilk fermented by other isolates. In addition, the levels of free amino acids and isoflavones in the aglycone forms of L. rhamnosus AC1-fermented soymilk were the highest. L. rhamnosus AC1-fermented soymilk also showed the highest antioxidant potential, including DPPH scavenging ability and iron chelating ability. Conclusions: In general, L. plantarum isolates R7 and AC14.1 and L. rhamnosus AC1 exhibited higher tolerance to challenging conditions as compared to the other isolates. Moreover, L. rhamnosus AC1 exhibited superior performance in soymilk fermentation and potential as a starter and probiotic culture.

FAIM2 Promotes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Growth and Bone Metastasis by Activating the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

AimBone metastasis is the major reason for the poor prognosis and high mortality rate of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. This study explored the function and underlying mechanism of Fas apoptotic inhibitory molecule 2 (FAIM2) in the bone metastasis of NSCLC.MethodsSamples of normal lung tissue and NSCLC tissue (with or without bone metastasis) were collected and analyzed for FAIM2 expression. HARA cells with FAIM2 overexpression and HARA-B4 cells with FAIM2 knockdown were tested for proliferation, migration, invasion, anoikis, and their ability to adhere to osteoblasts. Next, whether FAIM2 facilitates bone metastasis by regulating the epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) process and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were investigated. Finally, an in vivo model of NSCLC bone metastasis was established and used to further examine the influence of FAIM2 on bone metastasis.ResultsFAIM2 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and NSCLC tissues with bone metastasis. FAIM2 expression was positively associated with the tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, bone metastasis, and poor prognosis of NSCLC. FAIM2 upregulation promoted HARA cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, but inhibited cell apoptosis. FAIM2 knockdown in HARA-B4 cells produced the opposite effects. HARA-B4 cells showed a stronger adhesive ability to osteocytes than did HARA cells. FAIM2 was found to be related to the adhesive ability of HARA and HARA-B4 cells to osteocytes. FAIM2 facilitated bone metastasis by regulating the EMT process and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Finally, FAIM2 was found to participate in regulating NSCLC bone metastasis in vivo.ConclusionsFAIM2 promoted NSCLC cell growth and bone metastasis by regulating the EMT process and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. FAIM2 might be useful for diagnosing and treating NSCLC bone metastases.

Theory and practice of adhesive interactions in the field of milk processing

Механизмы формирования адгезионного контакта, изучение адгезионной способности тех или других веществ и управление ею в различных технологических процессах, формирование требуемой адгезионной прочности соединений - это многообразные проблемы в области техники и технологии. Рассмотрены понятие «адгезия» и базовые теории адгезионных взаимодействий, базирующихся на различных подходах: молекулярная, которая также называется адсорбционной, диффузионная, механическая, химическая, электрическая, релаксационная, слабого граничного слоя. Универсальности в объяснении тех или иных процессов формирования адгезионных соединений нет. Адгезионные соединения, образуемые в процессе переработки молока, носят нежелательный характер и приводят к потерям продукции и нарушению санитарно-гигиенического состояния производств вследствие образования белковых, жировых и комбинированных загрязнений на поверхностях различного оборудования. Соответственно требуются глубокие научные и практические исследования как по изучению механизмов образования адгезионных соединений, так и по их удалению. Interaction with other people the mechanisms of adhesive contact, the study of the adhesive ability of different substances and the control of adhesion in various technological processes and ensuring the necessary adhesive strength of joints is a multifaceted problem in the fields of engineering and technology. The article discusses the concept of «adhesion» and the basic theory of adhesion coupled interactions, based on various approaches.Molecular, which is also called adsorptive; diffusion, mechanical, chemical, electrical, relaxation, weak boundary layer. There is no universality in explaining certain processes of the formation of adhesive joints.Adhesive joints formed during milk processing are undesirable and lead to product losses and a violation of the sanitary and hygienic state of production. This is due to the formation of protein, fat and combined contaminants on the surfaces of various equipment. Accordingly, deep scientific and practical research is required both to study the mechanisms of the formation of adhesive joints and to remove them.

