Inhibitory Effects of Gliadin Hydrolysates on BACE1 Expression and APP Processing to Prevent Aβ Aggregation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a leading neurodegenerative disorder, is closely associated with the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain. The enzyme β-secretase (BACE1), pivotal in Aβ production, represents a promising therapeutic target for AD. While bioactive peptides derived from food protein hydrolysates have neuroprotective properties, their inhibitory effects on BACE1 remain largely unexplored.

Inhibitory Effects of Fruit Powders on the Formation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Charcoal-Grilled Pork.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carcinogenic substances primarily formed through pyrolysis and oxidation of fat at high cooking temperatures, are commonly found at high levels in grilled meats. Reducing PAHs formation by incorporating natural antioxidants, such as through marination, has been demonstrated to be effective. However, the inhibitory effect of fresh phenolic-rich fruit powders on PAHs formation in charcoal-grilled meats remains unknown.

Ultrasound Plus Vacuum-System-Assisted Biocatalytic Synthesis of Octyl Cinnamate and Response Surface Methodology Optimization.

Cinnamic acid is one of the phenolic compounds that is isolated from cinnamon, or other natural plants, and has a wide range of physiological activities. However, the application of cinnamic acid is limited due to its poor solubility and low oral bioavailability. In this study, the feasibility of producing octyl cinnamate by ultrasonic assistance, combined with a rotary evaporation under vacuum, was studied using methyl cinnamate and octanol as the starting materials.

Analysis of emergency dental revisits in Taiwan (1999-2012) from Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Background/purpose: Inadequate diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care provided in the emergency department could let the patients revisit shortly after being seen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the emergency dental revisits by using Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Materials And Methods: The Dental dataset from NHIRD was used to analyze the demographic characteristics of emergency dental revisits in Taiwanese population from 1999 to 2012.

Kinetic study and performance comparison of TiO-mediated visible-light-responsive photocatalysts for the inactivation of Aspergillus niger.

Fungi are highly survived with exceptional resistance to environmental stress. Conventional fungicides are quite efficient, but the increase in use raises severe environmental problems. In this study, environmentally friendly TiO-mediated visible-light-responsive photocatalysts, namely N-TiO, N-T-TiO C-TiO, and Pd-C-TiO, were used to compare the performance of disinfecting a mold fungi Aspergillus niger.

Comparison of Artificial Neural Networks and Response Surface Methodology towards an Efficient Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Chlorogenic Acid from .

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a bioactive compound commonly found in plants, has been demonstrated possessing nutraceutical potential in recent years. However, the more critical issue concerning how to improve production efficacy of CGA is still limited. It is a challenge to harvest a large amount of CGA without prolonging extraction time.

Geniposide ameliorated fluoxetine-suppressed neurite outgrowth in Neuro2a neuroblastoma cells.

Aim: Fluoxetine (FXT), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is one of the most common psychiatric medications clinically prescribed; while over-produced serotonin may suppress neurite development. The role of major iridoids like geniposide (GPS) and genipin (GNP) from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit (family Rubiaceae) in ameliorating the anti-neurite outgrowth effect of FXT is poorly understood. In this study, the effects of these iridoids on FXT-suppressed neurite outgrowth in Neuro2a neuroblastoma cells were investigated.

Trends, demographics, and conditions of emergency dental visits in Taiwan 1997-2013: A nationwide population-based retrospective study.

Background/purpose: The disparate or irregular dental care was associated with acute clinical problems that may lead to care seeking for emergency visits. The aim of this study was to determine the time trends, demographics, and conditions of emergency dental (ED) visits in Taiwan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the insurance reimbursement of dental care services in National Health Insurance Research Database.

An Efficient Approach for Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Retinyl Laurate Nutraceutical by Combining Ultrasound Assistance and Artificial Neural Network Optimization.

Although retinol is an important nutrient, retinol is highly sensitive to oxidation. At present, some ester forms of retinol are generally used in nutritional supplements because of its stability and bioavailability. However, such esters are commonly synthesized by chemical procedures which are harmful to the environment.

RSM and ANN modeling-based optimization approach for the development of ultrasound-assisted liposome encapsulation of piceid.

