Correction: Coating effect of renatured triple-helix lentinan on the morphology and antimicrobial activity of ZnO synthesized by hydrothermal method.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D4RA01590H.].

Coating effect of renatured triple-helix lentinan on the morphology and antimicrobial activity of ZnO synthesized by hydrothermal method.

Polysaccharides are considered to be ideal green raw materials for enhancing biocompatibility and dispersion effects of nanoparticles. In this study, we coated and dispersed ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using the denaturation-renaturation process of a triple helix glucan lentinan (LNT), induced by changes in pH value within the reaction system. Various ZnO/LNT composites with different particle sizes and crystal morphologies were prepared and characterized. The results demonstrated that renatured LNT (r-LNT) effectively encapsulated the {101̄0} crystal planes of ZnO, preventing crystal growth during the renaturation process and resulting in smaller, uniformly dispersed nanoparticles. Among the samples, ZnO/r-LNT-2 exhibited significantly higher antimicrobial activity, and it had a certain inhibitory effect on various plant pathogens. It also displayed the highest inhibitory effect against Candida albicans, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of up to 8 µg mL-1. Consistently, ZnO/r-LNT-2 generated the highest amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus exhibiting the most effective antimicrobial activity. However, excessive introduction of the dispersant LNT may reduce these activities. This study provides a foundation for further exploring the detailed mechanism of ROS generation catalyzed by ZnO and for harnessing the full potential of this type of antimicrobial agent.

Effect of Different Carbon Sources on Antioxidant Properties of Exopolysaccharides Produced by Scleroderma areolatum (Agaricomycetes).

Five kinds of exopolysaccharides (EPS) were obtained by fermentation of Scleroderma areolatum Ehrenb. with sucrose, glucose, maltose, lactose, and fructose as carbon sources. Antioxidant abilities of the obtained EPSs were evaluated by inhibiting AAPH, HO·, and glutathione (GS·) induced oxidation of DNA and quenching 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) cationic radical (ABTS· and galvinoxyl radicals. The effects of carbon sources on the antioxidant properties of EPSs could be examined. The results showed that five EPSs can effectively inhibit radicals induced oxidation of DNA, and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) percentages were 44.7%-80.8%, 52.3%-77.5%, and 44.7%-73.3% in inhibiting AAPH, HO·, and GS· induced oxidation of DNA, respectively. All five EPSs could scavenge ABTS· and galvinoxyh, and exhibit superior activity in scavenging free radicals. Antioxidant abilities of EPS with fructose as carbon source were highest among five EPS.

Aspercitrininone A, novel antibacterial polyketide featuring unusual spiral skeleton from Aspergillus cristatus.

Aspercitrininone A (1), a novel polyketide featuring an unprecedented tetracyclic 6/6/6/5 spiral skeleton, was obtained from the rice fermentation cultures of the fungus Aspergillus cristatus together with five known compounds (2-6). Their structures were determined by HRESIMS data, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Aspercitrininone A was revealed as a new type of C/D cycle spiral structure and an unusual addition product of o-quinoid form citrinin with 2-methylterrefuranone. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 exhibited potent antibacterial activities with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from 13.2 to 67.3 µg/mL against four strains of human pathogenic bacteria in vitro.

Pharmacokinetics of 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde in Normal and Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Rats Based on Microdialysis Technique.

AIM: 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBd) is used for the treatment of headaches, dizziness, and convulsions. The objective of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of 4-HBd in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) rats by microdialysis technology with high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). METHODS: Microdialysis was used to collect blood, feces, and urine of normal and CIRI model rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using HPLC-DAD and 4-HBd metabolites were determined using UPLC-MS. RESULTS: After gavage of 4-HBd in normal and middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) rats, it was widely distributed to all tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and brain) in both the equilibrium and elimination phases, and the distribution pattern was basically the same; the highest concentration was found in the brain. The absolute bioavailability of 4-HBd was 5.33%; however, after intragastric administration in normal and MCAO/R rats, fecal and urinary excretion of 4-HBd accounted for 0.02% and 0.01% and for 0.01% and 0.03% of the dosage, respectively. Furthermore, 4-HBd was rapidly metabolized into 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) after administration in both the control and MCAO/R groups. Compared with the control, the peak time of 4-HBd plasma concentration in the MCAO/R rats decreased from 10.67 min to 8.83 min, the area under the concentration-time curve decreased significantly, and the half-life increased from 31.81 min to 78.85 min. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid absorption and low absolute bioavailability of 4-HBd by gavage in rats are followed by rapid and wide distribution to various tissues and organs, including the brain. The prototype drug is excreted in the feces and urine in low amounts, and it is metabolized to 4-HBA in large amounts in vivo; the pathological state of the MCAO/R model mainly affects its absorption degree and metabolism rate.

