Ultra-broadband TM-pass polarizer based on anisotropic metamaterials in lithium niobate on an insulator.

An ultra-broadband TM-pass polarizer is designed, fabricated, and experimentally demonstrated based on subwavelength grating (SWG) metamaterials in a lithium niobate on an insulator (LNOI) platform. According to our simulation, the designed device is predicted to work at a 220 nm wavelength range from 1460 to 1680 nm, covering the S-, C-, L-, U-bands of optical fiber communication. By depositing and subsequently etching a silicon nitride thin film atop the LNOI chip, the SWG structures are formed successfully by using complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible fabrication processes. The measured results show a high polarization extinction ratio larger than 20 dB and a relatively low insertion loss below 2.5 dB over a 130 nm wavelength range from 1500 to 1630 nm, mainly limited by the operation bandwidth of our laser source.

Determination of α-Dicarbonyl compounds in traditional Chinese herbal medicines.

α-DCs (α-dicarbonyls) have been proven to be closely related to aging and the onset and development of many chronic diseases. The wide presence of this kind of components in various foods and beverages has been unambiguously determined, but their occurrence in various phytomedicines remains in obscurity. In this study, we established and evaluated an HPLC-UV method and used it to measure the contents of four α-DCs including 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), glyoxal (GO), methylglyoxal (MGO), and diacetyl (DA) in 35 Chinese herbs after they have been derivatized with 4-nitro-1,2-phenylenediamine. The results uncover that 3-DG is the major component among the α-DCs, being detectable in all the selected herbs in concentrations ranging from 22.80 µg/g in the seeds of Alpinia katsumadai to 7032.75 µg/g in the fruit of Siraitia grosuenorii. The contents of the other three compounds are much lower than those of 3-DG, with GO being up to 22.65 µg/g, MGO being up to 55.50 µg/g, and DA to 18.75 µg/g, respectively. The data show as well the contents of the total four α-DCs in the herbs are generally in a comparable level to those in various foods, implying that herb medicines may have potential risks on human heath in view of the α-DCs.

The residues and health risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Pheretima (an earthworm-derived traditional medicine) from southeastern China.

Minimal research exists on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), despite their significant contributions to domestic and international health protection. This study is the first to investigate the levels, profiles, and health risks of PCB residue in Pheretima, a typical TCM produced from earthworm. Seventy-seven Pheretima samples from different regions of China were analyzed for 45 PCB congeners. PCBs were found in all samples exhibiting species-dependent discrepancies. ∑45PCBs was ranging from 0.532 to 25.2 µg/kg (mean 4.46 µg/kg), with CB-11 being the most abundant congener contributing 71.8% ± 10.8% to ∑45PCBs, followed by CB-47, which were all non-Aroclor congeners called unintentionally produced PCBs (UP-PCBs). The average estimated daily intake of ∑45PCBs, ∑7ID-PCBs (indicative polychlorinated biphenyls), and CB-11 were 0.71, 0.04, and 0.51 ng/kg bw/d, respectively. The ∑HQ of PCBs in Pheretima samples was 2.97 × 10-4-2.46 × 10-2 (mean 2.77 × 10-3, 95th 4.21 × 10-3), while the ∑RQ ranged from 1.19 × 10-8 to 2.88 × 10-6 (mean 4.87 × 10-7, 95th 2.31 × 10-6). These findings indicate that Pheretima ingestion does not pose significant non-carcinogenic risks. However, certain individual samples exhibit an acceptable level of potential risks, particularly when considering that PCBs are recognized as endocrine disruptors and classified as probable carcinogens. These results contribute to the safety evaluation of traditional medicines and suggest the potential use of Pheretima as a bioindicator for PCB pollution. It is advisable to monitor UP-PCBs as indicator congeners and gather additional toxicological data.

Herbal compound cepharanthine attenuates inflammatory arthritis by blocking macrophage M1 polarization.

