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Flavonoids in vegetables: improvement of dietary flavonoids by metabolic engineering to promote health.
Tao, H, Li, L, He, Y, Zhang, X, Zhao, Y, Wang, Q, Hong, G
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2024;(11):3220-3234
Abstract
Flavonoids are the most abundant polyphenols in plants, and have antioxidant effects as well as other bioactivities (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, and neuroprotective effects). Vegetables are rich in flavonoids and are indispensable in our daily diet. Moreover, the vegetables as chassis for producing natural products would emerge as a promising means for cost-effective and sustainable production of flavonoids. Understanding the metabolic engineering of flavonoids in vegetables allows us to improve their nutrient composition. In this review, a comprehensive overview of flavonoids in vegetables, including the characterized types and distribution, health-promoting effects, associated metabolic pathways, and applied metabolic engineering are provided. We also introduce breakthroughs in multi-omics approaches that pertain to the elucidation of flavonoids metabolism in vegetables, as well as prospective and potential genome-editing technologies. Based on the varied composition and content of flavonoids among vegetables, dietary suggestions are further provided for human health.
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Diagnostic value and mechanism of plasma S100A1 protein in acute ischemic stroke: a prospective and observational study.
Hong, G, Li, T, Zhao, H, Zeng, Z, Zhai, J, Li, X, Luo, X
PeerJ. 2023;:e14440
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasma S100A1 protein is a novel inflammatory biomarker associated with acute myocardial infarction and neurodegenerative disease's pathophysiological mechanisms. This study aimed to determine the levels of this protein in patients with acute ischemic stroke early in the disease progression and to investigate its role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS A total of 192 participants from hospital stroke centers were collected for the study. Clinically pertinent data were recorded. The volume of the cerebral infarction was calculated according to the Pullicino formula. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to select independent influences. ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of AIS and TIA. The correlation between S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 levels and cerebral infarction volume was detected by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS There were statistically significant differences in S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 among the AIS,TIA, and PE groups (S100A1, [230.96 ± 39.37] vs [185.85 ± 43.24] vs [181.47 ± 27.39], P < 0.001; NF-κB p65, [3.99 ± 0.65] vs [3.58 ± 0.74] vs [3.51 ± 0.99], P = 0.001; IL-6, [13.32 ± 1.57] vs [11.61 ± 1.67] vs [11.42 ± 2.34], P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that S100A1 might be an independent predictive factor for the diagnosis of disease (P < 0.001). The AUC of S100A1 for diagnosis of AIS was 0.818 (P < 0.001, 95% CI [0.749-0.887], cut off 181.03, Jmax 0.578, Se 95.0%, Sp 62.7%). The AUC of S100A1 for diagnosis of TIA was 0.720 (P = 0.001, 95% CI [0.592-0.848], cut off 150.14, Jmax 0.442, Se 50.0%, Sp 94.2%). There were statistically significant differences in S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 among the SCI,MCI, and LCI groups (S100A1, [223.98 ± 40.21] vs [225.42 ± 30.92] vs [254.25 ± 37.07], P = 0.001; NF-κB p65, [3.88 ± 0.66] vs [3.85 ± 0.64] vs [4.41 ± 0.45], P < 0.001; IL-6, [13.27 ± 1.65] vs [12.77 ± 1.31] vs [14.00 ± 1.40], P = 0.007). Plasma S100A1, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 were significantly different from cerebral infarction volume (S100A1, r = 0.259, P = 0.002; NF-κB p65, r = 0.316, P < 0.001; IL-6, r = 0.177, P = 0.036). There was a positive correlation between plasma S100A1 and IL-6 with statistical significance (R = 0.353, P < 0.001). There was no significant positive correlation between plasma S100A1 and NF-κB p65 (R < 0.3), but there was statistical significance (R = 0.290, P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between IL-6 and NF-κB p65 with statistical significance (R = 0.313, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION S100A1 might have a better diagnostic efficacy for AIS and TIA. S100A1 was associated with infarct volume in AIS, and its level reflected the severity of acute cerebral infarction to a certain extent. There was a correlation between S100A1 and IL-6 and NF-κB p65, and it was reasonable to speculate that this protein might mediate the inflammatory response through the NF-κB pathway during the pathophysiology of AIS.
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Correlation between the Compressive Strength and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity of Cement Mortars Blended with Silica Fume: An Analysis of Microstructure and Hydration Kinetics.
