Circles

Sorry, no results were found.

Posts

1 hr ago


Insulin-degrading enzyme: a friend against metabolism and also neurodegenerative diseases.
Is actually overdue treatment method together with acetaminophen safe and effective while we are avoiding surgery ligation among extremely preterm neonates using chronic clair ductus arteriosus?
Fish oil (FO) is a rich source of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LCPUFA) which are important for human health. This research investigated the fortification of chicken nuggets with encapsulated FO-Garlic essential oil (GEO) as a possible way for delivery of ω-3 LCPUFA. Five different chicken nugget samples were prepared according to different treatments Control sample (without fish oil and encapsulated FO-GEO), bulk fish oil samples (0.4% and 0.8%, w/w), and encapsulated FO-GEO samples (4% and 8%, w/w). The quality of the chicken nugget samples were monitored during a 20-day refrigerated storage. Results showed that the addition of encapsulated FO-GEO could significantly delay lipid oxidation and microbiological spoilage of the samples during refrigerated storage. This is reflected by the pH, PV, TBARS and TVBN data (P  less then  0.05). Samples fortified with encapsulated FO-GEO also showed significantly higher sensory quality and overall acceptability (P  less then  0.05). The use of 8% encapsulated FO-GEO gave the best antioxidative and antimicrobial properties during storage. However, the best sensory scores were observed in the 4% encapsulated FO-GEO up to 20 days of storage. This study demonstrated that the encapsulated FO-GEO could be used for fortifying and extending shelf-life of food products.This study evaluated the pH, acidity, soluble solids, color, dietary fiber, sensory acceptance and the viability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus in mango and carrot mixed juices. In addition, this study verified the resistance of L. plantarum that presented greater viability to the gastrointestinal tract simulated in vitro. Three formulations were elaborated (varying the pulps concentration) and the products were stored at 8 °C for 35 days. No difference was found in the total soluble solids and color of the products during storage time at 8 °C. A reduction in pH and an increase in acidity were observed in all samples during storage, probably due to the fermentative action of probiotics, which negatively influenced acceptance after 35 days of storage. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html On the other hand, juices with a higher concentration of mango pulp were more accepted and may be a strategy to improve the acceptance of fermented juices. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html Microorganisms showed greater viability in juices that had higher amount of carrot pulp, probably due to the higher fiber content in these samples. During the 35-day shelf life, all juices with L. plantarum maintained counts above 7 log CFU mL-1 after gastrointestinal conditions simulation. Therefore, mango and carrot mixed juice showed to be as a good vehicle for probiotic bacteria and meets the needs of consumers looking for functional, healthy, non-dairy and low-sugar foods.
Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are widely used to control hypertension. In this study, protein hydrolysates from shiitake mushroom were hydrolyzed to prepare ACE-inhibitory peptides. Optimum process conditions for the hydrolysis of shiitake mushrooms using Alcalase were optimized using response surface methodology. Monitoring was conducted to check the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and ACE inhibitory activity. In the results, the optimum condition with the highest DH value of 28.88% was 50.2°C, 3-h hydrolysis time, and 1.16 enzyme/substrate ratios. The highest ACE inhibitory activity (IC
of 0.33μg/mL) was under 47°C, 3h 28min hydrolysis time, and 0.59 enzyme/substrate ratios. The highest activity was fractionated into 5 ranges of molecular weight, and the fraction below 0.65kDa showed the highest activity with IC
of 0.23μg/mL. This fraction underwent purification using RP-HPLC, meanwhile the peak which offered a retention time of about 37min showed high ACE inhibitory activity. Mass spectrometry identified the amino acid sequence of this peak as Lys-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-Ser-Arg-Phe-Asp-Val-Thr (KIGSRSRFDVT), with a molecular weight of 1265.43Da. The synthesized variant of this peptide produced an ACE inhibitory activity (IC
) of 37.14μM. The peptide KIGSRSRFDVT was shown to serve as a non-competitive inhibitor according to the Lineweaver-Burk plot findings. A molecular docking study was performed, which showed that the peptide binding occurred at an ACE non-active site. The findings suggest that peptides derived from shiitake mushrooms could serve either as useful components in pharmaceutical products, or in functional foods for the purpose of treating hypertension.
Quark cheese is a fermented soft fresh cheese categorised under acid-rennet coagulated cheeses. In this study, alternative raw materials such as kefir and yayik buttermilk were used to produce Quark cheese in comparison with the cheese produced by the acidification of skim milk with mesophilic lactic culture. link2 Samples were kept individually under 35 °C and 100 °C for coagulum formation. Obtained cheeses, were evaluated in terms of some physicochemical, microbiological and sensorial properties in addition to the volatile and peptide profiles. Quark produced from kefir and buttermilk was determined to have preferred properties directly affect the cheese characteristics.Sanchi flowers were traditionally used as functional medicinal ingredient in materials. The study was aimed at evaluating superfine powder product of Sanchi flower, hence in this study, five fractions of dried Sanchi flower powders (SFP) were prepared at variable particle sizes by superfine grinding and evaluated for changes in various properties. Superfine powder with median particle diameter of 25.57 μm was produced through grinding. It was evident from the environmental scanning electron microscopy analysis that during superfine grinding, mechanical shear stress played its crucial role in breakdown of the SFP and causes increases in surface area owing to reduction of particle sizes. Superfine grinding could improve solubility, oil holding capacity, and brightness, but decrease the fluidity of SFP. SFP with smallest particle size exhibited highest saponin, minerals, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents accompanied with the best antioxidant activities. Size reduction beyond M200 and M400 led to increasing tendency in IR signature band patterns and marked differences in peak intensities while the powdered samples showed resemblance with respect to peak shapes. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html Differential scanning calorimetry indicated the lowest melting temperature for SFP fraction with smallest particle size. Conclusively, superfine SFP due to inherent improvement in properties may render several potential applications in manufacturing of food and pharmaceutical additives to impart improved functionalities of finally finished products with uniformity.Sourdough is one of the oldest methods of cereal fermentation applied mainly for the sole purpose of baking and has been proven to enhance the production of microbiologically safe products. link2 This study investigated the effect of packaging materials and storage conditions on the microbial quality and some intrinsic parameters of the sourdough bread. Pearl millet flour was naturally fermented for 72 h to obtain sourdough which was used with pearl millet flour to produce sourdough bread while the control bread was produced with pearl millet flour and yeast. The bread samples were packaged in low density polyethylene and aluminium foil and stored at -5, 4, 6, 28 and 37 °C. The total bacteria count (log cfu/g) and total fungal count (spore/g) increased with an increase in storage temperature and storage days. Fungi colonies isolated from stored bread samples include species of Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor. A significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in the pH and decrease in the moisture content of the bread samples were observed as storage period and storage temperature increased. Sourdough fermentation improved the microbial qualities and extended the shelf life of bread.Tangerine juice was treated with crude extract containing cellulase from Pseudozyma sp. obtained by liquid fermentation. The thermal stability of cellulase was investigated by incubating crude extract at different temperatures and times. The pulp, obtained from tangerine, was pasteurized at 85 °C for 5 min and then used in a clarification process with a Doehlert experimental design. The results showed that the cellulase obtained from Pseudozyma sp. is thermostable at temperatures of 60, 70 and 90 °C and retained 98%, 88% and 80% of activity, respectively, after a 1-h incubation time. link3 The optimum conditions for clarification were verified by varying the enzyme extract concentration (%, v v-1) and the time (minutes) in a shaker at 150 rpm, at 50 °C. The optimum condition for clarification was obtained in the 80th min with a 1.25% enzymatic extract concentration (v v-1), resulting in a reduction of tangerine juice viscosity by 65%. link3 The analysis of physical and chemical parameters of tangerine juice after clarification showed that the enzyme extract improved the process responsible for the clarification of tangerine juice. The results are promising since this is a methodology that can be used in the citrus juice industry.In this study, different concentrations of alginate (0%, 1% and 1.5% w/v) enriched with various concentrations of Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss) essential oil (0%, 0.3% and 0.5% w/v), were examined on postharvest characteristics of the fresh pistachio. The measurements (including total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, free fatty acid, peroxide value, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, mold and yeast, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids) were performed after 0, 13, 26 and 39 days during storage (3 ± 1 °C, 80 ± 5% RH). link2 The results showed that alginate edible coating enriched with thyme's essential oil (EO), contributed to the maintenance of higher values of phenolic content and antioxidant activity in comparison with the control. Edible coating treatment of enriched alginate with thyme oil reduced mold and yeast growth compared to the control and the alginate without thyme oil. Peroxide value and free fatty acid content were significantly lower in fruits treated with alginate-thyme in comparison with the control. All fruits which had been treated with alginate-thyme EO showed lower changes in saturated and unsaturated fatty acids after 39 days of storage, and fruits coated with combination of 1% alginate and 0.3% EO showed the highest content of palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, compared with other treatments.Cowpeas are an inexpensive source of quality protein but their utilisation is limited by long seed cooking time. This is exacerbated by development of the hard-to-cook (HTC) defect, which also adversely affects starch and protein functionality. link3 Gamma-irradiation can eliminate cowpea seed insect infestation and affects seed functional properties, including reducing cooking time. Hence, the potential of γ-irradiation to modify the starch- and protein-related functionalities of HTC cowpeas was investigated. Gamma-irradiation at approximately 11 kGy was applied to the seeds of two cowpea varieties, differing in HTC susceptibility, where HTC had been induced by high-temperature, high-humidity (HTHH) storage. HTHH storage increased flour pasting peak viscosity by up to 40% in the less susceptible variety and by more than 100% in the more susceptible variety. Gamma-irradiation at least completely reversed this effect, due to starch depolymerisation and debranching. Gamma-irradiation also positively impacted on some protein-related properties adversely affected by HTC; partially reversing the reduction in flour and cooked paste nitrogen solubility index of the HTC-susceptible cowpea, as a result of protein depolymerisation.

