An overview on antioxidant peptides from rice bran proteins: extraction, identification, and applications.

Rice by-products, generated through the milling processes, have recently been recognized as a potential source of bioactive compounds, such as proteins, essential amino acids, and phenolics. Owing to their antioxidant capacity (which improve the storage stability of foods), these compounds have gained much attention because of their beneficial impacts on human health. It has to be noted that large quantities of rice by-products are not efficiently utilized, which may result in industrial wastes and environmental consequences. Thence, the aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive insight on the antioxidant capabilities, extraction, identification, functional attributes, and applications of bioactive hydrolysates and peptides derived from rice bran protein. This overview would provide an insight on rice bran proteins, which are abundant in bioactive peptides, and could be used as value-added products in food and pharmaceutical applications. Inclusion of bioactive peptides to prevent food spoilage while maintaining food safety has also been highlighted.

An accurate strategy for pointing the key biocatalytic sites of bre2691A protein for modification of the brevilaterin from Brevibacillus laterosporus.

BACKGROUND: Brevilaterin A-E, a novel class of multi-component cationic antimicrobial lipopeptides, were biosynthesized by a non-ribosomal peptides synthetase (NRPS) in Brevibacillus laterosporus. However, the antimicrobial abilities of different brevilaterin components varied greatly, and this multi-component form was impeding the scale production of the excellent component, and a little information about the brevilaterin biosynthesis mechanism was available to apply in brevilaterin design modification. In this study, we used an accurate strategy that revealed the reason for producing multi-component was the substrate selectivity of bre2691A protein being not enough specific and pinpointed the key design sites to make the specificity of bre2691A enhanced. RESULTS: Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the biocatalytic site of bre2691A, which was an adenylation domain catalyzed and recognized methionine, leucine, valine and isoleucine and thus introduced them into brevilaterins and caused different components (brevilaterin A-E), was consisted of A1 ~ A10 residues named specificity-conferring code. Coupling molecular docking simulations with mutation studies identified A2 and A7 as critical residues, where determined substrate-specificity and impacted activity. The in virto activity assay showed that the A2 mutant (G193A) would lose activity against methionine and have no effect on the other three amino acids, the A7 mutant (G285C) would enhance the catalytic activity against four substrates, especially against leucine at almost a double activity. When the A2 and A7 residues were synchronously mutated, this mutant would be more focused on recognizing leucine. CONCLUSIONS: An accurate strategy that combined with bioinformatics and site-directed mutation techniques revealed the pivotal site A2 and A7 positions of bre2691A protein that could be used to design and modify brevilaterins, thus further providing a reasonable direction of genetic engineering for Brevibacillus laterosporus. A deeper understanding of the function of crucial residues in the adenylation domain would make it get more accurate and highly efficient design and more fully utilized. Furthermore, it would contribute to biotechnological applications, namely for the large centralized synthesis of antimicrobial peptides, or for the optimization of their production.

Broad-spectrum antifungal activity of lipopeptide brevilaterin B and its inhibition effects against Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium chrysogenum.

AIMS: Brevilaterin B is a natural antimicrobial lipopeptide produced by Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9. However, its antifungal spectrum and modes of action are still unclear. Herein, we investigated the detailed antifungal activity of brevilaterin B against 33 pathogenic fungi and the antifungal effects against two sensitive fungi in vitro and in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: Brevilaterin B exhibited inhibitory activity against 33 pathogenic fungi involved in plant disease and food spoilage at the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) range of 16-128 µg ml-1 . The antifungal effects were further studied by Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium chrysogenum. Both spore germination and mycelium growth were inhibited by brevilaterin B at sub-MIC. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent dye staining assays indicated brevilaterin B damaged cell integrity and induced apoptosis. In vivo tests, brevilaterin B inhibited the infection of F. oxysporum to Dendrobium officinale and P. chrysogenum to mandarin (Citrus reticulata) at 500 µg ml-1 , respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Brevilaterin B showed broad-spectrum antifungal activity against 33 pathogenic fungi. And its antifungal modes of action were proposed as damaging cell integrity and inducing cell apoptosis. The lipopeptide is promising to control F. oxysporum in the D. officinale and P. chrysogenum in the mandarin. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: The research provided insights into antifungal modes of action of brevilaterin B. The lipopeptide brevilaterin B is potential to be developed as a broad-spectrum antifungal agent for agricultural biocontrol and postharvest storage.

