Essential oils of Zingiber officinale: Chemical composition, in vivo alleviation effects on TPA induced ear swelling in mice and in vitro bioactivities

Zingiber officinale (ZO) is a traditional food condiment. The essential oils of Z. officinale (ZOEOs) are known to have multiple bioactivities. In this study, gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analytical method was used to identify active ingredient present in ZOEOs. A total of 41 compounds were identified in ZOEOs. Major components in ZOEOs were zingiberene (19.71%), (+)-β-cedrene (12.85%), farnesene (12.17%), α-curcumene (10.18%) and β-elemene (3.54%). Experimental results of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate (TPA) induced ear swelling validation mice model showed that ZOEOs treatment has better anti-inflammatory effect compared with ibuprofen (positive control) at high concentrations. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis showed that ZOEOs significantly decreased COX-2, IL-6 and NF-κB expression in a dose dependent manner. The mRNA levels of COX-2 and NF-κB were also down regulated by the application of ZOEOs. This indicated that ZOEOs exhibited positive effects in ear skin protection. Antibacterial experimental results showed that EOZOs had anti-bacterial effects on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. DPPH radical scavenging, A549 cell line and LNCaP cell line inhibition results indicated that ZOEOs exhibited potential antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. The findings of these study provide scientific basis on therapeutic use of ZO in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Simultaneous determination of twelve mycotoxins in edible oil, soy sauce and bean sauce by PRiME HLB solid phase extraction combined with HPLC-Orbitrap HRMS

A solid phase extraction-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-Orbitrap HRMS) method was established for the determination of 12 mycotoxins (ochratoxin A, ochratoxin B, aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2, HT-2 toxin, sterigmatocystin, diacetoxysciroenol, penicillic acid, mycophenolic acid, and citreoviridin) in edible oil, soy sauce, and bean sauce. Samples were extracted by 80:20 (v:v) acetonitrile-water solution, purified by PRiME HLB column, separated by aQ C18 column with mobile phase consisting of 0.5 mmol/L ammonium acetate-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and methanol. The results showed that the limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) of 12 mycotoxins were 0.12–1.2 μg/L and 0.40–4.0 μg/L, respectively. The determination coefficients of 12 mycotoxins in the range of 0.20–100 μg/L were > 0.998. The average recoveries in soy sauce and bean sauce were 78.4–106.8%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 1.2–9.7% under three levels, including LOQ, 2× LOQ and 10 × LOQ. The average recoveries in edible oil were 78.3–115.6%, and the precision RSD (n = 6) was 0.9–8.6%. A total of 24 edible oils, soy sauce and bean sauce samples were analyzed by this method. AFB1, AFB2, sterigmatocystin and mycophenolic acid were detected in several samples at concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 22.1 μg/kg. The method is simple, sensitive, and rapid and can be used for screening and quantitative analysis of mycotoxin contamination in edible oil, soy sauce, and bean sauce.

The potential mechanisms of Macrocystis pyrifera polysaccharides mitigating type 2 diabetes in rats

Our previous studies have proved that the anti-digestive polysaccharide from Macrocystis pyrifera possesses potential hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering activities; however, its potential mechanisms for improving diabetes have not been elucidated. The current study was aimed to determine the anti-diabetic effects and possible mechanisms of Macrocystis pyrifera polysaccharides (MPP) in diabetic rats. After 8-week MPP treatment, the serum profiles, gut bacteria composition and relative gene expressions of rats were determined. MPP administration effectively ameliorated the diabetic symptoms, dyslipidemia, liver and kidney damage, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in diabetic rats. In addition, MPP treatment could also notably improve the microbial dysbiosis by increasing the beneficial bacteria and decreasing a bacterial pathogen in the diabetic rats. The RT-qPCR analysis indicated that MPP intervention significantly up-regulated the IRS/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and down-regulated the relative expressions of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) in diabetic rats. These results demonstrated that MPP had the potential to be exploited as functional foods or pharmaceutical supplements for preventing and treating diabetes.

