Nobiletin enhances the antifungal activity of eugenol nanoemulsion against Penicillium italicum in both in vitro and in vivo settings.

The study prepared and used eugenol nanoemulsion loaded with nobiletin as fungistat to study its antifungal activity and potential mechanism of Penicillium italicum (P. italicum). The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of eugenol nanoemulsion loaded with nobiletin (EGN) was lower than that of pure eugenol nanoemulsion (EG), which were 160 µg/mL and 320 µg/mL, respectively. At the same time, the mycelial growth inhibition rate of EGN nanoemulsion (54.68 %) was also higher than that of EG nanoemulsion (9.92 %). This indicates that EGN nanoemulsion is more effective than EG nanoemulsion. Compared with EG nanoemulsion, the treatment of EGN nanoemulsion caused more serious damage to the cell structure of P. italicum. At the same time, in vitro inoculation experiments found that EGN nanoemulsion has better control and delay the growth and reproduction of P. italicum in citrus fruits. And the results reflected that EGN nanoemulsion may be considered as potential resouces of natural antiseptic to inhibit blue mold disease of citrus fruits, because it has good antifungal activity.

Citrus Carotenoid Extracts Promote ROS Accumulation and Induce Oxidative Stress to Exert Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects in MDA-MB-231 Cells.

Citrus fruits are economically significant crops worldwide, as they contain various bioactive compounds that possess health-promoting properties. Carotenoids, as the most important component in citrus, exhibit notable pharmacological activities, such as antioxidation and anticancer, which make carotenoids valuable in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. In this study, after treatment with carotenoid extracts from XiYou (XY) and ZaoHongQiCheng (ZH), we evaluated the cytotoxicity, apoptosis, antioxidant system, and oxidative stress induced by ROS overproduction and MMP damage in MDA-MB-231 cells. The analysis confirmed that cell proliferation was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner, accompanied by G0/G1 arrest and cell apoptosis. XY and ZH promoted the accumulation of ROS, decreased MMP, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, consumed glutathione (GSH), and reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)). Meanwhile, XY and ZH induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway by significantly upregulated P53, BAX, caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9 gene expression levels and downregulated Bcl-2. Carotenoid-rich extracts were found to cause oxidative stress by enhancing ROS production through their pro-oxidative potential, and the aggravation of oxidative processes promotes apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. These results indicate that citrus carotenoids can be used as potential pro-oxidants and have the potential to be developed into products for the prevention or treatment of breast cancer.

Real-Time Camera Image-Guided Nasoenteric Tube Placement in Prone COVID-19 ICU Patients: A Single-Center Study.

Background & Aims: This study aims to assess the application value of the real-time camera image-guided nasoenteric tube placement in critically ill COVID-19 patients undergoing endotracheal intubation and prone position ventilation therapy. Methods: We enrolled 116 COVID-19 patients receiving endotracheal intubation and prone position ventilation therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients were randomly divided into the real-time camera image-guided nasoenteric tube placement (n = 58) and bedside blind insertion (n = 58) groups. The success rate, placement time, complications, cost, heart rate, respiratory rate, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) scores were compared between the 2 groups. Results: For ICU patients with COVID-19 undergoing prone position ventilation therapy, the success rate and cost were significantly higher in the real-time camera image-guided group compared to the bedside blind group (P < .05). The placement time and complication incidence were significantly lower in the real-time camera image-guided group (P < .05). The differences in heart rate, respiratory rate, GCS scores, and APACHE-II scores were insignificant (P > .05). Conclusions: The real-time camera image-guided nasoenteric tube placement system had advantages for ICU COVID-19 patients undergoing prone position ventilation therapy, including a high success rate, short placement time, and no impact on patient position during tube placement. Real-time camera image-guided nasoenteric tube placement can be performed in any position, and demonstrates high efficiency, safety, and accuracy.

A multifaceted comparative analysis of image and video technologies in gastrointestinal endoscope and their clinical applications.

