Risk of cardiac-related death in astrocytoma patients treated with chemotherapy: A competing risk analysis using the SEER database.

Purpose: To explore the impact of chemotherapy on the risk of cardiac-related death in astrocytoma patients. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated astrocytoma patients diagnosed between 1,975 and 2016 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we compared the risks of cardiac-related death between a chemotherapy group and non-chemotherapy group. Competing-risks regression analyses were used to evaluate the difference in cardiac-related death. Also, propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to reduce confounding bias. The robustness of these findings was evaluated by sensitivity analysis, and E values were calculated. Results: A total of 14,834 patients diagnosed with astrocytoma were included. Chemotherapy (HR = 0.625, 95%CI: 0.444-0.881) was associated with cardiac-related death in univariate Cox regression analysis. Chemotherapy was an independent prognostic factor for a lower risk of cardiac-related death before (HR = 0.579, 95%CI: 0.409-0.82, P = 0.002) and after PSM (HR = 0.550, 95%CI: 0.367-0.823 P = 0.004). Sensitivity analysis determined that the E-value of chemotherapy was 2.848 and 3.038 before and after PSM. Conclusions: Chemotherapy did not increase the risk of cardiac-related death in astrocytoma patients. This study highlights that cardio-oncology teams should provide comprehensive care and long-term monitoring for cancer patients, especially those with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Effect of various pretreatments of potato on the cooking and texture properties of the developed potato-rice noodle.

In order to ascertain optimal potato pretreatment strategy for potato-rice noodle processing, the effect of partial substitution of rice flour with potatoes processed by various pretreatment on rice noodle quality was determined. In this study, raw potato flour (RPF), cooked potato flour (CPF), potato pulp (PP), mashed potato (MP), and rice flour (RF) were prepared. The physicochemical and pasting properties of RF sample, RPF + RF, PP + RF, CPF + RF, and MP + RF blends were investigated relative to their noodle quality. The results indicated that compared to RF, CPF + RF, and MP + RF blends, RPF + RF and PP + RF blends exhibited a lower degree of starch damage, solubility, and breakdown viscosity, as well as higher relative crystallinity, final, and setback viscosity, which are favorable to quality of noodles. Therefore, the noodles made from RPF + RF and PP + RF showed the most desirable cooking quality and texture. In summary, high damaged starch content and excessive amylose content were detrimental to noodle making. Consequently, our research revealed that RPF/pulp (ungelatinized potato materials) blended with rice flour can be employed to produce decent potato-rice noodles. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Cooked potato flour is main processing method of commercial potato flour and widely used in potato staple food industry. However, the results of our study show that raw potato flour and potato pulp are more suitable for processing of potato-rice noodle than cooked potato flour and mashed potato and can significantly improve the quality of rice noodle. This provides new ideas and insights for the preprocessing of raw potato in the potato staple food industry and the quality improvement of rice noodle. HIGHLIGHTS: The physicochemical properties of potatoes changed with various pretreatments. Excessive amylose content and starch damage were detrimental to noodle making. Partial substitution of rice flour with raw potato flour/pulp improved rice noodle quality. Raw and ungelatinized potato material is preferable for potato-rice noodle making.

