金樱子状酒的研究

以野生植物资源金樱子果为原料制成果酒，添加到传统的状酒中，开发出了以状酒为酒基的低度、营养、保健型的金樱子状酒。研究了该复合酒的工艺流程，探讨了影响产品质量的主要因素，制定了产品的企业质量标准。

状酒酿制的方法

对状酒的酿制方法、质量标准进行了介绍,并提出了改善酒质的有效措施。

状酒最佳浸渍工艺的研究

对状酒生产独特的浸渍工艺进行了较详细的研究,确定了甜酒醪用30°食用酒精以1∶3的比例,在16～20℃下浸渍50d的最佳浸渍工艺。

提高状酒(即米酒)非生物稳定性的研究

本文报道了采用蛋白酶-皂土联合法处理状酒酒基，有效地除去了引起状酒沉淀的蛋白质和铁等主要物质，使瓶装产品在常温下放置1年仍未出现沉淀现象，从而达到了提高状酒非生物稳定性的目的。

状酒最佳浸渍工艺的研究

对状酒生产独特的浸渍工艺进行了较详细的研究，确定了甜酒醉用30％（v／v）食用酒精以1：3的比例，在16－20℃下浸渍50d的最佳浸渍工艺。

Pathogenesis and management issues for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has, although it is a very common disorder, only relatively recently gained broader interest among physicians and scientists. Fatty liver has been documented in up to 10 to 15 percent of normal individuals and 70 to 80 percent of obese individuals. Although the pathophysiology of NAFLD is still subject to intensive research, several players and mechanisms have been suggested based on the substantial evidence. Excessive hepatocyte triglyceride accumulation resulting from insulin resistance is the first step in the proposed 'two hit' model of the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Oxidative stress resulting from mitochondrial fatty acids oxidation, NF-κB-dependent inflammatory cytokine expression and adipocytokines are all considered to be the potential factors causing second hits which lead to hepatocyte injury, inflammation and fibrosis. Although it was initially believed that NAFLD is a completely benign disorder, histologic follow-up studies have showed that fibrosis progression occurs in about a third of patients. A small number of patients with NAFLD eventually ends up with end-stage liver disease and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Although liver biopsy is currently the only way to confirm the NAFLD diagnosis and distinguish between fatty liver alone and NASH, no guidelines or firm recommendations can still be made as for when and in whom it is necessary. Increased physical activity, gradual weight reduction and in selected cases bariatric surgery remain the mainstay of NAFLD therapy. Studies with pharmacologic agents are showing promising results, but available data are still insufficient to make specific recommendations; their use therefore remains highly individual.

Antioxidative status of patients with alcoholic liver disease in southeastern Taiwan

AIM:To investigate the antioxidative status of patients with alcoholic liver disease(ALD) in southeastern Taiwan.METHODS:Our study comprised 27 patients with ALD recruited from Taitung Mackay Memorial Hospital,located in southeastern Taiwan.Patients with ALD included 12 non-aborigines(12 men) and 15 aborigines(11 men and 4 women).According to the severity of ALD,patients with ALD included 10 with hepatitis(9 men and 1 woman) and 17 with cirrhosis(14 men and 3 women).Twenty-two age-and gender-matched healthy adultsserved as the control group in this study.Venous blood(10 mL) of each subject was drawn into EDTA-containing tubes after 8 h overnight fasting.RESULTS:Compared to the control group,patients with ALD showed significantly lower erythrocytic catalase(11.1 ± 0.7 U/mg Hb vs 8.0 ± 0.7 U/mg Hb,P < 0.05) and superoxide dismutase(9.5 ± 1.6 U/mg Hb vs 3.0 ± 0.2 U/mg Hb,P < 0.05) activities.Furthermore,the erythrocytic reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio was signif icantly lower in ALD patients than that in the control group(38.1 ± 5.4 vs 15.7 ± 1.9,P < 0.05).The results revealed that patients with ALD experienced more oxidative stress than those in the control group.The non-aboriginal,but not the aboriginal,ALD group had higher erythrocytic glutathione peroxidase(GPX) activity than that in the control group(46.1 ± 7.8 U/g Hb vs 27.9 ± 2.2 U/g Hb,P < 0.05).Hepatitis,but not cirrhosis,ALD patients had higher erythrocytic GPX activity than that in the control group(44.3 ± 8.6 U/g Hb vs 27.9 ± 2.2 U/g Hb,P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that both ethnicity and the severity of ALD may cause different erythrocytic antioxidative enzyme activities especially GPX activity.

