Variation of blending ratio and drying temperature optimize the physical properties and compatibility of HPMC/curdlan films.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and curdlan (CL) were used to prepare uniform films. The influence of the composition ratios and drying temperature on the microstructures, compatibility and physical performance of HPMC/CL films were studied. The crystalline peaks corresponding to CL component of HPMC/CL films increased with the increasing CL content. Increasing CL content resulted in increased hydrogen bonds in HPMC/CL film, reduced transmittance at 500 nm, oxygen permeability and water solubility of the HPMC/CL films. Higher drying temperature led to increased phase separation and decreased physical properties of pure HPMC film, and led to increased compatibility, cross-section smoothness, oxygen barrier property and mechanical properties of pure CL and blending films.

Enzymatically modified quinoa starch-based Pickering emulsion: Effect of enzymolysis and emulsifying conditions.

Both the effects of enzymolysis condition on the microstructures and emulsifying property of enzymatic modified quinoa starch (EMQS) and the effects of emulsion formulation on the EMQS based emulsions were investigated. The emulsifying capacity (EC) and stability (ES) of EMQS were positive correlated with enzyme amount (0-2.4 % w/wstarch). The particle sizes of EMQS decreased and its hydrophobicity increased with increasing enzyme amount (0-2.4 % w/wstarch), which were the main reasons for the increasing emulsifying performance of EMQS. With the increasing starch concentration, the EC of the EMQS increased, the oil droplet size of the emulsion decreased. With the oil/water ratios ranging from 1:9 to 6:4, the emulsification index (EI) and oil droplet size of the emulsion increased. EMQS based emulsion had a relatively good stability in the pH range of 2-10. This study lays the foundation for the application of EMQS as a stable clean-label Pickering emulsifier.

Safety Assessment of Canola Oil Extracted by Aid of Pulsed Electric Field: Genetic, Acute and Subacute Toxicity.

Pulsed electric field (PEF) is a nonthermal technology resulting in the rupture of cell membranes and increasing the electrical conductivity and the permeability of intracellular material. There was little work about the safety of food treated by PEF. The acute, subacute oral, and genetic toxicities were investigated to explore the safety of canola oil extracted by aid of PEF treatment (PTCO). The results showed that no negative consequences were caused by PEF. PTCO was regarded as practically non-toxic with a LD50 higher than 40 g/kg bw. No oil intake-related mortality, clinical, weight gain and organ coefficient abnormalities were observed. The histopathological symptoms indicated a mild load but not obvious toxicities on liver and kidney. The 28-day subacute toxicity test confirmed that less than 10 g/kg·d bw of oil intake did not exhibit any intake-related changes in physical, physiological, biochemical, hematological, and histopathological signs. The less than 4 of atherosclerosis index suggested that no risk of cardiovascular disease caused by PTCO intake. It was speculated that the PEF treatment would not cause any safety issues to food products.

Potential Indicators of Mitochondrial Structure and Function.

Mitochondria regulate a range of important physiological and biochemical cellular processes including apoptotic cell death, energy production, calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism. Given their role as the 'engines' of cells, their dysfunction is associated with a variety of disease states. Exploring the relationship between mitochondrial function and disease can reveal the mechanism(s) of drug activity and disease pathology. In this review, we summarized the methods of evaluating the structure and function of mitochondria, including the morphology, membrane fluidity, membrane potential, opening of the membrane permeability transition pore, inner membrane permeabilization, mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, oxidative stress, energy metabolism-related enzymes, apoptotic pathway related proteins, calcium concentration, DNA copy number, oxygen consumption, ß-oxidation-related genes and proteins, cardiolipin content, and adenosine triphosphate content. We believe that the information presented in this review will help explore the pathological processes of mitochondria in the occurrence and development of diseases, as well as the activity and mechanism of drugs, and the discovery of new drugs.

A Novel Method for Identifying Parkin Binding Agents in Complex Preparations of Herbal Medicines.

