Oriental Countries Research Articles

The chemistry and efficacy benefits of polysaccharides from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AM), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with many medicinal values, has a long usage history in China and other oriental countries. The phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of volatile oils, polysaccharides, lactones, flavonoids, and others. The polysaccharides from AM are important medicinal components, mainly composed of glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), rhamnose (Rha), arabinose (Ara), mannose (Man), galacturonic acid (GalA) and xylose (Xyl). It also showed valuable bioactivities, such as immunomodulatory, antitumour, gastroprotective and intestinal health-promoting, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic as well as other activities. At the same time, based on its special structure and pharmacological activity, it can also be used as immune adjuvant, natural plant supplement and vaccine adjuvant. The aim of this review is to summarize and critically analyze up-to-data on the chemical compositions, biological activities and applications of polysaccharide from AM based on scientific literatures in recent years.

30 Days Randomized Ginger Ingestion on Blood Lipid and Sugar Levels in Hypertensive Older Women

Gingers is widely used as the complimentary household herbal medicine since it promotes varieties of health-protective effects including anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 30-day ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) ingestion on lipid and glucose profiles and blood pressures in hypertensive older women. The randomized double-blinded ginger consumption was designed in normotensive and hypertensive older women. Thirty-two female volunteers were randomly allocated into 4 groups of normotensives and hypertensives without and with ginger consumption, named as normotensive control (NC); normotensive with ginger consumption (NG); hypertensive control (HC) and hypertensive with ginger consumption (HG). On daily basis, the ginger-treated groups (NG and HG) ingested ginger powder at 75 mg/kgBW/day dissolved in 150 mL water after breakfast whereas control groups (NC and HC) received 150 mL water only for 30 days. Data were collected, in the morning, at pre- and post-intervention. Blood lipids, including cholesterol (chol), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoproteins (HDL), and low density lipoproteins (LDL), glucose levels and blood pressures were evaluated and compared from pre- and post-interventions. The results showed that 30-day ingestion of ginger exerted no change in normotensive groups, where alterations of blood lipid profiles were found in hypertensive groups. Both hypertensive groups (HC and HG) showed the significant reductions in SBP (p < 0.05), however, HC showed significantly increase in blood TG and LDL. HG group showed the reduction in TG and unchanged in LDL. There were no significant differences in chol, HDL, glucose levels and health-related performance from either within or between-groups comparisons (p > 0.05). This study primarily shows the minimal duration of 30-day ingestion of dissolved ginger on lowering systolic blood pressure and triglycerides but plays no roles in glycemic control in hypertensive subjects. Ginger might possibly play an important alternative role in alleviating certain health risks in the hypertensive aged females. To build up confidence on its therapeutic effect, more sample size of this local herb is needed in further investigation.
 HIGHLIGHTS
 
 Ginger is widely reported in traditional medicine to relieve symptoms and certain diseases. This herb is popularly used and easily find in Oriental countries
 Ginger can be used to minimize the high prevalence of dyslipidemia and hypertension among Thai population, especially in the north and north-east regions
 The minimum 30 days of ginger ingestion shows some effectiveness on blood lipids and lowers systolic blood pressure in hypertensive elderly
 Ginger might possibly play additional important roles in alleviating certain health risk in the aged
 
 GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Genipin, an Inhibitor of UCP2 as a Promising New Anticancer Agent: A Review of the Literature.

Genipin is a protein cross-linking agent extracted from Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) fruits. This fruit has conventionally been used as a Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of inflammation and jaundice and as an edible colorant in oriental countries. Uncoupling protein (UCP)-2 is a member of the family of uncoupling proteins, which are anion transporters positioned in the mitochondrial inner membrane. Genipin has been shown to have hepatoprotective activity, acting as an effective antioxidant and inhibitor of mitochondrial UCP2, and is also reported to exert significant anticancer effects. In this review, the author presents the latest progress of genipin as an anticancer agent and concisely describes its various mechanisms of action. In brief, genipin inhibits UCP2 to attenuate generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to ROS/c-Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent apoptosis of cancer cells. Genipin also increases the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2, a kind of tumor promoter in a variety of cancers, as well as induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in in vitro and in vivo models. These findings suggest that genipin can serve as a promising novel antitumor agent that could be applicable for chemotherapy and/or chemoprevention for cancers.

