Nutrition Function Research Articles

Review on critical factor in monocyte adhesion: Nutrients.

Endogenous and exogenous factors play a role in endothelial dysfunction. Inflammation, leukocyte adhesion-aggregation, abnormal vascular proliferation, atherosclerosis, and hypertension are among the endogenous factors. Another factor that affects endothelial dysfunction is exogenous factors such as drug treatments, smoking, alcohol, and nutrition. According various studies on nutrition and endothelial function, it is supported that fatty acids, proteins, and phenolic compounds modulate this function. In vitro studies show that nutrients change the adhesion of monocytes to the endothelium. The pathways that play a role in the adhesion process of monocytes are also affected by nutrients. Particularly among these pathways, mTORC1, S6 plaques, monocyte chemotaxis protein, monocyte integrins, monocyte cytokines are transferred to the lesional area selectin protein. In this article, the effects of various nutrients on monocyte adhesion are examined. It explains the changes and possible mechanisms of nutrients such as fatty acids, protein, phenolic compounds, and other dietary components on monocyte adhesion, and examines the relationship between nutrients and monocyte adhesion in our country and allows us to look at our profession from a different perspective. Although not all nutritional elements are included, it is thought that our profession will play a role in taking the first step towards cell studies.

Relationship Between the Host Plant Range of Insects and Symbiont Bacteria.

The evolution of phytophagous insects has resulted in the development of feeding specializations that are unique to this group. The majority of current research on insect palatability has concentrated on aspects of ecology and biology, with relatively little attention paid to the role of insect gut symbiotic bacteria. Symbiont bacteria have a close relationship with their insect hosts and perform a range of functions. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between insect host plant range and gut symbiotic bacteria. A synthesis of the extant literature on the intestinal commensal bacteria of monophagous, oligophagous, and polyphagous tephritids revealed no evidence of a positive correlation between the plant host range and the diversity of larval intestinal microbial species. The gut symbionts of same species were observed to exhibit discrepancies between different literature sources, which were attributed to variations in multiple environmental factors. However, following beta diversity analysis, monophagy demonstrated the lowest level of variation in intestinal commensal bacteria, while polyphagous tephritids exhibited the greatest variation in intestinal commensal bacteria community variation. In light of these findings, this study proposes the hypothesis that exclusive or closely related plant hosts provide monophagy and oligophagy with a stable core colony over long evolutionary periods. The core flora is closely associated with host adaptations in monophagous and oligophagous tephritids, including nutritional and detoxification functions. This is in contrast to polyphagy, whose dominant colony varies in different environments. Our hypothesis requires further refinement of the data on the gut commensal bacteria of monophagy and oligophagy as the number of species and samples is currently limited.

Integrative RNA, miRNA, and 16S rRNA sequencing reveals immune-related regulation network for glycinin-induced enteritis in hybrid yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco ♀ × Pelteobagrus vachelli ♂

Glycinin-induced foodborne enteritis is a significant obstacle that hinders the healthy development of the aquatic industry. Glycinin causes growth retardation and intestinal damage in hybrid yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco ♀ × Pelteobagrus vachelli ♂), but its immune mechanisms are largely unknown. In the current study, five experimental diets containing 0% (CK), 1.74% (G2), 3.57% (G4), 5.45% (G6), and 7.27% (G8) immunological activity of glycinin were fed to juvenile hybrid yellow catfish to reveal the mechanism of the intestinal immune response to glycinin through RNA and microRNA (miRNA) sequencing and to explore the interrelation between immune molecules and intestinal microbiota. The results demonstrated that glycinin content in the posterior intestine increased significantly and linearly with the rise of dietary glycinin levels. More than 5.45% of dietary glycinin significantly reduced the nutritional digestion and absorption function of the posterior intestine. Notably, an obvious alteration in the expression levels of inflammatory genes (tnf-α, il-1β, il-15, and tgf-β1) of the posterior intestine was observed when dietary glycinin exceeded 3.57%. Sequencing results of RNA and miRNA deciphered 4,246 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 28 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) between the CK and G6 groups. Furthermore, enrichment analysis of DEGs and DEmiRNA target genes exhibited significant responses of the MAPK, NF-κB, and WNT pathways following experimental fish exposure to 5.45% dietary glycinin. Additionally, at the level of 3.57% in the diet, glycinin obviously inhibited the increase of microbiota, especially potential probiotics such as Ruminococcus bromii, Bacteroides plebeius, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Clostridium clostridioforme. In sum, 5.45% dietary glycinin through the MAPK/NF-κB/WNT pathway induces enteritis, and inflammatory conditions could disrupt micro-ecological equilibrium through miRNA secreted by the host in hybrid yellow catfish. This study constitutes a comprehensive transcriptional perspective of how intestinal immunity responds to excessive glycinin in fish intestines.

