Effect of Germination on the Digestion of Legume Proteins.

As one of the main sources of plant protein, it is important to improve the protein digestibility of legumes. Faced with population growth and increasing environmental pressures, it is essential to find a green approach. Germination meets this requirement, and in the process of natural growth, some enzymes are activated to make dynamic changes in the protein itself; at the same time, other substances (especially anti-nutrient factors) can also be degraded by enzymes or their properties (water solubility, etc.), thereby reducing the binding with protein, and finally improving the protein digestibility of beans under the combined influence of these factors The whole process is low-carbon, environmentally friendly and safe. Therefore, this paper summarizes this process to provide a reference for the subsequent development of soybean functional food, especially the germination of soybean functional food.

A post-marketing study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a quadrivalent influenza split-virion vaccine in elderly people aged 60 years and older.

BACKGROUND: Influenza remains a global public health concern. Understanding the vaccination-induced response in an aging population, which is susceptible and at high risk, is essential for disease prevention and control. Here, we report findings on the safety and immunogenicity of a quadrivalent influenza split-virion vaccine (15 µg/subtype/0.5 ml/dose) (hereinafter referred to as the "quadrivalent influenza vaccine") in a population aged ≥ 60 years. METHODS: This open-label, pragmatic post-marketing trial enrolled 1399 older adults to receive one dose of an approved commercially available quadrivalent influenza vaccine manufactured by Hualan Biological Bacterin Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Hualan Bio"). Participants with contraindications for the vaccine were excluded, while poor health condition was acceptable. All vaccinated subjects experienced adverse events collection within 30 days and serious adverse events within 180 days post-vaccination. 25% subjects, selected randomly, underwent venous blood sampling pre-vaccination and 30 days after post-vaccination, for detecting antibody titers against each subtype of influenza virus by hemagglutination inhibition assay. The incidences of adverse events and antibody titers against each subtype of influenza virus were statistically analyzed using SAS 9.4. RESULTS: No grade 3 adverse reactions occurred within 30 days post-vaccination. The incidences of overall adverse reactions, local adverse reactions and systemic adverse reactions were 3.79%, 2.86% and 1.00%, respectively. No serious adverse reactions occurred within 180 days post-vaccination. There were 350 subjects who completed venous blood sampling pre-vaccination, among whom 348 subjects completed venous blood sampling at 30 days post-vaccination for immunogenicity assessment. With respect to hemagglutination inhibition antibodies against influenza viruses H1N1, H3N2, BV and BY subtypes, at 30 days post-vaccination, the seroconversion rates were 87.64%, 75.57%, 73.28% and 78.74%, respectively; the seropositive rates were 93.97%, 98.56%, 79.31% and 95.40%, respectively; and the geometric mean increase (GMI) in post-immunization/pre-immunization antibodies was 24.80, 7.26, 10.39 and 7.39, respectively. CONCLUSION: One 15 µg/subtype dose of the vaccine had a good safety profile and elicited favorable immunogenicity among subjects aged ≥ 60 years. The results of this study indicate that Hualan Bio quadrivalent influenza vaccine strike balance between safety and immunogenicity, supporting unnecessity to increase dosage or inoculation frequency for further enhancing immunogenicity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06334510. Registered on 28/03/2024 (retrospectively registered).

Cannabidiol exposure during embryonic period caused serious malformation in embryos and inhibited the development of reproductive system in adult zebrafish.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis with potential applications in biomedicine, food, and cosmetics due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant properties. However, increasing reports of adverse CBD exposure events underscore the necessity of evaluating its toxicity. In this study, we investigated the developmental toxicity of CBD in zebrafish during the embryonic (0-4 dpf, days post fertilization) and early larval stages (5-7 dpf). The median lethal concentration of CBD in embryos/larvae is 793.28 µg/L. CBD exhibited concentration-dependent manner (ranging from 250 to 1500 µg/L) in inducing serious malformed somatotypes, like shorter body length, pericardial cysts, vitelline cysts, spinal curvature, and smaller eyes. However, no singular deformity predominates. The 5-month-old zebrafish treated with 100 and 200 µg/L of CBD during the embryonic and early larval stages produced fewer offspring with higher natural mortality and malformation rate. Gonadal growth and gamete development were inhibited. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses conducted with 400 µg/L CBD on embryos/larvae from 0 to 5 dpf suggested that CBD promoted the formation and transportation of extracellular matrix components on 1 dpf, promoting abnormal cell division and migration, probably resulting in random malformed somatotypes. It inhibited optical vesicle development and photoreceptors formation on 2 and 3 dpf, resulting in damaged sight and smaller eye size. CBD also induced an integrated stress response on 4 and 5 dpf, disrupting redox, protein, and cholesterol homeostasis, contributing to cellular damage, physiological dysfunction, embryonic death, and inhibited reproductive system and ability in adult zebrafish. At the tested concentrations, CBD exhibited developmental toxicity, lethal toxicity, and reproductive inhibition in zebrafish. These findings demonstrate that CBD threatens the model aquatic animal, highlighting the need for additional toxicological evaluations of CBD before its inclusion in dietary supplements, edible food, and other products.

