Electroacupuncture for post-stroke urinary incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

Background: The evidence for the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) for post-stroke urinary incontinence (PSUI) patients remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of EA for PSUI. Methods and analysis: Eight English and Chinese databases were searched from their inception until 1 August 2023 to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effect of EA on PSUI. Two reviewers independently selected studies that met the eligibility criteria, extracted the necessary data, and assessed the risk of bias for included studies using Cochrane Handbook version 5.1.0. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager software (version 5.4.1). Publication bias detection was conducted using STATA (version 16.0). Sequential analysis was performed using TSA 0.9.5.10 Beta. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation System (GRADE) was used for assessing the certainty of evidence. Results: We included 15 RCTs involving a total of 1,414 patients. The narrative analysis revealed that compared with sham EA, genuine EA exhibited greater efficacy in reducing occurrences of 24-h urinary incontinence while also enhancing maximum cystometric capacity (MCC). Moreover, this effect remained significant even during the 3-month follow-up period. Fourteen studies were encompassed within the quantitative analysis. In contrast to active interventions, EA did not yield an improvement in the responder rate (RR 1.53, 95% CI 0.61 to 3.80, p = 0.36). When compared with basic treatments, the combination of EA with them led to a reduction in 24-h urinary incontinence occurrences (MD -0.56, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.52, p < 0.00001), an improvement in MCC (MD 43.23, 95% CI 28.86 to 57.60, p < 0.00001), and a decrease in residual urine volume (RUV; MD -19.99, 95% CI -29.75 to -10.23, p < 0.0001). However, it did not lead to an increase in the responder rate (RR 1.39, 95% CI 0.88 to 2.20, p = 0.16). In comparison to basic treatments combined with active interventions, the amalgamation of EA and them led to an increase in the responder rate (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.35, p < 0.00001), a reduction in 24-h urinary incontinence occurrences (MD -2.90, 95% CI -5.26 to -0.55, p = 0.02), a decrease in International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form scores, and an improvement in both MCC (MD 42.11, 95% CI 23.26 to 60.96, p < 0.0001) and RUV (MD 42.11, 95% CI 23.26 to 60.96, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, all reported adverse effects associated with EA were mild. The trial sequential analysis suggested that a sufficient sample size was available to yield results. However, the level of evidence was predominantly assessed as low or very low. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture improved post-stroke urinary incontinence with no serious adverse effects. Caution is warranted due to methodological issues, and more high-quality studies are required to confirm its efficacy and safety.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023449599, Identifier CRD42023449599.

Nitrogen and phosphorus change the early natural vegetation restoration in degraded Phaeozems of gullies.

The influence of nutrients during natural vegetation restoration (NVR) in complicated landscapes and hydrologic conditions has often been debated. This study aimed to clarify how nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) runoff influences plant biomass and biodiversity during early restoration stages in gullies. In this study, the influence of runoff containing N, P, and N + P on the biomass and diversity of ten predominant herbaceous species was simulated in two degraded Phaeozems of gullies by under controlled conditions for two years. Increasing N in runoff increased the biomass in both low-degradation Phaeozems (LDP) and high-degradation Phaeozems (HDP), and N input could increase the competitive ability of No-Gramineae (NG) and constrain G biomass in the second year. N and P increased the biomass by increasing the species abundance and individual mass but not the diversity. N input typically decreased biodiversity, while P input influenced the dynamics of biodiversity was nonmonotonic increased or decreased. Compared with sole N input, additional P accelerated the competition of NG, restrained G mass, and decreased the total biomass in LDP, while increasing the total biomass in HDP in the first year. However, additional P input did not change the N effects on biodiversity in the first year, while high P input improved the herbaceous diversity in the second year of gullies. Generally, N in runoff was the key factor influencing NVR, especially for biomass in early NVR stages. The P dose and the ratio of N:P in the runoff were the main determinants of P mediation on the N effect on NVR.

Method validation for detection of afidopyropen and M440I007 in tea.

