Aberrant functional connectivity in anterior cingulate gyrus subregions in migraine without aura patients.

Background: The anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG) is an important regulatory region for pain-related information. However, the ACG is composed of subregions with different functions. The mechanisms underlying the brain networks of different subregions of the ACG in patients with migraine without aura (MwoA) are currently unclear. Methods: In the current study, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and functional connectivity (FC) were used to investigate the functional characteristics of ACG subregions in MwoA patients. The study included 17 healthy volunteers and 28 MwoA patients. The FC calculation was based on rsfMRI data from a 3 T MRI scanner. The brain networks of the ACG subregions were compared using a general linear model to see if there were any differences between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between FC values in abnormal brain regions and clinical variables. Results: Compared with healthy subjects, MwoA patients showed decreased FC between left subgenual ACG and left middle cingulate gyrus and right middle temporal gyrus. Meanwhile, MwoA patients also showed increased FC between pregenual ACG and right angular gyrus and increased FC between right pregenual ACG and right superior occipital gyrus. The FC values between pregenual ACG and right superior occipital gyrus were significantly positively correlated with the visual analogue scale. Conclusion: Disturbances of FC between ACG subregions and default model network and visual cortex may play a key role in neuropathological features, perception and affection of MwoA. The current study provides further insights into the complex scenario of MwoA mechanisms.

Effect of glycine and Pediococcus pentosaceus R1 combined application on the physicochemical properties, oxidative stability, and taste profile of Harbin dry sausages.

This study investigated the effects of the application of glycine (Gly) and Pediococcus pentosaceus R1(Pp), alone or in combination, on the physicochemical properties, oxidative stability, and taste quality of Harbin dry sausages. The results demonstrated that after nine days of fermentation, the Gly + Pp group exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower moisture content (19.04%), water activity (0.686), and pH (4.78) values, alongside notably (P < 0.05) higher lactic acid bacteria count (8.11 log CFU/g sausage) and redness value (17.2), compared to the other three groups (P < 0.05). In addition, the dry sausages in the Gly + Pp group exhibited the lowest peroxide value (0.34 meq/kg sausage), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (0.46 MAD/kg sausage), and protein carbonyl content (1.26 nmol/kg protein) during fermentation, followed by the Gly group, Pp group, and control group. Electronic tongue (e-tongue) and sensory evaluations revealed that the combined treatment with P. pentosaceus R1 and Gly resulted in superior taste characteristics. Besides, partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis illustrated that the taste qualities characterized using the e-tongue were accordant with the sensory evaluation consequences, and total free amino acids (FAAs) and organic acids contributed to the dry sausages' taste properties. In conclusion, the combined application of Gly and P. pentosaceus R1 enhanced the physicochemical properties, oxidative stability, and taste profile of Harbin dry sausages.

Role of sodium pyrophosphate and catechin in the enzymatic hydrolysis of oxidatively damaged myofibrillar protein gels in vitro: Mechanistic insights.

This study investigated the effects of sodium pyrophosphate (SPP) and catechin (C) on the in vitro enzymatic digestion of oxidatively damaged myofibrillar protein (MP) gel. The results indicated that SPP increased the ß-sheet content and the gastric digestibility of the MP gel, while C hindered the transition from α-helix to ß-sheet structure, leading to decreased digestibility. Notably, neither compound significantly affected intestinal digestibility. Furthermore, SPP and C significantly enhanced the antioxidant activity of MP gel digestion products. Notably, their synergistic hydrolysis products, simulating both gastric and gastrointestinal stages, chelated 91.4 % and 89.1 % of Fe2+ and scavenged 59.4 % and 77.6 % of hydroxyl radicals, respectively. Moreover, the final digestion products of the MP gel treated with SPP and C exhibited the highest content of negatively charged amino acids and absolute Zeta potential values. Overall, this study demonstrated that incorporating SPP and C could positively impact the digestion of oxidatively damaged MP gels.

