A systematic study on the chemical model of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons formation from nutrients (glucose, amino acids, fatty acids) in food

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), prominent carcinogens formed during food processing, pose health risks through long-term consumption. This study focuses on 16 priority PAHs in the European Union, investigating their formation during pyrolysis. Glucose, amino acids and fatty acids are important food nutrients. To further explore whether these nutrients in food form PAHs during heating, a single chemical model method was used to heat these nutrients respectively, and GC-MS/MS was used to identify and quantify the obtained components. Glucose is the most basic nutrient in food, so the influence of water, pH, temperature and other factors on the formation of PAHs was studied in the glucose model. At the same time, the models of amino acids and fatty acids were used to assist in improving the entire nutrient research system. According to our results, some previously reported mechanisms of PAHs formation by fatty acids heating were confirmed. In addition, glucose and amino acids could also produce many PAHs after heating, and some conclusions were improved by comparing the intermediates of PAHs from three types of nutrients.

Galangin Prevents Against Ethanol-Induced Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation via NF-κB/MAPK Signaling Pathways in Mice and Caco-2 Cells

The potential of natural phytochemicals in addressing ethanol-related public safety concerns has been garnering attention. Galangin, a potent flavonoid renowned for its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory characteristics, is derived from the galanga plant, and propolis is derived from bees. Here, we documented the effects of galangin on ethanol-stimulated intestinal tight junction damage and investigated its potential protective mechanism in both in vivo and in vitro models, which has not been extensively investigated. Our results revealed that galangin efficaciously mitigated ethanol-induced intestine injury and dysfunction of the intestinal barrier. Concurrently, galangin significantly counteracted the ethanol-induced upregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins and activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathways in both the mouse colon and Caco-2 cells. Interestingly, similar to galangin, inhibitors of MAPKs and the NF-κB p65 reduced ethanol-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and intestinal tight junction damage. To sum up, our results showed that galangin blocks the ethanol-induced perturbation of the intestinal barrier and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways.

The evaluation of catechins reducing heterocyclic aromatic amine formation: Structure-activity relationship and mechanism speculation

The favorable inhibitory effect of tea polyphenols on heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) has been confirmed in many past studies. The objective of this study was to investigate the structure-activity relationship of catechins that act as inhibitors of HAA formation in chemical models. Two kinds of quantitative structure-activity relationship models for catechin-inhibiting-HAA were established. We chose two kinds of HAAs including 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), and five catechins including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin (EC), and catechin (C). The inhibitory effect of five catechins were in the following order: EGCG > ECG > EGC > C > EC. Thereinto, EGCG and ECG showed dramatically better inhibition on the formation of PhIP and MeIQx, especially EGCG. Further, the mechanisms of catechin-inhibiting-HAA were speculated by correlation analysis. The free radical-scavenging ability was predicted to be the most relevant to the inhibitory effect of ECG, EGC, EC and C on HAAs. Differently, the phenylacetaldehyde-trapping ability might be the more important mechanism of EGCG inhibiting PhIP in chemical model system. This study may bring a broader idea for controlling the formation of HAAs according to the structure of catechins.

Phase behavior of the gelation process of myofibrillar protein-curdlan blended system: Discussion based on rheology and gel properties

The phase behavior in protein-polysaccharide blended systems is the main factor affecting the physical properties of composite gels; however, the phase behavior at room temperature and during heated gelation is lacking discussion. In this research, extracted grouper myofibrillar protein (MP) and curdlan (CUR) were used as models for the MP-CUR blended system. The phase behavior of the MP-CUR blended system was analyzed using rheology and microstructure analysis, and the accuracy of the phase behavior analysis was verified by measuring the physical indices such as gel properties of the MP-CUR composite gels. At room temperature, MP and CUR showed good co-solubility, so the blended system with 0.8% CUR content obtained the best apparent viscosity, structural recoverability, and other rheological properties. After heating gelation, MP and CUR had strong thermodynamic unaffinity leading to phase separation, and the best storage modulus was obtained for the MP-CUR blended system with 0.6% CUR content. Therefore, it is concluded that 0.6% CUR content is the critical concentration for the MP-CUR blended system. The results were also confirmed by the best gel properties of 0.6% CUR composite gel when the physical properties of the composite gel were determined. The phase behavior evaluation was used to determine the appropriate polysaccharide concentrations as a means to improve the physicochemical properties of the composite gels and to exploit the value of polysaccharides in protein-based food applications.

Lactobacillus reuteri biofilms formed on porous zein/cellulose scaffolds: Synbiotics to regulate intestinal microbiota

Supplementing probiotics or indigestible carbohydrates is a usual strategy to prevent or revert unhealthy states of the gut by reshaping gut microbiota. One criterion that probiotics are efficacious is the capacity to survive in the gastrointestinal tract. Biofilm is the common growth mode of microorganisms with high tolerances toward harsh environments. Suitable scaffolds are crucial for successful biofilm culture and large-scale production of biofilm-phenotype probiotics. However, the role of scaffolds containing indigestible carbohydrates in biofilm formation has not been studied. In this study, porous zein/cellulose composite scaffolds provided nitrogen sources and carbon sources simultaneously at the solid/liquid interfaces, being beneficial to the biofilm formation of Lactobacillus reuteri. The biofilms showed 2.1-17.4 times higher tolerances in different gastrointestinal conditions. In human fecal fermentation, the biofilms combined with the zein/cellulose composite scaffolds act as the "synbiotics" positively modulating the gut microbiota and the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), where biofilms provide probiotics and scaffolds provide prebiotics. The "synbiotics" show a more positive regulation ability than planktonic L. reuteri, presenting potential applications in gut health interventions. These results provide an understanding of the synergistic effects of biofilm-phenotype probiotics and indigestible carbohydrates contained in the "synbiotics" in gut microbiota modulation.

Improvement of gelation properties of Penaeus vannamei surimi by magnetic field-assisted freezing in combination with curdlan

Traditional methods of freezing and thawing may harm the quality of meat products. In order to reduce the negative impact of freezing on surimi products, the magnetic field-assisted freezing method is combined with various curdlan ratios to enhance the gelation characteristics of Penaeus vannamei surimi in this study. The results showed that the magnetic field-assisted freezing technique significantly improved the quality of thawed surimi compared with soaking freezing (SF), whereas the addition of curdlan further improved the gelation properties, and the gel strength, water-holding capacity, textural properties, whiteness, and G' value were significantly improved when its content was increased to 0.6 %. However, excessive amounts of curdlan interfered with protein covalent cross-linking, leading to a decrease in gel quality. Additionally, the addition of magnetic field and curdlan encouraged the shift of the α-helix to the random coil and β-sheet transition, which stimulated the growth of myofibril molecules, exposed the hydrophobic groups and thiols, improved protein-molecule interactions, and promoted systematic gathering of proteins, leading to the formation of the microstructure of dense and small pores. It also resulted in a drop in water release, an increase in the proton density and a shift in the water condition from free water to more immobile water, which had higher sensory qualities. These effects together resulted in a reduction in thawing and cooking loss to 11.41 % and 13.83 %, respectively. These results also help to clarify the gelation process of shrimp surimi and help to regulate the gelation characteristics of shrimp surimi products.

