Improved sustained-release properties of ginger essential oil in a Pickering emulsion system incorporated in sodium alginate film and delayed postharvest senescence of mango fruits.

The insufficient water vapor barrier and mechanical capacity of sodium alginate (SA) film limited its application in fruit preservation. Herein, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were used to stabilize Pickering emulsion. Then, we prepared SA composite films. Ginger essential oil (GEO) was loaded as antimicrobials and antioxidants. Finally, the application on mangos were investigated. Compared to coarse emulsion, Pickering emulsion and its film-formation-solution showed more stable system and larger droplet size. The emulsion significantly changed the properties of SA film. Specifically, CNCs improved the thermal, tensile, and barrier properties of the film and GEO enhanced the ultraviolet-visible light barrier capacity. Additionally, the SA/CNC film possessed a homogeneous micromorphology which had a sustained-release effect on GEO, thus maintaining high postharvest quality and long-term bioavailability for mangos. In conclusion, the film prepared via Pickering emulsion showed satisfactory properties which had great potential in fruit preservation.

Development and characterization of a novel active and intelligent film based on pectin and betacyanins from peel waste of pitaya (Hylocereus undatus).

In the present study, peel waste of pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) was used to develop a novel active and functional film. The film was developed with a combination of the white-fleshed pitaya peel pectin (WPPP) as a biopolymer and white-fleshed pitaya peel betacyanins (WPPB) as an active constituent, respectively. Furthermore, montmorillonite (MMT), a cheap and environmental-friendly silicate material, was introduced into film matrix as a filler to reduce the moisture sensitivity of the film. The effect of the incorporation of WPPB on the properties of WPPP/MMT films was investigated. The colorimetric response of WPPP/MMT/WPPB to pH and ammonia was examined, respectively. Moreover, WPPP/MMT/WPPB-2 was employed to monitor the freshness of shrimp. The color of the film changed from redness to reddish-brown, and further to brownness, echoing the shrimp turned from fresh to spoiled. Therefore, WPPP/MMT/WPPB-2 composite films showed promise for the applications in monitoring the freshness of shrimp.

Preparation, physicochemical characterization, and cytotoxicity of selenium nanoparticles stabilized by Oudemansiella raphanipies polysaccharide.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have attracted substantial attention recently owing to their excellent bioavailability and low toxicity. In the present study, Oudemansiella raphanipies polysaccharide (ORPS)-decorated selenium nanoparticles (ORPS-SeNPs) were synthesized, and their physicochemical, storage stability, and antiproliferative activities were assessed by cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis experiments. The results revealed that orange-red, zero-valent, amorphous and spherical SeNPs with a mean diameter of approximately 60 nm were successfully prepared by using ORPS as a capping agent. Furthermore, the ORPS-SeNPs solution stored at 4 °C in the dark was stable for at least 90 days. Moreover, ORPS-SeNPs treatment inhibited the proliferation of four cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, while no significant cytotoxicity towards human mesangial cell (HMC) cell lines was observed. Compared with their sensitivities to the other cancer cell lines (SGC-7901 and HT-29), the sensitivity of ORPS-SeNPs towards 786-O cells was higher, with an IC50 value of 18.88 ± 1.52 mg/L. Furthermore, the apoptotic pathway triggered by ORPS-SeNPs in 786-O cells was determined to be induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) imbalance and mitochondria-mediated pathways and to eventually result in cellular oxidative stress damage. The results of this study suggest that ORPS-SeNPs can be developed as a potential treatment for cancer, especially human renal carcinoma.