Abnormally glymphatic system functional in patients with migraine: a diffusion kurtosis imaging study.

BACKGROUND: The diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) method has been used to evaluate glymphatic system function in patients with migraine. However, since the diffusion tensor model cannot accurately describe the diffusion coefficient of the nerve fibre crossing region, we proposed a diffusion kurtosis imaging ALPS (DKI-ALPS) method to evaluate glymphatic system function in patients with migraine. METHODS: The study included 29 healthy controls and 37 patients with migraine. We used diffusion imaging data from a 3T MRI scanner to calculate DTI-ALPS and DKI-ALPS indices of the two groups. We compared the DTI-ALPS and DKI-ALPS indices between the two groups using a two-sample t-test and performed correlation analyses with clinical variables. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in DTI-ALPS index between the two groups. Patients with migraine showed a significantly increased right DKI-ALPS index compared to healthy controls (1.6858 vs. 1.5729; p = 0.0301). There was no significant correlation between ALPS indices and clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: DKI-ALPS is a potential method to assess glymphatic system function and patients with migraine do not have impaired glymphatic system function.

Association of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness with Brain Microstructural Changes in Participants with White Matter Hyperintensities.

PURPOSE: White matter hyperintensity (WMH) is suggested to cause stroke and dementia in older adults. Retinal structural thicknesses revealed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) are associated with structural changes in the brain. We aimed to explore the association between the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and cerebral microstructural changes in participants with white matter hyperintensities (WMH). METHODS: Seventy-four participants (37 controls, healthy control (HC), and 37 older adults with WMH) underwent retinal and brain imaging using OCT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) respectively. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was assessed by the OCT. Gray matter volume (GMV) was assessed from a T1-weighted MRI. White matter integrity was assessed with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) while WMH severity was assessed with the Fazekas scale. All participants underwent a neuropsychological examination (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE). RESULTS: Older adults with WMH showed thinner peripapillary RNFL (p = 0.004) thickness when compared with the control group after adjusting for age, hypertension and gender. In our older adults with WMH, RNFL thickness correlated with fractional anisotropy (FA) in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) (Rho = -0.331, p < 0.001). In older adults with WMH, RNFL was significantly associated with MMSE scores (Rho = 0.422, p < 0.001) and Fazekas scores (Rho = -0.381, p = 0.022) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest neurodegeneration of peripapillary RNFL in older adults with WMH was associated with cerebral microstructural volume, impaired cerebral axonal damage, and cognitive performances. OCT metrics may provide evidence of neurodegeneration that may underpin WMH and cerebral microstructural changes in the brain. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered online at the China Clinical Trial Registration Center (registration number: ChiCTR-ROC-17011819).

The effects of resonance acoustic mixing modulation on the structural and emulsifying properties of pea protein isolate.

The effects of resonant acoustic mixing (RAM) with different treatment times (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min) on the structural and emulsifying properties of pea protein isolate (PPI) were investigated for the first time. Increasing the RAM treatment time from 0 to 20 min decreased the α-helix/ß-sheet ratio and particle size of the PPI samples by 37.84 % and 46.44 %, respectively, accompanied by an increase in solubility from 54.79 % to 71.80 % (P < 0.05). Consequently, the emulsifying activity index of PPI (from 10.45 m2/g to 14.2 m2/g) and the physical stability of RAM-PPI emulsions were effectively enhanced, which was confirmed by the small and uniformly distributed oil droplets in the micrographs of the emulsions. However, excessive RAM treatment (30 min) diminished the effectiveness of the aforementioned improvements. Therefore, obviously enhanced solubility and emulsifying properties of PPI can be attained through proper RAM treatment (15-20 min).