State estimation of tire-road friction and suspension system coupling dynamic in braking process and change detection of road adhesive ability

During vehicle braking, when vehicles move on the road with unknown road roughness elevation and unknown tire/road friction coefficient, fewer sensors shall be used for vehicle braking closed-loop control and braking distance prediction to obtain the dynamic states of the vehicle suspension and tire systems. In this paper, a vehicle dynamic model is established in Carsim software. Modify lump LuGre friction model and road roughness elevation model of four tires are proposed based on matlab. When vehicles brake on the road with time-varying split-μ, a braking control algorithm established in this paper. The road roughness elevation and the braking force of each tire are supplied to the vehicle dynamic model in Carsim. A state estimate algorithm of suspension system is proposed. The scheme for minimum sensor of this estimator is determined. A state estimate algorithm of the tire/road friction using only tire angular velocity information is proposed. When vehicles brake on the road with different levels of roughness, the influence of the number of installation groups of the sensors, the tire vertical stiffness deviations, and the measurement noise on the estimation error of the estimator is analyzed. When the vehicle is driving on the road with unknown adhesive ability, based on the estimator of tire/road friction using only tire angular velocity information, the tire/road friction internal state, the changes of road adhesive ability, and the vehicle velocity are estimated well.

Effect of Different Titanium Dental Implant Surfaces on Human Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cell Behavior. An In Vitro Comparative Study

Background: The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of three different titanium (Ti) implant surfaces on the viability and secretory functions of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from a Bichat fat pad (BFP-MSCs). Methods: Four different Ti disks were used as substrate: (I) D1: smooth Ti, as control; (II) D2: chemically etched, resembling the Kontact S surface; (III) D3: sandblasted, resembling the Kontact surface; (IV) D4: blasted/etched, resembling the Kontact N surface. BFP-MSCs were plated on Ti disks for 72 h. Cell viability, adhesion on disks and release of a panel of cytokines, chemokines and growth factor were evaluated. Results: BFP-MSCs plated in wells with Ti surface showed a viability rate (~90%) and proliferative rate comparable to cells plated without disks and to cells plated on D1 disks. D2 and D4 showed the highest adhesive ability. All the Ti surfaces did not interfere with the release of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors by BFP-MSCs. However, BFP-MSCs cultured on D4 surface released a significantly higher amount of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) compared either to cells plated without disks and to cells plated on D1 and D2. Conclusions: The implant surfaces examined do not impair the BFP-MSCs cell viability and preserve their secretion of cytokines and chemokines. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to define the implant surface parameters able to assure the chemokines’ optimal release for a real improvement of dental implant osseointegration.

Biotechnological Potential of the Acinetobacter Genus Bacteria

Until recently, there were rare scientific reports on the biotechnological potential of non-pathogenic bacteria of the Acinetobacter genus. Although the first reports about the practically valuable properties of these bacteria date back to the 70s and 80s of the twentieth century and concerned the synthesis of the emulsan bioemulsifier. In the last decade, interest in representatives of the Acinetobacter genus as objects of biotechnology has significantly increased. The review presents current literature data on the synthesis by bacteria of this genus of high-molecular emulsifiers, low-molecular biosurfactants of glyco- and aminolipid nature, enzymes (lipase, agarase, chondroitinase), phytohormones, as well as their ability to solubilize phosphates and decompose various xenobiotics (aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, insecticides). Prospects for practical application of Acinetobacter bacteria and the metabolites synthesized by them in environmental technologies, agriculture, various industries and medicine are discussed. The data of own experimental studies on the synthesis and biological activity (antimicrobial, anti-adhesive, ability to destroy biofilms) of biosurfactants synthesized by A. calcoaceticus IMV B-7241 strain and their role in the degradation of oil pollutants, including complex ones with heavy metals, are presented. The ability of A. calcoaceticus IMV B-7241 to the simultaneous synthesis of phytohormones (auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins) and biosurfactants with antimicrobial activity against phytopathogenic bacteria allows us to consider this strain as promising for practical use in crop production to increase crop yields.

And thereby hangs a tail: morphology, developmental patterns and biomechanics of the adhesive tails of crested geckos ( Correlophus ciliatus )

Among the most specialized integumentary outgrowths in amniotes are the adhesive, scale-like scansors and lamellae on the digits of anoles and geckos. Less well-known are adhesive tail pads exhibited by 21 gecko genera. While described over 120 years ago, no studies have quantified their possible adhesive function or described their embryonic development. Here, we characterize adult and embryonic morphology and adhesive performance of crested gecko ( Correlophus ciliatus ) tail pads. Additionally, we use embryonic data to test whether tail pads are serial homologues to toe pads. External morphology and histology of C . ciliatus tail pads are largely similar to tail pads of closely related geckos. Functionally, C . ciliatus tail pads exhibit impressive adhesive ability, hypothetically capable of holding up to five times their own mass. Tail pads develop at approximately the same time during embryogenesis as toe pads. Further, tail pads exhibit similar developmental patterns to toe pads, which are markedly different from non-adhesive gecko toes and tails. Our data provide support for the serial homology of adhesive tail pads with toe pads.