Pegmolesatide for the treatment of anemia in patients undergoing dialysis: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Pegmolesatide, a synthetic peptide-based erythropoietin (EPO) receptor agonist, is being evaluated as an alternative to epoetin alfa for treating anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Chinese dialysis patients. There is a critical need for a long-acting, cost-effective erythropoiesis-stimulating agent that does not produce EPO antibodies. Methods: A randomized, open-label, active-comparator, non-inferiority phase three trial was conducted at 43 dialysis centers in China between May 17th, 2019, and March 28th, 2022. Eligible patients aged 18-70 years were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive pegmolesatide once every four weeks or epoetin alfa one to three times per week, with doses adjusted to maintain a hemoglobin level between 10.0 and 12.0 g/dL. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change in hemoglobin level from baseline to the efficacy evaluation period in the per-protocol set (PPS) population. Non-inferiority of pegmolesatide to epoetin alfa was established if the lower limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval for the between-group difference was ≥ -1.0 g/dL. Safety assessment included adverse events and potential anaphylaxis reactions. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03902691. Findings: Three hundreds and seventy-two patients were randomly assigned to the pegmolesatide group (248 patients) or the epoetin alfa group (124 patients). A total of 347 patients (233 in the pegmolesatide group and 114 in the epoetin alfa group) were included in the PPS population. In the PPS, the mean change (standard deviation, SD) in hemoglobin level from baseline to the efficacy evaluation period was 0.07 (0.92) g/dL in the pegmolesatide group and -0.22 (0.97) g/dL in the epoetin alfa group. The between-group difference was 0.29 g/dL (95% confidence interval: 0.11-0.47), verifying non-inferiority of pegmolesatide to epoetin alfa. Adverse events occurred in 231 (94%) participants in the pegmolesatide group and in 110 (89%) in the epoetin alfa group. Hypertension was the most common treatment-related adverse event. No fatal cases of anaphylaxis or hypotension were reported. Interpretation: Monthly subcutaneously injection of pegmolesatide was as effective and safe as conventional epoetin alfa administrated one to three times a week in treating anemia in Chinese dialysis patients. Funding: The study was supported by Hansoh Medical Development Group.

Antibacterial metabolites from the beetle-associated fungus Penicillium chrysogenum.

The antibacterial secondary metabolites of the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum associated with the beetle Aspongopus chinensis were investigated through chromatographic fractionation methods of ethyl acetate extracts of the fungal cultures. Five compounds were isolated, and their structures were determined as emodin, 4-(methoxymethyl)benzoic acid, isoochracinic acid, secalonic acid D, and dicerandrol A using mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses. Emodin exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, especially against Staphylococcus aureus even when growing on cooked pork, with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 6.3 µg/mL. Dimeric tetrahydroxanthones, such as secalonic acid D and dicerandrol A, also exhibited potent activity, with MIC values ranging from 9.5 to 28.5 µg/mL. In summary, P. chrysogenum was isolated as a symbiotic fungus of the beetle A. chinensis for the first time and this strain could generate antibacterial secondary metabolites, which could potently inhibit gram-positive bacteria growth in vitro.

