Enhancement of colour formation of fermented sausages by overexpression of nitric oxide synthase in Staphylococcus vitulinus under hydrogen peroxide stress.

This study used hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment to overexpress the gene of nitric oxide synthase (nos) in Staphylococcus vitulinus, which was then inoculated into fermented sausages to observe its effect on colour development. The results showed that a low concentration of H2O2 (50 mM) could up-regulate the expression of nos by increasing the oxidative stress level of S. vitulinus. At 2 h after treatment, the expression of nos in S. vitulinus was the highest (P < 0.05), and the relative enzyme activity was increased to about 1.5 times that of the untreated. The growth of S. vitulinus was not substantially affected by 50-mM H2O2 treatment (P > 0.05). When H2O2-treated S. vitulinus was inoculated into fermented sausages, the content of nitrosomyoglobin was increased, and the a*-value (indicating redness) was not significantly different from that in the group treated with nitrite (P > 0.05). This study provides a potential method to enhance the ability of S. vitulinus for colourising fermented sausage by inducing the overexpression of nos.

Efficacy of Biologics in Patients with Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is challenging. Biological therapies have been reported as adjunctive treatments for ABPA, primarily in case series or case reports. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of biologics for managing ABPA both qualitatively and quantitatively. METHODS: All articles on APBA published in October 2023 were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Embase databases. The effects of interest were the mean changes from baseline for outcomes, including exacerbation rates, oral corticosteroids usage (OCS), and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Reported outcomes were quantitatively synthesized by usual or individual patient data (IPD) meta-analyses. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022373396. RESULTS: A total of 86 studies were included in the systematic review including 346 patients. Sixteen studies on omalizumab were pooled for the usual meta-analysis. Omalizumab therapy significantly reduced exacerbation rates (- 2.29 [95%CI - 3.32, - 1.26]), OCS dosage (- 10.91 mg [95%CI - 18.98, - 2.85]), and total IgE levels (- 273.07 IU/mL [95%CI - 379.30, - 166.84]), meanwhile improving FEV1% predicted (10.09% [95%CI 6.62, 13.55]). Thirty-one studies on dupilumab, mepolizumab, or benralizumab were pooled to perform an IPD meta-analysis, retrospectively. Both dupilumab and mepolizumab significantly reduced exacerbation rates, OCS, and total IgE levels. Benralizumab showed a similar trend, but it was not statistically significant. Tezepelumab showed weak evidence of its effects on ABPA. All five biologics led to milder clinical symptoms (e.g., cough, wheezing) with serious adverse effects that happened once in omalizumab treatment. CONCLUSION: These results indicate the clinical benefit of omalizumab, dupilumab, and mepolizumab in patients with ABPA. Further randomized, controlled studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.

Real-world effectiveness and predictors of super-responders to dupilumab in a Chinese uncontrolled asthma cohort.

Background: Dupilumab has been shown to be effective in clinical trials for moderate-to-severe uncontrolled asthma. However, the efficacy of dupilumab in the real world and the prediction of treatment response have not been well studied in patients with asthma. Objective: To investigate the efficacy of dupilumab and explore predictors of super-responders in a Chinese retrospective cohort. Methods: From January 2021 through December 2022, the patients with uncontrolled asthma who were treated with dupilumab for 4 months were included. Symptom control, type 2 inflammatory biomarkers, and lung function were collected at baseline and follow-up for efficacy assessment. Super-responders were defined as exacerbation-free, off maintenance of oral corticosteroids (mOCS), and with a score of the five-item Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-5) of <0.5. The uni- and multivariable logistic regressions were used to construct predictive models for super-responders based on baseline features. Results: A total of 53 patients were included. After 4 months treatment, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) ACQ-5 score decreased from 1.8 (1.6-2.4) to 0.4 (0.2-0.8) (p < 0.001), the median (IQR) number of exacerbations, from 0.0 (0.0-1.0) to 0.0 (0.0-0.0) (p = 0.005). The median (IQR) dose of mOCS (prednisone equivalent) decreased from 15.0 mg/day (8.8-22.5 mg/day) to 2.5 mg/day (0.0-10.0 mg/day) (p = 0.008) in nine patients who were receiving mOCS. All efficacy assessment parameters, including sputum eosinophil were significantly improved, while blood eosinophil count did not decline (530 cells/mm³ [300-815 cells/mm³] versus 560 cells/mm³ [220-938 cells/mm³], p = 0.710). After taking dupilumab, 25 of 53 patients (47.2%) achieved a super-response. The age of onset < 42 years (odds ratio [OR] 7.471 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.286-43.394) and the baseline fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) of 25-50 ppb (OR 35.038 [95% CI, 3.104-395.553]) predicted super-responders, which showed a C-index of 0.822 (95% CI, 0.697-0.947). Conclusion: Dupilumab significantly improved symptom control, type 2 inflammatory markers, and lung function in Chinese patients with uncontrolled asthma. Airway eosinophils, rather than blood eosinophils, can be a reliable indicator of therapeutic efficacy. The early-onset asthma as well as the medium-high level of baseline FeNO contributed to the prediction of super-responders.

