BackgroundExcretory-secretory (ES) proteins of E. histolytica are thought to play important roles in the host invasion, metabolism, and defence. Elucidation of the types and functions of E. histolytica ES proteins can further our understanding of the disease pathogenesis. Thus, the aim of this study is to use proteomics approach to better understand the complex ES proteins of the protozoa.Methods E. histolytica ES proteins were prepared by culturing the trophozoites in protein-free medium. The ES proteins were identified using two mass spectrometry tools, namely, LC–ESI–MS/MS and LC–MALDI–TOF/TOF. The identified proteins were then classified according to their biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components using the Panther classification system (PantherDB).ResultsA complementary list of 219 proteins was identified; this comprised 201 proteins detected by LC–ESI–MS/MS and 107 proteins by LC–MALDI–TOF/TOF. Of the 219 proteins, 89 were identified by both mass-spectrometry systems, while 112 and 18 proteins were detected exclusively by LC–ESI–MS/MS and LC–MALDI–TOF/TOF respectively. Biological protein functional analysis using PantherDB showed that 27% of the proteins were involved in metabolic processes. Using molecular functional and cellular component analyses, 35% of the proteins were found to be involved in catalytic activity, and 21% were associated with the cell parts.ConclusionThis study showed that complementary use of LC–ESI–MS/MS and LC–MALDI–TOF/TOF has improved the identification of ES proteins. The results have increased our understanding of the types of proteins excreted/secreted by the amoeba and provided further evidence of the involvement of ES proteins in intestinal colonisation and evasion of the host immune system, as well as in encystation and excystation of the parasite.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12014-016-9135-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

| Channa striatus is a carnivorous freshwater fish that is commonly consumed among Malaysians. The fish is known to contain compound(s) that can accelerate the wound healing process in humans, but the attributes of these compound(s) are yet to be clarified. In the current study, we have performed a thorough proteomic profiling of spray -dried and freeze-dried C. striatus water extracts using high-sensitivity liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Other than the analysis of whole sample, both samples were also fractionated in order to maximise protein detection. About 137 and 194 proteins were identified in spray dried and freeze dried samples, respectively. Actin, myosin, tropomyosin, calcium ion-related protein and collagen are among the proteins that have been identified, and which are suspected to be involved in the wound healing process. A high number of uncharacterised proteins were also detected, which suggested that there are still many fish proteins with unknown functions in C. striatus. In the future, the identified proteins can be isolated and further studies are required for a better understanding on the wound healing property of C. striatus.

Human milk is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the general well-being of infants. However, many mothers face an insufficient milk supply to breastfeed their children. Galactagogue, in particular, plant galactagogue, serves as a method to promote lactation. This in-depth review examines the evidence supporting different plants' galactagogic activity through clinical studies around the globe. A scoping review approach was adopted to establish the research questions, and define the findings, selection and analysis of the study. This scoping review highlights and compiles the clinical research performed globally involving plant galactagogue to better inform the medical practitioners, lactation consultants, nursing mothers, communities and relevant personnel on practicing, guidelines, policymaking and research. In general, a total of 1041 research publications were retrieved from different global bibliographic databases, of which only 13 articles were retained for analysis after applying the exclusion criteria. A total of 14 types of plants have undergone clinical studies in the past decade to verify their galactagogic activity. All but two showed a positive effect on promoting milk production. There were 42 articles categorised as excluded studies. The category includes review articles, surveys, case reports, introductory articles of regional plant galactagogue and preclinical studies, which involves animal testing and the studies exploring other issues related to plant galactagogue. The findings demonstrate that there is a significant research gap on the plant galactagogue using clinical studies. More clinical research is necessary to identify and verify the efficacy of various types of plant galactagogue for the benefit of humankind.

The four-lined tree frog, Polypedates leucomystax, spawns its eggs in a moist structure called a foam nest. Four foam nests constructed by this species were collected from the Sungai Sedim Recreational Forest, Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia. Two foam nests were found deposited on the leaves of low vegetation hanging over a rock pool. One was attached inside a water tank, and one was found on grass near an ephemeral puddle. In the laboratory, the foam nests were freeze-dried and the protein concentrations quantified, fractionated, and analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Twenty-two

Cottonseed meal (CSM) is a good source of dietary proteins but is unsuitable for human consumption due to its gossypol content. To unlock its potential, we developed a protein extraction process with a gossypol removal treatment to generate CSM protein isolate (CSMPI) with ultra-low gossypol content. This process successfully reduced the free and total gossypol content to 4.8 ppm and 147.2 ppm, respectively, far below the US FDA limit. In addition, the functional characterisation of CSMPI revealed a better oil absorption capacity and water solubility than pea protein isolate. Proteome profiling showed that the treatment improved protein identification, while SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that the treatment did not induce protein degradation. Amino acid analysis revealed that post-treated CSMPI was rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Mass spectrometry analysis of various protein fractions obtained from an in vitro digestibility assay helped to establish the digestibility profile of CSM proteins. Several potential allergens in CSMPI were also found using allergenic prediction software, but further evaluation based on their digestibility profiles and literature reviews suggests that the likelihood of CSMPI allergenicity remains low. Overall, our results help to navigate and direct the application of CSMPIs as alternative proteins toward nutritive human food application.