Research advances in the degradation of aflatoxin by lactic acid bacteria.

Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites that often contaminate food and animal feed, causing huge economic losses and serious health hazards. Aflatoxin contamination has become a major concern worldwide. Biological methods have been used to reduce aflatoxins in food and feed by inhibiting toxin production and detoxification. Among biological methods, lactic acid bacteria are of significant interest because of their safety, efficiency, and environmental friendliness. This study aimed to review the mechanisms by which lactic acid bacteria degrade aflatoxins and the factors that influence their degradation efficiency, including the action of the lactic acid bacteria themselves (cell wall adsorption) and the antifungal metabolites produced by the lactic acid bacteria. The current applications of lactic acid bacteria to food and feed were also reviewed. This comprehensive analysis provided insight into the binding mechanisms between lactic acid bacteria and aflatoxins, facilitating the practical applications of lactic acid bacteria to food and agriculture.

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. ameliorates paraquat-induced lung injury by reducing oxidative stress and ferroptosis via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Paraquat (PQ) poisoning can induce acute lung injury and fibrosis and has an extremely high mortality rate. However, no effective treatments for PQ poisoning have been established. In this study, the potential efficacy of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. (TwHF) in alleviating PQ-induced lung injury and fibrosis was investigated in a mouse model. Mice were randomly assigned to the control, PQ, PQ + TwHF1 (pretreatment before inducing poisoning), and PQ + TwHF2 (treatment after poisoning) groups. The mice in the PQ + TwHF1 group were pretreated with TwHF for 5 days before receiving one dose of PQ (120 mg/kg) and then received a daily oral gavage of the indicated dosages of TwHF until sacrifice. The mice in the PQ + TwHF2 group were treated with TwHF 2 h after PQ exposure until sacrifice. The pathological analysis and Fapi PET/CT showed that treatment with TwHF attenuated lung injury. And TwHF reduced pulmonary oxidative stress, as indicated by the reduction in, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as well as by the increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Accordingly, the Perls DAB staining showed increased iron concentrations and western blotting revealed a decreased GPX4 expression after PQ exposure, as well as the mitigation of the overexpression of Nrf2 and HO-1 induced by PQ. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the potential of TwHF as a treatment for PQ-induced lung injury and fibrosis. The protective mechanism of this medicinal herb may involve the regulation of ferroptosis.

Alterations of actin cytoskeleton and arterial protein level in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Vascular hypo-responsiveness to vasopressors in patients with obstructive jaundice (OJ) is a common anesthetic event, which leads to perioperative complications and increased mortality. The cause of this clinical issue remains unclear. In this study, we estimated the actin cytoskeleton and arterial protein level in the artery of OJ patients by proteomic analysis. Ten patients with OJ due to bile duct diseases or pancreatic head carcinoma were enrolled, while another ten non-jaundice patients with chronic cholecystitis or liver hemangioma as the control group. Vascular reactivity to noradrenaline was measured before anesthesia on the day of surgery. Artery samples in adjacent tissues of removed tumor were collected and evaluated by 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Proteins with differential expression were detected by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry with immunoblot confirmation. The results confirmed the phenomenon of vascular hypo-reactivity in OJ patients as suppressed aortic response to noradrenaline were existed in these patients. We also found that actin cytoskeleton and several actin-binding proteins were up- or down-regulated in the artery of OJ patients. These proteins changed in OJ patents might be the basic mechanism of vascular hypo-reactivity, further studies to uncover the role of these proteins in OJ is critical for clinical treatment of these patients.

Associação da hipertensão com a gravidade e a mortalidade de pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19 em Wuhan, China: Estudo unicêntrico e retrospectivo / Association of hypertension with severity and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in wuhan, China: A single-centered, retrospective study