Insight into a natural novel histidine decarboxylase gene deletion in Enterobacter hormaechei RH3 from traditional Sichuan-style sausage

Histamine (HIS) is primarily formed from decarboxylated histidine by certain bacteria with histidine decarboxylase (hdc) activity and is the most toxic biogenic amine. Hdc, which is encoded by the hdc gene, serves as a key enzyme that controls HIS production in bacteria. In this paper, we characterized the changes in microbial and biogenic amines content of traditional Sichuan-style sausage before and after storage and demonstrated that Enterobacteriaceae play an important role in the formation of HIS. To screen for Enterobacteriaceae with high levels of HIS production, we isolated strain RH3 which has a HIS production of 2.27 mg/mL from sausages stored at 37°C for 180 days, using selective media and high-performance liquid chromatography. The strain RH3 can produce a high level of HIS after 28 h of fermentation with a significant hysteresis. Analysis of the physicochemical factors revealed that RH3 still retained its ability to partially produce HIS in extreme environments with pH 3.5 and 10.0. In addition, RH3 exhibited excellent salt tolerance (6.0% NaCl and 1.0% NaNO2 ). Subsequently, RH3 was confirmed as Enterobacter hormaechei with hdc gene deletion by PCR, western blot, and whole-genome sequencing analysis. Furthermore, RH3 exhibited pathogenicity rate of 75.60% toward the organism, indicating that it was not a food-grade safe strain, and demonstrated a high level of conservation in intraspecific evolution. The results of this experiment provide a new reference for studying the mechanism of HIS formation in microorganisms. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study provides a new direction for investigating the mechanism of histamine (HIS) formation by microorganisms and provides new insights for further controlling HIS levels in meat products. Further research can control the key enzymes that form HIS to control HIS levels in food.

Effect of к-carrageenan on saltiness perception and texture characteristic related to salt release in low-salt surimi

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Kappa (к)-carrageenan on texture and perception of saltiness of low salt surimi. The low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and microstructure results showed that к-carrageenan could promote the formation of more immobilized water in low salt surimi gel, change its matrix structure, and lead to the uneven spatial distribution of sodium, thus enhancing saltiness perception. The rheological properties of surimi showed that к-carrageenan could increase the network strength of low salt surimi gel and improve its thermostability. Furthermore, the low salt surimi gel added with к-carrageenan has lower cooking loss, higher water holding capacity (WHC), gel strength and improved texture properties. Therefore, к-carrageenan has the effects of improving the quality and increasing salt perception of surimi gel. This study provides a new method for reducing salt consumption in food industry.

Effects of blackberry (Rubus spp.) polysaccharide on the structure and thermal behavior of the myofibrillar protein of chicken breast meat

Blackberry crude polysaccharides (BCP) was added to chicken breast to inspect the intermolecular interaction with myofibrillar protein (MP). The influence of BCP on the thermal transformation behavior and protein micro-structure during temperature rise period was studied. The results showed that the interaction between BCP and MP was mainly affected by the concentration of BCP and heating temperature. The results of infrared spectrophotometer and nano-particle/zeta potentiometer showed that a BCP-MP complex was generated through hydrogen bond and electrostatic interaction, which could promote the transformation of MP from β-folding to β-Angle transformation. The fluorescence spectra showed that the BCP was helped to the spread of protein structure of the MP. Moreover, synchronous thermal analyzer and rheometer results revealed that the BCP increased the enthalpy value and elastic modulus of MP. Scanning electron microscope verified pores inside the BCP-MP complex are more evenly distributed and smaller, which led to the high cross-linking of network and good stability of water distribution for the MP. The addition of BCP enhances the hydrogen bonds and disulfide bonds of MP molecules, which can strengthen the network structure and ultimately improve the performance of meat products.

Research of Multicopper Oxidase and Its Degradation of Histamine in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LPZN19

In order to explore the structural changes and products of histamine degradation by multicopper oxidase (MCO) in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LPZN19, a 1500 bp MCO gene in L. plantarum LPZN19 was cloned, and the recombinant MCO was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). After purification by Ni2+-NTA affinity chromatography, the obtained MCO has a molecular weight of 58 kDa, and it also has the highest enzyme activity at 50 °C and pH 3.5, with a relative enzyme activity of 100%, and it maintains 57.71% of the relative enzyme activity at 5% salt concentration. The secondary structure of MCO was determined by circular dichroism, in which the proportions of the α-helix, β-sheet, β-turn and random coil were 2.9%, 39.7%, 21.2% and 36.1%, respectively. The 6xj0.1.A with a credibility of 68.21% was selected as the template to predict the tertiary structure of MCO in L. plantarum LPZN19, and the results indicated that the main components of the tertiary structure of MCO were formed by the further coiling and folding of a random coil and β-sheet. Histamine could change the spatial structure of MCO by increasing the content of the α-helix and β-sheet. Finally, the LC-MS/MS identification results suggest that the histamine was degraded into imidazole acetaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.

Effect of cellulose on gel properties of heat-induced low-salt surimi gels: Physicochemical characteristics, water distribution and microstructure

The processing of surimi products requires the addition of high levels of salt, which makes it a high-salt food that poses a risk to human health. The search for exogenous additives to reduce the salt content of surimi products while ensuring their quality characteristics is crucial. Therefore, the effect of different species of cellulose on enhancing the quality characteristics of low-salt surimi gels was investigated and the best-modified cellulose was identified. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were selected for this study to compare with high-salt control and low-salt control. The results showed that cellulose could induce conformational transitions of proteins and promote the formation of an ordered and dense surimi gel network and the minimum porosity of 15.935% was obtained in the MCC-treated group. The cellulose-treated group conferred good textural properties to the surimi gels, significantly improved gel strength and water retention capacity (p < 0.05), and reduced the amount of water lost after cooking treatment (p < 0.05). Low-field NMR results showed that cellulose reduced the release of water, converting more free water to immobile water, thus increasing the water proton density. The higher energy storage modulus G' in the presence of cellulose indicated a more stable surimi gel system dominated by springiness. In summary, cellulose could confer better quality characteristics to low-salt surimi gels and MCC performance was superior to other cellulose species. This study helps the understanding of the mechanism of cellulose-surimi action on the development of high-quality low-salt surimi gels.

Comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation for a 90-year-old patient with intertrochanteric fracture complicated by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-induced osteoporosis, myasthenia, and disequilibrium are important risk factors for hip fracture, and decreased respiratory function after hip fracture surgery can decelerate recovery of activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly patients.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 90-year-old male patient underwent an open reduction and intramedullary pinning surgery for right femoral intertrochanteric fracture. After surgery, he remained confined to bed with pain and swelling in the right lower extremity. Due to his history of COPD, he had a postoperative pulmonary infection and respiratory insufficiency.

INTERVENTION

This patient received routine rehabilitation after surgery. However, severe respiratory symptoms prevented him from completing the rehabilitation procedure. Therefore, comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation including airway clearance techniques, inspiratory resistance training, aerobic training, respiratory muscle training, and intermittent low-flow oxygen inhalation was carried out to enhance the recovery process.

OUTCOMES

After 4 weeks of treatment, the patient improved from continuous oxygen inhalation to being able to complete bed resistance training without supplemental oxygen. After 8 weeks, ADL reached independence, while lower limb muscle strength, pulmonary function parameters, fatigue index, and cough efficiency were improved as compared to test values obtained before treatment.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the 6-month recovery time reported in the literature for patients with hip fractures to achieve independence with basic ADLs, the recovery time of this patient was shortened to 2 months with the application of comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation. It is feasible to carry out pulmonary rehabilitation for elderly patients after fracture surgery, but prospective clinical trials are needed to verify its efficacy.

Outcomes and Failure Patterns after Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer with Positive Lateral Pelvic Lymph Nodes: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) combined with positive lateral pelvic lymph nodes (LPLN) tends to present worse prognosis. However, for those patients it remains unclear whether other combination high-risk factors affect the prognosis. This study aimed to use propensity score matching (PSM) to examine long-term outcomes and failure patterns in patients with positive vs. negative LPLN.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with LARC were retrospectively divided into LPLN-positive and LPLN-negative groups. LPLN-positivity was defined as lymph node short diameter greater than or equal to 7 mm with specific morphological features. Clinical characteristics were compared between the groups using the chi-square test. PSM was applied to balance these differences. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and local-regional recurrence (LRR) and distant metastasis (DM) rates were compared between the groups using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

Prior to PSM, a total of 651 LARC patients were included. The LPLN-positive group had higher rates of lower location (53.1% vs. 43.0%, P = 0.025), mesorectal fascia (MRF)-positive (53.9% vs. 35.4%, P<0.001) and extramural venous invasion (EMVI)-positive (51.2% vs. 27.2%, P<0.001) disease than the LPLN-negative group. After PSM, there were 114 patients for each group along with the balanced clinical factors, and both groups had comparable surgery, pathologic complete response (pCR), and ypN stage rates. The median follow-up time was 45.9 months, 3-year OS (88.3% vs. 92.1%, P = 0.276) and LRR (5.7% vs. 2.8%, P = 0.172) rates were comparable between LPLN-positive and LPLN-negative groups. Meanwhile, despite no statistical difference, 3-year PFS (78.8% vs. 85.9%, P = 0.065) and DM (20.4% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.061) rates slightly differed between the groups. Among 10 patients with LRR, seven (70.0%) had lateral pelvic recurrence, among them, five patients were LPLN-positive, and four (80.0%) of these patients did not receive simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB- IMRT).45 patients were diagnosed with DM, 11 (40.7%) LPLN-positive and 3 (17.6%) LPLN-negative patients were diagnosed with oligometastases (P = 0.109).

CONCLUSION

Our study shows there is a tendency of worse PFS and DM in LPLN-positive than LPLN-negative patients, for LPLN-positive patients, oligometastases account for a large proportion of all distant metastases.

Maternal RNA binding protein with multiple splicing 2 (RBPMS2) is involved in mouse blastocyst formation through the bone morphogenetic protein pathway

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is early embryo development in mice influenced by RNA binding protein with multiple splicing 2 (RBPMS2), a maternal factor that accumulates and is stored in the cytoplasm of mature oocytes?

DESIGN

The expression patterns of RBPMS2 in mouse were analysed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT PCR) and immunofluorescence staining. The effect of knockdown of RBPMS2 on embryo development was evaluated through a microinjection of specific morpholino or small interfering RNA. RNA sequencing was performed for mechanistic analysis. The interaction between RBPMS2 and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway was studied using BMP inhibitor and activator. The effect on the localization of E-cadherin was determined by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

Maternal protein RBPMS2 is highly expressed in mouse oocytes, and knockdown of RBPMS2 inhibits embryo development from the morula to the blastocyst stage. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing showed that the differentially expressed genes were enriched in the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling pathway. BMPs are members of the TGF-β superfamily of growth factors. It was found that the addition of BMP inhibitor to the culture medium led to a morula-stage arrest, similar to that seen in RBPMS2 knockdown embryos. This morula-stage arrest defect caused by RBPMS2 knockdown was partially rescued by BMP activator. Furthermore, the localization of E-cadherin to the membrane was impaired in response to a knockdown of RBPMS2 or inhibition of the BMP pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that RBPMS2 activates the BMP pathway and thus influences the localization of E-cadherin, which is important for early mouse embryo development during blastocyst formation.

Ultrasonic treatment combined with curdlan improves the gelation properties of low-salt Nemipterus virgatus surimi

In this study, the gel properties of ultrasonic alone, curdlan treatment alone, and the combination of both at low-salt surimi levels were investigated, mainly in terms of textural properties, water holding capacity, water distribution, dynamic rheology, protein secondary structure, microstructure and correlation analysis. The results showed that the springiness, gel strength, water holding capacity and energy storage modulus (G') of the low-salt surimi gels without ultrasonic or curdlan treatment were lower than those of the high-salt concentration surimi gels. Compared with the 1 % low-salt group, the ultrasonic treatment combination with curdlan resulted in a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the texture, water holding capacity and energy storage modulus (G') of the low-salt surimi at the same salt concentration. The gel strength increased significantly from 3386.360 g·mm to 5457.203 g·mm, but there was no significant improvement in whiteness (p > 0.05). In addition, ultrasonic treatment combined with curdlan promoted the shift of the α-helix to the random coil and the β-turn angle shift, thus exposing the internal groups, enhancing protein intermolecular interactions, and promoting the orderly aggregation of proteins, resulting in a microstructure of dense, and obtained the lowest porosity of 14.534 %. The present study might be necessary for promoting the high-value use of aquatic surimi products and the development of low-salt foods.

