The Effect of Balsamic Vinegar Dressing on Protein and Carbohydrate Digestibility is Dependent on the Food Matrix

The balsamic vinegar of Modena (BVM), a food specialty under the European Protected Geographical Indication system, is made from grape must blended with wine vinegar exclusively in the Italian province of Modena or Reggio Emilia. Vinegar is associated to an improved digestive function and glycemic response to carbohydrate-rich meals, appetite stimulation, and reduction of hyperlipidemia and obesity. Although many of these effects are attributed to the high concentration of bioactive molecules, the modulation of digestive enzymes activity could have a role. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BVM on the digestibility and component release of three foods that are often seasoned with this dressing but have different composition: Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Bresaola (cured meat), and boiled potatoes. BVM modulated the protein digestion of protein-rich foods (cheese and cured meat) in a matrix-dependent manner, and the BVM effect was mainly related to the inhibition of pepsin in the gastric phase. In the starch-rich food (boiled potatoes), the most impressive effect of BVM was the lower release of anomeric and total carbohydrates, which was consistent with the observed reduction of pancreatic amylase activity. The present investigation shed a new light on the impact of BVM on the digestion process.

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Plasma microparticles of sickle patients during crisis or taking hydroxyurea modify endothelium inflammatory properties

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.2020004853 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (2) ◽

pp. 247-256 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Yohann Garnier ◽

Séverine Ferdinand ◽

Marie Garnier ◽

Kizzy-Clara Cita ◽

Régine Hierso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Steady State ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Messenger Rna ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Annexin V ◽

Neutrophil Adhesion ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

High Concentration ◽

The Impact

Abstract Microparticles (MPs) are submicron extracellular vesicles exposing phosphatidylserine (PS), detected at high concentration in the circulation of sickle cell anemia (SS) patients. Several groups studied the biological effects of MPs generated ex vivo. Here, we analyzed for the first time the impact of circulating MPs on endothelial cells (ECs) from 60 sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. MPs were collected from SCD patients and compared with MPs isolated from healthy individuals (AA). Other plasma MPs were purified from SS patients before and 2 years after the onset of hydroxyurea (HU) treatment or during a vaso-occlusive crisis and at steady-state. Compared with AA MPs, SS MPs increased EC ICAM-1 messenger RNA and protein levels, as well as neutrophil adhesion. We showed that ICAM-1 overexpression was primarily caused by MPs derived from erythrocytes, rather than from platelets, and that it was abolished by MP PS capping using annexin V. MPs from SS patients treated with HU were less efficient to induce a proinflammatory phenotype in ECs compared with MPs collected before therapy. In contrast, MPs released during crisis increased ICAM-1 and neutrophil adhesion levels, in a PS-dependent manner, compared with MPs collected at steady-state. Furthermore, neutrophil adhesion was abolished by a blocking anti–ICAM-1 antibody. Our study provides evidence that MPs play a key role in SCD pathophysiology by triggering a proinflammatory phenotype of ECs. We also uncover a new mode of action for HU and identify potential therapeutics: annexin V and anti–ICAM-1 antibodies.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of high concentration intraurethral lidocaine on urodynamic voiding parameters.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.736515166.793575195 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Linda Cardozo

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

High Concentration ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

The Impact

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Chemical Composition and Metal Speciation in Porewaters from the Upper Qu’Appelle River Basin, Saskatchewan

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.1993.005 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 83-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Richard E. Farrell ◽

