Qi-dan-dihuang decoction ameliorates renal fibrosis in diabetic rats via p38MAPK/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

CONTEXT: Qi-dan-dihuang decoction (QDD) has been used to treat diabetic kidney disease (DKD), but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study reveals the mechanism by which QDD ameliorates DKD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The compounds in QDD were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Key targets and signaling pathways were screened through bioinformatics. Nondiabetic Lepr db/m mice were used as control group, while Lepr db/db mice were divided into model group, dapagliflozin group, 1% QDD-low (QDD-L), and 2% QDD-high (QDD-H) group. After 12 weeks of administration, 24 h urinary protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels were detected. Kidney tissues damage and fibrosis were evaluated by pathological staining. In addition, 30 mmol/L glucose-treated HK-2 and NRK-52E cells to induce DKD model. Cell activity and migration capacity as well as protein expression levels were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 46 key target genes were identified. Functional enrichment analyses showed that key target genes were significantly enriched in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In addition, in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that QDD ameliorated renal fibrosis in diabetic mice by resolving inflammation and inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the p38MAPK and AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: QDD inhibits EMT and the inflammatory response through the p38MAPK and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, thereby playing a protective role in renal fibrosis in DKD.

Value of Combined Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2/7 Testing in the Assessment of Infected Preterm Labor.

Objective: To analyze the clinical significance of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7), members of the bone morphogenetic protein family, in infectious preterm birth, to provide references for future prevention and management of IPB. Methods: The study participants were 20 pregnant women with IPB admitted to between January 2022 and January 2023 (research group) and 20 concurrent normal pregnancies (control group). Serum BMP2, BMP-7 inflammatory factors were quantified. Differences in BMP2 and BMP-7 were identified. The Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analyzed the evaluation value of BMP2 and BMP-7 on infectious preterm birth and adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women, and Pearson correlation coefficient determined the correlation of the two with inflammatory factors levels. Results: The research group was higher in serum BMP2 and BMP-7 levels than control group (P < .05). The joint detection by BMP2 and BMP-7 had a sensitivity of 80.00% and a specificity of 90.00% in diagnosing infectious preterm birth (P < .05), and its sensitivity and specificity in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes in infectious preterm birth pregnant women were 100.0% and 66.67%, respectively (P < .05). According to Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, there was an obvious positive relationship between BMP-2 and BMP-7 and inflammatory factors in research group (P < .05). Conclusions: BMP-2 and BMP-7 are elevated in IPB and are linked to inflammatory factor levels. Joint detection of BMP2 and BMP-7 shows promising potential for evaluating infectious preterm birth.

The Correlation between Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution and Hyperuricemia and Gout: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the constitution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout. Method: Databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine Disc (CBMdisc), PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Excerpta Medical Database (Embase) were searched to collect observational studies about TCM constitution in HUA and gout from inception to November 21, 2021. The distribution of TCM constitution types in HUA and gout patients was presented by proportion, while the correlation was presented by odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. Meta-analysis was performed using StataCorp Stata (STATA) version 16.0 software. Results: Twenty-one cross-sectional studies and 10 case-control studies involving 38028 samples were included, among which 27526 patients were diagnosed with HUA and 2048 patients with gout. Phlegm-dampness constitution (PDC), damp-heat constitution (DHC), and qi-deficiency constitution (QDC) are the most common types, accounting for 24% (20%-27%), 22% (16%-27%), and 15% (12%-18%), respectively, in HUA patients, while DHC, PDC, and blood stasis constitution (BSC) accounted for 28% (18%-39%), 23% (17%-29%), and 11% (8%-15%), respectively, in gout patients. PDC and DHC were the main constitution types in patients with HUA or gout in south China, east China, north China, southwest China, northwest China, and northeast China. There was no difference in the distribution of PDC and QDC in male or female patients with HUA, while males with DHC in HUA were more common than females. The proportion of PDC or DHC among HUA patients was 1.93 times and 2.14 times higher than that in the general population (OR and 95% CI: 1.93 (1.27, 2.93), 2.14 (1.47, 3.13)), while the proportions of PDC, DHC, and BSC were 3.59 times, 4.85 times, and 4.35 times higher than that of the general groups (OR and 95% CI: 3.59 (1.65, 7.80), 4.85 (1.62, 14.57), and 4.35(2.33, 8.11)). Conclusion: PDC, DHC, and QDC are the main constitution types of patients with HUA, while PDC and QDC may be the risk factors for HUA. DHC, PDC, and BSC are the main constitution types of patients with gout, and they may be the risk factors for gout. In clinical and scientific research, more attention should be paid to the relationship between the above-mentioned TCM constitution in HUA or gout. Nevertheless, because the quality of the included observational studies is low, more prospective cohort studies related to TCM constitution and HUA or gout can be carried out to verify the causality between TCM constitution and HUA or gout.