Resumo Fundamento A doença Coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19), causada pela síndrome respiratória aguda grave Coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), espalhou-se pelo mundo. Objetivo Investigar a associação entre a hipertensão e a gravidade/mortalidade de pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19 em Wuhan, China. Métodos Um total de 337 pacientes diagnosticados com COVID-19 no Sétimo Hospital da cidade de Wuhan, de 20 de janeiro a 25 de fevereiro de 2020, foram inseridos e analisados em um estudo de caso unicêntrico e retrospectivo. O nível de significância adotado para a análise estatística foi 0,05. Resultados Dos 337 pacientes com diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19, 297 (87.8%) tiveram alta do hospital e 40 pacientes (22,9%) morreram. A idade média foi de 58 anos (variando de 18 a 91 anos). Havia 112 (33,2%) pacientes diagnosticados com hipertensão no momento da internação (idade média, 65,0 anos [variação, 38-91 anos]; sendo 67 homens [59,8%, IC95%: 50,6%-69,0%], p=0,0209). Pacientes com hipertensão apresentaram uma porção significativamente maior de casos graves (69 [61,6%, IC95%: 52,5%-70,8%] vs. 117 [52,0%, IC95%: 45,4%-58,6%] em pacientes graves e 23 [19,3%, IC95%: 12,9%-28,1%] vs. 27 [12,0%, IC95%: 7,7%-16,3%] em pacientes críticos, p=0,0014) e maiores taxas de mortalidade (20 [17,9%, IC95%: 10,7%-25,1%] vs. 20 [8,9%, IC95%: 5,1%-12,6%, p=0,0202). Além disso, pacientes hipertensos apresentaram níveis anormais de vários indicadores, como linfopenia e inflamação, e nas funções cardíacas, hepáticas, renais e pulmonares no momento da internação. O grupo de pacientes com hipertensão também demonstrou níveis maiores de TNT e creatinina próximo da alta. Conclusão A hipertensão está altamente associada à gravidade ou mortalidade da COVID-19. Um tratamento agressivo deve ser considerado para pacientes hipertensos com COVID-19, principalmente com relação a lesões cardíacas e dos rins.

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. Objective To investigate the association between hypertension and severity/mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. Methods A total of 337 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Seventh Hospital of Wuhan City, from January 20 to February 25, 2020, were enrolled and analyzed in a retrospective, single-center case study. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 0.05. Results Of the 337 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, 297 (87.8%) were discharged from the hospital and 40 patients (22.9%) died. The median age was 58 years (range, 18-91 years). There were 112 (33.2%) patients diagnosed with hypertension at admission (median age, 65.0 years [range, 38-91 years]; 67 [59.8%, 95%CI: 50.6%-69.0%] men, p=0.0209). Patients with hypertension presented a significantly higher portion of severe cases (69 [61.6%, 95%CI:52.5%-70.8%] vs. 117 [52.0%, 95%CI: 45.4%-58.6%] in severe patients and 23 [19.3%, 95%CI:12.9%-28.1%] vs. 27 [12.0%, 95%CI: 7.7%-16.3%] in critical patients, p=0.0014) and higher mortality rates (20 [17.9%, 95%CI: 10.7%-25.1%] vs. 20 [8.9%, 95%CI: 5.1%-12.6%, p=0.0202). Moreover, hypertensive patients presented abnormal levels of multiple indicators, such as lymphopenia, inflammation, heart, liver, kidney, and lung function at admission. The hypertension group still displayed higher levels of TnT and creatinine at approaching discharge. Conclusion Hypertension is strongly associated with severity or mortality of COVID-19. Aggressive treatment may be considered for COVID-19 patients with hypertension, especially regarding cardiac and kidney injury.

Association of Hypertension with Severity and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A Single-centered, Retrospective Study. / Associação da Hipertensão com a Gravidade e a Mortalidade de Pacientes Hospitalizados com COVID-19 em Wuhan, China: Estudo Unicêntrico e Retrospectivo.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between hypertension and severity/mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. METHODS: A total of 337 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Seventh Hospital of Wuhan City, from January 20 to February 25, 2020, were enrolled and analyzed in a retrospective, single-center case study. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 337 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, 297 (87.8%) were discharged from the hospital and 40 patients (22.9%) died. The median age was 58 years (range, 18-91 years). There were 112 (33.2%) patients diagnosed with hypertension at admission (median age, 65.0 years [range, 38-91 years]; 67 [59.8%, 95%CI: 50.6%-69.0%] men, p=0.0209). Patients with hypertension presented a significantly higher portion of severe cases (69 [61.6%, 95%CI:52.5%-70.8%] vs. 117 [52.0%, 95%CI: 45.4%-58.6%] in severe patients and 23 [19.3%, 95%CI:12.9%-28.1%] vs. 27 [12.0%, 95%CI: 7.7%-16.3%] in critical patients, p=0.0014) and higher mortality rates (20 [17.9%, 95%CI: 10.7%-25.1%] vs. 20 [8.9%, 95%CI: 5.1%-12.6%, p=0.0202). Moreover, hypertensive patients presented abnormal levels of multiple indicators, such as lymphopenia, inflammation, heart, liver, kidney, and lung function at admission. The hypertension group still displayed higher levels of TnT and creatinine at approaching discharge. CONCLUSION: Hypertension is strongly associated with severity or mortality of COVID-19. Aggressive treatment may be considered for COVID-19 patients with hypertension, especially regarding cardiac and kidney injury.