Jae E. Yang ◽

P. Ming Huang ◽

Wen K. Liaw

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Trace Metal ◽

River Basin ◽

Drainage Basin ◽

Metal Speciation ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

High Concentration ◽

Metal Concentrations ◽

Carbonate Equilibria ◽

The Impact

Abstract Porewater samples from the upper Qu’Appelle River basin in Saskatchewan, Canada, were analyzed to obtain metal, inorganic ligand and amino add profiles. These data were used to compute the aqueous speciation of the metals in each porewater using the computer program GEOCHEM-PC. The porewaters were classified as slightly to moderately saline. Metal concentrations reflected both the geology of the drainage basin and the impact of anthropogenic activities. Whereas K and Na were present almost entirely as the free aquo ions, carbonate equilibria dominated the speciation of Ca. Mg and Mn (the predominant metal ligand species were of the type MCO3 (s). MCO30. and MHCO3+). Trace metal concentrations were generally within the ranges reported for non-polluted freshwater systems. Whereas the speciation of the trace metals Cr(III) and Co(II) was dominated by carbonate equilibria, Hg(II)-, Zn(II)- and Fe(II)-speciation was dominated by hydroxy-metal complexes of the type M(OH)+ and M(OH)2°. The speciation of Fe(III) was dominated by Fe(OH)3 (s). In porewaters with high chloride concentrations (> 2 mM), however, significant amounts of Hg(II) were bound as HgCl20 and HgClOH0. The aqueous speciation of Al was dominated by Al(OH)4− and Al2Si2O4(OH)6 (s). Total concentrations of dissolved free amino acids varied from 15.21 to 25.17 umole L−1. The most important metal scavenging amino acids were histidine (due to high stability constants for the metal-histidine complexes) and tryptophan (due to its relatively high concentration in the porewaters. i.e., 5.96 to 7.73 umole L−1). Secondary concentrations of various trace metal-amino add complexes were computed for all the porewaters, but metal-amino acid complexes dominated the speciation of Cu(II) in all the porewaters and Ni(II) in two of the porewaters.

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VDAC1 Mediated Anticancer Activity of Gallic Acid in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520617666170912115441 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 255-262 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Aikebaier Maimaiti ◽

Amier Aili ◽

Hureshitanmu Kuerban ◽

Xuejun Li

Keyword(s):

Western Blot ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Gallic Acid ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

A549 Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Lung Carcinoma Cells ◽

Induced Apoptosis ◽

The Impact

Aims: Gallic acid (GA) is generally distributed in a variety of plants and foods, and possesses cell growth-inhibiting activities in cancer cell lines. In the present study, the impact of GA on cell viability, apoptosis induction and possible molecular mechanisms in cultured A549 lung carcinoma cells was investigated. Methods: In vitro experiments showed that treating A549 cells with various concentrations of GA inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In order to understand the mechanism by which GA inhibits cell viability, comparative proteomic analysis was applied. The changed proteins were identified by Western blot and siRNA methods. Results: Two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed changes that occurred to the cells when treated with or without GA. Four up-regulated protein spots were clearly identified as malate dehydrogenase (MDH), voltagedependent, anion-selective channel protein 1(VDAC1), calreticulin (CRT) and brain acid soluble protein 1(BASP1). VDAC1 in A549 cells was reconfirmed by western blot. Transfection with VDAC1 siRNA significantly increased cell viability after the treatment of GA. Further investigation showed that GA down regulated PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. These data strongly suggest that up-regulation of VDAC1 by GA may play an important role in GA-induced, inhibitory effects on A549 cell viability.

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Postharvest Burning of Crop Residues in Home Stoves in a Rural Site of Daejeon, Korea: Its Impact to Atmospheric Carbonaceous Aerosol

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12020257 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 257

Author(s):

Jin Sang Jung ◽

Ji Hwan Kang

Keyword(s):

Urban Area ◽

Rural Area ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Sampling Period ◽

Carbonaceous Aerosol ◽

Rural Site ◽

Carbonaceous Aerosols ◽

High Concentration ◽

Crop Residue Burning ◽

The Impact

To investigate the impact of burning postharvest crop residues in home stoves, PM2.5 samples (particulate matter with a diameter of <2.5 μm) were collected every 3 h at a rural site in Daejeon, Korea during the postharvest season in 2014. A high concentration of levoglucosan was observed with a peak value of 3.8 µg/m3 during the sampling period. The average mannosan/levoglucosan ratio (0.18) at the rural site during a severe BB episode (levoglucosan > 1 μg/m3) was similar to burnings of pepper stems (0.19) and bean stems (0.18) whereas the average OC/levoglucosan ratio (9.9) was similar to burning of pepper stems (10.0), implying that the severe BB episode was mainly attributed to burning of pepper stems. A very strong correlation was observed between levoglucosan and organic carbon (OC) (R2 = 0.81) during the entire sampling period, suggesting that the emission of organic aerosols at the rural site was strongly associated with the burning of crop residues in home stoves. The average mannosan/levoglucosan ratio (0.17 ± 0.06) in the rural area was similar to that in a nearby urban area in Daejeon (0.16 ± 0.04). It was concluded that crop residue burning in a home stove for space heating is one of the important sources of carbonaceous aerosols not only in a rural area but also in the urban area of Daejeon, Korea during the postharvest season.

