Effects of socioeconomic status and regional inequality on the association between PM2.5 and its components and cardiometabolic multimorbidity: A multicenter population-based survey in eastern China.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence linking fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM), the impact of its components remains unclear. Socioeconomic status (SES) and regional disparities may confound their association. We aim to evaluate the associations between PM2.5 components and CMM and explore how socioeconomic status and regional disparities affect these relationships. METHODS: We recruited 108,941 participants aged 35-76 years from ten cities in eastern China. Individual exposure was assessed using Tracking Air Pollution in China (TAP) data, including PM2.5 and five components: ammonium (NH4+), black carbon (BC), nitrates (NO3-), organic matter (OM), and sulfates (SO42-). Generalized linear models and quantile g-computation models were employed to quantify the effects of PM2.5 components on CMM and to identify key components. Stratified analyses were performed to investigate the modifying effect of SES and regional disparities. RESULTS: For each increase in interquartile range (IQR), BC (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95 % CI 1.29-1.47), OM (1.38, 1.29-1.48), NH4+ (1.31, 1.21-1.40), NO3- (1.34, 1.25-1.44), and SO42- (1.28, 1.20-1.38) were positively associated with CMM. Joint exposure to five components was significantly positively associated with CMM (OR: 1.27, 95 % CI: 1.21-1.33), with SO42- having the highest estimated weight, followed by NO3- and BC. These associations were stronger for participants from low socio-economic status and poor regions. CONCLUSION: In summary, we found a stronger hazard effect of PM2.5 and its components on CMM, compared to those suffering from CMDs, particularly among participants with low socioeconomic status and in poor regions. SO42- may be a primary contributor to the association between PM2.5 components and CMM. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing CMM and targeting SO42-related pollution sources in health policies, particularly amid China's aging population, reducing environmental health inequalities is critical.

Latest Delivery Advancements of Lipid Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment.

As one of the primary causes of illness and death globally, cancer demands novel and potent treatment approaches, which is why lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have gained attention as a promising delivery system for anticancer drugs with precision and efficacy. The article discusses the salient characteristics of LNPs, such as the lipid components, particle size, polydispersity index, and encapsulation efficiency, followed by strategies that enhance their remarkable drug delivery capabilities. The articles explore LNPs ability to improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of various chemotherapeutics, nucleic acids, and immunotherapeutic modalities. It also highlights the recent advancement in surface modification of LNPs, which is essential to improve their effectiveness. Tailored coatings of LNPs improve targeting precision, stability, and biocompatibility; enhancing their transport to boost therapeutic efficacy for cancer targeting. The review summarizes the recent advancements made in using LNPs to treat different forms of cancer and focuses on the most recent clinical studies. Overall, the review highlights that the LNPs can target and treat cancer in a tailored manner through gene therapy, RNA interference, and immunotherapy.

Sources of specialist physician fee variation: Evidence from Australian health insurance claims data.

This study explores the variation in specialist physician fees and examines whether the variation can be attributed to patient risk factors, variation between physicians, medical specialties, or other factors. We use health insurance claims data from a large private health insurer in Australia. Although Australia has a publicly funded health system that provides universal health coverage, about 44 % of the population holds private health insurance. Specialist physician fees in the private sector are unregulated; physicians can charge any price they want, subject to market forces. We examine the variation in fees using two price measures: total fees charged and out-of- pocket payments. We follow a two-stage method of removing the influence of patient risk factors by computing risk-adjusted prices at patient-level, and aggregating the adjusted prices over all claims made by each physician to arrive at physician-level average prices. In the second stage, we use variance-component models to analyse the variation in the physician-level average prices. We find that patient risk factors account for a small portion of the variance in fees and out-of-pocket payments. Physician-specific variation accounts for the bulk of the vari- ance. The results underscore the importance of understanding physician characteristics in formulating policy efforts to reduce fee variation.

[Effects of Long-term Fertilizations on the Organic Carbon Components of Soil Macroaggregates and the Yield of Wheat in Wheat Fields on the Loess Plateau].

