New clues for postbiotics to improve host health: a review from the perspective of function and mechanisms.

Strain activity and stability severely limit the beneficial effects of probiotics in modulating host health. Postbiotics have emerged as a promising alternative as they can provide similar or even enhanced efficacy to probiotics, even under inactivated conditions. This review introduces the ingredients, preparation, and identification techniques of postbiotics, focusing on the comparison of the advantages and limitations between probiotics and postbiotics based on their mechanisms and applications. Inactivation treatment is the most significant difference between postbiotics and probiotics. We highlight the use of emerging technologies to inactivate probiotics, optimize process conditions to maintain the activity of postbiotics, or scale up their production. Postbiotics have high stability which can overcome unfavorable factors, such as easy inactivation and difficult colonization of probiotics after entering the intestine, and are rapidly activated, allowing continuous and rapid optimization of the intestinal microecological environment. They provide unique mechanisms, and multiple targets act on the gut-organ axis, co-providing new clues for the study of the biological functions of postbiotics. We summarize the mechanisms of action of inactivated lactic acid bacteria, highlighting that the NF-κB and MAPK pathways can be used as immune targeting pathways for postbiotic modulation of host health. Generally, we believe that as the classification, composition, and efficacy mechanism of postbiotics become clearer they will be more widely used in food, medicine, and other fields, greatly enriching the dimensions of food innovation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

RNA-Seq Transcriptomic Analysis of Green Tea Polyphenols Modulation of Differently Expressed Genes in Enterococcus faecalis Under Bile Salt Stress.

Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) belongs to lactic acid bacteria which can be used as a probiotic additive and feed, bringing practical value to the health of humans and animals. The prebiotic function of tea polyphenols lays a foundation for green tea polyphenols (GTP) to repair the adverse changes of E. faecalis under stress conditions. In this study, RNA-sequence analysis was used to explore the protective effect of GTP on E. faecalis under bile salt stress. A total of 50 genes were found to respond to GTP under bile salts stress, containing 18 up-regulated and 32 down-regulated genes. The results showed that multiple genes associated with cell wall and membrane, transmembrane transport, nucleotide transport and metabolism were significantly differentially expressed (P < 0.05), while GTP intervention can partly alleviate the detrimental effects of bile salt on amino acid metabolism and transport. The present study provides the whole genome transcriptomics of E. faecalis under bile salt stress and GTP intervention which help us understand the growth and mechanism of continuous adaptation of E. faecalis under stress conditions.

RNA-seq analysis of green tea polyphenols modulation of differently expressed genes in Enterococcus faecalis under low pH.

Enterococcus faecasslis (E. faecalis) is a resident bacterium in the host. The increase in internal stress like low pH may affect the biological effects of E. faecalis. The prebiotic-like function of tea polyphenols can enhance the beneficial effects of its tolerance to environmental stress. In this study, RNA-sequence analysis was used to explore the protective effect of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on E. faecalis under low pH stress. A total of 28 genes were found to be responsive to GTP under low pH stress, including 16 up-regulated and 12 down-regulated. GTP intervention can partly relieve some undesired negative influences, such as the down-regulation of the base excision repair gene and amino acid transport and metabolism gene. The significantly changes were associated with selenocompound metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis after the intervention of GTP. The present study provided new insights into the growth and continuous adaptation of E. faecalis under stress.

Comparing the 7th and 8th editions of UICC/AJCC staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the IMRT era.

BACKGROUND: To compare the prognostic value of 7th and 8th editions of the Union for International Cancer Control/American Joint Committee on Cancer (UICC/AJCC) staging system for patients with nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy and simultaneous integrated boost- intensity-modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT). METHODS: Patients with NPC (n = 300) who received SIB-IMRT were included. Survival by T-classification, N-classification, and stage group of each staging system was assessed. RESULTS: For T-classification, nonsignificant difference was observed between T1 and T3 and between T2 and T3 disease (P = 0.066 and 0.106, respectively) for overall survival (OS) in the 7th staging system, whereas all these differences were significant in the 8th staging system (all P < 0.05). The survival curves for disease-free survival (DFS) and locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) in both staging systems were similar, except for the comparison of T2 and T4 disease for LRRFS (P = 0.070 for 7th edition; P = 0.011 for 8th edition). For N-classification, significant differences were observed between N2 and N3 diseases after revision (P = 0.046 and P = 0.043 for OS and DFS, respectively). For staging system, no significant difference was observed between IVA and IVB of 7th edition. CONCLUSION: The 8th AJCC staging system appeared to have superior prognosis value in the SIB-IMRT era compared with the 7th edition.