BACKGROUND: Afidopyropen is a novel biorational insecticide for controlling piercing pests with great potential for application in tea gardens that can form the metabolite M440I007 when utilized for crops. However, because of a lack of analytical method for afidopyropen and M440I007 in tea, there is no means of monitoring the residues. Therefore, method development, validation and simultaneous determination of afidopyropen and M440I007 in fresh tea leaves, dried tea and tea infusion is of prime significance. RESULTS: A TPT cartridge-based method was developed for the solid phase extraction of afidopyropen and M440I007 from tea matrices. Extraction and clean-up conditions, including the composition, volume and temperature of elutions, were optimized to achieve the best results. Both targets were extracted using water and acetonitrile, with a water:acetonitrile (v/v) ratio of 4:10 for fresh leaves and 8:10 for dried tea, which were then cleaned and analyzed using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Both analytes demonstrated excellent linearity with a correlation coefficient above 0.998. The optimized analytical method offered limits of quantifications of 0.005, 0.005 and 0.002 mg kg-1 (converted to dried tea) in fresh tea shoots, dried tea and tea infusion for both targets, respectively. Average recoveries of afidopyropen and M440I007 ranged from 79.0% to 101.5%, with relative standard deviations ≤ 14.7%. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the method of determination for these insecticides in tea matrices was practical and efficient. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Inhibitory mechanisms of promising antimicrobials from plant byproducts: A review.

Plant byproducts and waste present enormous environmental challenges and an opportunity for valorization and industrial application. Due to consumer demands for natural compounds, the evident paucity of novel antimicrobial agents against foodborne pathogens, and the urgent need to improve the arsenal against infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), plant byproduct compounds have attracted significant research interest. Emerging research highlighted their promising antimicrobial activity, yet the inhibitory mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Therefore, this review summarizes the overall research on the antimicrobial activity and inhibitory mechanisms of plant byproduct compounds. A total of 315 natural antimicrobials from plant byproducts, totaling 1338 minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) (in µg/mL) against a broad spectrum of bacteria, were identified, and a particular emphasis was given to compounds with high or good antimicrobial activity (typically <100 µg/mL MIC). Moreover, the antimicrobial mechanisms, particularly against bacterial pathogens, were discussed in-depth, summarizing the latest research on using natural compounds to combat pathogenic microorganisms and AMR. Furthermore, safety concerns, relevant legislation, consumer perspective, and current gaps in the valorization of plant byproducts-derived compounds were comprehensively discussed. This comprehensive review covering up-to-date information on antimicrobial activity and mechanisms represents a powerful tool for screening and selecting the most promising plant byproduct compounds and sources for developing novel antimicrobial agents.

The metabolism and dissipation behavior of tolfenpyrad in tea: A comprehensive risk assessment from field to cup.

The metabolites of pesticides usually require rational risk assessment. In the present study, the metabolites of tolfenpyrad (TFP) in tea plants were identified using UPLC-QToF/MS analysis, and the transfer of TFP and its metabolites from tea bushes to consumption was studied for a comprehensive risk assessment. Four metabolites, PT-CA, PT-OH, OH-T-CA, and CA-T-CA, were identified, and PT-CA and PT-OH were detected along with dissipation of the parent TFP under field conditions. During processing, 3.11-50.00 % of TFP was further eliminated. Both PT-CA and PT-OH presented a downward trend (7.97-57.89 %) during green tea processing but an upward trend (34.48-124.17 %) during black tea manufacturing. The leaching rate (LR) of PT-CA (63.04-101.03 %) from dry tea to infusion was much higher than that of TFP (3.06-6.14 %). As PT-OH was no longer detected in tea infusions after 1 d of TFP application, TFP and PT-CA were taken into account in the comprehensive risk assessment. The risk quotient (RQ) assessment indicated a negligible health risk, but PT-CA posed a greater potential risk than TFP to tea consumers. Therefore, this study provides guidance for rational TFP application and suggests the sum of TFP and PT-CA residues as the maximum residual limit (MRL) in tea.

Residue behavior and risk assessment of afidopyropen and its metabolite M440I007 in tea.