OBJECTIVE: Cepharanthine (CEP) is a drug candidate for tumor, viral infection, and some inflammatory diseases, but its effect on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the underlying mechanism are incompletely understood. METHODS: CEP was administered intraperitoneally to a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Joints went radiological and histological examination and serum cytokines were examined with cytometry-based analysis. M1 macrophages were induced from THP-1 cells or mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages with LPS and IFN-γ. Bulk RNA-seq was performed on macrophage undergoing M1-polarizatioin. Western blotting was applied to determine pathways involved in monocyte chemotaxis and polarization. Glycolysis metabolites were measured by chemiluminescence while glycolytic enzymes were examined by quantitative PCR. RESULTS: We found CEP significantly ameliorated synovial inflammation and joint destruction of CIA mice. It downregulated TNF-α levels in serum and in joints. The number of M1 macrophages were reduced in CEP-treated mice. In vitro, CEP inhibited monocyte chemotaxis to MCP-1 by downregulating CCR2 and reducing ERK1/2 signaling. Additionally, CEP suppressed M1 polarization of macrophages induced by LPS and IFN-γ. Genes involved in IFN-γ signaling, IL-6-JAK/STAT3 signaling, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation process were downregulated by CEP. Several enzymes critically involved in glycolytic metabolism were suppressed by CEP, which resulted in reduced citrate in M1-polarizing macrophages. The inhibitory effect of CEP on macrophage polarization might be attributed to the blockage of TLRs-MyD88/IRAK4-IRF5 signaling pathway together with suppression of overactivated glycolytic metabolism in M1-polarizing macrophages. CONCLUSION: CEP attenuated joint inflammation by suppressing monocyte chemotaxis and proinflammatory differentiation. It has the potential to be developed into a complementary or alternative therapy for RA.

[Effects of nitrogen addition on acidolyzable organic nitrogen components and nitrogen mineralization in aggregates of Pinus massoniana plantations in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China]. / æ°®æ·»åŠ å¯¹ä¸‰å³¡åº“åŒºé©¬å°¾æ¾äººå·¥æž—åœŸå£¤å›¢èšä½“æœ‰æœºæ°®ç»„åˆ†å’Œæ°®çŸ¿åŒ–çš„å½±å“.

We sieved soils from a Pinus massoniana plantation in the Three Gorges Reservoir area into four aggregate sizes, including aggregates of 2000-8000 µm (large macroaggregates), 1000-2000 µm (coarse aggregates), 250-1000 µm (small macroaggregates), and <250 µm (microaggregates). We analyzed the differences in the acidolyzable organic N components and net N mineralization of the aggregates under different N addition levels (30, 60, and 90 kg N·hm-2·a-1, representing by N30, N60 and N90, respectively). The results showed that net nitrification rate of the aggregates ranged from 0.30-3.42 mg N·kg-1 and accounted for more than 80% of net nitrogen mineralization. Compared with the control, addition of 30, 60, and 90 kg N·hm-2·a-1 increased total N by 24.1%-45.5%, 6.4%-34.3%, and 7.9%-42.4% in the large aggregates, coarse aggregate, small macroaggregates, and microaggregates, increased net N mineralization rate by 1.3-7.2, 1.4-6.6, and 1.8-12.9 times, but decreased the contents of available phosphorus by 9.3%-36.9%, 12.2%-56.7%, and 19.2%-61.9%, respectively. The contents of total acidolyzable N, soil organic matter, and rates of net ammonification, net nitrification, and net N mineralization increased as the aggregate size decreased, while available phosphorus contents showed an opposite trend. The levels of acid-hydrolyzable N components were ranked as acidolyzable amino acid N > acidolyzable ammonia N > acidolyzable unknown N> acidolyzable amino sugar N. Total N was the dominant contributor to the increases in acid-hydrolyzable N components. Results of stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that acidoly-zable amino acid N and acidolyzable amino sugar N were predictors of net ammonification rate. Acidolyzable amino sugar N, acidolyzable amino acid N, and acidolyzable ammonia N were predictors of net nitrification, net nitrogen mineralization rate, and net nitrogen mineralization accumulation. The physical structure of aggregates was associa-ted with soil net N mineralization. Addition of N increased the contents and bioavailability of acidolyzable organic N, a large amount of which contributed to soil organic matter levels and the decrease in available phosphorus.