Diabetic Wound Healing: Factors, Mechanisms, and Treatment Strategies Using Herbal Components.

Managing diabetic wounds is a significant challenge for healthcare professionals since severe complications and delayed recovery greatly impact the patients' quality of life. This article aimed to explore various factors affecting diabetic wound healing, the mechanism of wound healing, and potential natural products having wound healing capability. It focuses on mechanisms of action and the therapeutic effectiveness of the compounds employed in the management of diabetic wounds. The review discusses the function of nutrition in wound healing, emphasizing the significance of consuming adequate amounts of protein, energy, lipids, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and water to promote healing. Several herbs, including Rosmarinus officinalis, Carica papaya, Aloe vera, Annona squamosa, and Punica granatum, are being tested for wound healing qualities in diabetes circumstances. These plants have a variety of modes of action, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory activities that help to speed up wound healing, stimulate collagen formation, and promote tissue regeneration. The variety of action mechanisms seen in natural products, especially in plants, offers hope for the treatment of diabetic wounds. It may also be possible to improve healing results and the quality of life of diabetes individuals with chronic wounds by including these herbal treatments in wound care programs.

Association of the blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio and all-cause mortality in critical ill acute ischemic stroke patients: a retrospective cohort study of MIMIC-IV database 3.0.

We aim to ascertain the extent to which the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to serum albumin (ALB) ratio (BAR) could be implemented to anticipate the short- and long-term prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The data was derived from the Marketplace for Intensive Care Medical Information-IV (MIMIC-IV v3.0) database, primarily pertaining to AIS patients as categorized by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10. The outcomes encompassed short-term ACM incorporating ICM admissions and 30-day, as well as longer-term ACM involving 90-day and 365-day. Any confounding effects were mitigated with a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) approach. We determined the critical BAR level affecting patient survival with the use of maximum chosen rank statistics. The connection between BAR and ACM at various time intervals was ascertained with the multivariate Cox regression (MCR) models after the adjustment for covariates. Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves were generated to illustrate variations in BAR and death over various time intervals. Additionally, the linear or non-linear connection between BAR and ACM was ascertained with restricted cubic spline (RCS) approaches, supplemented by interaction and subgroup analyses. Prior to PSM, we incorporated 1,764 suitable subjects with a median BAR of 5.52 mg/g. This cohort was composed of 1,395 and 369 patients in the BAR <10.42 and ≥10.42 groups, respectively. The ICU ACM rates were 9.53 and 19.24% (p < 0.001), respectively, while the 30-day ACM rates were 19.00 and 40.11% (p < 0.001). The 90- and 365-day ACM rates were 26.95 and 52.57% (p < 0.001), and 33.12 and 62.87%, respectively (p < 0.001). After fully adjustment, MCR models indicated a heightened mortality risk for the ICU (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-2.22; p = 0.02), 30-day (HR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.46-2.38; p < 0.001), 90-day (HR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.42-2.15; p < 0.001), and 365-day (HR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.50-2.19; p < 0.001) in the high BAR group as opposed to the low BAR group. Following PSM, the analysis included 352 matched patient pairs, revealing persistent links between the higher BAR group and increased ACM risk throughout ICU, 30-, 90-, and 365-day intervals. Subsequent RCS studies before and after PSM highlighted a positive non-linear correlation between BAR and ACM in the short and long-term. In the subgroup investigation of ICU ACM, a subgroup of diabetes had an interaction effect (P for interaction = 0.02). In the subgroup analysis of 90-day ACM, subgroups of hypertension and CRRT had an interaction effect (all P for interaction < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis of 365-day ACM, subgroups of HTN, CRRT, and malignancy tumor had an interaction effect (all P for interaction < 0.05). In this retrospective cohort study, our findings reveal that a confluence of deteriorated nutritional and renal function is significantly linked to heightened risks of ACM, and BAR may operate as an effective predictive indicator for AIS patients in ICUs. These findings have substantial importance for public health policy and practice. A comprehensive knowledge of these linkages may enable public health specialists and researchers to formulate more precisely targeted drugs and policies tailored to the unique requirements of the AIS patient group, hence improving their health outcomes. We reveal a significant link between the BAR and ACM in persons with AIS, highlighting the BAR's potential as an innovative, economical, and accessible measure for forecasting ACM in this demographic. However, further research is needed on other racial and ethnic groups before these findings can be widely applied in clinical practice.