Inhibition of hepatic interleukin-18 production by rosiglitazone in a rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

AIM:To investigate the effects of rosiglitazone(RGZ) on expression of interleukin-18(IL-18) and caspase-1 in liver of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) rats.METHODS:Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into control,NAFLD,and RGZ treated NAFLD groups.A NAFLD rat model of NAFLD was established by feeding the animals with a high-fat diet for 12 wk.The NAFLD animals were treated with RGZ or vehicle for the last 4 wk(week 9-12) and then sacrificed to obtain liver tissues.Histological changes were analyzed with HE,oil red O and Masson's trichrome staining.Expressions of IL-18 and caspase-1 were detected using immunohistochemical staining and semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis.RESULTS:The expression levels of both IL-18 and caspase-1 were higher in the liver of NAFLD group than in the control group.Steatosis,inflammation and fibrosis,found in the liver of NAFLD rats,were significantly improved 4 wk after RGZ treatment.The elevated hepatic IL-18 and caspase-1 expressions in NAFLD group were also significantly attenuated after RGZ treatment.CONCLUSION:RGZ treatment can ameliorate increased hepatic IL-18 production and histological changes in liver of NAFLD rats.The beneficial effects of RGZ on NAFLD may be partly due to its inhibitory effect on hepatic IL-18 production.

MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN IODINE BIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE AND SUBCLINICAL THYROID DYSFUNCTIONS

Objective To assess the relationships between iodine biological exposure and subclinical thyroid dysfunctions. Methods The cross-sectional survey was performed to obtain the epidemiologic data of population in three communities with different iodine biological exposure： mild iodine deficiency [median urinary iodine concentration （MUI） of 50-99 μg/L], more than adequate iodine intake （MUI of 200-299 μg/L）, and excessive iodine intake （MUI over 300 μg/L）. Univariate and multivariate analysis （logistic regression analysis） were used to analyze the risk factors of subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism. Logistic regression analysis with sex and age controlled suggested that more than adequate iodine intake （OR = 3.172, P = 0.0004） and excessive iodine intake （OR = 6.391, P = 0.0001） increased the risk of subclinical hypothyroidism, while excessive iodine intake decreased the risk of subclinical hyperthyroidism （OR = 0.218, P= 0.0001）. Logistic regression analysis including interaction of iodine intake and antibodies [tryroid peroxidase antibody （TPOAb） and thyroglobulin antibody （TgAb）] suggested that excessive iodine intake was an independent risk factor of subclinical hypothyroidism （OR = 6.360, P= 0.0001）, but independent protect factor of subclinical hyperthyroidism （OR = 0.193, P= 0.0001）. More than adequate iodine intake and it＇s interaction with TgAb increased the risk of subclinical hypothyroidism independently, in addition, it decreased the risk of subclinical hyperthyroidism at the present of TPOAb. Conclusion Both excessive iodine intake and more than adequate iodine intake could increase risk of subclinical hypothyroidism, supplement of iodine should be controlled to ensure MUI within the safe range.

Hepatic stellate cells and innate immunity in alcoholic liver disease

Constant alcohol consumption is a major cause of chronic liver disease, and there has been a growing concern regarding the increased mortality rates worldwide. Alcoholic liver diseases (ALDs) range from mild to more severe conditions, such as steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The liver is enriched with innate immune cells (e.g. natural killer cells and Kupffer cells) and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and interestingly, emerging evidence suggests that innate immunity contributes to the development of ALDs (e.g. steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis). Indeed, HSCs play a crucial role in alcoholic steatosis via production of endocannabinoid and retinol metabolites. This review describes the roles of the innate immunity and HSCs in the pathogenesis of ALDs, and suggests therapeutic targets and strategies to assist in the reduction of ALD.

Role of iron in hepatic fibrosis: One piece in the puzzle

Iron is an essential element involved in various biological pathways. When present in excess within the cell, iron can be toxic due to its ability to catalyse the formation of damaging radicals, which promote cellular injury and cell death. Within the liver, iron related oxidative stress can lead to fibrosis and ultimately to cirrhosis. Here we review the role of excessive iron in the pathologies associated with various chronic diseases of the liver. We also describe the molecular mechanism by which iron contributes to the development of hepatic fibrosis.