Brain-gut axis mechanism of subthreshold nonsuicidal self-injury addictive features in adolescents.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is associated with an increased risk of suicide. As the diagnostic criteria outlined in DSM-5 and other related clinical studies, a patient must have engaged in self-injurious behavior at least 5 times within the past year. However, patients with fewer than 5 self-injury behaviors should not be ignored. Our study included 46 adolescents aged 10-19 years with subthreshold NSSI (sNSSI), along with a control group of 50 healthy adolescents matched for age and other factors. We collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data and stool samples. The Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory and Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory were used to evaluate self-harm behaviors and addictive features. Local brain activity was assessed using fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), and brain regions with abnormal fALFF were selected as seeds for whole-brain functional connectivity analysis. Stool samples were identified using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing, and the LDA Effect Size method was used to explore significant differences between grouped samples. Mediation analysis was performed to investigate the brain-gut axis mechanisms of addictive features in sNSSI. We found that compared with healthy controls, sNSSI patients have abnormal fALFF in left thalamus and posterior cingulate cortex, dysconnectivities of left thalamus, and decreased Prevotellaceae. Our results suggested that addictive features of sNSSI may have a brain-gut mechanism. Furtherly, patients with 1-4 NSSI behaviors in the past year should have separate name for identification, such as "subthreshold NSSI".

Associations of low-carbohydrate with mortality in chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Diet management is an effective way to retard the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, very few studies investigated the influence of carbohydrate intake on CKD patients. In this prospective cohort study, the associations between carbohydrate intake and all-cause mortality were investigated in US adult CKD patients. METHODS: Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models and iso-caloric replacement analysis were used to investigate the associations between the macronutrients and the all-cause mortality risk. Total 3683 US adult CKD patients 20 years or older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2003-2014) were analyzed (mean age ± SD, 62.4 ± 17.1; 56.5% female), of which 1082 participants with CKD died with a median follow-up time of 67 (IQR 36-99) months. RESULTS: Most macronutrients were non-linearly associated with all-cause mortality risk, including carbohydrates and sugar. Participants with CKD had lower mortality risk when consuming 30-45% energy from carbohydrates (average HR 0.76, 95%CI 0.62-0.93, compared with 60%), 5-20% energy from sugar (average HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59-0.96 compared with 40%). Replacing the energy intake from carbohydrates with protein (up to 30%) and/or replacing the sugar with non-sugar carbohydrates (up to 55%) reduced the all-cause mortality risk, while the total energy intake remained constant. CONCLUSIONS: Diet advice should be given according to the current diet status, and constituents of carbohydrates should also be taken into consideration.