PSD-95 inhibitor Tat-NR2B9c (NA-1) protects the integrity of the blood-brain barrier after transient middle artery occlusion in rats by downregulating matrix metalloprotease-9 and upregulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

BACKGROUND: Protection against ischemic stroke may be most effective when multiple components of the neurovascular unit are protected, yet current treatments target mainly neurons. Here we explored whether the PSD-95 inhibitor Tat-NR2B9c (NA-1) can protect not only neurons but also the blood-brain barrier. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, which were subjected to either sham surgery or transient cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, after which some animals were treated with Tat-NR2B9c. The therapeutic efficacy of Tat-NR2B9c was assessed in terms of the degree of neurological deficit and cerebral infarction, integrity of the blood-brain barrier, cerebral water content, as well as expression of PSD-95, nitric oxide synthase, and matrix metalloprotease-9. RESULTS: Tat-NR2B9c (NA-1) ameliorated neurofunctional deficit, reduced cerebral infarction, mitigated blood-brain barrier injury and improved its integrity following ischemia-reperfusion, leading to less cerebral edema. These improvements were associated with upregulation of tight junction proteins in the blood-brain barrier. At the same time, Tat-NR2B9c (NA-1) downregulated neuronal nitric oxide synthase and matrix metalloprotease-9, while reversing the ischemia-induced downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in brain. We report here the first evidence that PSD-95 is expressed in vascular endothelial cells in the brain. CONCLUSION: Our experiments in a rat model of transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery suggest that Tat-NR2B9c (NA-1) can mitigate ischemic injury to the blood-brain barrier, and that it may do so by downregulating matrix metalloprotease-9 and upregulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

Influence of heat treatment before and/or after high-pressure homogenization on the structure and emulsification properties of soybean protein isolate.

This study investigates the effects of heat treatment before high-pressure homogenization (HHPH) and heat treatment after high-pressure homogenization (HPHH) at different pressures (20, 60, and 100 MPa) on the structural and emulsification properties of soy protein isolate (SPI). The results indicate that HHPH treatment increases the surface hydrophobicity (H0) of the SPI, reduces ß-fold and irregular curls, leading to the formation of soluble aggregates, increased adsorbed protein content, and subsequent improvements in emulsification activity index (EAI) and emulsion stability index (ESI). In contrast, the HPHH treatment promoted the exchange of SH/SS bonds between protein molecules and facilitated the interaction of basic peptides and ß-subunits, leading to larger particle sizes of the soluble aggregates compared to the HHPH-treated samples. However, excessive aggregation in HPHH-treated aggregates leads to decreased H0 and adsorbed protein content, and increased interfacial tension, negatively affecting the emulsification properties. Compared to the HPHH treatment, HHPH treatment at homogenization pressures of 20 to 100 MPa increases EAI and ESI by 5.81-29.6 % and 5.31-25.9 %, respectively. These findings provide a fundamental basis for soybean protein manufacturers to employ appropriate processing procedures aimed at improving emulsification properties.

Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal comparisons against liquid-state fermentation of primary dark tea, green tea and white tea by Aspergillus cristatus.

Liquid-state fermentation (LSF) of tea leaves is a promising way to obtain tea-based nutraceutical products rich in various bioactive compounds. In the study, the changes of bioactive compounds, tea pigments and complex metabolites from LSF of primary dark tea, green tea and white tea infusions with Aspergillus cristatus were determined. Chemical analyses revealed that soluble sugars, monosaccharide composition, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, free amino acids, soluble proteins and tea pigments were changed in different ways. An untargeted metabolomic analysis and ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq) based transcriptomic analysis were performed to investigate the metabolic differentiation and clarify the key differentially expressed genes (DEGs, fold change >2 and p < 0.05), showing that amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism were the most enriched pathways during A. cristatus fermentation of primary dark tea, green tea and white tea infusions. In addition, glycerophospholipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism were greatly accumulated in the fermentation of primary dark tea and white tea infusions; Pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, fatty acid degradation, tyrosine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis and valine and leucine, isoleucine degradation were greatly accumulated in the fermentation of primary dark tea and green tea infusions; Starch and sucrose metabolism was greatly accumulated in the fermentation of green tea and white tea infusions; Galactose metabolism was significantly enhanced in the fermentation of primary dark tea infusion; Amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism were significantly enhanced in the fermentation of green tea infusion. Besides, some other pathways involving aminobenzoate degradation, biosynthesis of cofactors, pyrimidine metabolism, benzoxazinoid biosynthesis and phenazine biosynthesis, tropane, piperidine and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis and flavone and flavonol biosynthesis also differed from each other. These findings support that A. cristatus plays a vital role in the biochemical and genetic regulation of metabolite profile, and could be considered a potential prospect for better use of A. cristatus on different kinds of tea materials.

