Quality characterization of tobacco flavor and tobacco leaf position identification based on homemade electronic nose.

A set of nine unique tobacco extract samples was analyzed using a self-developed electronic nose (E-nose) system, a commercial E-nose, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The evaluation employed principal component analysis, statistical quality control, and soft independent modeling of class analogies (SIMCA). These multifaceted statistical methods scrutinized the collected data. Subsequently, a quality control model was devised to assess the stability of the sample quality. The results showed that the custom E-nose system could successfully distinguish between tobacco extracts with similar odors. After further training and the development of a quality control model for accepted tobacco extracts, it was possible to identify samples with normal and abnormal quality. To further validate our E-nose and extend its use within the tobacco industry, we collected and accurately classified the flavors of different tobacco leaf positions, with a remarkable accuracy rate of 0.9744. This finding facilitates the practical application of our E-nose system for the efficient identification of tobacco leaf positions.

Incorporating edible oil during cooking tailors the microstructure and quality features of brown rice following heat moisture treatment.

While brown rice (BR) has numerous nutritional properties, the consumption potential of which is seriously restricted since the poor cooking quality and undesirable flavor. Here, edible oils (pork lard and corn oil, 1-5 wt%) were incorporated during the cooking of BR following heat moisture treatment. Incorporating corn oil rather than lard significantly ameliorated the texture properties (e.g. hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness) and sensory properties of cooked BR. Both lard- and corn oil-incorporated cooked BR showed obvious structural changes accompanied by the formation of amylose-lipid complexes during cooking. It was confirmed that the incorporation of lard and corn oil allowed a higher degree of short-range molecular order, more V-type starch crystallites, and elevated nano-structural arrangements. Additionally, a decreased hardness (from 559.04 g to 424.18 g and 385.91 g, respectively) and enriched resistant starch (RS) were also observed, the highest RS content (15.95 % and 16.32 %, respectively) was observed when 1 wt% of lard and corn oil were incorporated.

Baicalin Exerts Anti-Airway Inflammation and Anti-Remodelling Effects in Severe Stage Rat Model of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a worldwide epidemic. Current approaches are disappointing due to limited improvement of the disease development. The present study established 36-week side stream cigarette smoke induced rat model of COPD with advanced stage feature and evaluted the effects of baicalin on the model. Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups including room air control, cigarette smoke exposure, baicalin (40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg, and 160 mg/kg), and budesonide used as a positive control. Rats were exposed to cigarette smoke from 3R4F research cigarettes. Pulmonary function was evaluated and pathological changes were also observed. Cytokine level related to airway inflammation and remodelling in blood serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lung tissue was determined. Blood gases and HPA axis function were also examined, and antioxidant levels were quantified. Results showed that, after treatment with baicalin, lung function was improved and histopathological changes were ameliorated. Baicalin also regulated proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory balance and also airway remodelling and anti-airway remodelling factors in blood serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lung tissue. Antioxidant capacity was also increased after treatment with baicalin in COPD rat model. HPA axis function was improved in baicalin treated groups as compared to model group. Therefore, baicalin exerts lung function protection, proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine regulation, anti-airway remodelling, and antioxidant role in long term CS induced COPD model.

Establishment and Evaluation of a Rat Model of Sidestream Cigarette Smoke-Induced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause of mortality worldwide. The current lack of an animal model that can be established within a certain time frame and imitate the unique features of the disease is a major limiting factor in its study. The present study established and evaluated an animal model of COPD that represents the early and advanced stage features using short-, middle-, and long-term sidestream cigarette smoke (CS) exposure. One hundred and nine Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 10 groups for different periods of sidestream CS exposure or no exposure (i.e., normal groups). The rats were exposed to CS from 3R4F cigarettes in an exposure chamber. Histological analysis was performed to determine pathological changes. We also conducted open-field tests, lung function evaluations, and cytokine analysis of the blood serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lung tissue. The lung tissue protein levels, blood gases, and were also analyzed. As the CS exposure time increased, the indicators associated with oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and airway remodeling were greater in the CS exposure groups than in the normal group. At 24 and 36 weeks, the COPD model rats displayed the middle- and advanced-stage features of COPD, respectively. In the 8-week CS exposure group, after the CS exposure was stopped for 4 weeks, inflammatory responses and oxidative responses were ameliorated and lung function exacerbation was reduced compared with the 12-week CS exposure group. Therefore, we established a more adequate rat model of sidestream CS induced COPD, which will have great significance for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of COPD and drug effectiveness evaluation.

Emodin promotes the osteogenesis of MC3T3-E1 cells via BMP-9/Smad pathway and exerts a preventive effect in ovariectomized rats.

