1.
[Recent research progress of selenium polysaccharides from medicinal plants].
Liang, H, Huang, J, Wang, L, Chen, J, Tian, ML
Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica. 2018;(15):3080-3092
Abstract
Selenium polysaccharides (Se polysaccharides) are a kind of organic selenium compounds which obtain the activities from Se and polysaccharides. Comparing to Se or polysaccharides, Se polysaccharides exhibit improved biological activities and are more prone to be absorbed by human bodies, therefore, they have been widely used in medical applications, such as immunomodulation, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-aging. Due to their unique pharmacological activities, Se polysaccharides from medicinal plants have gradually become a research hotspot. However, only a few of Se polysaccharides have been separated and purified in recent years. The structure of polysaccharides is also very complex, therefore, determination of the chemical structure and mechanism of bioactivity of Se polysaccharide in vivo remain to be further studied. This article systematically introduced the main source and biological activities of Se polysaccharides from medicinal plants. The purpose of this review is to provide a basis for the further research of Se polysaccharides.
2.
Human capability in the perception of extensional and shear viscosity.
Lv, Z, Chen, J, Holmes, M
Journal of texture studies. 2017;(5):463-469
Abstract
UNLABELLED Shear and extensional deformation are two basic rheological phenomena which occur commonly in our daily life. Because of the very different nature of the two deformations, fluid materials may exhibit significant differences in their responses to shear and extensional forces. This work investigated the human perception of shear and extensional viscosity and tested the hypothesis that human have different discriminatory sensation mechanisms including scaling to the two deformations. A series of fluid samples were prepared using two common food thickeners, guar gum and sodium carboxylmethylcellulose (CMC-Na). The shear and extensional flow behavior of these fluids were assessed using shear and extensional rheometers and in addition two separate sensory analysis sessions were organized to assess human sensitivity in perceiving the two viscosities. Magnitude estimation was used in the first session to assess human sensitivity in the perception of the shear and extensional viscosities and just-noticeable-difference (JND) assessment was used for the second session to identify the typical threshold of viscosity discrimination. For the participants considered, it was found that the perception of both shear and extensional viscosity follow a power law relationship i.e. Steven's law. It was also observed that the human has a greater discriminatory capacity in perceiving extensional viscosity. JND analysis showed that the human threshold in detecting shear viscosity difference was 9.33%, but only 6.20% for extensional viscosity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Shear and extensional deformation are two basic rheological properties which occur during food manipulation, mastication, deglutition executed during oral consumption and also in the processing and packaging of foods. Fluid resistance against shear and extensional deformation differ widely and whilst this has been confirmed theoretically and experimentally, a clear understanding of human perception of these properties will have beneficial returns to the food industry in designing and manufacturing of high quality, nutritious food to suit consumers' need (Laguna, Aktar, Ettelaie, Holmes, & Chen, 2016).
3.
The EFFORT trial: Preoperative enoxaparin versus postoperative fondaparinux for thromboprophylaxis in bariatric surgical patients: a randomized double-blind pilot trial.
Steele, KE, Canner, J, Prokopowicz, G, Verde, F, Beselman, A, Wyse, R, Chen, J, Streiff, M, Magnuson, T, Lidor, A, et al
Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. 2015;(3):672-83
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism is routinely performed for all patients undergoing bariatric surgery. However, there is disagreement regarding the optimal dosing and duration of anticoagulant therapy. Furthermore, there is little data regarding the incidence of asymptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in this population. Our objective was to conduct a pilot randomized double blind study to evaluate the pharmacodynamic parameters of 2 different anticoagulation medications (enoxaparin and fondaparinux) administered to patients undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS From July 2010 to August 2013, 198 consecutive bariatric surgery patients from an academic institution were randomized in a double blinded manner to receive either 40 mg enoxaparin twice daily or 5mg fondaparinux sodium once daily. Antifactor Xa activity was measured on all patients in both study arms, 3 hours after the first dose (on the day of the operation), immediately before the second dose (postoperative day one), and 3 hours after the second dose. At the routine 2 week postoperative visit, patients underwent magnetic resonance venography (MRV) to detect DVT. The primary outcome was attainment of therapeutic antifactor Xa levels. The secondary outcome was DVT, as detected by MRV. Safety outcomes were perioperative bleeding, perioperative complications, and death. RESULTS Of 198 patients randomized, 177 underwent MRV and 137 had interpretable antifactor Xa levels. Nearly half of the patients (47.4%) did not attain target prophylactic antifactor Xa levels. Adequate antifactor Xa levels were more common with fondaparinux (74.2%) than with enoxaparin (32.4%). Antifactor Xa levels were also associated with preoperative D-dimer level. 4 of the 175 patients who underwent MRV developed DVT, 2 in each arm of the study. No major adverse events occurred in either arm. CONCLUSION Fondaparinux was much more likely to produce target prophylactic antifactor Xa levels than enoxaparin. Both regimens appear to be equally effective at reducing the risk of DVT. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal DVT prophylaxis regimen in the bariatric surgical population.