Associations between computed tomography markers of cerebral small vessel disease and hemorrhagic transformation after intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Background: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is common among acute ischemic stroke patients after treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). We analyzed potential relationships between markers of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and HT in patients after IVT. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed computed tomography (CT) data for acute ischemic stroke patients before and after treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator at a large Chinese hospital between July 2014 and June 2021. Total CSVD score were summed by individual CSVD markers including leukoaraiosis, brain atrophy and lacune. Binary regression analysis was used to explore whether CSVD markers were related to HT as the primary outcome or to symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) as a secondary outcome. Results: A total of 397 AIS patients treated with IVT were screened for inclusion in this study. Patients with missing laboratory data (n = 37) and patients treated with endovascular therapy (n = 42) were excluded. Of the 318 patients included, 54 (17.0%) developed HT within 24-36 h of IVT, and 14 (4.3%) developed sICH. HT risk was independently associated with severe brain atrophy (OR 3.14, 95%CI 1.43-6.92, P = 0.004) and severe leukoaraiosis (OR 2.41, 95%CI 1.05-5.50, P = 0.036), but not to severe lacune level (OR 0.58, 95%CI 0.23-1.45, P = 0.250). Patients with a total CSVD burden ≥1 were at higher risk of HT (OR 2.87, 95%CI 1.38-5.94, P = 0.005). However, occurrence of sICH was not predicted by CSVD markers or total CSVD burden. Conclusion: In patients with acute ischemic stroke, severe leukoaraiosis, brain atrophy and total CSVD burden may be risk factors for HT after IVT. These findings may help improve efforts to mitigate or even prevent HT in vulnerable patients.

Abnormal functional connectivity of the habenula in mild cognitive impairment patients with depression symptoms revealed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Recent research suggests that abnormalities in the habenula (HB), a core area of the brain that transmits reward information, may be a determinant of depression. However, it is not clear whether the functional connectivity (FC) pattern of the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with and without depression symptoms is abnormal. METHODS: In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the FC pattern of the HB in MCI patients with depression symptoms (D-MCI). We acquired fMRI data from 54 subjects on a 3T MRI. Subjects collected included 16 patients with D-MCI, 18 patients with MCI with no depression, and 20 healthy controls. One way ANCOVA and post hoc t-test were used to compare the difference in FC strength between the three groups. RESULTS: The D-MCI group had altered FC between the left HB and the right superior temporal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus/opercular part, and right middle frontal gyrus. The D-MCI group had increased FC between the right HB and precuneus. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the dysfunction of the HB-Default model network might be involved in the neural mechanism underlying depression in MCI.

High ratio of C-reactive protein to albumin is associated with hemorrhagic transformation and poor functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients after thrombolysis.