Efficacy of the nutritional support team model in the management of patients undergoing total gastrectomy combined with Roux-en-Y anastomosis.

To explore the efficacy of the nutritional support team (NST) management model in patients undergoing total gastrectomy combined with Roux-en-Y anastomosis. Clinical data of 102 patients who underwent total gastrectomy combined with Roux-en-Y anastomosis in Xingtai Central Hospital from January 2020 to October 2023 were retrospectively collected. Of 102 patients, 53 received the NST model of management (NST group), while 49 were managed by the conventional nutritional support (TN group). The nutritional and immune function status of the two groups before and seven days after the surgery, postoperative rehabilitation status, and the incidence of complications were compared. After the surgery, levels of albumin and total protein in both groups increased compared to before the surgery and were significantly higher in the NST group compared to the TN group (P<0.05). Levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ in the two groups increased compared to preoperative levels and were significantly higher than the TN group compared to the NST group. In contrast, postoperative CD8+ levels decreased and were significantly lower in the NST group (P<0.05). The duration of anal exhaust, defecation, and hospitalization in the NST group of patients was shorter (P<0.05), but no significance was found in the incidence of complications between the two groups (3.78% versus 16.33%) (P>0.05). For patients undergoing total gastrectomy combined with Roux-en-Y anastomosis, the NST nutritional management model can effectively improve nutritional status, enhance immune function, shorten the postoperative recovery process, and the incidence of complications is equivalent to that of patients receiving conventional nutritional support.

Effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate palmitate complexation under mild temperature on the structure and nutritional functions of porous rice starch.

The correlation among the hierarchical structure, physicochemical properties, and nutritional functions of porous rice starch after absorbing and complexing with (-)-epigallocatechin gallate palmitate (P-EGCG) under mild temperatures at different reaction times were investigated. The P-EGCG loading rate (19.6%-28.5%) of porous starch increased after hydrolysis with a mixture of amyloglucosidase and α-amylase for 3 and 6h, respectively. A decrease in the melting enthalpy of the amylopectin double helix and an increase in the melting enthalpy of the V-type helices after complexation was observed with longer reaction times. The retention index of P-EGCG after 6h of incubation was 57.11% following 21 d of storage. These structural changes significantly transformed portions of the rapidly and slowly digestible starches into resistant starch (41.68%-47.84%), accompanied by enhanced thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and enteropathogenic bacteria-inhibiting ability. Therefore, porous rice starch complexed with P-EGCG may provide controlled digestion, antioxidant activity, and potential gut microbiota benefits.