Determination of immune factor levels in serum and local hematoma samples of osteoporotic fracture patients and clinical study of the effect of active vitamin D3 treatment on immune factor levels.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in systemic and local immune factors, namely, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in patients with and without osteoporotic fractures and to explore the effects of active vitamin D3 treatment on immune function and fracture prognosis in patients with osteoporotic fractures. METHOD: The mRNA expression levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured before the operation. After the operation, the patients in the control group were treated with conventional fracture treatment and calcium supplementation, and the patients in the treatment group were treated with calcium plus active vitamin D3 in addition to conventional fracture treatment. The serum of each patient was collected on the seventh day after the operation. RESULTS: The expression levels of the three immune factors (IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α) in the fracture end hematoma samples were significantly positively correlated with those in the serum samples (P < 0.05). The mean values of the serums of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in the osteoporosis group were significantly higher than those in the non-osteoporosis group (P < 0.05). The average number of hematomas in the osteoporosis group was significantly higher than that in the non-osteoporosis group (P < 0.05). The results for the active vitamin D3 treatment group were significantly lower than those for the control group (P < 0.05). The mean wrist function score of the active vitamin D3 treatment group was significantly better than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The average fracture healing time of the treatment group was significantly shorter than that of the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The relative expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in the fracture end hematoma samples was positively correlated with the corresponding levels of these immune factors in the serum samples. The levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum and fracture end hematoma samples of the osteoporotic fracture patients were higher than those of the non-osteoporotic fracture patients. Active vitamin D3 treatment promoted fracture healing by affecting the levels of these immune factors.

Rice bran-modified wheat gluten nanoparticles effectively stabilized pickering emulsion: An interfacial antioxidant inhibiting lipid oxidation.

This study investigated the fabrication of Pickering emulsion stabilized by rice bran-modified wheat gluten nanoparticle (RGNP) and evaluated the effect of rice bran-modification on lipid oxidation of emulsified soybean oil, with native wheat gluten nanoparticle (CGNP) as the control. Compared with CGNP, RGNP exhibited stronger antioxidant activities due to high content of polyphenols. RGNP were roughly spherical (mean size of about 250 nm) with balanced wettability (104.6 ± 2.3°) and had excellent colloidal thermal stability. When used at a concentration of 1.5 wt%, both CGNP and RGNP could stabilize Pickering emulsions at varying oil volume fractions (0.20-0.85). For high internal phase emulsions, nanoparticles adsorbed at an oil-water interface forming an interconnected network structure, depressing the oxidation of soybean oil. RGNP as an interfacial antioxidant further improved the Pickering emulsion' oxidative stability. This work may expand the application of wheat gluten as an antioxidant solid particle in Pickering emulsion.

Effects of different extraction methods on contents, profiles, and antioxidant abilities of free and bound phenolics of Sargassum polycystum from the South China Sea.

Total phenolic content (TPC), phenolic profiles, and antioxidant activity of free and bound extracts of Sargassum polycystum, obtained by different extraction solvents and hydrolysis methods, were investigated. Aqueous acetone afforded the highest free TPC and antioxidant ability, followed by aqueous ethanol and aqueous methanol. Twelve free phenolic compounds were identified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), including two hydroxycinnamic acids, seven flavonoids, one stilbene, and two phlorotannins. Three to nine different free phenolic compounds were extracted by these solvents with different compositions, including nine by 70% acetone and eight by 70% methanol, 70% ethanol, and 50% ethanol. The highest total content of free phenolic compounds determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection was obtained from 70% ethanol. Alkaline hydrolysis afforded higher bound TPC (274.27 mg GAE/100 g DW) and antioxidant ability than acid hydrolysis. Five bound phenolic compounds were characterized by UHPLC-MS and five were released from alkaline hydrolysis, whereas two were released from acid hydrolysis. Total content of bound phenolic compounds released by alkaline hydrolysis was 14.68-fold higher than that by acid hydrolysis. The free and bound TPC, phenolic profiles, and antioxidant activities depended on the extraction solvent used. These results indicate that S. polycystum is a potentially useful antioxidant source and contribute to the development of seaweed-based functional foods. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Phenolics are usually divided into free and bound forms based on their extractability and interaction with cell wall components. The nutritional effects of bound phenolics in algae have long been neglected. These topics contribute to the development of seaweed-based functional foods.

Phenolic profiles and bioactivities of different milling fractions of rice bran from black rice.