Brevilaterin B from Brevibacillus laterosporus has selective antitumor activity and induces apoptosis in epidermal cancer.

Brevilaterins as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) secreted by a newly discovered species Brevibacillus laterosporus, had been demonstrated to display excellent antibacterial and antifungal activities; however, very limited information about their new bioactivity was ever developed. Herein, we discovered Brevilaterin B, an AMP produced by Br. laterosporus S62-9, exhibited a new anticancer activity and investigated its anticancer details. Proliferation, membrane permeability and apoptotic rate of cell lines were studied by methods of CCK-8 Assay, LDH Assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI Kits, respectively. ROS levels and mitochondrial membrane potential of tested cells were further detected through the fluorescent probes DCFH-DA and JC-1. Brevilaterin B exhibited broad-spectrum anticancer activity in a dose-dependent manner. It selectively inhibited the proliferation of epidermal cancer cell A431 but had no effect on its control normal cells in a dose of 2.0 µg/mL. In comparision, typical morphological characteristics of apoptosis and an apoptotic ratio of 71.0% in A431 were observed after treatment by 2.0-3.0 µg/mL of Brevilaterin B. The ROS levels increased by 21.3% and mitochondrial membrane potential reduced by 48.8% from A431 were further occurred, indicating Brevilaterin B's anticancer action was mainly focus on the mitochondrion of cancer cells. In total, Brevilaterin B we reported above maybe believed to be a potential application as an anticancer medicament, increasing its commercial value.

Antibacterial mechanism of brevilaterin B: an amphiphilic lipopeptide targeting the membrane of Listeria monocytogenes.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are recognized as promising safe alternatives to antibiotics for its low drug-resistance. Brevilaterin B, a newly discovered antimicrobial lipopeptide produced by Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9, exhibits efficient antibacterial activity on Listeria monocytogenes with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1 µg mL-1. The present research aimed to investigate the antibacterial mechanism of brevilaterin B against Listeria monocytogenes. Brevilaterin B caused membrane depolarization and the breakup of the cytomembrane as measured by 3,3-dipropylthiadicarbocyanine iodide and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Using 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-rac-(1-glycerol) sodium salt (7:3) as a model membrane, results proved that brevilaterin B could bind to liposomes, integrate into the lipid bilayer, and consequently increase the permeability of liposomes to calcein. The secondary structure of brevilaterin B also changed from an unstructured coil to a mainly ß-sheet conformation as measured by circular dichroism. Brevilaterin B exhibits antibacterial activity by a membrane interaction mechanism, which provides a theoretical basis for using brevilaterin B as a promising natural and effective antimicrobial agent against pathogenic bacteria. KEY POINTS: • Brevilaterin B exhibited antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes. • Brevilaterin B exhibited membrane interaction mechanism. • Brevilaterin B showed conformational change when interacted with liposome.

Effects of different high temperature-pressure processing times on the sensory quality, nutrition and allergenicity of ready-to-eat clam meat.

Investigating technologies to control the allergenicity of seafood is particularly important to safeguard consumer health, but there is currently a dearth of research focused on reducing the allergenicity of clam meat. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high temperature-pressure (HTP) processing times (121 °C, 0.14 MPa; 5, 10, 15, 20 min) on the sensory quality, nutrition, and allergenicity of ready-to-eat clam meat. With the extension of HTP time, the hardness of clam meat gradually decreased, the chewiness decreased initially and then increased, and the meat became tender. HTP processing endowed clam meat with abundant esters and aldehydes. Among all the processing groups, the umami and saltiness were better at 15 min, correlating with the highest overall acceptability. Ready-to-eat clam meat contained high-protein nutritional value. Compared with raw clam meat, the tropomyosin allergenicity of clam meat treated with HTP for 15 and 20 min was significantly reduced by 51.9 % and 56.5 %, respectively (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between these two groups. Appropriate HTP processing time might be an efficient condition to reduce the tropomyosin allergenicity of ready-to-eat clam meat and improve its quality, particularly for the time of 15 min. The results of this study could provide a reliable theoretical basis for the development of hypoallergenic clam foods.