Selenium deficiency-induced high concentration of reactive oxygen species restricts hypertrophic growth of skeletal muscle in juvenile zebrafish by suppressing TORC1-mediated protein synthesis.

Se deficiency causes impaired growth of fish skeletal muscle due to the retarded hypertrophy of muscle fibres. However, the inner mechanisms remain unclear. According to our previous researches, we infer this phenomenon is associated with Se deficiency-induced high concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could suppress the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) pathway-mediated protein synthesis by inhibiting protein kinase B (Akt), an upstream protein of TORC1. To test this hypothesis, juvenile zebrafish (45 d post-fertilisation) were fed a basal Se-adequate diet or a basal Se-deficient diet or them supplemented with an antioxidant (DL-α-tocopherol acetate, designed as VE) or a TOR activator (MHY1485) for 30 d. Zebrafish fed Se-deficient diets exhibited a clear Se-deficient status in skeletal muscle, which was not influenced by dietary VE and MHY1485. Se deficiency significantly elevated ROS concentrations, inhibited Akt activity and TORC1 pathway, suppressed protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, and impaired hypertrophy of skeletal muscle fibres. However, these negative effects of Se deficiency were partly (except that on ROS concentration) alleviated by dietary MHY1485 and completely alleviated by dietary VE. These data strongly support our speculation that Se deficiency-induced high concentration of ROS exerts a clear inhibiting effect on TORC1 pathway-mediated protein synthesis by regulating Akt activity, thereby restricting the hypertrophy of skeletal muscle fibres in fish. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for Se deficiency-caused retardation of fish skeletal muscle growth, contributing to a better understanding of the nutritional necessity and regulatory mechanisms of Se in fish muscle physiology.

[Screening of an Armillaria gallica strain for Gastrodia elata cultivation].

This study aims to screen a strain from Armillaria for the cultivation of Gastrodia elata. Specifically, Armillaria strains were isolated from different producing areas of G. elata and identified. Based on the growth characteristics of the strains and the experiment on the cultivation of G. elata, an optimal A. gallica strain was screened out. The specific process is as follows. The fungus-gro-wing materials of G. elata were collected from four producing areas and the Armillaria strains were isolated(G,Y,S,H). The strains were then identified based on morphological observation and phylogeny analysis and the commonly used strains were determined. The sucrase genotypes of the strains were identified according to our previous research findings, and the growth characteristics of the strains, such as growth rate, diameter, dry weight, and polysaccharide content of the rhizomorphs, were measured. According to the biological characteristics and sucrase genotypes, two strains were selected for the cultivation of G. elata. The tuber yield and the content of gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol in the tuber of G. elata were measured to select the optimal strain. The results showed that the four strains were all A. gallica. The rhizomorphs of strains G and H of the same sucrase genotype had larger/higher length, growth rate, diameter, branch number, dry weight, and polysaccharide content than those of strains S and Y of the same sucrase genotype. The tuber yield and the total content of gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol in tuber of G. elata cultivated with strain H were 6.528 kg·m~(-2) and 0.566%, respectively, which were 4.58 and 1.30 folds those of G. elata cultivated with strain S. Strains H and S were screened out from four strains of A. gallica based on the growth characteristics and sucrase genotype. According to the tuber yield and content of total gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol in the tuber of G. elata, strain H was identified as the optimal one. The findings in this study are expected to lay a basis for cultivating G. elata with high yield and quality of tubers.

Environmentally relevant concentrations of selenite trigger reproductive toxicity by affecting oocyte development and promoting larval apoptosis.

As a trace element, selenium (Se) has been widely added to food to maintain the physiological homeostasis of the organism. The adverse effects of Se on the reproduction of zebrafish have been investigated, however, the effects of Se on the maturation and apoptosis of zebrafish oocytes remain unclear. In this study, zebrafish embryos (2 h post fertilization, hpf) were exposed to 0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg Se/L for 120 days. The results demonstrated that exposure to selenite decreased the gonad-somatic index (GSI) and cumulative production of eggs, inhibited oocyte maturation (OM), and increased oocyte apoptosis in females. Exposure to selenite decreased the contents of sex hormones (E2) in the serum and increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the ovary. Furthermore, exposure to selenite downregulated the transcription level of genes on the HPG axis, decreased the phosphorylation level of CyclinB and the protein content of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (Pka), and upregulated the expression of genes (eif2s1a and chop) and proteins (Grp78, Chop) related to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and apoptosis. Moreover, maternal exposure to selenite resulted in the apoptosis of offspring and upregulated the content of ROS and the transcription level of genes related to ERS and apoptosis.