Effectiveness of vitamin-B supplements on cognition in older adults: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of B-vitamin and folic acid supplementation in slowing down cognitive function decline among older adults. METHODS: We searched databases for trials comparing B-vitamin and folate supplementation versus placebo in older adults identified with or without impaired cognition. RESULTS: 23 articles were eligible and included in this meta-analysis. The mean difference (MD) in homocysteine levels was significant between the compared groups (MD:-4.52; 95%CI:-5.41 to 3.63, P < 0.001). However, the difference in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was non-significant between the compared groups with or without cognitive impairment (MD:0.19; 95%CI: -0.148 to 0.531, P = 0.27), and (MD:0.04; 95%CI:-0.1 to 0.18, P = 0.59), respectively. The difference in Clinical Dementia Rating-sum of box (CDR-SOB) scores was non-significant (MD:-0.16; 95%CI:-0.49 to 0.18; P = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: B-vitamin and folate supplementations significantly reduced homocysteine levels. However, it failed to provide significant benefits over placebo in preventing or slowing the decline in cognitive function.

Jia Wei Xiao Yao San ameliorates chronic stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice by regulating the gut microbiome and brain metabolome in relation to purine metabolism.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of depression remains largely unknown. Accumulating evidence demonstrates the existence of a complex relationship between gut microbiome composition and brain functions. Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (JWXYS) is considered a potential antidepressant. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of JWXYS have not yet been clarified. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the effects of JWXYS on chronic stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice. METHODS: A chronic restraint stress mouse model of depression was established. JWXYS was administered, and the responses of these mice to treatment were evaluated through several behavioral tests. The activity of astrocytes and microglia was detected by specific fluorescent labels. Inflammatory cytokines were quantified in intestinal and cerebral tissues. An integrated approach with full-length 16S rRNA sequencing and different types of untargeted metabolomics was conducted to investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome at the species level, metabolic brain functions, and JWXYS. RESULTS: We found that behavioral symptoms were associated with the relative abundance of Lactobacillus animalis. After JWXYS treatment, the relative abundance of Ileibacterium valens with enzymes potentially involved in purine metabolism was also described. The activation of astrocytes and microglia was negatively correlated with the relative abundance of L. animalis. Combined with network pharmacological analysis, several targets predicted based on JWXYS treatment focused on purine metabolism, which was also enriched from cerebral metabolites regulated by JWXYS. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that L. animalis is involved in depression-like behaviors in mice. JWXYS increases the abundance of I. valens with potential enzymes in relation to cerebral purine metabolism, which is positively correlated with the activation of astrocytes in the amygdala.

Strengthening anoxic glycogen consumption in SNEDPR-CW as a strategy to control PAO-GAO competition under carbon limited condition.