Phytochemicals are unevenly distributed in grain kernels and concentrated in bran fractions. However, their specific distribution in the grain bran, especially colored grains, is not clarified. This study divided rice bran from black rice into five fractions by stepwise milling to obtain BF1(outermost layer) to BF5 (the innermost layer). Each fraction accounted for approximately 2% of the whole kernel. The total content of phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), and anthocyanins (TAC) of five fractions significantly decreased from BF1 to BF5. The TPC, TFC and TAC of BF1 contribute 25.7%, 28.2%, 28.4% to the total of five fractions, respectively. HPLC analysis showed that the contents of most anthocyanin and phenolic acids compounds decreased from BF1 to BF5. Together with α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of BF1, the antioxidant activity was higher than those of other fractions. These results can guide the moderate processing of black rice and the utilization of its bran.

Structural elucidation of flavonoids from Shatianyu (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) pulp and screening of key antioxidant components.

The Citrus genus is a good source of dietary flavonoids, which have many health benefits. As a representative citrus fruit, the flavonoids composition in Shatianyu (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) pulp remains to be investigated. In the present study, 11 flavonoids were isolated and identified from Shatianyu pulp flavonoid extracts (SPFEs). Among them, 4 flavonoids were previously undescribed and 2 flavonoids were firstly isolated from pummelo. The cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of isolated compounds were evaluated. Naringin and rhoifolin showed the highest ORAC activity, and the presence of a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl or a 4'-glucose decreased the ORAC activity of flavonoids. The contribution of isolated flavonoids to the holistic antioxidant activity of SPFEs was determined by an online knockout method. Melitidin, bergamjuicin and naringin contributed most to ORAC activity, while bergamjuicin, melitidin and apigenin-4'-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[6″-O-(3- hydroxy-3-methylgltaryl)]-ß-d-glucopyranoside contributed most to CAA activity.

α-Glucosidase inhibitors from brown rice bound phenolics extracts (BRBPE): Identification and mechanism.

Brown rice bound phenolics extracts (BRBPE) have been reported to possess α-glucosidase inhibitory effects, the specific enzyme inhibitors involved in this process were unknown. Here, α-glucosidase inhibitors in BRBPE were screened using bioaffinity ultrafiltration methods, and seven phenolic compounds - three monomers (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and methyl ferulate), three dimers (8-5', 5-5' and 8-O-4' diferulic acid) and a trimer (5-5'/8-O-4″ dehydrotriferulic acid) were identified as exact inhibitors, among which 5-5'/8-O-4″ dehydrotriferulic acid and 5-5'diferulic acid exhibited the best inhibitory activity. Enzyme kinetic analysis suggested that the inhibitory mechanism of these seven inhibitors including competitive, noncompetitive, uncompetitive and mixed manner. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the seven inhibitors bind with α-glucosidase mainly by hydrogen bonding interaction, hydrophobic force and ionic bond. Molecular dynamics simulation further explored the structure and molecular property of phenolic-glucosidase complex. This work provided a deep insight into brown rice bound phenolics acting as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Structural elucidation, distribution and antioxidant activity of bound phenolics from whole grain brown rice.

Chemical profiles, distribution, and antioxidant activity of bound phenolics from brown rice were investigated. Four new dehydrodiferulic acid dimers (DFA) along with eighteen known phenolics were isolated from brown rice bound phenolic extracts and their structures were determined by multiple spectroscopic methods. Among them, ferulic acid and 8-5' DFA were the most abundant monomeric and dimeric bound phenolics in brown rice, rice bran and polished rice. In whole brown rice, polished rice contributed more than 50% of three phenolic monomers and six phenolic dimers, while rice bran contributed more than half of the other thirteen phenolics including eight monomers, four dimers, and one trimer. All the isolated compounds exhibited oxygen radical absorbance capacity. Thomasidioic acid, caffeic acid, methyl caffeate, and 8-5' DC DFA displayed potent peroxyl radical scavenging capacity, and the last three compounds also showed moderate cellular antioxidant activity.

