An in vitro study: prebiotic effects of edible palm hearts in batch human fecal fermentation system.

BACKGROUND: Edible palm hearts (EPH), known as palmito, chonta or swamp cabbage in America or umbut in Malaysia, is a type of vegetable harvested from palm tree species. EPH is firm and smooth and described as having a flavor resembling artichoke. It has underlying prebiotic potential that selectively stimulates the growth and activity of beneficial colonic microbiota, thus enhancing the host's health. This study is the first to present results of EPH from local species such as oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), sago palm (Metroxylon sagu) and coconut (Cocos nucifera) using in vitro colonic fermentation with human fecal slurry. Samples obtained at 0, 6, 12 and 24 h were evaluated by bacterial enumeration using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: All EPH samples revealed induction effects towards Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus-Enterococcus and Bacteroidaceae/Prevotellaceae populations similar to those in inulin fermentation. A significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in pathogenic Clostridium histolyticum group was observed in the response of raw sago palm hearts. In general, all samples stimulate the production of SCFA. Particularly in the colonic fermentation of sago palm heart, acetate and propionate revealed the highest concentrations of 286.18 and 284.83 mmol L-1 in raw and cooked form, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that edible palm hearts can be a potential prebiotic ingredient that promotes human gastrointestinal health, as well as discovering a new direction towards an alternative source of functional foods. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Development of a predictive model for work-relatedness of MSDs among semiconductor back-end workers.

Objective. Limited models are available to predict work-relatedness of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among semiconductor back-end workers. This study aims to develop a model to predict the MSDs development among back-end workers. Method. Potential MSD risk factors were extracted from 277 work compensation investigation reports conducted between 2011-2019. Binary logistic regression approach was used to determine significant predictors. Results. Significant predictors (p < 0.05) include poor posture (odds ratio [OR] = 1.822; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.261, 2.632]), forceful exertion (OR = 1.741; 95% CI [1.281, 2.367]), static posture (OR = 1.796; 95% CI [1.367, 2.378]), lifting and lowering (OR = 1.438; 95% CI [0.966, 1.880]), transferring (OR = 1.533; 95% CI [1.101, 2.136]), pushing and pulling (OR = 0.990; 95% CI [0.744, 1.317]), repairing machines (OR = 0.845; 95% CI 76 [0.616, 1.159]), preventive maintenance (OR = 1.061; 95% CI [0.765, 1.471]) and quality inspection (OR = 0.982; 95% CI [0.729, 1.322]). Confounding factors and employment duration played crucial roles in the model. Cross-validation of predictive model was 86.2%, while face validation among 30 experts was 7.9/10 (SD 1.9). Conclusion. The model allows practitioners to predict potential MSD cases among semiconductor back-end workers and proactively plan appropriate mitigation measures.

Preparation and Characterization of the Self-releasing Intracellular Transporter LCA2 Domain / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Protein drugs play an extremely important role in the prevention and treatment of diseases. But the properties of macromolecules hinder their effects on intracellular targets. Among the existing delivery strategies, penetrating peptides are more suitable for clinical research and treatment, and have gradually become the most important tool to deliver protein drugs. Therefore, the development of safe and effective penetrating peptide delivery vehicles is of great significance to the basic research and clinical application of biomedicine. In this paper, a self-releasing intracellular transporter LCA2 based on the enterotoxin A2 domain is designed. This carrier is composed of three parts: a linker, self-releasing enzyme sensitive sites (Cs), and the transmembrane domain LTA2. The fluorescent protein mCherry was used as the model protein to detect the properties of LCA2. The results of electrophoresis showed that the high-purity mCherryLCA2 fusion protein was obtained from the engineered bacteria containing pET24a(+)-ma2 recombinant plasmids, and mCherry could be effectively separated from LCA2 by low concentration trypsin. It was observed under a fluorescence microscope that LCA2 could transport mCherry into different types of cells. Flow cytometry has detected that the transport capacity of LCA2 has certain cellular differences. Confocal microscope fluorescence analysis and Western blotting results showed that the mCherry was transported to the endoplasmic reticulum by the LCA2 carrier, separated from LCA2 by cleavage of enzyme sensitive sites and released into the cell. The CCK-8 results showed that there was no significant change in cell viability within the dose range of 5-40 μg/ mL. These results demonstrate that LCA2 is a safe and effective self-releasing delivery vehicle, which can transport and release active proteins or protein drugs into cells.