Proteomic Analysis of the Characteristic Flavor Components in Bacillus subtilis BSNK-5-Fermented Soymilk.

Fermentation with Bacillus subtilis significantly enhances the physiological activity and bioavailability of soymilk, but the resulting characteristic flavor seriously affects its industrial promotion. The objective of this study was to identify key proteins associated with characteristic flavors in B. subtilis BSNK-5-fermented soymilk using tandem mass tag (TMT) proteomics. The results showed that a total of 765 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Seventy differentially expressed proteins related to characteristic flavor were screened through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. After integrating metabolomics data, fifteen key proteases of characteristic flavor components in BSNK-5-fermented soymilk were further identified, and free ammonia was added. In addition, there were five main formation mechanisms, including the decomposition of urea to produce ammonia; the degradation of glutamate by glutamate dehydrogenase to produce ammonia; the degradation of threonine and non-enzymatic changes to form the derivative 2,5-dimethylpyrazine; the degradation of valine, leucine, and isoleucine to synthesize isovalerate and 2-methylbutyrate; and the metabolism of pyruvate and lactate to synthesize acetate. These results provide a theoretical foundation for the improvement of undesirable flavor in B. subtilis BSNK-5-fermented soy foods.

Research on the Anti-Fatigue Effects and Mechanisms of Arecoline in Sleep-Deprived Mice.

The betel nut is one of the most widely consumed addictive substances in the world after nicotine, ethanol, and caffeine. Arecoline is an active ingredient from the areca nut. It has many pharmacological effects and can affect the central nervous system. In this study, we found that arecoline can relieve fatigue behavior. OBJECTIVE: This research aims to estimate the anti-fatigue effects of arecoline and explore its underlying mechanisms using a murine model of central fatigue precipitated by sleep deprivation (SD). METHODS: Seventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to six groups: a control group, an SD-induced fatigue model group, a group that received Rhodiola Rosea capsules (2.5 mg/kg), and three arecoline groups, which were administered at low, medium, and high doses (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively). Following 28 days of continuous administrations, the effects of arecoline on mouse fatigue-related behaviors were assessed by behavioral tests, including grip strength, rotarod performance, and weight-bearing swimming endurance. The release levels of the related biochemical markers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Western blotting was employed to quantify the expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), sequestosome-1 (p62), and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in the gastrocnemius muscle. RESULTS: Arecoline administration notably enhanced grip strength, delayed the onset of fatigue as evidenced by extended latencies in rotarod tests, and increased the duration of weight-bearing swimming in mice. In the elevated plus maze, arecoline obviously decreased both the number of entries and the total distance traveled in the open arms. Arecoline markedly decreased the contents of creatine kinase, blood urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, and cholesterol in the serum, while it elevated the levels of total testosterone, lactate dehydrogenase, and immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, it significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase in the gastrocnemius muscle, reduced malondialdehyde levels, augmented hippocampal SOD and CAT activity, and elevated glycogen stores in both liver and muscle tissues. Neurotransmitter levels showed significant increases, cytokine levels were markedly reduced, and the expressions of Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1, p62, and HO-1 in brain tissues were significantly upregulated. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that arecoline has anti-fatigue activity, and the specific mechanisms are associated with elevating glucose and lipid metabolism levels, relieving oxidative stress damage, inhibiting neuroinflammatory response, and regulating neurotransmitter levels and the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. The research provides a new direction for arecoline's potential in preventing and improving fatigue.

Occurrence and distribution of phytic acid and its degradation products in soybeans in China: Analytical challenges.