FUNDAMENTO: A doença Coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19), causada pela síndrome respiratória aguda grave Coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), espalhou-se pelo mundo. OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre a hipertensão e a gravidade/mortalidade de pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19 em Wuhan, China. MÉTODOS: Um total de 337 pacientes diagnosticados com COVID-19 no Sétimo Hospital da cidade de Wuhan, de 20 de janeiro a 25 de fevereiro de 2020, foram inseridos e analisados em um estudo de caso unicêntrico e retrospectivo. O nível de significância adotado para a análise estatística foi 0,05. RESULTADOS: Dos 337 pacientes com diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19, 297 (87.8%) tiveram alta do hospital e 40 pacientes (22,9%) morreram. A idade média foi de 58 anos (variando de 18 a 91 anos). Havia 112 (33,2%) pacientes diagnosticados com hipertensão no momento da internação (idade média, 65,0 anos [variação, 38-91 anos]; sendo 67 homens [59,8%, IC95%: 50,6%-69,0%], p=0,0209). Pacientes com hipertensão apresentaram uma porção significativamente maior de casos graves (69 [61,6%, IC95%: 52,5%-70,8%] vs. 117 [52,0%, IC95%: 45,4%-58,6%] em pacientes graves e 23 [19,3%, IC95%: 12,9%-28,1%] vs. 27 [12,0%, IC95%: 7,7%-16,3%] em pacientes críticos, p=0,0014) e maiores taxas de mortalidade (20 [17,9%, IC95%: 10,7%-25,1%] vs. 20 [8,9%, IC95%: 5,1%-12,6%, p=0,0202). Além disso, pacientes hipertensos apresentaram níveis anormais de vários indicadores, como linfopenia e inflamação, e nas funções cardíacas, hepáticas, renais e pulmonares no momento da internação. O grupo de pacientes com hipertensão também demonstrou níveis maiores de TNT e creatinina próximo da alta. CONCLUSÃO: A hipertensão está altamente associada à gravidade ou mortalidade da COVID-19. Um tratamento agressivo deve ser considerado para pacientes hipertensos com COVID-19, principalmente com relação a lesões cardíacas e dos rins.

Association of diabetes with severity and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a single-centered, retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. The aim this study was to investigate the association of diabetes with severity and mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. METHODS: This retrospective, single-center case study enrolled a total of 564 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Seventh Hospital of Wuhan City, between January 20 and March 15, 2020. RESULTS: Among the 564 patients with confirmed COVID-19, 509 (85.1%) were discharged and 55 (9.8%) died. The median age was 59 years (range, 10-93 years). A total of 85 (15.1%) patients were diagnosed with diabetes on admission (median age, 65.0 [range, 34-91] years). Patients with diabetes had significantly higher proportions of critical cases (24 [28.2%] vs. 66 [13.8%]) and in-hospital mortality (17 [20%] vs. 38 [7.9%]). Moreover, patients with diabetes presented abnormal levels of multiple indicators concerning lymphopenia, inflammation, heart, liver, kidney, and lung function on admission, while diabetic patient group still display higher troponin T (TnT) levels when approaching discharge. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated a trend toward poorer survival in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients, also evidenced by abnormal laboratory biomarker changes regarding multiple system impairments among COVID-19 patients with diabetes with in-hospital death. CONCLUSION: The detailed clinical investigation of 564 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 indicated a considerable association between diabetes and COVID-19 severity or mortality. Thus, more intensive treatment may be considered for COVID-19 patients with diabetes, especially regarding to cardiac injury.