Piceid, a naturally occurring derivative of resveratrol found in many plants, has recently been considered as a potential nutraceutical. However, its poorly water-soluble property could cause a coupled problem of biological activities concerning drug dispersion and absorption in human body, which is still unsolved now. Liposome, a well-known aqueous carrier for water-insoluble ingredients, is commonly applied in drug delivery systems.

Novel Approach of Using Nutraceutic-Directed Caloric Antioxidant Density and Ion-Ratio for Evaluating Fruit's Health Quality.

Seven kinds of indigenous fruits and five imported fruits were compared for their "health quality." Methods including the calorific, antioxidant, and ion ratios were carried out. Results indicated the order of content (in mg/100g) was: Ca(2+) , Murcott orange (218.

[Association of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birth weight infants with respiratory distress syndrome].

Objective: To study the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection in the lower respiratory tract and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Methods: Seventy-three VLBW infants diagnosed with neonatal RDS, who had received at least one dose of pulmonary surfactant, as well as mechanical ventilation, and were hospitalized for over 28 days, were recruited. Endotracheal aspirates were obtained from the lower respiratory tract and examined by real-time PCR to detect UU DNA.

Diallyl sulfide as a potential dietary agent to reduce TNF-α- and histamine-induced proinflammatory responses in A7r5 cells.

Scope: Oxidative stress-aggravated chronic inflammatory diseases of the airway are well documented; hence, treatment with antioxidants to ameliorate oxidative stress might be an effective strategy to reduce airway complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of diallyl sulfide (DAS), which is a natural organosulfuric compound found in garlic, on the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)- or histamine-induced inflammation in rat aortic smooth muscle A7r5 cells.

Methods And Results: A7r5 cells were coincubated with DAS before exposure to TNF-α or histamine.

Beneficial effects of Camellia Oil (Camellia oleifera Abel.) on ketoprofen-induced gastrointestinal mucosal damage through upregulation of HO-1 and VEGF.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ketoprofen, are generally used to treat pain and inflammation and as pyretic agents in clinical medicine. However, the usage of these drugs may lead to oxidative injury to the gastrointestinal mucosa. Camellia oil ( Camellia oleifera Abel.

EGCG-rich green tea extract stimulates sRAGE secretion to inhibit S100A12-RAGE axis through ADAM10-mediated ectodomain shedding of extracellular RAGE in type 2 diabetes.

The receptor for advanced glycation of end products (RAGE) plays a critical role in the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Soluble RAGE (sRAGE) is one of the RAGE variants, which acts as a decoy domain receptor and competes with RAGE, thus contributing to prevention of T2D. In this study, we conducted clinical trials of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) rich green tea extract (300-900 mg/day) to investigate the effect of EGCG on relationship between S100A12 RAGE ligand and diverse sRAGE in T2D.

Cytoprotective effects of hesperetin and hesperidin against amyloid β-induced impairment of glucose transport through downregulation of neuronal autophagy.

Scope: This study investigated whether flavonoids, such as hesperetin and hesperidin, inhibited amyloid β (Aβ)-impaired glucose utilization through regulating cellular autophagy in insulin-stimulated neuronal cells.

Methods And Results: In this study, we used a toxic Aβ1-42 peptide to impair insulin-stimulated glucose utilization in Neuro-2A cells, and this study also hypothesized that Aβ-induced autophagy might be emerging as a key process regulating neuronal glucose uptake. Additionally, hesperetin and hesperidin were used to test the neuroprotective effect against Aβ-induced impairment of glucose utilization.

Inhibition of advanced glycation endproduct formation by foodstuffs.

The Maillard reaction, which is generally termed nonenzymatic browning or glycation, has been implicated in accelerated aging and diabetic complications in vivo. Although the molecular basis of glycation-induced pathogenesis is not well understood, the following have been noted: (1) protein glycation leads to the formation and accumulation of toxic advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs); (2) AGEs can permanently alter the structure and function of body proteins; and (3) the interaction between AGE-modified proteins and AGE-specific receptors (RAGEs) on the cell surface induces the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and inflammatory mediators, which leads to cellular disorders in biological systems. To date, studies that have examined the contribution of protein glycation to disease-states have primarily focused on the deleterious effects and related mechanisms of these glycotoxins.