Advantages of using reduced-volume intensity modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective paired study.

BACKGROUND: The definition of clinical target volume (CTV) in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been addressed. We performed this study to assess the feasibility and efficacy of using IMRT with reduced-volume CTV for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 293 non-metastatic NPC patients treated with IMRT from 2002 to 2013. A total of 180 matched cases finally included with 90 received conventional-volume IMRT (CV-IMRT) and 90 received reduced-volume IMRT (RV-IMRT). Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to compare NPC-specific survival. Multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model were conducted to detect independent predictors. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 70 months, the 3-year overall survival, progression-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, local recurrence-free survival, regional recurrence-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival rates were 88.9, 84.4, 92.2, 91.1, 98.9, 91.1% for the CV-IMRT arm and 92.2, 85.6, 90.0, 93.3, 98.9, 93.3% for the RV-IMRT arm, respectively. None significant survival difference was observed. Additionally, RV-IMRT was associated with reduced risk of late xerostomia (P = 0.039) and hearing loss (P = 0.008), compared versus CV-IMRT. CONCLUSIONS: The use of RV-IMRT for the treatment of NPC led to comparable survival condition and truly reduced toxicity reactions compared versus CV-IMRT.

Preparation of modified chitosan-based nano-TiO2-nisin composite packaging film and preservation mechanism applied to chilled pork.

Here, we developed a nano-TiO2-nisin-modified chitosan composite packaging film and investigated its properties and antibacterial activity, as well as its effect on chilled pork preservation time. The results indicated that the preservation time of chilled pork coated with a nano-TiO2-nisin-modified chitosan film (including 0.7 g/L nano-TiO2, irradiated with ultraviolet light for 40 min, and dried for 6 h) followed by modified atmosphere packaging (50% CO2 + 50% N2) increased from 7 to 20 days at 4 °C. Both nano-TiO2 and nisin enhanced the mechanical strength of the chitosan film, and nisin promoted nano-TiO2 dispersion and compatibility in chitosan. Treatment with 0.4 g/L nano-TiO2 for 60 min considerably inhibited spoilage bacteria, particularly Acinetobacter johnnii XBB1 (A. johnnii XBB1). As nano-TiO2 concentration and photocatalytic time increased, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ leakage in A. johnnii XBB1 increased but Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase activities decreased. In A. johnnii XBB1, TiO2 significantly downregulated the expression of putrefaction-related genes such as cysM and inhibited cell self-regulation and membrane wall system repair. Therefore, our nano-TiO2-nisin-modified chitosan film could extend the shelf life without the addition of any chemical preservatives, demonstrating great potential for application in food preservation.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of the root bark of Paeonia x suffruticosa andrews: A comprehensive review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Moutan Cortex (MC), commonly known as "Mu dan pi", refers to the dried root bark of Paeonia x suffruticosa Andrews and is broadly used as a traditional herbal medication in China, Japan, and Korea. For thousands of years, it has been utilized to treat female genital, extravasated blood, cardiovascular, and stagnant blood disorders. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The purpose of this review article was to summarize information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of MC, as well as to outline the further research directions for the development of new drugs and the associations between traditional uses and pharmacological effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information involved in the study was gathered from a variety of electronic resources, including PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, and Google Scholar. The date was from 1992 to 2022. RESULTS: Approximately 163 chemical compounds have been extracted and identified from MC, including monoterpenes, monoterpene glycosides, triterpenes, phenolics, flavonoids, volatile oils, alkaloids, and others. In these categories, the monoterpene glycosides and phenols being the most common. A wide variety of pharmacological effects have been described for MC crude extracts and active molecules, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral, antitumor, antidiabetic, organ protection, and neuroprotective activities, as well as treating cardiovascular diseases. Pharmacokinetics has been also used in the study of MC, including its crude extracts or chemical constituents, in order to explore the therapeutic mechanism, direct clinically appropriate application and provide new ideas for the exploitation of innovative medicines. CONCLUSION: Modern pharmacological research has demonstrated that MC, as a significant therapeutic resource, has the ability to heal a wide range of diseases, particularly female genital and cardiovascular problems. These researches propose therapeutic ideas for the development of novel MC medicines. Furthermore, preclinical and clinical study have verified several observed pharmacological properties related with the traditional usages of MC.

