Monitoring the dynamic changes in aroma during the whole processing of Qingzhuan tea at an industrial scale: From fresh leaves to finished tea.

Aroma is one of the most outstanding quality characteristics of Qingzhuan tea (QZT), but its formation is still unclear. Thus, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the whole processing of QZT were investigated by headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Based on 144 identified VOCs, the results showed that de-enzyming, sun-drying, and piling fermentation were the key processes of QZT aroma formation. Furtherly, 42 differential VOCs (VIP > 1.0 and p < 0.05) and 16 key VOCs (rOAV > 1.0 and/or ROAV > 1.0) were screened. Especially, sulcatone and ß-ionone (rOAV > 100 and ROAV > 10) were considered the most important contributors to the aroma of QZT. The metabolisms of key VOCs were mainly involved in oxidative degradation of fatty acids, degradation of carotenoids, and methylation of gallic acid. This study could help to more comprehensively understand the aroma formation in QZT processing at an industrial scale.

Composition, anti-LDL oxidation, and non-enzymatic glycosylation inhibitory activities of the flavonoids from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum.

This study identified the constituents of purified flavonoid (PEF) isolated from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum and examined their inhibitory effects on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and non-enzymatic glycosylation. More than 30 kinds of flavonoid compounds were identified in M. crystallinum, including tangeretin, nobiletin, farrerol, protocatechuic aldehyde, diosmin, and rutin. Moreover, tangeretin corresponds to approximately 51% of the total identified flavonoids. PEF had a low IC50 value for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH·), hydroxyl radical (·OH), and superoxide anion free radical (O 2 - · ) scavenging. They were found to effectively delay and inhibit the production of conjugated diene (CD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) during LDL oxidation. Meanwhile, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the LDL oxidation incubation system with PEF showed a smooth and dense surface, with no obvious cavitation phenomenon. Furthermore, PEF effectively inhibited the production of LDL glycosylation products and showed a strong inhibitory effect in the latter stage. The electrophoresis of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) further confirmed that PEF can effectively prevent the cross-linking between glucose and proteins, protecting LDL from glycosylation-induced damage.

Analysis of Efficacy, Complications, and Inflammatory Reactions of Bridge Combined Internal Fixation System for Periarticular Fractures of the Shoulder.

Objective: The aim of the present research is to analyze the impact of the bridge combined internal fixation system (BCFS) on efficacy, complications, and inflammatory reactions of periarticular fractures of the shoulder. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 100 patients with periarticular fractures of the shoulder admitted between January 2016 and January 2020. Patients were assigned to the observation group (OG) and control group (CG) according to different treatment schemes, with 50 cases in each group. Patients in OG were intervened by BCFS, while those in CG were routinely given plate fixation. The treatment outcome, complications, and inflammatory reaction of the two groups were compared. Results: The results showed better treatment outcome, shoulder joint function recovery, and inflammatory reaction alleviation of OG compared with CG. Besides, statistically shorter fracture healing and hospitalization time as well as fewer complications were determined in OG. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that compared with the plate fixation system, BCFS can significantly improve the surgical efficacy and healing efficiency and alleviate the inflammatory response of patients, with a low complication rate, all of which contribute to faster recovery of periarticular fractures of the shoulder. Hence, BCFS is an ideal choice for periarticular fractures of the shoulder that deserves clinical promotion.

MicroRNA-4287 alleviates inflammatory response via targeting RIPK1 in osteoarthritis.

Studies have confirmed the regulatory effects of microRNAs (miRNAs) in osteoarthritis (OA) progression. MiR-4287 has been identified by a previous study as a downregulated miRNA in chondrocytes treated with IL-1ß and TNF-α. However, the function of the underlying mechanism of miR-4287 in OA is elusive. IL-1ß-treated chondrocytes were used as OA cell models. RNA expression was accessed using RT-qPCR. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine the chondrocytes' viability and proliferation. The protein levels of inflammation factors (IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP 1, MMP3, MMP13), and chondrogenic genes (COL2A1, SOX9, and Aggrecan) were detected using western blot analysis. Luciferase reporter assays were performed for interaction exploration. HE staining and Safranin O/Fast Green staining was used to access the pathological changes in OA mouse tissues and cartilage degeneration in OA mouse. MiR-4287 was downregulated in chondrocytes treated with IL-1ß and OA mouse models. MiR-4287 overexpression promoted the viability, and proliferation and attenuated the inflammation response and destruction of cartilage in IL-1ß-stimulated chondrocytes. Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) was a target gene of miR-4287 in chondrocytes. MiR-4287 negatively regulated RIPK1 expression. RIPK1 overexpression was revealed to reverse the miR-4287-mediated effects on proliferation and inflammatory response in IL-1ß-stimulated chondrocytes. Moreover, miR-4287 was demonstrated to inhibit the pathological changes, cartilage degeneration and inflammation response in OA mice models. In conclusion, miR-4287 is a critical molecule in OA development, which attenuates inflammatory response in vivo and in vitro by targeting RIPK1.