Association of diabetes with severity and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a single-centered, retrospective study

ABSTRACT Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. The aim this study was to investigate the association of diabetes with severity and mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. Subjects and methods: This retrospective, single-center case study enrolled a total of 564 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Seventh Hospital of Wuhan City, between January 20 and March 15, 2020. Results: Among the 564 patients with confirmed COVID-19, 509 (85.1%) were discharged and 55 (9.8%) died. The median age was 59 years (range, 10-93 years). A total of 85 (15.1%) patients were diagnosed with diabetes on admission (median age, 65.0 [range, 34-91] years). Patients with diabetes had significantly higher proportions of critical cases (24 [28.2%] vs. 66 [13.8%]) and in-hospital mortality (17 [20%] vs. 38 [7.9%]). Moreover, patients with diabetes presented abnormal levels of multiple indicators concerning lymphopenia, inflammation, heart, liver, kidney, and lung function on admission, while diabetic patient group still display higher troponin T (TnT) levels when approaching discharge. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated a trend toward poorer survival in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients, also evidenced by abnormal laboratory biomarker changes regarding multiple system impairments among COVID-19 patients with diabetes with in-hospital death. Conclusion: The detailed clinical investigation of 564 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 indicated a considerable association between diabetes and COVID-19 severity or mortality. Thus, more intensive treatment may be considered for COVID-19 patients with diabetes, especially regarding to cardiac injury.

Prevalence of mental illness in immigrant and non-immigrant U.S. Latino groups.

OBJECTIVE: Although widely reported among Latino populations, contradictory evidence exists regarding the generalizability of the immigrant paradox, i.e., that foreign nativity protects against psychiatric disorders. The authors examined whether this paradox applies to all Latino groups by comparing estimates of lifetime psychiatric disorders among immigrant Latino subjects, U.S-born Latino subjects, and non-Latino white subjects. METHOD: The authors combined and examined data from the National Latino and Asian American Study and the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, two of the largest nationally representative samples of psychiatric information. RESULTS: In the aggregate, risk of most psychiatric disorders was lower for Latino subjects than for non-Latino white subjects. Consistent with the immigrant paradox, U.S.-born Latino subjects reported higher rates for most psychiatric disorders than Latino immigrants. However, rates varied when data were stratified by nativity and disorder and adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic differences across groups. The immigrant paradox consistently held for Mexican subjects across mood, anxiety, and substance disorders, while it was only evident among Cuban and other Latino subjects for substance disorders. No differences were found in lifetime prevalence rates between migrant and U.S.-born Puerto Rican subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Caution should be exercised in generalizing the immigrant paradox to all Latino groups and for all psychiatric disorders. Aggregating Latino subjects into a single group masks significant variability in lifetime risk of psychiatric disorders, with some subgroups, such as Puerto Rican subjects, suffering from psychiatric disorders at rates comparable to non-Latino white subjects. Our findings thus suggest that immigrants benefit from a protective context in their country of origin, possibly inoculating them against risk for substance disorders, particularly if they emigrated to the United States as adults.

Effects of a high molecular mass Convolvulus arvensis extract on tumor growth and angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Plant materials represent promising sources of anti-cancer agents. We developed and tested a novel extract from the ubiquitous plant Convolvulus arvensis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Convolvulus arvensis components were extracted in boiling water, and small molecules were removed by high-pressure filtration. The extract's biological activity was assessed by measuring its effects on S-180 fibrosarcoma growth in Kun Ming mice and on heparin-induced angiogenesis in chick embryos. We also examined the extract's effects on lymphocytes ex vivo and tumor cell growth in vitro. RESULTS: The extract (primarily proteins and polysaccharides) inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent fashion when administered orally. At the highest dose tested, 200 mg/kg/day, tumor growth was inhibited by roughly seventy percent. Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal administration at 50 mg/kg/day also inhibited tumor growth by over seventy percent. The extract's acute LD50 in Kun Ming mice was 500 mg/kg/day when injected, indicating that tumor growth inhibition occurred at non-toxic doses. It inhibited angiogenesis in chick embryos, improved lymphocyte survival ex vivo, and enhanced yeast phagocytosis, but did not kill tumor cells in culture. CONCLUSION: High molecular mass extract deserves further study as an anti-cancer agent.