Cultural Hegemony and the Teaching of Global English Language: Indian Perspective

Globalization has manifold implications and importance. From Political to financial from trade and commerce to culture and social behaviour. The post globalized world has seen the cultural invasion of America and Europe in various ways. One of the prominent ways of this cultural invasion is the supreme importance of the English language. They have made the English language their medium of cultural dissemination resulting into the supremacy of the occidental culture in oriental countries. Through language culture is spread and through culture their literature, music, food, lifestyle everything is spread and makes room for billion-dollar business. This paper aims at finding the roots of Cultural Hegemony of the west through the teaching of American English in the guise of Global English.

Social Media: Flattening Hierarchies for Women and Black, Indigenous, People Of Color (BIPOC) to Enter the Room Where It Happens.

Social media platforms are widely used to connect people across multiple settings, including country of origin, profession, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, seniority, and training. Groups that have been marginalized or historically excluded from decision-making encounters may lack formal mentors/sponsors because of a lack of representation of women and Black, Indigenous, People Of Color (BIPOC) in senior leadership positions. This can serve as a barrier to professional advancement at all stages of career development. Identifying and connecting with these potential mentors/sponsors outside of one's institutional space can be challenging. For this reason, leveraging social media to develop these professional relationships through flattened hierarchies can allow for professional networking beyond traditional mechanisms. Here we aim to describe how individuals can connect through social media to advance their careers and scientific and clinical expertise, advocate for communities, and provide high-quality communication to the public.

Invisible or negligent—EUS detection for the negative CT or/and MRCP CBD stone

Invisible or negligent—<scp>EUS</scp> detection for the negative <scp>CT</scp> or/and <scp>MRCP CBD</scp> stone

Ethno-religious neighbourhood infrastructures and the life satisfaction of immigrants and their descendants in Germany

Urban research assigns immigrant enclaves an ambiguous role. While such areas are seen as rich in beneficial ethno-religious infrastructures and networks, they also tend to be located in deprived and stigmatised inner-city neighbourhoods. Research on neighbourhood attainment provides evidence for both, a desire to attain mainstream middle-class neighbourhoods, which grows the more immigrants and their descendants establish themselves in society, but also a continuing attraction of residing close to co-ethnics. To tease apart this ambiguity, we study how the life satisfaction of immigrants and their descendants depends on the characteristics of the neighbourhood they live in, and pay special attention to heterogeneity along generation, country of origin orientation and income. We use classic measures of neighbourhood quality vis-à-vis newly collected data on the spatial density of ethno-religious minority associations, places of worship and grocers. We link these data to the geocoded German Socio-Economic Panel to predict life satisfaction among immigrants and their descendants. To strengthen a causal interpretation of our results, we employ specifications that address self-selection into neighbourhoods and unobserved confounding. Contra the assumptions of standard assimilation models, we document that ethno-religious infrastructures contribute to increased life satisfaction primarily among the second generation, and there especially among sending-country oriented individuals. This suggests a continuing importance of origin-culture infrastructures for some groups. Furthermore, we find little evidence that overall neighbourhood quality, or the mere share of co-ethnics in a neighbourhood, increases life satisfaction either among immigrants or their descendants.

"Проверка основных тезисов, на которых покоится циклическая концепция ЭД. Мейера": план работы В. В. Струве в ГАИМК в 1933 Г. и его обсуждение

The article analyses and publishes documents from the Department of Manuscripts, Scientific Archives of the Institute for the History of Material Culture, Russian Academy of Sciences, which reflect the working plans of the Soviet Orientalist Vassiliy Vassilievich Struve (1889-1965) under the auspices of the State Academy for the History of Material Culture (GAIMK) in 1933. There are five documents: Struve's working plan of 25 March 1933 (Fund 2. Dossier 1 (1933). Unit 24. L. 14-16); minutes of the meeting of the “brigade for the research of the mode of production”, GAIMK section of the slave-owning formation, dated to the same day (L. 40-46); Struve's working plan of 31 March 1933 (L. 17); documents on the completion of Struve's plan (Unit 31. L. 45; 54-54 ver.). Struve's earlier plan was forwarded after GAIMK faced the task to speed up the research of slavery and of the class struggle of slaves after Stalin's words of 19 February 1933 on the “slave revolution”. Struve contemplated a rather vast analysis of evidence from Hittite Asia Minor, Eastern Mediterranean, Carthage, Mesopotamia and Egypt in order hammer the views of Eduard Meyer concerning the prevalence of serfdom and not slavery at the Ancient Orient and the absence of the “slave hunting” there. Besides, Struve planned to discover slave rebellions in various Oriental countries. Members of the “brigade” met the plan with objections on two points: Struve's ideas on the “serfdom of the conquering type” and on the “irrigation slavery”. In a long run, the plan was not implemented and replaced with a more concise research of the Hittite society (drafted in the document of 31 March).