Afidopyropen, a novel insecticide, is highly effective against piercing insects such as the tea leafhopper. The residual levels of afidopyropen and M440I007 in tea cultivation, processing, and brewing were studied. During tea cultivation, afidopyropen dissipated faster in fresh tea shoots in the rainy season (T1/2 of 1.2-2.5 d) than that in the dry season (T1/2 of 3.1-4.4 d); afidopyropen was metabolized into M440I007, the level of which peaked in 1 d, and degraded rapidly (over 90 %) afterward 3 d. The green tea processing steps had little effect on decreasing the afidopyropen residue (PF of 0.90-1.18). Low infusion rates of afidopyropen (16.7 %-17.7 %) and M440I007 (4.1 %-6.2 %) were observed from dry green tea to infusion; furthermore, the risk of ingesting afidopyropen from drinking tea was low, with the risk quotient values < 0.0001. This study can offer guidance on the rational application of afidopyropen in tea plants.

Whey protein isolate-gum Acacia Maillard conjugates as emulsifiers for nutraceutical emulsions: Impact of glycation methods on physicochemical stability and in vitro bioaccessibility of ß-carotene emulsions.

The physicochemical stability and in vitro bioaccessibility of ß-carotene emulsions stabilized by the whey protein isolate (WPI)-gum Acacia (GA) conjugates prepared by dry-heating (Con WPI (D)) and ultrasound (Con WPI (U)) Maillard reaction were investigated in this study. The conjugate-stabilized emulsions have a larger mean size than the WPI-stabilized emulsion. The stability of emulsions under freeze-thaw treatment, high ionic strength conditions, thermal treatment and pH conditions near the isoelectric point of WPI were improved by glycation. The chemical stability of ß-carotene in emulsions was also enhanced by WPI-GA conjugates. The WPI-GA conjugate-stabilized emulsions have better stability for droplet aggregation during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion, which increased ß-carotene bioaccessibility. However, the Con WPI (U)-stabilized emulsion shows poor thermal stability and lower ß-carotene bioaccessibility than the Con WPI (D)-stabilized emulsion, which may be attributed to ultrasound-induced structural changes during the process of glycation.

Effect of combination therapy with neural stem cell transplantation and teramethylpyrazine in rats following acute spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVES: This study was to explore the effects of teramethylpyrazine (TMP) administered in conjunction with neural stem cell transplantation on motor function, pathological lesions and the Janus kinase (JAK)2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signal transduction pathway in rats following acute spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, model, neural stem cells (NSCs) and NSCs+TMP groups. Motor function was evaluated using the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan scale. Spinal cord neuropathies and neuron apoptosis were observed by HE and TUNEL staining. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Nogo-A, JAK2 and p-JAK2 protein levels were measured by western blot analysis. RESULTS: NSCs+TMP significantly improved rat motor function, attenuated impaired spinal cords, and decreased cellular apoptosis, compared with NSCs therapy alone (P < 0.05). In addition, expression of BDNF protein was significantly higher in NSCs+TMP rats compared with other groups regardless of time postinjury (P < 0.05). The highest expression levels of Nogo-A protein were observed in the model group. The expression of p-JAK2 in the NSCs+TMP group was relatively lower than the model and NSCs groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In rats with SCI, NSCs+TMP effectively improved motor function and offered spinal cord protection by increasing BDNF and decreasing Nogo-A levels, as well as inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signal transduction pathway, suggesting that TMP could be a useful agent in NSCs transplantation in the treatment of SCI.

Uptake, Accumulation, Translocation, and Subcellular Distribution of Perchlorate in Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Plants.

Perchlorate, emerging pollution with thyroid toxicity, has a high detection rate in fresh tea leaves. What needs attention is that the uptake characteristic is insufficiently understood. Herein, the uptake, accumulation, and translocation of perchlorate in a tea plant-hydroponic solution system were investigated, of which the mechanism was further lucubrated by subcellular distribution. The perchlorate concentration in tea tissues is ramped up along with the increase in the exposure level and time. The bioaccumulation factor of tea tissues followed the rank: mature leaves > tender leaves > roots. After the seedlings have been transplanted to a perchlorate-free solution, the perchlorate in mature leaves is reduced significantly, accompanied by a progressive increase in perchlorate in new shoots and solutions. The cell-soluble fractions are the major reservoir of perchlorate both for roots (>59%) and leaves (>76%), which precisely explained the translocation within the tea plant-hydroponic solution system. These results not only illuminate the uptake characteristic in tea plants but also improve the understanding of the behavior of perchlorate in higher plants.