Cooperation between Phosphate and Glycogen Accumulating Organisms (PAOs and GAOs) plays a pivotal role in nutrients removal in simultaneous nitrification endogenous denitrification and phosphorous removal (SNEDPR) systems. Recent findings have expanded the application of SNEDPR from activated sludge system to constructed wetland (CW). However, how to regulate competition between PAOs and GAOs in SNEDPR-based CW is still unclear. Here we showed that, GAOs could easily gain dominance over PAOs in SNEDPR-CW under alternating anaerobic/aerobic (A/O) operational mode. Shortening aerobic hydraulic retention time (HRT) at low oxygen concentration was benefit for simultaneous nitrification endogenous denitrification (SNED) and denitrifying dephosphatation but would reduce the overall phosphorus uptake rate and lead to high phosphorus effluent concentrations. Extended aerobic HRT promoted the proliferation of aerobic GAOs over PAOs, decreasing both enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) and SNED performance. Surprisingly, by switching the operation of system to alternating anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic (A/O/A) mode, an extraordinary nutrients removal performance with mean nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency of 84.57% and 89.37% was achieved under carbon sources limited condition. Stoichiometric analysis demonstrated that adding anoxic stage strengthened the intracellular glycogen oxidization of GAOs for denitrification which compromised its subsequent anaerobic carbon sources uptake and PHA storage and provided sufficient carbon sources for PAOs. Microbial community analysis showed that numerical ratio of GAOs to PAOs decreased from 6.67 under A/O to 4.89 under A/O/A mode, which further indicated strengthening glycogen denitrification of GAOs should be an effective way to regulate microbial competition in order to obtain a desired nutrients removal performance in SNEDPR-CW.

Gut Microbiota and Urine Metabonomics Alterations in Constitution after Chinese Medicine and Lifestyle Intervention.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution (TCMC) divides human beings into balanced (ping-he) constitution (PH) and unbalanced constitution. Yang-deficiency (yang-xu) constitution (YAX) is one of the most common unbalanced constitutions in Chinese general population, and it causes susceptibility to particular diseases. However, unbalanced constitutions can be regulated by Chinese medicine and lifestyle intervention in clinical practice. Gui-fu-di-huang-wan (GFDHW) is a well-known Chinese medicine with yang-invigorating activity and is regarded as improving YAX. In this study, 60 healthy YAX students selected from a prospective population of 5185 were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial and completed the study. We compared the gut microbiota and urinary metabolome between individuals with PH and those with YAX before and after one-month-intervention. Compared with the control group, the health status of the intervention group improved significantly, the YAX symptom score was reduced, and the efficacy remained high at the one-year follow-up. The gut microbiota of the healthy PH exhibited greater diversity, and significantly higher species were identified. Compared to PH group, YAX individuals showed increased abundance of Bacteroidetes and Bacteroides, also had higher levels of gut microbial-derived urinary metabolites. After one-month-intervention, both GFDHW treatment and lifestyle intervention enriched the diversity and modulated the structure in YAX. The intervention group also partially restored the microbiome and metabolome to healthy PH-like levels. Further, a microbiota co-occurrence network analysis showed that the metabolites enriched in YAX were correlated with microbial community structure. Taken together, our results suggest that Chinese medicine combined with lifestyle intervention benefits YAX individuals. Gut microbiota/metabolite crosstalk might be involved in the Chinese medicine-mediated effects.

Advanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal by combining endogenous denitrification and denitrifying dephosphatation in constructed wetlands.

To achieve high-efficiency nutrient removal in constructed wetlands (CWs), a novel simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal (SNPR) process was developed by combining nitrification, endogenous denitrification, and denitrifying phosphorus removal. In SNPR process, denitrifying glycogen-accumulating organisms (DGAOs) and denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (DPAOs) utilized NOx--N(NO3--N or NO2--N) as electron acceptor and poly-beta-hydroxy-alkanoates (PHAs) as carbon sources for endogenous denitrification and denitrifying phosphorus removal processes. Results from 217 days of operation showed that a high-level of nitrogen removal efficiency of 83.73% was achieved with influent COD/N of 4. The success was attributed to the fact that most of influent carbon sources could be transformed into PHAs before nitrification via enriching DGAOs and DPAOs in CW, which simultaneously improved nitrification and denitrification due to reducing oxygen and carbon sources consumption by aerobic heterotrophs. Phosphorus was mainly removed via denitrifying phosphorus removal, and PO43--P removal efficiency reached up to 87.84% with even common gravel used as substrate. Stoichiometry analysis revealed that DGAOs were the main organisms providing nitrite to DPAOs, suggesting that the effective PO43--P removal under high DGAO abundance condition might be attributed to the coordination of DGAOs and DPAOs in SNRP processes.

Will Baseline Total Lesion Glycolysis Play a Role in Improving the Prognostic Value of the NCCN-IPI in Primary Gastric Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Patients Treated With the R-CHOP Regimen?