Pharmacovigilance of Herb-Drug Interactions: A Pharmacokinetic Study on the Combined Administration of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets and Leflunomide Tablets in Rats by LC-MS/MS.

A popular and widely used combination therapy of leflunomide (LEF) and Tripterygium glycosides tablets (TGTS) has become a valuable clinical tool in China for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This regimen has not been evaluated either in terms of interaction or toxicity, even given the rising concerns about LEF's prolonged elimination half-life and TGT's narrow therapeutic index, in addition to the current trend of using high doses of LEF. Thus, this study determines the potential adverse drug reactions between these two medicines. Reliable validated LC-MS/MS methods were used for the determination of teriflunomide (TER, the only active metabolite of LEF), and the main components of TGT: wilforlide A, wilforgine, wilfortrine, wilfordine, and wilforine. The results obtained from this investigation, as paralleled with the control groups, revealed that the Cmax and AUC0-t of TER were significantly decreased with separate co-administration, as the Cmax and AUC0-t were 30.17 ± 1.55 µg/mL and 24.47 ± 2.50 µg/mL, 374.55 ± 15.54 µg h/mL and 336.94 ± 21.19 µg h/mL, respectively (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the pharmacokinetic profiles of the main components of TGT have also been affected by separate co-administration in rats. Therefore, herb−drug interactions between LEF and TGT have been proven.

High-Performance and Rapid-Response Electrical Heaters Derived from Cellulose Nanofiber/Silver Nanowire Nanopapers for Portable Thermal Management.

High-performance electrical heaters with outstanding flexibility, superior portability, and mechanical properties are highly desirable for portable thermal management. However, it is still a huge challenge to simultaneously achieve competent electrical heating performances and excellent mechanical properties. Herein, inspired by the Janus structure, versatile electrical heaters are developed via a sequential assembly followed by a hot-pressing strategy. The elaborately designed Janus structure is composed of a nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) layer and a partially wrapped silver nanowire (AgNW) skeleton in the NFC substrate. Owing to the perfect introduction of nano-soldered points induced by thermal welding decoration, the resultant NFC/AgNW papers (NAPs) possess great flexibility, excellent mechanical strength (176.75 MPa), extremely low sheet resistance (0.60 Ω/sq), and superior electrical stabilities against mechanical deformations. Moreover, benefitting from these fascinating attributes, the NAP-based electrical heaters exhibit a remarkable heating temperature (∼220 °C), ultrafast electro-thermal response (<10 s), and groundbreaking long-term stability (∼105 °C for >186 h) and repeatability (>20,000 cycles) with low AgNW contents and driving voltages (0.5-5.0 V), which far surpass those of the previously reported and conventional indium tin oxide-based Joule heaters. Impressively, large-area production feasibilities of NAPs are demonstrated and assembled into multifunctional applications, including personal thermal management, healthcare thermotherapy, multifunctional cups, and smart homes, indicating their promising potential for wearable devices, artificial intelligence, and specific heating systems in the fields of aerospace, military, and intelligent life.

Biosynthesis and prebiotic activity of a linear levan from a new Paenibacillus isolate.

Levan, a type of ß (2→6)-linked fructan, is a promising biopolymer with distinct properties and extensive applications in the fields of food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, etc. However, the commercial availability of levan is still limited due to the relatively high production costs. Here, a new Paenibacillus sp. strain FP01 was isolated and identified as an efficient fructan producer with high yield (around 89.5 g/L fructan was obtained under 180 g/L sucrose) and conversation rate (49.7%). The fructan named Plev was structurally characterized as a linear levan-type fructan with a molecular mass of 3.11 × 106 Da. Aqueous solutions of Plev exhibited a non-Newtonian behavior at concentrations 3-5%. Heating and chilling had no obvious effects on apparent viscosities of Plev solutions. Plev also had good rheological stabilities toward pH (3-11) and metal salts (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+). Microbiome and metabolome analysis showed that Plev intervention increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria and elevated the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces of mice. Taken together, Plev could be considered a potential thickener and prebiotic supplement in food industry.Key points• Paenibacillus sp. strain FP01 was identified as a high-efficient levan producer.• The levan Plev from FP01 exhibited good rheological properties and stabilities.• The in vivo prebiotic activities of linear levan were revealed.

