How do probiotics alleviate constipation? A narrative review of mechanisms.

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal condition, which may occur at any age and affects countless people. The search for new treatments for constipation is ongoing as current drug treatments fail to provide fully satisfactory results. In recent years, probiotics have attracted much attention because of their demonstrated therapeutic efficacy and fewer side effects than pharmaceutical products.

How probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics prevent dental caries: an oral microbiota perspective.

Dental caries, a highly prevalent oral disease, impacts a significant portion of the global population. Conventional approaches that indiscriminately eradicate microbes disrupt the natural equilibrium of the oral microbiota. In contrast, biointervention strategies aim to restore this balance by introducing beneficial microorganisms or inhibiting cariogenic ones.

Exopolysaccharides produced by Antrodia cinnamomea using microparticle-enhanced cultivation: Optimization, primary structure and antibacterial property.

Microparticle-enhanced cultivation was used to enhance the production of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from Antrodia cinnamomea. The structure and antibacterial activity of two EPSs produced by A. cinnamomea treated with AlO [EPS-Al (crude) and EPS-Al-p (purified)] and without AlO [EPS-C (crude) and EPS-C-p (purified)] were compared.

Synergistic effect of lecithin and alginate, CMC, or PVP in stabilizing curcumin and its potential mechanism.

This work aims to advance the understanding of the synergistic mechanism of lecithin and polymers (alginate, CMC, and PVP) in stabilizing curcumin, with a major focus on understanding the nanocomplex formation process and the main binding energy between molecules. It is demonstrated that lecithin and polymers have a synergistic effect in increasing the thermal acid, light, and digestion stability of curcumin. The potential mechanism is that the hydrophobic parts of curcumin molecules are first anchored at the region of the hydrophobic cavity of lecithin by van der Waals, while the hydrophilic parts are outward and are further encapsulated by hydrophilic polymers by van der Waals and electrostatic interaction to form a protective shell.

Efficient production of Antrodin C by microparticle-enhanced cultivation of medicinal mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea.

The microparticle-enhanced cultivation (MPEC) was used to enhance the production of Antrodin C by submerged fermentation of medicinal mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea. The crucial factors such as types, sizes, concentrations, and addition time of microparticles were optimized. The mechanism of MPEC on the membrane permeability and fluidity of A.

Antimicrobial Substances and Mechanisms of Lactobacillus rhamnosus against Gardnerella vaginalis.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal disease associated with abnormal changes in the vaginal microbiome. Our previous study found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus has a good therapeutic effect on bacterial vaginosis by inhibiting the most prominent bacterium associated with BV, Gardnerella vaginalis. In this study, we show that acetic acid and lactic acid are the main substances in the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of L.

Alginate@polydopamine@SiO microcapsules with controlled porosity for whole-cell based enantioselective biosynthesis of (S)-1-phenylethanol.

Whole-cell biocatalysis, owing to its high enantioselectivity, environment friendly and mild reaction condition, show a great prospect in chemical, pharmaceutical and fuel industry. However, several problems still limit its wide applications, mainly concerning the low productivity and poor stability. Although the biocatalyst encapsulated in the most-commonly-used alginate hydrogels demonstrate enhanced stability, it still suffers from low biocatalytic productivity, long-term reusability and poor mass diffusion control.

Utilization of agro-industrial by-products in Monascus fermentation: a review.

The Monascus fermentation industry has gained global attention. Its key products, i.e.

Evaluating the effects of microparticle addition on mycelial morphology, natural yellow pigments productivity, and key genes regulation in submerged fermentation of Monascus purpureus.

Morphology plays an important role in fungal fermentation and secondary metabolites biosynthesis. One novel technique, microparticle-enhanced cultivation was successfully utilized to control the morphology of Monascus purpureus precisely and enhance the yield of yellow pigments. The production of yellow pigments increased to 554.

Synthesis of N-Doped Magnetic Mesoporous Carbon Composites for Adsorption of Ag(I) in Aqueous Solution.

In this work, a novel N-doped magnetic mesoporous carbon (NMC) composite (Fe₃O₄/NMC) was synthesized by a two-step process. First, NMC was prepared by a template method using a melamine formaldehyde resin as nitrogen and carbon sources, and then, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were loaded into the as-prepared NMC via coprecipitation process. The morphology, structure, and magnetic properties of Fe₃O₄/NMC were characterized and its adsorption properties were investigated.

Single-cell yolk-shell nanoencapsulation for long-term viability with size-dependent permeability and molecular recognition.

Like nanomaterials, bacteria have been unknowingly used for centuries. They hold significant economic potential for fuel and medicinal compound production. Their full exploitation, however, is impeded by low biological activity and stability in industrial reactors.

Oxidative Stress Induction Is a Rational Strategy to Enhance the Productivity of Fermentations for the Antioxidant Secondary Metabolite Antrodin C.