In vitro simulated digestion and colonic fermentation of lychee pulp phenolics and their impact on metabolic pathways based on fecal metabolomics of mice.

Lychee pulp phenolics (LPP) was subjected to four simulated gastrointestinal digestions and colonic fermentation to investigate the changes in its phenolic composition and bioactivities; the fecal metabolic profiles of LPP-fed mice were also elucidated using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. After simulated salivary, gastric and intestinal digestion, slight increases in phenolic acids and (+)-catechin occurred relative to undigested LPP, whereas other flavonoids showed an opposite trend. Unlike the above-described separate simulated digestions, successive gastrointestinal digestion significantly enhanced the release of phenolic compounds (p < 0.05), gallic acid (413.79%), ferulic acid (393.69%), (+)-catechin (570.27%) and rutin (247.54%). During colonic fermentation, ten detected phenolics were utilized by gut microbes, among which procyanidin B2 (22.35%) was the most degraded. LPP fermentation accelerated the production of short-chain fatty acids (122.79%). The metabolic pathways altered by LPP including unsaturated fatty acid, biotin, and nicotinamide metabolism may be the potential regulatory mechanisms and associated with the integrity of the gut barrier. These findings indicate that LPP may act as a promising candidate to protect gut health.

Rice Bran Phenolic Extract Confers Protective Effects against Alcoholic Liver Disease in Mice by Alleviating Mitochondrial Dysfunction via the PGC-1α-TFAM Pathway Mediated by microRNA-494-3p.

The initiation and development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is mediated, at least partly, by mitochondria dysfunction, which is regulated by PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) via mitochondria transcription factor A (TFAM). Then, PGC-1α expression was regulated by several microRNAs. This research investigated the hepatoprotective effects of the rice bran phenolic extract (RBPE) on mice fed with an ethanol-containing diet via the microRNAs-PGC-1α-TFAM signal pathway. RBPE treatment protected against alcoholic liver injury, as indicated by decreased serum aminotransferase activities and hepatic triglyceride accumulation, together with alleviated oxidative stress in serum and the liver. RBPE treatment alleviated ethanol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction through altering the membrane potential, mtDNA content, and respiratory chain complex enzyme activities in mitochondria, resulting in increased hepatic ATP production. Decreased cytoplasmic cytochrome c contents, caspase-3 activity, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were detected in the liver of RBPE-treated mice, indicating that the RBPE might inhibit ethanol-induced hepatocellular apoptosis. Furthermore, ethanol-induced decreases in the mRNA and protein expression of PGC-1α and TFAM were remarkably alleviated in RBPE-treated mice. RBPE treatment to ethanol-fed mice could also downregulate the expression of microRNA-494-3p, which regulates PGC-1α expression directly. Therefore, the RBPE might exert protection against ALD by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction and the resulting hepatocyte apoptosis via the PGC-1α-TFAM signal pathway mediated by microRNA-494-3p.

Structural elucidation, anti-inflammatory activity and intestinal barrier protection of longan pulp polysaccharide LPIIa.

In this study, LPIIa, a purified polysaccharide from longan pulp, was isolated. Its anti-inflammatory activity and intestinal barrier protection were investigated with LPS-treated co-culture model of Caco-2 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. The average molecular weight LPIIa was 159.3 kDa. Its detailed structure was shown below. The backbone of LPIIa was composed of (1→3,4)-linked-α-Rhap, (1→4)-linked-ß-Galp, (1→6)-linked-ß-Galp, and (1→3,6)-linked-ß-Galp, with branches at the O-4 of Rha and O-3 of Gal, consisting of side chains of α-Araf, ß-Galp, and α-Glcp. In LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages, LPIIa suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and PGE2, and inhibited iNOS and COX-2 gene expression. In addition, LPIIa attenuated intestinal tight-junctional channel protein Claudin-2 expression and increased tight-junctional barrier protein ZO-1 expression in Caco-2 cells. Knowing the structural features and activities of longan polysaccharide gives insights into longan polysaccharide application as an anti-inflammatory agent or adjuvant in curing the intestinal inflammation.