Soil macro-aggregates are the main location for soil organic carbon （SOC） sequestration, which is of great significance to improve soil fertility. This study aimed to understand the mechanisms of the organic carbon （OC） sequestration in macroaggregates and improve crop yield in wheat fields on the loess plateau. With the aggregate-density fractionation method, an eight-year experiment was conducted to investigate the following three factors： ① the effects of long-term fertilization on OC fractions within macroaggregates； ② the variation characteristics of OC fractions within macroaggregates, including coarse particulate organic carbon （cPOC）, fine particulate organic carbon （fPOC）, intra-microaggregate particulate organic carbon （iPOC）, free silt and clay particulate carbon （s+c_f）, and intra-microaggregate silt and clay particulate carbon （s+c_m）； ③ and the relationships between them and SOC input and yield formation. The treatments included no fertilization （CK）, farmer pattern （NP）, optimized fertilizers pattern （NPK）, optimized fertilizers + organic fertilizers pattern （NPKM）, and optimized fertilizers + biological organic fertilizers pattern （NPKB）. The results showed that the application of organic and chemical fertilizer （NPKM and NPKB） improved significantly the SOC content in macroaggregates compared with that in the single fertilizer treatment （NP and NPK）, which had a greater increase in SOC content in macroaggregates than that of the soil. All fertilization treatments had a tendency to increase the content of fractions iPOC, fPOC, and iPOC in macroaggregates, but silt and clay carbon （s+c_f and s+c_m） contents were decreased. The application of manure combined with chemicals markedly increased the allocations of fractions cPOC, fPOC, and iPOC reserves, but it greatly decreased （s+c_f） reserves allocation. However, the application of chemical fertilizers only significantly increased the proportion of cPOC reserves in macroaggregates. Correlation analysis showed that there were significant positive correlations among wheat grain yield and OC fractions （cPOC and fPOC） contents, SOC content, the OC content of >0.25 mm macroaggregates, and SOC input, and the correlation coefficient was 0.645-0.883. In conclusion, long-term fertilization, especially combined with organic fertilizer, could promote the free silt and clay carbon fraction （s+c_f） to transfer into other forms of OC components through the increase in soil carbon input in the wheat field of the loess plateau. Furthermore, the OC content of macroaggregates was increased overall, providing a good soil environment for crop yield.

Clearance of residual genome editing components used for ex vivo genome-editing of allogeneic cell therapy products.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-associated genome editing (GE) components (e.g., nucleases, guide RNAs (gRNAs), and plasmids) are used to genetically modify cells during development of ex vivo genome-edited cell therapies. Prolonged presence of GE components may increase the risk of unintended genome modifications (e.g., off-target editing and chromosomal rearrangements). This risk is a function of the stability of the GE components, culture conditions (i.e., culture length, media changes, etc.), and the nature of the GE component (i.e., only plasmids can be integrated into a cell's genome). Testing for residual GE components on ex vivo genetically edited drug products is generally recommended in current regulatory guidance (CBER 2024). For allogenic cell therapies derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), cells typically undergo clonal selection and extensive culturing following completion of genome editing. This post-engineering clonal selection substantially reduces the amount of residual GE components while the long-duration cell culture significantly reduces the presence of active residual GE components. Here we present a case in which the need for testing of the drug product for residual GE components has been eliminated. METHODS: In silico modeling was used to estimate clearance mechanisms across a variety of relevant assumptions, including disposition of extracellular GE components via media changes and dilution of intracellular GE components via cell expansion. Determining the ability of each GE component-alone or in complex with other GE components-to modify genomic material was assessed by a series of both in vitro and ex vivo (i.e., engineering cells) studies. For the in vitro studies, a DNA cutting assay was developed to assess the ability of the component to cut a representative DNA strand. For the ex vivo modification of cells, an assessment of the knock-out of the relevant gene was completed by flow cytometry specifically assessing the presence or absence of protein expression on the modified cells. The persistence and stability of GE components were examined under cell-mimicking conditions and in ex vivo modified cells. The components were stressed under multiple conditions mimicking a range of culture conditions and tested in the aforementioned DNA cutting assay. The presence of residual gRNA was directly assessed in the ex vivo modified cells via a gRNA-specific digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay. RESULTS: Simulations estimating genome editing residual clearance via dilution for extracellular residuals (via media changes) or intracellular residuals (via cell doubling) demonstrate clearance of measurable residuals within 28 days of cell culture. Studies simulating the stability of genome editing residuals estimate less than 7 days for the nuclease, gRNA and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. gRNA was undetectable by 8 days post-engineering under actual engineering conditions. Additionally, without gRNA present, CRISPR Cas12a nucleases did not demonstrate evidence of cutting. In contrast, plasmid DNA can be randomly integrated into the genome and free plasmid is highly stable under cell culture-like conditions (50+ days). Additionally, plasmid DNA integrated in cells will propagate during mitosis, leading to the additional risk of expansion of an unintentional integration event. CONCLUSIONS: Both the gRNA and nuclease in the RNP complex are required for DNA cutting. Neither individual component nor the complex are stable beyond 7 days in culture-mimicking conditions. These findings suggest that the risk of unplanned genomic modification resulting from residual gRNA or nuclease is minimal for processes in which extensive culture is performed after the completion of genome editing and clonal selection. However, the risk of residual plasmid DNA integration is significantly higher regardless of the manufacturing process. The residual plasmid itself is quite stable (at least 50 days) and the risk of random, off-target integration is present. By establishing the stability of these components, we have demonstrated that testing for residual gRNA or nuclease is not warranted for clonally derived allogeneic cell therapies.

