Displaying publications 41 - 51 of 51 in total

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  1. Ge Q, Wang K, Shao X, Wei Y, Zhang X, Liu Y, et al.
    Foodborne Pathog Dis, 2023 May;20(5):197-208.
    PMID: 37172299 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2022.0083
    Rhizopus nigricans is a widespread phytopathogen in fruits and vegetables that can cause considerable economic effects and resource waste. Flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. (FSAL) have specific antifungal activities. This study selected FSAL as an antifungal to prolong the preservation of fruits and vegetables. The results showed that the mycelial morphology and ultrastructure were damaged by the FSAL treatment (1.0 minimum inhibitory concentration), led to the increase of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and affected the activity of key enzymes in the glycolytic pathway, such as lactic dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, and hexokinase of R. nigricans. Key genes in glycolysis were upregulated or downregulated. In addition, in the treatment and control groups, 221 differentially expressed genes were found, including 89 that were upregulated and 32 that were downregulated, according to the transcriptome results. The differential genes were mainly enriched in glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, and citrate cycle pathways. The results revealed some insights into the antifungal mechanism of FSAL against R. nigricans and offered a theoretical foundation for its advancement as a novel plant-derived antifungal agent.
  2. Lou J, Wu C, Wang H, Cao S, Wei Y, Chen Y, et al.
    Food Chem, 2023 May 15;408:135185.
    PMID: 36525725 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.135185
    The effect of melatonin treatment on the carotenoid metabolism in broccoli florets during storage was explored. The results indicated that 100 µmol/L of melatonin maintained the sensory quality of broccoli florets, which retarded the increase of the L* value and the decrease of the H value. Melatonin treatment increased the activities of tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), tryptamine 5-hydroxylase (T5H), serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) and N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT), leading to the enrichment of endogenous melatonin content in broccoli florets. Meanwhile, the treatment inhibited the concentrations of β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein, which was beneficial in delaying the yellowing of broccoli. In addition, a series of carotenoid biosynthetic genes such as BoPSY, BoPDS, BoZDS, BoLCYβ and BoZEP was also suppressed by melatonin. Further analysis revealed that the lower carotenoid content and the down-regulated BoNCED expression in treated broccoli resulted in less accumulation of abscisic acid precursors, inhibiting abscisic acid production during the yellowing process.
  3. Zhang S, Cao K, Wei Y, Jiang S, Ye J, Xu F, et al.
    Plant Physiol Biochem, 2023 Sep;202:107972.
    PMID: 37611487 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107972
    Brassinosteroids (BRs) are phytohormones that play numerous roles in a plant's response to environmental stress. While BES/BZR transcription factors are essential components in BR signaling, their role in regulating postharvest fruit responses to cold stress is largely unknown. In this study, the application of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) to peaches alleviated chilling injury (CI) during postharvest cold storage. We further characterized a key BES/BZR gene, PpBZR1, which regulates peach cold resistance. Transient expression PpBZR1 in peaches showed that PpBZR1 inhibits PpVIN2 expression and VIN activity, resulting in an elevated level of sucrose, which protects fruit from CI. Arabidopsis thaliana expressing PpBZR1 that had a high germination and seedling survival rate at low temperatures, which may be due to higher level of sucrose and lower oxidative damage. Mechanistically, we confirmed that PpBZR1 directly binds to the PpVIN2 promoter and functions as a negative regulator for sucrose metabolism. In addition, PpCBF1/5/6 were induced by EBR treatment and AtCBFs were upregulated in PpBZR1 transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana. Combined with previous findings, we hypothesize that PpBZR1 regulates PpVIN2 and may also be mediated by CBF. In conclusion, PpBZR1 expression is induced by EBR treatment during cold storage, which futher inhibite sucrose degradation gene PpVIN2 transcription via direct binding its promoter and indirectly regulating PpVIN2, resulting in slower sucrose degradation and higher chilling tolerance of peach.
  4. Zhao Z, Wei Y, Zou X, Jiang S, Chen Y, Ye J, et al.
    J Agric Food Chem, 2023 Dec 02.
    PMID: 38041637 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c06676
    Previously, we reported that marine yeast Scheffersomyces spartinae exhibited biocontrol efficacy against the gray mold of strawberries caused by Botrytis cinerea. Herein, tryptophol, a quorum-sensing molecule, was identified in the metabolites of S. spartinae. Subsequently, we found that 25 μM tryptophol promoted population density, biofilm formation, and cell aggregation of S. spartinae. Furthermore, 25 μM tryptophol improved the biocontrol efficacy of S. spartinae against B. cinerea in vitro and in the strawberry fruit. Under a scanning electronic microscope, tryptophol facilitated colonization and biofilm formation on strawberry wounds, showing that tryptophol increased the biocontrol efficacy of S. spartinae via quorum sensing. Transcriptome analysis revealed that tryptophol upregulated the gene expression of SDS3, DAL81, DSE1, SNF5, SUN41, FLO8, and HOP1, which was associated with cell adhesion or biofilm formation. Thus, to the best of our knowledge, this study was the first to report that tryptophol improved the biocontrol efficacy of S. spartinae via quorum sensing.
  5. Xu F, Soh KG, Chan YM, Bai XR, Qi F, Deng N
    PLoS One, 2023;18(9):e0287035.
    PMID: 37768953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287035
    BACKGROUND: Tai Chi is good for improving the physical fitness of older adults. But few studies have reported the effects of Tai Chi on the postural balance and quality of life of older adults with gait disorders.

    OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to assess the influence of tai chi on postural stability and quality of life in older adults with abnormal gait.

    METHOD: According to the literature retrieval principles, the works published from the inception date to May 2023 were retrieved, including the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar. Subsequently, literature screening and quality assessment were performed.

    RESULTS: A total of 16 randomized controlled trials were included in this study, Tai Chi intervention can affect populations with Parkinson's disease (PD), no exercise, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), chronic stroke, sedentary, fear of falling, or history of falling. Postural instability is associated with balance, gait, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Motor Subscale 3 (UPDRS III), mobility, lower body strength, and falls. Only two articles looked at quality of life. The Yang style is the most commonly used in the intervention. Nonetheless, most studies were performed on female participants, hence, more research on older male populations is needed.

    CONCLUSION: Tai Chi intervention benefits postural balance in patients with gait disorders. 12 weeks is the most common intervention period for patients with gait disorders. The frequency of intervention is seven articles twice a week, and the intervention time is about 60 minutes. The Tai Chi intervention methods in this study involve Yang Style, Sun Style, Taoist Tai Chi, and Health Qigong Tai Chi, but the Yang Style Tai Chi intervention is the most widely used.

  6. You W, Zhang J, Ru X, Xu F, Wu Z, Jin P, et al.
    Plant Physiol Biochem, 2024 Jan;206:108217.
    PMID: 38039581 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108217
    The effect of calcium chloride (CaCl2) treatment on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulation in fresh-cut cantaloupe and the involved mechanisms were investigated. The result showed that 1% (w/v) CaCl2 treatment increased GABA content and activities of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH), while decreased glutamate (Glu) content and GABA transaminase (GABA-T) activities in fresh-cut cantaloupe. CmCML11 and CmCAMTA5 expressions of CaCl2-treated fruit increased by 187.4% and 165.6% than control fruit in the initial 6 h. Besides, expressions of GABA shunt genes, including CmGAD1, CmGAD2, CmGABA-T and CmSSADH were also up-regulated by CaCl2 treatment during early storage. Moreover, acting as a transcriptional activator, CmCAMTA5 could bind to the CG-box in promoters of CmGAD1, CmGABA-T and CmSSADH and activate their transcription. Furthermore, the interaction between CmCML11 and CmCAMTA5 could enhance the transcriptional activation on GABA shunt genes which were regulated by CmCAMTA5. Collectively, our findings revealed that CaCl2 treatment promoted GABA accumulation in fresh-cut cantaloupe via the combined effect of CmCML11 and CmCAMTA5 in the regulation of expressions of CmGAD1, CmGABA-T, and CmSSADH in GABA shunt.
  7. Zhao S, Chen J, Cao S, Wang H, Chen H, Wei Y, et al.
    Plant Physiol Biochem, 2024 Mar;208:108480.
    PMID: 38437751 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108480