Herbal Medicines for Constipation and Phytochemical Comparison of Active Components

Constipation is a very common medical condition worldwide, negatively affecting patients' quality of life and healthcare system. Rhubarb, senna leaf, and aloe are three frequently used herbal medications for achieving regular bowel movement. Rhubarb is also a key ingredient in MaZiRenWan, a Chinese medicine formula used every so often for constipation in oriental countries. We reviewed and summarized the major chemical components from these three botanicals, including dianthrones, anthraquinone glycosides, free anthraquinones, and other polyphenols. The purgative actions of these constituents have been compared. Anthraquinone, especially its dianthrone compounds such as sennoside A and sennoside B, as natural stimulant laxatives, possesses significant effects to promote gastrointestinal motility and relieve functional constipation. Furthermore, the safety, reported side effects, and other benefits of anthraquinone compounds are presented. To date, many anti-constipation natural products are being used but their research is relatively limited, and thus, more investigations in this field are indeed needed.

Abstract IA-22: A multilevel framework for reducing cancer risk in diverse Asian American populations

Abstract Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in the United States (US). The Asian American population is also diverse and heterogeneous with respect to language, culture, country of origin, preventive-health orientation, and other characteristics. The practice of presenting aggregated data on cancer incidence and mortality in Asian Americans obscures important health differences as some Asian American subgroups experience higher rates of cancer – such as liver, uterine cervix, and stomach cancers – than other racial/ethnic groups. Despite this elevated risk, many Asian American subgroups have lower cancer screening rates compared with other populations. Low screening rates have been attributed to a number of factors including psychosocial beliefs and barriers to healthcare access; and despite considerable effort over the past decades, screening rates remain well below national goals. In this presentation, we will illustrate the application of a multilevel framework to address individual-, interpersonal-, and community-level factors contributing to uptake of cancer screening and prevention behaviors in several US Asian subgroups. Examples from recent research will be presented to highlight how community-academic partnerships have successfully enhanced cancer screening and prevention behaviors. We will also review ongoing challenges and discuss new opportunities for promoting a greater focus across and within diverse Asian American populations. Engaging multiple stakeholders in the planning process can lead to effective and sustainable programs that result in increased participation among underserved and underrepresented individuals. Together, these strategies may help reduce inequities and improve outcomes across our diverse communities. Citation Format: Carolyn Y. Fang. A multilevel framework for reducing cancer risk in diverse Asian American populations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA-22.

The Art Collection of the Oriental Countries of the Mikhail V. Nesterov Bashkir State Art Museum (History of the Collection, Research Issues, Discoveries)

The art collection of the Oriental countries is one of the unique in the Mikhail V. Nesterov Bashkir State Art Museum. It includes artifacts of such countries as China, Japan, Mauritanian Spain, Iran and Turkey. The history of the Bashkir State Art Museum began with the collection of Russian Art of the 19th and early 20th centuries gifted by Mikhail V. Nesterov. Thanks to active object donations from various sources in the 1920s and 1930s, the structure of the Nesterov museum collection became much broader than just the art of Russia. It is precisely in those years that the collection of Oriental art began to form. Despite the lack of its focus, art pieces that came from various sources are of great interest and demonstrate the artistic culture of different Eastern countries.

Effects of Sargassum thunbergii Extract on Skin Whitening and Anti-Wrinkling through Inhibition of TRP-1 and MMPs.

Sargassum thunbergii has been traditionally used as an edible and medicinal material in oriental countries. However, the skin-whitening and anti-wrinkling effects of S. thunbergii have not yet been investigated. This study was conducted to establish optimal extraction conditions for the production of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity as well as skin-whitening and anti-wrinkle effects using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) in S. thunbergii. The extraction time (5.30~18.7 min), extraction temperature (22.4~79.6 °C), and ethanol concentration (0.0~99.5%), which are the main variables of the UAE, were optimized using a central composite design. Quadratic regression equations were derived based on experimental data and showed a high coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.85), demonstrating suitability for prediction. The optimal UAE condition for maximizing all dependent variables, including radical scavenging activity (RSA), tyrosinase inhibitory activity (TIA), and collagenase inhibitory activity (CIA), was identified as an extraction time of 12.0 min, an extraction temperature of 65.2 °C, and ethanol of 53.5%. Under these conditions, the RSA, TIA, and CIA of S. thunbergii extract were 86.5%, 88.3%, and 91.4%, respectively. We also confirmed S. thunbergii extract had inhibitory effects on the mRNA expression of tyrosinase-related protein-1, matrix metalloproteinase-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, which are the main genes of melanin synthesis and collagen hydrolysis. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify the main phenolic compounds in S. thunbergii extract, and caffeic acid was identified as a major peak, demonstrating that high value-added ingredients with skin-whitening and anti-wrinkling effects can be produced from S. thunbergii and used for developing cosmetic materials.