The combined impact of social networks and connectedness on anxiety, stress, and depression during COVID-19 quarantine: a retrospective observational study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated quarantine measures have precipitated a surge in mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety. Government policies and restrictions on physical activity have contributed to this phenomenon, as well as diminished subjective social connectedness and exacerbated objective social isolation. As two dimensions of social isolation, it is worth noting that subjectively perceived social connectedness serves as a protective factor for mental health, whereas the decline in the size of objectively evaluated social networks poses a significant risk. However, research investigating the combined influence of these two dimensions remains limited. Methods: This study used an online survey to collect data to investigate the effects of objective social connectedness and objective social networks on anxiety, stress, and depression during COVID-19 quarantine. A total of 485 participants were analyzed using statistical methods, including paired t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, linear regression, cluster analysis, ANOVA, and moderated mediated. Results: The study found that anxiety and depression scores increased during the quarantine, with age, education, and social connectedness scores associated with the increase. Pre-quarantine anxiety and depression levels were strongly correlated with mental health status during quarantine. Cluster analysis, respectively, revealed three clusters for those without increasing anxiety and depression scores. The study also found that objective social network influences the impact of subjective social connectedness on pre-quarantine mental health, which in turn affects anxiety and depression levels during quarantine. Conclusion: The study identified that quarantine increased anxiety and depression, with age being protective, and education and subjective social connectedness as risk factors. The study also emphasizes the comprehensive impact of objective and subjective social isolation. Although individuals perceive the same degree of social connectedness, those with smaller social networks are more prone to developing symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are also more likely to worsen during quarantine.

Response to therapy at 6 months predicts long-term renal outcome in lupus nephritis with poor kidney function.

OBJECTIVE: It is unclear whether aggressive treatment would benefit lupus nephritis (LN) with poor renal function, which has been excluded from most clinical trials. We aimed at demonstrating their clinicopathological features and prognosis. METHODS: From August 2012 to December 2018, patients with active LN with poor renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 15 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2) receiving induction therapy were included. Complete response (CR) was defined as proteinuria <0.5 g/24 hours, while partial response (PR) was defined as ≥50% proteinuria reduction to subnephrotic levels (<3.5 g/24 hours), with (near) normal eGFR. The primary outcome was end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The significant variables were selected via the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method to construct prediction models for ESRD and treatment response. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients were included. At 6 months, 18.7%, 38.3% and 43.0% of patients achieved CR, PR and no response (NR), respectively. During a median follow-up of 60 months, 40.2% ended up with reduced renal function (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and 14.0% progressed to ESRD. The proportions of NR at 6 months were significantly higher in these patients compared with those with recovered renal function (p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, baseline eGFR ≤33 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR 3.499, 95% CI 1.044 to 11.730), fibrous crescent (HR 3.439, 95% CI 1.029 to 11.490) and NR at 6 months (HR 17.070, 95% CI 2.155 to 135.240) independently predicted ESRD (C-index 0.911, 95% CI 0.866 to 0.956). Further, baseline hypertension (HR 2.517, 95% CI 0.820 to 8.580), SLE duration>3 months (2.517, 1.012-7.226) and chronicity index (HR 1.757, 95% CI 1.371 to 2.414) predicted NR at 6 months (C-index 0.833, 95% CI 0.756 to 0.910). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LN with poor renal function, no response at 6 months predicts a poor long-term renal outcome.

Bacterial nitric oxide synthase in colorizing meat products: Current development and future directions.

Nitrite has been widely used in meat products for its abilities including color formation, antimicrobial properties, flavor formation and preventing lipid oxidation. However, the possible generation of N-nitrosamines through reaction of nitrite with secondary amines arises many concerns in the usage of nitrite. For a long time, nitrite substitution is unsettled issue in the meat industry. Many attempts have been tried, however, the alternative solutions are often ephemeral and palliative. In recent years, bacterial nitric oxide synthase (bNOS) has received attention for its critical roles, especially in reddening meat products. This comprehensive background study summarizes the application of bNOS in colorizing meat products, its functions in bacteria, and methods of regulating the bNOS pathway. Based on this information, some strategies for promoting the nitric oxide yield for effectively substituting nitrite are presented, such as changing the environmental conditions for bacterial survival and adding substrate. Thus, bNOS is a promising nitrite substitute for color formation, and further research on its other roles in meat needs to be carried out to obtain the complete picture.