2 hrs ago


"Neuroplasticity" is often evoked to explain adaptation and compensation after acute lesions of the Central Nervous System (CNS). In this study, we investigated the modification of 80 genes involved in synaptic plasticity at different times (24 h, 8 and 45 days) from the traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), adopting a bioinformatic analysis. mRNA expression levels were analyzed in the motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum and in the spinal segments rostral and caudal to the lesion. The main results are (i) a different gene expression regulation is observed in the Spinal Cord (SC) segments rostral and caudal to the lesion; (ii) long lasting changes in the SC includes the extracellular matrix (ECM) enzymes Timp1, transcription regulators (Egr, Nr4a1), second messenger associated proteins (Gna1, Ywhaq); (iii) long-lasting changes in the Motor Cortex includes transcription regulators (Cebpd), neurotransmitters/neuromodulators and receptors (Cnr1, Gria1, Nos1), growth factors and related receptors (Igf1, Ntf3, Ntrk2), second messenger associated proteins (Mapk1); long lasting changes in Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum include ECM protein (Reln), growth factors (Ngf, Bdnf), transcription regulators (Egr, Cebpd), neurotransmitter receptors (Grin2c). These data suggest the molecular mapping as a useful tool to investigate the brain and SC reorganization after SCI.
Today there are many devices that can be used to study blood clotting disorders by identifying abnormalities in blood platelets. The Total Thrombus Formation Analysis System is an automated microchip flow chamber system that is used for the quantitative analysis of clot formation under blood flow conditions. For several years, researchers have been using a tool to analyse various clinical situations of patients to identify the properties and biochemical processes occurring within platelets and their microenvironment.

An investigation of recent published literature was conducted based on PRISMA. This review includes 52 science papers directly related to the use of the Total Clot Formation Analysis System in relation to bleeding, surgery, platelet function assessment, anticoagulation monitoring, von Willebrand factor and others.

Most available studies indicate that The Total Thrombus Formation Analysis System may be useful in diagnostic issues, with devices used to monitor therapy or as a significant tool for predicting bleeding events. However, T-TAS not that has the potential for diagnostic indications, but allows the direct observation of the flow and the interactions between blood cells, including the intensity and dynamics of clot formation. The device is expected to be of significant value for basic research to observe the interactions and changes within platelets and their microenvironment.
Most available studies indicate that The Total Thrombus Formation Analysis System may be useful in diagnostic issues, with devices used to monitor therapy or as a significant tool for predicting bleeding events. However, T-TAS not that has the potential for diagnostic indications, but allows the direct observation of the flow and the interactions between blood cells, including the intensity and dynamics of clot formation. The device is expected to be of significant value for basic research to observe the interactions and changes within platelets and their microenvironment.The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the development of vaccines, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the absence of effective therapeutics demand the continual investigation of COVID-19. Natural products containing active ingredients may be good therapeutic candidates. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of geraniin, the main ingredient in medical plants Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. ellipticus and Nephelium lappaceum, for treating COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor to initiate virus entry into cells; viral entry may be an important target of COVID-19 therapeutics. Geraniin was found to effectively block the binding between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and hACE2 receptor in competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, suggesting that geraniin might inhibit the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human epithelial cells. Geraniin also demonstrated a high affinity to both proteins despite a relatively lower equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) for the spike protein (0.63 μM) than hACE2 receptor (1.12 μM), according to biolayer interferometry-based analysis. In silico analysis indicated geraniin's interaction with the residues functionally important in the binding between the two proteins. Thus, geraniin is a promising therapeutic agent for COVID-19 by blocking SARS-CoV-2's entry into human cells.In our previous work, we built the model of PPARγ dependent pathways involved in the development of the psoriatic lesions. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor and transcription factor which regulates the expression of many proinflammatory genes. We tested the hypothesis that low levels of PPARγ expression promote the development of psoriatic lesions triggering the IL17-related signaling cascade. Skin samples of normally looking and lesional skin donated by psoriasis patients and psoriatic CD3+ Tcells samples (n = 23) and samples of healthy CD3+ T cells donated by volunteers (n = 10) were analyzed by real-time PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistry analysis. We found that the expression of PPARγ is downregulated in human psoriatic skin and laser treatment restores the expression. The expression of IL17, STAT3, FOXP3, and RORC in psoriatic skin before and after laser treatment were correlated with PPARγ expression according to the reconstructed model of PPARγ pathway in psoriasis.In conclusion, we report that PPARγ weakens the expression of genes that contribute in the development of psoriatic lesion. Our data show that transcriptional regulation of PPARγ expression by FOSL1 and by STAT3/FOSL1 feedback loop may be central in the psoriatic skin and T-cells.Extreme temperatures are among the most important stressors limiting plant growth and development. Results indicate that light substantially influences the acclimation processes to both low and high temperatures, and it may affect the level of stress injury. The interaction between light and temperature in the regulation of stress acclimation mechanisms is complex, and both light intensity and spectral composition play an important role. Higher light intensities may lead to overexcitation of the photosynthetic electron transport chain; while different wavelengths may act through different photoreceptors. These may induce various stress signalling processes, leading to regulation of stomatal movement, antioxidant and osmoregulation capacities, hormonal actions, and other stress-related pathways. In recent years, we have significantly expanded our knowledge in both light and temperature sensing and signalling. The present review provides a synthesis of results for understanding how light influences the acclimation of plants to extreme low or high temperatures, including the sensing mechanisms and molecular crosstalk processes.Hypoxic conditions induce the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) to restore the supply of oxygen to tissues and cells. Activated HIF-1α translocates into the nucleus and binds to hypoxia response elements to promote the transcription of target genes. Cathepsin L (CTSL) is a lysosomal protease that degrades cellular proteins via the endolysosomal pathway. In this study, we attempted to determine if CTSL is a hypoxia responsive target gene of HIF-1α, and decipher its role in melanocytes in association with the autophagic pathway. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/sc79.html The results of our luciferase reporter assay showed that the expression of CTSL is transcriptionally activated through the binding of HIF1-α at its promoter. Under autophagy-inducing starvation conditions, HIF-1α and CTSL expression is highly upregulated in melan-a cells. The mature form of CTSL is closely involved in melanosome degradation through lysosomal activity upon autophagosome-lysosome fusion. The inhibition of conversion of pro-CTSL to mature CTSL leads to the accumulation of gp100 and tyrosinase in addition to microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) II, due to decreased lysosomal activity in the autophagic pathway. In conclusion, we have identified that CTSL, a novel target of HIF-1α, participates in melanosome degradation in melanocytes through lysosomal activity during autophagosome-lysosome fusion.Epilepsy is a pathologic condition with high prevalence and devastating consequences for the patient and its entourage. Means for accurate diagnosis of type, patient monitoring for predicting seizures and follow up, and efficacious treatment are desperately needed. To improve this adverse outcome, miRNAs and the chaperone system (CS) are promising targets to understand pathogenic mechanisms and for developing theranostics applications. miRNAs implicated in conditions known or suspected to favor seizures such as neuroinflammation, to promote epileptic tolerance and neuronal survival, to regulate seizures, and others showing variations in expression levels related to seizures are promising candidates as useful biomarkers for diagnosis and patient monitoring, and as targets for developing novel therapies. Components of the CS are also promising as biomarkers and as therapeutic targets, since they participate in epileptogenic pathways and in cytoprotective mechanisms in various epileptogenic brain areas, even if what they do and how is not yet clear. The data in this review should help in the identification of molecular targets among the discussed miRNAs and CS components for research aiming at understanding epileptogenic mechanisms and, subsequently, develop means for predicting/preventing seizures and treating the disease.Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling. Recent evidence supports that inflammation plays a key role in triggering and maintaining pulmonary vascular remodeling. Recent studies have shown that garlic extract has protective effects in PAH, but the precise role of allicin, a compound derived from garlic, is unknown. Thus, we used allicin to evaluate its effects on inflammation and fibrosis in PAH. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups control (CON), monocrotaline (60 mg/kg) (MCT), and MCT plus allicin (16 mg/kg/oral gavage) (MCT + A). Right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy and pulmonary arterial medial wall thickness were determined. IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, NFκB p65, Iκβ, TGF-β, and α-SMA were determined by Western blot analysis. In addition, TNF-α and TGF-β were determined by immunohistochemistry, and miR-21-5p and mRNA expressions of Cd68, Bmpr2, and Smad5 were determined by RT-qPCR. Results Allicin prevented increases in vessel wall thickness due to TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and Cd68 in the lung. In addition, TGF-β, α-SMA, and fibrosis were lower in the MCT + A group compared with the MCT group. In the RV, allicin prevented increases in TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β. These observations suggest that, through the modulation of proinflammatory and profibrotic markers in the lung and heart, allicin delays the progression of PAH.