Comparing the effects of three processing methods on the efficacy of mulberry leaf tea: Analysis of bioactive compounds, bioavailability and bioactivity.

Adding excipients is an important method to change the flavor and biological activity of food materials during processing. In this study, the contents of 11 bioactive compounds in the mulberry leaf tea with or without processing by addition of honey or salt, and their absorption and elimination characteristics in rats were determined. The biological activities of processed products were studied by in vitro models, and the effects of different processing methods on the compounds and biological activities of mulberry leaf tea extracts were analyzed by multiple factor analysis. We found that different processing methods can change the contents of some compounds in mulberry leaf tea extracts, and then affect the biological activity of extracts. The processing method of adding honey and salt can respectively enhance the antioxidant capacity and anti-apoptotic effect of mulberry leaf, while the processing method without auxiliary materials was more conducive to the repair of blood vessels.

Metagenomics analysis of intestinal flora modulatory effect of green tea polyphenols by a circadian rhythm dysfunction mouse model.

The present study investigated the regulatory mechanism of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on the circadian rhythm of gut flora. The administration of GTP mitigated the variations in the serum and liver level of constant dark (CD)-induced circadian rhythm disorder mouse model. For the gut microbial population, GTP promoted the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes while inhibited Firmicutes. Furthermore, KEGG pathways of biosynthesis of amino acids, two-component system and ATP-binding cassette translocators enriched the most differentially expressed genes after GTP interference. It indicated GTP may prevent CD-induced circadian rhythm disorder, which has an enormous potential to be utilized as prebiotic-like ingredients in food industry. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The findings underscore the capacity of GTP to modulate circadian rhythm by modulating the structure and functional characteristics of host gut microbiota and influencing metabolism, conducing to the melioration of human microecology. The prebiotic function of GTP indicated it can be used to prevent metabolic disturbance related to circadian rhythm disorder.

Interaction between Tea Polyphenols and Intestinal Microbiota in Host Metabolic Diseases from the Perspective of the Gut-Brain Axis.

Tea polyphenols (TP) have shown multiple biological activities and the ability to modulate the composition and function of intestinal microbiota. Certain human metabolic diseases are engendered by the disruption of the circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm oscillations exist in both intestinal microbiota and hypothalamus. The brain-gut-microbiome axis enables intestinal microorganisms to communicate with the brain. The close reciprocity between intestinal microbiota and circadian rhythm supplies a new opportunity for TP to regulate circadian-rhythm-related diseases relying on intestinal microbiota. Therefore, based on the potential bidirectional association of the brain and gut microbes, this review mainly discussed the interaction between TP and intestinal microbiota from the perspective of the gut-brain axis (GBA) to improve the theory of metabolic diseases prevention.

The comparison of prognostic value of tumour volumetric regression ratio and RECIST 1.1 criteria after induction chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the prognostic value of the sum volumetric regression ratio (SVRR) of the primary tumour and metastatic lymph nodes with treatment response based on RECIST 1.1 criteria after induction chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 117 stage III-IVA NPC patients treated with induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were retrospectively reviewed. The SVRR and the treatment response based on RECIST 1.1 were measured using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) localisations before and after induction chemotherapy. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify the optimal cutoff point of the SVRR and compare the prognostic value of the SVRR and RECIST 1.1criteria. RESULTS: The optimal cutoff points of SVRR for progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional failure-free survival (LRFFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were all 25.15%, while for overall survival (OS) it was 16.63%. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of optimal cutoff points of SVRR was superior than that of RECIST 1.1 for PFS (AUC: 0.716 vs. 0.578; P = 0.0022), LRFFS (AUC: 0.700 vs. 0.574; P = 0.0080) and DMFS (AUC: 0.736 vs. 0.606; P = 0.0053), respectively. The 3-year PFS, DMFS and OS rates for SVRR less than vs. greater than or equal to the cutoff points were 55.8% vs. 92.2% (P < 0.001, hazard ratio (HR): 0.209, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.091-0.480), 59.7% vs. 96.7% (P < 0.001, HR: 0.120, 95% CI: 0.043-0.336) and 66.7% vs. 98.1% (P < 0.001, HR: 0.069, 95% CI: 0.014-0.342), while the responses [stable disease (SD), partial response (PR)] based on RECIST 1.1 were not significantly associated with 3-year survival rates. Multivariate analysis indicated that SVRR was an independent prognostic factor for PFS, DMFS and OS (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The sum volumetric regression ratio and response based on RECIST 1.1 were related to the prognosis in locoregionally advanced NPC after induction chemotherapy. Sum volumetric regression ratio is an independent outcome predictor for survival in locoregionally advanced NPC, playing a better prognostic role than RECIST 1.1.

