The influence of probiotic fermentation on the active compounds and bioactivities of walnut flowers.

In this study, the walnut flowers were fermented using five different probiotics, including two Lactobacillus plantarum, one Lactobacillus bulgaricus, one Lactobacillus casei, and one Lactobacillus rhamnosus. The chemical compositions, antioxidant capacities, and α-glucosidase inhibitory abilities of walnut flowers during fermentation processes were evaluated. The results showed that all the active compounds and bioactivities of the walnut flowers were significantly decreased after 7 days of fermentation, whereas a short-term fermentation (1-3 days) enhanced their bioactivities. Compared to the unfermented sample, L. plantarum (ATCC 8014) and L. rhamnosus (ATCC 53013) increased the ABTS (1.22 and 1.30 times higher) and DPPH radical scavenging activities (up to 1.23 and 1.04 times), respectively. L. plantarum (SWFU D16), L. plantarum (ATCC 8014), and L. rhamnosus (ATCC 53013) improved the ferric reducing antioxidant power which was 110.98%, 133.16%, and 104.76% of the unfermented sample. All five probiotics promoted the α-glucosidase inhibitory ability of walnut flowers (maximum 2.18-fold increase). Three phenolic acids and five flavonoids in the fermentation broth were identified by HPLC, where catechin, epicatechin, and catechin gallate were the dominant components. HPLC results demonstrated that these compounds were degraded and transformed in varying degrees under the effects of probiotics. Taken together, a short-term probiotic fermentation could change the active compounds of the walnut flowers and improve their bioactivities. L. plantarum (ATCC 8014) and L. rhamnosus (ATCC 334) are suggested as suitable strains in producing the fermented walnut flowers. The research findings could further support the development and utilization of walnut flowers as a fermented functional food. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Walnut flowers have been used as fermented food in southwestern China, but their active components and functional activities during fermentation processes are still unclear. This study found that different probiotic fermentation exerted a strong and varied influence on the chemical composition and biological activities of the walnut flowers. A short-term fermentation has significantly improved their antioxidant capacities and α-glucosidase inhibitory abilities, whereas the longer period of fermentation, caused a significant loss of both their active compounds and bioactivities. These findings are useful as a reference for the manufacturers of fermented walnut flowers in selecting suitable strains and fermentation time for their products.

Association Between MTHFR Gene Common Variants, Serum Homocysteine, and Risk of Early-Onset Coronary Artery Disease: A Case-Control Study.

The common variants of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene are related to the activity of the MTHFR enzyme and the concentrations of blood homocysteine (Hcy). This study was designed to investigate the associations of MTHFR in Chinese populations with early-onset coronary artery disease (EOCAD). The two common variants of the MTHFR gene were genotyped in 875 EOCAD patients and 956 controls using PCR, followed by direct sequencing of the PCR product. Serum levels of Hcy were measured using an automatic biochemistry analyzer. A significant association between the MTHFR-677C/T variant and the risk of EOCAD was detected in CC versus TT (odds ratio (OR) 1.456, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.120-1.892), dominant genetic model (OR 1.266, 95% CI 1.027-1.546), and recessive genetic model (OR 1.306, 95% CI 1.040-1.639). Hcy was most abundant in TT genotype (18.31 ± 7.22 µmol/L), least abundant in CC genotype (11.37 ± 5.23 µmol/L), and detectable at intermediate levels in heterozygotes (15.25 ± 6.58 µmol/L). Elevated serum Hcy levels were an independent risk factor for EOCAD (ORadjust 1.431, 95% CI 1.135-1.763). Our findings indicated that the T allele of -677C/T MTHFR variant predisposes to high levels of Hcy, and that the T allele is an important risk factor for EOCAD in the Chinese population.

[Comparative study on effects between electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture for methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy difference of electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome. METHODS: Ninety male patients of methamphetamine addiction were randomized into an electroacupuncture group, an auricular acupuncture group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the electroacupuncture group, Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Jiaji (EX-B 2) at T5 and L2 were selected bilaterally. In the auricular acupuncture group, jiaogan (AH(6a)), shenmen (TF4), fei (CO14) and gan (CO12) were selected unilaterally. The treatment was given 3 times a week, totally 12 treatments were required. In the control group, no any intervention was applied. Separately, before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks treatment, the scores of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, Hamilton anxiety scale and Hamilton depression scale were observed in each group. RESULTS: The total score of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, anxiety score and depression score were obviously reduced in 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment as compared with those before treatment in the electroacupuncture group and the auricular acupuncture group (all P < 0.05), and showed a trend of gradual decline as the extension of treatment. In 1,2,3,4 weeks of treatment, the total score of withdrawal syndrome, anxiety score and depression score in the electroacupuncture group and auricular acupuncture group were lower significantly than those in the control group (all P < 0.05), in which, the total score of withdrawal syndrome in the electroacupuncture group was lower significantly than that in the auricular acupuncture group in the 4th week of treatment (3.69 +/- 2.446 vs 5.73 +/- 3.169, P < 0.05); the anxiety scores were lower significantly than those in the auricular acupuncture group in 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (8.19 +/- 4.57 vs 9.65 +/- 4.24, 5.27 +/- 2.89 vs 7.38 +/- 3.10, both P < 0.05); the depression scores were lower significantly than those in the auricular acupuncture group in 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (15.35 +/- 5.64 vs 19.81 +/- 5.37, 10.96 +/- 4.52 vs 15.00 +/- 4.53, 7.96 +/- 2.69 vs 12.35 +/- 3.59, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at the body points and auricular acupuncture play the therapeutic role in the treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal syndrome, anxiety and depression. The longer time the treatment is with electroacupuncture at the body points, the more obvious the efficacy will be on the above symptoms.