Emodin, a natural anthraquinone extracted from the Chinese herbs rhubarb and giant knotweed rhizome, has been reported to enhance osteoblast differentiation. However, the mechanisms underlying its ability to regulate osteogenesis are unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the role of emodin in osteoblast function in vitro and its osteoprotective effect in vivo. Emodin enhanced the differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells, as evidenced by elevated alkaline phosphatase activity and increased number of mineralized nodules. In cultured osteoblasts, emodin significantly induced the mRNA expression of BMP-9 which is one of the least studied but most osteogenic bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Furthermore, the bone morphogenetic protein receptor-Smad (BMPR-Smad) signaling axis and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) were activated. The in vivo function of emodin were evaluated by assessing bone histomorphology, trabecular bone microarchitecture, mechanical properties of the skeleton, and serum parameters of bone turnover in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Emodin combined with low-dose of estrogen improved trabecular bone microarchitecture in the fourth lumbar vertebra compared with low-dose estrogen alone and enhanced vertebral body strength. Moreover, emodin suppressed the OVX-induced elevation of serum osteocalcin (OC). In addition, there were fewer side effects on uterine hypertrophy with the combination therapy than with high-dose estrogen alone. However, emodin alone did not exert any osteoprotective effect. These results suggest that emodin may be a promising alternative agent for osteoporosis in combination therapy.

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Invigorating Kidney and Supplementing Qi Chinese Herbal Formulae in Asthma Patients.

BACKGROUND: The theories of Shen-reinforcement and Qi-supplementation are important in asthma treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine theories. Early studies suggested that Invigorating Kidney and Supplementing Qi herbal formulae, Bu Shen Fang Chuan (BSFC) and Bu Shen Yi Qi (BSYQ), conveyed promising results in asthma treatment. However, the efficacy and safety of the formulae need to be further investigated by a randomized double-blind clinical trial. METHODS: 328 eligible patients were randomly sent to BSFC, BSYQ, and placebo group. The two formulae were received as add-on therapy. The primary endpoints were rate of asthma exacerbation and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score. The secondary endpoints included HPA axis function and inflammatory cytokine production profile. All indexes were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: The primary endpoints were not improved in both groups; however, the depression levels of subgroup patients with HAM-D score > 5 were improved in BSFC group. HPA axis functions and inflammatory cytokines level were also improved by two formulae. The incidences of adverse events were similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS: The two formulae had multiple advantage effects on neuroendocrine-immune system. They are worth used as a replacement therapy in asthma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered with clinical trial number ChiCTR-PRC-09000529.

The effects of threshing and redrying on bacterial communities that inhabit the surface of tobacco leaves.

Before being subjected to the aging process, raw tobacco leaves (TLs) must be threshed and redried. We propose that threshing and redrying affect the bacterial communities that inhabit the TL surface, thereby influencing the aging process. However, these effects remain unclear. In this study, Illumina sequencing was applied to analyze the bacterial communities on both raw and redried TLs. Shannon's diversity value decreased from 3.38 to 2.52 after the threshing and redrying processes, indicating a large reduction in TL bacterial diversity. The bacterial communities also largely differed between raw TLs and redried TLs. On unaged raw TLs, Proteobacteria was the most dominant phylum (56.15%), followed by Firmicutes (38.99%). In contrast, on unaged redried TLs, Firmicutes (76.49%) was the most dominant phylum, followed by Proteobacteria (21.30%). Thus, the dominant genus Proteobacteria, which includes Sphingomonas, Stenotrophomonas, and Pantoea, decreased after the threshing and redrying processes, while the dominant genus Firmicutes, which includes Bacillus and Lactococcus, increased. Changes in the bacterial communities between raw and redried TLs were also noted after 1 year of aging. The relative abundance of dominant Proteobacteria taxa on raw TLs decreased from 56.15 to 16.92%, while the relative abundance of Firmicutes taxa increased from 38.99 to 79.10%. However, small changes were observed on redried TLs after 1 year of aging, with a slight decrease in Proteobacteria (21.30 to 17.64%) and a small increase in Firmicutes (76.49 to 79.10%). Based on these results, Firmicutes taxa may have a higher tolerance for extreme environments (such as high temperature or low moisture) than Proteobacteria bacteria. This study is the first report to examine the effects of threshing and redrying on bacterial communities that inhabit TLs.

Paeoniflorin Attenuated Oxidative Stress in Rat COPD Model Induced by Cigarette Smoke.