Management of ankyloglossia in 2 years old male patient with epilepsy and global developmental delay

Introduction: Ankyloglossia is defined as a developmental anomaly of the tongue characterized by an abnormally short, thick lingual frenulum resulting in limitation of tongue movement. Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie affects speech, feeding, oral hygiene as well as social environment also. Case History: A 2 years old male patient was brought by his parent by referral of pediatrician to the pediatric dentist policlinic at Dr. Saiful Anwar Regional General Hospital Malang, East Java with the chief complaint difficulties to speech, choked when eating, and excessive drooling. The patient also has epilepsy and global developmental delay and under the control of his pediatrician. According to the clinical examination, the patient had a tongue tie with a thick frenum, limited tongue movements. Discussion: Tongue is an important organ that plays a big role in influencing speech, tooth position, periodontal tissue, swallowing function, as well as nutritional function. The key principle of management of children with developmental concerns is early intervention. In this case the children got reffered by his pediatrician to pediatric dentist specialist to give the intervention to the tongue so the child could improve the ability to drink, eating, and also the speech. Several studies have shown tongue-tie release as a safe and successful procedure with little to no complications. The purpose of post operative exercise after surgery is to develop new muscle movements particularly those involving tongue tip elevation and protrusion, inside and outside of the mouth, improved speech and mastication. Conclusion: frenotomy to treat ankyloglosia in 2 years old male patient with epilepsy and global developmental delay shows no post operative complication

Probiotics as potential allies in hormonal harmony and metabolic management: unlocking the Gut- Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

The intricate interplay between gut microbiota and metabolic disorders has sparked interest in exploring probiotics as potential therapeutic agents for Polycystic Ovary Diseases (PCOD). It is a hormonal or endocrine disorder which is a combination of biochemical and clinical including an imbalance in reproductive hormones especially elevated androgen levels (male hormones) called hyperandrogenism. PCOD, also known as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). The endocrine disruption in PCOS can affect the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and other aspects of reproductive and metabolic health. The precise origin and development of this disease are not well understood, but it is believed that a multifaceted interplay involving external factors, surrounding conditions, hormone mediated factors, genetic susceptibility, social and financial status, toxic exposure, psychological stress, Sedentary lifestyle and eating habits are presumed to be the primary ethiopathogenic determinant. A regular exercise program and a diet free of fats and sugars are also recommended to all women with PCOS in order to manage the condition. In recent years, researchers have increasingly examined the gut microbiota and its positive impact on nutritional, immunological and metabolic functions in the host. The involvement of the gut microbiome in various metabolic complications linked to PCOS, such as impaired insulin action, excessive body weight, adiposity and systemic inflammatory status suggests its potential influence on the development of PCOS. Studies reveal that the gut microbiome of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome differs from that of healthy women. Interest in the relationship between gut health and PCOS has grown, and new studies suggest that the development of PCOS related symptoms may be connected to the gut microbiota. Probiotics are live bacteria that, when consumed in sufficient amounts, offer health benefits to the host. As such, they have been investigated for their potential to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome. Probiotic supplementation results in a significant decrease in free androgen index and malondialdehyde levels, along with an increase in nitric oxide and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). It also has an advantage of reduction in body weight and body mass index, hypertrichosis, HOMA-IR and total testosterone levels of PCOS patients. However, it is essential to highlight that studies in this area are still in their infancy, and further research is necessary to provide conclusive proof. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the importance of probiotic supplements in management PCOS symptoms.

Enzymatic Regulation of the Gut Microbiota: Mechanisms and Implications for Host Health.