3 hrs ago


Pheromones are ectohormones that play an important role in communication and behavior. Pheromones and pheromone receptor genes are important in mice and other mammals that rely heavily on pheromone cues to survive. Although there is controversy about whether pheromones and pheromone receptor genes have the same importance or are even active in humans, there are some hints that they might have roles in sociosexual behavior and mental disorders. The aim of this qualitative review was to provide an overview of the state of the art regarding pheromones and pheromone receptors in humans and their possible implications in human physiology and pathology. An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed and Scopus databases for articles published in English up to December 2018. The search concerned a possible role of pheromones and pheromone receptors in humans with implications for sociosexual behavior, mental disorders, the menstrual cycle and nutrition. Pheromone communication in humans has not been definitively demonstrated. However, the potential ability of putative pheromones to activate the hypothalamus, which controls the release of many hormones, suggests they could have a role in systemic functions in humans. Future confirmation of the effects of pheromones and pheromone receptors in humans could be useful in the prevention and treatment of various human disorders.OBJECTIVE The authors have sought to expound upon and shed a light on the rise of nootropics, which have gradually taken on a more and more relevant role in workplaces and academic settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS Multidisciplinary databases have been delved into by entering the following keys "nootropics", "cognitive enhancement", "workplace", "productivity", "ethics", "bioengineering". In addition, a broad-ranging search has been undertaken on institutional websites in order to identify relevant analysis and recommendations issued by international institutions and agencies. Papers and reports have been independently pored over by each author. This search strategy has led to the identification of 988 sources but only 64 were considered appropriate for the purposes of the paper after being selected by at least 3 of the authors, independently. RESULTS The notion of an artificially enhanced work performance - carried out by the 'superworker' - is particularly noteworthy and resonates with the conception of contemporary work on so many different levels the rising need and demands for higher degrees of flexibility and productivity on the job, the implications of a '24/7' society, where more and more services are available at any time, the ever greater emphasis on entrepreneurial spirit, individual self-reliance and self-improvement, and last but not least, the impact of an ageing society on economic standards and performance. CONCLUSIONS Moreover, it is worth mentioning that human enhancement technologies will predictably and increasingly go hand in hand with gene editing, bioengineering, cybernetics and nanotechnology. Applications are virtually boundless, and may ultimately affect all human traits (physical strength, endurance, vision, intelligence and even personality and mood).OBJECTIVE Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degenerative death is an evident hallmark of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The present study aims to evaluate the protective effects of S-allyl L-cysteine (SAC), a bioactive component from aged garlic extracts, on the oxidative stress-related apoptosis of RPE cells and to investigate the potential underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining were performed to evaluate the effects of SAC on the hydroquinone-treated human ARPE19 cells. The Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production was measured by virtue of flow cytometry or determined under an inverted fluorescence microscope. Furthermore, the expression of antioxidant factor Nrf2, as well as downstream antioxidant genes, including NQO1, SOD1, SOD2, and HO1 was assessed in hydroquinone stimulated ARPE19 cells, in the presence or absence of SAC pretreatment. RESULTS Hydroquinone incitement contributed to a marked decrease in cell viability, but enhanced cell apoptosis, whereas SAC addition did not cause significant alterations. When cells were pre-treated with SAC, cell proliferation was dramatically enhanced whereas apoptosis was mitigated, and the ROS generation induced by hydroquinone was also significantly suppressed, indicating a prominent function of SAC in preventing ARPE19 cells from oxidant-related apoptosis. The elevated expression levels of Nrf2 and other antioxidant genes driven by hydroquinone were downregulated by SAC addition. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that SAC can effectively attenuate hydroquinone-induced oxidative damage in human RPE cells. Our work is the first to demonstrate that SAC modulates oxidative stress-induced RPE apoptosis, thereby potentially proving new insights into the treatment of AMD.OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to understand whether the responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to stress increases excessively with aging in senescence-accelerated mice-prone 10 (SAMP10) and to investigate the role of arachidonic acid (ARA) in this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS The area under the curve of CORT concentration (CORT-AUC), an index of the HPA axis responsiveness to stress, was assessed in SAMP10 subjected to a 30-minute restraint stress up to 120 minutes after the restraint stress onset. Furthermore, the HPA axis responsiveness was evaluated in aged SAMP10 fed 0.4% ARA-containing diet (ARA group) or control diet (CON group) for 4 weeks. Three weeks later, these mice were divided into a group with a 30-minute restraint stress (CON-S or ARA-S group) and a group without restraint stress (CON-NS or ARA-NS group). Hippocampi were collected after stress release and fatty acid and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein levels were evaluated in the nucleus and cytosol. RESULTS The CORT-AUC of aged SAMP10 was 21% significantly higher than that of young SAMP10. In the ARA group, hippocampal ARA was 0.5% significantly higher than that in the CON group. CORT-AUC in the ARA group was 24% significantly lower than that in the CON group. The ratio of GR protein levels in the nucleus and cytosol in the ARA-S group was 1.72 times significantly higher than that in the ARA-NS group but no difference was observed between the CON-S and CON-NS groups. CONCLUSIONS Dietary ARA seems to suppress age-related excessive enhancement of the HPA axis responsiveness via attenuation of age-related decline in hippocampal GR translocation into the nucleus after stress loading, which may contribute to an improvement of mental health.OBJECTIVE Midazolam and sufentanil are common analgesic and sedative drugs, but the effects and mechanisms of the combination of these two drugs on pancreatitis injury have not been fully elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rats pancreatitis model were randomly divided into 4 groups, model group, midazolam group, sufentanil group, and combined group, followed by an analysis of the general indicators, the onset time, duration, analgesic time, and adverse reactions, as well as pancreatic serological indicators. In addition, the level of the serum TNF-α and IL-1β was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed by spectrophotometer, together with an analysis of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB mRNA in pancreatic tissue by Real Time-PCR. RESULTS Midazolam alone or in combination with sufentanil improved the general indicators along with long duration of sedative analgesia, reduced serum TNF-α, and IL-1β secretion and few adverse reactions. Meanwhile, the expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB was reduced and the pancreatic serum markers and ROS production were decreased with increased SOD activity. Compared with the model group, the differences were statistically significant (p less then 0.05), with more significant changes in the combined group (p less then 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Midazolam combined with sufentanil can inhibit the expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB, inhibit inflammation, thereby improving the sedative and analgesic effects, protecting pancreatic tissue, and reducing acute pancreatitis injury.OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to clarify the potential effect of zoledronic acid on alleviating oxidative stress and promoting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) osteogenesis through the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway, thus alleviating the progression of osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Relative expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes (ALP, RUNX2, and Bglap) were determined. Meanwhile, ALP activity and capacity of mineralization in BMSCs treated with different doses of zoledronic acid were measured. Subsequently, viability and ROS level in H2O2-induced BMSCs influenced by zoledronic acid treatment were assessed. The regulatory effect of zoledronic acid on the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway was detected by Western blot. Furthermore, the involvement of the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway in zoledronic acid-mediated BMSCs osteogenesis was evaluated. RESULTS Zoledronic acid treatment significantly up-regulated the levels of ALP, RUNX2, and Bglap. Meanwhile, it improved ALP activity and capacity of mineralization in BMSCs dose-dependently. H2O2 induction markedly suppressed viability and enhanced ROS level in BMSCs, which were reversed by zoledronic acid treatment. Besides, zoledronic acid protected H2O2-induced SIRT3 down-regulation and AC-SOD2/SOD2 up-regulation in BMSCs. In addition, silence of SIRT3 reversed the protective effects of zoledronic acid on osteogenesis of BMSCs. CONCLUSIONS Zoledronic acid alleviates the progression of osteoporosis. Meanwhile, it accelerates BMSCs osteogenesis by inhibiting oxidative stress via the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway.OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate clinical effect, the quality of life, and prognosis of patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage treated with aspirin combined with clopidogrel after decompressive craniectomy and removal of intracranial hematoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS The individual patient data of 120 patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 2015 to July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/BafilomycinA1.html The patients were divided into a research group (62 cases) and a control group (58 cases). The control group was treated with aspirin, while the research group was treated with aspirin combined with clopidogrel. The prevalence of adverse reactions was compared between the two groups. Activity of daily living (ADL) was used to evaluate the quality of life. The amount of hematoma before and after operation was compared between the two groups. The prognosis of the two groups and the risk factors of postoperative rebleeding in patients with cerebral hemorrhage were analyzed. RESULTS The prevalence of adverse reactions in the research group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p less then 0.05). The ADL scores of both groups 14 days after the operation were higher than those before the operation (p less then 0.05), and the ADL scores of the research group were significantly lower than those of the control group 14 d after the operation (p less then 0.05). The amount of hematoma in the two groups after surgery was lower than that before surgery (p less then 0.05), and the amount of hematoma in the research group was higher than that in the control group (p less then 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combination of aspirin and clopidogrel will increase the prevalence of adverse reactions and reduce the quality of life of patients after decompressive craniectomy and removal of intracranial hematoma in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. Careful medication is required in clinic.