Dexamethasone Liposomes Alleviate Osteoarthritis in miR-204/-211-Deficient Mice by Repolarizing Synovial Macrophages to M2 Phenotypes

We undertook this study to investigate the effects and mechanisms of dexamethasone liposome (Dex-Lips) on alleviating destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) in miR-204/-211-deficient mice. Dex-Lips was prepared by the thin-film hydration method. The characterization of Dex-Lips was identified by the mean size, zeta potential, drug loading, and encapsulation efficiencies. Experimental OA was established by DMM surgery in miR-204/-211-deficient mice, and then Dex-Lips was treated once a week for 3 months. Von Frey filaments was used to perform the pain test. The inflammation level was evaluated with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Polarization of macrophages was evaluated by immunofluorescent staining. X-ray, micro-CT scanning, and histological observations were conducted in vivo on DMM mice to describe the OA phenotype. We found that miR-204/-211-deficient mice displayed more severe OA symptoms than WT mice after DMM surgery. Dex-Lips ameliorated DMM-induced OA phenotype and suppressed pain and inflammatory cytokine expressions. Dex-Lips could attenuate pain by regulating PGE2. Dex-Lips treatments reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in DRG. Moreover, Dex-Lips could reduce inflammation in the cartilage and serum. Additionally, Dex-Lips repolarize synovial macrophages to M2 phenotypes in miR-204/-211-deficient mice. In conclusion, Dex-Lips inhibited the inflammatory response and alleviated the pain symptoms of OA by affecting the polarization of macrophages.

Food matrix-flavonoid interactions and their effect on bioavailability

Flavonoid compounds exhibit a wide range of health benefits as plant-derived dietary components. Typically, co-consumed with the food matrix,they must be released from the matrix and converted into an absorbable form (bioaccessibility) before reaching the small intestine, where they are eventually absorbed and transferred into the bloodstream (bioavailability) to exert their biological activity. However, a large number of studies have revealed the biological functions of individual flavonoid compounds in different experimental models, ignoring the more complex but common relationships established in the diet. Besides, it has been appreciated that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the metabolism of flavonoids and food substrates, thereby having a significant impact on their interactions, but much progress still needs to be made in this area. Therefore, this review intends to comprehensively investigate the interactions between flavonoids and food matrices, including lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals, and their effects on the nutritional properties of food matrices and the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of flavonoid compounds. Furthermore, the health effects of the interaction of flavonoid compounds with the gut microbiome have also been discussed. HIGHLIGHTSFlavonoids are able to bind to nutrients in the food matrix through covalent or non-covalent bonds.Flavonoids affect the digestion and absorption of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals in the food matrix (bioaccessibility).Lipids, proteins and carbohydrates may favorably affect the bioavailability of flavonoids.Improved intestinal flora may improve flavonoid bioavailability.

Flavonoids and gastrointestinal health: single molecule for multiple roles

Diet can be considered as one of the pivotal factors in regulating gastrointestinal health, and polyphenols widely distributed in human daily diet. The polyphenols and their metabolites playing a series of beneficial effects in human gastrointestinal tract that can regulate of the gut microbiota, increase intestinal barrier function, repair gastrointestinal mucosa, reduce oxidative stress, inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors and regulating immune function, and their absorption and biotransformation mainly depend on the activity of intestinal microflora. However, little is known about the two-way interaction between polyphenols and intestinal microbiota. The objective of this review is to highlight the structure optimization and effect of flavonoids on intestinal flora, and discusses the mechanisms of dietary flavonoids regulating intestinal flora. The multiple effects of single molecule of flavonoids, and inter-dependence between the gut microbiota and polyphenol metabolites. Moreover, the protective effects of polyphenols on intestinal barrier function, and effects of interaction between plant polyphenols and macromolecules on gastrointestinal health. This review provided valuable insight that may be useful for better understanding the mechanism of the gastrointestinal health effects of polyphenols, and provide a scientific basis for their application as functional food.

Dietary supplementation with casein/cyanidin-3-O-glucoside nanoparticles alters the gut microbiota in high-fat fed C57BL/6 mice

This study aims to investigate the dietary intervention effect of casein/cyanidin-3-O-glucoside nanoparticles (Cs-C3G) on high-fat-diet (HFD)induced gut microbiota disorders. In HFD-fed C57BL/6mice, Cs-C3G has ameliorated HFD-caused fat accumulation and liver oxidative stress. Cs-C3G as a dietary supplementation can restore the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota with descending the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, increasing some beneficial microorganisms, and reducing some opportunistic pathogenic bacteria. In general, Cs-C3G has a effect on regulating the disturbance of gut microbiota, and then prevents HFD-induced obesity and liver damage.

Gum arabic as a sole wall material for constructing nanoparticle to enhance the stability and bioavailability of curcumin

In this study, a kind of nanoparticle prepared using gum arabic as a sole wall material for loading curcumin was obtained. The properties and digestive characteristics of the curcumin-loaded nanoparticle were determined. Results showed that the maximum loading amount of the nanoparticle was 0.51 µg/mg with an approximately 500 nm size. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum showed that the complexation was mainly related to the -C[bond, double bond]O, -CH, and -C-O-C- groups. The curcumin-loaded nanoparticle exhibited good stability under highly concentrated salinity stress, and the stability of the curcumin loaded in nanoparticles was significantly higher than that of free curcumin under ultraviolet radiation. The curcumin loaded in nanoparticle was released mainly in the intestinal digestion stage, and the release process was sensitive to the pH changes rather than protease. In conclusion, these nanoparticles can be a potential nanocarrier for enhancing the stability of curcumin which can be applied in the salt-containing food system.

Effects of blackberry polysaccharide on the quality improvement of boiled chicken breast

Blackberry polysaccharide was isolated from blackberry powder with 70% ethanol. The crude polysaccharide was composed of 95.44% glucose, 2.01% arabinose, 1.81% galactose and 0.74% glucuronic acid. Chicken breast meat was only marinated with different concentrations of the isolated blackberry polysaccharide (1 g/kg, 3 g/kg) for 24 h at a ratio of material to liquid of 1:3, and boiled at 80℃ for 1 h. The differences in texture, water distribution and volatile flavor components among different groups （adding 0,1,3 g/kg blackberry polysaccharide) were investigated. The results showed that the addition of blackberry polysaccharide could significantly improve the hardness of chicken breast, the transformation of free water to bound water, the overall flavor characteristics of the control group and the addition of different concentrations of blackberry polysaccharide were significantly different, and the concentration of volatile flavor substances in boiled chicken breast was reduced.

D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate-based microemulsion delivery system: Stability enhancement of physicochemical properties of luteolin

In the present study, D-α-Tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate-based self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (TPGS-SMEDDS) were introduced to enhance the solubility and stability of luteolin. The ternary phase diagrams were constructed to obtain the maximum area of microemulsion and suitable formulations of TPGS-SMEDDS. The particle size distribution and polydispersity index of selected TPGS-SMEDDS were analyzed to be less than 100 nm and 0.4, respectively. The thermodynamic stability results suggested that the TPGS-SMEDDS was stable during the heat-cool and freeze-thaw cycle. Moreover, the TPGS-SMEDDS exhibited excellent encapsulation capacity (51.21 ± 4.39 to 85.71 ± 2.40%) and loading efficiency (61.46 ± 5.27 to 102.86 ± 2.88 mg/g) to luteolin. In addition, the TPGS-SMEDDS showed an admirable vitro release ability with a ratio of more than 88.40 ± 1.14% for luteolin in 24 h. Therefore, TPGS-based SMEDDS might provide an effective role for the oral administration of luteolin and holds promise as a potential delivery for poorly soluble bioactive compounds.