Antioxidant metabolites contribute to alleviating oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in microorganisms. We utilized oxidative stressors such as hydrogen peroxide supplementation to increase the yield of the bioactive secondary metabolite antioxidant antrodin C in submerged fermentations of the medicinal mushroom . Changes in the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of the cells indicate that ROS are critical to promote antrodin C biosynthesis, while the ROS production inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium cancels the productivity-enhancing effects of HO.

Structure, bioactivity and applications of natural hyperbranched polysaccharides.

In recent years, hyperbranched polymers, especially the natural hyperbranched polysaccharides (HBPSs), are receiving much attention due to their diverse biological activities and applications. With high degree of branching (DB), HBPSs mainly exist in the form of either a comb-brush shape, dendrimer-like particulate, or globular particle. HBPSs also possess some unique properties, such as high density, large spatial cavities, and numerous terminal functional groups, which distinguish them from other polymers.

Production of bioactive metabolites by submerged fermentation of the medicinal mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea: recent advances and future development.

Edible and medicinal mushrooms have usually been considered as a sustainable source of unique bioactive metabolites, which are valued as promising provisions for human health. Antrodia cinnamomea is a unique edible and medicinal fungus widespread in Taiwan, which has attracted much attention in recent years for its high value in both scientific research and commercial applications owing to its potent therapeutic effects, especially for its hepatic protection and anticancer activity. Due to the scarcity of the fruiting bodies, the cultivation of A.

Chemical Composition and Safety of Unrecorded Grain Alcohol (Bai Jiu) Samples from Three Provinces in China.

About 20% of spirits consumed in China are "unrecorded", where these spirits are produced in small-scale distilleries and sold outside the systems of taxation and quality control. Researchers visited small distilleries in rural Yunnan, Hubei and Anhui and purchased 56 samples of unrecorded bai jiu. Seven samples of the recorded bai jiu were purchased as reference samples.

d-Fagomine Attenuates High Glucose-Induced Endothelial Cell Oxidative Damage by Upregulating the Expression of PGC-1α.

d-Fagomine, an analogue of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), has been shown to have hypoglycemic activity. This study is aimed at investigating if d-fagomine could attenuate high glucose-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Our results showed that d-fagomine reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.

Efficient Biosynthesis of Natural Yellow Pigments by Monascus purpureus in a Novel Integrated Fermentation System.

Because of the increasing demand for healthy and safe food, Monascus spp. have gained much attention as a sustainable source of natural food colorant. In this study, a novel integrated fermentation system consisting of surfactant and in situ extractant was established for efficiently producing yellow pigments by M.

Using millet as substrate for efficient production of monacolin K by solid-state fermentation of Monascus ruber.

In this study, various grains such as rice, millet, corn, barley and wheat were used as raw materials for monacolin K production by solid-state fermentation of Monascus ruber. Among these substrates, millet was found to be the best one for monacolin K production, by which the yield reached 7.12 mg/g.

Current Advances on the Structure, Bioactivity, Synthesis, and Metabolic Regulation of Novel Ubiquinone Derivatives in the Edible and Medicinal Mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea.

In recent years, Antrodia cinnamomea has attracted great attention around the world as an extremely precious edible and medicinal mushroom. Ubiquinone derivatives, which are characteristic metabolites of A. cinnamomea, have shown great bioactivities.

Enhanced production of natural yellow pigments from Monascus purpureus by liquid culture: The relationship between fermentation conditions and mycelial morphology.

Natural yellow pigments produced by submerged fermentation of Monascus purpureus have potential economic value and application in the food industry. In the present study, the relationships among fermentation conditions (in terms of pH and shaking/agitation speed), mycelial morphology and the production of Monascus yellow pigments were investigated in both shake-flask and scale-up bioreactor experiments. In the shake-flask fermentation, the highest yield of the Monascus yellow pigments was obtained at pH 5.

Polydopamine nanocoated whole-cell asymmetric biocatalysts.

Our whole-cell biocatalyst with a polydopamine nanocoating shows high catalytic activity (5 times better productivity than the native cell) and reusability (84% of the initial yield after 5 batches, 8 times higher than the native cell) in asymmetric reduction. It also integrates with titania, silica, and magnetic nanoparticles for multi-functionalization.

Neurological complications of thoracic posterior vertebral column resection for severe congenital spinal deformities.

Purpose: The risk of neurological injury during vertebral column resection is high. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors for neurological complications when treating spinal deformities by thoracic posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR).

Methods: Between 2008 and 2013, there were 62 consecutive patients (34 female patients and 28 male; the mean age: 16.

Safety and Efficacy of Single-Stage Surgical Treatment for Congenital Scoliosis Associated with Intraspinal Mass.

For congenital scoliosis associated with intraspinal anomaly, surgical treatment is often advocated. However, the safety and efficacy of single-stage intraspinal mass resection and scoliosis correction remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the feasibility and risk factors of single-stage surgical treatment for congenital scoliosis associated with intraspinal mass.

[Remote sensing detection of vegetation health status after ecological restoration in soil and water loss region].

This paper proposed a vegetation health index (VHI) to rapidly monitor and assess vegetation health status in soil and water loss region based on remote sensing techniques and WorldView-2 imagery. VHI was constructed by three factors, i.e.