Paeoniflorin (PF), a monoterpene glucoside, might have an effect on the oxidative stress. However, the mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we made the COPD model in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by exposing them to the smoke of 20 cigarettes for 1 hour/day and 6 days/week, for 12 weeks, 24 weeks, or 36 weeks. Our findings suggested that smoke inhalation can trigger the oxidative stress from the very beginning. A 24-week treatment of PF especially in the dosage of 40 mg/kg·d can attenuate oxygen stress by partially quenching reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulating antioxidant enzymes via an Nrf2-dependent mechanism.

Acute pulmonary embolism with electrocardiagraphic changes mimicking acute coronary syndrome: a case report and literature review.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is potentially a life threatening emergency that needs prompt management to reduce preventable deaths. Symptoms like dyspnoea and chest discomfort often lack specificity and overlap with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Importantly, electrocardiographic changes associated with PE are reported to be variable with some ECG patterns mimicking ACS, posing problems in the differential diagnosis. More recently, precordial T wave inversion has been described to be a clue to suggest PE. However, this ECG change is more likely to present in ACS. We herein reported a case of a 78-year-old man presenting with progressive shortness of breath on exertion secondary to submassive pulmonary embolism which was initially misdiagnosed as ACS due to diffuse T wave inversion in both precordial leads V1-6 and inferior Leads II, III and aVF. Here, we discussed the diagnosis of this case and reviewed the medical literature with an emphasis on the limitations of ECG for the differentiation between PE and ACS.

BuShenYiQi granule inhibits atopic dermatitis via improving central and skin Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis function.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of central and skin Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis play important roles in pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Our previous studies showed that several Chinese herbs could improve HPA axis function. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of BuShenYiQi granule (BSYQ), a Chinese herbs formula, in AD mice and explored the effective mechanism from regulation of HPA axis. METHODS: The ovalbumin (OVA) induced AD mice model were established and treated with BSYQ. We evaluated dermatitis score and histology analysis of dorsal skin lesions, meanwhile, serum corticosterone (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA. The changes of CRH/proopiomelanocortin(POMC) axis elements, corresponding functional receptors and crucial genes of glucocorticosteroidogenesis in the skin were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. RESULTS: The symptoms and pathological changes in skin of AD mice were significantly improved and several markers of inflammation and allergy descended obviously after BSYQ treatment. We found that AD mice had insufficient central HPA tone, but these conditions were markedly improved after BSYQ treatment. The AD mice also showed a disturbed expression of skin HPA. In lesion skin of AD mice, the mRNA and protein expressions of CRH decreased significantly, on the contrary, POMC and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) increased markedly, meanwhile, NR3C1 (mouse GR), CRHR2 and 11-hydroxylase type 1(CYP11B1) were reduced locally. Most of these tested indexes were improved after BSYQ treatment. CONCLUSIONS: AD mice displayed the differential expression pattern of central and skin HPA axis and BSYQ treatment significantly alleviated the symptoms of AD mice and presented anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects via regulating the expression of central and skin HPA axis.

Effects of two Chinese herbal formulae for the treatment of moderate to severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two Chinese herbal formulae for the treatment of stable COPD. METHODS: A multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, and randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. All groups were treated with additional conventional medicines. There were a 6-month treatment and a 12-month follow-up for 5 times. Primary outcomes included lung function test, exacerbation frequency, score of SGRQ. Second outcomes consisted of 6MWD, BODE index, psychological field score, inflammatory factors and cortisol. RESULTS: A total of 331 patients were randomly divided into two active treatment groups (Bushen Yiqi (BY) granule group, n = 109; Bushen Fangchuan (BF) tablet group, n = 109) and a placebo group (n = 113). Finally 262 patients completed the study. BY granule & BF tablet increased the values of VC, FEV1 (%) and FEV1/FVC (%), compared with placebo. BY granule improved PEF. Both treatments reduced acute exacerbation frequency (P = 0.067), BODE index and psychological field score, while improved 6MWD. In terms of descent rang of SGRQ score, both treatments increased (P = 0.01). Both treatments decreased inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-8, and IL-17(P = 0.0219). BY granule obviously descended IL-17(P<0.05), IL-1ß (P = 0.05), IL-6, compared with placebo. They improved the level of IL-10 and cortisol. BY granule raised cortisol (P = 0.07) and decreased TNF-α. Both treatments slightly descended TGF-ß1. In terms of safety, subject compliance and drug combination, there were no differences (P>0.05) among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: BY granule and BF tablet were positively effective for the treatment of COPD, and the former performed better in general. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Register center ChiCTR-TRC-09000530.

Effects of Psoraleae fructus and its major component psoralen on Th2 response in allergic asthma.