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Does coffee, tea and caffeine consumption reduce the risk of incident breast cancer? A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021000720 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Shu Wang ◽

Xiang Li ◽

Yue Yang ◽

Jingping Xie ◽

Mingyue Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

High Dose ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Tea Consumption ◽

Case Control Studies ◽

High Concentration ◽

Coffee Intake

Abstract Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association between coffee and/or tea consumption and breast cancer (BC) risk among premenopausal and postmenopausal women and to conduct a network meta-analysis. Design: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. Setting: We conducted a systematic review of electronic publications in the last 30 years to identify case–control studies or prospective cohort studies that evaluated the effects of coffee and tea intake. Results: Forty-five studies that included more than 3 323 288 participants were eligible for analysis. Network meta-analysis was performed to determine the effects of coffee and/or tea consumption on reducing BC risk in a dose-dependent manner and differences in coffee/tea type, menopause status, hormone receptor and the BMI in subgroup and meta-regression analyses. According to the first pairwise meta-analysis, low-dose coffee intake and high-dose tea intake may exhibit efficacy in preventing ER(estrogen receptor)− BC, particularly in postmenopausal women. Then, we performed another pairwise and network meta-analysis and determined that the recommended daily doses were 2–3 cups/d of coffee or ≥5 cups/d of tea, which contained a high concentration of caffeine, particularly in postmenopausal women. Conclusions: Coffee and tea consumption is not associated with a reduction in the overall BC risk in postmenopausal women and is associated with a potentially lower risk of ER− BC. And the highest recommended dose is 2–3 cups of coffee/d or ≥5 cups of tea/d. They are potentially useful dietary protectants for preventing BC.

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Arginine Decarboxylase Is Essential for Pneumococcal Stress Responses

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10030286 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 286

Author(s):

Mary Frances Nakamya ◽

Moses B. Ayoola ◽

Leslie A. Shack ◽

Mirghani Mohamed ◽

Edwin Swiatlo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stress Responses ◽

Critical Role ◽

Acid Stress ◽

Arginine Decarboxylase ◽

Arginine Deiminase ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Cellular Processes ◽

Opportunistic Human Pathogen ◽

Thiol Peroxidase ◽

The Impact

Polyamines such as putrescine, cadaverine, and spermidine are small cationic molecules that play significant roles in cellular processes, including bacterial stress responses and host–pathogen interactions. Streptococcus pneumoniae is an opportunistic human pathogen, which causes several diseases that account for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. As it transits through different host niches, S. pneumoniae is exposed to and must adapt to different types of stress in the host microenvironment. We earlier reported that S. pneumoniae TIGR4, which harbors an isogenic deletion of an arginine decarboxylase (ΔspeA), an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of agmatine in the polyamine synthesis pathway, has a reduced capsule. Here, we report the impact of arginine decarboxylase deletion on pneumococcal stress responses. Our results show that ΔspeA is more susceptible to oxidative, nitrosative, and acid stress compared to the wild-type strain. Gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR indicates that thiol peroxidase, a scavenger of reactive oxygen species and aguA from the arginine deiminase system, could be important for peroxide stress responses in a polyamine-dependent manner. Our results also show that speA is essential for endogenous hydrogen peroxide and glutathione production in S. pneumoniae. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the critical role of arginine decarboxylase in pneumococcal stress responses that could impact adaptation and survival in the host.

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Inhibition of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Impairs Mayaro Virus Replication in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and HeLa Cells

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13061156 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1156

Author(s):

Madelaine Sugasti-Salazar ◽

Yessica Y. Llamas-González ◽

Dalkiria Campos ◽

José González-Santamaría

Keyword(s):

Protein Expression ◽

Hela Cells ◽

Plaque Assay ◽

Dermal Fibroblasts ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Human Dermal Fibroblasts ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein ◽

Mayaro Virus ◽

The Impact ◽

Dose Dependent

Mayaro virus (MAYV) hijacks the host’s cell machinery to effectively replicate. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 have emerged as crucial cellular factors implicated in different stages of the viral cycle. However, whether MAYV uses these MAPKs to competently replicate has not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of MAPK inhibition on MAYV replication using primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and HeLa cells. Viral yields in supernatants from MAYV-infected cells treated or untreated with inhibitors SB203580, SP600125, U0126, or Losmapimod were quantified using plaque assay. Additionally, viral protein expression was analyzed using immunoblot and immunofluorescence. Knockdown of p38⍺/p38β isoforms was performed in HDFs using the PROTACs molecule NR-7h. Our data demonstrated that HDFs are highly susceptible to MAYV infection. SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, reduced MAYV replication in a dose-dependent manner in both HDFs and HeLa cells. Additionally, SB203580 significantly decreased viral E1 protein expression. Similarly, knockdown or inhibition of p38⍺/p38β isoforms with NR-7h or Losmapimod, respectively, affected MAYV replication in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, these findings suggest that p38 could play an important role in MAYV replication and could serve as a therapeutic target to control MAYV infection.