Videos

Sorry, no results were found.

Circles

Sorry, no results were found.

Videos

Sorry, no results were found.

Posts

1 hr ago


Insulin-degrading enzyme: a friend against metabolism and also neurodegenerative diseases.
Is actually overdue treatment method together with acetaminophen safe and effective while we are avoiding surgery ligation among extremely preterm neonates using chronic clair ductus arteriosus?
Fish oil (FO) is a rich source of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LCPUFA) which are important for human health. This research investigated the fortification of chicken nuggets with encapsulated FO-Garlic essential oil (GEO) as a possible way for delivery of ω-3 LCPUFA. Five different chicken nugget samples were prepared according to different treatments Control sample (without fish oil and encapsulated FO-GEO), bulk fish oil samples (0.4% and 0.8%, w/w), and encapsulated FO-GEO samples (4% and 8%, w/w). The quality of the chicken nugget samples were monitored during a 20-day refrigerated storage. Results showed that the addition of encapsulated FO-GEO could significantly delay lipid oxidation and microbiological spoilage of the samples during refrigerated storage. This is reflected by the pH, PV, TBARS and TVBN data (P  less then  0.05). Samples fortified with encapsulated FO-GEO also showed significantly higher sensory quality and overall acceptability (P  less then  0.05). The use of 8% encapsulated FO-GEO gave the best antioxidative and antimicrobial properties during storage. However, the best sensory scores were observed in the 4% encapsulated FO-GEO up to 20 days of storage. This study demonstrated that the encapsulated FO-GEO could be used for fortifying and extending shelf-life of food products.This study evaluated the pH, acidity, soluble solids, color, dietary fiber, sensory acceptance and the viability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus in mango and carrot mixed juices. In addition, this study verified the resistance of L. plantarum that presented greater viability to the gastrointestinal tract simulated in vitro. Three formulations were elaborated (varying the pulps concentration) and the products were stored at 8 °C for 35 days. No difference was found in the total soluble solids and color of the products during storage time at 8 °C. A reduction in pH and an increase in acidity were observed in all samples during storage, probably due to the fermentative action of probiotics, which negatively influenced acceptance after 35 days of storage. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html On the other hand, juices with a higher concentration of mango pulp were more accepted and may be a strategy to improve the acceptance of fermented juices. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html Microorganisms showed greater viability in juices that had higher amount of carrot pulp, probably due to the higher fiber content in these samples. During the 35-day shelf life, all juices with L. plantarum maintained counts above 7 log CFU mL-1 after gastrointestinal conditions simulation. Therefore, mango and carrot mixed juice showed to be as a good vehicle for probiotic bacteria and meets the needs of consumers looking for functional, healthy, non-dairy and low-sugar foods.
Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are widely used to control hypertension. In this study, protein hydrolysates from shiitake mushroom were hydrolyzed to prepare ACE-inhibitory peptides. Optimum process conditions for the hydrolysis of shiitake mushrooms using Alcalase were optimized using response surface methodology. Monitoring was conducted to check the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and ACE inhibitory activity. In the results, the optimum condition with the highest DH value of 28.88% was 50.2°C, 3-h hydrolysis time, and 1.16 enzyme/substrate ratios. The highest ACE inhibitory activity (IC
of 0.33μg/mL) was under 47°C, 3h 28min hydrolysis time, and 0.59 enzyme/substrate ratios. The highest activity was fractionated into 5 ranges of molecular weight, and the fraction below 0.65kDa showed the highest activity with IC
of 0.23μg/mL. This fraction underwent purification using RP-HPLC, meanwhile the peak which offered a retention time of about 37min showed high ACE inhibitory activity. Mass spectrometry identified the amino acid sequence of this peak as Lys-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg-Ser-Arg-Phe-Asp-Val-Thr (KIGSRSRFDVT), with a molecular weight of 1265.43Da. The synthesized variant of this peptide produced an ACE inhibitory activity (IC
) of 37.14μM. The peptide KIGSRSRFDVT was shown to serve as a non-competitive inhibitor according to the Lineweaver-Burk plot findings. A molecular docking study was performed, which showed that the peptide binding occurred at an ACE non-active site. The findings suggest that peptides derived from shiitake mushrooms could serve either as useful components in pharmaceutical products, or in functional foods for the purpose of treating hypertension.
Quark cheese is a fermented soft fresh cheese categorised under acid-rennet coagulated cheeses. In this study, alternative raw materials such as kefir and yayik buttermilk were used to produce Quark cheese in comparison with the cheese produced by the acidification of skim milk with mesophilic lactic culture. link2 Samples were kept individually under 35 °C and 100 °C for coagulum formation. Obtained cheeses, were evaluated in terms of some physicochemical, microbiological and sensorial properties in addition to the volatile and peptide profiles. Quark produced from kefir and buttermilk was determined to have preferred properties directly affect the cheese characteristics.Sanchi flowers were traditionally used as functional medicinal ingredient in materials. The study was aimed at evaluating superfine powder product of Sanchi flower, hence in this study, five fractions of dried Sanchi flower powders (SFP) were prepared at variable particle sizes by superfine grinding and evaluated for changes in various properties. Superfine powder with median particle diameter of 25.57 μm was produced through grinding. It was evident from the environmental scanning electron microscopy analysis that during superfine grinding, mechanical shear stress played its crucial role in breakdown of the SFP and causes increases in surface area owing to reduction of particle sizes. Superfine grinding could improve solubility, oil holding capacity, and brightness, but decrease the fluidity of SFP. SFP with smallest particle size exhibited highest saponin, minerals, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents accompanied with the best antioxidant activities. Size reduction beyond M200 and M400 led to increasing tendency in IR signature band patterns and marked differences in peak intensities while the powdered samples showed resemblance with respect to peak shapes. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html'>https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rbn-2397.html Differential scanning calorimetry indicated the lowest melting temperature for SFP fraction with smallest particle size. Conclusively, superfine SFP due to inherent improvement in properties may render several potential applications in manufacturing of food and pharmaceutical additives to impart improved functionalities of finally finished products with uniformity.Sourdough is one of the oldest methods of cereal fermentation applied mainly for the sole purpose of baking and has been proven to enhance the production of microbiologically safe products. link2 This study investigated the effect of packaging materials and storage conditions on the microbial quality and some intrinsic parameters of the sourdough bread. Pearl millet flour was naturally fermented for 72 h to obtain sourdough which was used with pearl millet flour to produce sourdough bread while the control bread was produced with pearl millet flour and yeast. The bread samples were packaged in low density polyethylene and aluminium foil and stored at -5, 4, 6, 28 and 37 °C. The total bacteria count (log cfu/g) and total fungal count (spore/g) increased with an increase in storage temperature and storage days. Fungi colonies isolated from stored bread samples include species of Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor. A significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in the pH and decrease in the moisture content of the bread samples were observed as storage period and storage temperature increased. Sourdough fermentation improved the microbial qualities and extended the shelf life of bread.Tangerine juice was treated with crude extract containing cellulase from Pseudozyma sp. obtained by liquid fermentation. The thermal stability of cellulase was investigated by incubating crude extract at different temperatures and times. The pulp, obtained from tangerine, was pasteurized at 85 °C for 5 min and then used in a clarification process with a Doehlert experimental design. The results showed that the cellulase obtained from Pseudozyma sp. is thermostable at temperatures of 60, 70 and 90 °C and retained 98%, 88% and 80% of activity, respectively, after a 1-h incubation time. link3 The optimum conditions for clarification were verified by varying the enzyme extract concentration (%, v v-1) and the time (minutes) in a shaker at 150 rpm, at 50 °C. The optimum condition for clarification was obtained in the 80th min with a 1.25% enzymatic extract concentration (v v-1), resulting in a reduction of tangerine juice viscosity by 65%. link3 The analysis of physical and chemical parameters of tangerine juice after clarification showed that the enzyme extract improved the process responsible for the clarification of tangerine juice. The results are promising since this is a methodology that can be used in the citrus juice industry.In this study, different concentrations of alginate (0%, 1% and 1.5% w/v) enriched with various concentrations of Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss) essential oil (0%, 0.3% and 0.5% w/v), were examined on postharvest characteristics of the fresh pistachio. The measurements (including total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, free fatty acid, peroxide value, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, mold and yeast, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids) were performed after 0, 13, 26 and 39 days during storage (3 ± 1 °C, 80 ± 5% RH). link2 The results showed that alginate edible coating enriched with thyme's essential oil (EO), contributed to the maintenance of higher values of phenolic content and antioxidant activity in comparison with the control. Edible coating treatment of enriched alginate with thyme oil reduced mold and yeast growth compared to the control and the alginate without thyme oil. Peroxide value and free fatty acid content were significantly lower in fruits treated with alginate-thyme in comparison with the control. All fruits which had been treated with alginate-thyme EO showed lower changes in saturated and unsaturated fatty acids after 39 days of storage, and fruits coated with combination of 1% alginate and 0.3% EO showed the highest content of palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, compared with other treatments.Cowpeas are an inexpensive source of quality protein but their utilisation is limited by long seed cooking time. This is exacerbated by development of the hard-to-cook (HTC) defect, which also adversely affects starch and protein functionality. link3 Gamma-irradiation can eliminate cowpea seed insect infestation and affects seed functional properties, including reducing cooking time. Hence, the potential of γ-irradiation to modify the starch- and protein-related functionalities of HTC cowpeas was investigated. Gamma-irradiation at approximately 11 kGy was applied to the seeds of two cowpea varieties, differing in HTC susceptibility, where HTC had been induced by high-temperature, high-humidity (HTHH) storage. HTHH storage increased flour pasting peak viscosity by up to 40% in the less susceptible variety and by more than 100% in the more susceptible variety. Gamma-irradiation at least completely reversed this effect, due to starch depolymerisation and debranching. Gamma-irradiation also positively impacted on some protein-related properties adversely affected by HTC; partially reversing the reduction in flour and cooked paste nitrogen solubility index of the HTC-susceptible cowpea, as a result of protein depolymerisation.