Age-related elevation of O-GlcNAc causes meiotic arrest in male mice

In recent years, the postponement of childbearing has become a critical social issue. Male fertility is negatively associated with age because of testis aging. Spermatogenesis is impaired with age, but the molecular mechanism remains unknown. The dynamic posttranslational modification O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc), which is a type of monosaccharide modification, has been shown to drive the process of aging in various systems, but it has not yet been investigated in the testis and male reproductive aging. Thus, this study aims to investigate the alteration of O-GlcNAc with aging and explore the role of O-GlcNAc in spermatogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that the decline in spermatogenesis in aged mice is associated with elevation of O-GlcNAc. O-GlcNAc is specifically localized in differentiating spermatogonia and spermatocytes, indicating its crucial role in meiotic initiation and progression. Mimicking the age-related elevation of O-GlcNAc in young mice by disabling O-GlcNAcase (OGA) using the chemical inhibitor Thiamet-G can recapitulate the impairment of spermatogenesis in aged mice. Mechanistically, the elevation of O-GlcNAc in the testis leads to meiotic pachytene arrest due to defects in synapsis and recombination. Furthermore, decreasing O-GlcNAc in aged testes using an O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) inhibitor can partially rescue the age-related impairment of spermatogenesis. Our results highlight that O-GlcNAc, as a novel posttranslational modification, participates in meiotic progression and drives the impairment of spermatogenesis during aging.

Ultrasound-assisted free radical modification on the structural and functional properties of ovalbumin-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) conjugates

The influence of ultrasound-assisted free radical modification on the structure and functional properties of ovalbumin-epigallocatechin gallate (OVA-EGCG) conjugates was investigated by experimental measurements and computer simulations. Compared with the traditional free radical condition, the ultrasonic-assisted processing significantly increased the conjugating efficiency of OVA and EGCG and shortened the conjugating from 24 h to 1 h without affecting the equivalent amount of EGCG conjugating. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and multi-spectroscopy analysis (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, and UV spectroscopy) indicated that the covalent conjugates could be formed between OVA and EGCG. And modification in the conformation of OVA was induced by EGCG. Furthermore, molecular docking results demonstrated the possession of high-affinity EGCG binding location on OVA, supporting and clarifying the experimental results. In addition, the functional properties of OVA including emulsification (emulsifying activity and emulsion stability) and antioxidant properties (DPPH scavenging capacity and ABTS scavenging capacity) were significantly improved after conjugation with EGCG, especially in ultrasound-assisted conditions. Overall, OVA-EGCG conjugates produced by ultrasound-assisted free radical treatment could be applied as a potential emulsifier and antioxidant, thereby expanding the application of OVA as a dual-functional ingredient.

Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes Accelerate Biofilm Formation and Probiotic Enrichment: Enhanced Tolerances to pH and Antibiotics

Biofilms are the oldest, most successful, and most widely distributed form of microorganism life on earth, existing even in extreme environments. Presently, probiotics in biofilm phenotype are thought as the most advanced fourth-generation probiotics. However, high-efficiency and large-scale biofilm enrichment in an artificial way is difficult. Here, fibrous membranes as probiotic biofilm-enriching materials are studied. Electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibrous membranes with nano-sized fibers show outstanding superiority over fibrous membranes with micron-sized fibers in Lactobacillus paracasei biofilm enrichment. The special 3D structure of electrospun nanofibrous membranes makes other facilitating biofilm formation factors insignificant. With a suitable scaffold/culture medium ratio, nearly 100% of L. paracasei cells exist as biofilm phenotype on the membrane from the very beginning, not planktonic state. L. paracasei biofilms possess a potential for long-term survival and high tolerances toward strong acidic and alkali conditions and antibiotics. RNA sequencing results explain why L. paracasei biofilms possess high tolerances toward harsh environments as compared to planktonic L. paracasei. Electrospun nanofibrous membranes can serve as powerful biofilm-enriching scaffolds for probiotics and other valuable microbes.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals the resistance regulation mechanism and fungicidal activity of the fungicide phenamacril in Fusarium oxysporum

Fusarium oxysporum (Fo) is an important species complex of soil-borne pathogenic fungi that cause vascular wilt diseases of agricultural crops and some opportunistic diseases of humans. The fungicide phenamacril has been extensively reported to have antifungal activity against Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium fujikuroi. In this study, we found that the amino acid substitutions (V151A and S418T) in Type I myosin FoMyo5 cause natural low resistance to phenamacril in the plant pathogenic Fo isolates. Therefore, we compared the transcriptomes of two phenamacril-resistant Fo isolates FoII5, Fo1st and one phenamacril-sensitive isolate Fo3_a after 1 μg/mL phenamacril treatment. Among the 2728 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 14 DEGs involved in oxidation–reduction processes and MFS transporters, were significantly up-regulated in phenamacril-resistant isolates. On the other hand, 14 DEGs involved in ATP-dependent RNA helicase and ribosomal biogenesis related proteins, showed significantly down-regulated expression in both phenamacril-resistant and -sensitive isolates. These results indicated that phenamacril not only seriously affected the cytoskeletal protein binding and ATPase activity of sensitive isolate, but also suppressed ribosome biogenesis in all the isolates. Hence, this study helps us better understand resistance regulation mechanism and fungicidal activity of phenamacril and provide reference for the development of new fungicides to control Fo.

[Pyroptosis of lens epithelial cells in diabetic cataract]

Objective: To investigate the possible role of pyroptosis of lens epithelial cells (LECs) in the occurrence of diabetic cataract. Methods: Experimental research. A total of 70 cataract lens anterior capsule and aqueous humor samples were obtained from 70 eyes (70 patients) with cataracts in the operation room of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital between March 2020 and November 2020. Patients were divided into the non-diabetic and diabetic groups, with 35 patients (35 eyes) in each group. The expressions of Nod like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteine-aspartic proteases 1 (caspase-1) and Gasdermin D protein (GSDMD) in the lens anterior capsule were detected by Western blotting, real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining. Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 inaqueous humor were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The independent sample t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The age was (70±9) years in the diabetic group and (71±8) years in the non-diabetic group. There was no significant difference in age and gender distribution between the two groups (both P>0.05). Western blotting analysis showed that the expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD protein in the LECs of anterior capsule were 1.11±0.06, 0.95±0.04 and 0.39±0.03 in the diabetic group, significantly higher than those of the non-diabetic group (0.81±0.04, 0.33±0.11 and 0.16±0.04; t=4.38, 5.36, 4.63; all P<0.05). Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA in the LECs of anterior capsule were 1.98±0.07, 54.36±4.88 and 6.98±1.18 in the diabetic group, significantly higher than those of the non-diabetic group (1.38±0.16, 15.31±1.51 and 2.41±0.95; t=3.49, 7.64, 3.00, all P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that the average gray values of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the diabetic group were higher than those of the non-diabetic group (all P˂0.01). ELISA showed that the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the aqueous humor were (4.178±0.028) fg/L and (20.983±0.018) fg/L in the diabetic group, significantly higher than those of the non-diabetic group [(4.063±0.017) fg/L and (20.509±0.073) fg/L; t=20.63, 37.21; both P˂0.01]. Conclusion: Caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis of LECs and the release of inflammatory mediators induced by pyroptosis may be involved in the occurrence and development of diabetic cataract.

