New insight into pectic fractions of cell wall: Impact of extraction on pectin structure and in vitro gut fermentation.

Pectic polysaccharides modulate gut fermentation ability, which is determined by structural characteristics. In this work, apple pectins were extracted by HCl (HAEP), NaOH (AEP), cellulase (EAEP), and in parallel cell wall pectic fractions were sequentially extracted by water (WEP), chelator (CEP) and NaOH (NEP). The aim is to comprehensively compare the impact of extraction on pectin structure and gut fermentation behavior. Results showed that high content of galacturonic acid (90.65 mol%) and large molecular weight (675 kg/mol) were detected in the HAEP. Molecular morphology of the HAEP presented high linearity, while AEP, EAEP and WEP exhibited compact filamentous structures with highly branched patterns. The AEP was characterized by high yield (33.1 g/100 g d.b.), moderate molecular weight (304 kg/mol) and large extent of rhamnogalacturonan-I region (24.88 %) with low degree of branching (1.77). After in vitro simulated gut fermentation for 24 h, total content of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) generated with the AEP supplement increased to 36.8 mmol/L, followed by EAEP, HAEP and WEP (25.2, 24.2 and 20.3 mmol/L, respectively). Meanwhile, WEP simultaneously produced the highest ammonia content (22.4 mmol/L). This investigation suggests that the fermentation of AEP produces more beneficial SCFA and less ammonia, thus indicating a better gut fermentation property.

Modulation of ice crystal formation behavior in pectin cryogel by xyloglucan: Effect on microstructural and mechanical properties.

To fully understand the role of xyloglucan (XyG) on the microstructural and mechanical properties of pectin cryogels, we formulated two types of low methoxyl pectin cryogels containing different XyG content (with or without an ionic network) using freeze-drying. The interaction between the pectin and XyG was explored, and the morphologies of ice crystals were characterized by the pore morphometric of freeze-dried scaffolds. Results showed that XyG and pectin could be cross-linked via hydrogen bonding interactions. When the ionic network was present, XyG accelerated pectin gelation but decreased the size of ice crystals during freezing, reducing the pore diameters of cryogels from 340 to 350 µm to 210-230 µm while shifting the structural thickness from 50 to 70 µm to 30-50 µm. When the ionic network was absent, the addition of XyG increased the pore size of the pectin cryogel from 30 to 50 µm to 70-90 µm, while rising the pore wall thickness from 50 to 70 µm to 70-90 µm. The ionic cross-links between the pectin chains gave freeze-dried scaffolds mechanical strength and crispiness, and the incorporation of XyG further strengthened the mechanical resistance of cryogels.

Xingnao Kaiqiao Acupuncture Method Combined with Temporal Three-Needle in the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the difference between the clinical effectiveness of two acupuncture methods in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and provide more evidence-based medical evidence of acupuncture's effectiveness in stroke rehabilitation. Methods: We conducted an outcome assessor-and data analyst-blinded, randomized, and controlled trial. Seventy-two participants were randomly allocated to the observation group and control group with a 1 : 1 allocation ratio by the generating of a random number table.The observation group received the "Xingnao kaiqiao" acupuncture method combined with "Temporal three needles," and the control group received conventional acupuncture "Scalp acupuncture" combined with the traditional "body acupuncture" method. The acupuncture treatment was performed once per day for one week by trained acupuncturists. Both groups underwent secondary prevention of cerebral infarction and received a 3-months' followup. After a 1-week acupuncture intervention, the changes of NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) scores, Percent Change and Absolute Change of NIHSS scores, MBI (Modified Barthel Index), and the rate of MBI ≥ 80 in two groups were observed. After 3 months' followup, the mRS (Modified Ranking Scale) and the clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared. Results: The apparent efficiency rate of the observation group was 63.9%, higher than 19.4% of the control group, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, NIHSS scores, Percent Change, and Absolute Change of NIHSS scores in the observation group had a significant reduction than the control group (all P < 0.05). MBI in the observation group increased significantly more than in the control group (P < 0.05), but the rate of MBI ≥ 80 in the two groups was not significantly different (P > 0.05). After 3 months' of followup, the mRS score frequencies of the observation group were not statistically different from the control group (P > 0.05). The rate of mRS scores of 0-1 in the observation and control group were 55.6% and 38.9%, and there was no significant difference either (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with "Scalp acupuncture" combined with "body acupuncture," "Xingnao kaiqiao" acupuncture method combined with "Temporal three-needle" had superiority in the improvement of neurological deficit, potential functional disability, and score of basic activities of daily living. As to the independent rate to basic activities of daily living and good prognosis of 3 months, there were no statistical differences.

Morphological variation in Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., and its relationship with the environment along a longitudinal gradient.