Impact of drinking Chinese green tea on postoperative short outcomes for gastric cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Early intake after surgery can decrease postoperative ileus. Several studies show coffee can stimulate bowel activity and be safe in patients after elective colectomy, mainly due to caffeine. It was postulated that drinking Chinese green tea as rich caffeine beverage after subtotal distal gastrectomy accelerates postoperative recovery in patients. METHOD: This was a single-centre parallel open-label randomized trial. Patients with gastric cancer undergoing robotic or laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy were randomly allocated to receive drinking Chinese green tea (GT group) or potable water (PW group) after surgery. The primary endpoint was the time to gastrointestinal function recovery and tolerance of solid food, and the secondary endpoints included the incidence of postoperative complications, symptoms of postoperative adverse reaction, length of stay, pain as assessed by analgesic consumption and a visual analogue scale, and fatigue as assessed by a fatigue score model. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were recruited, 40 to each group. Patient characteristics were similar in both groups. The GT group showed significantly shorter time to gastrointestinal function recovery compared with PW group to first flatus (47.23 ± 13.46 vs. 76.96 ± 20.35, P < 0.001), first bowel motion (78.70 ± 25.77 vs. 125.76 ± 36.25, P < 0.001) and tolerance of solid food (62.20 ± 16.15 vs. 98.66 ± 20.15, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Drinking Chinese green tea after robotic or laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy is safe and promotes postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function, also was an add method with strengthening analgesia and anti-inflammatory effect in the presence of the Enhance Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program. Registration number: ChiCTR1800018294 ( http://www.chictr.org.cn ).

Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) on Postoperative Recovery in Patients with Gastric Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is an innovative choice for postoperative pain management. However, the safety and effectiveness of this traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for patients who underwent gastrectomy is largely unknown. So, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TEAS for patients who underwent gastrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recruited 96 patients with gastric cancer from May 2019 to November 2019; 82 patients were enrolled, and 81 patients completed. Patients were randomly assigned to TEAS group (TG) received TEAS on postoperative day (POD) 1-3 or control group (CG) at a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcomes were pain score and consumption of analgesics. The secondary were the time of first postoperative flatus and defecation, frequency of postoperative nausea, vomiting, distention, diarrhea, comfort of semi-fluid diet, Clavien-Dindo grade (C-D grade) and length of postoperative day. We performed hematological analysis to explore the possible mechanisms. RESULTS: Overall, 81 patients were enrolled included in the analysis. Compared with CG, pain scores in TG were lower on POD 1-5 (average: 2.55±0.21 vs 3.10±0.42, P<0.001), and the use rate of opioids was lower (43.9 vs 75.0, P=0.004); time of first postoperative flatus (55.63±16.74 vs 72.60±20.92, P<0.001) and defecation (72.20±16.24 vs 95.78±17.75, P<0.001) were shorter; the frequency of nausea were fewer (1.88±1.09 vs 2.58±0.77, P=0.029) and patients were more comfortable with semi-fluid diet (7.63±0.63 vs 6.93±0.69, P<0.001); among the hematologic results, ß-endorphin (ß-End), interleukin-2 (IL-2), motilin (MTL) on POD 3, POD 5 were lower, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were higher. And no adverse event was reported. CONCLUSION: TEAS can relieve postoperative pain and promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function. Consequently, it can be an adjunctive therapy to enhance postoperative recovery for patients after gastrectomy.

Multiple 1-MCP treatment more effectively alleviated postharvest nectarine chilling injury than conventional one-time 1-MCP treatment by regulating ROS and energy metabolism.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of different 1-MCP treatment patterns on alleviating chilling injury (CI) of postharvest nectarine stored at 0 ± 1 °C. Nectarine fruits were subjected to the following treatments: Single-High dose 1-MCP treatment (S-H): 1 µL L-1 application before storage; Multi-low dose 1-MCP treatment: (M-L) Five 0.25 µL L-1 applications after 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 d of storage; Multi-high dose 1-MCP treatment (M-H): Five 1 µL L-1 applications after 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 d of storage. The results showed that although all 1-MCP treatments alleviated CI, M-H 1-MCP treatment is the most effective pattern in alleviating CI of nectarine fruit in S-H, M-L, and M-H 1-MCP treatments. Moreover, this study indicated that the reduction of CI in nectarine by 1-MCP application was related to its regulations of ROS and energy metabolism.