PURPOSE: The aim was to explore whether baseline total lesion glycolysis (TLG) can improve the prognostic value of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI) in primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PG-DLBCL) patients treated with an R-CHOP-like regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-four PG-DLBCL patients who underwent baseline PET/CT between July 2010 and May 2019 were included in this retrospective study. FDG-avid lesions in each patient were segmented to calculate the SUVmax, total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV), and TLG. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were used as end points to evaluate prognosis. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 5 to 108 months (35.3 ± 23.5 months), high TLG and a high NCCN-IPI were significantly associated with poor PFS and OS. Total lesion glycolysis and the NCCN-IPI were independent predictors of PFS and OS. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to the combination of TLG and the NCCN-IPI for PFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001): high-risk group (TLG > 1159.1 and NCCN-IPI 4-8) (PFS and OS, 57.7% and 61.5%, respectively, n = 42), intermediate-risk group (TLG > 1159.1 or NCCN-IPI 4-8) (PFS and OS, both 76.9%, n = 26), and low-risk group (TLG ≤ 1159.1 and NCCN-IPI 0-3) (PFS and OS, 97.6% and 100.0%, respectively, n = 26). CONCLUSIONS: Both TLG and the NCCN-IPI are independent predictors of PG-DLBCL patient survival. Moreover, the combination of TLG and the NCCN-IPI improved patient risk stratification and might help personalize therapeutic regimens.

Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for prognostic stratification in patients with primary intestinal diffuse large B cell lymphoma treated with an R-CHOP-like regimen.

PURPOSE: The prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for primary intestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PI-DLBCL) patients has not been determined. This prompted us to explore the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for prognostic stratification in patients with PI-DLBCL treated with an R-CHOP-like regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three PI-DLBCL patients who underwent baseline PET/CT between January 2010 and May 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were computed using the 41% SUVmax thresholding method. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were used as endpoints to evaluate prognosis. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 3-117 months (29.0 ± 25.5 months), high TLG, non-germinal center B-cell-like (non-GCB) and high National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI) were significantly associated with inferior PFS and OS. TLG, cell-of-origin and NCCN-IPI were independent predictors of PFS, and both TLG and NCCN-IPI were independent predictors of OS. The grading system was based on the number of risk factors (high TLG, non-GCB, high NCCN-IPI) and patients were divided into 4 risk groups (PFS: χ2 = 33.858, P < 0.001; OS: χ2 = 29.435, P < 0.001): low-risk group (none of the 3 risk factors, 18 patients); low-intermediate risk group (1 risk factor, 24 patients); high-intermediate risk group (2 risk factors, 16 patients); and high-risk group (all 3 risk factors, 15 patients). CONCLUSIONS: High TLG, non-GCB and high NCCN-IPI can identify a subset of PI-DLBCL patients with inferior survival outcomes. Furthermore, the grading system can identify PI-DLBCL patient groups with markedly different prognoses, which might contribute to the adjustment of the therapeutic regime.

Qi-Deficiency Related Increases in Disease Susceptibility Are Potentially Mediated by the Intestinal Microbiota.

Qi-deficiency (QX) is thought to promote the body's susceptibility to disease, but the underlying mechanism through which this occurs is not clear. We surveyed the traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC) of healthy college students to identify those that were PH (balanced TCMC constitution) and QX (unbalanced TCMC constitution). We then used high-throughput sequencing of the 16SrRNA V3-4 region in fecal microbiota samples to identify differences between those obtained from PH and QX individuals. Our results demonstrated that the alpha diversity of QX samples was significantly lower than that of PH samples (p < 0.05) and that beta diversity was remarkably different in QX and PH samples. Four and 122 bacterial taxa were significantly overrepresented in QX and PH groups, respectively. The genera Sphingobium, Clostridium, and Comamonas were enriched in the QX group and had a certain pathogenic role. The QX group also showed a statistically significant lack of probiotics and anti-inflammatory bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Bdellovibrio. The functional potential of QX bacterial taxa was reduced in fatty acid metabolism and butanoate metabolism. We contend that the imbalanced intestinal microbiota in QX and the following functional changes in metabolism influence immunity and energy metabolism, which could increase susceptibility to disease.