Simultaneous determination of ten nucleosides and bases in Ganoderma by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Ganoderma (lingzhi) is a famous herbal medicine and edible supplement in oriental countries for a long history. In this study, a simple micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method was established for the analysis of nucleosides and bases, the major bioactive components in Ganoderma for the first time. By optimizing the borate concentration, the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentration and the pH value of running buffer, 10 nucleosides and bases achieved an ideal separation. In real sample analysis, the developed method was successfully used to determine the 10 target analytes in 23 batches of Ganoderma samples from different regions. Results indicated that contents of 10 investigated analytes in each sample showed obvious variation. The principal components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) analysis classified the samples into three groups, and the HCA tree visualized the relationships which was mainly contributed by geographical partition. The results indicated geographical origin to be an important factor that affect the accumulation of nucleosides and bases in Ganoderma. In summary, this study provides a simple and practical strategy for quality assessment and cultivation reference of Ganoderma.

Donor Screening for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in China: Evaluation of 8483 Candidates

Donor Screening for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in China: Evaluation of 8483 Candidates

Hidradenitis suppurativa: Disease pathophysiology and sex hormones.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a cutaneous chronic inflammatory disease that is estimated to affect about 1% of the population and caused pain, malodorous discharge, disfigurement, and poor quality of life with psychosocial problems. The typical features are recurrent painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts on the axillae, groins, gluteal areas, and anogenital regions since postpuberty. Smoking and obesity are two major triggering factors of hidradenitis suppurativa. Women are prone to have hidradenitis suppurativa than men in Western countries, but the male-to-female ratio is reversed in oriental countries. The disease severity can be affected by menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Furthermore, the phenotypes are different among men and women with hidradenitis suppurativa. Men are prone to have buttock involvement while women are prone to have axillary, groins, and submammary lesions. This review introduces the skin appendages and pathophysiology of hidradenitis suppurativa and then focuses on the sex difference and the effects of sex hormones on hidradenitis suppurativa and current hormone-associated treatments.

Undaria pinnatifida (U. pinnatifida) bioactivity: Antioxidant, gastro-intestinal motility, cholesterol biosynthesis and liver cell lines proteome

• Undaria pinnatifida prepared like a soup has phlorotannins and small peptides. • Bioactive molecules in U. pinnatifida can inhibit acetylcholinesterase. • Aqueous extract inhibits the activity of HMGR, reducing cholesterol biosynthesis. • Several changes are induced in cell proteome with the U. pinnatifida aqueous extract. Undaria pinnatifida is a brown alga, largely used as food in oriental countries. The purpose of this work was to analyze several bioactivities that might be present in different food preparations, relating them with the compounds present in the extracts. Aqueous extracts cooked, like a soup, as well as used in a salad, by simulating U. pinnatifida digestion with pancreatin were prepared. The soup preparation had anti-acetylcholinesterase activity as well as 3-hydroxy3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibition capacity, the use of 1 mg/mL, for both enzymes, caused 50% enzyme activity inhibition. The extracts produced changes in HepG2 cell proteome, mainly in the 148 kDa proteins. U. pinnatifida in salads hardly released phlorotannins to the digestive tract. The in vitro studies suggested that a soup prepared from this seaweed could deliver bioactive compounds, phlorotannins and small peptides that may facilitate the gastro-intestinal motility and reduce the cholesterol biosynthesis.

Prospecting medicinal properties of Lion's mane mushroom.

Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Persoon, a popular medicinal edible mushroom, owns a long history of usage in traditional Chinese medicine and also in other oriental countries. Along with this, its several bioactive compounds have been evolved into food supplements. Meanwhile, this present investigation aimed at extracting bioactive components from fruiting bodies of H. erinaceus using two different solvents and evaluating its in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative efficacy. Chemical analysis showed extracts were rich in phenol, flavonoids, and ascorbic acids while lesser amount of carotenoids were also detected in these extracts. Both extracts were able to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (~76%) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) radicals (~81%) and also showed chelating activity (~73.05%). The ethanolic extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (total antioxidant capacity 2.17µg ascorbic acid equivalent/mg of extract) whereas methanolic extract showed moderate capacity (total antioxidant capacity 1.42µg ascorbic acid equivalent/mg of extract). All extracts displayed antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well (minimum inhibition concentration 1,575-2,750µg/ml) although methanolic extract showed some selectivity towards bacterial strains. Apart from these, ethanolic fraction has found to exhibit potent cytotoxicity (IC50 403.12µg/ml) towards lung adenocarcinoma cells. These studies thus provide the reference data that could support this mushroom as an easily accessible source of natural bioactive components. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Mushroom extracts have long been traditionally used as miracle medicine to treat an extensive range of ailments. These findings indicate the potential benefits of the Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Persoon extracts for the development of multi-target therapeutics as well as extraction with appropriate solvents also provide leads for the isolation of various principle compounds. The extracts thus could be used to treat oxidative stress-related disorders as they are found to contain antioxidant compounds like phenols and others and also they possessed good antimicrobial and anticancer activity.

THE STEREOTYPE IMAGE OF THE MUSLIM WOMAN IN THE WESTERN WORLD: CALL FOR A NEW PERSPECTIVE

In conservative societies, including Oriental countries, one can say that women are one of the main concerns of the conservatives; the woman in Oriental societies, especially with religious tendencies, represents a kind of 'sacred privacy'. With such peculiarity, the image of Oriental but Muslim women in particular in the eyes of Western artists has been a controversial topic through modern and contemporary art history, colonialism, as well as contemporary media where visual language is used, especially when the Muslim woman representation seems to be embarrassing, offensive or stereotyped. As an Oriental insider woman, the researcher aims to discuss this controversial issue; within a self-reflection essay, she will discuss and attempt to answer the raised questions through an artistic, social, analytical and critical approach. The aim is to present different perspectives, bring them closer together, and clarify the ambiguities in understanding the other, in order to reach a different middle perspective and to contribute to creating better chances for coexistence between East and West in a world that is supposed to be one.

Сирийские морские порты и их глобальные показатели

The article considers the role of the seaport in the economy and politics of the state. There are listed the main functions of seaports: trade, transportation, employment, industrial, fiscal, and political functions. The important role of the seaports of Syria in improving the quality of transport support for foreign trade activities was noted. The favorable geographical position of the Syrian ports on the Mediterranean coast determines a significant role in international maritime trade between European and Oriental countries. The statistical data on the seaports of the Syrian Arab Republic in the cities Latakia and Tartus have been analyzed. The dynamics of the volumes of containers transshipped through the seaport of Latakia, as well as through the seaport of Tartus is considered. A comparative analysis of the dynamics of the traffic volumes between both ports was carried out. The pace of development in the work of the Syrian ports is being studied on the basis of the GCI (The Global Competitiveness Index) and the liner shipping service index. Comparison of the liner shipping service index between Syrian ports and ports of neighboring countries has been made. The international rating of Syrian ports is presented in comparison with the rating of the nearest ports in the region by infrastructure. Conclusions are made about the low rating of Syrian ports in comparison with competing countries and international ports in general. There has been found the necessity of a detailed study of the reasons for the low competitiveness of the Syrian ports, including the crisis of 2011, rupture of relations between Syria and many countries of the world, economic sanctions against Syria, etc., in order to further develop measures to increase the competitiveness of Syrian seaports.

Microwave-Assisted Extraction Coupled with Mass Spectrometry for Determining Five Volatile Compounds from Soy Sauces.

As a popular fermented condiment in oriental countries, soy sauce plays a more and more important role in modern food culture due to its unique smell and delicious taste. With the help of microwave extraction and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the sample preparation method is aimed to determine the content of cyclohexane, benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, and styrene in soy sauce. The method was validated by examining the linearity, accuracy, specificity, precision, the limit of detection, and quantitation. Meanwhile, three key factors have an impact on the efficiency and accuracy of the method including extracting solvent, temperature, and time which were optimized. The result shows that the recoveries of spiked analytes ranged from 80.86% to 105.71%, the relative standard deviation of intraday and interday precision was no more than 12.1% and 12.5%, and the limit of detection and quantitation were 0.25–1.00 ng/mL and 0.50–2.00 ng/mL, respectively. The results also indicated that the proposed method was a simple, reliable, and sensitive approach for the determination trace amount of five harmful volatile organic compounds from soy sauce.