2 hrs ago


"Neuroplasticity" is often evoked to explain adaptation and compensation after acute lesions of the Central Nervous System (CNS). In this study, we investigated the modification of 80 genes involved in synaptic plasticity at different times (24 h, 8 and 45 days) from the traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), adopting a bioinformatic analysis. mRNA expression levels were analyzed in the motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum and in the spinal segments rostral and caudal to the lesion. The main results are (i) a different gene expression regulation is observed in the Spinal Cord (SC) segments rostral and caudal to the lesion; (ii) long lasting changes in the SC includes the extracellular matrix (ECM) enzymes Timp1, transcription regulators (Egr, Nr4a1), second messenger associated proteins (Gna1, Ywhaq); (iii) long-lasting changes in the Motor Cortex includes transcription regulators (Cebpd), neurotransmitters/neuromodulators and receptors (Cnr1, Gria1, Nos1), growth factors and related receptors (Igf1, Ntf3, Ntrk2), second messenger associated proteins (Mapk1); long lasting changes in Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum include ECM protein (Reln), growth factors (Ngf, Bdnf), transcription regulators (Egr, Cebpd), neurotransmitter receptors (Grin2c). These data suggest the molecular mapping as a useful tool to investigate the brain and SC reorganization after SCI.
Today there are many devices that can be used to study blood clotting disorders by identifying abnormalities in blood platelets. The Total Thrombus Formation Analysis System is an automated microchip flow chamber system that is used for the quantitative analysis of clot formation under blood flow conditions. For several years, researchers have been using a tool to analyse various clinical situations of patients to identify the properties and biochemical processes occurring within platelets and their microenvironment.

An investigation of recent published literature was conducted based on PRISMA. This review includes 52 science papers directly related to the use of the Total Clot Formation Analysis System in relation to bleeding, surgery, platelet function assessment, anticoagulation monitoring, von Willebrand factor and others.