Biomarkers of the main nutritional components in purple rice during five successive grain filling stages.

Differences in main nutritional components in relation to biomarkers of metabolites in purple rice grains at different fillings stages have not been determined previously. This study measured the contents of amino acids, several nutritional indicators, and mineral elements in purple rice grains at five stages following the filling stage. The results revealed that the amino acid, ascorbic acid, total sugar, carotenoid, vitamin B9, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, peonidin 3-glucoside and seven minerals were highest in the final stage of grain filling. Citric acid, L-isoleucine, trigonelline, and L-glutamate are key metabolites in the metabolic pathway and exhibit strong correlations with various nutritional indicators. Hence, this research preliminarily suggested that trigonelline, L-isoleucine, L-glutamate, and citric acid could be potential biomarkers of nutritional components in purple rice grains during various postfilling stages.

Effect of modified atmosphere package on attributes of sweet bamboo shoots after harvest.

Tender bamboo shoots undergo rapid senescence that influences their quality and commercial value after harvest. In this study, the tender sweet bamboo shoots ('Wensun') were packed by a passive modified atmosphere packaging (PMAP) to inhibit the senescence process, taking polyethylene package as control. The increase in CO2 and the decrease in O2 gas concentrations in the headspace atmosphere of the packages were remarkably modified by PMAP treatments. The modified gas atmosphere packaging inhibited the changes in firmness, as well as the content of cellulose, total pectin, and lignin in the cell walls of bamboo shoots. The enzymatic activities of cellulase, pectinase, and polygalacturonase that act on cell wall polysaccharides, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, peroxidase, and laccase regulating the lignin biosynthesis were modified by PMAP treatment different from control during storage. The expression levels of the lignin biosynthesis genes PePAL3/4, PeCAD, Pe4CL5, PeC4H, PeCCOAOMT, PeCOMT, cellulose synthase PeCESA1, and related transcription factors PeSND2, PeKNAT7, PeMYB20, PeMYB63, and PeMYB85 were clearly regulated. These results suggest that PMAP efficiently retards the changes in lignin and cell wall polysaccharides, thus delaying the senescence of tender sweet bamboo shoots during storage.

Effects of oilseed rape green manure on phosphorus availability of red soil and rice yield in rice-green manure rotation system.