AGE-induced interference of glucose uptake and transport as a possible cause of insulin resistance in adipocytes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distinct roles of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on insulin-mediated glucose disposal in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. AGE-modified proteins, namely, GO-AGEs, were prepared by incubating bovine serum albumin (BSA) with glyoxal (GO) for 7 days. Glucose utilization rates and the expression of insulin signaling-associated proteins, including Akt, insulin receptor substrate-1, and glucose transporter 4, were determined.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6-geranylflavanone isolated from the fruit of Artocarpus communis in S100B-induced human monocytes.

The fruit of Artocarpus communis Moraceae, a traditional starch crop, is a rich source of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and their derivatives. The aim of this study was to investigate whether 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6-geranylflavanone (AC-GF), a geranyl flavonoid derivative isolated from the fruits of A. communis, could decrease the activation of inflammatory mediators induced by S100B (ligand of receptor for advanced glycation end products, RAGE) in THP-1 monocytes.

The proglycation effect of caffeic acid leads to the elevation of oxidative stress and inflammation in monocytes, macrophages and vascular endothelial cells.

In this study, the effects of phenolic acids [caffeic acid (CA), ferulic acid, m-coumaric acid, and chlorogenic acid] on methylglyoxal (MG)-induced protein glycation were investigated in vitro. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-specific fluorescence showed that MG-mediated protein modification was enhanced dose-dependently by CA (P<.05), whereas α-lipoic acid, glutathione and EDTA inhibited these changes.

Silymarin: a novel antioxidant with antiglycation and antiinflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo.

The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of silymarin (SM) on advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) formation and monocyte activation induced by S100b, a specific ligand of receptor for AGEs. The in vivo verification of antiglycation, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory capacities was examined by 12 weeks of SM administration in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In vitro glycation assays demonstrated that SM exerted marked inhibition during the late stages of glycation and subsequent crosslinking.

[Value of blood apoH gene expression and urinary NAG and RBP in early diagnosis of renal function damage in neonates].

Objective: To study the value of apolipoprotein H (apoH) gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and urinary N-Acetyl-beta-D-Glucosaminidase (NAG) and retinal-binding protein (RBP) in the early diagnosis of renal function damage in neonates.

Methods: Sixty sick neonates who renal function damage probably occurred were enrolled. The blood and urinary samples were collected twice within 48 hrs following admission, with an interval of 12-24 hrs.

Inhibitory effect of vanillic acid on methylglyoxal-mediated glycation in apoptotic Neuro-2A cells.

Methylglyoxal is a reactive dicarbonyl compound generated as an intermediate of glycolysis during the physical glycation in the diabetic condition. It is considered to be a potent precursor of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation. Methylglyoxal itself and methylglyoxal-derived AGEs have been commonly implicated in the development of diabetic neuropathy.

Cytoprotective effects of phenolic acids on methylglyoxal-induced apoptosis in Neuro-2A cells.

In the process of glycation, methylglyoxal is a reactive dicarbonyl compound physiologically generated as an intermediate of glycolysis, and is found in high levels in blood or tissue of diabetic models. Biological glycation has been commonly implicated in the development of diabetic microvascular complications of neuropathy. Increasing evidence suggests that neuronal cell cycle regulatory failure followed by apoptosis is an important mechanism in the development of diabetic neuropathy complication.

Effects of flavonoids on the expression of the pro-inflammatory response in human monocytes induced by ligation of the receptor for AGEs.

Increasing evidence has shown advanced glycation end products (AGEs) receptor ligation (RAGE) to be an important part of complex interactions of the oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses. In this study, flavonoids were used to monitor the protective effects against the oxidative damage and inflammation mediated by AGEs in human monocytes. S100B (RAGE ligand) treatment in human THP-1 monocytic cells (THP-1) significantly increased gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta; chemokines MCP-1 and IP-10; adhesion factors platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) and beta2-integrin; and pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).