MiR-18a-3p improves cartilage matrix remodeling and inhibits inflammation in osteoarthritis by suppressing PDP1.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease characterized by synovial inflammation. MiR-18a-3p was reported to be downregulated in knee anterior cruciate ligament of OA patients. In the present study, the specific functions and mechanism of miR-18a-3p in OA were explored. An in vitro model of OA was established using 10 ng/ml IL-1ß to treat ATDC5 cells, and medial meniscus instability surgery was performed on Wistar rats to establish in vivo rat model of OA. RT-qPCR revealed that miR-18a-3p was downregulated in IL-1ß-stimulated ATDC5 cells. MiR-18a-3p overexpression inhibited secretion of inflammatory cytokines and concentration of matrix metalloproteinases, as shown by ELISA and western blotting. The binding relation between miR-18a-3p and pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase catalytic subunit 1 (PDP1) was detected by luciferase reporter assays. MiR-18a-3p targeted PDP1 and negatively regulated PDP1 expression. Results of rescue assays revealed that PDP1 upregulation reserved the suppressive effect of miR-18a-3p overexpression on levels of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in IL-1ß-stimulated ATDC5 cells. H&E staining was used to observe pathological changes of synovial tissues in the knee joint of Wistar rats. Safranin O-fast green/hematoxylin was used to stain cartilage samples of knee joints. MiR-18a-3p overexpression suppressed OA progression in vivo. Overall, miR-18a-3p improves cartilage matrix remodeling and suppresses inflammation in OA by targeting PDP1.

Isolation and evaluation of terrestrial fungi with algicidal ability from Zijin Mountain, Nanjing, China.

Approximately 60 fungal isolates from Zijin Mountain (Nanjing, China) were screened to determine their algicidal ability. The results show that 8 fungi belonging to Ascomycota and 5 belonging to Basidiomycota have algicidal ability. Of these fungi, Irpex lacteus T2b, Trametes hirsuta T24, Trametes versicolor F21a, and Bjerkandera adusta T1 showed strong algicidal ability. The order of fungal chlorophyll-a removal efficiency was as follows: T. versicolor F21a > I. lacteus T2b > B. adusta T1 > T. hirsuta T24. In particular, T. versicolor F21a completely removed algal cells within 30 h, showing the strongest algicidal ability. The results also show that all 4 fungal species degraded algal cells through direct attack. In addition, most of the tested fungi from the order Polyporales of Basidiomycota exhibited strong algicidal activity, suggesting that most fungi that belong to this order have algicidal ability. The findings of this work could direct the search for terrestrial fungi for bloom control.

Effect of simulated acid rain on the litter decomposition of Quercus acutissima and Pinus massoniana in forest soil microcosms and the relationship with soil enzyme activities.

With the continuing increase in human activities, ecologists are increasingly interested in understanding the effects of acid rain on litter decomposition. Two dominant litters were chosen from Zijin Mountain in China: Quercus acutissima from a broad-leaved forest and Pinus massoniana from a coniferous forest. The litters were incubated in microcosms and treated with simulated acid rain (gradient pH levels). During a six-month incubation, changes in chemical composition (i.e., lignin, total carbohydrate, and nitrogen), litter mass losses, soil pH values, and activities of degradative enzymes were determined. Results showed that litter mass losses were depressed after exposure to acid rain and the effects of acid rain on the litter decomposition rates of needles were higher than on those of leaves. Results also revealed that simulated acid rain restrained the activities of cellulase, invertase, nitrate reductase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, polyphenol oxidase, and urease, while it enhanced the activities of catalase in most cases during the six-month decomposition process. Catalase and polyphenol oxidase were primarily responsible for litter decomposition in the broad-leaved forest, while invertase, nitrate reductase, and urease were primarily responsible for litter decomposition in the coniferous forest. The results suggest acid rain-restrained litter decomposition may be due to the depressed enzymatic activities. According to the results of this study, soil carbon in subtropical forests would accumulate as a long-term consequence of continued acid rain. This may presumably alter the balance of ecosystem carbon flux, nutrient cycling, and humus formation, which may, in turn, have multiple effects on forest ecosystems.