Effect of Bergamot and Laoxianghuang Polysaccharides on Gut Microbiota Derived from Patients with Hyperlipidemia: An Integrative Analysis of Microbiome and Metabolome during In Vitro Fermentation

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bergamot polysaccharide (BP) and Laoxianghuang polysaccharides (LPs, fermented bergamot) on the microbiome and metabolome during the in vitro fermentation of gut microbiota from patients with hyperlipidemia. Results indicated that both BP and LPs were able to increase the production of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. However, only LPs could decrease the content of isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid, which are detrimental to gut health. A 16S rRNA analysis showed that both BP and LPs could reduce the proportion of Fusobacterium, whereas they increased the Bacteroides content in hyperlipidemia. Untargeted UPLC-MS/MS metabolomic profiling found six bio-markers that were significantly changed after BP and LPs intervention, and four of the down-regulated metabolites were long-chain fatty acids associated with vascular diseases. These findings provide new evidence that BP and LPs have the potential to regulate imbalances in the gut microbiota in patients with hyperlipidemia and ameliorate its metabolic abnormalities.

[Clinical effect and analysis of exercise treatment for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis]

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of (stomatognathic system functional exercise(SSFE) in the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA), and to provide reference for the clinical treatment of TMJOA. Methods: Choose between January 2020 and June 2020 in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University of Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Clinics, pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), limited openings for complained of symptoms of TMD patients, diagnosed by clinical examination and cone beam CT (CBCT) examination of TMJOA patients 60 patients (64 joints), including 20 males and 45 females, the age was (42.6±2.5) years (33-47 years old). The patients were randomly divided into the experimental group (30 cases, 34 joints) and the control group (30 cases, 30 joints) according to the odd and even numbers of their treatment numbers. The experimental group was treated with SSFE method. The control group was treated with maxillary full dentition occlusal splint. Visual analogue score (VAS), natural mouth opening and maximal mouth opening (MMO) of each patient in each group were recorded at initial diagnosis, 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months after treatment, and CBCT imaging was compared for the changes of condylar bone at initial diagnosis, 3 and 6 months after treatment. Results: VAS values of the experimental groups were (2.90±1.42), (0.90±0.37), (0.87±0.23) at 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively. The VAS values of the control group were (4.57±1.94), (4.17±2.09), (3.73±2.21), respectively. The VAS score of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (F=42.93, P<0.001). Before SSFE treatment, all the patients in the experimental group had different degrees of restricted opening and characteristic abnormal opening and closing pattern. Two weeks after SSFE treatment, the opening degree of the patients was (37.69±2.4)mm, the opening shape "↓" and the closing shape "↑" were normal. At 3 and 6 months after treatment, the oral opening was (38.98±1.08) mm and (39.73±1.76) mm, respectively. The opening degree of control group was (36.85±2.33) mm 2 weeks after treatment, and the characteristic abnormal opening and closing pattern still existed. The opening degree of control group was (37.82±1.85) mm and (37.40±1.75) mm 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively. The characteristic abnormal opening and closing pattern (stuffy, awkward, deliberate, unnatural) did not improve significantly. The openness of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (F=25.20, P<0.001). In the experimental group, 82.4% (28/34) had benign remodeling of condylar bone 6 months after treatment, and 17.6% (6/34) had no change of condylar bone. There was no significant change in condylar bone in control group. CBCT scores of the experimental group were (2.43±1.74) and (1.70±1.26) at 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively. CBCT scores of the control group at 3 and 6 months after treatment were (4.23±1.50) and (4.10±1.37), they were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (F=27.20, P<0.001). Conclusions: Full dentition occlusal splint can alleviate the pain in the joint area of TMJOA patients, but can not improve the characteristic abnormal mandibular movement, and the condyle bone repair is not obvious. SSFE can effectively relieve the symptoms and signs of TMJOA patients, especially improve the abnormal characteristic mandibular movement, and promote the normal reconstruction and repair of condylar bone.

Effect of feeding fresh forage plantain (Plantago lanceolata) or ryegrass-based pasture on methane emissions, total-tract digestibility, and rumen fermentation of nonlactating dairy cows

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is an herb used to reduce the forage deficit of ryegrass-based pastures during the summer. This herb is being promoted for its reduced environmental impact in terms of nitrogen emissions, particularly reducing urinary nitrogen. However, the effect of plantain on emissions of enteric CH₄, the main greenhouse gas produced from ruminant-based production systems, is not known. The aim of the present trial was to determine CH₄ emissions and rumen fermentation characteristics of nonlactating dairy cows fed 100% plantain (PLT) or 100% perennial ryegrass (RG; Lolium perenne) in 2 experiments (E1 and E2). The forages were in a vegetative growth stage in E1 and were in a reproductive growth stage in E2. Methane emissions from 16 cows in each experiment were measured in respiration chambers for 2 d. Methane emissions per unit of dry matter intake (CH₄ yield) were 15 and 28% less for cows fed PLT than those fed RG in E1 and E2, respectively. Dry matter digestibility of PLT was 7 and 27% less than that of RG in E1 and E2, respectively, and CH₄ per unit of dry matter digested was similar for PLT and RG in both experiments. There were only minor (but some significant) differences in rumen fermentation characteristics between cows fed PLT and RG in both experiments. In conclusion, CH₄ yield was lower for cows fed PLT compared with those fed RG in both experiments and this reduction was largely explained by the lesser dry matter digestibility of PLT.