The gut microbiota, a complex ecosystem, is vital to host health as it aids digestion, modulates the immune system, influences metabolism, and interacts with the brain-gut axis. Various factors influence the composition of this microbiota. Enzymes, as essential catalysts, actively participate in biochemical reactions that have an impact on the gut microbial community, affecting both the microorganisms and the gut environment. Enzymes play an important role in the regulation of the intestinal microbiota, but the interactions between enzymes and microbial communities, as well as the precise mechanisms of enzymes, remain a challenge in scientific research. Enzymes serve both traditional nutritional functions, such as the breakdown of complex substrates into absorbable small molecules, and non-nutritional roles, which encompass antibacterial function, immunomodulation, intestinal health maintenance, and stress reduction, among others. This study categorizes enzymes according to their source and explores the mechanistic principles by which enzymes drive gut microbial activity, including the promotion of microbial proliferation, the direct elimination of harmful microbes, the modulation of bacterial interaction networks, and the reduction in immune stress. A systematic understanding of enzymes in regulating the gut microbiota and the study of their associated molecular mechanisms will facilitate the application of enzymes to precisely regulate the gut microbiota in the future and suggest new therapeutic strategies and dietary recommendations. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of enzymes in modulating the gut microbiota. It explores the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms and discusses the potential applications of enzyme-mediated microbiota regulation for host gut health.

Meta-analysis of global distribution of root-caries prevalence in middle-aged and elderly.

Root caries (RC) remains a global health problem leading to negative impacts on an elderly person's well-being causing oral health-related quality of life issues, as inadequate nutrition and detrimental oral functionality. The present systematic review with meta-analysis is designed to synthesize existing research findings on the prevalence and experience of root caries globally over the past 30 years. It aims to describe its distribution by country and explore its links with various socioeconomic indicators. Selection criteria: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and Scopus) were screened for observational epidemiological studies (cross-sectional and cohort studies) reporting the prevalence of RC and/or mean RC experience between 1990 and 2023. No language were applied. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were done in duplicate. . risk of bias was graded with customized quality assessment tools (Study Quality Assessment Tools NHLBI, NIH). studies reporting on (1) root caries experience (mean and SD) and (2) on root caries prevalence (%), were used synthesize the results. It was assessed as decayed, missing, and filled teeth (RDMFT) Results: A total of 91 publications were included in the descriptive analysis; the estimated overall pooled mean RC was 2.87 teeth and the global estimated random-effects pooled RC prevalence was 41%. Low gross national income (GNI) countries reported a low mean number of RC (1.35 GNI<$5000), while high GNI countries reported a higher mean number of RC (3.45 GNI $10000- $19999). Countries of higher inequalities (Gini index) reported lower means medium RC (1.98 teeth) than countries with no inequalities (4.90 teeth). This study highlights the high caries burden among adult population globally by estimating overall trends and comparing against factors including area, GNI and Gini-index. The large magnitude of these inequities indicates that oral health equity can only be achieved taking into account socioeconomic factors on a global scale. The lack of uniform data collecting among studies as well as knowledge gap regarding the incidence and experience of RC in different countries.

Effects of Different Stocking Densities on Snail Bellamya purificata Foot Muscle Nutritional Quality and Metabolic Function.

Snail Bellamya purificata is not only useful for bioremediation, purifying aquaculture environments, but it is also a commercially valuable and nutritionally rich aquatic product. To analyze the effect of various stocking densities on the muscle nutritional quality and metabolic functions of B. purificata. The transcriptome and metabolome were analyzed and set up three different density groups-low (LD, 234.38 g/m2), medium (MD, 468.75 g/m2), and high (HD, 937.5 g/m2). The results of the study showed that the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of B. purificata in the MD and HD groups were significantly lower compared to the LD group. High stocking density significantly reduced the oleic acid (C18:1n9c), linoleic acid (C18:2n6c), alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n3), eicosadienoic acid (C20:2), erucic acid (C22:1n9), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n3), and lignoceric acid (C24:0) levels within snail foot muscle. Most of the identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were categorized as Signal transduction, according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG); these genes were categorized into Transport and catabolism, Endocrine system, and Immune system. A total of 11 upregulated DEGs and 19 downregulated DEGs were identified and confirmed to be associated with density stress. The identified metabolites were mainly enriched in the Metabolism category, with 620 differential metabolites identified in positive ion (POS) mode and 265 differential metabolites identified in the negative ion (NEG) mode among different stocking density groups. The differential metabolites affected by stocking density were primarily amino acids, nucleic acids, vitamins, and lipid metabolites. There were 8 upregulated differential metabolites and 14 downregulated differential metabolites identified and confirmed to be associated with density stress. These findings elucidated the response mechanisms of B. purificata to adverse stocking density conditions and provide data and a theoretical basis for selecting appropriate stocking densities for B. purificata.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Impact of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Gastrointestinal Motility, Nutritional Status, and Immune Function in Patients Following Cerebrovascular Accident Surgery