Improving the nutrient content of red soils in southern China is a priority for efficient rice production there. To assess the effectiveness of oilseed rape as green manure for the improvement of soil phosphorus nutrient supply and rice yield in red soil areas, a long-term field plot experiment was conducted comparing two species of rape, Brassica napus (BN) and Brassica juncea (BJ). The effects of returning oilseed rape on soil phosphorus availability, phosphorus absorption, and yield of subsequent rice under rice-green manure rotation mode were analyzed, using data from the seasons of 2020 to 2021. The study found that compared with winter fallow treatment (WT) and no-tillage treatment (NT), the soil available phosphorus content of BN was increased, and that of BJ was significantly increased. The content of water-soluble inorganic phosphorus of BJ increased, and that of BN increased substantially. Compared with the WT, the soil organic matter content and soil total phosphorus content of BN significantly increased, as did the soil available potassium content of BJ, and the soil total phosphorus content of BJ was significantly increased compared with NT. The soil particulate phosphorus content of BJ and BN was significantly increased by 14.00% and 16.00%, respectively. Compared with the WT, the phosphorus activation coefficient of BJ was significantly increased by 11.41%. The rice plant tiller number under the green manure returning treatment was significantly increased by 43.16% compared with the winter fallow treatment. The green manure returning measures increased rice grain yield by promoting rice tiller numbers; BN increased rice grain yield by 9.91% and BJ by 11.68%. Based on these results, returning oilseed rape green manure could augment the phosphorus nutrients of red soil and promote phosphorus availability. Rice-oilseed rape green manure rotation could increase rice grain yield.

Transforming the preservation of tomato derivatives: Innovations in packaging and storage.

The production and consumption of vegetables, such as tomatoes, have been growing in recent years, due to the combination of several factors, such as market demand, investment in research, education and awareness about health benefits, as well as government incentives and improvements in cultivation technology. The combination of these factors results in an increasing demand for products that offer health benefits, such as tomatoes rich in antioxidants, which help combat free radicals in cells. To maintain most of the nutritional and sensory properties characteristic of the fresh product, it is important to identify the parameters that will help in maintenance. Thus, the study aims to characterize the influence of different packages and storage times with the variables of tomato. The experiment examined the storage of two tomato derivatives (atomized tomato and chips) using various packaging types and storage durations. It utilized a factorial design (2 × 4) with an extra control treatment, comprising 3 replications. Packaging options included low-density polyethylene plastic bags and laminated plastic bags with aluminum foil, while storage durations ranged from 10 to 40 days. Parameters related to color (°Hue and chroma), flavor (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, and maturation index), and bioactive compounds (lycopene and ß-carotene) of two tomato derivatives (atomized tomato and chips) were analyzed. After the analyzes, it was observed that the transparent package was the one that allowed the best conservation among the studied variables of the atomized tomato derivative, the same happened for the laminated packaging for the derivative chips. Regarding storage time, 20 days showed the best results regarding the conservation of flavor and bioactive compounds.

Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals the Genetic Basis of Crude Fiber Components in Brassica napus L. Shoots at Stem Elongation Stage.

Brassica napus is currently the principal field crop for producing materials for primary, secondary and tertiary industries. B. napus shoots at stem elongation stage are rich in anthocyanins, vitamin C and mineral elements such as selenium, calcium and zinc, and represent a new type of green vegetable. However, the high crude fiber (CF) content of B. napus shoots affects their taste, and few studies have focused on the quality traits of these vegetables. In this study, we investigated five traits related to the CF components, including neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), hemicellulose (Hem) and cellulose (Cel), of B. napus shoots. Whole-genome resequencing at a depth of ∼20× was utilized to genotype an association panel of 202 diverse accessions, which resulted in the identification of 6,093,649 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 996,252 indels, respectively. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed for the five CF-related traits based on the phenotypic data observed in four environments. A total of 1,285 significant SNPs were detected at the threshold of -log10 (p) = 5.16, and 97 significant association regions were obtained. In addition, seven candidate genes located on chromosomes A2 (one gene), A8 (three genes), A9 (two genes) and C9 (one gene) related to CF traits were identified, and ten lines containing low CF contents were selected as excellent germplasm resources for breeding. Our results contributed new insights into the genetic basis of CF traits and suggested germplasm resources for the quality improvement of B. napus shoots.

Selection with two alleles of X-linkage and its application to the fitness component analysis of OdsH in Drosophila.