Primary radical hysterectomy vs chemoradiation for IB2-IIA cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To compare the clinical outcomes of radical hysterectomy (RH) with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in women with stage IB2-IIA cervical cancer. METHODS: Based on articles published up to December 2017, a literature search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases was conducted to identify eligible studies. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) with hazard ratios (HRs), and toxicities with odds ratios (ORs) were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 7 studies comprising 687 patients were identified for this meta-analysis. RH showed a significant trend toward improved survival outcomes compared with those of CRT, regardless of OS (HR = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36-0.67, P < .001); or PFS (1.61, 95% CI 1.15-2.26, P = .005) for IB2-IIA cervical cancer. Subgroup analysis revealed that stage IB2 cervical cancer patients obtained better OS (HR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.23-0.56, P < .001; heterogeneity: P = .32, I = 13%). However, a higher incidence of grade 3/4 genitourinary abnormalities was evident with RH (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.42-3.87, P = .021). CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that RH had distinct advantages over CRT for carcinoma of the uterine cervix with FIGO stage IB2-IIA, especially for IB2 cervical cancer.

The prognostic value of volumetric reduction of the target lesions after induction chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We explored whether the volumetric reduction ratio of target lesion after induction chemotherapy (IC) had any prognostic value in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: From 2013 to 2016, 72 NPC patients treated with PCF (paclitaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil) IC followed by cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy were analyzed. The volumes of target lesions before and after IC and survival conditions were assessed. RESULTS: For all cases, volumetric reduction ratios of the total tumor load ≥ optimal cutoff values were significantly associated with increased 2-year progression-free survival, locoregional failure-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates, and for cervical lymph nodes, the volumetric reduction ratio ≥ optimal cutoff value was significant for DMFS (all P < .05). Accordingly, the optimal cutoff values were 24.56% (AUC = 60.5%), 23.91% (AUC = 57.7%), 29.77% (AUC = 75.8%), and 34.17% (AUC = 62.5%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Volumetric reductions of target lesions after IC are independent survival predictors for NPC, especially for those with N2/N3 disease.

The role of concurrent chemotherapy for stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the intensity-modulated radiotherapy era: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical outcomes of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with those of radiotherapy alone for stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) era. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) with hazard ratios (HRs), and toxicities with odd ratios (ORs) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of seven studies met the criteria, with 1302 patients who were treated with IMRT alone or IMRT plus concurrent chemotherapy. No significant survival benefit was shown by CCRT regardless of OS (HR = 1.17, 95% CI 0.73-1.89, P = 0.508), PFS (HR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.38-1.50, P = 0.430), DMFS (HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.33-2.41, P = 0.816), or LRRFS (HR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.95-1.12, P = 0.498). Additionally, CCRT notably increased the risk of acute grade 3-4 leukopenia (OR = 4.432, 95% CI 2.195-8.952, P < 0.001), compared to IMRT alone. CONCLUSION: Adding concurrent chemotherapy to IMRT led to no survival benefit and increased acute toxicity reactions for stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Assessment of Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy plus Induction Chemotherapy in Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Cisplatin, Fluorouracil, and Docetaxel versus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin.

Induction chemotherapy treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes and toxicities between two induction chemotherapy regimens, with both followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The first strategy used docetaxel, cisplatin and fluorouracil for induction chemotherapy (TPF), and the second utilised gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP). A retrospective analysis was performed on eligible NPC patients attending our hospital between May 2009 and Dec 2014. A total of 113 patients were enrolled with 58 patients receiving TPF and 55 receiving GP induction chemotherapy. Ninety-four patients (83.2%) were alive after 36-months follow-up. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) time were 48.3 and 39.7 months, respectively. The 3-year OS for the TPF regimen was 87.9% and 87.4% with GP chemotherapy (P = 0.928). The 3-year PFS of the TPF treatment was 84.5%, while it was 83.5% for the GP group (P = 0.551). Univariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis was a significant PFS prognostic factor, while N3 stage was an independent predictor of PFS and distant failure-free survival (DMFS) in multivariate analysis. There were no significant differences in adverse toxicities or treatment efficacy between the chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of locoregionally advanced NPC.