OBJECTIVE: Exploring the formation and aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) (amylin) fibers is significant for promoting the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Flavones in pomelo peel have visible biological activity in the anti-diabetes aspect. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of five flavones [naringin (NRG), narirutin (NRR), nobiletin (NOB), sinensetin (SIN), and neohesperidin (NHP)] in pomelo peel on peptide aggregation and explore its possible mechanisms. The cell viability of flavones against peptide aggregation was also evaluated. METHODS: The thioflavin T (ThT) assay and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for evaluating the inhibition and disaggregation of flavones on peptide aggregation. The interaction mechanism was analyzed by endogenous fluorescence, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and immune assays were performed to characterize the cell viability of flavones against peptide aggregation. RESULTS: The five flavones showed a decrease in fluorescence intensity, fiber number and size under incubation with different molar ratios of hIAPP. The compounds can bind to the aromatic tyrosine (Tyr) residueTyr 37, resulting in the intrinsic fluorescence quenching of the peptides. Five flavones can form hydrogen bonds with hIAPP, which is likely to be based on their phenolic hydroxyl structure. They showed strong binding affinity with peptides. The reaction system of NRG and NRR observed an exothermic reaction, and the others were endothermic reactions. The absorption peaks of the compounds with hIAPP changed and showed hypochromic effects, indicating that there may be π-π stacking interaction. Flavones noticeably increased the cell viability in the presence of amyloid peptides and reduced the absorption intensity induced by peptide oligomers. CONCLUSION A total of five flavones in pomelo peel have inhibitory and depolymerization effects on amyloid fibrils, and can significantly protect cells from the toxic effect of hIAPP and reduce the production of toxic oligomers.

Calprotectin is a calcium-and zinc-binding protein of the S100 family expressed mainly by neutrophils with important extracellular activity.This paper reviews current findings about the implication of faecal calprotectin in the diagnosis, follow-up, assessment of relapses, and response to treatment in intestinaldiseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal tumor, necrotizing enterocolitis, allergy and intestinal infection.

In order to investigate the effects of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tyramine on the growth of Lycoris radiata suspension cells and the accumulation of alkaloids, the growth quantity of the cells as well as the content of alkaloids in cells were determined, which were treated with above three kinds of precursors alone and phenylalanine combined with tyrosine respectively. The results indicate that the addition of phenylalanine alone and addition of phenylalanine on the basis of tyrosine at high concentration (200 micromol/L) had no significant effect on the growth of Lycoris radiata suspension cells and the content of alkaloids in cells; whereas tyrosine and tyramine promoted the growth of the cells and alkaloids accumulation. Treated with tyrosine at high concentration (200 micromol/L), the content of alkaloids of the cells was 2.56-fold higher than that of the control group, the amounts of lycoramine (3.77 mg/g) and galanthamine (4.46 mg/g) were 6.61-fold and 6.97-fold higher than that of the control group, respectively. When treated with tyramine (200 micromol/L), the amount of alkaloids in Lycoris radiata suspension cells was 2.63-fold higher than that of the control group, and the amounts of lycoramine (4.45 mg/g) and galanthamine (5.14 mg/g) were 9.08-fold and 9.18-fold higher than that of the control group, respectively. The above results demonstrate that adding tyrosine and tyramine in the media significantly promoted the growth of the Lycoris radiata suspension cells and alkaloids accumulation in the cells.
Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Galantamine ; chemistry ; Lycoris ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Phenylalanine ; chemistry ; Plant Cells ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts

Objective Focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of central venous catheter (CVC)-related bloodstream infections(CRBSI) in clinical practice, to provide clinical evidences for reducing the incidence of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections Methods The related articles within the latest 5 years were reviewed, and the related monitoring data of the hospital were analyzed. Results ( 1 )The pathogens of CRBSI invaded bloodstream through the puncture point/hub, and the pathogens of the secondary CRBSI came from the infections in other sites, invading bloodstream and adhering the catheter tip. (2)Highlights on the diagnosis of CRBSI: For the patients with CVC, the possibility of the CRBSI should be considered when severe fever not due to non-infectious causes occurred. Infection occurring time and pathogen are different between the general catheters and the anti-infective catheters. The effect of antiinfection of the anti-infective catheters are limited. To pull out the catheters is the most effective treatment measures. Routine puncture point culture should be rejected. ( 3 ) Prevention of CRBSI: The indications of CVC intubation should be undisputed. Silicone catheter should be used. The catheter should not be indwelled more than 5 days. Conclusions Invasive operation, the lasting time of catheterization and using a lot of antibiotics are the susceptible factors for CRBSI. Hospital should establish suite intervention methods and operation procedures,strengthen education of the medical staff and proceed with targeted monitor for decreasing the rate of infectious.

Objective To find out a method that is simple and reliable for screening phenylketonuria(PKU) heterzygotes.Methods Detecting and analyzing plasma phenylalanine(Phe) and tyrosine(Tyr) from 101 known-PKU heterozygotes and 2023 married people by means of a high performance liquid chromatograph.Results Significant differences were observed between known-PKU heterozygotes and screening population in plasma Phe, Phe/Tyr and Phe2/Tyr. The values of plasma Phe, Phe/Tyr and Phe2/Tyr from 94.1% known-PKU heterozygotes were higher than +2s of those values from screening population. According to the limits of +2s,81 cases were screened out from the 2023 married people. It was the first time to get the actual heterozygote frequency of 4% from population.Conculsion The biochemical method mentioned above is available for use in screening PKU heterozygotes.