[Study on the microstructure of fluorescent labelling ghee microcapsules by Tomoscan imaging].

In the present paper, fluorescein isothiocyanate was chosen as a fluorescence probe to mark casein protein in alkaline conditions. The interaction of the casein protein marked or not marked and fluorescein isothiocyanate was preliminarily discussed by the spectrum changes of UV-absorption and fluorescence spectrometry. Fluorescent marker was separated from SephadexG-50 chromatography column. With it as an emulsifier, the fluorescently-labeled ghee microcapsules were prepared by spray drying. And using laser scanning confocal microscope by tomoscan imaging to detect the microstructure of ghee microcapsules with the excitation of 488 nm argon-ion laser, the results showed that the casein protein assembled in the membrane surface of oil-water interface and microcapsules. The ghee microcapsules had two forms, namely mononuclear and multinuclear. The microcapsule was spherical. Its surface was smooth with no crack and no hollow. Its wall surface was intact and wall structure was relatively dense. The particle size showed obvious difference. Small particles attached to large particles, forming partial agglomerating powders to contribute to enhancing the solubility of microcapsules. These prove that the ghee microcapsule is an ideal microcapsule product.

Safety and immunogenicity of two freeze-dried Vero cell rabies vaccines for human use in post-exposure prophylaxis.

To provide basis for human rabies vaccination in China, the safety and immunogenicity of two freeze-dried Vero cell rabies vaccines for human use were assessed. A total of 250 volunteers were enrolled and divided into two groups: volunteers in Group A (n=200) were vaccinated five doses of Speeda Vero cell rabies vaccine manufactured by Liaoning Chengda Biotechnology Co. Ltd. on day 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 after exposure. Volunteers in Group B (n=50) were treated with Verorab Vero cell rabies vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur on the same schedule. The local and systematic adverse reactions were observed. Serum neutralizing antibody levels of 80 individuals in Group A and 50 individuals in Group B were tested with RFFIT on day 7, 14, 45, 180, 360 after the first dose. The seroconversion rates in Groups A and B were 40.3% and 37.0% on day 7 after the first dose, 95.5% and 97.7% on day 14, 100% and 100% on day 45, 100% and 100% on day 180, 89.1% and 89.5% on day 360 respectively, indicating no significant differences between the two groups. And no significant differences were found between the neutralizing antibody geometric mean titers (GMTs) of the two groups on day 7, 14, 45, 180 and 360 after the first dose, with the GMTs of day 14, 45, 180 and 360 all higher than 0.5IU/ml. Antibody levels of the two groups peaked around 2 weeks after the full vaccination program, followed by a 55% decrease up to day 180 and another 76% decrease up to day 360. Both groups experienced occasions of transient fever, rash, edema, and scleroma after vaccination. Neither group had any severe adverse reactions. It was concluded that both vaccines showed satisfactory safety and immunogenicity. Booster vaccination is recommended following another exposure after six months since the full vaccination program.

[Effect of dynamic high pressure microfluidization treatment on the microstructure of ovalbumin].

The effect of dynamic high pressure microfluidization on the microstructure of ovalbumin was studied by CD spectra, XRD spectra, ANS fluorescence probe emission spectra and UV absorption spectra. The results indicated that the changes in the microstructure were dependent on the pressure. CD spectra were used to examine the changes in the secondary structure of the ovalbumin treated by different pressures. When the pressure increased, the mutual transformation between alpha-helix, beta-sheet, beta-turn and the random coil was observed. The orderliness of the secondary structure was increased with increasing the pressure. XRD spectra analysis showed that the crystal structure content of the ovalbumin treated increased with increasing the pressure and the largest data was observed at 160 MPa, indicating that the orderliness of the secondary structure was increased. The results were similar to CD spectra analysis. The ANS fluorescence probe emission spectra analysis demonstrated that the dynamic high pressure microfluidization induced an increase in surface hydrophobicity following high pressure treatment, while the largest data was observed at 120 MPa. In addition, UV absorption spectra analysis indicated that dynamic high pressure microfluidization treatment also resulted in a decrease in the UV-absorption maximum wavelength with increasing the pressure, indicating that the aromatic amino acid was buried in the molecular interior and the three dimensional structure of ovalbumin was changed.

[Studies on the characters and microstructure of enzyme and octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch].

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectra, laser nano size detector (LNSD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were employed to analyze the characters and structure of enzyme and octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch. The results indicated that the enzymatic starch reacted with octenyl succinic anhydride, bringing only octenyl succinic anhydride groups but not any other groups. The esterification of enzymatic starch only took place in amorphous region, but had no effect on the crystal form of starch granule. The clarity of EOSS increased with the increase in substitution degree. The particle size of oil emulsion made by EOSS was fine and well-distributed, meaning that the emulsion has excellent emulsibility and emulsifying stability. The embedding of oil encapsulated with EOSS is fine. It can be concluded that the properties of EOSS is excellent, and can be used as emulsifier and wall material of microcapsule.