Acute kidney injury after COVID-19 vaccines: a real-world study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI), a rare adverse event, cannot be ignored as millions of doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of post-vaccine AKI reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). METHODS: After data mapping from December 2020 to June 2021, we summarized demographic and clinical features and outcomes of reported cases from three vaccines (Pfizer-BNT, MODERNA, and JANSSEN). The Bayesian and nonproportional analyses explored the correlations between COVID-19 vaccines and AKI. RESULTS: We identified 1133 AKI cases. Pfizer-BNT appeared to have a stronger AKI correlation than MODERNA and JANSSEN, based on the highest reporting odds ratio (ROR = 2.15, 95% confidence interval = 1.97, 2.36). We observed the differences in ages, comorbidities, current illnesses, post-vaccine AKI causes, and time to AKI onset (all p＜.05) among three vaccines. Most patients are elderly, with the highest age in MODERNA (68.41 years) and lowest in JANSSEN (59.75 years). Comorbidities were noticed in 58.83% of the cases and active infections in over 20% of cases. The leading cause of post-vaccine AKI was volume depletion (40.78%), followed by sepsis (11.74%). Patients in Pfizer-BNT had the worst outcome with 19.78% deaths, following 17.78% in MODERNA and 12.36% in JANSSEN (p = .217). The proportion of patients on dialysis was higher in JANSSEN than in Pfizer-BNT and MODERNA (14.61% vs. 6.54%, 10.62%, p = .008). CONCLUSION: AKI could occur after the COVID-19 vaccines, predominantly in elderly patients. However, the causality needs further identification.

Association of Current Active Illnesses and Severe Acute Kidney Injury after COVID-19 Vaccines: A Real-World Study.

The administration of COVID-19 vaccines has become increasingly essential to curb the pandemic. However, adverse events of acute kidney injury (AKI) emerge rapidly as the COVID-19 vaccination promotes. To investigate the intervenable risk factors of AKI, we searched the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System database and recorded adverse effects after COVID-19 vaccines from Dec 2020 to Jun 2021. We included 1149 AKI cases, of which 627 (54.6%) cases were reported following the Pfizer-BNT COVID-19 vaccine, and 433 (37.7%) were reported after the Moderna vaccine. A univariate analysis revealed that coexisting active illnesses (infections, uncontrolled hypertension, heart failure, etc.) have an unfavorable prognosis, with an increased risk of death (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.70−3.25, p < 0.001). The other risk factors included older age and past disease histories. An adjusted regression analysis proved that coexisting active illnesses worsen AKI prognosis after COVID-19 vaccination, with a higher mortality risk (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.48−3.25, p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, we stratified different variables, and none revealed a significant effect modification on the association between coexisting active illnesses and AKI-associated death after vaccination (p-interaction >0.05). We found that coexisting active illnesses could complicate AKI after vaccines, but the potential causal relationship needed further investigation.

The function and mechanism of lactic acid bacteria in the reduction of toxic substances in food: a review.

N-nitrosamines, heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, biogenic amines, and acrylamide are widely distributed and some of the most toxic substances detected in foods. Hence, reduction of these substances has attracted worldwide attention. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculation has been found to be an effective way to reduce these toxic substances. In this paper, the reduction of toxic substances by LAB and its underlying mechanisms have been described through the review of recent studies. LAB aids this reduction via different mechanisms. First, it can directly decrease these harmful substances through adsorption or degradation. Peptidoglycans on the cell wall of LAB can bind to heterocyclic amines, acrylamide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Second, LAB can indirectly decrease the content of toxic substances by reducing their precursors. Third, antioxidant properties of LAB also contribute to the reduction in toxic substances. Finally, LAB can suppress the growth of amino acid decarboxylase-positive bacteria, thus reducing the accumulation of biogenic amines and N-nitrosamines. Therefore, LAB can contribute to the decrease in toxic substances in food and improve food safety. Further research on increasing the reduction efficiency of LAB and deciphering the mechanisms at a molecular level needs to be carried out to obtain the complete picture.

