Enzymatic preparation of manno-oligosaccharides from locust bean gum and palm kernel cake, and investigations into its prebiotic activity

BACKGROUND: Manno-oligosaccharides (MOS) is known as a kind of prebiotics. Mannanase plays a key role for the degradation of mannan to produce MOS. In this study, the mannanases of glycoside hydrolase (GH) families 5 Man5HJ14 and GH26 ManAJB13 were employed to prepare MOS from locust bean gum (LBG) and palm kernel cake (PKC). The prebiotic activity and utilization of MOS were assessed in vitro using the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain. RESULTS: Galactomannan from LBG was converted to MOS ranging in size from mannose up to mannoheptose by Man5HJ14 and ManAJB13. Mannoheptose was got from the hydrolysates produced by Man5HJ14, which mannohexaose was obtained from LBG hydrolyzed by ManAJB13. However, the same components of MOS ranging in size from mannose up to mannotetrose were observed between PKC hydrolyzed by the mannanases mentioned above. MOS stability was not affected by high-temperature and high-pressure condition at their natural pH. Based on in vitro growth study, all MOS from LBG and PKC was effective in promoting the growth of L. plantarum CICC 24202, with the strain preferring to use mannose to mannotriose, rather than above mannotetrose. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of mannanases and mannan difference on MOS composition was studied. All of MOS hydrolysates showed the stability in adversity condition and prebiotic activity of L. plantarum, which would have potential application in the biotechnological applications.

Tim-3 expression on T cell surface in patients with esophageal cancer and its clinical significance / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@# Objective: To investigate the expression of Tim-3 on the surface of T cells in patients with esophageal cancer, and to explore its clinical significance. Methods: Fresh tumor tissues, paracancerous tissues, and peripheral blood were collected from 25 patients with esophageal cancer at the first affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2016 to April 2018. Peripheral blood from 10 healthy subjects was also collected during the same time period. The expressions of Tim-3, early apoptotic molecules and intrinsic factors in tumor tissues and peripheral blood PBMCs of 25 esophageal cancer patients were determined by flow cytometry. Also, the correlation between Tim-3+ T cell proportion and pathological parameters was investigated. The expression of Tim-3 in tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues was detected by fluorescence quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). TCGA database was used to further verify the expression of Tim-3 in tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues, as well as its relationship with prognosis. Results: Tim-3 expression on T cells was higher in tumor tissues from esophageal cancer patients (P<0.01). Tim-3+ T cell function was in an exhausted status(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the expression of Tim-3 on the surface of T cells in esophageal cancer microenvironment was closely related to lymph node metastasis and clinical staging (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Taken together, Tim3 expression on the surface of T cells could induce T cell dysfunction in patients with esophageal cancer, suggesting that Tim-3 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for esophageal cancer.

The role of vitamin D and its analogues in the treatment of oral mucosal diseases and periodontal diseases / 口腔疾病防治

@#Vitamin D is an essential nutrient in the body. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to its role in regulating immunity and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the application of vitamin D in vivo may produce some side effects, such as hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria. Some analogs of vitamin D obtained through molecular modification can reduce the side effects while retaining a similar regulatory action as that of vitamin D. The supplementation of vitamin D or the use of vitamin D analogs may contribute to the prevention and treatment of immune inflammatory diseases. This article reviews the role of vitamin D and its analogues in the prevention and treatment of oral mucosal diseases and periodontal diseases. The literature review results show that vitamin D and its analogues can protect the integrity of the oral mucosal barrier, prevent or delay the occurrence of oral lichen planus, and provide a reference value for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

Endoscopic clipping with histoacryl in management of type 2 gastroesophageal varices (30 cases) / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To summarize clinical experience and explore application value of endoscopic clipping with histoacryl using in management of type 2 gastroesophageal varices. Methods Clinical data of 30 patients with type 2 gastroesophageal varices patients (including acute hemorrhage and primary prevention) from May 2015 to December 2016 were collected. Then evaluate therapeutic effect and safety of endoscopic clipping adjuvant therapy. Results Average glue dosage was (1.46 ± 0.70) ml, average using of clips were (5 ~ 6), and intraoperative needle pulling hemorrhage occurred in 2 cases. 14 patients (46.7%) underwent endoscopic re-examination, 3 patients (10.0%) achieved varicose vein elimination, 11 cases (36.7%) remained residual. Rebleeding occurred in 4 cases (13.3%), and 2 cases died (6.7%), one because of postoperative hematemesis and hemorrhagic shock, the other one died of spontaneous peritonitis and septic shock. For general curative effect, 2 cases (6.7%) were healed, 22 cases (73.3%) were improved, and 6 cases were unhealed (20.0%, 4 cases occurred rebleeding, 2 cases died); 17 cases underwent CT portal venograpy, abnormal embolization was not found in any patients, glue extrusion bleeding occurred in 1 case (3.3%), no patients had severe postoperative complications. Conclusion Endoscopic clipping with histoacryl can be used in the prevention and treatment of type 2 gastroesophageal varices to improve the treatment effect and reduce postoperative bleeding risk, may have good clinical practice value.

Inhibitory effect of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins on advanced glycation end product formation in a lactose-lysine model system

Background Industrial food processing induces protein glycation modifications and toxic advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which affect human health. Therefore, it is of interest to monitor AGEs in food processing. The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidin (LSOPC) concentrations, solution pH value and metal ions on AGE formation by heat treatment of lactose-lysine model solutions. Ne-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), as one of the common AGEs was also determined by HPLC-MS/MS in this experiment. Results The results showed that LSOPC can inhibit the formation of AGEs effectively at higher concentrations, lower temperature, and it can reverse the promotion function of metal ions because of its high inhibition activity. Also, LSOPC can inhibit CML formation in the Maillard reaction as well. Conclusion These results indicated that LSOPC could be used as functional food ingredients to inhibit AGE formation.