Inhibitory Effect of Condensed Tannins from Banana Pulp on Cholesterol Esterase and Mechanisms of Interaction.

In the present study, the inhibitory effect of condensed tannins (CTs) on cholesterol esterase (CEase) was studied. The underlying mechanisms were evaluated by reaction kinetics, turbidity and particle size analyses, multispectroscopy methods, thermodynamics, and computer molecular simulations. CTs showed potent CEase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 64.19 µg/mL, and the CEase activity decreased with increasing CT content in a mixed-competitive manner, which was verified by molecular docking simulations. Fluorescence and UV-vis measurements revealed that complexes were formed from CEase and CTs by noncovalent interaction. Isothermal titration calorimetry indicated that the interaction between CEase and CTs occurred through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Circular dichroism analysis suggested that CTs inhibited the activity of CEase by altering the secondary structure of CEase. The inhibition of CTs on CEase in the gastrointestinal tract might be one mechanism for its cholesterol-lowering effect.

IGF-1 reverses the osteogenic inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts via PI3K/AKT/COX-2 pathway.

Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis (GIOP) is a prevalent clinical complication caused by large dose administration of glucocorticoids, such as Dexamethasone (Dex) and Prednisone. GIOP may lead to fractures and even Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head (ONFH). It has been reported that glucocorticoids inhibit osteogenesis via the suppression of osteogenic differentiation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), but the precise mechanism underlying this suppression awaits further investigation. Meanwhile, novel and efficacious therapies are recommended to cope with GIOP. In this study, we demonstrated that Dex had the inhibitory effect on Bone Morphogenetic Protein 9 (BMP9)-induced ALP activities and matrix mineralization in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs). In addition, the study confirmed that Dex decreased the expression of osteogenic markers such as Runx2 and OPN. However, the inhibitory effect of Dex on these osteogenic markers can be reversed when combined with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Regarding the inhibitory mechanism, we found that the level of AKT and p-AKT can be decreased by Dex and that Ly294002, the PI3K inhibitor, can block the reversal effect of IGF-1. Moreover, the knockdown or inhibition of COX-2 produced similar results to those of Ly294002. Our findings indicated that IGF-1 may reverse the osteogenic inhibitory effect of Dex via PI3K/AKT pathway, which may be associated with the up-regulation of COX-2. This study may provide new clinical management strategy for GIOP cases.

Salvianolic acid B renders glioma cells more sensitive to radiation via Fis-1-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.

Glioma remains the leading cause of brain tumor-related death worldwide, and radiation is a standard adjuvant therapy with proven efficacy. Salvianolic acid B (SalB), a bioactive compound isolated from Radix Salviae, has been shown to exert anti-cancer effects in many cancer cell lines, including glioma. This study aimed to investigate whether SalB could affect response to radiation in human glioma cells. We found that SalB decreased cell viability of U87 cells in a-dose-dependent manner. A subthreshold dose of SalB at 0.5 µM, which had no effect on cell viability and apoptosis, significantly increased radiation sensitivity of U87 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but had no effect on sensitivity to temozolomide (TMZ). Similar results were also observed in human glioma U373 cells. In addition, SalB aggravated the radiation-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, as measured by mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering capacity and mitochondrial swelling. SalB treatment markedly promoted mitochondrial fission and differently regulated the expression of fission proteins. Furthermore, downregulation of the fission protein Fis-1 using siRNA was found to partially reversed the SalB-induced effects on cell viability, apoptosis and mitochondrial fission in U87 cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that a subthreshold dose of SalB renders glioma cells more sensitive to radiation via Fis-1-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, and radiotherapy combined with SalB might be a novel treatment for glioma patients.

[Effect of Shengqing Capsule on Serum Cholesterol Content and Hepatic Scavenger Receptor Class B of Rats with Cholesterol Calculus].

