PubMed · 15199871
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Amy P Campbell. Time for tea?. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15199871/
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The potential of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to rapidly determine citric and malic acid contents of raw Japanese apricot (Japanese "ume", also known as the Japanese plum) fruit juice was investigated. In total, 314 raw juice samples with different organic acid compositions were collected over a long growth period, and spectra (1100-1850 nm) of these samples were acquired using an NIR spectrophotometer with a 1-mm path length. Calibrations were performed using a partial least-squares regression method based on a calibration sample set (211 samples), while validations were performed based on a validation sample set (103 samples). The results revealed good agreement between NIR spectroscopy and capillary electrophoresis, including the correlation coefficient (r2), standard error of prediction (SEP), and bias; no statistically (p = 0.05) significant differences were found for these parameters. Moreover, standard deviation ratios of reference data in the validation sample set to the SEP were higher than 3, indicating that NIR spectroscopy may represent an acceptable method for quantitative evaluation of citric and malic acids in raw Japanese apricot fruit juice.
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 plays a role in drug metabolism of intestinal cells (e.g., by activating certain chemical carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into carcinogenic metabolites). In the human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2, we investigated the effects of a defined polyphenolic apple juice extract (AJE), the major principle flavonoid/dihydrochalkone constituents quercetin and phloretin, and the corresponding prototype glycosides rutin and phlorizin on CYP1A1 expression and activity. Incubations were carried out with or without the potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist/CYP1A1 inducer 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). AJE and quercetin acted as weak inducers of CYP1A1 mRNA and protein, and AJE, quercetin, and phlorizin led to a slight induction of CYP1A1-catalyzed 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity. However, AJE, quercetin, and phloretin were highly effective in suppressing CYP1A1 induction in co-incubations of the cells with 1 nM TCDD. The antagonistic effects were seen on the levels of mRNA, enzyme protein, and catalytic activity. In contrast, the related glycosides rutin and phlorizin were inactive as inducers or inhibitors. Inhibition of CYP1A1 induction was not related to general cytotoxicity, which could be completely abolished by the addition of ascorbic acid/alpha-tocopherol. AJE, quercetin, and phloretin also antagonized the TCDD-mediated induction of a reporter gene driven by a regulatory sequence of the human CYP1A1 gene promoter. Our findings suggest that apple juice extract can antagonize TCDD-mediated CYP1A1 induction by interfering with AhR-dependent gene transcription and by inhibiting the catalytic activity of CYP1A1. These effects may result in reduced metabolic activation of certain chemical carcinogens, in particular, under conditions of sustained AhR activation.
Gathering information on the thermal characteristics of the causative agent in scald injuries provides clues as to the likely depth of injury. We theorize that viscosity and thermal capacity may have important roles to play when we view scalds as contact burns due to a liquid. From a 4-year review of our scald patients, we found that scalds due to thick food/drinks such as congee (a porridge made from rice) were associated with a higher rate of surgery. We determined the rate of cooling of seven common food/drinks and found little difference between water, tea, coffee and noodles, other than the starting temperatures. However, the rate of cooling of congee was significantly slower indicating a greater thermal capacity. A "drip" model found that a skin substitute exposed to congee cooled significantly more slowly compared to other food/drinks, suggesting that its greater viscosity plays a role. This supports the theory that the viscosity of food/drink is important.