Chemical constituents of Melaleuca alternifolia and its antitumor activities / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents of the barks and stems of Melaleuca alternifolia and its antitumor activities. Methods: The chemical constituents were separated and purified consecutively by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, recrystallization as well as preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined by physicochemical properties and spectral analyses. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of some compounds against PC-9 (human non-small cell lung cancer cell line), HT29 (human colon cancer cell line) and MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line) were tested by CCK8 method. Results: Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as ursolic acid 3-O-β-cis-caffeate (1), ursolic acid 3-O-β-trans-caffeate (2), tricontyl ferulates (3), 3-O-acetyl-11(12)-en-urs-28,13β-olide (4), 3-O-acetyl-ursolic acid (5), tricontyl caffeate (6), ursolic acid (7), n-nonacosanol (8), urs-12(13)-en-3-one-28-oic acid (9), 3β-O-acetyl-11α,12α-epoxy-oleanane-28,13β-olide (10), and betulin (11). Conclusion: Compound 1 and 2 are cis-trans isomers. Compound 1 is isolated from natural product for the first time, all the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time except for compound 11. Compound 1 exhibited moderate inhibited effect on the proliferation of three human cancer cell lines.

A challenging diagnosis of MPO-C-ANCA EGPA.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a multisystemic small-vessel vasculitic disease that can present with positive MPO-P-ANCA (myeloperoxidase-perinuclear-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody). It is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose. We present the case of a 64-year-old man with late-onset adult asthma and treated nasopharyngeal carcinoma who initially presented to us with proximal myopathy. Thereafter, he developed a constellation of fleeting symptoms which included rhinosinusitis, mononeuritis multiplex, skin vasculitis and arthritis. Blood investigations showed that he had eosinophilia, and skin biopsy demonstrated dermal vasculitis with eosinophils. He was found to be MPO-C-ANCA positive, and although initially thought to have granulomatosis with polyangiitis, the diagnosis was later revised to EGPA. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges with atypical presentations of EGPA and also presents a rare case of positive MPO-C-ANCA that has never been described in EGPA before.

Reliability and Validity of the Chinese version of《knowledge and attitudes survey regarding pain》(2014) / 中国实用护理杂志

0bjective To translate and revise《knowledge and attitudes survey regarding pain》(KASRP)(2014), and to test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of KASRP (2014) and to conduct application testing. Methods Compared with the original English versions of KASRP 2014 and 2008 , the adjusted or newly added items were translated into Chinese through repeated review process, and 140 nurses were conveniently sampled for questionnaire survey. At the same time, 35 subjects were repeatedly measured at intervals of 3 weeks.The internal consistency coefficient and the test-retest were used to assess the reliability , and the content validity and construct validity were used to assess the validity. Results The total Cronbach α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.717; the test-retest reliability was 0.765; accumulating contribution rate of 14 factors was 67.815% ; the expert evaluation result was: the average score of 4 items among 6 different items was 5 points, which was"extremely applicable"; the average score of 2 items was≥4 points, which was "applicable". The number of correct answers for the respondents was 12-27, and the average answer was 19.28 ± 3.11. The answer rate was between 29% and 66% , with an average of (47 ± 8)% . Conclusion The Chinese version of KASRP (2014) has good reliability and validity and application results.

A systematic review of the effects of auricular acupressure therapy on relieving acute and chronic nonmalignant pain and its operating methods / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect and implementation of auricular acupressure therapy (AAT) in the treatment of acute and chronic non-cancerous pain. Methods Computer search China Knowledge Network, China Biomedical Literature Disc (CBM), Wanfang Database, Weip Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database, PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, Ebsco, Cochrane databases, a randomized controlled trial of AAT in the treatment of acute and chronic non-cancerous pain was included. The main outcome of AAT treatment for pain was pain intensity and analgesic drug use. Results Of the 29 studies included, 93.1% (27/29) indicated that AAT was effective in relieving pain and/or reducing the amount of analgesic drugs; 15 and 12 of them were for acute and chronic non-cancerous pain, respectively. In the positive study with specific information description, 100% (27/27) selected the acupoints of the nervous system, 70.4% (19/27) chose the acupoints corresponding to the pain site, and 92.6% (25/27) used the seeds of the king to retain the seeds. Bean material, 81.0% (17/21) was self-administered by adult patients after successful mission; 12/13 of acute pain studies in AAT lasted for 7 days, 8/11 of chronic non-cancer Sexual pain treatment ranged from 14-28 days; 12/25 of the study was pressed 3-4 times/d, and 36.0% (9/25) of the study lasted 2-5 minutes per test; 16/17 The study used"Deqi" as the appropriate standard for pressing. Conclusion The included studies have shown that AAT can effectively alleviate 88.2% (15/17) of acute pain and 100% (12/12) of chronic non-cancerous pain. AAT can be performed with auricular acupoints and pain points corresponding to auricular points. The seed is not kept as a pressed bean material, and the adult patient himself is pressed to take the patient′s "getting gas". The duration of AAT is related to the type of pain. Although there is no uniform data on the number of auricular compressions/d and the length of each compression, there is a certain tendency.