Objective To observe the effect of Shengqing Capsule (SC) on serum contents of TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C, hepatic scavenger receptor B I (SRB I ) , and CD36 in rats with cholesterol cal- culus. Methods Totally 80 mice were divided into 4 groups according to random number table, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the Western medicine (WM) group, and the Chinese medicine (CM) group, 20 in each group. Mice in the normal group were fed with common forage, while mice in the other 3 groups were fed with lithogenic diet. Mice in the CM group and the WM group were fed with SC (at the daily dose of 0.35 g/kg) and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Tablet (UDCA, at the daily dose of 39. 55 mg/kg) re- spectively for 7 weeks. The general condition and gallstone formation rate were observed. Serum contents of TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C, and protein expressions of SBR I and CD36 were detected by oxidase meth- od and Western blot respectively. Results No gallbladder stone formed in the normal group, and gall- stone formed in 15 mice of the model group with gallstone formation rate of 75%. Compared with the nor- mal group, serum contents of TC and LDL-C and protein expressions of SRB I and CD36 increased, HDL-C content decreased in the model group (P <0. 01). The gallstone formation rate was 35% (7 mice) in the WM group and 30% (6 mice) in the CM group, lower than that of the model group (75%; P <0. 05). Contents of TC and LDL-C, and protein expressions of SRB I and CD36 decreased, HDL-C content in- creased in the WM group and the CM group (P <0.01). Compared with the WM group, TC content and protein expressions of SRB I and CD36 decreased in the CM group (P <0.01). Conclusion SC could prevent and treat gallbladder stone possibly through lowering expression levels of SRB I and CD36.

[The regulatory mechanism of songling xuemaikang capsule on PPARgamma in spontaneously hypertensive rats: an experimental study].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Songling Xuemaikang Capsule (SXC) on blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and regulatory mechanisms for peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma). METHODS: Totally 24 10-week-old SHR rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, the Chinese medicine (CM) group, and the Western medicine (WM) group, 8 in each group. Rats in the CM group were administered with SXC at the daily dose of 20 mg/kg by gastrogavage. Those in the WM group were administered with ramipril at the daily dose of 1 mg/kg by gastrogavage. Those in the blank control group were administered with equal volume of normal saline. The blood pressure was measured once per week. The cardiac ultrasound was performed 4 weeks later. Rats were killed and then blood was sampled from abdominal aorta. mRNA expressions of liver PPARgamma and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) were detected by fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR. Protein expressions of PPARgamma and AT1R were detected using immunohistochemical assay (SP). The contents of PPARgamma and AT1R were quantitatively analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, the blood pressure decreased in the CM group, showing statistical difference when compared with the blank control group (P < 0.01). CM was inferior to WM in lowering blood pressure. But as a whole, CM was more stable and could maintain blood pressure at a relatively stable level. The cardiac ejection fraction increased in the CM group, showing statistical difference when compared with the blank control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of liver PPARgamma were up-regulated in the CM group, showing statistical difference when compared with the blank control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CM could obviously inhibit the AT1R mRNA expression, and down-regulate the protein expression of AT1R, showing statistical difference when compared with the blank control group and the WM group respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SXC decreased blood pressure and improved the cardiac ejection fraction, which might be partially achieved by up-regulating the PPARgamma mRNA expression and protein synthesis, and inhibiting the AT1R mRNA expression and AT1R protein synthesis.