BACKGROUND: Geographical variation in morphological traits may reflect evolutionary patterns of morphological adaptability along environmental gradients. Comprehensive information on longitudinal patterns of morphological trait variation is very meaningful to explore morphological diversity and evolutionary trends in widespread bermudagrass. METHODS: To explore the spatial patterns of morphological traits, we investigated 10 morphological traits of bermudagrass and 10 soil nutrient indexes and collected local climate data for 13 different regions from 119°E to 105°E along the latitude 34°N. RESULTS: Considerable variations in morphological traits were observed at different longitudes, and the variations in most of the evaluated traits within populations were lower than those among populations. All of the 13 different longitudinal sites were divided into three groups based on morphological traits by cluster analysis. The major sources of diversity at the different longitudes were leaf length of the erect shoot, leaf width of the erect shoot, and the internode lengths of the erect shoot and stolon as determined by principal component analysis. Pearson correlation analysis also indicated that longitude was significantly and negatively correlated with these traits as well. Mean average rainfall was significantly correlated with leaf length of the erect shoot and the internode lengths of the erect shoot and stolon, while mean average temperature was only significantly correlated with internode length of the erect shoots. Available sulfur was significantly correlated with internode length of the erect shoot, plant height, and reproductive branch height, while the exchangeable Ca was significantly correlated with internode lengths of the erect shoot and stolon. Soil pH was significantly correlated with the internode length of the stolon. Longitude is an important factor that affects morphological trait variation in wild bermudagrass, and the leaves of the erect shoot and the internode length enlarged significantly with the collection sites moving from east to west. CONCLUSION: Different combinations and interactions of environmental factors (soil and climate) along a longitudinal gradient may have strong effects on one or more morphological traits of bermudagrass.

Variations in morphological traits of bermudagrass and relationship with soil and climate along latitudinal gradients.

BACKGROUND: This complex environmental heterogeneity coupled with the long-standing history offers scenario suitable for and favoring the evolution and existence of variation of morphological traits. METHODS: In this study, we measured 10 morphological traits of 310 Cynodon dactylon individuals sampled at 16 different locations along latitudinal gradients between 22°35'N and 36°18'N to reveal phenotypic plasticity influenced by latitude. In addition, the relationships between morphological variation and soil nutrient and climate factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Analysis of variance, divesity examination and Mantel correlation test detected a significant effect of latitude on morphological traits. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis clearly separated the selected populations into four groups according to latitude. Larger morphological sizes of C. dactylon appeared at the low- and high-latitude regions. Correlation analysis indicated that high morphological variations were significantly correlated with climate factors and soil nutrient. CONCLUSION: This study suggests morphological variation of wild bermudagrass is greatly influenced by latitude as well as soil and climate, which could be useful resources for genetic studies and evolution.

[Effects of tongyuan acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes of ovarian induction period with clomiphene citrate: a retrospective analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and action mechanism of tongyuan acupuncture for ovulatory disorder infertility of ovarian induction period with clomiphene citrate (CC). METHODS: Through retrospective analysis, 36 patients with ovulatory disorder infertility were divided into CC group (16 cases) and tongyuan acupuoture group (20 cases) by method. The patients in the CC group were treated with oral administration of CC (50 mg) for 5 days from the 5th day of menstruation; based on the treatment of CC, patients in the tongyuan acupuncture group were treated with tongyuan acupuncture; the group A of acupoint was mainly consisted of acupoints of the conception vessel and the three yin meridians and front-mu acupoints in abdomen; the group B of acupoint was mainly consisted of acupoints of the governor vessel and back-shu acupoints. The two groups of the acupoints were selected alternately, combined with the si-guan points (Taichong (LR 3)、Hegu (LI 4)) and five-shu points. The needles were inserted with flying needling method, and the needles were retained for 30 min per treatment; acupuncture was given once every other day. All the patients were treated for 2 months, and treatment stopped if pregnancy occurred. The pregnancy rate, cycle ovulation rate, maximum diameter of follicle, endometrial thickness and adverse effects were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate of the tongyuan acupuncture group was 75.0% (15/20), which was superior to 37.5% (6/16) in the CC group (P<0.05). The cycle ovulation rates of two groups were 70.4% (19/27, P>0.05). The maximum diameter of follicle and the endometrium thickness in the tongyuan acupuncture group were superior to those in the CC group (both P<0.05). The incidence of adverse effects in the tongyuan acupuncture group was 0% (0/20), which was lower than 18.8% (3/16) in the CC group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tongyuan acupuncture combined with CC could improve the quality of follicle and the receptivity of endometrium in patients with ovulatory disorder infertility, so as to improve the pregnancy rate, which could be used as a safe and effective means to cooperate with modern assisted reproductive technology.