In organisms with the XY sex-determination system, there is an imbalance in the inheritance and transmission of the X chromosome between males and females. Unlike an autosomal allele, an X-linked recessive allele in a female will have phenotypic effects on its male counterpart. Thus, genes located on the X chromosome are of particular interest to researchers in molecular evolution and genetics. Here we present a model for selection with two alleles of X-linkage to understand fitness components associated with genes on the X chromosome. We apply this model to the fitness analysis of an X-linked gene, OdsH (16D), in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The function of OdsH is involved in sperm production and the gene is rapidly evolving under positive selection. Using site-directed gene targeting, we generated functional and defective OdsH variants tagged with the eye-color marker gene white. We compare the allele frequency changes of the two OdsH variants, each directly competing against a wild-type OdsH allele in concurrent but separate experimental populations. After twenty generations, the two genetically modified OdsH variants displayed a 40% difference in allele frequencies, with the functional OdsH variant demonstrating an advantage over the defective variant. Using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), we determined the fitness components associated with the OdsH alleles in males and females. Our analysis revealed functional aspects of the fitness determinants associated with OdsH, and that sex-specific fertility and viability consequences both contribute to selection on an X-linked gene.

Determining the relationship between oral health and physical function in elderly people.

BACKGROUND: Poor oral conditions in the elderly may have numerous effects on general health, including physical fitness and performance. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the relationship between oral health and physical function in elderly people. METHODS: Physical function and oral health parameters were compared using parametric comparison tests and Pearson correlation analyses. In addition, principal components analysis, hierarchical clustering and multidimensional scaling analysis clustered the patients' physical and oral health scores. The relationship between the groups was also determined using decision tree analysis. RESULTS: A total of 112 elderly patients participated in the study. Grip strength (GS) was higher in patients with high chewing ability, and Timed Up and Go (TUG) scores were lower in the high oral health group (p < .05). GS was correlated with Decay, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index (DMFT) and the number of remaining and functional teeth (p < .05). According to principal component analysis, it was seen that there were three components (oral, functional and quality of life (QoL) parameters), and the features that were related to each other were gathered together. TUG and GS showed the highest relative importance among physical function criteria in the classification based on chewing ability. They were GS and physical activity for oral health-related QoL. CONCLUSION: In the elderly, higher physical function parameters, especially GS may be an indicator of a better oral health and oral health-related QoL. Preventive physical rehabilitation practices, in addition to oral treatments, may be effective in improving oral health in the elderly.

Effects of Freeze-Thaw Pretreatment Combined with Hot Air on Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.).

Snake gourd is a seasonal vegetable with a high water content and medicinal value, but the short harvest period limits the large-scale application of snake gourd. Therefore, the effects of freeze-thaw pretreatment (FT) combined with hot air (HD) on the drying characteristics, active ingredients and bioactivities of snake gourd were investigated. The results showed that FT pretreatment reduced browning and shortened the drying time by 44%; the Page model was the best fit for describing the drying process. The polysaccharide contents (21.70% in alcoholic extract (TG1) and 44.34% in water extract (TG2)) and total phenol contents (1.81% in TG1 and 0.88% in TG2) of snake gourd pretreated by FT-HD were higher than those of snake gourd pretreated by the corresponding HD treatment. The FT pretreatment decreased the molecular weight of snake gourd polysaccharides and increased the molar ratio of glucose. The extracts pretreated by FT-HD showed greater chemical, cellular antioxidant capacity and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition than those pretreated by HD. FT-HD can be recommended for achieving a short drying time and high quality of snake gourd and can be used for the drying of other fruits and vegetables.

Research Progress and Production Status of Edible Insects as Food in China.

Based on the background of the exacerbating food shortage in the world, it is particularly important to diversify food resources in every possible direction. Among the choices available, edible insects have become an important alternative source of animal food with their high nutritional and functional (pharmacological) values, partially replacing normally consumed animal and livestock protein food sources. The utilization of edible insects has been an ancient custom since the dawn of civilization, attributed to their rich nutrition, alternate protein source, medicinal values, and presence of diverse secondary metabolites and alkaloids. This review provides an introduction to three key aspects of edible insects as food: freshness, long-term preservation, and medicinal value. It also provides details on the food source and products of edible insect species, their detailed nutritional composition and medicinal values, and their potential in producing alternative protein sources. Additionally, the review also encompasses rearing and producing technologies, resource utilization, and industrial development in China. Simultaneously, the problems and challenges faced in the artificial rearing and production development of edible insects, the production advantages over traditional livestock, and the farming evaluation and prospects of edible insects, as well as the lack of specific legislation on edible insects in China, are discussed. This review will be helpful in scientific knowledge propagation regarding edible insects for the public, guiding consumers to establish a diverse perception of sustainable agriculture and food sources in the world that has, as yet, been thwarted by food insecurity. Moreover, though edible insects could potentially serve as part of a commercial and industrial agri-enterprise that could generate a huge income, artificial rearing technology and edible insect product manufacturing and processing have not received sufficient attention from the government on a policy level, thereby leaving an open space for extensive research on edible insects as an alternate food source as well as an examination of the industrial prospects of edible insect products.