Preclinical evaluation of a 3D-printed hydroxyapatite/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold for ridge augmentation.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Supracrestal ridge augmentation (SRA) is a major challenge for clinicians. This study investigated the efficacy of a 3D-printed (3DP) hydroxyapatite/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (HA/PLGA) scaffold as a potential biologic for SRA. METHODS: Scaffolds that were 5 mm in diameter and 2.5-mm thick with a 1.2-mm diameter through-and-through central hole composed of 90% HA and 10% PLGA were printed using an extrusion-based bioprinter. The HA/PLGA scaffold was fixed with a 1.2-mm titanium mini-implant on the buccal surface of rat mandible (Ti-HPS), and the outcome of SRA were compared with sites treated with a titanium mini-implant alone (control) and a titanium mini-implant covered with deproteinized bovine bone-derived matrix (Ti-DBBM) at 4 and 8 weeks by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), back-scattered SEM, and histology assessments. RESULTS: The HA/PLGA scaffolds were 2.486 ± 0.082 mm thick with an outer diameter of 4.543 ± 0.057 mm and an inner diameter of 1.089 ± 0.045 mm, and the pore dimensions were 0.48-0.52 mm. There was significantly more mineralized tissue in the Ti-DBBM and Ti-HPS groups than in the control group at both time points. Newly formed bone (NB) was well-integrated with the DBBM and HA/PLGA scaffolds. The framework of the 3DP-HA/PLGA scaffold remained in place, and NB-implant contact (NBIC) was advanced to the middle level in the Ti-HPS group until 8 weeks, whereas dispersion of DBBM with a lower level NBIC was noted in the Ti-DBBM group at both time points. CONCLUSION: The 3DP HA/PLGA scaffold maintains supracrestal space and demonstrates osteoconductivity to facilitate SRA.

Regeneration of critical-sized mandibular defect using a 3D-printed hydroxyapatite-based scaffold: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become an available technology to fabricate customized tissue engineering scaffolds with delicate architecture. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the potential of a 3D-printed hydroxyapatite-based scaffold as a biomaterial for obtaining guided bone regeneration (GBR) in vivo. METHODS: Scaffolds composed of 90% hydroxyapatite and 10% poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) were printed using a microextrusion process to fit 4 mm diameter and 0.5 mm thick through-and-through osseous defects on the mandibular ramus of rats, with unfilled defects serving as controls. Specimens were analyzed for regeneration-associated gene expression on day 7, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histology assessments were carried out on day 28. RESULTS: The scaffolds were 3.56 ± 0.43 mm (x-axis) and 4.02 ± 0.44 mm (y-axis) in diameter and 0.542 ± 0.035 mm thick (z-axis), with a mean pore size of 0.420 ± 0.028 × 0.328 ± 0.005 mm2 . Most scaffolds fit the defects well. Type I collagen, VEGF, and Cbfa1 were upregulated in the scaffold-treated defects by day 7. By day 28, de novo osteogenesis and scaffold-tissue integration were evident in the scaffold-treated defects, and entire mineralized tissue, as well as newly formed bone, was significantly promoted, as seen in the micro-CT and histologic analyses. CONCLUSION: The 3D-printed hydroxyapatite-based scaffold showed acceptable dimensional stability and demonstrated favorable osteoregenerative capability that fulfilled the need for GBR.

Chronic Kidney Diseases and Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With COVID-19: Evidence From a Meta-Analysis.