A systematic review of the effects of auricular acupressure therapy on relieving acute and chronic nonmalignant pain and its operating methods / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the effect and implementation of auricular acupressure therapy (AAT) in the treatment of acute and chronic non-cancerous pain.@*Methods@#Computer search China Knowledge Network, China Biomedical Literature Disc (CBM), Wanfang Database, Weip Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database, PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, Ebsco, Cochrane databases, a randomized controlled trial of AAT in the treatment of acute and chronic non-cancerous pain was included. The main outcome of AAT treatment for pain was pain intensity and analgesic drug use.@*Results@#Of the 29 studies included, 93.1% (27/29) indicated that AAT was effective in relieving pain and/or reducing the amount of analgesic drugs; 15 and 12 of them were for acute and chronic non-cancerous pain, respectively. In the positive study with specific information description, 100% (27/27) selected the acupoints of the nervous system, 70.4% (19/27) chose the acupoints corresponding to the pain site, and 92.6% (25/27) used the seeds of the king to retain the seeds. Bean material, 81.0% (17/21) was self-administered by adult patients after successful mission; 12/13 of acute pain studies in AAT lasted for 7 days, 8/11 of chronic non-cancer Sexual pain treatment ranged from 14-28 days; 12/25 of the study was pressed 3-4 times/d, and 36.0% (9/25) of the study lasted 2-5 minutes per test; 16/17 The study used "Deqi" as the appropriate standard for pressing.@*Conclusion@#The included studies have shown that AAT can effectively alleviate 88.2% (15/17) of acute pain and 100% (12/12) of chronic non-cancerous pain. AAT can be performed with auricular acupoints and pain points corresponding to auricular points. The seed is not kept as a pressed bean material, and the adult patient himself is pressed to take the patient′s "getting gas". The duration of AAT is related to the type of pain. Although there is no uniform data on the number of auricular compressions/d and the length of each compression, there is a certain tendency.

Chemical constituents from fruits of Amomum paratsao-ko / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents of Amomum paratsao-ko. Methods: The chemical constituents were separated and purified consecutively by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, recrystallization as well as preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined by physicochemical properties and spectral analyses. Results: Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as 2(E)-2-decene-1,10-di-yl-acetate (1), 2(E)-2-decene-1,10-diol (2), β-sitosterol (3), 3,5-dihydroxy- 7,4’-dimethoxyflavone (4), rhamnocitrin (5), kaempferol (6), rhamnetin (7), kaempferol-3,7,4’-O-trimethylether (8), ombuin (9), quercetin (10), kumatakenin (11), octyl ferulate (12), (E)-decyl-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propenoate (13), and trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid (14). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new compound named paratsaokoster, and compounds 2-14 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Research progress on influencing factors of post-operative pain management / 中国实用护理杂志

This article summarizedthe influencing factors of the outcomeof postoperative pain management from structure and process aspects,based on the structure - process - outcome model, so as to provide reference for hospitals to improve the quality of postoperative pain management.

Recent advances and perspective in the study of the nano-reinforcing materials for molecular imprinting of proteins / 药学学报

Molecular imprinting technique (MIT) involves the synthesis of polymer in the presence of a template to produce complementary binding sites in terms of its size, shape and functional group orientation. Such kind of polymer possesses specific recognition ability towards its template molecule. Despite the rapid development of MIT over the years, the majority of the template molecules that have been studied are small molecules, while molecular imprinting of proteins remains a significant yet challenging task due to their large size, structural flexibility and complex conformation. This review, we summarized the research findings over the past years, and discussed the nano-reinforcing materials used to prepare molecular imprinting of proteins and the perspective of these nano-reinforcing materials.