Phytic acid (IP6) and its degradation products lower myo-inositol phosphates exert different impacts on nutrient bioavailability and product quality characteristics. However, information regarding the occurrence of IP6 and its degradation products is scarce. In this work, simultaneous determination of IP6 and its degradation products in soybeans was developed, with emphasis on analysis by UPLC-MS/MS and a BEH Amide column both with hybrid surface technology. The retention and analyte/metal surface interactions issues were effectively addressed without ion-pairing reagents addition or derivatization. This method was applied to analyze soybeans from China. Total contents were 0.44-13.2 mg/g, and IP6 and its degradation product myo-inositol pentakisphosphate (IP5) were the predominant analytes, accounting for over 99%. Accession type significantly affected IP5 content, and landraces had significantly higher IP5 than cultivars. Geographically, the lowest IP6 was concentrated in the Huanghuaihai region. Significant correlations existed between IP6 and longitude, altitude, and annual cumulative sunshine hours. This study provides comprehensive insights into the IP6 and its degradation product profile in soybeans, which will benefit breeding soybeans based on specific requirements.

Active Packaging Film Developed by Incorporating Starch Aldehyde-Quercetin Conjugate into SPI Matrix.

In this study, soy protein isolate (SPI) films incorporating quercetin-grafted dialdehyde starch (DAS-QR) and DAS/QR, respectively, were developed. The structural, physical, and functional properties of the composite films were determined. The results suggested that DAS-QR and DAS/QR formed hydrogen bonding with the SPI matrix, which improved the structural properties of the films. The light-blocking capacity, thermal stability, hydrophobicity, tensile strength, elongation at break, and antioxidant and antibacterial abilities of SPI films were improved by DAS-QR and DAS/QR. Notably, SPI films incorporated with DAS-QR exhibited better performance than those with DAS/QR in terms of antioxidant (SPI/DAS-QR: 79.8% of DPPH and 62.1% of ABTS scavenging activity; SPI/DAS/QR: 71.4% of DPPH and 56.0% of ABTS scavenging activity) and antibacterial abilities against S. aureus (inhibition rate: 92.7% for SPI/DAS-QR, 83.4% for SPI/DAS/QR). The composite coating film SPI/DAS-QR effectively maintained appearance quality, delayed the loss of weight and total soluble solids, postponed malondialdehyde accumulation, and decreased peroxidase activity and microbial contamination in fresh-cut potatoes. These good performances highlight SPI/DAS-QR as a promising active packaging material for fresh-cut product preservation.

Developments in the study of Chinese herbal medicine's assessment index and action mechanism for diabetes mellitus.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), based on various pathogenic symptoms and the 'golden chamber' medical text, Huangdi Neijing, diabetes mellitus falls under the category 'collateral disease'. TCM, with its wealth of experience, has been treating diabetes for over two millennia. Different antidiabetic Chinese herbal medicines reduce blood sugar, with their effective ingredients exerting unique advantages. As well as a glucose lowering effect, TCM also regulates bodily functions to prevent diabetes associated complications, with reduced side effects compared to western synthetic drugs. Chinese herbal medicine is usually composed of polysaccharides, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. These active ingredients reduce blood sugar via various mechanism of actions that include boosting endogenous insulin secretion, enhancing insulin sensitivity and adjusting key enzyme activity and scavenging free radicals. These actions regulate glycolipid metabolism in the body, eventually achieving the goal of normalizing blood glucose. Using different animal models, a number of molecular markers are available for the detection of diabetes induction and the molecular pathology of the disease is becoming clearer. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of scientific data about the pharmacology, dose-effect relationship, and structure-activity relationship of TCM and its constituents. Further research into the efficacy, toxicity and mode of action of TCM, using different metabolic and molecular markers, is key to developing novel TCM antidiabetic formulations.

Lignanamides: A comprehensive review of chemical constituents, biological activities, extraction methods and synthetic pathway.

Lignanamides are a class of compounds containing amide functional groups in lignans. These compounds have excellent anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective, which have shown great potential in terms of food additives, medicine and health supplement. We summarized the recent progress of lignanamides, including chemical constituents, extraction methods, biological activities, and synthetic pathways. The structures were classified according to an updated nomenclature system, can be classified into sixteen types and have certain roles in many respects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidative, which may be important source of materials for functional food. The potential and limitations of different extraction method, chromatographic packing, and synthetic pathway are analyzed. Notably, this review provides an overview of synthesis pathways and applications of lignanamides, further research is needed to improve extraction efficiency and synthesis method, especially in a greener way for better application.