Bound Phenolics Ensure the Antihyperglycemic Effect of Rice Bran Dietary Fiber in db/db Mice via Activating the Insulin Signaling Pathway in Skeletal Muscle and Altering Gut Microbiota.

Whole-grain dietary fiber intake is beneficial in the prevention of metabolic syndrome. Considering rich in bound phenolics being a special characteristic of whole-grain dietary fiber, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the presence or absence of bound phenolics in rice bran dietary fiber (RBDF) on regulating glucose metabolism in diabetic db/db mice. In comparison to phenolics-removed RBDF (PR-RBDF) intervention without an antihyperglycemic effect, RBDF and formulated RBDF (F-RBDF, obtained by mixing PR-RBDF and hydrolyzed-bound phenolics) significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels after 1 and 5 weeks of interventions, respectively. The presence of bound phenolics interventions could activate the IRS1/AKT/GLUT4 insulin signaling pathway in skeletal muscle and alter gut microbiota by modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis and enriching the butyric-acid-producing bacteria genera of the families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, thus leading to the reduction of blood glucose levels. These findings indicate that bound phenolics ensure the antihyperglycemic effect of RBDF.

Comparison of the Effects of Different Food-Grade Emulsifiers on the Properties and Stability of a Casein-Maltodextrin-Soybean Oil Compound Emulsion.

The improvement of food-grade emulsifiers in the properties and stability of complex emulsion has attracted much interest. In this study, the effects of six food-grade emulsifiers with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) range of 3.4-8.0 on a casein-maltodextrin-soybean oil compound emulsion were investigated by centrifugal precipitation rate (CPR), emulsifying activity index (EAI), microrheological properties, zeta potential, average particle size, and Turbiscan stability index (TSI). The optimal amounts of added succinylated monoglyceride (SMG) and polyglycerol fatty acid ester were 0.0025% and 0.1% (w/w), respectively, while that of the other four emulsifiers was 0.2% (w/w), according to the CPR. Thereinto, the SMG-stabilized emulsion exhibited the highest emulsifying activity and the lowest viscosity value and possessed the highest stability over 14 days of storage, which was indicated by the lowest TSI value and the smallest change in delta backscattering signal, relative to those of the other groups. Moreover, the emulsion stabilized by SMG displayed better emulsion stability than the control under a range of pH (6.0-8.0) and calcium ion concentrations (0-10 mM), which was attributed to the increased zeta potential value and the decreased average particle size of droplets with the addition of SMG. The present study provides a basic understanding for SMG improving the properties and stability of the complex emulsion.

Rice Bran Phenolic Extract Protects against Alcoholic Liver Injury in Mice by Alleviating Intestinal Microbiota Dysbiosis, Barrier Dysfunction, and Liver Inflammation Mediated by the Endotoxin-TLR4-NF-κB Pathway.

Alcoholic liver injury, known as the most general result of chronic alcohol intake, is induced by inflammatory responses, which is activated by intestine-derived endotoxins formed from intestinal dysbiosis. The hepatoprotective activity of rice bran phenolic extract (RBPE) on ethanol-fed mice was investigated for the first time in this study, and the underlying mechanism was explored from gut microbiota, barrier function, and hepatic inflammation. Mice were fed an alcohol-containing liquid diet alone or in mixture with RBPE for 8 weeks. RBPE treatment mitigated ethanol-induced liver damage, evidenced by the declined lipid profile levels and hepatic function markers. Moreover, ethanol intake induced intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, which was attenuated by RBPE supplementation. RBPE treatment improved the alcohol-induced decrease in the expression of ZO-1, Claudin-1, Claudin-4, and Reg3g, revealing the ameliorative effect of RBPE on intestinal barrier dysfunction. Furthermore, RBPE treatment repressed the alcohol-induced trigger of the hepatic endotoxin-TLR4-NF-κB pathway, followed by the mitigated liver inflammation. The findings indicate that RBPE supplementation ameliorates intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and barrier dysfunction, inactivates the endotoxin-TLR4-NF-κB pathway, and represses inflammatory responses in liver, and therefore, intake of RBPE or brown rice may be an effective way to mitigate alcoholic liver injury.