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The Influence of Diet and Sex on the Gut Microbiota of Lean and Obese JCR:LA-cp Rats

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9051037 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 1037

Author(s):

Craig Resch ◽

Mihir Parikh ◽

J. Alejandro Austria ◽

Spencer D. Proctor ◽

Thomas Netticadan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Control Diet ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Female Rats ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Male And Female ◽

Ground Flaxseed ◽

The Impact

There is an increased interest in the gut microbiota as it relates to health and obesity. The impact of diet and sex on the gut microbiota in conjunction with obesity also demands extensive systemic investigation. Thus, the influence of sex, diet, and flaxseed supplementation on the gut microbiota was examined in the JCR:LA-cp rat model of genetic obesity. Male and female obese rats were randomized into four groups (n = 8) to receive, for 12 weeks, either (a) control diet (Con), (b) control diet supplemented with 10% ground flaxseed (CFlax), (c) a high-fat, high sucrose (HFHS) diet, or (d) HFHS supplemented with 10% ground flaxseed (HFlax). Male and female JCR:LA-cp lean rats served as genetic controls and received similar dietary interventions. Illumine MiSeq sequencing revealed a richer microbiota in rats fed control diets rather than HFHS diets. Obese female rats had lower alpha-diversity than lean female; however, both sexes of obese and lean JCR rats differed significantly in β-diversity, as their gut microbiota was composed of different abundances of bacterial types. The feeding of an HFHS diet affected the diversity by increasing the phylum Bacteroidetes and reducing bacterial species from phylum Firmicutes. Fecal short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate-producing bacterial species were correspondingly impacted by the HFHS diet. Flax supplementation improved the gut microbiota by decreasing the abundance of Blautia and Eubacterium dolichum. Collectively, our data show that an HFHS diet results in gut microbiota dysbiosis in a sex-dependent manner. Flaxseed supplementation to the diet had a significant impact on gut microbiota diversity under both flax control and HFHS dietary conditions.

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Petasin and isopetasin reduce CGRP release from trigeminal afferents indicating an inhibitory effect on TRPA1 and TRPV1 receptor channels

The Journal of Headache and Pain ◽

10.1186/s10194-021-01235-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Johanna Kleeberg-Hartmann ◽

Birgit Vogler ◽

Karl Messlinger

Keyword(s):

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Transient Receptor Potential Channels ◽

Mustard Oil ◽

Root Extract ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Trpv1 Receptor ◽

Cgrp Release ◽

Ganglion Neurons ◽

Sites Of Action ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Butterbur root extract with its active ingredients petasin and isopetasin has been used in the prophylactic treatment of migraine for years, while its sites of action are not completely clear. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is known as a biomarker and promoting factor of migraine. We set out to investigate the impact of petasins on the CGRP release from trigeminal afferents induced by activation of the calcium conducting transient receptor potential channels (TRPs) of the subtypes TRPA1 and TRPV1. Methods We used well-established in vitro preparations, the hemisected rodent skull and dissected trigeminal ganglia, to examine the CGRP release from rat and mouse cranial dura mater and trigeminal ganglion neurons, respectively, after pre-incubation with petasin and isopetasin. Mustard oil and capsaicin were used to stimulate TRPA1 and TRPV1 receptor channels. CGRP concentrations were measured with a CGRP enzyme immunoassay. Results Pre-incubation with either petasin or isopetasin reduced mustard oil- and capsaicin-evoked CGRP release compared to vehicle in an approximately dose-dependent manner. These results were validated by additional experiments with mice expressing functionally deleted TRPA1 or TRPV1 receptor channels. Conclusions Earlier findings of TRPA1 receptor channels being involved in the site of action of petasin and isopetasin are confirmed. Furthermore, we suggest an important inhibitory effect on TRPV1 receptor channels and assume a cooperative action between the two TRP receptors. These mechanisms may contribute to the migraine prophylactic effect of petasins.

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