A designed self-microemulsion delivery system for dihydromyricetin and its dietary intervention effect on high-fat-diet fed mice

The present study aims to design a self-microemulsion delivery system (d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate - quillaja saponin) to enhance the absorptivity of dihydromyricetin (DMY-S), and to investigate its dietary intervention effect on high-fat-diet (HFD) fed mice. We find DMY-S can inhibit the increase of body weight and fat mass, preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Compared to the model group, the abundance of mice intestinal flora is mainly changed in certain bacterial genera of Firmicutes and Bacteroides, including norank_f_Muribaculaceae and Blautia. The result of metabolism analysis indicated that the expression levels of cincassiol B, creatine, pantothenic acid and aminobutyric acid in the liver tissues of mice treated with DMY-S showed a down-regulation. The DMY-S prevented hyperlipidemia in HFD mice mainly by affecting different pathways including glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis.

Enzymatic acylation of raspberry anthocyanin: Evaluations on its stability and oxidative stress prevention

Raspberry anthocyanins were isolated and purified by XAD-7HP macroporous resin and silica gel column chromatography. Anthocyanins were then acylated with methyl salicylate as catalyzed by lipase under reduced pressure, and the conversion rate was 84.26%. LC-MS and NMR were used to identify the structure, and the stability, antioxidant capacity and protective ability of the acylated anthocyanins against oxidative damage were determined. The results showed that cyanindin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) was the primary anthocyanin in raspberry, and the binding site of acylation was on the glucoside C-6, and the product was cyanidin-3-(6-salicyloyl) glucoside (C3-6(S) G). After acylation, its stability in light, heat and oxidation environments could be significantly improved, and acylated ACN showed insignificant changes in antioxidant capacities to scavenge DPPH and ABTS free radicals, as well as oxygen free radical absorptive capacity (ORAC). And it could also effectively prevent the release of ROS caused by oxidative damage and alleviate oxidative stress damage.

Molecular structure modification of ovalbumin through controlled glycosylation with dextran for its emulsibility improvement

Ovalbumin (OVA) is a high nutritious protein, but the poor emulsibility limited its application. The present study glycosylated OVA with dextran (Dex) by controlled wetheating (60-90 °C for 3 h). Temperature was an inductive factor for glycosylation degree (DG and browning intensity), and higher temperature could accelerate the reaction. Variations in molecular structure of OVA were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, FTIR, fluorescence spectroscopy and UV spectroscopy, which verified successes in the generation of glycoconjugate with more flexible structure. Emulsifying activity index (EAI) and emulsion stability index (ESI) for the emulsion of OVA-Dex glycoconjugates were significantly enhanced with the increasing of glycosylation temperature. Moreover, confocal laser scanning results revealed that the emulsion exhibited smaller size and more uniform distribution, and slower transmission profiles were checked by LUMiSizer centrifugal analysis as well, confirming the emulsibility improvement of OVA. Thus, controlled glycosylation reaction is an available method to improve the emulsifying properties of OVA.

Mir204 and Mir211 suppress synovial inflammation and proliferation in rheumatoid arthritis by targeting Ssrp1

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease characterized by synovial hyperplasia. Mir204 and Mir211 are homologous miRNAs with the same gene targeting spectrum. It is known that Mir204/211 play an important role in protecting osteoarthritis development; however, the roles of Mir204/211 in RA disease have not been determined. In the present study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of Mir204/211 on synovial inflammation and hyperproliferation in RA. The effects of Mir204/211 on the inflammation and abnormal proliferation in primary fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were examined by Mir204/211 gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches in vitro and in vivo. We identified the structure-specific recognition protein 1 (Ssrp1) as a downstream target gene of Mir204/211 based on the bioinformatics analysis. We overexpressed Ssrp1and Mir204/211 in FLS to determine the relationship between Ssrp1 and Mir204/211 and their effects on synovial hyperplasia. We created a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model in wild-type as well as Mir204/211 double knockout (dKO) mice to induce RA phenotype and administered adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated Ssrp1-shRNA (AAV-shSsrp1) by intra-articular injection into Mir204/211 dKO mice. We found that Mir204/211 attenuated excessive cell proliferation and synovial inflammation in RA. Ssrp1 was the downstream target gene of Mir204/211. Mir204/211 affected synovial proliferation and decelerated RA progression by targeting Ssrp1. CIA mice with Mir204/211 deficiency displayed enhanced synovial hyperplasia and inflammation. RA phenotypes observed in Mir204/211 deficient mice were significantly ameliorated by intra-articular delivery of AAV-shSsrp1, confirming the involvement of Mir204/211-Ssrp1signaling during RA development. In this study, we demonstrated that Mir204/211 antagonize synovial hyperplasia and inflammation in RA by regulation of Ssrp1. Mir204/211 may serve as novel agents to treat RA disease.

The role of dietary flavonoids for modulation of ATP binding cassette transporter mediated multidrug resistance

Flavonoids are widely existing compounds with enormous pharmacological effects from food and medicine. However, the low bioavailability in intestinal absorption and metabolism limits their clinical application. Intestinal efflux ABC (ATP binding cassette) transporters, including P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs), act as "pumping doors" to regulate the efflux of flavonoids from intestinal epithelial cells into the intestinal cavity or the systemic circulation. The present review describes the critical effect of ABC transporters involved in the efflux of flavonoids which depend on its efflux direction. And the role of flavonoids for modulation of intestinal ABC transporters was emphasized and several examples were given. We summarized that the resistance effect of flavonoid-mediated multidrug on ABC transporters may influence the bioavailability of drugs, bioactive ingredients and/or toxic compounds upon dietary uptake. Meanwhile, flavonoids functionalized as reversing agents of the ABC transporter may be an important mechanism for unexpected food-drug, food-toxin or food-food interactions. The overview also indicates that elucidation of the action and mechanism of the intestinal metabolic enzymes-efflux transporters coupling will lay a foundation for improving the bioavailability of flavonoids <i>in vivo</i> and increasing their clinical efficacy.