Longan pulp polysaccharides relieve intestinal injury in vivo and in vitro by promoting tight junction expression.

The integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier is important for the health of the host. In this study, longan pulp polysaccharides (LP) prevented the intestinal mucosal injury by increasing the expression of mucin 2, tight junction proteins zonulae occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-1, claudin-4, and adherens junction E-cadherin in cyclophosphamide-treated mice. To further identify the principle bioactive component of LP, four acidic polysaccharides (LPIa, LPIIa, LPIIIa, and LPIVa) were purified, and their intestinal protection activity in vitro was compared. LPIa, LPIIa, and LPIIIa displayed an ability to increase mRNA expression of ZO-1, claudin-1, occludin, and E-cadherin in differentiated Caco-2 cells, especially LPIa. LPIa has specific structure characteristics: porous surface structure, a high molecular weight (1.47 × 105 Da), and two specific glycosidic linkages of α-Araf-(1→ and →5)-α-Araf-(1→. These structure characteristics might primarily contribute to greater intestinal barrier protective effect of LPIa.

Effect of Storage Conditions on Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Litchi Pericarp.

Changes of phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity of litchi pericarp during storage at 4 °C for seven days and at room temperature (RT) for 72 h were evaluated in this study. The contents of total phenolic and procyanidin decreased by 20.2% and 24.2% at 4 °C and by 37.8% and 47.8% at RT, respectively. Interestingly, the corresponding reductions of anthocyanins were 41.3% and 73%, respectively. Four phenolic compounds, including epicatechin, procyanidin A2, procyanidin B2, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside-7-O-α-l-rhamnosidase were detected in litchi pericarp. Their contents after storage at 4 °C and at RT were decreased by 22.1⁻49.7% and 27.6⁻48.7%, respectively. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) of litchi pericarp decreased by 17.6% and 58.7% at 4 °C, and by 23.4% and 66.0% at RT, respectively. The results indicated that storage at 4 °C preserved more phenolics and retained higher antioxidant activity in litchi pericarp compared to storage at RT, suggesting that storage at 4 °C should be considered as a more effective method for slowing down the degradation of litchi pericarp phenolics.

Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with intraoperative radiotherapy using low-energy X-rays for locally advanced ultra-low rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: In order to overcome the shortcomings of laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (Lap ISR), an alternative method of delivering intraoperative radiotherapy by Intrabeam X-rays radiotherapy system (XRS) is proposed in this paper. Intrabeam XRS is a device that uses low-energy X-rays source generated by a mobile controller unit, which is featured in accurate irradiation, reduced complications, and less exposure. The purpose of this study is to discuss the feasibility of Lap ISR with intra-operative radiotherapy using low-energy X-rays for locally advanced ultra-low rectal cancer in Asian woman. This novel proposed method will greatly increase the anus preserving probability and improved the quality of life. METHODS: A 53-year-old woman diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma had a strong desire to preserve the anal function and presented at the Jilin University Second Hospital, Jilin, China. The tumor's size was 4 cm × 3 cm. It was located 2 cm from the anus merge and invaded the levator ani muscle. Preoperative clinical staging was T4N1M0 and could be reached R0 resection. After the consent form was signed by the patient, Lap ISR combined with the applicator put through the anus (natural orifice) to the tumor bed was performed and prophylactic ileostomy synchronized the anastomosis. Patient only received 1-cycle chemotherapy regimen of oxaliplatin with capecitabine postoperatively due to personal reasons. Pre- or postoperative radiotherapy was not given. RESULTS: After clinical follow-up, until now, there is not any sign of local recurrence. Anus function and short-term complications are acceptable. The short-term effect is satisfying and we look forward to further assess the long-term effect. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with IORT using low-energy X-rays for the patients with late-stage ultra-low rectal cancer could provide an opportunity of preserving the anus function, and it is feasible for the selected patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered; Trial registration: NCT03393234 ; Registered time: 05 January 2017.