Parkin is a crucial E3 ubiquitin ligase for initiating mitophagy through the PINK1/Parkin pathway. Regulating the expression and activity of parkin can remedy mitophagy and human disease. We developed an efficient method to isolate natural parkin ligands from herbal medicines by combining centrifugal ultrafiltration and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The heterologous expression technology identified functionally active and pure parkin proteins. After evaluating the reliability of the method using DL-selenomethionine and DL-dithiothreitol as positive controls, this method was successfully applied to capture parkin ligands from Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix. LC/MS identified seven novel parkin-targeting compounds, namely, 7,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-8-(γ, γ-dimethylallyl)-flavanone, kushenol I, kurarinone, sophoraflavanone G, torachrysone-8-O-glucoside, apigenin, and emodin, supported by the molecular docking analysis. Five of the seven novel compounds (kushenol I, kurarinone, sophoraflavanone G, apigenin, and emodin) can activate parkin in in vitro autoubiquitination assays. Meanwhile, kushenol I and kurarinone had antisteatosis activity in fat emulsion-damaged human hepatocytes. These results confirmed the effectiveness of the method for identifying parkin ligands from complex preparations, useful to advance drug discovery from medicinal herbs.

Pickering emulsifiers based on enzymatically modified quinoa starches: Preparation, microstructures, hydrophilic property and emulsifying property.

Quinoa starch was developed as a new kind of Pickering emulsifier by enzymatic modification. The morphological structure, crystalline structure, lamellar structure, fractal structure, particle size distribution, contact angle, emulsion index (EI), and emulsion micromorphology were studied to explore the relationship between structure characteristics, hydrophilic property, and emulsifying properties of enzymatically modified (EM) quinoa starches. With the increasing enzymatic hydrolysis time in the test range of 0-9 h, particle size of EM quinoa starch decreased, and the broken starch and contact angle of EM quinoa starch increased; the EI value of emulsions with EM quinoa starch increased, and the oil droplet size of emulsions with EM quinoa starch decreased. It suggested that both the smallest particle size and the closest extent of the contact angle to 90° derived the best emulsifying property of EM-9. The EM quinoa starch had higher emulsifying capacity at higher oil volume fraction (Φ) (50%) than at lower Φ (20%), proving that the EM starch has potential to be used as Pickering emulsifiers in higher oil products, such as salad dressing.

[Overview and prospect of research and development cooperation in traditional medicine between China and Thailand].

Under the background of the Belt and Road Initiative, the exchange of traditional medicine has become inevitable. China and Thailand are amicable neighbors, and the cooperation between the two countries in the field of traditional medicine has become increasingly close in recent years. Nevertheless, on account of the differences in culture, region, politics, economy and so on, the two countries have common features and unique characteristics in the theoretical system of traditional medicine, quality standard control of medicinal materials, research and development and use of medicinal materials. This paper summarizes the similarities and differences as well as the development opportunities of traditional medicine between China and Thailand. The specific content involves the development history, resources, and use of medicinal resources in Thailand, the main achievements and existing problems of modern research of Thai medicine, the spread and development of Chinese medicine in Thailand, and the spread and development of Thai medicine in China. Furthermore, the paper outlines the recent situation of traditional medicine interflow and cooperation between the two countries, and predicts the prospects for cooperation and development of traditional medicine between China and Thailand in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative, especially in the joint research and development and the improvement of quality standards of important medicinal plant varieties commonly used by the two countries and circulated across the border. Through the exchange and mutual learning, we can step up the traditional medicine cooperation between China and Thailand, which will provide advantageous conditions for the safety of medicine use as well as political and social stability between the two countries.

Specific CYP450 Genotypes in the Chinese Population Affect Sorafenib Toxicity in HBV/HCV-associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to screen for frequencies of different CYP450 genotypes in the Chinese population and explore the relationship between sorafenib toxicity and CYP450 polymorphism. METHODS: A total of 600 peripheral blood samples were obtained from two groups for this study. The first group of 300 samples were from Chinese patients with HBV/HCV-associated HCC, while the remaining 300 samples were from a healthy population of recruited subjects. Allele-specific PCR and long-fragment gene sequencing was used to identify the frequencies of CYP450 polymorphism. Aflatoxin-induced HCC rat models expressing CYP3A4*1, CYP3A5*3, CYP2C19*2, and CYP2D6*10 were established and treated with sorafenib at certain time points. Hepatic and renal function, along with plasma concentration of sorafenib, were monitored regularly. RESULTS: The most common forms of CYP mutations in the Chinese population were identified. The levels of sorafenib plasma concentration, as well as damage to hepatic and renal function in aflatoxin-induced HCC rat models varied significantly across the different CYP genotypes. CONCLUSION: The mutational frequencies of CYP3A5, CYP3A4, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6 genotypes varied among different ethnic groups and populations. Individuals with CYP3A5*3 demonstrated minimal sorafenib metabolism, which led to severe hepatic and renal damage. Inter-individual variability in sorafenib-toxicity may be interpreted by CYP450 genetic polymorphisms, suggesting that identification of CYP polymorphism within a certain population should be considered in sorafenib therapy.