The Beneficial Effects of Two Polysaccharide Fractions from Sargassum fusiform against Diabetes Mellitus Accompanied by Dyslipidemia in Rats and Their Underlying Mechanisms

The current study aimed to assess the anti-diabetic effects and potential mechanisms of two Sargassum fusiform polysaccharide fractions (SFPs, named SFP-1 and SFP-2). The carbohydrate-loading experiment revealed that SFP-2 could control postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting the activity of digestive enzymes in rats. The analysis of diabetic symptoms and serum profiles indicated that SFPs could mitigate diabetes accompanied by dyslipidemia, and SFP-2 showed better regulatory effects on body weight, food intake and the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and free fatty acid (FFA) in diabetic rats. Intestinal bacterial analysis showed that SFP treatment could reshape the gut flora of diabetic rats, and SFP-2 possessed a greater regulatory effect on the growth of Lactobacillus and Blautia than SFP-1. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that SFPs could regulate the genes involved in the absorption and utilization of blood glucose, hepatic glucose production and lipid metabolism, and the effects of SFP-2 on the relative expressions of Protein kinase B (Akt), Glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase), Glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), AMP-activated protein kinase-α (AMPKα), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and Cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7A1) were greater than SFP-1. All above results indicated that SFPs could be exploited as functional foods or pharmaceutical supplements for the treatment of diabetes and its complications.

Diagnostic Value of Sylvian Fissure Hyperechogenicity in Fetal SAH

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Fetal SAH is an intracranial malformation. The typical diagnostic features of fetal SAH in ultrasound have not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of Sylvian fissure hyperechogenicity by prenatal ultrasound in fetuses with SAH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The features on ultrasound and MR imaging of 10 fetuses with SAH were reviewed and summarized. The diagnostic value of the Sylvian fissure in fetal SAH by prenatal ultrasound was evaluated.

RESULTS

The typical and most obvious manifestations of SAH during the prenatal period were hyperechogenicity in the subarachnoid cavity, especially in the Sylvian fissure; all 10 cases (10/10) had such manifestations. Other manifestations included a hyperecho in other sulci (6/10), especially in the subfrontal sulcus, superior temporal sulcus, or parieto-occipital sulcus; a hyperecho in the cisterns (8/10), especially in the suprasellar cistern, posterior cranial fossa, cisterna ambiens, or quadrigeminal cistern; and a hyperecho around the anterior and posterior longitudinal fissures (2/10). Combined hemorrhage in the parenchymal layer or ventricles (9/10) was found. In addition, Doppler ultrasound showed that the peak flow velocity in the MCA increased in 6 cases (6/10).

CONCLUSIONS

The homogeneous hyperechogenicity of the Sylvian fissure is an important clue for detecting and diagnosing fetal SAH by prenatal ultrasound. A diagnostic approach has been proposed for fetal SAH, which has great significance in further prognosis.

Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide is a potential auxiliary substance for metformin in the management of diabetes

The present study investigated the positive effects of relatively low-dose metformin combined with Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide (LMET-SFP) in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, and explored the underlying mechanisms of LMET-SFP as compared to metformin alone in managing diabetes. The results indicate that both metformin and LMET-SFP can attenuate body weight loss and ameliorate hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia, and LMET-SFP exhibited better effects in lowering fasting blood glucose levels, insulin resistance index and serum cholesterol compared to metformin only. The administration of LMET-SFP could ameliorate liver dysfunction in diabetic rats. In addition, fecal bile acid data implied that LMET-SFP intervention contributed to an increase in fecal total bile acids, ursodesoxycholic acid and tauroursodesoxycholic acid profiles when compared to metformin treatment. Additionally, intestinal microbiological analysis showed that the acknowledged probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium exhibited higher levels in the LMET-SFP group compared to the metformin group. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the better hypoglycemic effects of LMET-SFP were mainly attributed to the down-regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A, cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase expression, and the up-regulation of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase expression, in contrast to metformin alone. These results suggest that SFP may be used as an auxiliary hypoglycemic substance for metformin in the future.