Effect of Soy Protein Products on Growth and Metabolism of Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus lactis, and Streptomyces clavuligerus.

Microbial nitrogen sources are promising, and soy protein as a plant-based nitrogen source has absolute advantages in creating microbial culture medium in terms of renewability, eco-friendliness, and greater safety. Soy protein is rich in variety due to different extraction technologies and significantly different in the cell growth and metabolism of microorganisms as nitrogen source. Therefore, different soy proteins (soy meal powder, SMP; soy peptone, SP; soy protein concentrate, SPC; soy protein isolate, SPI; and soy protein hydrolysate, SPH) were used as nitrogen sources to culture Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus lactis, and Streptomyces clavuligerus to evaluate the suitable soy nitrogen sources of the above strains. The results showed that B. subtilis had the highest bacteria density in SMP medium; S. lactis had the highest bacteria density in SPI medium; and S. clavuligerus had the highest PMV in SPI medium. Nattokinase activity was the highest in SP medium; the bacteriostatic effect of nisin was the best in SPI medium; and the clavulanic acid concentration was the highest in SMP medium. Based on analyzing the correlation between the nutritional composition and growth metabolism of the strains, the results indicated that the protein content and amino acid composition were the key factors influencing the cell growth and metabolism of the strains. These findings present a new, high-value application opportunity for soybean protein.

Research Progress in Pharmacological Effects and Mechanisms of Angelica sinensis against Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases.

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (A. sinensis) is a medicinal and edible values substance, which could promote blood circulation and enrich blood. It possesses rich chemical components and nutrients, which have significant therapeutic effects on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It is commonly used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in the elderly, especially in improving ischemic damage to the heart and brain, protecting vascular cells, and regulating inflammatory reactions. This article reviews the main pharmacological effects and clinical research of A. sinensis on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in recent years, explores the effect of its chemical components on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by regulating the expression of functional proteins and inhibiting inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and antioxidant mechanisms. It provides a reference for further research on A. sinensis and the development of related drugs. It provides a new reference direction for the in-depth research and application of A. sinensis in the prevention, improvement, and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Robot-assisted chirality-tunable acoustic vortex tweezers for contactless, multifunctional, 4-DOF object manipulation.

Robotic manipulation of small objects has shown great potential for engineering, biology, and chemistry research. However, existing robotic platforms have difficulty in achieving contactless, high-resolution, 4-degrees-of-freedom (4-DOF) manipulation of small objects, and noninvasive maneuvering of objects in regions shielded by tissue and bone barriers. Here, we present chirality-tunable acoustic vortex tweezers that can tune acoustic vortex chirality, transmit through biological barriers, trap single micro- to millimeter-sized objects, and control object rotation. Assisted by programmable robots, our acoustic systems further enable contactless, high-resolution translation of single objects. Our systems were demonstrated by tuning acoustic vortex chirality, controlling object rotation, and translating objects along arbitrary-shaped paths. Moreover, we used our systems to trap single objects in regions with tissue and skull barriers and translate an object inside a Y-shaped channel of a thick biomimetic phantom. In addition, we showed the function of ultrasound imaging-assisted acoustic manipulation by monitoring acoustic object manipulation via live ultrasound imaging.

Effect of different strains on quality characteristics of soy yogurt: Physicochemical, nutritional, safety features, sensory, and formation mechanism.

The purpose of the study was to explore effect of four different strains on quality characteristics of soy yogurt. The results showed that four strains were all related to the genus Lactobacillus and N1 was Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, N2 was Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, N3 was Lacticaseibacillus plantarum, and N4 was Lacticaseibacillus acidophilus. The result analysis of biochemical, sensory, nutritional, functional and safety properties of fermentation process and end products showed that the soy yogurt fermented with L. rhamnosus N1 had the highest isoflavone content and the lowest phytic acid content; the soy yogurt fermented with L. paracasei N2 had the highest content of free amino acids and oligosaccharides, the lowest content of trypsin inhibitors; the soy yogurt fermented with L. plantarum N3 had the lowest oil content; the soy yogurt fermented with L. acidophilus N4 had optimal functional properties. In summary, N4 was suitable as a fermentation strain for soymilk.

Development of a Monoclonal Antibody-Based Indirect Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Rapid Detection of Gallic Acid.