Hong, G, Oh, S, Choi, S, Chin, WJ, Kim, YJ, Song, C
Materials (Basel, Switzerland). 2021;(10)
Abstract
The effect of the replacement rate of silica fume (SF) on the correlation between the compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) of cement mortar was experimentally analyzed. Specimens were fabricated with different replacement rates of SF, the compressive strength and UPV were measured, and isothermal calorimetry and mercury intrusion porosimetry tests were conducted to analyze the effects of replacement on the hydration kinetics and microstructures on these properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis was performed to observe SF particles and microstructure. The substitution of SF changed the cement mortar's hydration kinetics and microstructures, resulting in different strengths and UPVs depending on the replacement rate. The compressive strength and UPV for cement mortars blended with SF also showed a different exponential relationship depending on the SF replacement rate.
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Mechanical Properties of Nanohybrid Resin Composites Containing Various Mass Fractions of Modified Zirconia Particles.
Hong, G, Yang, J, Jin, X, Wu, T, Dai, S, Xie, H, Chen, C
International journal of nanomedicine. 2020;:9891-9907
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various mass fractions of 10-methacry-loyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP)-conditioned or unconditioned zirconia nano- or micro-particles with different initiator systems on the mechanical properties of nanohybrid resin composites. METHODS Both light-cured (L) and dual-cured (D) resin composites were prepared. When the mass fraction of the nano- or micro-zirconia fillers reached 55 wt%, resin composites were equipped with dual-cured initiator systems. We measured the three-point bending-strength, elastic modulus, Weibull modulus and translucency parameter of the nanohybrid resin composites containing various mass fractions of MDP-conditioned or unconditioned zirconia nano- or micro-particles (0%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt% and 55 wt%). A Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 was used to test the cell cytotoxicity of the experimental resin composites. The zirconia nano- or micro-particles with MDP-conditioning or not were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). RESULTS Resin composites containing 5-20 wt% MDP-conditioned or unconditioned nano-zirconia fillers exhibited better three-point bending-strength than the control group without zirconia fillers. Nano- or micro-zirconia fillers decreased the translucence of the nanohybrid resin composites. According to the cytotoxicity classification, all of the nano- or micro-zirconia fillers containing experimental resin composites were considered to have no significant cell cytotoxicity. The FTIR spectra of the conditioned nano- or micro-fillers showed new absorption bands at 1719 cm-1 and 1637 cm-1, indicating the successful combination of MDP and zirconia particles. The XPS analysis measured Zr-O-P peak area on MDP-conditioned nano- and micro-zirconia fillers at 39.91% and 34.89%, respectively. CONCLUSION Nano-zirconia filler improved the mechanical properties of nanohybrid resin composites, but cannot be the main filler to replace silica filler. The experimental dual-cured composites can be resin cements with better opacity effects and a low viscosity.
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Efficacy and Safety of Lactobacillus Plantarum C29-Fermented Soybean (DW2009) in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A 12-Week, Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
Hwang, YH, Park, S, Paik, JW, Chae, SW, Kim, DH, Jeong, DG, Ha, E, Kim, M, Hong, G, Park, SH, et al
Nutrients. 2019;11(2)
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Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) describes a range of symptoms that impact on cognition and memory, but not to such an extent that it seriously affects a person's day to day life. People with MCI are at higher risk of going on to develop dementia. Consumption of both probiotics and soy beans have been shown to enhance memory function in previous studies on animals and humans. In this Korean study, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers used soybeans that had been fermented with a bacterium called Lactobacillus plantarum C29, a type of bacteria which is found in the traditional Korean food kimchi. One hundred men and women diagnosed with MCI were given capsules containing either 800 mg of dried fermented soybeans or a placebo for 12 weeks. Participants underwent a series of memory and attention tests to measure cognitive function. Researchers also looked at levels of a protein that supports nerve cells, called brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) in the blood, as well as the composition of bacteria in the stool samples of the participants. The group that consumed the fermented soybeans showed greater improvements in the overall cognitive function, especially attention, compared to those who took the placebo. BDNF levels increased in the soybean group but declined in the placebo group. Increases in BDNF were associated with improvements in cognitive function. The results of this clinical trial suggest that fermented soybeans can be safely consumed by people with MCI to enhance cognitive function. The authors suggested that the increase in blood BDNF levels may be partly responsible for the improved cognitive function, and this in turn points to the importance of the so-called gut-brain axis in improving symptoms of MCI.
Abstract
Early intervention using dietary supplements may be effective in alleviating cognitive impairment among individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study investigated the efficacy and safety of Lactobacillus plantarum C29-fermented soybean (DW2009) as a nutritional supplement for cognitive enhancement. One hundred individuals with MCI were randomly assigned to take DW2009 (800 mg/day, n = 50) or placebo (800 mg/day, n = 50) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in the composite score of cognitive functions related to memory and attention, measured by computerized neurocognitive function tests. Associations between changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and cognitive performance for each treatment group were evaluated. Compared to the placebo group, the DW2009 group showed greater improvements in the combined cognitive functions (z = 2.36, p for interaction = 0.02), especially in the attention domain (z = 2.34, p for interaction = 0.02). Cognitive improvement was associated with increased serum BDNF levels after consumption of DW2009 (t = 2.83, p = 0.007). The results of this clinical trial suggest that DW2009 can be safely administered to enhance cognitive function in individuals with MCI. Increased serum BDNF levels after administering DW2009 may provide preliminary insight into the underlying effects of cognitive improvement, which suggests the importance of the gut-brain axis in ameliorating cognitive deficits in MCI.