Background: In patients with acute ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common complication after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the ratio of C-reactive protein to albumin (CAR) before thrombolysis, HT, and functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 354 patients who received thrombolytic therapy at the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Wenzhou Medical University in China between July 2014 and May 2022. CAR was measured on admission, and HT was identified by cranial computed tomography (CT) within 24-36 h after treatment. Poor outcome was defined as a score on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) > 2 at discharge. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between CAR, HT, and poor outcome after thrombolysis, respectively. Results: A total of 354 patients were analyzed, and their median CAR was 0.61 (interquartile range, 0.24-1.28). CAR was significantly higher in the 56 patients (15.8%) who experienced HT than in those who did not (0.94 vs. 0.56, p < 0.001), and the 131 patients (37.0%) who experienced poor outcome than in those who did not (0.87 vs. 0.43, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that CAR was an independent risk factor for both HT and poor outcome. The risk of HT was significantly higher among patients whose CAR fell in the fourth quartile than among those with CAR in the first quartile (OR 6.64, 95% CI 1.83 to 24.17, p = 0.004). Patients with CAR in the third quartile were more likely to experience poor outcome (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.32 to 8.51, p = 0.01), as were those in the fourth quartile (OR 7.33, 95% CI 2.62 to 20.50, p < 0.001), compared to patients with CAR in the first quartile. Conclusion: High ratio of C-reactive protein to albumin in individuals with ischemic stroke is associated with an increased risk of HT and poor functional outcomes after thrombolysis.

Abnormally Increased Effective Connectivity of the Periaqueductal Gray in Migraine Without Aura Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is a key region in the descending pain modulatory system. We applied a Granger causality analysis-based approach to examine resting-state effective connectivity of the bilateral PAG regions in migraine patients without aura (MwoA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained from 28 MwoA patients and 17 healthy controls. The effective connectivity of the bilateral PAG was characterized using a voxel-wised Granger causality analysis method. The resulting effective connectivity measurements were assessed for correlations with other clinical features. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy controls, MwoA patients showed increased effective connectivity from the left PAG to the left anterior cingulate gyrus and right postcentral gyrus. Meanwhile, MwoA patients also showed increased effective connectivity from the right PAG to the left precentral gyrus and increased effective connectivity from the left caudate and right middle occipital gyrus to the right PAG. DISCUSSION: Abnormally increased effective connectivity between PAG and limbic system, primary sensorimotor cortex, and visual cortex may play a key role in neuropathological features, perception, and affection of MwoA. The current study provides further insights into the complex scenario of MwoA mechanisms.

Rheological, textural, and water-immobilizing properties of mung bean starch and flaxseed protein composite gels as potential dysphagia food: The effect of Astragalus polysaccharide.

The effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on rheological, textural, water-holding, and microstructural properties of mung bean starch (MBS)/flaxseed protein (FP) composite gels were investigated. Results showed that the storage modulus (G') of gels with APS were significantly lower than that of the control gel, while different concentrations of APS possessed diverse effects on the hardness, gumminess and cohesiveness of the gels. Adding APS significantly improved the water retention capacity by trapping more immobilized and free water in the gel network. Microstructurally, the MBS/FP/APS composite gels displayed a complex network with reduced pore size compared with that of the control gel (MBS/FP). International dysphagia diet standardization initiative (IDDSI) tests suggested that gels with APS contents below 0.09 % could be classified into level 6, while gel with 0.12 % APS could be categorized as level 7. Mechanistically, APS could influence the interactions between starch and protein within the tri-polymeric composite systems by affecting starch gelatinization and hydrogen bonding, further contributing to the formation of strengthened gel network and the change of gel properties. These results suggest that the macromolecular APS can improve the structural and textural properties of the starch-protein composite systems, and impart various functional properties to the FP-based gel foods.

Textural characterization of calcium salts-induced mung bean starch-flaxseed protein composite gels as dysphagia food.