Pharmacology and molecular docking study of cartilage protection of Chinese herbal medicine Fufang Shatai Heji (STHJ) by inhibiting the expression of MMPs in collagen-induced arthritis mice

BACKGROUND

This study aims to explore whether Fufang Shatai Heji (STHJ), as a mixture collected by a decoction of a variety of Chinese herbal medicines for immune system diseases, can improve the cartilage destruction of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

The therapeutic effects of STHJ were studied using collagen induced arthritis (CIA) mice. The improvement effect of STHJ on synovitis and cartilage damage caused by arthritis was studied by joint pathological analysis. The inhibitory effect of STHJ on related degradation enzymes in cartilage was studied by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The specific targets of STHJ were predicted by molecular docking.

RESULTS

After successfully inducing CIA, the paws of the mice showed significant swelling, and athological analysis of the ankle and knee joints also showed significant cartilage destruction and synovial hyperplasia. However, synovial hyperplasia and cartilage destruction were markedly alleviated after administration of STHJ. And after SHTJ treatment, the expression of ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5, MMP-9 and MMP-13, in the cartilage layer of CIA mice was significantly inhibited. Through molecular docking assays, we proved that acteoside in STHJ could directly bind to the Glu111, Phe110 residues in MMP-9 and glycyrrhizic acid in STHJ bind to the Glu382, Asn433 residues in MMP-13.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that STHJ may alleviate synovial hyperplasia and cartilage destruction in CIA mice and protect cartilage by inhibiting the expression of MMP-9 and other enzymes.

Construction and Drug Evaluation Based on Convolutional Neural Network System Optimized by Grey Correlation Analysis

Incidence rate of mental illness is increasing year by year with the development of city. The amount of modern medical data is huge and complex. In many cases, it is difficult to realize the rational allocation of resources, which puts forward an urgent demand for the artificial intelligence of modern medicine and brings great pressure to the development of the medical industry. The purpose of this study is to develop and construct a grey correlation analysis and related drug evaluation system of mental diseases based on deep convolution neural network. The establishment of the system can effectively improve the automation and intelligence of modern psychiatric treatment process. In this article, the grey correlation analysis of patient data is carried out, and then, the optimized deep convolution neural network is constructed. Combined with the medical knowledge base, the analysis of disease results is realized, and on this basis, the efficacy of related drugs in the treatment of mental diseases is evaluated. The results show that the advantage of the deep convolution neural network system is to effectively improve the induction rate. What's more, compared with other algorithms, this algorithm has higher accuracy and efficiency. It improves the comprehensiveness and informatization of disease screening methods, improves the accuracy of screening, reduces the consumption of doctors' human resources, and provides a theoretical basis for the digitization of the medical industry in the future.

Dexamethasone-loaded thermo-sensitive hydrogel attenuates osteoarthritis by protecting cartilage and providing effective pain relief

Background

We utilized the destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM)-induced mice to illustrate the osteoarthritis (OA) suppressing and pain-relieving effects of a novel prolonged-release intra-articular (IA)-dexamethasone-loaded thermo-sensitive hydrogel (DLTH).

Methods

The effects of temperature and pH on DLTH formation and in vitro DLTH release profile were assessed. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups: Ctrl group, Model group and DLTH group. The DLTH group received joint injections of 10 µL DLTH (1 mg/kg) into the right knee once a week from week 2 to week 11. We performed micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and histological analyses of safranin O-fast green, hematoxylin and eosin, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase in knee joints. We also carried out immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), MMP-13, and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS-5) in cartilage and Ki-67 in synovia. Pain behavioral testing was carried out in all mice. The serum content of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of inflammatory cytokines and pain-related factors in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) were evaluated.

Results

It took 20 minutes to form DLTH at pH 7.0 and 37 °C. The cumulative release profiles of dexamethasone (Dex) from DLTH at 37 °C revealed a rapid release in the first 24 h and a sustained slow release for 7 days. In vivo study illustrated that DLTH attenuated OA bone destruction and ameliorated synovitis and progression of OA in DMM-induced mice. The chondroprotective effects of DLTH were mediated by decreased expressions of MMP-9, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5. The results showed that IA-DLTH exerted pain-relieving effects in OA mice. Upregulation of nociceptive response time (NRT) and downregulations of serum PGE2, inflammatory factors, and pain-related mediators in DRGs of mice in the DLTH group were recorded.

Conclusions

Data presented in this study elucidated that DLTH exhibited a long and lasting Dex release and it is a potential sustainable drug delivery system (DDS) to treat OA locally. IA-DLTH injection exerted chondroprotective and pain-relieving effects in DMM-induced arthritis. The involvement of MMP-9, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, and inflammatory and pain-related factors, may account for the suppression of OA progression and pain.

Enhancement of bioavailability and bioactivity of diet-derived flavonoids by application of nanotechnology: a review

Flavonoids, which are a class of polyphenols widely existing in food and medicine, have enormous pharmacological effects. The functional properties of flavonoids are mainly distributed to their anti-oxidative, anticancer, and anti-inflammatoryeffects, etc. However, flavonoids' low bioavailability limits their clinical application, which is closely related to their intestinal absorption and metabolism. In addition, because of the short residence time of oral bioactive molecules in the stomach, low permeability and low solubility in the gastrointestinal tract, flavonoids are easy to be decomposed by the external environment and gastrointestinal tract after digestion. To tackle these obstacles, technological approaches like microencapsulation have been developed and applied for the formulation of flavonoid-enriched food products. In the light of these scientific advances, the objective of this review is to establish the structural requirements of flavonoids for appreciable anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, and elucidate a comprehensive mechanism that can explain their activity. Furthermore, the novelty in application of nanotechnology for the safe delivery of flavonoids in food matrices is discussed. After a literature on the flavonoids and their health attributes, the encapsulation methods and the coating materials are presented.

Absorption, metabolism and bioavailability of flavonoids: a review

Flavonoids are stored in various plants and widely presented in different kinds of food in variable amounts. Plant roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits are known to have high amounts of flavonoids. However, flavonoid aglycones are found less frequently in natural products, as it requires bioconversion through bacteria, which provide β-glucosidase to convert them. Recently, flavonoids and its metabolites were applied in the prevention and treatment of various diseases such as cancers, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders and osteoporosis in numerous studies. This review focused on absorption, activity, metabolism, and bioavailability of flavonoids. Also authors organized and collected newly-found reports of flavonoids and their absorption barriers of flavonoids in the gastrointestinal tract, providing the latest findings and evidence from the past decade. Particularly, nanoparticles delivery systems are emphasized regarding fabrication methods and their potential benefits on flavonoids. Moreover, the potential challenges of nanoparticles as delivery system for flavonoids in the gastrointestinal tract are also discussed.

Proteins associated with quality deterioration of prepared chicken breast based on differential proteomics during refrigerated storage

BACKGROUND

Prepared chicken breast deterioration is a complex biochemical process, of which protein change is one of the main features. The present research focuses on the analysis of proteins related to the deterioration in quality of prepared chicken breast through differential proteomics analysis.