Association analysis of MTHFR (rs1801133 and rs1801131) and MTRR (rs1801394) gene polymorphisms towards the development of hypertension in the Bai population from Yunnan, China.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of human death and disability. MTHFR and MTRR regulate folate metabolism and are closely linked to hypertension, although the relationship is inconsistent among different ethnic groups. The present study aims to investigate the effects of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133), MTHFR A1298C (rs1801131), and MTRR A66G (rs1801394) polymorphisms on hypertension susceptibility in the Bai nationality of the Yunnan Province, China. METHODS: This case-control study included 373 hypertensive patients and 240 healthy controls from the Chinese Bai population. The genotyping of MTHFR and MTRR gene polymorphisms was carried out by using the KASP method. The effects of genetic variations of MTHFR and MTRR genes on hypertension risk were evaluated with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: The present study revealed that the CT and TT genotypes and T allele of MTHFR C677T locus were considerably associated with an increased risk of hypertension. In addition, MTHFR A1298C locus CC genotype could significantly increase the hypertension risk. The T-A and C-C haplotypes of MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C could increase the risk of hypertension. Further stratified analysis by risk rank of folate metabolism indicated that people with poor utilization of folic acid were more prone to develop hypertension. In the hypertension group, the MTHFR C677T polymorphism was significantly associated with fasting blood glucose, fructosamine, apolipoprotein A1, homocysteine, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde levels. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that genetic variations of MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C were significantly associated with susceptibility to hypertension in the Bai population from Yunnan, China.

Temperature controlled microcapsule loaded with Perilla essential oil and its application in preservation of peaches.

In this study, Perilla frutescens essential oil (PEO) loaded microcapsules (PEOM) were successfully prepared and their thermal stability, temperature-responsive releasing effect, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, and preservation of peach were systematically investigated. PEOM showed excellent encapsulation efficiency (91.5%) with a core-shell ratio of 1.4:1 and exhibited high thermal stability, indicating that PEOM could effectively maintain PEO release rate. In vitro assays indicated that the optimal kinetic model for PEO release fitted well with first order with a diffusion mechanism. A high level of antioxidant and antibacterial activity of PEOM was maintained. In addition, owing to its sustained release, PEOM could prolong the shelf life of peaches significantly. Therefore, PEOM has potential application and development prospects in the field of food preservation.

Structure Characterization and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Polysaccharides from Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes) by Microwave-Assisted Freeze-Thaw Extraction.

A water-soluble polysaccharide (GLP-2) was isolated and purified from Ganoderma lucidum by the microwave-assisted freeze-thaw method. Microwave-assisted rapid thawing treatment can greatly improve the extraction yield of polysaccharides. The chemical structure of GLP-2 was analyzed with FT-IR, HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR spectrometry. It was proved that GLP-2 is mainly composed of ß-1,3-glucose and ß-1,6-glucose. The chain conformation of GLP-2 was analyzed by SEC-MALLS-RI, indicating that GLP-2 adopts semi-rigid chain conformation. Its molecular weight is 16.7 × 104, and its molecular size is about 61.2 nm. MTT assay indicated that GLP-2 was non-toxic to RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. The results of anti-inflammatory studies showed that GLP-2 can inhibit the production of NO, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 macrophage stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The above data showed that the extraction method used in this study can obtain a high-yield polysaccharide with anti-inflammatory activity.

Citral Essential Oil-Loaded Microcapsules by Simple Coacervation and Its Application on Peach Preservation.

Citral essential oil (CEO) was encapsulated by the single coalescence method, and its stability, release properties, and ability to maintain freshness were evaluated for the first time. The microshape characteristics of a CEO-loaded microcapsule (CM) were analyzed by inverted microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The encapsulation efficiency, stability, and release behavior of CEO were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric/differential thermal comprehensive analysis (TG/DSC), and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Moreover, peaches were used to evaluate the preservation properties of the CEO-loaded microcapsule. The results showed that the microcapsule produced using simple coacervation had better microstructure and the ability to reduce and control the release of citral essential oil. The qualities of peaches, such as appearance changes, hardness, soluble solid content, total acids, and total bacterial counts, were significantly improved in the CM system during storage, in comparison with the control and cold storage groups. Therefore, the CM has potential applications and development prospects in the food, drug, and other industries.

Effect of ultrasonic degradation on the physicochemical property and bioactivity of polysaccharide produced by Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882.

Similar to the enzymatic process, there might also be an active fragment in polysaccharides, how to obtain is important for investigating the bioactivity and pharmacological mechanism of polysaccharides. Presently, a Gynostemma pentaphyllum endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882 polysaccharide [Genistein Combined Polysaccharide (GCP)] was degraded by ultrasonic treatment, two polysaccharide fragments of GCP-F1 and GCP-F2 were obtained. Physicochemical results showed that GCP-F1 and GCP-F2 had the same monosaccharide composition of arabinose, galactose, glucose, xylose, mannose, and glucuronic acid as compared to GCP with slightly different molar ratios. However, weight-average molecular weights of GCP-F1 and GCP-F2 decreased from 8.093 × 104 Da (GCP) to 3.158 × 104 Da and 1.027 × 104 Da, respectively. In vitro scavenging assays illustrated that GCP-F1 and GCP-F2 had higher antioxidant activity against 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anions, and hydroxyl radical than GCP, the order was GCP < GCP-F1 < GCP-F2. Meanwhile, antibacterial tests showed that ultrasonic degradation increased the antibacterial activity of GCP-F1 as compared to GCP, but GCP-F2 almost lost its antibacterial activity with further ultrasound treatment. Changes in the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of GCP-F1 and GCP-F2 might be related to the variation of their molecular weights.