Effects of calcium gluconate (CG), calcium lactate (CL) and calcium dihydrogen phosphate (CDP) on the structural and functional properties of mung bean starch (MBS)-flaxseed protein (FP) composite gels were investigated to explore the feasibility of developing dysphagia food. The water-immobilizing, rheological and structural properties of MBS-FP composite gels adding different calcium salts (10, 30, and 50 mmol/L) were analyzed by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance measurement, rheological and textural analyses, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results showed that calcium salts imparted various soft gel properties to the composite gels by influencing the interactions between MBS and FP. Calcium salts could affect the conformation of amylose chains, accelerate the aggregation of FP molecules, and increase the cross-linking between starch and protein aggregates, resulting in the formation of large aggregates and a weak gel network. Consequently, calcium salts-induced composite gels showed lower viscoelastic moduli and gel strength than the control gel. In particular, different calcium salts had various impacts on the gel properties due to their diverse ability forming hydrogen bonds. Compared with CL and CDP, the gels containing CG presented the higher viscoelastic moduli and hardness, and possessed an irregular cellular network with the increased pore number and the decreased wall thickness. The gel containing 50 mmol/L CL had the highest water-holding capacity, in all the gels tested, by retaining more immobilized and mobile water in the compact gel network with larger cavities. The gels adding CDP presented lower hardness and gumminess due to the obvious lamellar structure within the network. International dysphagia diet standardization initiative (IDDSI) tests indicated that the gels adding CG and CL could be categorized into level 6 (soft and bite-sized) dysphagia diet, while the samples adding CDP could be classified into level 5 (minced and moist). These findings provide insights for the development of the novel soft gel-type dysphagia food.

Garlic essential oil in water nanoemulsion prepared by high-power ultrasound: Properties, stability and its antibacterial mechanism against MRSA isolated from pork.

Food-borne methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has caused significant health threats and economic loss in livestock and poultry products. Garlic essential oil (GEO) is an effective antibacterial agent but presents strong instability and hydrophobicity. In this study, GEO in water nanoemulsion (GEON) with good stability was produced by emulsification technique of high-power ultrasound. Its antibacterial activity and underlying mechanism against MRSA isolated from retailed pork were investigated. Results showed that ultrasonic treatment significantly reduced the particle size of GENO from 820.3 to 215.0 nm as time increased from 0 to 10 min. Comparatively, GEON of 10 min ultrasound was more stable than other GEONs (0, 1, 5 min) during 30 d storage. It also displayed good thermal stability and relatively good ion stability (NaCl, MgCl2, and glucose). Antibacterial analysis showed that GEON (10 min) exhibited the best anti-MRSA activity among all GEONs, and the minimum inhibitory concentration of GEO in this nanoemulsion was 0.125 % (1.25 mg/mL). Treatment of GEON (10 min) significantly suppressed the cell proliferation of MRSA, which was mainly achieved by damaging the cell membrane as evidenced by membrane depolarization and considerable leakage of intracellular nucleic acids and protein. Laser scanning confocal microscope and scanning electron microscopy showed that treatment of GEON (10 min) significantly altered the membrane integrity and severely damaged the cellular membrane and structure. The present work illustrated that GEON produced by ultrasonic emulsification is a promising alternative to inhibit the contamination and spread of MRSA in livestock and poultry products.

High ratio of monocytes to high-density lipoprotein is associated with hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke patients on intravenous thrombolysis.

Background: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a frequent, serious complication in acute ischemic stroke patients on intravenous thrombolysis. Here we investigated whether risk of HT is associated with the ratio of monocyte count to high-density lipoprotein level (MHR). Materials and methods: Medical records were retrospectively examined for consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who received thrombolytic therapy. HT was diagnosed by computed tomography at 24-36 h after therapy. Potential association between MHR and HT was examined using logistic regression. Results: A total of 340 patients were analyzed, and their median MHR was 0.44 (0.31-0.59). MHR was higher in the 51 patients (15.0%) with HT than in those who did not suffer HT (0.53 vs. 0.42, P = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that, after adjusting for potential confounders, MHR was an independent risk factor for HT (OR 7.50, 95% CI 1.64 to 34.35, P = 0.009). Risk of HT was significantly higher among patients whose MHR fell in the third quartile (0.42-0.53) and the fourth quartile (> 0.53) than among those with MHR in the first quartile (< 0.31; OR 3.53, 95% CI 1.11 to 11.20, P = 0.032; OR 4.79, 95% CI 1.49 to 15.42, P = 0.009). Conclusion: High MHR may be independently associated with higher risk of HT in patients with acute ischemic stroke on intravenous thrombolysis.

