Red Cabbage Modulates Composition and Co-Occurrence Networks of Gut Microbiota in a Rodent Diet-Induced Obesity Model.

Red cabbage (RC), a cruciferous vegetable rich in various bioactive substances, can significantly reduce the risk factors of several non-communicable diseases, but the mechanism underlying the biological effects of RC remains unclear. Furthermore, mechanisms that operate through the regulation of gut microbiota also are not known. Given the relationships between diet, gut microbiota, and health, a diet-induced mice obesity model was used to elucidate the influence of RC on gut microbial composition and bacteria-bacteria interactions in mice.

Red cabbage microgreen modulation of gut microbiota is associated with attenuation of diet-induced obesity risk factors in a mouse model.

Cruciferous vegetable microgreens, such as red cabbage microgreens (RCMG), are of special interest due to their well-documented health-promoting effects compared to their mature counterparts. However, little is known of the biological effects of microgreens. The present study used a rodent diet-induced obesity model to investigate the effect of consuming RCMG on the gut microbiota.

Construction and evaluation of GPC3-targeted immunotoxins as a novel therapeutic modality for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for ∼90 % of all liver cancer cases, which was the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide in 2020. Glypican-3 (GPC3) is highly and specifically expressed in HCC, which makes it a promising therapeutic target. We discovered novel antibody sequences against GPC3 from a phage display library and ranked the candidates by their binding affinity and epitope bins.

Multifunctional biosensor constructed by Ag-coating magnetic-assisted unique urchin core porous shell structure for dual SERS enhancement, enrichment, and quantitative detection of multi-components inflammatory markers.

The simultaneous, precise, and quantitative detection of multi-components inflammatory markers (IMs) in sepsis serum by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) remains a challenging problem. A novel, multifunctional biosensor with dual enrichment and enhancement was designed for the ultrasensitive and quantitative analysis of multi-components IMs. The biosensor contains SERS tags-unique urchin core/porous shell (CPS) structure modified with Raman reporters (RaRs), magnetic assist-Ag coated FeO magnetic nanoparticles (Ag MNPs) modified with internal standard (IS), and then aptamer (Apt) modification to form the sandwich structure (Ag MNPs/IMs/CPS).

Triple-Function Au-Ag-Stuffed Nanopancakes for SERS Detection, Discrimination, and Inactivation of Multiple Bacteria.

New strategies combining sensitive pathogenic bacterial detection and high antimicrobial efficacy are urgently desirable. Here, we report smart triple-functional Au-Ag-stuffed nanopancakes (AAS-NPs) exhibiting (1) controllably oxidative Ag-etching thickness for simultaneously obtaining the best surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement and high Ag-loading antibacterial drug delivery, (2) expressive Ag-accelerated releasing capability under neutral phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (pH ∼ 7.4) stimulus and robust antibacterial effectiveness involving sustainable Ag release, and (3) three-in-one features combining specific discrimination, sensitive detection, and inactivation of different pathogenic bacteria.

Broad ultra-potent neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants by monoclonal antibodies specific to the tip of RBD.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) continue to wreak havoc across the globe. Higher transmissibility and immunologic resistance of VOCs bring unprecedented challenges to epidemic extinguishment. Here we describe a monoclonal antibody, 2G1, that neutralizes all current VOCs and has surprising tolerance to mutations adjacent to or within its interaction epitope.

Transcriptomic Analysis of LNCaP Tumor Xenograft to Elucidate the Components and Mechanisms Contributed by Tumor Environment as Targets for Dietary Prostate Cancer Prevention Studies.

LNCaP athymic xenograft model has been widely used to allow researchers to examine the effects and mechanisms of experimental treatments such as diet and diet-derived cancer preventive and therapeutic compounds on prostate cancer. However, the biological characteristics of human LNCaP cells before/after implanting in athymic mouse and its relevance to clinical human prostate outcomes remain unclear and may dictate interpretation of biological efficacies/mechanisms of diet/diet-derived experimental treatments. In this study, transcriptome profiles and pathways of human prostate LNCaP cells before (in vitro) and after (in vivo) implanting into xenograft mouse were compared using RNA-sequencing technology (RNA-seq) followed by bioinformatic analysis.

Delineating effect of corn microRNAs and matrix, ingested as whole food, on gut microbiota in a rodent model.

Dietary microRNAs (miRNAs) are thought to regulate a wide range of biological processes, including the gut microbiota. However, it is difficult to separate specific effect(s) of miRNA from that of the food matrix. This study aims to elucidate the specific effect(s) of dietary corn miRNAs, ingested as a whole food, on the gut microbiota.

Inhibition of Tumor Growth by Dietary Indole-3-Carbinol in a Prostate Cancer Xenograft Model May Be Associated with Disrupted Gut Microbial Interactions.

Accumulated evidence suggests that the cruciferous vegetables-derived compound indole-3-carbinol (I3C) may protect against prostate cancer, but the precise mechanisms underlying its action remain unclear. This study aimed to verify the hypothesis that the beneficial effect of dietary I3C may be due to its modulatory effect on the gut microbiome of mice. Athymic nude mice (5⁻7 weeks old, male, Balb c/c nu/nu) with established tumor xenografts were fed a basal diet (AIN-93) with or without 1 µmoles I3C/g for 9 weeks.

Extensive Degradation and Low Bioavailability of Orally Consumed Corn miRNAs in Mice.

The current study seeks to resolve the discrepancy in the literature regarding the cross-kingdom transfer of plant microRNAs (miRNAs) into mammals using an improved miRNA processing and detection method. Two studies utilizing C57BL/6 mice were performed. In the first study, mice were fed an AIN-93M diet and gavaged with water, random deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTP) or isolated corn miRNAs for two weeks ( = 10 per group).