[Nutritional status in acute stage ischemic stroke and its relation to disease severity and prognosis of patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the nutritional status in acute stage ischemic stroke and its relation to disease severity and prognosis of patients. METHODS: Fifty patients with ischemic stroke were admitted in hospital within 48 h after onset. National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) was used to assess the severity of stroke. Physical index and laboratory index were measured on d1, d7 and d14 after admission. Physical index included body weight, body mass index, triceps skin folds, upper arm circumference and arm muscle circumference. Laboratory index included prealbumin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), complement C3 and cortisol. The severity of metabolic disturbance was expressed as the difference of biochemical indexes between the d7 and d1. All cases were followed up for 6 months. The prognosis of stroke was evaluated with modified Rankin (mRankin) scores. RESULTS: No significant changes of physical indexes were found between d7 and d1. The levels of prealbumin and complement C3 on d7 after admission were significantly decreased compared to d1 (198.8 mg/L±20.3 mg/L vs 286.7 mg/L±23.8 mg/L and 0.6 g/L±0.1 g/L vs 1.0 g/L±0.1 g/L, respectively, both P<0.05). The levels of hs-CRP and cortisol at d7 were significantly increased compared to d1 (495.2 nmol/L±39.5 nmol/L vs 24.1 mg/L±5.2 mg/L and 396.4 nmol/L±41.3 nmol/L vs 5.1 mg/L±1.2 mg/L, respectively, both P<0.05). On d14 after admission hs-CRP (13.2 mg/L±4.5 mg/L) and cortisol levels (463.4 nmol/L±32.1 nmol/L) were still significantly higher than d1 (both P<0.05). However, there were no difference in prealbumin (259.2 mg/L±22.8 mg/L) and complement C3 (0.8 g/L±0.2 g/L) levels between d1 and d14 after admission. Correlation analysis revealed that the NIHSS scores and mRankin scores were correlated with nutrition metabolism disturbances (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Nutrition metabolism disturbances in patients with acute ischemic stroke are related to the disease duration, the severity and prognosis of stroke.

[Study of association between oral lichen planus and depression in female patients].

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship among oral lichen planus(OLP), depression and gonadal hormones in female patients with OLP. METHODS: Sixty-seven cases of female out-patients with OLP were divided into erosion group (n=25) and non-erosion group(n=42). Meanwhile, 30 female out-patients with other benign oral lesion and without oral mucosa diseases were used as control group. Self-rating anxiety scale(SAS), self-rating depression scale(SDS), Hmiton anxiety scale(HAMA), Hmiton depression scale(HAMD) and life event scale(LES) were evaluated in all participants who were tested simultaneously with FSH, LH, E2, T, PRL as well as CORT and were screened with DSM-IV criteria for major depression. The data were analyzed by Chi-square test, Student's t test and Spearman rank correlation using SPSS10.0 software package. RESULTS: Ten cases (40% )met the DSM-IV diagnosis of depression in the erosion group, and 6(14.3% , 1(3.3%) in the non-erosion group and control group, respectively. The scores of SAS, SDS, HAMA, HAMD and the level of CORT in both the erosion and non-erosion groups were higher than those in the control group,but there was no significant difference between the erosion group and the non-erosion group. The score of LES in the erosion group was higher than the non-erosion group and control group, and there was no significant difference between the non-erosion group and control group. The total and negative life event scores of LES were positively correlated with the scores of SAS,SDS,HAMA and HAMD. The level of E2 and T in the erosion group was lower than the non-erosion group and control group. There was a negative correlation between the scores of SDS, HAMD and the level of E2 and T in the erosion group. CONCLUSIONS: Depression plays an important role in the development of OLP, and one mechanism may be gonadal hormone disturbance, with stress as the triggering factor. The estrin treatment is helpful to improve the treatment effect on OLP of erosion style, especially, for female patient with depression.