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Effects of the Administration of Probiotics on Fecal Microbiota Diversity and Composition in Healthy Individuals.
Noh, CK, Kim, BS, Hong, G, Cheong, JY, Lee, KJ
Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility. 2018;24(3):452-459
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Probiotics are popular health supplements taken by the general population. The influence of probiotics on the composition of gut microbiota has not been fully evaluated, and the duration of the effects of probiotics administration is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the composition and diversity of gut microbiota by the administration of probiotics in healthy individuals. The study was carried out in Korea. 12 healthy volunteers aged between 30 and 42 years were given probiotic capsules containing five billion colony forming units of a mixture Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus for four weeks. Stool samples were collected at the beginning of the study, after four weeks of probiotics, and again two weeks after stopping the probiotics. The overall diversity of faecal microbiota was not significantly altered by the probiotics, but significantly decreased two weeks after stopping them. The composition of faecal microbiota was not significantly changed by the probiotics at the phylum level, but the proportions of Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria significantly changed 2 weeks after stopping the probiotics. The proportions of Lactobacillus and Enterococcus were significantly increased by the probiotics, but the proportions of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus decreased two weeks after stopping the probiotics. There was no difference in the levels of calprotectin between the start and end of the study. The authors concluded that the proportion of faecal microbiota at the genus level, but not diversity, is significantly altered by the administration of probiotics in healthy people. This effect does not seem to last long, probably because of homeostasis or dietary influence.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Probiotics are expected to modify the composition of gut microbiota. We aimed to investigate the changes in the composition and diversity of gut microbiota by the administration of probiotics in healthy individuals. METHODS Twelve healthy volunteers with age range of 30-42 years provided baseline fecal samples. Subsequently, they took commercially available probiotic capsules (a mixture for Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus) for 4 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at 4 weeks of administration and 2 weeks after the stop of administration. Fecal microbiota was analyzed via 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. RESULTS The mean Shannon index was not significantly altered by the 4-week administration of probiotics (4.365 vs 4.556, P > 0.05). The proportion of Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes , and Proteobacteria was not significantly changed by the 4-week administration of probiotics. At the genus level, the proportions of Lactobacillus (2.138% vs 2.773%, P = 0.028) and Enterococcus (0.022% vs 2.758%, P = 0.004) significantly increased 4 weeks after the administration of probiotics, but reduced 2 weeks after the stop of administration (2.773% vs 3.292%, P = 0.064 and 2.758% vs 0.001%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The diversity of fecal microbiota is not significantly affected by 4 weeks of probiotics administration. The proportion of fecal microbiota at the genus level is significantly altered by the administration of probiotics. However, this effect does not seem to last long, probably because of homeostasis or dietary influence.
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EGFL7: Master regulator of cancer pathogenesis, angiogenesis and an emerging mediator of bone homeostasis.
Hong, G, Kuek, V, Shi, J, Zhou, L, Han, X, He, W, Tickner, J, Qiu, H, Wei, Q, Xu, J
Journal of cellular physiology. 2018;(11):8526-8537
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Abstract
Epidermal growth factor-like domain-containing protein 7 (EGFL7), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like protein family, is a potent angiogenic factor expressed in many different cell types. EGFL7 plays a vital role in controlling vascular angiogenesis during embryogenesis, organogenesis, and maintaining skeletal homeostasis. It regulates cellular functions by mediating the main signaling pathways (Notch, integrin) and EGF receptor cascades. Accumulating evidence suggests that Egfl7 plays a crucial role in cancer biology by modulating tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and invasion. Dysregulation of Egfl7 has been frequently found in several types of cancers, such as malignant glioma, colorectal carcinoma, oral and oesophageal cancers, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, osteosarcoma, and acute myeloid leukemia. In addition, altered expression of miR-126, a microRNA associated with Egfl7, was found to play an important role in oncogenesis. More recently, our study has shown that EGFL7 is expressed in both the osteoclast and osteoblast lineages and promotes endothelial cell activities via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and integrin signaling cascades, indicative of its angiogenic regulation in the bone microenvironment. Thus, understanding the role of EGFL7 may provide novel insights into the development of improved diagnostics and therapeutic treatment for cancers and skeletal pathological disorders, such as ischemic osteonecrosis and bone fracture healing.