A multitissue transcriptomic analysis reveals a potential mechanism whereby Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 promotes broiler growth.

Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 has been shown to improve broiler growth performance and immunity. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of B. laterosporus S62-9 on the immunity and lipid metabolism of broilers by means of transcriptomic analysis. A total of 160 1-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to a S62-9 group, the diet of which was supplemented with 106 CFU/g B. laterosporus S62-9 daily, and a control group, which was not. After 42 d of feeding, the broilers in the S62-9 group had higher body mass (7.2%) and feed conversion ratio (5.19%) than the control group. Supplementation with B. laterosporus S62-9 resulted in lower serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations and higher high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations. An analysis of the fatty acid composition of the broiler's thigh muscles revealed that the proportions of the unsaturated fatty acids myristoleic acid (C14:1) and arachidonic acid (C20:1) were higher for birds in the S62-9 group. Transcriptomic analysis also showed an upregulation of immunity-related genes in the S62-9 group. Gene Ontology functional enrichment analysis showed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway was enriched in the liver, the defense response was enriched in the duodenum, and immunoglobulin-related entries were enriched in the jejunum of the S62-9 group. Furthermore, the expression of key genes involved in unsaturated fatty acid synthesis (SCD, encoding stearoyl-CoA desaturase) and fatty acid metabolism (HACD2, encoding 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase 2) was upregulated in the liver, and the expression of genes associated with fat biosynthesis and accumulation, such as PLIN1, encoding perilipin 1, and FABP4, encoding fatty acid binding protein 4, was upregulated in the ileum of the birds in the S62-9 group. In summary, supplementation with B. laterosporus S62-9 could improve immune defense and the fatty acid metabolism of broiler chickens, thereby enhancing their disease resistance and promoting growth and development.

Study on the mechanism of mitigating radiation damage by improving the hematopoietic system and intestinal barrier with Tenebrio molitor peptides.

Research on plant and animal peptides has garnered significant attention, but there is a lack of studies on the functional properties of Tenebrio molitor peptides, particularly in relation to their potential mitigating effect on radiation damage and the underlying mechanisms. This study aims to explore the protective effects of Tenebrio molitor peptides against radiation-induced damage. Mice were divided into five groups: normal, radiation model, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Tenebrio molitor peptide (TMP) groups (0.15 g per kg BW, 0.30 g per kg BW, and 0.60 g per kg BW). Various parameters such as blood cell counts, bone marrow DNA content, immune organ indices, serum levels of D-lactic acid, diamine oxidase (DAO), endotoxin (LPS), and inflammatory factors were assessed at 3 and 15 days post gamma irradiation. Additionally, the intestinal tissue morphology was examined through H&E staining, RT-qPCR experiments were conducted to analyze the expression of inflammatory factors in the intestine, and immunohistochemistry was utilized to evaluate the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin in the intestine. The findings revealed that high-dose TMP significantly enhanced the hematopoietic system function in mice post radiation exposure, leading to increased spleen index, thymus index, blood cell counts, and bone marrow DNA production (p < 0.05). Moreover, TMP improved the intestinal barrier integrity and reduced the intestinal permeability. Mechanistic insights suggested that these peptides may safeguard intestinal barrier function by downregulating the gene expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, while upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin (p < 0.05). Overall, supplementation with TMP mitigates radiation-induced intestinal damage by enhancing the hematopoietic system and the intestinal barrier, offering valuable insights for further investigations into the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of these peptides against ionizing radiation.

Preparation, Isolation and Antioxidant Function of Peptides from a New Resource of Rumexpatientia L. ×Rumextianshanicus A. Los.

Rumexpatientia L. ×Rumextianshanicus A. Los (RRL), known as "protein grass" in China, was recognized as a new food ingredient in 2021. However, the cultivation and product development of RRL are still at an early stage, and no peptide research has been reported. In this study, two novel antioxidant peptides, LKPPF and LPFRP, were purified and identified from RRL and applied to H2O2-induced HepG2 cells to investigate their antioxidant properties. It was shown that 121 peptides were identified by ultrafiltration, gel filtration chromatography, and LC-MS/MS, while computer simulation and molecular docking indicated that LKPPF and LPFRP may have strong antioxidant properties. Both peptides were not cytotoxic to HepG2 cells at low concentrations and promoted cell growth, which effectively reduced the production of intracellular ROS and MDA, and increased cell viability and the enzymatic activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT. Therefore, LKPPF and LPFRP, two peptides, possess strong antioxidant activity, which provides a theoretical basis for their potential as food additives or functional food supplements, but still need to be further investigated through animal models as well as cellular pathways.