Gallic acid (GA) is closely related to the quality of herbal medicines and other agricultural products. In order to facilitate the rapid detection of GA, we developed a monoclonal antibody-based ic-ELISA method. Antigens with and without connecting arms were prepared. It was found that the introduction of connecting arms (linear carbon chain) was beneficial for immune response. By utilizing hybridoma technology, a specific mAb (anti-GA-M702) was screened and identified, which exhibited a 1:40,500 antibody titer and IgG2b antibody subtype. The ic-ELISA assay was established based on anti-GA-M702. The optimal working concentrations of the encapsulated antigen and antibody were 0.5 µg/mL and 0.67 µg/mL, respectively. The ic-ELISA method showed a linear detection range of 297.17-2426.61 ng/mL for GA with a sensitivity of 849.18 ng/mL. It displayed a good applicability for the determination of GA in Galla chinensis. In conclusion, the ic-ELISA method provides an efficient approach to the rapid detection of GA in products.

Stereo-selective cardiac toxicity induced by metconazole via oxidative stress and the wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in zebrafish embryos.

Metconazole (MEZ), a chiral triazole fungicide, produces enantioselective adverse effects in non-target organisms. Among MEZ's isomers, cis-MEZ displays robust antimicrobial properties. Evaluating MEZ and cis-MEZ's toxicity may mitigate fungicide usage and safeguard non-target organisms. Our study evaluated the toxicity of MEZ and its cis-isomers at concentrations of 0.02, 0.2, 2, and 4 mg L-1. We report stereoselectivity and severe cardiovascular defects in zebrafish, including pericardial oedema, decreased heart rate, increased sinus venous and bulbous arteries distances, intersegmental vessel defects, and altered cardiovascular development genes (hand2, gata4, nkx2.5, tbx5, vmhc, amhc, dll4, vegfaa, and vegfc). Further, MEZ significantly increased oxidative stress and apoptosis in zebrafish, primarily in the cardiac region. Isoquercetin, an antioxidant found in plants, partially mitigates MEZ-induced cardiac defects. Furthermore, MEZ upregulated the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway genes (wnt3, ß-catenin, axin2, and gsk-3ß) and ß-catenin protein expression. Inhibitor of Wnt Response-1 (IWR-1) rescued MEZ-induced cardiotoxicity. Our findings highlight oxidative stress, altered cardiovascular development genes, and upregulated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling as contributors to cardiovascular toxicity in response to MEZ and cis-MEZ treatments. Importantly, 1R,5S-MEZ exhibited greater cardiotoxicity than 1S,5R-MEZ. Thus, our study provides a comprehensive understanding of cis-MEZ's cardiovascular toxicity in aquatic life.

Neuroprotective effects of dendrobium endophytes metabolites in SH-SY5Y cells via the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway.

Recent studies have revealed that endophytes in plants can produce metabolites with activity that is comparable to or identical to the host. Dendrobine has attracted much attention in the field of neurodegenerative diseases by exhibiting anti-oxidative stress and neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of metabolites of dendrobium endophytes Pseudomonas protegens CM-YJ44 and Priestia megaterium D-HT207 against H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury in SH-SY5Y cells. Results showed that there were 50 neuroprotective compounds in CM-YJ44 and 72 neuroprotective compounds in D-HT207. Those both increased significantly cell viability, decreased contents of ROS in H2O2-induced SH-SY5Y cells. It was confirmed that metabolites of CM-YJ44 and D-HT207 inhibited the H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury in SH-SY5Y cells, which mechanism is related to inhibition of ROS production, alteration of MMP, and inhibition of apoptosis and inflammatory factors expression via the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway.

Enhancing the Gelation Behavior of Transglutaminase-Induced Soy Protein Isolate(SPI) through Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction.

Gelation, as an important functional property of soy protein isolate (SPI), can be improved by some green technologies in food manufacturing, including ultrasound, ultrahigh pressure and microwave treatments. This work investigated the effect of an alkaline solubilisation step in SPI extraction combined with sonication on protein properties. The TGase-induced gel of the modified SPI was prepared to explore the effect of ultrasound on gel properties, including structures, strength, water-holding capacity and rheological properties. Additionally, the differences between traditional ultrasound modification of SPI and current modification methods were analyzed. The results showed that the ultrasonication-assisted extraction method could result in a significant increase in extraction rate from 24.68% to 42.25%. Moreover, ultrasound-assisted modification of SPI gels induced with transglutaminase (TGase) exhibited significant improvement in mechanical properties, such as texture, water-holding capacity and rheological properties, In particular, SPI extracted at 400 W ultrasound intensity for 180 s showed the best overall performance in terms of gel properties. Our method efficiently uniformizes gel structure, enhancing mechanical properties compared to conventional ultrasound methods, which reduced energy consumption and costs. These findings provide insights into the production of high-gelation SPI in food manufacturing.