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Association of Oral Fat Sensitivity with Body Mass Index, Taste Preference, and Eating Habits in Healthy Japanese Young Adults.
Asano, M, Hong, G, Matsuyama, Y, Wang, W, Izumi, S, Izumi, M, Toda, T, Kudo, TA
The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine. 2016;(2):93-103
Abstract
Oral fat sensitivity (OFS, the ability to detect fat) may be related to overeating-induced obesity. However, it is largely unknown whether OFS affects taste preference and eating habits. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate (1) the association between body mass index (BMI) and OFS and (2) the relationship of OFS with four types of taste preference (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter) and eating habits using serial concentrations of oleic acid (OA) homogenized in non-fat milk and a self-reported questionnaire. Participants were 25 healthy Japanese individuals (mean age: 27.0 ± 5.6 years), among whom the OA detection threshold was significantly associated with BMI. Participants were divided into two subgroups based on oral sensitivity to 2.8 mM OA: hypersensitive (able to detect 2.8 mM OA, n = 16) and hyposensitive (unable to detect 2.8 mM OA, n = 9). The degree of sweet taste preference of the hypersensitive group was significantly higher than that of the hyposensitive group. Furthermore, there was significantly higher degree of preference for high-fat sweet foods than low-fat sweet foods in the hypersensitive group. There was also a significant inverse correlation between the OA detection threshold and the degree of both spare eating and postprandial satiety. Thus, OFS is associated not only with BMI, but also with the preference for high-fat sweet foods and eating habits. The present study provides novel insights that measuring OFS may be useful for assessing the risk of obesity associated with overeating in countries, including Japan, where BMI is increasing in the population.
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Gustatory Salivation Is Associated with Body Mass Index, Daytime Sleepiness, and Snoring in Healthy Young Adults.
Izumi, S, Hong, G, Iwasaki, K, Izumi, M, Matsuyama, Y, Chiba, M, Toda, T, Kudo, TA
The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine. 2016;(2):153-165
Abstract
The taste detection system for oral fatty acid may be related to obesity. In addition, sleep is intrinsically and closely related to food intake and metabolism. However, the association of gustatory salivation with body mass index (BMI), daytime sleepiness, or sleep habits is largely unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between gustatory salivation and BMI, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS, a daytime sleepiness scale) or sleep habits among 26 healthy young individuals (20 males and 6 females; mean age: 26.0 ± 4.3 years). We also measured the saliva flow rate (SFR) that was induced by gum-chewing or each of three prototypical tastants (acetic acid, sucrose, and NaCl). Further, the SFR was induced by fatty acid, provided as oleic acid (OA) homogenized in non-fat milk. All participants showed normal rates of salivation during resting and gum-chewing states. The increase in the SFR induced by OA, but not by each of the three tastants, was associated with BMI. Moreover, both daytime sleepiness level and frequency of snoring were associated with the increase in the SFR induced by NaCl. These results suggest that BMI is associated with salivation induced by oral fatty acid exposure. Additionally, the regulatory mechanism for the NaCl-induced salivation reflex may have a relationship with impairments of the respiratory control system that are related to snoring during sleep and lead to daytime sleepiness because of insufficient sleep. Thus, measurement of gustatory salivation might contribute to the evaluation and prevention of obesity and sleep-related breathing disorders.
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Inhibition of biocatalysis in [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase by oxygen: molecular dynamics and density functional theory calculations.
Hong, G, Pachter, R
ACS chemical biology. 2012;(7):1268-75
Abstract
Designing O(2)-tolerant hydrogenases is a major challenge in applying [Fe-Fe]H(2)ases for H(2) production. The inhibition involves transport of oxygen through the enzyme to the H-cluster, followed by binding and subsequent deactivation of the active site. To explore the nature of the oxygen diffusion channel for the hydrogenases from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (Dd) and Clostridium pasteurianum (Cp), empirical molecular dynamics simulations were performed. The dynamic nature of the oxygen pathways in Dd and Cp was elucidated, and insight is provided, in part, into the experimental observation on the difference of oxygen inhibition in Dd and the hydrogenase from Clostridium acetobutylicum (Ca, assumed homologous to Cp). Further, to gain an understanding of the mechanism of oxygen inhibition of the [Fe-Fe]H(2)ase, density functional theory calculations of model compounds composed of the H-cluster and proximate amino acids are reported. Confirmation of the experimentally based suppositions on inactivation by oxygen at the [2Fe](H) domain is provided, validating the model compounds used and oxidation state assumptions, further explaining the mode of damage. This unified approach provides insight into oxygen diffusion in the enzyme, followed by deactivation at the H-cluster.