Most available studies indicate that The Total Thrombus Formation Analysis System may be useful in diagnostic issues, with devices used to monitor therapy or as a significant tool for predicting bleeding events. However, T-TAS not that has the potential for diagnostic indications, but allows the direct observation of the flow and the interactions between blood cells, including the intensity and dynamics of clot formation. The device is expected to be of significant value for basic research to observe the interactions and changes within platelets and their microenvironment.
Most available studies indicate that The Total Thrombus Formation Analysis System may be useful in diagnostic issues, with devices used to monitor therapy or as a significant tool for predicting bleeding events. However, T-TAS not that has the potential for diagnostic indications, but allows the direct observation of the flow and the interactions between blood cells, including the intensity and dynamics of clot formation. The device is expected to be of significant value for basic research to observe the interactions and changes within platelets and their microenvironment.The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the development of vaccines, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the absence of effective therapeutics demand the continual investigation of COVID-19. Natural products containing active ingredients may be good therapeutic candidates. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of geraniin, the main ingredient in medical plants Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. ellipticus and Nephelium lappaceum, for treating COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor to initiate virus entry into cells; viral entry may be an important target of COVID-19 therapeutics. Geraniin was found to effectively block the binding between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and hACE2 receptor in competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, suggesting that geraniin might inhibit the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human epithelial cells. Geraniin also demonstrated a high affinity to both proteins despite a relatively lower equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) for the spike protein (0.63 μM) than hACE2 receptor (1.12 μM), according to biolayer interferometry-based analysis. In silico analysis indicated geraniin's interaction with the residues functionally important in the binding between the two proteins. Thus, geraniin is a promising therapeutic agent for COVID-19 by blocking SARS-CoV-2's entry into human cells.In our previous work, we built the model of PPARγ dependent pathways involved in the development of the psoriatic lesions. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor and transcription factor which regulates the expression of many proinflammatory genes. We tested the hypothesis that low levels of PPARγ expression promote the development of psoriatic lesions triggering the IL17-related signaling cascade. Skin samples of normally looking and lesional skin donated by psoriasis patients and psoriatic CD3+ Tcells samples (n = 23) and samples of healthy CD3+ T cells donated by volunteers (n = 10) were analyzed by real-time PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistry analysis. We found that the expression of PPARγ is downregulated in human psoriatic skin and laser treatment restores the expression. The expression of IL17, STAT3, FOXP3, and RORC in psoriatic skin before and after laser treatment were correlated with PPARγ expression according to the reconstructed model of PPARγ pathway in psoriasis.In conclusion, we report that PPARγ weakens the expression of genes that contribute in the development of psoriatic lesion. Our data show that transcriptional regulation of PPARγ expression by FOSL1 and by STAT3/FOSL1 feedback loop may be central in the psoriatic skin and T-cells.Extreme temperatures are among the most important stressors limiting plant growth and development. Results indicate that light substantially influences the acclimation processes to both low and high temperatures, and it may affect the level of stress injury. The interaction between light and temperature in the regulation of stress acclimation mechanisms is complex, and both light intensity and spectral composition play an important role. Higher light intensities may lead to overexcitation of the photosynthetic electron transport chain; while different wavelengths may act through different photoreceptors. These may induce various stress signalling processes, leading to regulation of stomatal movement, antioxidant and osmoregulation capacities, hormonal actions, and other stress-related pathways. In recent years, we have significantly expanded our knowledge in both light and temperature sensing and signalling. The present review provides a synthesis of results for understanding how light influences the acclimation of plants to extreme low or high temperatures, including the sensing mechanisms and molecular crosstalk processes.Hypoxic conditions induce the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) to restore the supply of oxygen to tissues and cells. Activated HIF-1α translocates into the nucleus and binds to hypoxia response elements to promote the transcription of target genes. Cathepsin L (CTSL) is a lysosomal protease that degrades cellular proteins via the endolysosomal pathway. In this study, we attempted to determine if CTSL is a hypoxia responsive target gene of HIF-1α, and decipher its role in melanocytes in association with the autophagic pathway. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/sc79.html The results of our luciferase reporter assay showed that the expression of CTSL is transcriptionally activated through the binding of HIF1-α at its promoter. Under autophagy-inducing starvation conditions, HIF-1α and CTSL expression is highly upregulated in melan-a cells. The mature form of CTSL is closely involved in melanosome degradation through lysosomal activity upon autophagosome-lysosome fusion. The inhibition of conversion of pro-CTSL to mature CTSL leads to the accumulation of gp100 and tyrosinase in addition to microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) II, due to decreased lysosomal activity in the autophagic pathway. In conclusion, we have identified that CTSL, a novel target of HIF-1α, participates in melanosome degradation in melanocytes through lysosomal activity during autophagosome-lysosome fusion.Epilepsy is a pathologic condition with high prevalence and devastating consequences for the patient and its entourage. Means for accurate diagnosis of type, patient monitoring for predicting seizures and follow up, and efficacious treatment are desperately needed. To improve this adverse outcome, miRNAs and the chaperone system (CS) are promising targets to understand pathogenic mechanisms and for developing theranostics applications. miRNAs implicated in conditions known or suspected to favor seizures such as neuroinflammation, to promote epileptic tolerance and neuronal survival, to regulate seizures, and others showing variations in expression levels related to seizures are promising candidates as useful biomarkers for diagnosis and patient monitoring, and as targets for developing novel therapies. Components of the CS are also promising as biomarkers and as therapeutic targets, since they participate in epileptogenic pathways and in cytoprotective mechanisms in various epileptogenic brain areas, even if what they do and how is not yet clear. The data in this review should help in the identification of molecular targets among the discussed miRNAs and CS components for research aiming at understanding epileptogenic mechanisms and, subsequently, develop means for predicting/preventing seizures and treating the disease.Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling. Recent evidence supports that inflammation plays a key role in triggering and maintaining pulmonary vascular remodeling. Recent studies have shown that garlic extract has protective effects in PAH, but the precise role of allicin, a compound derived from garlic, is unknown. Thus, we used allicin to evaluate its effects on inflammation and fibrosis in PAH. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups control (CON), monocrotaline (60 mg/kg) (MCT), and MCT plus allicin (16 mg/kg/oral gavage) (MCT + A). Right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy and pulmonary arterial medial wall thickness were determined. IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, NFκB p65, Iκβ, TGF-β, and α-SMA were determined by Western blot analysis. In addition, TNF-α and TGF-β were determined by immunohistochemistry, and miR-21-5p and mRNA expressions of Cd68, Bmpr2, and Smad5 were determined by RT-qPCR. Results Allicin prevented increases in vessel wall thickness due to TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and Cd68 in the lung. In addition, TGF-β, α-SMA, and fibrosis were lower in the MCT + A group compared with the MCT group. In the RV, allicin prevented increases in TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β. These observations suggest that, through the modulation of proinflammatory and profibrotic markers in the lung and heart, allicin delays the progression of PAH.