[Effect of mild moxibustion on macrophage number and collagen expression of raw surface tissue in chronic refractory skin ulcer rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of mild moxibustion on the number of macrophages and contents of collagen I and III in the raw surface tissue in chronic skin ulcer rats so as to study its mechanism underlying promoting scar formation. METHODS: Eighty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal (n = 8), model (n = 24), TDP (n = 24) and moxibustion (n = 24) groups. Chronic refractory skin ulcer was established by making an open wound at the back and local intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone sodium succinate. For rats of the TDP and moxibustion groups, TDP irradiation or mild moxibustion was applied to the raw surface, bilateral "Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 15 min, once daily for 7, 10 and 14 days, respectively. The number of macrophages in the raw surface tissue was counted under light microscope after H. E. staining and col- lagen I and III expressions of the raw surface tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal group, the numbers of macrophages in the raw surface tissue were increased significantly in the model group on day 7, 10 and 14 (P < 0.05); while compared with the model group, the numbers of macrophages were increased further obviously in the moxibustion group on day 7 and 10 and in the TDP group on day 10 after the treatment (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the numbers of macrophages in both TDP and moxibustion groups were down-regulated obviously (P < 0. 05). In regard to collagen I and III expression of the raw surface tissue, compared with the normal group, the collagen I protein expression level was down-regulated markedly in the model group on the 7th day (P < 0.01); whereas in comparison with the model group, the expression levels of collagen I and III were increased considerably in the TDP and moxibustion groups on day 7 and 14 after the treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The ratios of collagen I/III expression were remarkably higher in the model group than in the normal group on day 7 and 14 (P < 0.05), and significantly lower in the TDP group on day 7 and 14 and in the moxibustion group on day 14 than in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The effects of moxibustion were obviously superior to those of TDP in up-regulating macrophage number on day 10, up-regulating collagen I and III expressions on day 14, and down-regulating macrophage number on day 14 after the treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between the TDP and moxibustion groups in up-regulating macrophage number, and collagen I and III protein expressions, and in down-regulating the ratios of collagen I/III expression on day 7 after the treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mild moxibustion can regulate the number of macrophages and strengthen the expression of collagen proteins in the raw surface tissue in the chronic skin ulcer rats, which may contribute to its effect in promoting wound healing and reducing scar formation.

Enhanced mucosal and systemic immune responses obtained by porous silica nanoparticles used as an oral vaccine adjuvant: effect of silica architecture on immunological properties.

Three different kinds of silica (S2, S1 and SBA-15) with different particle sizes (130, 430 nm and 1-2 µm) and different pore characteristics (i.e. pore size and shape) were developed as oral vaccine immunological adjuvants and the relationship between the silica architecture and immunological properties was investigated. The silica particles were characterized using SEM, TEM and nitrogen adsorption. Model antigen bovine serum albumin (BSA) was successfully entrapped into the silica pores to produce a sustained release vaccine delivery system. Compared with the responsiveness induced by parenteral administration of BSA emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), oral immunization with the silica/BSA formulation produced a stimulated humoral and mucosal (sIgA) response. The IgG and IgA titers induced by loading BSA was as follows: S1>S2>SBA-15. The highest IgG and IgA titers of S1 were attributed to its large honeycombed pores and the optimal particle diameter of 430 nm. The corresponding IgG1 and IgG2a titers were also investigated to confirm that BSA loaded in nanoparticles by oral immunization can induce both T-helper 1- and T-helper 2- (Th1 or Th2) mediated responses. We believe that the results of our research will open up new avenues for the formulation of oral vaccines.

Synthesis of a novel kind of carbon nanoparticle with large mesopores and macropores and its application as an oral vaccine adjuvant.

The purpose of this study is to develop a novel kind of adjuvant for oral vaccine delivery. In order to effectively prevent the degradation of antigens in the gastrointestinal tract and optimize the uptake for M cells, a novel kind of hydrophobic carbon nanoparticle (C1) with the size of 470nm was synthesized by taking silica as a template and sucrose as a carbon source. Notably, there were large mesopores and macropores mainly of 40-60nm, which made it to be excellent candidate as an antigen carrier. C1 was characterized using SEM, TEM and nitrogen adsorption. Following oral immunization with BSA loaded in C1, the IgG titer reached to a level almost equal to that of parenteral administration of antigen emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). Mucosal IgA was also detected in intestinal, salivary and vaginal secretions, suggesting an effective stimulation of mucosal immune response. Besides, both T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 (Th1 or Th2) mediated responses were induced. We believe that the research will help in the design of novel vaccine adjuvant for improvement their potential on modulation of immune response.