ε-Polylysine-mediated enhancement of the structural stability and gelling properties of myofibrillar protein under oxidative stress.

The effects of ε-polylysine (ε-PL) at different concentrations (0.005 %, 0.010 %, 0.020 %, and 0.030 %) on the structure and gelling behavior of pork myofibrillar protein (MP) under oxidative stress were explored. The incorporation of ε-PL significantly restrained oxidation-induced sulfhydryl and solubility losses (up to 9.72 % and 41.9 %, respectively) as well as protein crosslinking and aggregation. Compared with the oxidized control, ε-PL at low concentrations (0.005 % - 0.020 %) promoted further unfolding and destabilization of MP, while 0.030 % ε-PL led to refolding of MP and enhanced its thermal stability. The ε-PL-induced physicochemical changes favored the formation of a finer and more homogeneous three-dimensional network structure, therefore obviously enhancing the strength and water-holding capacity (WHC) of thermally induced oxidized MP gels, with the ε-PL at 0.020 % showed the greatest enhancement. This work revealed for the first time that ε-PL can significantly ameliorate the oxidation stability and gel-forming ability of meat proteins.

Microbiome-metabolome responses of Fuzhuan brick tea crude polysaccharides with immune-protective benefit in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive mice.

The present study investigated the immune-protective effect of polysaccharides from Fuzhuan brick tea (FBTPs) in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced immunosuppressive mice. The results showed that high-dose of FBTPs administration remarkably alleviated Cy-evoked immune damage through improving the body features, organ indices, immune responses and oxidative stress in the mice. Further microbiota analysis revealed that FBTPs obviously restored Cy-evoked microbial dysbiosis by increasing several beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, Unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae and norank_f_Lachnospiraceae, while reducing Bacteroides, norank_f_Ruminococcaceae, Colidextribacter, Alloprevotella, norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae and Helicobacter. Meanwhile, metabolomics analysis found that FBTPs significantly altered a range of microbial metabolites, including inosine, deoxyinosine, taurine, sinapic acid, maltotriose, butyric acid, lysophosphatidyl cholines (LysoPCs), lysophosphatidic acids (LysoPAs) and choline. These altered metabolites were involved in purine metabolism, ABC transporters, sulfur metabolism, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, carbohydrate digestion and absorption, protein digestion and absorption, choline metabolism in cancer and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways, which were mainly related to immune responses, antioxidant capacity and energy supply of the immunosuppressive mice. Additionally, some significant correlations were observed between the specific microbiota and effective metabolites. These results provide a novel insight into the immune-protective effect of FBTPs on regulating the intestinal microbiota and metabolism, which are helpful for thoroughly understanding the nutrition of FBTPs and providing a solid basis for the deeper utilization of Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT).

Modification of myofibrillar protein gelation under oxidative stress using combined inulin and glutathione.

The effects of inulin (1.5%), glutathione (GSH, 0.05%), and their combination (1.5% inulin + 0.05% GSH) on the conformational structure and gel performance of pork myofibrillar protein (MP) under oxidation condition were examined. The addition of GSH significantly prevented oxidation-induced carbonylation, reduction of α-helix content, and protein aggregation. As a result, treatment with GSH significantly reduced the particle size of oxidized MP by 35%, increased the solubility by 17.3%, and improved the gelling properties. The presence of inulin also obviously enhanced the gelling behavior of MP under oxidation condition, although it could hardly inhibit the modification of MP structure caused by oxidation. Treatment with inulin + GSH exhibited the highest cooking yield (84.2%) and the best textural characteristics, with a denser and more uniform network structure comprising evenly distributed small pores. The findings of this study provide a useful method for processing meat protein gel products with better oxidative stability and textural properties.