[Plasma metabonomics of Guifu Dihuang Wan in the treatment of yang deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Guifu Dihuang Wan (GFDHW) in the treatment of yang deficiency and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: Sixty-two participants without diseases were randomized into control group (n=31) and experimental group (n=31) and were given lifestyle intervention additional GFDHW treatment for a month. NMR technology was used for metabonomics analysis. RESULTS: Intervention with GFDHW resulted in significantly decreased conversion scores of yang deficiency in the experimental group compared with the control group (P<0.005). The concentrations of lactate, valine, proline, arginine and 3-hydroxybutyrate were increased in the plasma of yang-deficient subjects after lifestyle intervention. GFDHW treatment with lifestyle intervention significantly increased the concentrations of lactate, valine, proline, arginine and 3-hydroxybutyrate and also the levels of alanine, glutamine, alpha glucose, isoleucine, betaine and propylene glycol. CONCLUSION: GFDHW treatment improves yang deficiency possibly by increasing the concentrations of alanine, glutamine, alpha glucose, isoleucine, betaine and propylene glycol and promoting energy metabolism of the body.

[Correlation Analyses between Obesity/Overweight and Constitutions of Chinese Medicine/Cardio- vascular Risk Factors in Elderly Residents of a Community in Guangzhou].

Objective To analyze the correlation between obesity/overweight and constitutions of Chinese medicine (CM)/cardiovascular risk factors in elderly residents of Tianhe District Wushan Com- munity, Guangzhou City. Methods Recruited were 1 054 elderly residents (over 60 years), who had free health examinations in Tianhe District Wushan Community of Guangzhou City from October 2014 to September 2015. They were assigned to the obesity group (107 cases) , the overweight group (431 ca- ses) , and the normal weight group (516 cases) according to body mass index (BMI) by randomized sampling. Constitution types of CM were assessed using Classification and Judgment of Constitution Types of CM. Health files were filled in. General indices such as waist circumference, blood pressure, etc., and blood biochemical indicators such as fasting blood glucose, blood lipids, uric acid, blood creati- nine, etc. were detected. The correlation between constitution types of CM and obesity/overweight was analyzed using multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results Among the 1 054 elderly residents, 75. 62% (797/1 054) of those were of biased constitution and 24. 38% (257/1 054) were of normal consti- tution. Phlegm dampness (247 cases, 23. 43%), yin deficiency (150 cases, 14. 23%), and qi deficiency (136 cases, 12. 90%) constitution were top 3 commonly seen biased constitution types. Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of obese/overweight patients of phlegm dampness constitution was 61. 641 times (Cl: 24. 491 -155. 144) and 9. 393 times (Cl: 5. 910 -14. 929) that of subjects of nor- mal constitution respectively (P <0. 01) ; the risk of obese/overweight patients of dampness heat consti- tution was 21. 478 times (Cl: 6. 978 -66. 102) and 4. 505 times ( Cl: 2. 308 -8. 793) that of subjects of normal constitution respectively (P <0. 01) ; the risk of obese/overweight patients of qi deficiency consti- tution was 3.408 times ( Cl:1. 161 -10. 004) and 1. 655 times (Cl: 1. 062 -2. 580) that of subjects of nor- mal constitution respectively (P <0. 05). Compared with normal body weight senile, the incidences of ab- dominal obesity, hypertension, diabetes were obviously higher in obese/overweight senile (P <0. 01 , P < 0. 05). Their values of fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and uric acid were ob- viously higher than those in normal body weight senile (P <0. 01). Conclusions Community obese/over- weighed elderly residents have the tendency of phlegm dampness, dampness heat, and qi deficiency constitutions. Compared with the normal body weight senile, they have higher risk of cardiovascular risk factors, and increased risks of suffering from hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.

Effects of TCMC on Transformation of Good Health Status to Suboptimal Health Status: A Nested Case-Control Study.