Mogrol, an aglycone of mogrosides, attenuates ulcerative colitis by promoting AMPK activation.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a non-specific chronic inflammatory disease. The incidence of UC in China has been increasing in recent years. Mogrol is an aglycone of mogrosides. Studies have shown that mogrosides have anti-oxygenation, anti-inflammatory, and laxative effects as well as other biological activities. PURPOSE: To investigate the beneficial effects of mogrol on UC and identify its underlying mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN: We used the dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced UC model in mice, TNF-α-damaged NCM460 colonic epithelial cells, macrophage cells THP-M stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) / adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) to confirm the key role of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) activation. METHODS: Histological evaluation, immunohistochemical staining, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence assay and quantitative real time-PCR were used in the study. RESULTS: Oral administration of mogrol (5 mg/kg/daily) in vivo significantly attenuated pathological colonic damage, inhibited inflammatory infiltration and improved the abnormal expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in colonic mucosa via the AMPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. In vitro, mogrol protected against intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction by activating AMPK in TNF-α-treated NCM460 cells and inhibited the production of inflammatory mediator in LPS-stimulated THP-M cells. Furthermore, mogrol's effects were reversed by compound C intervention in DSS-induced UC model. CONCLUSION: Mogrol exerts protective effects in experimental UC and inhibits production of inflammatory mediators through activation of AMPK-mediated signaling pathways.

Treatment of microcystin (MC-LR) and nutrients in eutrophic water by constructed wetlands: Performance and microbial community.

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms and microcystins (MCs) pollution pose serious threat to aquatic ecosystem and public health. Planted and unplanted constructed wetlands (CWs) filled with four substrates (i.e., gravel (G-CWs), ceramsite (C-CWs), iron-carbon (I-CWs) and slag (S-CWs)) were established to evaluate nutrients and a typical MCs variant (i.e., MC-LR) removal efficiency from eutrophic water affected by the presence of plant and different substrate. The response of the microbial community to the above factors was also analyzed in this study. The results indicate that the presence of plant can generally enhance nutrients and MC-LR removal efficiency in CWs, except for I-CWs. Throughout the experiment, all CWs exhibited good nitrogen removal efficiency with removal percentages exceeding 90%; TP and MC-LR average removal efficiency of C-CWs and I-CWs were greater than G-CWs and S-CWs irrespective of the presence of plant. The best MC-LR removal efficiency under different MC-LR loads was observed in planted C-CWs (ranged from 91.56% to 95.16%). Except for I-CWs, the presence of plant can enhance relative abundances of functional microorganisms involved in nutrients removal (e.g., Comamonadaceae and Planctomycetaceae) and MCs degradation (e.g., Burkholderiaceae). The microbial community diversity of I-CWs was simplified, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was highest in this study. The highest relative abundances of Comamonadaceae, Planctomycetaceae and Burkholderiaceae were observed in planted C-CWs. Overall, ceramisite and iron-carbon were more suitable to be applied in CWs for nutrients and MC-LR removal. This study provides a theoretical basis for practical application of CWs in eutrophication and MCs pollution control.