Background Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) is a technique that involves stimulating specific acupoints on the body with electrical currents. It may regulate nerve excitability and improve nerve function. This study aimed to assess the impact of TEAS on gastrointestinal motility, nutrition, and immune function in patients post cerebrovascular accident surgery in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods A randomized controlled trial included 300 post-cerebrovascular surgery patients at Lishui Central Hospital (January 2021–June 2023). Patients were randomly assigned to TEAS or control groups in a 1:1 ratio. The TEAS group received TEAS at bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Tianshu (ST25), Neiguan (PC6), and Hegu (LI4) according to the International Acupuncture Point Code, plus standard care. The control group received routine enteral nutrition and sham TEAS. Nutritional, immune, and gastrointestinal motility indicators were compared. Results A randomized controlled trial involving 300 post-surgery patients compared TEAS to sham TEAS, demonstrating significant enhancements (p < 0.05) in immune function and gastrointestinal motility. Compared to the control group, the TEAS group showed significant improvements in the patient’s serum nutritional levels (prealbumin, albumin, hemoglobin, and total protein), immune status (IgG, IgA, IgM, and CD4+/CD8+), gastrointestinal motility (daily gastric residual volume, time to achieve target feeding volume, time for nutritional fluid to meet standards, time to first bowel movement, time to first passage of activated charcoal stool, time to reach the defecation volume), and overall condition (the scores of clinical scales and ICU stay duration) (p < 0.05). The TEAS group also experienced a significantly lower incidence of adverse events (p < 0.05). Conclusions Early TEAS intervention positively impacted recovery, shortened ICU stay, and improved outcomes in patients post cerebrovascular accident surgery.

Modulating the assembly of starch-lecithin inclusion complexes and its underlying mechanism for controlling starch digestibility under the dense system

Starch-lipid inclusion complexes were used to regulate starch digestibility by changing the binding affinity of digestive enzymes such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase. However, when above a critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of starch and lipid molecules, they tended to self-assemble into double helices or normal micelles respectively, rather than interacting with each other to form starch-lipid complexes. Thus, how to enhance the complexation efficiency under a dense system is the key approach for the improvement of starch bioaccessibility and nutritional function. Herein, based on the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reverse solvent method, the effect of water/DMSO ratios and starch chain structures on the interaction and assembly behaviors between starch and lecithin molecules in high concentrations were systematically investigated. The results revealed that water/DMSO in a ratio of 1.5:1 promoted the interactions between cavities of starch helices and long alkyl chains of lecithin molecules, with higher level of complexed lecithin content, relative crystallinity (RC), enthalpy (ΔH) (Tp＞100°C), ordered-aggregation structures and resistant starch (RS) content. In this kind of solvent, starch samples with higher content of amylose and longer chains (degree of polymerization (DP) of B2 chains and B3+ chains) is advantageous to the formation of VII-type inclusion starch-lecithin complexes, with a rise in RS from 14.17% to 43.64%. It provided an effective method to modulate starch digestibility under the dense system of starch and lecithin via modulating the water/DMSO ratios and starch fine structures and lay the foundation for the large-scale preparation and application of starch-lecithin complexes.

Control efficacy and joint toxicity of broflanilide mixed with commercial insecticides to an underground pest, the black cutworm in highland barley.