Revegetation induced change in soil erodibility as influenced by slope situation on the Loess Plateau.

Soil erodibility is an indispensable parameter for predicting soil erosion and evaluating the benefits of soil and water conservation. Slope situation can alter revegetation and its effects on soil properties and root traits, and thus may affect soil erodibility. However, whether slope situation will change the effect of revegetation on soil erodibility through improving soil properties and root traits has rarely been evaluated. Therefore, this study was conducted to detect the response of soil erodibility to slope situations (loess-tableland, hill-slope and gully-slope) in a typical watershed of the Loess Plateau. Five soil erodibility parameters (saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, SHC; mean weight diameter of aggregates, MWD; clay ratio, CR; soil disintegration rate, SDR; soil erodibility factor, K) and a comprehensive soil erodibility index (CSEI) are selected to clarify the study targets. The results revealed that soil properties, root traits, soil erodibility parameters and CSEI were affected by slope situation significantly. Soil and root can explain 79.7%, 79.1% and 69.8% of total variance in soil erodibility of loess-tableland, hill-slope and gully-slope, respectively. Slope situation influenced soil erodibility by changing the effects of revegetation on soil properties and root traits. Evidently, the slope situation greatly changed the relations between CSEI and soil and root parameters, whereafter a model considering slope situation (slope steepness), sand, organic matter content and root surface area density was reliable to estimate soil erodibility (CSEI). Our study suggested that the Armeniaca sibirica, the combination of Bothriochloa ischcemum and Robinia pseudoacacia and the combination of Armeniaca sibirica and Lespedeza bicolor can be used as the optimal selection for mitigating soil erodibility of loess-tableland, hill-slope and gully-slope, respectively. This study is of great significance in optimizing the spatial layout of soil and water conservation measures for different slope situations of the Loess Plateau.

Residue behavior and safety evaluation of pymetrozine in tea.

BACKGROUND: Pymetrozine is a widely used pesticide. It is challenging to analyze and difficult to manage due to the large gap in its global maximum residue limits (MRLs) in tea. The development of a high-efficiency detection method for the evaluation of the transfer of residual pymetrozine from tea plantations to tea cups is therefore of prime significance. RESULTS: An analytical method for the determination of pymetrozine residues in tea was established based on Cleanert PCX solid-phase extraction. The average recoveries were 72.2-93.7%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 12%. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.005 mg·kg-1 in fresh tea leaves and dry tea, and 0.00025 mg·L-1 in tea brew. Pymetrozine degraded rapidly in tea plants with a half-life (t1/2 ) of 1.9 days in open tea plantations, and decreased by 9.4-23.7% in the green tea-processing procedure, which was concentration dependent. The residual pymetrozine levels in green tea collected at 6 and 21 days were below the MRLs in China and EU at a dosage of 30 g a.i. ha-1 , respectively. The leaching rates of pymetrozine from dry tea to tea brew were 58.7-96.3%. Hazard quotient (HQ) values of pymetrozine were significantly <100% when tea shoots were plucked in 6 days, which indicated a negligible risk to humans. CONCLUSION: This work allows the determination of residual pymetrozine in tea and illustrates a low intake risk with the use of pymetrozine in tea plantations. It could serve as reference for further regulation consideration for maximum residue limits (MRLs). © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ultrasound-assisted adsorption/desorption for the enrichment and purification of flavonoids from baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit pulp.