Spinal cord injury causes insulin resistance associated with PI3K signaling pathway in hypothalamus.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and may induce insulin resistance that leads to this disease. Studies have shown that greater phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation in the hypothalamus leads to activation of the anti-inflammatory pathway, and the anti-inflammatory reflex may protect against insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. However, the importance of this phenomenon in type 2 diabetes pathogenesis after SCI remains elusive. In the present study, the expression of c-Fos in the hypothalamus of rats with SCI was elevated, and the hypothalamus injury was observer following SCI. Then we showed that SCI could induce increased levels of blood glucose and glucose tolerance in rats. Also, we found that SCI could damage the liver, adipocyte and pancreas, and led to lipid position in liver. Western blots were used to detect the level of PI3K and p-Akt in the hypothalamus, and the results showed a significant downregulation of PI3K and p-Akt after SCI. Furthermore, to verify the activity of the PI3K signaling pathway, immunofluorescence was used to examine the expression of neurons positive for p-S6 (a marker of PI3K activation) after SCI. The results showed that the expression of p-S6-positive neurons decreased after SCI. In addition, the effect of SCI on peripheral inflammation was also investigated. Following SCI, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 increased. Collectively, our results suggest abnormality in glucose metabolism after SCI, and demonstrate that SCI may impair activation of the PI3K signaling pathway in the hypothalamus. The reduced activity of the PI3K signaling pathway in the hypothalamus may lead to peripheral inflammation, which might be the mechanism underlying the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes following SCI.

Greenhouse gas emissions and wastewater treatment performance by three plant species in subsurface flow constructed wetland mesocosms.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from constructed wetlands (CWs) have raised environmental concern and thus offset their environmental and ecological benefits. This study evaluated the influence of plant species, i.e., Canna indica (C. indica), Cyperus alternifolius (C. alternifolius), Phragmites australis (P. australis) and unplanted control, on GHG emissions, pollutant removal and associated microbial abundance in subsurface flow constructed wetland (SSFCW) mesocosms. C. indica outperformed the other tested plant species in pollutant removal, and the presence of plants irrespective of species enhanced the removal efficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus and organics in SSFCW mesocosms compared to unplanted control. The greatest carbon dioxide (CO2) flux (582.01 ±â€¯89.25 mg/m2/h), methane (CH4) flux (21.88 ±â€¯2.51 µg/m2/h) and nitrous oxide (N2O) flux (37.27 ±â€¯15.82 µg/m2/h) were observed in mesocosms planted with C. indica, P. australis and C.alternifolius, respectively. Unexpectedly, the mcrA and pmoA genes were not detected in any mesocosms. For denitrifiers, the N2O fluxes showed a significantly (p < 0.05) positive correlation with nirS and nirK genes abundance. The abundance of nosZ gene (ranged from 0.18 × 104 to 0.75 × 104 copies/mg gravel) and nosZ/(nirS + nirK) (ranged from 1.29 × 10-4 to 2.12 × 10-4 copies/mg gravel) in this study was lower than that in most reported studies. Regarding the global warming potential (GWP), the lowest value was observed in mesocosms planted with C. indica. In conclusion, C. indica is selected as the optimal plant species in this study due to its lower GWP and excellent pollutant removal performance.

Promising hen egg-derived proteins/peptides (EDPs) for food engineering, natural products and precision medicines.

Hen eggs (HEs) provide valuable nutrients for humans, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and vitamins. Recent studies revealed a number of novel egg-derived proteins/peptides (EDPs), and EDPs may play a crucial role in food industry and medical therapy. First, these EDPs were purified from the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysates of egg proteins and were characterized by biochemical assays such as gel electrophoresis, HPLC, mass spectrometry, proteomic and peptideomic analysis, etc. Second, some EDPs can be used as nontoxic bio-preservatives and functional nutraceuticals for replacing harmful sodium nitrite, inhibiting foodborne pathogens, promoting metal-ion absorption and improving meat-product quality, and these new features will be widely used in the field of food production. Third, novel medical properties of EDPs comprise anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities, which will benefit prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetic mellitus, immune disorders, etc. In summary, this review gives a real insight into the novel nutritional, biological and medical functions of EDPs, predictably facilitating the applications of EDPs in production of nutritive supplements, functional nutraceuticals and therapeutic medicines.