This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of Psoraleae fructus (PF) on Th2 responses in a rat model of asthma in vivo and psoralen, a major constituent in PF, on Th2 responses in vitro. A rat model of asthma was established by sensitization and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Airway hyperresponsiveness was detected by direct airway resistance analysis. Lung tissues were examined for cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assessed for cytokine levels. In vitro study, Th2 cytokine production was evaluated in the culture supernatant of D10.G4.1 (D10 cells) followed by the determination of cell viability, meanwhile Th2 transcription factor GATA-3 expression in D10 cells was also determined. The oral administration of PF significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to aerosolized methacholine and decreased IL-4 and IL-13 levels in the BALF. Histological studies showed that PF markedly inhibited inflammatory infiltration and mucus secretion in the lung tissues. In vitro study, psoralen significantly suppressed Th2 cytokines of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 by ConA-stimulated D10 cells without inhibitory effect on cell viability. Furthermore, GATA-3 protein expression was also markedly reduced by psoralen. This study demonstrated that PF exhibited inhibitory effects on hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in a rat model of asthma, which was associated with the suppression of Th2 response. Psoralen, a major constituent of PF, has immunomodulatory properties on Th2 response in vitro, which indicated that psoralen might be a critical component of PF for its therapeutic effects.

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells contribute to the antiasthmatic effects of Astragalus membranaceus extract in a rat model of asthma.

Astragalus membranaceus (AM), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been widely used for centuries to treat asthma in China. Previous studies demonstrated that AM had inhibitory effects on airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation and airway remodeling in murine models of asthma. However, it remained unclear whether the beneficial effects of AM on asthma were associated with CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells; this issue is the focus of the present work. An asthma model was established in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats that were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assessed for inflammatory cell counts and cytokine levels. Airway hyperresponsiveness was detected by direct airway resistance analysis. Lung tissues were examined for cell infiltration, mucus hypersecretion and airway remodeling. CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells in the BALF and Foxp3 mRNA expression in lung tissues were examined. The oral administration of AM significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness to aerosolized methacholine and inhibited eosinophil counts and reduced IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 levels and increased INF-γ levels in the BALF. Histological studies showed that AM markedly decreased inflammatory infiltration, mucus secretion and collagen deposition in the lung tissues. Notably, AM significantly increased population of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells and promoted Foxp3(+) mRNA expression in a rat model of asthma. Together, these results suggest that the antiasthmatic effects of AM are at least partially associated with CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs.

Systematic review of atorvastatin for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. DATA SOURCES: Medline (1948/2011-04), Embase (1966/2011-04), Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2011), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (1989/2011-04), and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (1979/2011-04) were searched for randomized clinical trials regardless of language. Abstracts of conference papers were manually searched. Furthermore, Current Controlled Trials (http://controlled-trials.com), Clinical Trials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov), and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org) were also searched. Key words included Alzheimer disease, dementia, cognition, affection, memory dysfunction, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, atorvastatin and statins. DATA SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials of grade A or B according to quality evaluation criteria of the Cochrane Collaboration were selected, in which atorvastatin and placebo were used to evaluate the effects of atorvastatin in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Study methodological quality was evaluated based on criteria described in Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook 5.0.1. Revman 5.1 software was used for data analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical efficacy, safety, withdrawal from the studies, and withdrawal due to adverse effects. RESULTS: Two randomized controlled trials were included, one was scale A, and the other was scale B. All patients (n = 710, age range 50-90 years) were diagnosed as probable or possible mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease according to standard criteria and treated with atorvastatin 80 mg/d or placebo. There was no difference between the two groups in the final follow-up for Clinical Global Impression of Change scale (WMD = 0.13, 95%CI: -0.15 to 0.40), the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (WMD = 1.05, 95%CI: -3.06 to 6.05), Mini-Mental State Examination Scale (WMD = 0.77, 95%CI: -0.57 to 2.10), and the Neuropsychiatric Instrument (WMD = 2.07, 95%CI: -1.59 to 5.73). The rates of abnormal liver function, withdrawal from treatment, and withdrawal due to adverse effects were higher in the treatment group (OR = 7.86, 95%CI: 2.50-24.69; OR = 4.70, 95%CI: 2.61-8.44; and OR = 5.47, 95%CI: 3.01-9.94; respectively) compared with the placebo group. CONCLUSION: There is insufficient evidence to recommend atorvastatin for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, because there was no benefit on general function, cognitive function or mental/behavior abnormality outcome measures. Efficacy and safety need to be confirmed by larger and higher quality randomized controlled trials, especially for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, because results of this systematic review may be limited by selection bias, implementation bias, as well as measurement bias.