Renal involvement has been implicated in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the related prevalence and prognosis were largely unknown. In this meta-analysis, we searched the literature from PubMed, Embase, through bioRxiv, and medRxiv until April 26, 2020. Studies reporting chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) and/or acute kidney injury (AKI) were included. Demographics, relevant data of disease severity, and patient's prognosis were extracted and aggregated. Twenty-one thousand one hundred sixty-four patients from 52 peer-reviewed studies were included. Thirty-seven studies (n = 16,922) reported CKD in COVID-19 patients at diagnosis, and the pooled prevalence was 3.52% (95% CI, 1.98-5.48%; I 2 = 93%). Subgroup analysis showed that CKD prevalence was higher in severe cases [odds ratio (OR), 3.42; 95% CI 2.05-5.61; I 2 = 0%] compared to those with non-severe disease and deceased cases (6.46, 3.40-12.29; I 2 = 1%) compared with survivors. Pooled prevalence of CKD was lower in Chinese patients (2.56%; 95% CI, 1.79-3.47%; I 2 = 80%) compared to those outside of China (6.32%; 95% CI, 0.9-16.12%; I 2 = 93%) (p = 0.08). The summary estimates for AKI prevalence was 11.46% (95% CI, 6.93-16.94%). Patients with AKI had a higher prevalence of developing into severe cases (OR, 6.97; 95% CI, 3.53-13.75; I 2 = 0%) and mortality risk (45.79, 36.88-56.85; I 2 = 17%). The prevalence estimates of CKD or AKI were not significantly different from preprint publications (p > 0.05). Our study indicates that renal condition, either in CKD or AKI, is associated with COVID-19 prognosis, and taking care of such patients needs further awareness and investigations.

Core-Shell poly-(D,l-Lactide-co-Glycolide)-chitosan Nanospheres with simvastatin-doxycycline for periodontal and osseous repair.

This study aimed to evaluated the potential of core-shell poly(D,l-lactide-co-glycolide)-chitosan (PLGA-chitosan) nanospheres encapsulating simvastatin (SIM) and doxycycline (DOX) for promoting periodontal and large-sized osseous defects. SIM, and/or DOX were encapsulated in PLGA-chitosan nanospheres using double emulsion technique and were delivered to sites of experimental periodontitis and large-sized mandibular osseous defects of rats for 1-4 weeks. The resultant nanospheres were ~ 200 nm diameter with distinct core-shell structure and released SIM and DOX sustainably for 28 days. DOX and SIM-DOX nanospheres significantly inhibited P. gingivalis and S. sanguinis. In experimental periodontitis sites, SIM-DOX nanospheres significantly down-regulated IL-1b and MMP-8 and significantly reduced bone loss. In mandibular osseous defects, VEGF was up-regulated, and osteogenesis was significantly augmented with SIM nanospheres treatment. In conclusion, core-shell PLGA-chitosan nanospheres released SIM and DOX sustainably. SIM-DOX and SIM nanospheres could be considered to promote the repair of infected periodontal sites and non-infected osseous defects respectively.

Nitrosylmyoglobin formation in meat by Lactobacillus fermentum AS1.1880 is due to its nitric oxide synthase activity.

The objective of this study was to clarify whether formation of nitrosylmyoglobin (MbFeIINO) by Lactobacillus fermentum AS1.1880 in meat is due to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Confocal laser scanning microscopy exhibited strong green fluorescence in the L. fermentum sample treated with a nitric oxide (NO)-specific probe, directly indicating that NO was produced. Furthermore, determination of NOS activity based on the presence of NO metabolites indicated the existence of NOS in L.fermentum. A NOS inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, significantly inhibited the activity of NOS in L.fermentum (P < 0.05). Futhermore, NOS protein was detected in L.fermentum by Western blot analysis. L-arginine addition largely increased the NOS activity of L.fermentum (P < 0.05). In meat batters, the redness of a sample inoculated with L.fermentum was higher than that of the control and colour was significantly improved with the addition of L-arginine (P < 0.05), indicating that more MbFeIINO was formed.

The Calmodulin-Binding Protein IQM1 Interacts with CATALASE2 to Affect Pathogen Defense.

Calmodulin (CaM) regulates plant disease responses through its downstream calmodulin-binding proteins (CaMBPs) often by affecting the biosynthesis or signaling of phytohormones, such as jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid. However, how these CaMBPs mediate plant hormones and other stress resistance-related signaling remains largely unknown. In this study, we conducted analyses in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) on the functions of AtIQM1 (IQ-Motif Containing Protein1), a Ca2+-independent CaMBP, in JA biosynthesis and defense against the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea using molecular, biochemical, and genetic analyses. IQM1 directly interacted with and promoted CATALASE2 (CAT2) expression and CAT2 enzyme activity and indirectly increased the activity of the JA biosynthetic enzymes ACX2 and ACX3 through CAT2, thereby positively regulating JA content and B. cinerea resistance. In addition, in vitro assays showed that in the presence of CaM5, IQM1 further enhanced the activity of CAT2, suggesting that CaM5 may affect the activity of CAT2 by combining with IQM1 in the absence of Ca2+ Our data indicate that IQM1 is a key regulatory factor in signaling of plant disease responses mediated by JA. The study also provides new insights that CaMBP may play a critical role in the cross talk of multiple signaling pathways in the context of plant defense processes.