EARLY VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENTATION IMPROVES THE OUTCOME OF RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN EXTREMELY PRETERM INFANTS.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the efficacy and safety of early vitamin A (VA) supplementation to improve outcomes of retinopathy of prematurity in extremely preterm infants. METHODS: A total of 262 eligible extremely preterm infants underwent randomization; of these, 132 were assigned to the VA group and 130 to the control group. The infants were administered a solution of VA (1,500 IU/day), added to their enteral feeds as soon as minimal feeding was introduced and continued for 28 days or until discharge. RESULTS: With no adverse effects occurring, serum VA of the VA-supplemented infants on Days 14, 28, and postmenstrual 36 weeks was higher than that of the placebo group (P < 0.001). No signs of VA toxicity or increased intracranial pressure were reported. The VA group had lower unadjusted rates of Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (1.6 vs. 6.9%, P = 0.030) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (18.9 vs. 33.8%, P = 0.008) than the control group. Regression analysis revealed an association between serum VA levels and risk of Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (beta = -2.37). CONCLUSION: Vitamin A supplementation reduced VA deficiency in extremely preterm infants; it was associated with a decreased incidence of Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity and may also have a positive impact on reducing bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Toxic effects of triptolide on adrenal steroidogenesis in H295R cells and female rats.

Triptolide (TP), a major active ingredient of Tripterygium wilfordii, exerts potent immunosuppressive effects in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but is not widely used in clinical practice due to its multiorgan toxicity, particularly hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. An LC-MS/MS approach was employed to explore the endocrine-disrupting effects of TP. The endocrine-disrupting effects of various concentrations (0-100 nM) of TP for 48 hour were firstly investigated using an in vitro model (H295R cell line). It was found that TP did not decrease cell viability. The transcriptional levels of steroidogenic enzymes in H295R cells were assessed by quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction. The possible adrenal and endocrine effects of oral administration of TP (0, 50, and 500 µg/kg) for 28 days on both normal and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats were also explored. The serum and adrenal tissue hormone levels (corticosterone and progesterone) and adrenal histopathology were analyzed, with the results that TP significantly decreased the level of cortisol in H295R cells and the level of plasma corticosterone in both normal and CIA rats. Histological alterations in adrenal cortex were observed at the dose of 500 µg/kg. Exposure to TP for 48 hour had an obvious inhibitory effect on the messenger RNA transcript levels of HSD3B2, CYP21A2, CYP17A1, and CYP11B1, which is essential for the synthesis of corticosteroids. In a word, TP leads to the disorder of corticosteroid synthesis and secretion, and corticosteroid may be a potential biomarker for the treatment of multiorgan toxicity of TP.

Acupuncture for diminished ovarian reserve: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The choice of treatments for diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) still remains a challenging clinical problem in reproductive medicine. Acupuncture could be beneficial for patients with DOR. This study aims to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of the acupuncture for women with DOR. METHODS: We will search electronic databases including PubMed (1946 to present), EMBASE (1974 to present), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, all years), Web of Science (1900 to present), Chinese Biomedical Literatures Database (CBM, 1978 to present), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, 1979 to present), WANFANG Data (from 2000 to present) to identify potentially eligible studies. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be included. Experimental interventions include traditional or contemporary acupuncture. Control interventions include no treatment, sham acupuncture, placebo acupuncture, or another active therapy. The primary outcomes include ongoing pregnancy rate and serum anti-Müllerian hormone level. A meta-analysis will be used to estimate a pooled intervention effect if possible. RESULTS: The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: The findings will provide further evidence for the management of DOR. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018114385.

Possible clues for camptothecin biosynthesis from the metabolites in camptothecin-producing plants.

The plant derived camptothecin (CPT) is a pentacyclic pyrroloquinoline alkaloid with unique antitumor activity. Successive discoveries of new CPT-producing plants occurred in recent years due to market demands. The scattered distribution among angiosperms drew researchers' attention. The aim of this review is to appraise the literature available to date for CPT distribution and the phytochemistry of these CPT-producing plants. Metabolite comparative analyses between the plants were also conducted for tracking of possible clues for CPT biosynthesis. Forty-three plant species in total were reported to possess CPT-producing capability, and one hundred twenty-five alkaloids classified into three major categories are summarized herein. Metabolite comparative analysis between these plants suggests the probability that the formation of the central intermediate for CPT biosynthesis has multiple origins. A more complete biogenetic reasoning for CPT and its structural homolog was delineated based on this fragmentary phytochemical evidence from a chemical point of view. Furthermore, an in-house compound database was constructed for further metabolomic analysis.