This work described the purification and enrichment of flavonoids from baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit pulp (BFP) by ultrasound-assisted adsorption/desorption procedure using macroporous resins. Four resins were tested and HPD-500 polar resin exhibited the best adsorption/desorption properties. Based on preliminary experiments and literature reports, the effects of various ultrasonic conditions including high power short time (HPST, 540 W for 5 min), medium power medium time (MPMT, 270 W for 15 min) and low power long time (LPLT, 45 W for 30 min) as well as different temperatures (T = 25-45 °C) on the adsorption of Total Flavonoids Content (TFC) were investigated in comparison with orbital shaking/no sonication (NS). Also, the effect of ultrasound on the desorption capacity and recovery of TFC was determined at different concentrations of ethanol (30-100%). Remarkably, ultrasonic treatment significantly increased the adsorption/desorption capacity and recovery and shortened the equilibrium time. The pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models better delineated the adsorption process under ultrasound. Moreover, the adsorption process was both spontaneous and thermodynamically favourable with physical adsorption and multilinear intraparticle diffusion being the predominant mechanisms of the whole process. HPST treatment at 25 °C with 80% ethanol as the desorption solvent most noticeably enhanced the adsorption/desorption of flavonoids and contributed to the highest recovery of TFC, Total Phenolic Content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity in addition to a 5-8-fold reduction in total sugar and acid contents when compared with NS treatment. Moreover, HPLC analysis revealed that the content of nine out of thirteen phenolic compounds from the HPST treatment was the highest, and the individual flavonoids content increased by 2-3-fold compared with the other treatments. Our analyses suggested that ultrasound can be employed as a practical approach to intensify the adsorption and desorption of functional compounds in BFP.

Characterizing the phenolic constituents of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit shell by LC-MS/QTOF and their in vitro biological activities.

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit is a part of the baobab tree, a revered multi-purpose tree native to Africa with a myriad of potentials in providing shelter, food, medicine, clothing and as a valuable source of natural antioxidants. A massive quantity of baobab fruit shells (BFS) is generated as a waste from the baobab fruit processing representing significant economic and environmental challenges at the same time an opportunity for its valorization and commercial utilization. The present study explored the potentials of BFS as a source of phenolic compounds. For this purpose, the phenolic constituents of BFS were identified by LC-MS/QTOF analysis. Also, the Total Phenolic Chromatographic Index (TPCI), TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity were compared with the baobab seeds and pulp. The antidiabetic potential through α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities was also compared with that of acarbose. The LC-MS/QTOF analysis led to the identification of 45 compounds, including quercetin, kaempferol, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids and their derivatives, several of which had never been reported in baobab fruit. Moreover, the BFS showed higher TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity than the baobab seeds and pulp and inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes activities with much higher potency than acarbose. This research demonstrated the promising potentials of BFS as a good source of phenolic compounds that can further be utilized for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Long-term icariin treatment ameliorates cognitive deficits via CD4+ T cell-mediated immuno-inflammatory responses in APP/PS1 mice.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder that also involves neuroinflammation in addition to many other features. Icariin (ICA) as one of the active ingredients of Chinese herbal medicine has the immunomodulating function. This study aimed to investigate the immunotherapeutic potential of ICA on AD. Methods: APP/PS1 mice and wild type C57BL/6 mice were subjected to orally ICA administration (60 mg/kg/d) for 8 months. Then, the ethological and biochemical experiments, such as Morris water maze assay, Aß ELISA, blood T cell flow cytometry, and plasma and brain cytokines array, were conducted to evaluate the effects of ICA administration. Results: ICA significantly improved spatial learning and memory retention in APP/PS1 mice. Long-term application of ICA could also reduce hippocampus Aß deposition, modulate the differentiation of CD4+ T cells, and modulate the release of inflammatory cytokines in plasma and brain tissue. Conclusion: ICA shows the neuroprotective effects via modulating the CD4+ T lymphocyte-related immuno-inflammatory responses in APP/PS1 mice and may be a promising drug against AD progression.

[Chemical constituents from petroleum ether portion of Abelmoschus esculentus II].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Abelmoschus esculentus. METHOD: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by chromatography on silica gel and recrystallization. The chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data. RESULT: Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as 6-hydroxy-stigmasta-4-en-3-one(1), 6-hydroxy-stigmasta4,22-dien-3-one(2), stigmasta-5-en-3-ol-7-one(3), stigmasta-5, 22-dien-3-ol-7-one(4), stigmast-5-en-3, 7-diol(5), stigmast-5, 22-dien-3, 7-diol(6), stigmast-4, 22-dien-3, 6-dione(7), stigmasta-4, 22-dien-3-one(8), ergosta-7, 22-dien-3-ol(9), cycloart-25-en-3,24-diol(10), lupeol(11), aurantiamide acetate (12), stigmasterol(13), hexadecanoic acid (14). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-12 are obtained from the genus Abelmoschus plant for the first time and also from the Malvaceae for the first time.