Publications by authors named "Zhen Zhen Cai"

Article Synopsis
  • This study focused on the off-flavor produced by Pichia pastoris strains, specifically when overexpressing the enzyme α-l-rhamnosidase, identifying a strong sweaty note with metallic and plastic undertones.
  • Researchers used sensory evaluation and gas chromatography techniques to pinpoint four key volatile compounds contributing to the off-flavor, including tetramethylpyrazine and isovaleric acid, which are linked to the sweaty note.
  • The findings are significant as they represent the first detailed investigation of off-flavors in P. pastoris, potentially impacting its use in protein production by informing efforts to mitigate these undesirable characteristics.
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Objective: Current research on the effects of mindfulness therapy on MCI and insomnia has been inconsistent. It is still a hot topic of research and discussion. This study aimed to improve the sleep quality, cognition, and mental state of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with insomnia.

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Expressive arts therapy (EAT) can potentially improve cognition and mental health in patients with dementia. However, limited studies have been conducted for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of EAT in older adults with MCI.

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Introduction: Early non-pharmacological interventions can prevent cognitive decline in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Creative expression (CrExp) can potentially mitigate cognitive decline and enhance the physical and mental health of older people. However, it is unclear whether activities involving CrExp can improve cognitive function and other health-related outcomes in older adults with MCI.

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Background: Ethanol withdrawal (EtOHW) anxiety is a crucial risk factor for alcoholic relapse. The neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) acts upon its receptor (NOP) to antagonize corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and elicit anxiolytic actions. Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS), a prototypical hypnotic-sedative herb in Oriental medicine, exhibits anxiolytic effects during nicotine withdrawal by improving amygdaloid CRF/CRF1 receptor (CRFR1) signaling.

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Decoction (YCHD), a famous traditional Chinese formula, has been used for treating cholestasis for 1000s of years. The cholagogic effect of YCHD has been widely reported, but its pharmacodynamic material and underlying therapeutic mechanism remain unclear. By using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, 11 original active components and eight phase II metabolites were detected in rats after oral administration of YCHD, including three new phase II metabolites.

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Background: High level of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with adverse outcomes in coronary artery disease patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between RDW and the risk of myocardial injury in chest pain patients.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively reviewed 2078 chest pain patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction.

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A new series of small molecules bearing a benzyloxy substituent have been designed, synthesized and evaluated for hMAO inhibitory activity . Most of the compounds were potent and selective MAO-B inhibitors, and were weak inhibitors of MAO-A. In particular, compounds (IC = 0.

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Background: Thoracic lymph node (LN) metastasis is the determining factor for NSCLC staging. However, enlargement in thoracic LNs, which can be detected by chest computed tomography (CT), may not be adequate for NSCLC staging. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a new transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) procedure to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of lung cancer diagnosis and staging.

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The optimum conditions of baicalin hydrolysis into baicalein by immobilized beta-glucosidase in a two-phase system was studied and the yield was observed. A two-phase system comprising of sodium acetate buffer and chloroform was determined by comparing the solubleness of baicalein in different solvents and partition coefficient of baicalein in related aqueous-organic two-phase system. beta-Glucosidase was immobilized by the crosslinking-embedding method using sodium alginate as the carrier The optimum reaction temperature, pH value, Michaelis constant, the thermal stability and pH stability were assayed.

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Objective: To optimize the extraction process and macroporous resin for purification of Timosaponin B II from Anemarrhena asphodeloides.

Methods: Orthogonal design L9 (34) was employed to optimize the circumfluence extraction conditions by taking the extraction yield of Timosaponin B II as index. The absorption-desorption characteristics of eight kinds of macroporous resins were evaluated, then the best resin was chosen to optimize the purification process conditions.

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Glucuronidation and sulfation represent two major pathways in phase II drug metabolism in humans and other mammalian species. The great majority of drugs, for example, polyphenols, flavonoids and anthraquinones, could be transformed into sulfated and glucuronidated conjugates simultaneously and extensively in vivo. The pharmacological activities of drug conjugations are normally decreased compared with those of their free forms.

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The in vivo and in vitro metabolism of genipin was systematically investigated in the present study. Urine, plasma, feces, and bile were collected from rats after oral administration of genipin at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. A rapid and sensitive method using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF MS) was developed for analysis of metabolic profile of genipin in rat biological samples (urine, plasma, feces, and bile).

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Objective: To research on the preparation of Arctigenin in vitro.

Methods: Took enzyme concentration, time course and substrate concentration as investigation factors, used Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology to optimize the enzyme hydrolysis path of Arctigenin.

Results: The best operational path for Arctigenin was as follows: the temperature was 50 degrees C, pH was 4.

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Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colon cancer incidence are known to be closely related to dietary factors. This article evaluated effects of krill oil (KO) on serum lipids of hyperlipidemia rats and human colon cancer cells (SW480). Serum lipids of rats fed with high fat diet (HFD) and different doses of KO were measured by automatic analyzer.

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Objective: To study the mechanism of Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY) recipe against pulmonary fibrosis relating to MMP-2 activity and type IV collagen expression at lung tissue.

Method: The pulmonary fibrosis model was induced by intratracheal instillation with bleomycin once in rats. The models were divided into 3 groups: model control, FZHY recipe treated, and methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) treated group, each group was of 14 model rats.

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Objective: To investigate the dynamic trends of activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 and protein expressions of their inhibitors-tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1/2 during the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in rats so as to get insight of the roles played by MMP-2/9 in lung injury and fibrogenesis.

Methods: Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=18) and bleomycin (BLM)-treated group (n=30). The pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal injection of BLM once.

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