This paper presents a comprehensive exploration of endoscopic technologies in clinical applications across seven tables, each focusing on a unique facet of the medical field. The discourse begins with a detailed analysis of pediatric endoscopes, highlighting their diagnostic capabilities in various conditions. It then delves into the specifications and applications of globally recognized capsule endoscopy devices. Additionally, the paper incorporates an analysis of advanced imaging techniques, such as Narrow Band Imaging (NBI), Flexible Spectral Imaging Color Enhancement (FICE), and i-scan, which are increasingly being integrated into ultrathin gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes. Factors like technological capabilities, light source, camera technology, and computational constraints are evaluated to understand their compatibility with these advanced imaging techniques, each offering unique advantages and challenges in clinical settings. NBI, for instance, is lauded for its user-friendly, real-time enhanced imaging capabilities, making it effective for early detection of conditions like colorectal cancer and Barrett's esophagus. Conversely, FICE and i-scan offer high customizability and are compatible with a broader range of endoscope models. The paper further delves into innovative advances in movement control for Nasojejunal (NJ) feeding tube endoscopy, elucidating the potential of AI and other novel strategies. A review of the technologies and methodologies enhancing endoscopic procedure control and diagnostic precision follows, emphasizing image and video technologies in pediatric endoscopy, capsule endoscopes, ultrathin endoscopes, and their clinical applications. Finally, a comparative analysis of leading real-time video monitoring endoscopes in clinical practices underscores the continuous advancements in the field of endoscopy, ensuring improved diagnostics and precision in surgical procedures. Collectively, the comparative analysis presented in this paper highlights the remarkable diversity and continuous evolution of endoscopic technologies, underlining their crucial role in diagnosing and treating an array of medical conditions, thereby fostering advancements in patient care and clinical outcomes.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Drug Delivery Potential of Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles from Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. 'Dahongpao'.

Plant extracellular vesicles (PEVs) have attracted increasing attention due to their rich composition, good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and ability to transport drugs. As a common fruit, citrus is an ideal material for extracting PEVs because of the diversity and abundance of bioactive substances in it. In our study, citrus-derived extracellular vesicles (CEVs) were extracted from red mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. 'Dahongpao') and it was found that they contain high levels of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. The high levels of total phenols and total flavonoids suggest that CEVs have good chemical antioxidant properties. We also demonstrated through cell experiments that CEVs have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, we found that CEVs have an encapsulation rate of 71.5 ± 0.19% and a high drug-carrying capacity of 4.96 ± 0.22% and can enhance antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity when loaded with tangeretin. Our results show that CEVs contain abundant bioactive components, have low toxicity, exhibit good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and can serve as drug delivery agents. This study has important implications for utilizing citrus materials and developing natural anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory biomaterials.

Citrus Carotenoid Extracts Exert Anticancer Effects through Anti-Proliferation, Oxidative Stress, and Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells.

Citrus is a globally popular fruit crop that contains bioactive compounds with numerous health benefits. Carotenoids are one of the main bioactive compounds present in citrus pulp. They possess exceptional antioxidant and anticancer properties, making them potentially effective in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Different citrus species, identified as ZMPG, DFGJ, NFMJ, XY, and ZHQC, were studied for their antioxidant activity and anticancer activity. XY had the highest total carotenoid content (75.30 µg/g FW), and ZHQC (ZH) had the lowest carotenoid content (19.74 µg/g FW). The composition of NFMJ, ZMPG, and DFHJ consisted of the most abundant number of carotenoids, while XY only had three types. The antioxidant capacity of the carotenoid extracts was evaluated, and ZH and DFHJ were identified as good sources of antioxidants. XY and ZH significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and arresting cells during the G0/G1 phase. XY and ZH enhanced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP); reduced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and peroxidase (POD); decreased glutathione (GSH) levels; and increased the malonaldehyde (MDA) content. Apoptosis occurred through the mitochondrial-mediated pathway through the up-regulation of BAX, caspase-3, and caspase-9 and the down-regulation of Bcl-2. In this study, the carotenoid-rich extracts of citrus pulp were found to induce oxidative stress through their pro-oxidant potential and regulate cell apoptosis in MCF-7 cancer cells. These results indicate that citrus carotenoids act as pro-oxidants and have the potential to be utilized for the development of anti-breast cancer products.