The highland barley, Hordeum vulgare L., is a staple food crop with superior nutritional functions in Xizang, China. It is often damaged by the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), which is an underground pest and difficult to effectively manage. To introduce a novel insecticide with unique mode of action, broflanilide (BFL) and its binary mixtures with chlorantraniliprole (CAP), fluxametamide, β-cypermethrin or imidacloprid were screened out as seed treatment to control black cutworm in highland barley in the present study. In the laboratory bioassays, BFL had outstanding insecticidal activity to black cutworm with a median lethal dose (LD50) of 0.07 mg kg-1. The mixture of BFL × CAP at the concentration ratio of 7:40 exhibited the highest synergistic effect with a co-toxicity coefficient of 280.48. In the greenhouse pot experiments, BFL and BFL × CAP seed treatments at 8 g a.i. kg-1 seed could effectively control black cutworm, with a low percentage of injured seedlings <20% and high control efficacies of 93.33-100% during a period of 3-12 days after seed emergence. Moreover, BFL and BFL × CAP seed treatments could promote the seed germination and seedling growth of highland barley at the tested temperatures of 15, 20 and 25 °C. Our results indicated that BFL and BFL × CAP were effective and promising insecticides as seed treatment to control black cutworm in highland barley. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Novel Thermostable Laminarinase with High Activity from Streptomyces albus and Its Catalytic Characteristics in Laminarin Degradation.

Laminarin oligosaccharides (LOSs) degraded from laminarin present nutritional functions. Laminarinases with high activity and good stability are significant tools for LOS production. OUC-SaLam66, a novel GH128 laminarinase from Streptomyces albus, was heterologously expressed. OUC-SaLam66 harbored a significant activity advantage up to 2294.80 U/mg at 45 °C and pH 4.0; meanwhile, it could preserve 80% activity at 45 °C for 12 h, indicating good stability. Significantly, its residual activity was over 75% after incubating at 100 °C for 1 h. Differential scanning calorimetry and molecular dynamic modeling revealed that its melting point and RMSD average point were 114.83 °C and 0.125 nm at 100 °C, respectively, which further proved its superior stability. Its apparent Km and Vmax against laminarin were 6.437 mM and 2.5 μg/min/mg, respectively. Hydrolysis products were mainly composed of laminaritriose and laminaribiose. The high activity and thermostability of OUC-SaLam66 make it a promising candidate for LOS preparation.

Effect of growing environment on the antioxidant activity of recultivated pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L.).

Pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L.) are young pea plants with the potential for sustainable cultivation; these plants are cost-effective and provide high nutritional value. Although numerous studies have explored the nutritional content and functionality of pea seedlings, a few reports exist on the regrowth of pea seedlings after the initial harvest of their edible parts. Hence, this study aimed to elucidate the effect of the growing environment during recultivation on the properties and functionalities of pea seedlings. The non-edible parts of commercially acquired pea seedlings were recultivated in three different environments: (1) indoors under sunlight during the day, (2) indoors with only artificial fluorescent light, and (3) in a dark room. The edible parts of the recultivated seedlings were extracted with methanol, and the antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. Plants grown in environment 1 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. The antioxidant components of pea seedlings were identified to be kaempferol glycoside (1), quercetin glycoside (3), and their respective p-coumaroyl acylated glycosides (2 and 4). This determination was made by separating the components via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using activity as an indicator. An analysis of these components across the studied environments revealed that the isolated quantities of components 2 and 4 were 2.7- and 6.2-fold greater, respectively, from the plants recultivated in environment 1 than those recultivated in environment 2. This study highlights the importance of the recultivation environment on the production of plant functional components.