Requirements for human natural killer cells.

'Requirements for Human Natural Killer Cells' is the latest set of guidelines on human NK cells in China, jointly drafted and agreed upon by experts from the Standards Committee of Chinese Society for Cell Biology. This standard specifies requirements for the human natural killer (NK) cells, including the technical requirements, test methods, test regulations, instructions for use, labeling requirements, packaging requirements, storage and transportation requirements, and waste disposal requirements of NK cells. This standard is applicable for the quality control of NK cells, derived from human tissues, or differentiated/transdifferentiated from stem cells. It was originally released by the Chinese Society for Cell Biology on 30 August, 2022. We hope that the publication of these guidelines will promote institutional establishment, acceptance, and execution of proper protocols and accelerate the international standardization of human NK cells for applications.

Technical specifications for ethics review of human stem cell research.

The rapid advancement of human stem cell research and its expansion into emerging areas has resulted in an escalation of ethical challenges associated with these studies. As a result, there has been a corresponding increase in both the volume and complexity of institutional ethics reviews, coupled with higher expectations for the quality of the review process. In response to these challenges, this standard provides a comprehensive outline of the fundamental principles, content, types, and procedures of ethics review, specifically focusing on non-clinical human stem cell research. Its purpose is to provide clear operational and procedural guidelines, as well as recommendations, for the ethics review of such studies. The document was originally published by the Chinese Society for Cell Biology on August 30, 2022. It is our hope that the publication of these guidelines will facilitate the integration of ethical considerations and evaluations in a structured manner throughout the entire process of stem cell research, ultimately fostering a healthy and orderly development of the field.

General requirements for the production of extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells.

'General requirements for the production of extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells' is the first guideline for stem cells derived extracellular vesicles in China, jointly drafted and agreed upon by experts from the Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research. This standard specifies the general requirements, process requirements, packaging and labelling requirements and storage requirements for preparing extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells, which is applicable to the research and production of extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells. It was originally released by the China Society for Cell Biology on 30 August 2022. We hope that the publication of this guideline will promote institutional establishment, acceptance and execution of proper protocols, and accelerate the international standardisation of extracellular vesicles derived from human stem cells.

Human neural stem cells.

'Human neural stem cells' jointly drafted and agreed upon by experts from the Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research, is the first guideline for human neural stem cells (hNSCs) in China. This standard specifies the technical requirements, test methods, test regulations, instructions for use, labelling requirements, packaging requirements, storage requirements, transportation requirements and waste disposal requirements for hNSCs, which is applicable to the quality control for hNSCs. It was originally released by the China Society for Cell Biology on 30 August 2022. We hope that publication of the guideline will facilitate institutional establishment, acceptance and execution of proper protocols, and accelerate the international standardization of hNSCs for clinical development and therapeutic applications.

Human midbrain dopaminergic progenitors.

Human midbrain dopaminergic progenitors (mDAPs) are one of the most representative cell types in both basic research and clinical applications. However, there are still many challenges for the preparation and quality control of mDAPs, such as the lack of standards. Therefore, the establishment of critical quality attributes and technical specifications for mDAPs is largely needed. "Human midbrain dopaminergic progenitor" jointly drafted and agreed upon by experts from the Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research, is the first guideline for human mDAPs in China. This standard specifies the technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, instructions for usage, labelling requirements, packaging requirements, storage requirements, transportation requirements and waste disposal requirements for human mDAPs, which is applicable to the quality control for human mDAPs. It was originally released by the China Society for Cell Biology on 30 August 2022. We hope that the publication of this guideline will facilitate the institutional establishment, acceptance and execution of proper protocols, and accelerate the international standardization of human mDAPs for clinical development and therapeutic applications.