Comparative study on the structural characterization and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of polysaccharide fractions extracted from Sargassum fusiforme at different pH conditions

Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides (SFPs), including SFP-3-40, SFP-3-60, SFP-3-80, SFP-7-40, SFP-7-60, SFP-7-80, SFP-10-40, SFP-10-60, and SFP-10-80, were extracted at different pH (3, 7, and 10), and then precipitated with graded precipitation of 40%, 60% and 80% (v/v) ethanol solution, respectively. Their physicochemical properties and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were determined. Results showed that SFPs significantly differed in the contents of total sugar, protein, uronic acid, sulfate, the zeta potential, and molecular weight distribution. SFPs, including SFP-10-40, SFP-10-60, and SFP-10-80, had bigger absolute zeta potential value and higher respective average molecular weight in the same ethanol concentration precipitate. All samples were mainly composed of fucose, glucuronic acid, and mannose with different molar ratios. The extraction pH and precipitation ethanol solution concentration caused little changes in functional groups, but significantly altered surface morphology of SFPs. Congo red test revealed that all polysaccharides were not helical polysaccharides. Rheological measurements indicated that SFPs were pseudoplastic fluids and showed elastic behavior of the gel. Except SFP-3-40 and SFP-3-60, all other samples had a stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than that of acarbose. The inhibition type of SFPs against α-glucosidase varied owing to different extraction pH and precipitation ethyl concentration. This study shows that extraction pH can significantly affect the structure and hypoglycemic activity of SFPs and provide a data support for the scientific use of Sargassum fusiforme in industrial production.

Promoting effect of the recombinant resuscitation promoting factors-2 of Rhodococcus erythropolis on petroleum degradation and cultivable bacterial diversities of the oil-contaminated soils

Resuscitation-promoting factors (Rpfs) belong to peptidoglycan hydrolases, which participate in recovery of dormant cells and promoting bacteria growth. In this study, the resuscitation promoting factor rpf2 gene of Rhodococcus erythropolis KB1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by Ni²⁺ affinity chromatography. The purified recombinant fusion protein Rpf2 showed a closely 50 kDa band on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein showed muralytic activity, with a specific activity of 1503 ± 123 U mg^-1 when determined with 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-d-N, N',N″-triacetotri-ylchitoside as substrate. It also showed protease activity when measured with azocasein as substrate, with a specific activity of 1528 ± 411 U mg^-1 . The addition of the recombinant Rpf2 protein significantly increased petroleum degradation efficiency of the indigenous micro-organisms and the petroleum degradation rates increased from 30·86 to 43·45%, 45·20 and 49·23% in the treatment groups. The recombinant protein also increased the petroleum-degrading bacterial diversities enriched from the contaminated soils. The cultivable bacterial flora of the treatment groups supplemented with different concentrations of Rpf2 increased from 82 genera in 9 phyla to 116 genera in 16 phyla and 138 genera in 16 phyla respectively. Thirteen extra petroleum-degrading bacteria strains were isolated from the petroleum-contaminated soils in the groups containing the recombinant Rpf2.

Theoretically exploring selective-binding mechanisms of BRD4 through integrative computational approaches

The origin of cancer is related to the dysregulation of multiple signal pathways and of physiological processes. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) has become an attractive target for the development of anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents since it can epigenetically regulate the transcription of growth-promoting genes. The synthesized BRD4 inhibitors with new chemical structures can reduce the drug resistance, but their binding modes and the inhibitory mechanism remain unclear. Here, we initially constructed robust QSAR models based on 68 reported tetrahydropteridin analogues using topomer CoMFA and HQSAR. On the basis of QSAR results, we designed 16 novel tetrahydropteridin analogues with modified structures and carried out docking studies. Instead of significant hydrogen bondings with amino acid residue Asn140 as reported in previous research, the molecular docking modelling suggested a novel docking pose that involves the amino acid residues (Trp81, Pro82, Val87, Leu92, Leu94, Cys136, Asp144, and Ile146) at the active site of BRD4. The MD simulations, free energy calculations, and residual energy contributions all indicate that hydrophobic interactions are decisive factors affecting bindings between inhibitors and BRD4. The current study provides new insights that can aid the discovery of BRD4 inhibitors with enhanced anti-cancer ability.