Physicochemical and functional properties of yogurt enriched with ultrafiltered juice of Red Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as a functional ingredient

Yogurt has long been recognized as a health-promoting food for its bioavailability of protein, energy, probiotics and calcium, increasing digestibility, as well as preventing potential diseases beyond basic nutritional function. Recently, yogurt has become one of those foods whose functional properties are developed by adding functional substances with a potential positive effect on health. The objective was to evaluate the effect of ultrafiltered juice of red fruits of O. ficus-indica as a functional ingredient in yogurt. A completely randomized block design (CRBD) was used. The treatments were: yogurt with 0 % ultrafiltered red prickly pear juice (Y0) as a control; yogurt with 10 % ultrafiltered red prickly pear juice (Y1); yogurt with 20 % ultrafiltered red prickly pear (Y2); and yogurt with 30 % ultrafiltered red prickly pear juice (Y3). The variables to measure in each yogurt treatment were pH during lactic fermentation and the final product, syneresis, energy content, colorimetry, composition (total solids, protein, fat and ash), antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP), phenol content and sensory evaluation. The incorporation of red prickly pear ultrafiltrates accelerated antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents. Finally, the sensory panel satisfactorily accepted the incorporation of red prickly pear ultrafiltered in yogurt. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54167/tch.v18i4.1614

Exploring the Connections Between Grip Strength, Nutritional Status, Frailty, Depression, and Cognition as Initial Assessment Tools in Geriatric Rehabilitation-A Pilot Study.

Background and Objective: In the context of the rapidly aging global population, the older adult vulnerability poses a significant challenge for public health systems. Frailty, cognitive and nutritional status, depression, and grip strength are essential parameters for staging the vulnerability of older adults. The objective of this study is to identify a rapid but multidimensional geriatric assessment tool that can enhance the rehabilitation process for older adults, tailored to their specific needs. Materials and Methods: This pilot study examines the relationships between grip strength, nutritional status, frailty, depression, and cognition in a group of 80 older adults with a mean age of 69.6 years, 49 male and 31 female, using standardized geriatric scales and digital grip strength measurements. The study employed a digital dynamometer, a portable and reliable tool that facilitated quick and accurate grip strength measurements. Results: The analysis revealed significant correlations among the parameters. Greater grip strength was associated with better cognitive performance (r = 0.237, p = 0.034) and improved nutritional status (r = 0.267, p = 0.016), while it was inversely related to frailty (r = -0.313, p = 0.005). Nutritional status also played a key role, showing an inverse relationship with frailty (r = -0.333, p = 0.003) and depression levels (r = -0.248, p = 0.027). Furthermore, frailty and depression were strongly interconnected, with those experiencing higher frailty levels also displaying more severe depressive symptoms (r = 0.545, p < 0.001). Marital status was also relevant: married participants exhibited higher grip strength, lower frailty, and fewer depressive symptoms, suggesting that social support positively influences both physical and mental health in older adults. Conclusions: These findings not only emphasize the need for integrated care approaches that simultaneously address physical health, nutrition, and cognitive function, but also provide a foundation for the development of a rapid and multidimensional assessment protocol, which consists of using a digital dynamometer and four geriatric scales. Such a tool could play a crucial role in the early detection of frailty syndrome and guide the implementation of multidisciplinary, tailored therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving the autonomy and improving the quality of life of older adults.

Micro-DeMix: a mixture beta-multinomial model for investigating the heterogeneity of the stool microbiome compositions.

Extensive research has uncovered the critical role of the human gut microbiome in various aspects of health, including metabolism, nutrition, physiology, and immune function. Fecal microbiota is often used as a proxy for understanding the gut microbiome, but it represents an aggregate view, overlooking spatial variations across different gastrointestinal (GI) locations. Emerging studies with spatial microbiome data collected from specific GI regions offer a unique opportunity to better understand the spatial composition of the stool microbiome. We introduce Micro-DeMix, a mixture beta-multinomial model that deconvolutes the fecal microbiome at the compositional level by integrating stool samples with spatial microbiome data. Micro-DeMix facilitates the comparison of microbial compositions across different GI regions within the stool microbiome through a hypothesis-testing framework. We demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of Micro-DeMix using multiple simulated datasets and the inflammatory bowel disease data from the NIH Integrative Human Microbiome Project. The R package is available at https://github.com/liuruoqian/MicroDemix.