Expression and Transformation Characteristics of a Novel Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase LcGAD10s and Its Application on Sufu Processing.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an important non-proteinogenic amino acid and a potent bioactive compound with many anti-hypertensive and anti-depressant activities. The bioconversion of GABA by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has been eagerly studied. Herein, novel pyridoxal-5-phosphate monohydrates (PLP)-dependent GAD, which is not quite similar to reporting, was cloned from Latilactobacillus curvatus and efficiently expressed in E. coli. The conveniently purified GAD (designated LcGAD10s) appeared as a single protein on SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass of 52.0 kDa. LcGAD10s exhibited a specific activity of 303.7 U/mg after purification by Ni-IDA affinity chromatography, with optimal activity at 55 °C and pH 5. LcGAD10s displayed excellent temperature (50 °C) and pH (4-8) stability which relative activity above 80% and 70%, respectively. The enzymatic activity was, respectively, increased and depressed by 130%, and 24% in the presence of Mn+ and Cu2+. Enzyme activity over 90% can be achieved by adding at least 25 mM of PLP. LcGAD10s was able to efficiently transform 15 g/L GABA with a single-factor optimized reaction of pH (5), temperature (50 °C), time (2 h), LcGAD10s dosage (0.4 U) and monosodium glutamate level (5 g/L). Additionally, LcGAD10s can be applied to a tofu fermentation system to achieve GABA conversion and achieved 14.9 mg/g of GABA conversion when added at 2 U/mL, which is higher than most of the commercial sufu and previous application reports, increasing its functional substances.

Dietary Supplementation of Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 Improves Broiler Growth and Immunity by Regulating Cecal Microbiota and Metabolites.

Brevibacillus laterosporus has been added as a direct-fed microbiota to chicken. Yet, few studies have reported the effects of B. laterosporus on broiler growth and gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of B. laterosporus S62-9 on growth performance, immunity, cecal microbiota, and metabolites in broilers. A total of 160 1-day-old broilers were randomly divided into S62-9 and control groups, with or without 106 CFU/g B. laterosporus S62-9 supplementation, respectively. During the 42 days feeding, body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Serum was collected for immunoglobulin determination, and cecal contents were taken for 16S rDNA analysis and metabolome at Day 42. Results indicated that the broilers in S62-9 group showed an increase in body weight of 7.2% and 5.19% improvement in feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. The B. laterosporus S62-9 supplementation promoted the maturation of immune organs and increased the concentration of serum immunoglobulins. Furthermore, the α-diversity of cecal microbiota was improved in the S62-9 group. B. laterosporus S62-9 supplementation increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria including Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus, while decreased the relative abundance of pathogens including Klebsiella and Pseudomonas. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that 53 differential metabolites between the two groups. The differential metabolites were enriched in 4 amino acid metabolic pathways, including arginine biosynthesis and glutathione metabolism. In summary, B. laterosporus S62-9 supplementation could improve the growth performance and immunity through the regulation of gut microbiota and metabolome in broilers.

A Review on Extracts, Chemical Composition and Product Development of Walnut Diaphragma Juglandis Fructus.

Walnuts are one of the world's most important nut species and are popular for their high nutritional value, but the processing of walnuts produces numerous by-products. Among them, Diaphragma Juglandis Fructus has attracted the attention of researchers due to its complex chemical composition and diverse bioactivities. However, comprehensive reviews of extract activity and mechanistic studies, chemical composition functionality, and product types are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this review is to analyze the extracts, chemical composition, and product development of Diaphragma Juglandis Fructus. Conclusions: For extracts, the biological activities of aqueous and ethanol extracts have been studied more extensively than those of methanol extracts, but almost all of the studies have been based on crude extracts, with fewer explorations of their mechanisms. For chemical composition, the bioactivities of polyphenols and polysaccharides were more intensively studied, while other chemical constituents were at the stage of content determination. For product development, walnuts are mainly used in food and medicine, but the product range is limited. In the future, research on the bioactivity and related mechanisms of Diaphragma Juglandis Fructus can be further expanded to improve its value as a potential natural plant resource applied in multiple industries.

Dietary Effect of Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 on Chicken Meat Quality, Amino Acid Profile, and Volatile Compounds.