Dynamic Changes in Phenolics and Antioxidant Capacity during Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) Kernel Ripening and Its Phenolics Profiles.

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) kernels have a high phenolics content and a high antioxidant capacity compared to other nuts-traits that have attracted great interest of late. Changes in the total phenolic content (TPC), condensed tannins (CT), total flavonoid content (TFC), five individual phenolics, and antioxidant capacity of five pecan cultivars were investigated during the process of kernel ripening. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadruple time-of-flight mass (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) was also used to analyze the phenolics profiles in mixed pecan kernels. TPC, CT, TFC, individual phenolics, and antioxidant capacity were changed in similar patterns, with values highest at the water or milk stages, lowest at milk or dough stages, and slightly varied at kernel stages. Forty phenolics were tentatively identified in pecan kernels, of which two were first reported in the genus Carya, six were first reported in Carya illinoinensis, and one was first reported in its kernel. The findings on these new phenolic compounds provide proof of the high antioxidant capacity of pecan kernels.

Functional Characterization of Waterlogging and Heat Stresses Tolerance Gene Pyruvate decarboxylase 2 from Actinidia deliciosa.

A previous report showed that both Pyruvatedecarboxylase (PDC) genes were significantly upregulated in kiwifruit after waterlogging treatment using Illumina sequencing technology, and that the kiwifruit AdPDC1 gene was required during waterlogging, but might not be required during other environmental stresses. Here, the function of another PDC gene, named AdPDC2, was analyzed. The expression of the AdPDC2 gene was determined using qRT-PCR, and the results showed that the expression levels of AdPDC2 in the reproductive organs were much higher than those in the nutritive organs. Waterlogging, NaCl, and heat could induce the expression of AdPDC2. Overexpression of kiwifruit AdPDC2 in transgenic Arabidopsis enhanced resistance to waterlogging and heat stresses in five-week-old seedlings, but could not enhance resistance to NaCl and mannitol stresses at the seed germination stage and in early seedlings. These results suggested that the kiwifruit AdPDC2 gene may play an important role in waterlogging resistance and heat stresses in kiwifruit.

The ultrasound contrast imaging properties of lipid microbubbles loaded with urokinase in dog livers and their thrombolytic effects when combined with low-frequency ultrasound in vitro.

A new microbubble loaded with urokinase (uPA-MB) was explored in a previous study. However, its zeta potential and ultrasound contrast imaging properties and its thrombolytic effects when combined with low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS) were unclear. The zeta potential and ultrasound contrast imaging property of 5 uPA-MBs loading with 50,000 IU uPA was respectively detected using a Malvern laser particle analyzer and a Logiq 9 digital premium ultrasound system. Its ultrasound contrast imaging property was performed on the livers of two healthy dogs to compare with SonoVue. And the clot mass loss rate, D-dimer concentration and surface morphology of the clot residues were measured to evaluate the thrombolytic effect after treatment with three doses of 5 uPA-MBs combined with LFUS in vitro. The zeta potential of 5 uPA-MBs (-27.0 ± 2.40 mV) was higher than that of normal microbubbles (-36.95 ± 1.77 mV). Contrast-enhanced imaging of the hepatic vessels using 5 uPA-MBs was similar to SonoVue, while the imaging duration of 5 uPA-MBs (10 min) was longer than SonoVue (6 min). The thrombolytic effect of three doses of uPA-MBs combined with LFUS was significantly better than that of the control group and showed dose dependence. The 5 uPA-MBs have a negative charge on their surface and good echogenicity as ultrasound contrast agents. The 5 uPA-MBs combined with LFUS can promote thrombolysis in a dose-dependent manner.