The positive effects and underlying mechanisms of Undaria pinnatifida polysaccharides on type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats

The aim of the current work was to investigate the anti-diabetic effects and underlying mechanisms of Undaria pinnatifida polysaccharides (UPP) based on a type 2 diabetes (T2DM) rat model. The starch loading test showed that UPP administration could reduce blood glucose fluctuations caused by eating. Analysis of diabetic symptoms and biochemical profiles showed that UPP intervention markedly decreased fasting blood glucose level, mitigated insulin resistance, improved glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia and liver and kidney damage in diabetic rats. The 16S rRNA analysis demonstrated that UPP intervention could markedly change the intestinal microflora composition, causing increases in Alistipes, Bacteroides, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Desulfovibrio, Muribaculaceae_norank, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, and a decrease in Escherichia-Shigella. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis results clarified that UPP administration distinctly activated the IRS/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, restrained PEPCK, G-6-Pase and Egr-1 genes, and affected the relative expression of HMGCR and LDLR genes. This study demonstrates that UPP could be applied as an adjuvant agent for the management of T2DM.

Conformer-specific photochemistry imaged in real space and time

[Figure: see text].

Identification and Screening of Potential Bioactive Peptides with Sleep-Enhancing Effects in Bovine Milk Casein Hydrolysate

Casein tryptic hydrolysate (CTH) has been proven to possess stress-relieving and sleep-enhancing effects, but only one decapeptide YLGYLEQLLR (α-CZP) in CTH was reported to exhibit affinity for the benzodiazepine site of a GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR). This study aimed to compare the sleep-enhancing effects between CTH and α-CZP and to explore novel sleep-enhancing peptides. Our results showed that CTH significantly prolonged sleep duration in mice, which was almost 2-fold longer than that of α-CZP. The α-CZP in CTH was degraded more slowly than the synthetic α-CZP; meanwhile, CTH could release other potential sleep-enhancing peptides during gastrointestinal digestion. Additionally, two peptides YPVEPF and YFYPEL with strong sleep-enhancing activity were explored by virtual screening. Especially, YPVEPF could significantly prolong the sleep duration from 559.00 ± 272.24 to 2501.63 ± 1021.21 s and increase the sleep rate from 58.33 to 83.33% in mice. Moreover, YPVEPF and YFYPEL could bind with the Ser-205 and Phe-77 residues of GABA_AR via hydrogen bonds and lipid contacts. They were largely released after digestion with 11.19 ± 0.15 and 1.78 ± 0.01 g/kg, respectively.

A magnetic resonance imaging study on the temporomandibular joint disc-condyle relationship in young asymptomatic adults

The aim of this study was to assess the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc-condyle relationship in asymptomatic young adults. Ninety-three volunteers aged 19-23 years without temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms underwent TMJ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The condylar centre and apex methods were used to measure and analyse the position of the disc in the oblique sagittal plane, and the reliability of the two methods was compared by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Furthermore, 18 of the volunteers were randomly selected for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the TMJ structure and the disc-condyle relationship. The 3D TMJ structure was established by semi-automatic segmentation of the condyle and articular disc in ITK-SNAP software; the condylar apex method was then performed. It was found that only 33.3% of the posterior edge of the articular discs were located in the normal 12 o'clock position with respect to the condyle. Moreover, this study suggests that the condylar centre method lacks accuracy when compared to the condylar apex method in regard to the measurement of the TMJ disc-condyle relationship (0 < ICC_cen < ICC_apex < 1). The position of the articular disc (left and right) was more forward in young women when compared to young men. However, there was no significant difference in the TMJ disc-condyle position between the left and right sides in the same individual, although the two joint discs in the same individual were not completely symmetrical.

A multiperiod grey prediction model and its application

The purpose of this paper is to solve the prediction problem of nonlinear sequences with multiperiodic features, and a multiperiod grey prediction model based on grey theory and Fourier series is established. For nonlinear sequences with both trend and periodic features, the empirical mode decomposition method is used to decompose the sequences into several periodic terms and a trend term; then, a grey model is used to fit the trend term, and the Fourier series method is used to fit the periodic terms. Finally, the optimization parameters of the model are solved with the objective of obtaining a minimum mean square error. The novel model is applied to research on the loss rate of agricultural droughts in Henan Province. The average absolute error and root mean square error of the empirical analysis are 0.3960 and 0.5086, respectively. The predicted results show that the novel model can effectively fit the loss rate sequence. Compared with other models, the novel model has higher prediction accuracy and is suitable for the prediction of multiperiod sequences.