RESULTS

The physicochemical indexes of prepared chicken breast showed that quality gradually decreased at the second week of refrigerated storage, while the deterioration of chicken breast meat was obvious at the third week. Three key time points of quality change were determined to be at 0th, 2th and 5th week, respectively. In addition, 39 differential proteins were successfully identified using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Most of the identified proteins showed significant differences in expression at the three key points of storage, of which actin, myosin, α-1,4-glucan phosphorylase, phosphoglucomutase 1, heat shock protein β-1, tubulin β-7 chain and skeletal muscle type tropomodulin (fragment) were closely related to the quality deterioration of prepared chicken breast, and thus potential indicator proteins to evaluate the quality of chicken breast.

CONCLUSION

The current study indicated that the physicochemical quality of prepared breast notably changed during refrigerated storage. Three key time points of quality change in the storage process of prepared chicken breast were determined. Furthermore, differential proteomics identified the key proteins related to freshness, which provides a theoretical basis for exploring the mechanism of chicken breast deterioration. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Prognosis and related risk factors of acute respiratory distress syndrome in elder patients]

Objective: To study the risk factors associated with the hospital survival rate of elder patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in Medical/Respiratory Intensive Care Units (MICUs/RICUs) by evaluating the prognosis, and therefore to provide insight into patient treatment strategy. Methods: Twenty MICUs/RICUs of 19 general hospitals in mainland China participated in the multicenter prospective cohort study carried out from Mar 1^st, 2016 to Feb 28^th, 2018. Patients who met the criteria of Berlin ARDS and older than 65 years were recruited. Baseline data, risk factors of ARDS, ventilator setup and prognosis data were collected from all patients. Univariant and multivariant regression analysis were conducted to analyze the factors associated with the prognosis. Results: 170 elder ARDS patients (age≥65 years) met the Berlin ARDS criteria, among whom 8.8% (15/170), 42.9% (73/170) and 48.2% (82/170) patients had mild, moderate and severe ARDS, respectively. The most common predisposing factor for elder ARDS was pneumonia, which was present in 134 patients (78.8%). 37.6% (64/170) patients were treated with noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), but 43.8% (28/64) cases experienced treatment failure. 76.5% (130/170) patients were treated with invasive mechanical ventilation. All patients 80 years or older were given invasive mechanical ventilation. 51.8% (88/170) cases had complications of non-pulmonary organ failure. 61.8% (105/170) patients deceased during hospital stay. Multivariant logistic analysis showed that the independent risk factors for hospital survival rate in elder patients with ARDS were SOFA score (P=0.030, RR=0.725, 95% CI 0.543-0.969), oxygen index after 24 hours of ARDS diagnosis (P=0.030, RR=0.196, 95% CI 0.045-0.853), accumulated fluid balance within 7 days after diagnosis of ARDS (P=0.026, RR=1.000, 95% CI 1.000-1.000) and shock (P=0.034, RR=0.140, 95% CI 0.023-0.863). Conclusion: Among 20 ICUs, the high mortality rate of elder patients with ARDS was correlated with higher 24 hour SOFA score, lower 24 hour oxygen index after ARDS diagnosis, more positive fluid balance within 7 days and concomitant shock. The conservative fluid strategy within 7 days of ARDS diagnosis may benefit the elder ARDS patients.

Catechinic acid, a natural polyphenol compound, extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via mitophagy pathways

Catechinic acid (CA), widely present in tea and fruits, has vital biological and pharmacological properties. CA plays an important role in the regulation of lifespan. However, the mechanism behind its anti-aging properties remains poorly characterized. In the present study, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was used as a model organism. It was found that CA induced mitophagy which prevented the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria with age and profoundly extended lifespan. Notably, CA significantly improved the fitness of aging worms, particularly the treatment slowed age-related decline in observed spontaneous movements. Furthermore, CA was found to eliminate dysfunctional mitochondria in the gut and muscle cells, and demonstrated that the lifespan-prolonging effects of CA can be attributed to mitophagy along with the likely regulation of the genes bec-1 and pink-1. The results of this study indicated that pharmacologically induced mitophagy has a profound impact on aging, providing a novel therapeutic intervention against aging and age-related diseases.

Effect of different rehabilitation training timelines to prevent shoulder dysfunction among postoperative breast cancer patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Introduction

Due to advancements in treatment, the survival of breast cancer (BC) patients has significantly improved. Improving the postoperative quality of life has become a widespread concern for patients and doctors. At present, the staged rehabilitation training program for postoperative BC patients has been recognized. However, there is not yet a consensus about the optimal time to initiate rehabilitation training. We designed this study to investigate the optimal intervention times for postoperative BC patients to begin different stages of rehabilitation.

Design

This is a randomized controlled trial. Female participants with BC who are scheduled to undergo mastectomy, including unilateral total breast or breast-conserving surgery plus axillary lymph node dissection, will be enrolled in this study. The intervention includes the following: 200 participants will be allocated using a 1:1:1:1 ratio to the A, B, C, and D groups, which have four different rehabilitation timelines for four phases of rehabilitation exercises. A therapist will evaluate the patient’s overall health and then adjust the training intensity before initiating training. The assessments include upper limb mobility, grip, limb circumference, postoperative drainage volume (PDV), and pain. The training will last for 12 weeks, and patients will undergo follow-up twice within 6 weeks after discharge. Outcomes include the following: Constant-Murley Score (CMS) is the primary parameter. European Organization Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-BR23 (EORTC QLQ-BR23), SF-36, range of motion (ROM), strength, grip, circumference, PDV, and pain are the secondary parameters. All enrolled subjects will be assessed at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, and 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 weeks after the surgery.

Discussion

This is a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of different rehabilitation training timelines to prevent shoulder dysfunction among postoperative patients with BC. If the results are confirmed, this study will establish an optimal timeline for postoperative BC rehabilitation.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03658265. Registered on September 2018.

Integrated proteomic, phosphoproteomic and N-glycoproteomic analyses of chicken eggshell matrix

Eggshell matrix (EM) proteins play an important biological role in eggshell mineralization and embryo development. Many studies have demonstrated that some matrix proteins undergo posttranslational modifications, including phosphorylation and glycosylation, which have important regulatory effects on the functional properties of the proteins. Systematic analysis of the proteome, the phosphorylated modified proteome and the glycosylated modified proteome of the chicken EM was performed using a proteomics strategy. A total of 112 phosphorylation sites from 69 phosphoproteins and 297 N-glycosylation sites from 182 N-glycoproteins were identified in the chicken EM. Among all these identified modified proteins, 129 were not identified in the proteome (547 proteins). Therefore, a total of 676 EM proteins were identified in this study. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated that EM proteins and phosphoproteins were mainly enriched in regulation of enzyme activity, while EM N-glycoproteins were enriched in immune response regulation.