3 hrs ago


Pheromones are ectohormones that play an important role in communication and behavior. Pheromones and pheromone receptor genes are important in mice and other mammals that rely heavily on pheromone cues to survive. Although there is controversy about whether pheromones and pheromone receptor genes have the same importance or are even active in humans, there are some hints that they might have roles in sociosexual behavior and mental disorders. The aim of this qualitative review was to provide an overview of the state of the art regarding pheromones and pheromone receptors in humans and their possible implications in human physiology and pathology. An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed and Scopus databases for articles published in English up to December 2018. The search concerned a possible role of pheromones and pheromone receptors in humans with implications for sociosexual behavior, mental disorders, the menstrual cycle and nutrition. Pheromone communication in humans has not been definitively demonstrated. However, the potential ability of putative pheromones to activate the hypothalamus, which controls the release of many hormones, suggests they could have a role in systemic functions in humans. Future confirmation of the effects of pheromones and pheromone receptors in humans could be useful in the prevention and treatment of various human disorders.OBJECTIVE The authors have sought to expound upon and shed a light on the rise of nootropics, which have gradually taken on a more and more relevant role in workplaces and academic settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS Multidisciplinary databases have been delved into by entering the following keys "nootropics", "cognitive enhancement", "workplace", "productivity", "ethics", "bioengineering". In addition, a broad-ranging search has been undertaken on institutional websites in order to identify relevant analysis and recommendations issued by international institutions and agencies. Papers and reports have been independently pored over by each author. This search strategy has led to the identification of 988 sources but only 64 were considered appropriate for the purposes of the paper after being selected by at least 3 of the authors, independently. RESULTS The notion of an artificially enhanced work performance - carried out by the 'superworker' - is particularly noteworthy and resonates with the conception of contemporary work on so many different levels the rising need and demands for higher degrees of flexibility and productivity on the job, the implications of a '24/7' society, where more and more services are available at any time, the ever greater emphasis on entrepreneurial spirit, individual self-reliance and self-improvement, and last but not least, the impact of an ageing society on economic standards and performance. CONCLUSIONS Moreover, it is worth mentioning that human enhancement technologies will predictably and increasingly go hand in hand with gene editing, bioengineering, cybernetics and nanotechnology. Applications are virtually boundless, and may ultimately affect all human traits (physical strength, endurance, vision, intelligence and even personality and mood).OBJECTIVE Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degenerative death is an evident hallmark of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The present study aims to evaluate the protective effects of S-allyl L-cysteine (SAC), a bioactive component from aged garlic extracts, on the oxidative stress-related apoptosis of RPE cells and to investigate the potential underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining were performed to evaluate the effects of SAC on the hydroquinone-treated human ARPE19 cells. The Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production was measured by virtue of flow cytometry or determined under an inverted fluorescence microscope. Furthermore, the expression of antioxidant factor Nrf2, as well as downstream antioxidant genes, including NQO1, SOD1, SOD2, and HO1 was assessed in hydroquinone stimulated ARPE19 cells, in the presence or absence of SAC pretreatment. RESULTS Hydroquinone incitement contributed to a marked decrease in cell viability, but enhanced cell apoptosis, whereas SAC addition did not cause significant alterations. When cells were pre-treated with SAC, cell proliferation was dramatically enhanced whereas apoptosis was mitigated, and the ROS generation induced by hydroquinone was also significantly suppressed, indicating a prominent function of SAC in preventing ARPE19 cells from oxidant-related apoptosis. The elevated expression levels of Nrf2 and other antioxidant genes driven by hydroquinone were downregulated by SAC addition. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that SAC can effectively attenuate hydroquinone-induced oxidative damage in human RPE cells. Our work is the first to demonstrate that SAC modulates oxidative stress-induced RPE apoptosis, thereby potentially proving new insights into the treatment of AMD.OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to understand whether the responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to stress increases excessively with aging in senescence-accelerated mice-prone 10 (SAMP10) and to investigate the role of arachidonic acid (ARA) in this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS The area under the curve of CORT concentration (CORT-AUC), an index of the HPA axis responsiveness to stress, was assessed in SAMP10 subjected to a 30-minute restraint stress up to 120 minutes after the restraint stress onset. Furthermore, the HPA axis responsiveness was evaluated in aged SAMP10 fed 0.4% ARA-containing diet (ARA group) or control diet (CON group) for 4 weeks. Three weeks later, these mice were divided into a group with a 30-minute restraint stress (CON-S or ARA-S group) and a group without restraint stress (CON-NS or ARA-NS group). Hippocampi were collected after stress release and fatty acid and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein levels were evaluated in the nucleus and cytosol. RESULTS The CORT-AUC of aged SAMP10 was 21% significantly higher than that of young SAMP10. In the ARA group, hippocampal ARA was 0.5% significantly higher than that in the CON group. CORT-AUC in the ARA group was 24% significantly lower than that in the CON group. The ratio of GR protein levels in the nucleus and cytosol in the ARA-S group was 1.72 times significantly higher than that in the ARA-NS group but no difference was observed between the CON-S and CON-NS groups. CONCLUSIONS Dietary ARA seems to suppress age-related excessive enhancement of the HPA axis responsiveness via attenuation of age-related decline in hippocampal GR translocation into the nucleus after stress loading, which may contribute to an improvement of mental health.OBJECTIVE Midazolam and sufentanil are common analgesic and sedative drugs, but the effects and mechanisms of the combination of these two drugs on pancreatitis injury have not been fully elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rats pancreatitis model were randomly divided into 4 groups, model group, midazolam group, sufentanil group, and combined group, followed by an analysis of the general indicators, the onset time, duration, analgesic time, and adverse reactions, as well as pancreatic serological indicators. In addition, the level of the serum TNF-α and IL-1β was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed by spectrophotometer, together with an analysis of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB mRNA in pancreatic tissue by Real Time-PCR. RESULTS Midazolam alone or in combination with sufentanil improved the general indicators along with long duration of sedative analgesia, reduced serum TNF-α, and IL-1β secretion and few adverse reactions. Meanwhile, the expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB was reduced and the pancreatic serum markers and ROS production were decreased with increased SOD activity. Compared with the model group, the differences were statistically significant (p less then 0.05), with more significant changes in the combined group (p less then 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Midazolam combined with sufentanil can inhibit the expression of HMGB1 and NF-κB, inhibit inflammation, thereby improving the sedative and analgesic effects, protecting pancreatic tissue, and reducing acute pancreatitis injury.OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to clarify the potential effect of zoledronic acid on alleviating oxidative stress and promoting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) osteogenesis through the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway, thus alleviating the progression of osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Relative expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes (ALP, RUNX2, and Bglap) were determined. Meanwhile, ALP activity and capacity of mineralization in BMSCs treated with different doses of zoledronic acid were measured. Subsequently, viability and ROS level in H2O2-induced BMSCs influenced by zoledronic acid treatment were assessed. The regulatory effect of zoledronic acid on the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway was detected by Western blot. Furthermore, the involvement of the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway in zoledronic acid-mediated BMSCs osteogenesis was evaluated. RESULTS Zoledronic acid treatment significantly up-regulated the levels of ALP, RUNX2, and Bglap. Meanwhile, it improved ALP activity and capacity of mineralization in BMSCs dose-dependently. H2O2 induction markedly suppressed viability and enhanced ROS level in BMSCs, which were reversed by zoledronic acid treatment. Besides, zoledronic acid protected H2O2-induced SIRT3 down-regulation and AC-SOD2/SOD2 up-regulation in BMSCs. In addition, silence of SIRT3 reversed the protective effects of zoledronic acid on osteogenesis of BMSCs. CONCLUSIONS Zoledronic acid alleviates the progression of osteoporosis. Meanwhile, it accelerates BMSCs osteogenesis by inhibiting oxidative stress via the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway.OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate clinical effect, the quality of life, and prognosis of patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage treated with aspirin combined with clopidogrel after decompressive craniectomy and removal of intracranial hematoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS The individual patient data of 120 patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 2015 to July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/BafilomycinA1.html The patients were divided into a research group (62 cases) and a control group (58 cases). The control group was treated with aspirin, while the research group was treated with aspirin combined with clopidogrel. The prevalence of adverse reactions was compared between the two groups. Activity of daily living (ADL) was used to evaluate the quality of life. The amount of hematoma before and after operation was compared between the two groups. The prognosis of the two groups and the risk factors of postoperative rebleeding in patients with cerebral hemorrhage were analyzed. RESULTS The prevalence of adverse reactions in the research group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p less then 0.05). The ADL scores of both groups 14 days after the operation were higher than those before the operation (p less then 0.05), and the ADL scores of the research group were significantly lower than those of the control group 14 d after the operation (p less then 0.05). The amount of hematoma in the two groups after surgery was lower than that before surgery (p less then 0.05), and the amount of hematoma in the research group was higher than that in the control group (p less then 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combination of aspirin and clopidogrel will increase the prevalence of adverse reactions and reduce the quality of life of patients after decompressive craniectomy and removal of intracranial hematoma in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. Careful medication is required in clinic.

4 hrs ago


Chitosan can function a key role in plant resistant against Botrytis cinerea infection, while its mechanism is unclear in ripened fruits. In this study, we investigated the chitosan effect on two type of ripened fruits including strawberry and grapes (Kyoho and Shine-Muscat) when were infected with B. cinerea. Results showed that chitosan inhibited B. cinerea growth, increased phenolic compounds and cell wall composition, modulated oxidative stress and induced jasmonic acid (JA) production in ripened fruits. Data-independent acquisition (DIA) showed that 224 and 171 proteins were upregulated 1.5-fold by chitosan in Kyoho and Shine-Muscat grape, respectively. Topless-related protein 3 (TPR3) were identified and interacted with histone deacetylase 19 (HDAC19) and negatively regulated by JA and chitosan. Meanwhile, overexpression of VvTPR3 and VvHDAC19 reduced the stability of cell wall against B. cinerea in strawberry. Taken together, chitosan induces defense related genes and protect the fruit quality against Botrytis infection through JA signaling.Apis cerana honey collected from the Qinling Mountains in China has been widely used for its antimicrobial property in traditional Chinese medicine. However, its antibacterial mechanism against Salmonella Typhimurium LT2 is still uncertain. A total of 52 volatile components were identified using headspace-gas-chromatography-ion-mobility, and Qinling A. cerana honey exhibited more abundant aromas than monofloral honeys. The phenolic extracts of honey sample F exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (5 mg/mL), and chlorogenic acid exhibited the highest (155.91 ± 0.79 mg/kg), followed by caffeic acid, and rutin. After being treated with the extract, cell membranes of S. Typhimurium LT2 significantly shrunk and further collapsed. The extract treatment on mice caused a significant decrease in S. Typhimurium LT2, and a dramatic increase in the potential prebiotic Lactobacillus in both the caecum and colon. The results demonstrate that the Qinling A. cerana honey extract could effectively inhibit S. Typhimurium in vitro and in vivo.Amongst functional foods, garlic and its by-products stand out given their rich phytochemical profile. A comprehensive analytical approach becomes necessary to fully address garlic preparations health-promoting activities, considering the coexistence of several active ingredients from different chemical families. For this, we developed a multi-phytochemical protocol combining Ultrasound and Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction, coupled to Liquid Chromatography, for the determination of flavonols, organosulfur compounds, and inulin. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography showed an adequate resolution of flavonols and sugars in a shorter time. The protocol showed a suitable performance and acceptable quantitative yields for garlic powder, cooked garlic, black garlic, and liquid garlic flavouring samples. Additionally, the proposed methodology represented a useful tool to assess how the different garlic products related to functional properties, taking into account the various phytochemical families present in each sample. This is the first time a comprehensive and multi-phytochemical validated analysis of garlic preparations is proposed.High-resolution ultrasonic spectroscopy (HR-US) was applied for real-time monitoring of β-casein hydrolysis by trypsin at various conditions for the first time. The technique is based on the precision measurement of hydration changes proportional to the number of peptide bond hydrolyzed. As HR-US exhibits ultrasonic transparency for most solution, the analysis did not require optical transparency like for 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) assay. Appropriate enzymatic models were fitted with degree of hydrolysis (dh) profiles to provide kinetic and mechanistic description of proteolysis in terms of initial hydrolysis rate, r0, and rate constant of hydrolysis, kh, and enzyme inactivation, kd. Maximal r0 and dh were obtained at 45 °C and pH 8. The exponential dependence of kinetic parameters allowed determination of the activation (EA = 50.3 ± 7 kJ/mol) and deactivation (ED = 62.23 ± 3 kJ/mol) energies of hydrolysis. The ultrasonic assay provided rapid detection of trypsin activity even at sub-nanomolar concentration.Since the beginning of the widespread use of pesticides, their removal from food has become a serious concern. In this study, the removal of residual pesticides (malathion and carbosulfan) from pak choi via treatment with ozonated water was investigated. Under the optimal treatment conditions, i.e., 2.0 mg/L ozonated water and a treatment duration of 15 min, malathion and carbosulfan were degraded by 53.0 and 33.0%, respectively, without any significant changes in color. Even though there was a slight decrease in vitamin C content (~7.9 mg/100 g) following the treatments, a significant decrease in the microbial colonies on the vegetables was observed. Additionally, the pesticide degradation mechanism showed good fitting with a "first + first"-order kinetic model (R2 > 0.9), and the slope (k) indicated that ozone had a more prominent degradation effect on malathion than on carbosulfan. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/azd6738.html Therefore, this study provides a theoretical basis for controlling agricultural pesticide residues in household applications.The effects of treatment with melatonin on ripening of 'Fuji' apples during storage at 1 °C for 56 d were investigated. The apples were harvested at the commercial ripening stage and treated with 1 mmol L-1 melatonin. Compared with the control, melatonin treated apples had significant reduced ethylene production (28 d-56 d) and weight loss (14 d-56 d) during storage (p less then 0.05). Also, the melatonin treatment maintained better apple skin structure throughout storage. The reduced ethylene production was regulated by the decreased expressions of MdACO1, MdACS1, MdAP2.4 and MdERF109, based on RNA-Seq analysis, which was validated using qRT-PCR analysis. Moreover, the activity of 3 enzymes, including peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were significantly increased in melatonin treated fruit (p less then 0.05). Taken together, this study highlights the inhibitory effects of melatonin in ethylene biosynthesis and factors influencing postharvest quality in apple.