Probiotics are being used in diets to improve the quality of chicken meat. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 microbial agent on the meat quality, amino acids, and volatile compounds of chicken. The experiment was carried out with 160 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chickens, rearing for 42 d. The chickens were randomly divided into two groups of 8 replicates each, with 10 chickens in each group. No supplement was added to the basal diet in the control group and Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 microbial agent was added to the diet of the experimental group. At the end of the experiment, the meat quality, meat chemical composition, amino acid composition, and volatile compounds of chicken were determined. The results showed that pH (p < 0.05), pressing loss (p < 0.05), cooking loss (p < 0.05), and shear force (p < 0.01) were notably decreased, the percentage of breast meat (p < 0.01), protein content (p < 0.05) were visibly increased, and remarkable changes were observed in the amino acid composition (change in seven amino acids) and volatile compounds profile (an increase of about 20-fold in the contents of 1-octen-3-ol and hexanal). In summary, it was found that Brevibacillus laterosporus S62-9 microbial agent can be used as a novel and effective feed supplement to improve the nutritional quality and flavor characteristics of broilers.

Molecular Docking Revealed the Potential Anti-Oxidative Stress Mechanism of the Walnut Polypeptide on HT22 Cells.

The preparation of novel antioxidant peptides from food raw materials is one of the research focuses, but there are fewer studies on the preparation of antioxidant peptides from walnut meal, a by-product of processing walnuts. This study analyzed the antioxidant properties and protective effects of walnut protein hydrolyzed by alkaline protease and trypsin on the oxidative stress of HT22 cells. The peptides were identified by UPLC-MS/MS, and the anti-oxidative peptides were screened based on virtual computer tools. The potential anti-oxidative stress mechanism of the walnut polypeptide on HT22 cells was explored by molecular docking. The results revealed that walnut protein hydrolysates (WPH) with molecular weights of less than 1 kDa had good antioxidant properties and inhibited oxidative damage of HT22 cells by regulating the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Six of the ninety identified new peptides showed good solubility, non-toxicity, and bioactivity. The molecular docking results showed that the six peptides could dock with Keap1 successfully, and EYWNR and FQLPR (single-letter forms of peptide writing) could interact with the binding site of Nrf2 in the Keap1-Kelch structural domain through hydrogen bonds with strong binding forces. The results of this study provided important information on the antioxidant molecular mechanism of the walnut polypeptide and provided a basis for further development of walnut antioxidant polypeptide products.

Arteriolosclerosis CSVD: a common cause of dementia and stroke and its association with cognitive function and total MRI burden.

Objective: Arteriolosclerosis cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common type of CSVD. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with cognitive function and total MRI burden related to the disease. Methods: The demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, cognitive function score, Barthel Index (BI), blood test index, and follow-up results of arteriolosclerosis CSVD patients treated for the first time in our hospital from January 2014 to August 2022 were collected. White matter hyperintensity (WMH) Fazekas score, total MRI burden, and cerebral atrophy grade were evaluated according to brain MRI findings. Factors associated with CSVD cognitive function were analyzed by binary logistic regression. The correlative factors related to the total MRI burden of CSVD were analyzed by ordered multiple logistic regression. Results: A total of 146 patients were included in this study, of which 132 cases (90.4%) had hypertension. There were 108 patients (74.0%) with cognitive dysfunction, 97 patients (66.4%) with balance and gait disorders, and 83 patients (56.8%) with moderate-to-severe dependence in daily life (BI ≤ 60 points). Of 146 patients, 79 (54.1%) completed clinical and imaging follow-ups for a median of 3 years. The number of patients with cognitive impairment and BI ≤ 60 points after follow-up significantly increased compared with the first admission (P < 0.001). There were also significant differences in total MRI burden (P = 0.001), WMH Fazekas score, and cerebral atrophy grade (P < 0.001). Mean age (P = 0.012), median deep WMH Fazekas score (P = 0.028), and median deep (P < 0.001) and superficial (P =0.002) cerebral atrophy grade of patients with cognitive impairment at first admission were all higher than those with non-cognitive impairment. Multivariate analysis showed that deep cerebral atrophy was independently and significantly associated with cognitive impairment of CSVD (P = 0.024), and hypertension was significantly and independently associated with total MRI burden (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The disease course of arteriolosclerosis CSVD may be related to cognitive function and total MRI burden. Deep cerebral atrophy was an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in arteriolosclerosis CSVD, and hypertension was an independent risk factor for total MRI burden.