Effects of artificial management on culm properties of Dendrocalamus brandisii.

The artificial cultivation and management were extensively carried out in Dendrocalamus brandisii stands. However, the influences of artificial management on the anatomical and chemical characteristics of the bamboo culms were unknown. In this study, the fiber morphology, chemical composition and sugar accumulation of the D. brandisii culms with management and without management were compared in order to determine the influences of artificial management on bamboo culms. The results indicated that artificial management had a significant influence on the fiber morphology, resulting in shorter fiber length, larger L/T ratio, and smaller W/Lu value. However, the management not only increased the contents of moisture, ash, SiO2, and extractive, but also increased the holocellulose contents and decreased the lignin contents, as compared to those without management. Moreover, the management significantly increased the endogenous carbohydrates storage in the culms so as to improve the shoot production. The bamboos under management conditions could still be utilized as a raw material for papermaking. This provided a theoretical basis for the artificial management of D. brandisii stands.

Carbon usage in yellow-fleshed Manihot esculenta storage roots shifts from starch biosynthesis to cell wall and raffinose biosynthesis via the myo-inositol pathway.

Cassava is a crucial staple crop for smallholder farmers in tropical Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Although high yield remains the top priority for farmers, the significance of nutritional values has increased in cassava breeding programs. A notable negative correlation between provitamin A and starch accumulation poses a significant challenge for breeding efforts. The negative correlation between starch and carotenoid levels in conventional and genetically modified cassava plants implies the absence of a direct genomic connection between the two traits. The competition among various carbon pathways seems to account for this relationship. In this study, we conducted a thorough analysis of 49 African cassava genotypes with varying levels of starch and provitamin A. Our goal was to identify factors contributing to differential starch accumulation. Considering carotenoid levels as a confounding factor in starch production, we found that yellow- and white-fleshed storage roots did not differ significantly in most measured components of starch or de novo fatty acid biosynthesis. However, genes and metabolites associated with myo-inositol synthesis and cell wall polymer production were substantially enriched in high provitamin A genotypes. These results indicate that yellow-fleshed cultivars, in comparison to their white-fleshed counterparts, direct more carbon toward the synthesis of raffinose and cell wall components. This finding is underlined by a significant rise in cell wall components measured within the 20 most contrasting genotypes for carotenoid levels. Our findings enhance the comprehension of the biosynthesis of starch and carotenoids in the storage roots of cassava.

A rho-type GTPase activating protein affects the growth and development of Cordyceps cicadae.

Cordyceps cicadae is recognized for its medicinal properties, attributed to bioactive constituents like polysaccharides and adenosine, which have been shown to improve kidney and liver functions and possess anti-tumor properties. Rho GTPase activating proteins (Rho GAPs) serve as inhibitory regulators of Rho GTPases in eukaryotic cells by accelerating the GTP hydrolysis of Rho GTPases, leading to their inactivation. In this study, we explored the function of the CcRga8 gene in C. cicadae, which encodes a Rho-type GTPase activating protein. Our study found that the knockout of CcRga8 resulted in a decrease in polysaccharide levels and an increase in adenosine concentration. Furthermore, the mutants exhibited altered spore yield and morphology, fruiting body development, decreased infectivity, reduced resistance to hyperosmotic stress, oxidative conditions, and cell wall inhibitors. These findings suggest that CcRga8 plays a crucial role in the development, stress response, and bioactive compound production of C. cicadae.

Phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and detoxification of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.: a comprehensive review.