The number and position of unsaturated bonds in aliphatic aldehydes affect meat flavorings system: Insights on initial Maillard reaction stage and meat flavor formation from thiazolidine derivatives.

Nonanal, (E)-2-nonenal, (E,E)-2,4-nonadienal, and (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal were used to study the effect of number and position of the unsaturated bond in aliphatic aldehydes on meat flavorings. Cysteine-Amadori and thiazolidine derivatives were synthesized, identified by UPLC-TOF/MS and NMR, and quantitatively by UPLC-MS/MS. The polyunsaturated aldehydes exhibited higher inhibition than monounsaturated aldehydes, and monounsaturated aldehydes exhibited higher inhibition than saturated aldehydes, mainly manifested by the inhibition of the cysteine-Amadori formation and acceleration of the thiazolidine derivatives formation. The effect of unsaturated bonds position in aliphatic aldehydes on the initial Maillard reaction stage was similar. The cysteine played an important role in catalyzing the reaction of aliphatic aldehydes. A total of 109 volatile compounds derived by heating prepared thiazolidine derivatives degradation were detected by GC-MS. Formation pathways of volatile compounds were proposed by retro-aldol, oxidation, etc. Particularly, a route to form thiazole by the decarboxylation reaction of thiazolidine derivatives which derivatives from formaldehyde reacting with cysteine was proposed.

Gene expression analysis of oxidative stress-related genes in the apical, middle, and basal turns of the cochlea.

It can be observed from aminoglycoside-induced hair cell damage that the cochlea basal turn is more susceptible to trauma than the apex. Drug-induced hearing loss is closely related to oxidative damage. The basilar membrane directly exposed to these ototoxic drugs exhibits differences in damage, indicating that there is an inherent difference in the sensitivity to oxidative damage from the apex to the base of the cochlea. It has been reported that the morphology and characteristics of the cochlea vary from the apex to the base. Therefore, we investigated oxidative stress-related gene expression profiles in the apical, middle, and basal turns of the cochlea. The Oxidative Stress RT2 Profiler™ PCR Array revealed that three of the 84 genes (Mb, Mpo, and Ncf1) were upregulated in the middle turn compared to their level in the apical turn. Moreover, eight genes (Mb, Duox1, Ncf1, Ngb, Fmo2, Gpx3, Mpo, and Gstk1) were upregulated in the basal turn compared to their level in the apical turn. The qPCR verification data were similar to that of the PCR Array. We found that MPO was expressed in the rat cochlea and protected against gentamicin-induced hair cell death. This study summarized the data for the gradient of expression of oxidative stress-related genes in the cochlea and found potential candidate targets for prevention of ototoxic deafness, which may provide new insights for cochlear pathology.

Investigating the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Polygonum sibiricum Polysaccharides via Microglial Polarization.

Polygonum sibiricum, with its medicinal and edibility dual properties, has been widely recognized and utilized throughout Chinese history. As a kind of its effective component, Polygonum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSP) have been reported to be a promising novel antidepressant agent. Meanwhile, the precise mechanisms underlying its action remain elusive. The polarization state transition of microglia is intricately linked to neuroinflammation, indicating its crucial involvement in the pathophysiology of depression. Researchers are vigorously pursuing the exploration of this potential treatment strategy, aiming to comprehend its underlying mechanisms. Hence, the current study was designed to investigate the antidepressant mechanisms of PSP via Microglial M1/M2 Polarization, based on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 cell activation model. The results indicate that PSP significantly inhibited NO and LDH release and reduced ROS levels in LPS-induced BV2 cells. PSP could significantly reduce the protein expression level of Iba-1, decreased the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, and increased the mRNA level of IL-10. PSP also significantly reduced the protein expression level of CD16/32 and increased that of CD206, reduced the mRNA level and fluorescence intensity of iNOS, and increased those of Arg-1. However, PSP pretreatment reversed the alterations of the BDNF/TrkB/CREB and Notch/Hes1 pathways in LPS-induced BV2 cells. These results suggested that PSP exerted the anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting M1 phenotype polarization and promoting microglia polarization toward the M2 phenotype, and its regulation of microglia M1/M2 polarization may be associated with modulating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB and Notch/Hes1 pathways.