    It is well established that programmed cell death (PCD) occurred in broccoli during postharvest senescence, but no studies have been conducted on the regulation of broccoli cytochrome f by mannose treatment and its relationship with PCD. In this study, we treated broccoli buds with mannose to investigate the changes in color, total chlorophyll content, gene expression related to chlorophyll metabolism, chloroplast structure, and cytochrome f determination during postharvest storage. In addition, to investigate the effect of cytochrome f on PCD, we extracted cytochrome f from broccoli and treated Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Bright Yellow 2 (BY-2) cells with extracted cytochrome f from broccoli at various concentrations. The results showed that cytochrome f can induce PCD in tobacco BY-2 cells, as evidenced by altered cell morphology, nuclear chromatin disintegration, DNA degradation, decreased cell viability, and increased caspase-3-like protease production. Taken together, our study indicated that mannose could effectively delay senescence of postharvest broccoli by inhibiting the expression of gene encoding cytochrome f which could induce PCD.
  8. Ge Q, Zhao S, Shao X, Wei Y, Chen J, Wang H, et al.
    World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2024 Apr 13;40(5):161.
    PMID: 38613738 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03967-3
    Rhizopus nigricans (R. nigricans), one of the fungi that grows the fastest, is frequently discovered in postharvest fruits, it's the main pathogen of strawberry root rot. Flavonoids in Sedum aizoon L. (FSAL) is a kind of green and safe natural substance extracted from Sedum aizoon L. which has antifungal activity. In this study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of FSAL on R. nigricans and cell apoptosis tests were studied to explore the inhibitory effect of FSAL on R. nigricans. The effects of FSAL on mitochondria of R. nigricans were investigated through the changes of mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP), mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP), Ca2+ content, H2O2 content, cytochrome c (Cyt c) content, the related enzyme activity and related genes of mitochondria. The results showed that the MIC of FSAL on R. nigricans was 1.800 mg/mL, with the addition of FSAL (1.800 mg/mL), the mPTP openness of R. nigricans increased and the MMP reduced. Resulting in an increase in Ca2+ content, accumulation of H2O2 content and decrease of Cyt c content, the activity of related enzymes was inhibited and related genes were up-regulated (VDAC1, ANT) or down-regulated (SDHA, NOX2). This suggests that FSAL may achieve the inhibitory effect of fungi by damaging mitochondria, thereby realizing the postharvest freshness preservation of strawberries. This lays the foundation for the development of a new plant-derived antimicrobial agent.
  9. Wang S, Yang J, Kuang X, Li H, Du H, Wu Y, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2024 May 23;326:117913.
    PMID: 38360380 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117913
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Kaempferia galanga Linn. is an aromatic medicinal herb with extensively applied in India, China, Malaysia and other South Asia countries for thousands of years. It has been mentioned to treat abdominal tumors. Ethyl cinnamate (EC), one of the main chemical constituents of the rhizome of K. galanga, exhibited nematocidal, sedative and vasorelaxant activities. However, its anti-angiogenic activity, and anti-tumor effect have not been investigated.

    AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the anti-angiogenic mechanism of EC and its anti-tumor effect by suppressing angiogenesis.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vitro anti-angiogenic effect was evaluated using HUVECs model induced by VEGF and zebrafish model in vivo. The influence of the EC on phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and its downstream signaling pathways were evaluated by western blotting assay. Molecule docking technology was conducted to explore the interaction between EC and VEGFR2. SPR assay was used for detecting the binding affinity between EC and VEGFR2. To further investigate the molecular mechanism of EC on anti-angiogenesis, VEGFR2 knockdown in HUVECs and examined the influence of the EC. Anti-tumor activity of EC was evaluated using colony formation assay and apoptosis assay. The inhibitory effect of EC on tumor growth was explored using HT29 colon cancer xenograft model.

    RESULTS: EC obviously inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation of VEGF-induced HUVECs. EC also induced apoptosis of HUVECs. Moreover, it inhibited the development of vessel formation in zebrafish. Further investigations demonstrated that EC could suppress the phosphorylation of VEGFR2, and its downstream signaling pathways were altered in VEGF-induced HUVECs. EC formed a hydrogen bond to bind with the ATP binding site of the VEGFR2, and EC-VEGFR2 interaction was shown in SPR assay. The suppressive effect of EC on angiogenesis was abrogated after VEGFR2 knockdown in HUVECs. EC inhibited the colon cancer cells colony formation and induced apoptosis. In addition, EC suppressed tumor growth in colon cancer xenograft model, and no detectable hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. In addition, it inhibited the phosphorylation of VEGFR2, and its downstream signal pathways in tumor.

    CONCLUSIONS: EC could inhibit tumor growth in colon cancer by suppressing angiogenesis via VEGFR2 signaling pathway, and suggested EC as a promising candidate for colon cancer treatment.

  10. Zhang J, Zhao J, Zuo X, You W, Ru X, Xu F, et al.
    Food Chem, 2024 Jun 15;443:138545.
    PMID: 38306904 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138545
    The effects of exogenous glutamate treatment on the quality attributes, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt, phenylpropanoid pathway, and antioxidant capacity of fresh-cut carrots were investigated. Results showed that glutamate treatment suppressed the increases in lightness and whiteness values, inhibited the degradation of total carotenoids and maintained better flavor and taste in fresh-cut carrots. Moreover, glutamate treatment rapidly promoted the activities of glutamate decarboxylase and GABA transaminase, thus improving the GABA content. It also significantly enhanced the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamate-4-hydroxylase, and 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase and promoted the accumulation of total phenolics as well as the main individual phenolic compounds, including chlorogenic and caffeic acid. In addition, glutamate application activated the reactive oxygen system-related enzyme including peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase activities to maintain higher antioxidant capacity in fresh-cut carrots. These results demonstrated that exogenous glutamate treatment maintained better nutritional quality and alleviated color deterioration by accelerating the accumulation of GABA and phenolics and enhancing the antioxidant capacity in fresh-cut carrots.
  11. You W, Wang C, Zhang J, Ru X, Xu F, Wu Z, et al.
    Food Chem, 2024 Jul 15;446:138866.
    PMID: 38430769 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138866
    Fresh-cut potatoes are prone to surface browning and physiological degradation. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a natural phenolic antioxidant, has demonstrated preservative properties in various postharvest products. However, the underlying mechanisms of its application on maintaining quality remain unclear. Therefore, the effect of exogenous CGA treatment on quality deterioration of potato slices and the mechanisms involved were investigated. Results revealed CGA treatment retarded the browning coloration, suppressed microbial growth and inhibited the declines in starch, and ascorbic acid contents in potato slices. Meanwhile, the treatment activated the phenylpropanoid pathway but decreased the activities of phenolic decomposition-related enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and tyrosinase and downregulated StPPO expression. Moreover, the treated slices exhibited reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, they displayed enhanced 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals scavenging capacity and higher ATP levels. Therefore, these findings indicated that CGA treatment was effective for quality maintenance and antioxidant capacity enhancement in fresh-cut potatoes, thereby providing potential strategies for the preservation and processing of fresh-cut produce.
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