High-Energy Fluidic Microfluidizer Produced Whole Germinant Oat Milk: Effects on Physical Properties and Nutritional Quality.

Whole oat milk (WOM) was prepared from germinated oat by an innovatively designed high-energy fluidic microfluidizer (HEFM). The results indicated that germination treatment significantly raised the content of total protein, γ-aminobutyric acid, total phenolics, and reducing sugar, while it decreased the content of total starch and β-glucan. Oat with a germination time of 48 h had the best nutritional quality for producing WOM.

Development and Evaluation of Reconstructed Nanovesicles from Turmeric for Multifaceted Obesity Intervention.

The escalating prevalence of obesity poses significant health challenges due to its direct association with various diseases. Most existing medications, such as appetite suppressants and fat absorption inhibitors, suffer from limited effectiveness and undesirable side effects. Here, inspired by the versatile metabolic effects of turmeric, we developed a naturally derived nanoformulation of "Reconstructed Turmeric-derived Nanovesicles (Rec-tNVs)" for obesity treatment.

Developing industry-scale microfluidization for cell disruption, biomolecules release and bioaccessibility improvement of Chlorella pyrenoidosa.

To facilitate biomolecules extraction and bioaccessibility of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, a novel industry-scale microfluidization (ISM) was used to disrupt cells effectively. Microscope images showed ISM damaged cell integrity, disorganized cell wall structure, pulverized cell membrane and promoted the release of intracellular components. The decrease of particle size and the increase of ζ-potential also confirmed the cell disruption.

The Status Quo and Influencing Factors of Care Activities and Support Behaviors of the Main Caregivers of Stroke Patients During the Transition Period from Discharge.

Objective: This study investigated stroke patients and their primary caregivers, examining the impact of stroke events on caregivers and families, identifying factors affecting burden levels, and proposing measures to improve caregivers' quality of life and reduce family burden.

Methods: This study adopted a questionnaire method, which includes a general information questionnaire, a patient self-care ability evaluation scale (Barthel index), a caregiver needs evaluation scale, and a social support evaluation scale (SSRS).

Results: A total of 163 primary caregivers, mostly spouses or children of the patients, participated with an average age of 55.

Effects of cell wall polysaccharides on the bioaccessibility of carotenoids, polyphenols, and minerals: an overview.

Carotenoids, polyphenols, and minerals (CPMs) are representative bioactive compounds and micronutrients in plant-based foods, showing many potentially positive bioactivities. Bioaccessibility is a prerequisite for bioactivities of CPMs. Cell wall polysaccharides (CWPs) are major structural components of plant cell wall, and they have been proven to affect the bioaccessibility of CPMs in different ways.

Metabolomic strategies and biochemical analysis of the effect of processed Rehmanniae radix extract on a blood-deficient rat model.

Background: Rehmanniae Radix (RR), an herb with numerous pharmacological effects, is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of blood deficiency syndrome, either alone or in combination with other herbs. However, the mechanism by which processed Rehmanniae Radix (PRR) improves blood enrichment efficacy has not been clearly defined.

Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) and biochemical methods were combined to explore the hematopoietic functional mechanisms of PRR on blood deficiency in a rat model, as well as the potential active ingredient for blood enrichment efficacy.

Mutation of Beclin1 acetylation site at K414 alleviates high glucose-induced podocyte impairment in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting hyperactivated autophagy.

Background: Our group recently reported that a mutation of the novel Beclin1 K414R acetylation site impacts the stability of Beclin1 protein, which decreases autophagy in adipocytes and further impedes adipocyte differentiation and lipolysis. This study was to explore whether Beclin1 acetylation plays a role in the early renal injury induced by high glucose and to further investigate the K414R mutation site in podocytes.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to con (control) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) groups.

Association Between Serum Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Sarcopenia and Physical Disability Among Older Chinese Men: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Study.

Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass, function and quality and associated with a range of adverse health outcomes including disability. Despite a negative correlation between muscle mass and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in postmenopausal women, it is unclear if FSH is associated with sarcopenia and its poor outcomes, especially in older men. We used cross-sectional data from 360 men aged over 80 who participated in health check-ups to investigate correlations between serum FSH and sarcopenia, individual sarcopenia components, low physical performance (gait speed ≤ 0.

A low follicle-stimulating hormone level is a protective factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in older men aged over 80.

Purpose: Recent studies have suggested the significant relationship between follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in postmenopausal women. However, it is unknown whether FSH impacts the risk of NAFLD in men. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum FSH levels and NAFLD in elderly Chinese men aged 80-98, a particular group with worse outcomes of NAFLD.

The nephroprotective effects and mechanisms of rehmapicrogenin include ROS inhibition via an oestrogen-like pathway both in vivo and in vitro.

Background: The root of Rehmannia glutinosa (R. glutinosa) is commonly used in various traditional Chinese herbal formulae to ameliorate nephropathy; however, little is known about its active component(s) and mechanisms.

Aim: In the present study, we examined the protective effect and potential mechanism of rehmapicrogenin, a monomeric compound extracted from R.

Oligosaccharides composition of Descurainiae sophia exerts anti-heart failure by improving heart function and water-liquid metabolism in rats with heart failure.

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of Oligosaccharides composition of Descurainiae sophia on doxorubicin-induced heart failure in rats, and to study its mechanism.