13 hrs ago


In today's fast-paced world, maintaining optimal health is more important than ever. One area that often needs attention is our blood health. A well-balanced circulation system is vital for overall well-being, and that's where Happy Pulse Blood Support comes into play. This natural supplement aims to enhance your blood health by providing essential nutrients that promote vitality and support cardiovascular function.

Happy Pulse Blood Support focuses on harnessing the power of nature to deliver a comprehensive blend of ingredients designed to elevate your health. Whether you are looking to maintain healthy blood pressure levels or simply boost your overall energy, this supplement promises to be a beneficial addition to your daily wellness routine. With a myriad of positive Happy Pulse Blood Support reviews highlighting its efficacy, many are eager to discover more about this unique formula and how it can help them. If you're interested in exploring this supplement further, the following sections will delve into its ingredients, benefits, and user experiences.

What is Happy Pulse Blood Support?

Happy Pulse Blood Support is a specialized dietary supplement designed to promote healthy blood circulation and overall cardiovascular health. Formulated with a blend of natural ingredients, this supplement aims to provide essential nutrients that support the body’s vital functions related to blood flow and heart wellness. Users can benefit from enhanced vitality and energy levels, helping them maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

This innovative product focuses on harnessing the power of nature, incorporating various herbal extracts and vitamins that have been traditionally used to bolster blood health. By combining these elements, Happy Pulse Blood Support aims to create a holistic approach to wellness, complementing a balanced diet and regular exercise. Regular use of this supplement may offer users a new way to prioritize their heart health while tapping into the benefits provided by natural ingredients.

With increasing awareness of cardiovascular health, the demand for products like Happy Pulse Blood Support is on the rise. This supplement not only seeks to improve blood circulation but also encourages users to take positive steps toward a healthier lifestyle. As many seek out effective solutions for maintaining their health, the Happy Pulse Blood Support Supplement stands out as a promising option for those looking to enhance their overall well-being.

Key Ingredients and Benefits

Happy Pulse Blood Support is formulated with a unique blend of natural ingredients designed to promote optimal blood health. One of the key components is beetroot extract, known for its ability to enhance nitric oxide levels in the body. This can lead to improved blood flow and circulation, making it beneficial for overall cardiovascular health. Many users have reported feeling more energetic and experiencing better endurance during physical activities after incorporating this supplement into their routine.

Another important ingredient is garlic extract, renowned for its health benefits, especially concerning heart health. Garlic has been shown to help lower blood pressure and support healthy cholesterol levels. Its natural anti-inflammatory properties also contribute to overall cardiovascular wellness. Users often highlight the advantage of these benefits in their Happy Pulse Blood Support reviews, noting improvements in their overall well-being and vitality.

Additionally, the formula includes vitamin B12, which plays a crucial role in the production of red blood cells. Adequate levels of B12 are important for energy levels and ensuring efficient oxygen transport throughout the body. By combining these powerful ingredients, Happy Pulse Blood Support not only aims to enhance blood health but also to elevate overall vitality, making it an appealing choice for those looking to improve their health naturally.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Many users have shared their experiences with Happy Pulse Blood Support, highlighting its positive effects on their overall well-being. Customers frequently mention feeling increased energy levels and improved circulation after incorporating this supplement into their daily routine. One user expressed satisfaction with noticeable health improvements, stating that they felt more vibrant and active throughout the day.
https://happypulsebloodsupport.net/

Another common theme in the reviews is the natural ingredients used in Happy Pulse Blood Support. Shoppers appreciate the thoughtfulness in formulation, noting that it is made from high-quality components that align with their commitment to health. Many have praised the supplement for being easy to incorporate into their diet, making it a practical choice for anyone looking to boost their health naturally.

Overall, the testimonials indicate a strong connection between Happy Pulse Blood Support and enhanced health. Users not only report physical benefits but also emotional ones, such as increased confidence in their vitality. As more people share their positive experiences, it's clear that Happy Pulse Blood Support is gaining a loyal following among those seeking to elevate their health.

How to Order and Purchase

When looking to enhance your health with Happy Pulse Blood Support, the first step is to ensure you are purchasing from a reliable source. You can easily find this supplement on the official website, which often provides the most reliable information and genuine products. By ordering directly from the manufacturer, you can take advantage of any promotions or discounts that may be available.



For those who prefer online shopping, various reputable retailers may also offer Happy Pulse Blood Support. It is important to check customer feedback and reviews to ensure that you are buying from a trusted vendor. When you find a product listing, look for details about the shipping options and return policies to guarantee a smooth purchasing experience.

Before finalizing your order, review the Happy Pulse Blood Support ingredients and any other information provided. This will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your health goals. Once satisfied, proceed to checkout, and soon you will be on your way to experiencing the vitality boost that this supplement promises.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

In conclusion, Happy Pulse Blood Support offers a natural approach to enhancing cardiovascular health. With a blend of carefully selected ingredients, this supplement aims to promote healthy blood circulation and overall well-being. Many users have reported positive experiences, making it a popular choice for those seeking a boost in vitality and energy levels.

As you consider whether to incorporate Happy Pulse Blood Support into your routine, it is essential to do thorough research. Reading Happy Pulse Blood Support reviews can provide insights into the effectiveness and benefits experienced by others. Additionally, consulting with a healthcare professional is advisable to ensure it aligns with your individual health needs.

If you decide to move forward, ordering Happy Pulse Blood Support is convenient and straightforward. Make sure to purchase from reputable sources to guarantee product quality. Embrace the opportunity to elevate your health naturally and start experiencing the benefits of Happy Pulse Blood Support today.


If you’re looking for a natural way to support your heart, Happy Pulse Blood Support might be just what you need. This supplement features eight clinically tested ingredients that promote healthy blood circulation and maintain ideal blood pressure levels. I’ve found that it not only helps regulate heart rate but also brings calming effects, reducing […]

happypulsebloodsupport.net