Purification of polysaccharides from Phellinus linteus by using an aqueous two-phase system and evaluation of the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of polysaccharides in vitro.

In this study, Phellinus linteus polysaccharides (PLPS) and proteins were simultaneously separated from P. linteus mycelia by using an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) based on choline chloride ([Chol]Cl)/K2HPO4, and the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of PLPS after ATPS extraction were evaluated. Results demonstrated that the maximal extraction efficiencies of 68.53% ± 0.29% PLPS and 82.37% ± 0.41% proteins were obtained when the cholinium-based ATPS contained 68.9% K2HPO4, 20% [Chol]Cl, 10.0 mg mL-1 crude water extract (1.0 mL), and distilled water (4.0 mL) at shaking time and temperature of 30 min and 21.2 °C, respectively. Compared with C-PLPS obtained using traditional ethanol precipitation and isolation protocols, PLPS had higher carbohydrate content (63.58% ± 1.12%), lower molecular weight (15.2 kDa, 80%), different monosaccharide compositions, and showed similar preliminary structural characterizations. Moreover, PLPS exhibited more evident scavenging effects on free radicals and in vitro antioxidant activities than C-PLPS. Therefore, the method of [Chol]Cl/K2HPO4 ATPS can be developed as an effective strategy for the separation/purification of highly bioactive polysaccharides.

Antibacterial and antioxidant metabolites from the insect-associated fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.

The research on bioactive secondary metabolites from Aspergillus fumigatus afforded six compounds, which were identified by mass spectrometer (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis as cyclopyazonic acid (1), trypacidin A (2), asterric acid (3), methyl asterrate (4), demethylcitreoviranol (5), as well as (5-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-pyran-4-yl) methyl acetate (6). Cyclopyazonic acid (1) was found to have potent antibacterial effects, especially against Bacillus licheniformis with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 3.7µg/mL. Its antibacterial effects were possibly related to the olefinic acid group in the structure. Phenyl ether derivatives 3 and 4, and trypacidin A (2) also exhibited antimicrobial effects. In addition, compound 6 showed significant antioxidant effects with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 10.2µM in the ABTS (2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay, which was better than the positive control.

Novel kojic acid derivatives with anti-inflammatory effects from Aspergillus versicolor.

Two novel kojic acid derivatives, kojicones A and B (1 and 2), along with the precursors kojic acid (3) and (2R,4R)-4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2,4-dimethyl-2- [(2R)-2-methylbutyryloxy]-5-cyclohexen-1,3-dione (4), were isolated from a fungal strain Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures and absolute configurations were accurately confirmed by HRESIMS data, NMR analysis, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Kojicones A and B were the first examples of kojic acid adducts with cyclohexen-1,3-dione possessing unprecedented tricycle skeletons. Compounds 1-3 were found to have inhibition on the NO production of murine RAW 264.7 cells. They can also reduce the mRNA expression of four cytokines (IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and iNOS) and promote the expression of IL-4 at 20 µM. Moreover, kojic acid (3) could treat the DSS (dextran sulfate sodium)-induced colitis on mice with the effectiveness similar to that of the positive control. The results suggested that kojic acid and its derivatives could be a promising anti-inflammatory source for the medicinal and cosmetic industry.

Production, characterization, and bioactivities of exopolysaccharides from the submerged culture of Ganoderma cantharelloideum M. H. Liu.