Background: Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (PM), a kind of perennial plant, belongs to the genus Polygonum of the family polygonaceae.The dry root of PM (also called Heshouwu), is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has a series of functions and is widely used in clinic for hair lossing, aging, and insomnia. While, PM also has some toxicity, its clinical drug safety has been concerned. In this paper, the chemical components, toxic mechanisms and detoxification strategies of PM were reviewed in order to provide evidence for its clinical application. Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic review of published literature of PM, including English and Chinese databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang. Results: PM contains a variety of chemical compounds, including stilbenes, quinones, flavonoids, phospholipids, and has many pharmacological activities such as anti-aging, wound healing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The PE has certain therapeutic effect, and it has certain toxicity like hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and embryotoxicity at the same time, but.these toxic effects could be effectively reduced by processing and compatibility. Conclusion: It is necessary to further explore the pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms of the main active compounds of PE.This article provides scientific basis for the safe clinical application of PM.

Advances in preparation and engineering of plant-derived extracellular vesicles for nutrition intervention.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PLEVs), as a type of naturally occurring lipid bilayer membrane structure, represent an emerging delivery vehicle with immense potential due to their ability to encapsulate hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, shield them from external environmental stresses, control release, exhibit biocompatibility, and demonstrate biodegradability. This comprehensive review analyzes engineering preparation strategies for natural vesicles, focusing on PLEVs and their purification and surface engineering. Furthermore, it encompasses the latest advancements in utilizing PLEVs to transport active components, serving as a nanotherapeutic system. The prospects and potential development of PLEVs are also discussed. It is anticipated that this work will not only address existing knowledge gaps concerning PLEVs but also provide valuable guidance for researchers in the fields of food science and biomedical studies, stimulating novel breakthroughs in plant-based therapeutic options.

Differential absorption and metabolic characteristics of organic acid components in pudilan xiaoyan oral liquid between young rats and adult rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid (PDL) is a proprietary Chinese medicinal preparation approved by the State for treating acute pharyngitis in both adults and children (Approval No. Z20030095). It is worth noting that children exhibit unique physiopathological characteristics compared to adults. However, the in vivo regulatory characteristics of PDL in treating acute pharyngitis in children remain incompletely understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: The differential absorption and metabolism characteristics of the main pharmacological components in PDL in young and adult rats were investigated with a view to providing a reference for preclinical data of PDL in medication for children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilized UPLC-Q-TOF-MS to investigate the pharmacodynamic material basis of PDL. The focus was on the gastrointestinal digestion and absorption characteristics of organic acid components in PDL (PDL-OAC), known as the primary pharmacodynamic components in this formulation. The research combined in vitro dynamic simulation and a Quadruple single-pass intestinal perfusion model to examine these characteristics. The permeability properties of PDL-OAC were evaluated using an artificial parallel membrane model. Additionally, an acute pharyngitis model was established to evaluate the histopathological condition of the pharynx in young rats using H&E staining. The levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 in blood and pharyngeal tissue homogenates of young rats were quantified using ELISA kits. RESULTS: A total of 91 components were identified in PDL, including 33 organic acids, 24 flavonoids, 14 alkaloids, 5 terpenoids and coumarins, 3 sugars, and 12 amino acids. The PDL-OAC exhibited a significant reduction in IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels in the pharyngeal tissues of young rats with acute pharyngitis. Results from dynamic simulation studies of gastrointestinal fluids revealed that the PDL-OAC (Specifically chlorogenic acid (CGA), gallic acid (GA), chicoric acid (CRA), and caffeic acid (CA)) were effectively stabilized in the gastrointestinal fluids of both children and adults in vitro. Young rats, characterized by thinner intestinal walls and higher permeability, efficiently absorbed the four organic acids across the entire intestinal segment. The absorption of CGA, GA, and CRA followed a concentration-dependent pattern, with CGA and GA absorption being influenced by exocytosis. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of the PDL-OAC in treating acute pharyngitis was demonstrated in young rats. The absorption rate of these components was observed to be faster in young rats compared to adult rats, underscoring the need for dedicated studies on the drug's usage in children. This research provides valuable insights for the appropriate clinical use of PDL in pediatric patients.