A Comparison of the Chemical Composition, In Vitro Bioaccessibility and Antioxidant Activity of Phenolic Compounds from Rice Bran and Its Dietary Fibres.

The composition, in vitro bioaccessibility and antioxidant activities of the phenolic compounds in defatted rice bran (DRB) and its soluble and insoluble dietary fibres were systematically evaluated in this study. The total phenolic content of insoluble dietary fibre from DRB (IDFDRB) was much higher than that of the soluble dietary fibre from DRB (SDFDRB) but was 10% lower than that of DRB. Bound phenolics accounted for more than 90% of the total phenolics in IDFDRB, whereas they accounted for 34.2% and 40.5% of the total phenolics in DRB and SDFDRB, respectively. Additionally, the phenolic profiles and antioxidant activities were significantly different in DRB, SDFDRB and IDFDRB. The phenolic compounds in IDFDRB were much less bioaccessibility than those in DRB and SDFDRB due to the higher proportion of bound phenolics in IDFDRB. Considering that bound phenolics could be released from food matrices by bacterial enzymes in the large intestine and go on to exert significant beneficial health effects in vivo, further studies on IDFDRB are needed to investigate the release of the phenolics from IDFDRB via gut microbiota and the related health benefits.

Influence of Huang Lian Jie Du Decoction on Quorum Sensing System of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Context • Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P aeruginosa) is an opportunistic and nosocomial, Gram-negative pathogen that is characteristic of quorum sensing (QS) modulation. QS inhibition (QSI) is considered to be a new approach to antimicrobial treatment that may reduce issues of antibiotic resistance. Traditional Chinese herbs have been recognized as a source of QSI. Objective • This study was intended to investigate whether the Huang Lian Jie Du decoction (HLJJD) possesses the ability to produce anti-QS activity. Design • P aeruginosa PAO1 was cultivated in the presence and absence of HLJDD or of the aqueous extracts of each of its 4 constituent herbs: Rhizoma coptidis (RC), Radix scutellariae (RS), Cortex phellodendri (CP), and Fructus gardeniae jasminoidis (FGJ). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were found for the HLJDD or its 4 constituents through testing each for evidence of antibacterial activity at 3.13, 6.25, 2.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/mL. Outcome Measures • QS-dependent virulence factors were analyzed at subminimum MICs (sub-MICs) for the HLJDD and its constituent herbs. The mRNA of the QS genes was also assessed by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results • The HLJDD exhibited the lowest MIC of 100 mg/mL, compared with MICs of 200 mg/mL for the RC and RS, 400 mg/mL for the CP, and more than 400 mg/mL for the FGJ. At the sub-MIC of 50 mg/mL for HLJDD, the results showed a significant reduction in pyocyanin pigment, elastolytic activity, proteolytic activity, biofilm formation, and bacterial motilities in the PAO1, without inhibiting the bacterial growth. The mRNA level of the P aeruginosa elastase gene (lasB) was also significantly reduced. The mRNA analysis also showed an increasing tendency for overexpressed QS genes when observed at sub-MICs. That inhibitory tendency was also observed in the sub-MICs of the constituent herbs in different degrees. Conclusions • The HLJDD showed the synergism of its 4 constituents against the growth of P aeruginosa and the QS-dependent virulence factors. Its anti-QS activity may interrupt the QS domination of the virulence factors of P aeruginosa downstream, leading to the overexpressed QS genes.