In this study, the submerged culture conditions for exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by Ganoderma cantharelloideum M. H. Liu were screened and optimized, and the physicochemical and biological properties of EPS were investigated. Results showed that the glucose and tryptone were the best C and N sources for the maximum EPS production, respectively. Under the optimal culture conditions, the EPS production achieved 1.60 g/L at day 6 in a 5 L stirred tank reactor. Two purified fractions (i.e., Fr-I and Fr-II) were obtained from the G. cantharelloideum EPS by gel permeation chromatography. Fr-II had a higher yield (87.54%), carbohydrate (95.86%), and protein (3.07%) contents and lower molecular weight (74.56 kDa) than that of Fr-I. Both Fr-I and Fr-II were polysaccharide-protein complexes with different monosaccharide compositions and chemical structures. Fr-II also exhibited stronger radical scavenging abilities, antioxidant capacities, and α-amylase and α-glycosidase inhibitory activities in vitro than that of Fr-I. Therefore, Fr-II obtained from G. cantharelloideum EPS might be explored as potential natural functional components or supplements for applications in food, medicine, and cosmetics.

Nature-inspired hierarchical materials for sensing and energy storage applications.

Nature-inspired hierarchical architectures have recently drawn enormous interest in the materials science community, being considered as promising materials for the development of high-performance wearable electronic devices. Their highly dynamic interfacial interactions have opened new horizons towards the fabrication of sustainable sensing and energy storage materials with multifunctional properties. Nature-inspired assemblies can exhibit impressive properties including ultrahigh sensitivity, excellent energy density and coulombic efficiency behaviors as well as ultralong cycling stability and durability, which can be finely tuned and enhanced by controlling synergistic interfacial interactions between their individual components. This tutorial review article aims to address recent breakthroughs in the development of advanced Nature-inspired sensing and energy storage materials, with special emphasis on the influence of interfacial interactions over their improved properties.

Impact of parathyroidectomy on left ventricular function in end stage renal disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, and parathyroidectomy (PTX) is an effective treatment intervention of SHPT. However, the curative impact of PTX on left ventricular function still remains incompletely understood. To evaluate the impact of parathyroidectomy on left ventricular function in ESRD patients, we conducted this retrospective study. METHODS: Between Oct 1, 2010 and Oct 1, 2016, ESRD patients presented with SHPT who underwent parathyroidectomy were enrolled. We retrospectively collected the ultrasonic cardiogram parameter pre- and 1-year post-PTX, and analyzed the influence factor for the overturn of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the improvement of ejection fraction% (EF%). RESULTS: In all the patients (135), the main ultrasonic cardiogram parameter dramatically improved after PTX. Compared with pre-PTX, the left ventricular mass (LVM) (172.82 (135.90, 212.91) g vs. 192.76 (157.56, 237.97) g, p<0.001) and the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (107.01 (86.79, 128.42) g/m2 vs. 123.54 (105.49, 146.64) g/m2, p<0.001) significantly declined after 1 year of the PTX. Further, 43.75% patients diagnosed with LVH before the PTX have recovered from LVH. In the subgroup analysis of 35 patients with EF% ≤ 60% pre-PTX, EF% and fractional shortening% (FS%) significantly improved after 1 year of the PTX compared with pre-PTX (EF%: 64.90 ± 7.90% vs. 55.71 ± 4.78%, p<0.001; FS% 35.48 ± 6.34% vs. 29.54 ± 2.88%, p<0.001), and 82.86% patients underwent an improvement of left ventricular systolic function post 1year of the PTX. CONCLUSIONS: tPTX+AT is an effective curative intervention of secondary hyperparathyroidism and can significantly overturn the LVH and increase the left ventricular systolic function.

Effect of tween 40 and ethanol on the secretion, structure and antioxidant activities of exopolysaccharides from Inonotus rickii.

In this study, the effects of Tween 40 and ethanol supplementation on the secretion, structure and antioxidant activities of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Inonotus rickii were investigated. It was observed that Tween 40 and ethanol displayed a stimulatory effect on EPS secretion. The EPSs obtained by the addition of Tween 40 (EPS-T), ethanol (EPS-E) and control (EPS-C) were purified by Sepharose CL-6B gel chromatography and molecular weights of EPS-T, EPS-E and EPS-C were estimated to be 22.1, 30.0, and 40.5 kDa, respectively. Monosaccharide composition analysis indicated that EPS-T, EPS-E and EPS-C were mainly composed of mannose and glucose. Furthermore, EPS-E exhibited better OH• and DPPH scavenging activities than those of EPS-C and EPS-T, which might be associated with its molecular characterization.