Method: A rat model of heart failure was established in 180-220 g male Sprague-Dawley rats by low-dose intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin for 6 weeks. Four weeks after continuous administration, echocardiography was used to detect left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and end systolic diameter (LVESD) in each group, and left ventricular short axis shortening rate (LVFS) and ejection fraction (LVEF) were calculated.

Comparison of the value of malnutrition and sarcopenia for predicting mortality in hospitalized old adults over 80 years.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of malnutrition and sarcopenia for mortality in old adults over 80 years.

Methods: A prospective analysis was performed in 427 hospitalized old adults. Anthropometric measures and biochemical parameters were carried out for each patient.

Comparison of the efficacy of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form in recognizing sarcopenia and predicting its mortality.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) in recognizing sarcopenia and predicting its mortality in Chinese geriatric hospitalized patients.

Methods: A prospective analysis was performed in 430 hospitalized geriatric patients. Nutrition status was assessed using the NRS2002 and MNA-SF scales.

Predictive Value of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form in Mortality in Chinese Hospitalized Geriatric Patients.

Background And Aim: The presence of malnutrition in hospitalized geriatric patients is associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study aimed to examine the performance of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) in predicting mortality for hospitalized geriatric patients in China.

Methods: A prospective analysis was performed in 536 hospitalized geriatric patients aged ≥65 years.

Antidiabetic Activity and Potential Mechanism of Amentoflavone in Diabetic Mice.

Aim: To investigate the anti-diabetic activity of amentoflavone (AME) in diabetic mice, and to explore the potential mechanisms.

Methods: Diabetic mice induced by high fat diet and streptozotocin were administered with amentoflavone for 8 weeks. Biochemical indexes were tested to evaluate its anti-diabetic effect.

Integrating strategies of chemistry, biochemistry and metabolomics for characterization of the medication principle of "treating cold/heat syndrome with hot/cold herbs".

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: "Treating cold syndrome with hot herbs & treating heat syndrome with cold herbs" is a fundamental medication principle of Chinese medicine. Scientists have been working hard to explore the scientific essence of this medication principle. However, researchers only focused on the herbs or syndrome individually, the intrinsic relationship between the cold/hot herbs and cold/heat syndrome received little attention.

Concurrent Hearing, Genetic, and Cytomegalovirus Screening in Newborns, Taiwan.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of incorporating genetic and cytomegalovirus (CMV) screenings into the current newborn hearing screening (NHS) programs.

Study Design: Newborns were recruited prospectively from a tertiary hospital and a maternity clinic between May 2016 and December 2016 and were subjected to hearing screening, CMV screening, and genetic screening for 4 common mutations in deafness genes (p.V37I and c.

Estrogenic Effects of the Extracts from the Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposite Thunb.) and Its Effective Compounds in Vitro and in Vivo.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the estrogenic effects of the extracts from Chinese yam and its effective compounds.

Methods: The activity of the yam was investigated by the uterine weight gain of mice and a proliferation assay of breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 cell); the estrogenic activity was comprehensively evaluated by a serum pharmacology experiment. The levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also measured.

Two Sulfur Glycoside Compounds Isolated from Lepidium apetalum Willd Protect NRK52e Cells against Hypertonic-Induced Adhesion and Inflammation by Suppressing the MAPK Signaling Pathway and RAAS.

Willd has been used to reduce edema and promote urination. -desulfoglucotropaeolin (-DG) and -desulfoglucotropaeolin (-DG) were isolated from Willd, and caused a significant increase in cell viability in a hypertonic model in NRK52e cells. In the hypertonic model, -DG and -DG significantly promoted the cell viability of NRK52e cells and inhibited the elevation of Na⁺ in the supernatant, inhibited the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system, significantly reduced the levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) and aldosterone (ALD), and lowered aquaporin-2 (AQP2) and Na⁺-K⁺ ATP content in renal medulla.

Phenolic constituents from the root bark of Morus alba L. and their cardioprotective activity in vitro.

A flavanone C-glycoside, steppogenin-5'-C-β-D-glucopyranoside, six prenylated 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives, moracin O-3″-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, moracin O-3'-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, moracin P-2″-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, moracin P-3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, moracin P-3'-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside and moracin P-3'-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside, two phenolic acids, 2,4-dihydroxy-5-(4-hydroxybenzyl) benzoic acid and 2,4-dihydroxy-5-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl) benzoic acid, as well as three known compounds, moracinoside C, moracin O, and moracin P were isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. Their structures were ascertained on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The protective effects of the compounds against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in H9c2 cells was investigated in vitro.

The Mechanism by Which Amentoflavone Improves Insulin Resistance in HepG2 Cells.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism by which amentoflavone (AME) improves insulin resistance in a human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2).

Methods: A model of insulin resistant cells was established in HepG2 by treatment with high glucose and insulin. The glucose oxidase method was used to detect the glucose consumption in each group.

Ablation of Lgr4 enhances energy adaptation in skeletal muscle via activation of Ampk/Sirt1/Pgc1α pathway.

Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (Lgr4) is a newfound obese-associated gene. Previous study reveals that heterozygous mutation of Lgr4 correlates with decreased body weight in human. In our recent study, we demonstrate that Lgr4 ablation promotes browning of white adipose tissue and improves whole-body metabolic status.

The development and issues of nursing education in China: a national data analysis.

Background: The development of and the issues arising in the nursing educational sector as the provider for nursing workforce have drawn increasing attention.

Objectives: To describe the development of nursing education in mainland China and to analyze related issues.

Design: A retrospective, descriptive study with secondary data analysis.