An improved method to quantitate mature plant microRNA in biological matrices using modified periodate treatment and inclusion of internal controls.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) ubiquitously exist in microorganisms, plants, and animals, and appear to modulate a wide range of critical biological processes. However, no definitive conclusion has been reached regarding the uptake of exogenous dietary small RNAs into mammalian circulation and organs and cross-kingdom regulation. One of the critical issues is our ability to assess and distinguish the origin of miRNAs.

Red Cabbage Microgreens Lower Circulating Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Liver Cholesterol, and Inflammatory Cytokines in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, and hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor. Population studies, as well as animal and intervention studies, support the consumption of a variety of vegetables as a means to reduce CVD risk through modulation of hypercholesterolemia. Microgreens of a variety of vegetables and herbs have been reported to be more nutrient dense compared to their mature counterparts.

Soy and Gut Microbiota: Interaction and Implication for Human Health.

Soy (Glycine max) is a major commodity in the United States, and soy foods are gaining popularity due to their reported health-promoting effects. In the past two decades, soy and soy bioactive components have been studied for their health-promoting/disease-preventing activities and potential mechanisms of action. Recent studies have identified gut microbiota as an important component in the human body ecosystem and possibly a critical modulator of human health.

Reversible Toxic Effects of the Dietary Supplement Indole-3-Carbinol in an Immune Compromised Rodent Model: Intestine as the Main Target.

Dietary supplements are widely used in the United States, but the safety issue remains unresolved. Immuno-deficient or immuno-compromised patients, estimated to exceed 10 million in the United States, are known to use dietary supplements. This population potentially may be susceptible to supplements' adverse effects.

Preparation of five 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, and the effects of their chemical structures on acute oral toxicity in Swiss mice.

Background: 3-monochloro-1, 2-propanediol fatty acid esters (3-MCPDEs) comprise a group of food toxicants formed during food processing. 3-MCPDEs have received increasing attention concerning their potential negative effects on human health. However, reports on the toxicity of 3-MCPD esters are still limited.

Identification of liver CYP51 as a gene responsive to circulating cholesterol in a hamster model.

Hypercholesterolaemia is a risk factor for CVD, which is a leading cause of death in industrialised societies. The biosynthetic pathways for cholesterol metabolism are well understood; however, the regulation of circulating cholesterol by diet is still not fully elucidated. The present study aimed to gain more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between circulating cholesterol levels and molecular effects in target tissues using the hamster model.

Utility of hesperidinase for food function research: enzymatic digestion of botanical extracts alters cellular antioxidant capacities and anti-inflammatory properties.

Food-derived phytochemicals, many known for their health beneficial effects, often exist in conjugated forms containing sugar moieties such as glucose or rhamnose in foods. The uptake of these compounds requires colonic bacterial cleavage of sugar moieties. However, most studies involved in screening extracts for biological activities do not take this process into account.

Cholesterol-lowering activity of soy-derived glyceollins in the golden Syrian hamster model.

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major factors contributing to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death in developed countries. Consumption of soy foods has been recognized to lower the risk of CVD, and phytochemicals in soy are believed to contribute to the health benefits. Glyceollin is one of the candidate phytochemicals synthesized in stressed soy that may account for many unique biological activities.

Prenylated phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum sampsonii.

Six new acylphloroglucinol derivatives, sampsonols A-F (1-6), were isolated from the petroleum ether extract of the aerial parts of Hypericum sampsonii. The structures and relative configurations of sampsonols A-F were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. All these compounds were tested for their in vitro cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Chemical composition of 13 commercial soybean samples and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

A total of 13 commercial soybean samples were investigated and compared for their tocopherol and carotenoid compositions, fatty acid profile, total phenolic content (TPC), isoflavone and sterol compositions, and free radical scavenging properties. Free radical scavenging activities were estimated against peroxyl, hydroxyl, and ABTS(•) (+) radicals. The commercial soybean samples differed in their chemical compositions and health properties.

Isolation and characterization of five glycerol esters from Wuhan propolis and their potential anti-inflammatory properties.

Five new glycerol esters including 2-acetyl-1-coumaroyl-3-cinnamoylglycerol (13), (+)-2-acetyl-1-feruloyl-3-cinnamoylglycerol (14), (-)-2-acetyl-1-feruloyl-3-cinnamoylglycerol (15), 2-acetyl-1,3-dicinnamoylglycerol (16), and (-)-2-acetyl-1-(E)-feruloyl-3-(3″(ζ),16″)-dihydroxy-palmitoylglycerol (17) were isolated from methanolic extract of Wuhan propolis. The chemical structures of the five new compounds were confirmed by (1)H and (13)C NMR and HR-MS spectra. Twelve minor constituents in the Wuhan propolis extract were tentatively identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, according to their characteristic UV spectrum, retention times, and accurate MS data.

Characterization of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokine expression in macrophages and monocytes.

Objective: In vitro cell culture models are widely used in inflammation research; however, information regarding the time- and dose-dependency of inflammatory responses toward LPS in these cell lines is scattered in the literature.

Material: J774A.1 mouse macrophage and THP-1 human monocyte cell lines.

Phenolic composition and nutraceutical properties of organic and conventional cinnamon and peppermint.

Conventional and organic cinnamon and peppermint were investigated for their phenolic profile, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Accelerated solvent extraction with 75% acetone was used to extract samples. Caffeic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid in peppermint.

Chemical composition and anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of the leaf and whole-plant samples of diploid and tetraploid Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino.

Leaf and whole-plant samples of the diploid and tetraploid Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) were investigated and compared for their chemical compositions, and their potential anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. The highest levels of total flavonoids and phenolics were observed in the diploid leaf botanical (2L3) at 36.84mg rutin equiv/g and 41.