To explore the effects of traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC) on transformation of good health status to suboptimal health status (SHS), we conducted a nested case-control study among college students in China. During the 18-month mean follow-up time, 543 cases of SHS (42.7%) occurred in 1273 healthy students. There was a significant (P = 0.000) and marked reduction in SHMS V1.0 total score in the case group at the 18-month follow-up (69.32 ± 5.45) compared with baseline (78.60 ± 4.70), but there was no significant change in the control group. Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that respondents reporting Yin-deficiency and Qi-deficiency were, respectively, 2.247 and 2.198 times more likely to develop SHS, while tendency to Yin-deficiency and tendency to Damp-heat were, respectively, 1.642 and 1.506 times more likely to develop SHS. However, the Balanced Constitution was a significant protective factor (OR 0.649; P < 0.05). Altogether, these findings demonstrate that Yin-deficiency, Qi-deficiency, tendency to Yin-deficiency, and tendency to Damp-heat appeared to induce a change in health status to SHS, while the Balanced Constitution seemed to restrain this change. We conclude that regulating the unbalanced TCMC (such as Yin-deficiency and Qi-deficiency) may prevent a healthy status developing into SHS or lead to the regression of SHS.

Suppression of Inflammation and Arthritis by Orally Administrated Cardiotoxin from Naja naja atra.

Cardiotoxin (CTX) from Naja naja atra venom (NNAV) reportedly had analgesic effect in animal models but its role in inflammation and arthritis was unknown. In this study, we investigated the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiarthritic actions of orally administered CTX-IV isolated from NNAV on rodent models of inflammation and adjuvant arthritis. CTX had significant anti-inflammatory effects in models of egg white induced nonspecific inflammation, filter paper induced rat granuloma formation, and capillary osmosis tests. CTX significantly reduced the swelling of paw induced by egg white, the inflammatory exudation, and the formation of granulomas. CTX reduced the swelling of paw, the AA clinical scores, and pathological alterations of joint. CTX significantly decreased the number of the CD4 T cells and inhibited the expression of relevant proinflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IL-6. CTX significantly inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 and reduced the level of p-STAT3 in FLS. These results suggest that CTX inhibits inflammation and inflammatory pain and adjuvant-induced arthritis. CTX may be a novel therapeutic drug for treatment of arthritis.

Frying stability of rapeseed Kizakinonatane (Brassica napus) oil in comparison with canola oil.

This study was carried out to investigate the frying performance of Kizakinonatane (Brassica napus) oil during deep-fat frying of frozen French fries with/without replenishment. Commercial regular canola oil was used for comparison. The frying oils were used during intermittent frying of frozen French fries at 180, 200, and 220 ℃ for 7 h daily over four consecutive days. The Kizakinonatane oil exhibited lower levels of total polar compounds, carbonyl value, and viscosity as well as comparable color (optical density) values to that of the canola oil. The monounsaturated fatty acid/polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios were lower than that of canola oil, whereas the polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid ratios are higher than that of canola oil after heating. Results showed that fresh Kizakinonatane oil contains higher levels of acid value, viscosity, optical density values, tocopherols, and total phenolics contents than that of canola oil. Replenishment with fresh oil had significant effects on all chemical and physical parameters, except the acid value of the Kizakinonatane oil during frying processes. Based on the results, the Kizakinonatane oil is inherently suitable for preparing deep-fried foods at high temperatures.

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of acid-pretreated rapeseed meal for succinic acid production using Actinobacillus succinogenes.

Rapeseed meal was evaluated for succinic acid production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation using Actinobacillus succinogenes ATCC 55618. Diluted sulfuric acid pretreatment and subsequent hydrolysis with pectinase was used to release sugars from rapeseed meal. The effects of culture pH, pectinase loading and yeast extract concentration on succinic acid production were investigated. When simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of diluted acid pretreated rapeseed meal with a dry matter content of 12.5% (w/v) was performed at pH 6.4 and a pectinase loading of 2% (w/w, on dry matter) without supplementation of yeast extract, a succinic acid concentration of 15.5 g/L was obtained at a yield of 12.4 g/100g dry matter. Fed-batch simultaneous saccharification and fermentation was carried out with supplementation of concentrated pretreated rapeseed meal and pectinase at 18 and 28 h to yield a final dry matter content of 20.5% and pectinase loading of 2%, with the succinic acid concentration enhanced to 23.4 g/L at a yield of 11.5 g/100g dry matter and a productivity of 0.33 g/(Lh). This study suggests that rapeseed meal may be an alternative substrate for the efficient production of succinic acid by A. succinogenes without requiring nitrogen source supplementation.