Shape Optimization of A 3D Slider with Dimples

Sliding contacts in laminar flow regimes have been investigated extensively in recent years. The results indicate the possibility to increase load carrying capacity in a slider bearing for more than 10% with the addition of dimples. Parametric studies have been performed to determine optimal size and position, with emphasis in the optimal shape and position of the dimple for an operating condition. In this article, the numerical analysis of a 2D textured slider bearing with a dimple is initially considered with an isothermal laminar fluid. Position, depth, width and convergence ratio are optimized, the results demonstrate the importance of the width and convergence ratio to increase load. Then, the numerical analysis of a 3D textured slider bearing with fore-region and extended channels at the outlet and on the sides of a pad is considered. The simulations are also carried out for a laminar isothermal flow. Three dimples are considered and their depth is optimized.

Acute Toxicities of Potassium Permanganate, Formalin, and Lugol's Iodine Solution to a Marine Ciliate, Pleuronema coronatum (Ciliophora, Scuticociliatida)

Acute toxicities of potassium permanganate, formalin, and Lugol’s iodine solution to a commonly occurred marine ciliate Pleuronema coronatum (Ciliophora, Scuticociliatida) were measured. Linear regression analysis of the results highlighted the close relationships between doses of the medicines and mortalities of the organisms, thus providing a capability to predict toxicity effects from the dose. Toxic effects of the medicines on the ciliates were described in the present paper, and the median lethal concentrations (LC 50 values) were given. Results of measurements indicated that 2 h-LC 50 and 12 h-LC 50 values of formalin on P. coronatum were 59.00×10 -6 and 43.57×10 -6, while those of Lugol’s solutions were 90.13 and 67.84×10 -6 respectively. The tolerance of P. coronatum to formalin is apparently lower than that to Lugol’s iodine solution and potassium permanganate is a suitable medicine to kill ciliates in short time.

Effects of Cold Storage on Quality Traits of Sardinian Myrtle （Myrtus communis L.） Berries and Their Alcoholic Extracts

Myrtus communis L. is a spontaneous aromatic plant typical of the Mediterranean area. Myrtle berries hydrodistilled products and ethanolic extracts are mainly used as flavouring agents and food supplements. This study evaluated the effect of long-term storage on the quality-related properties of myrtle berries. Storage at 2 ~C for three months effbctively preserved myrtle berries quality, both in the chemical composition and external appearance. No symptoms of chilling injury and decay occurred during the first two months of storage, at the end of storage only the 1.3% of rotting was detected. Total anthocyanic content and anthocyanin glycosides diminished whereas the antioxidant capacity increased in all samples till the end of storage. The antioxidant properties of myrtle berries were not correlated with the anthocyanic fraction. The pH of myrtle berries decreased, while gluconic acid levels increased. The results reported in this paper showed that the storage at 2 ~C for three months appears to be an effective way to preserve myrtle berries quality. The changes in the chemical composition of the fruits subjected to storage had revealed the importance of gluconic acid and pH for myrtle quality assessment. These two parameters can be used as quality markers since a strong relationship has been found between myrtle decay and the changes in these parameters,

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with β-amylase and limit dextrinase activities and β-glucan and protein fraction contents in barley

High malting quality of barley （Hordeum vulgare L.） relies on many traits, such as β-amylase and limit dextrinase activities and β-glucan and protein fraction contents. In this study, interval mapping was utilized to detect quantitative trait loci （QTLs） affecting these malting quality parameters using a doubled haploid （DH） population from a cross of CM72 （six-rowed） by Gairdner （two-rowed） barley cultivars. A total of nine QTLs for eight traits were mapped to chromosomes 3H, 4H, 5H, and 7H. Five of the nine QTLs mapped to chromosome 3H, indicating a possible role ofloci on chromosome 3H on malting quality. The phenotypic variation accounted by individual QTL ranged from 8.08% to 30.25%. The loci of QTLs for D-glucan and limit dex- trinase were identified on chromosomes 4H and 5H, respectively. QTL for hordeins was coincident with the region of silica eluate （SE） protein on 3HS, while QTLs for albumins, globulins, and total protein exhibited overlapping. One locus on chromosome 3H was found to be related to （J-amylase, and two loci on chromosomes 5H and 7H were found to be associated with glutelins. The identification of these novel QTLs controlling malting quality may be useful for marker-assisted selection in improving barley malting quality.