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1.
Can the Electron-Accepting Properties of Odorants Be Involved in Their Recognition by the Olfactory System?
Pshenichnyuk, SA, Rakhmeyev, RG, Asfandiarov, NL, Komolov, AS, Modelli, A, Jones, D
The journal of physical chemistry letters. 2018;(9):2320-2325
Abstract
The present study examines the possible importance of the electron-accepting properties of odorant molecules and, in particular, the formation and decay of temporary negative ions via low-energy electron attachment as a possible contribution toward understanding odorant recognition by olfactory receptors (ORs). Fragments formed by dissociative electron attachment (DEA) of mustard oil odorants represented by a series of isothiocyanates are studied experimentally using DEA spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Relative intensities for the most abundant fragment species, S- and SCN-, are found to be characteristic of structurally similar odorants under investigation. This novel approach for the investigation of odorants may contribute to understanding the initial stages of the olfactory process and may provide a means to distinguish between odorants and their interactions with the olfactory receptor system.
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2.
Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.): Nutritional composition, biological activity, and uses.
Wang, S, Zhu, F, Kakuda, Y
Food chemistry. 2018;:316-328
Abstract
Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) is native to the Peruvian Amazon and is recognised in other parts of the world as a sustainable crop with viable commercial applications. In recent years, there has been growing interest in developing the sacha inchi plant as a novel source of oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids. This review presents information on the major and minor chemical components, health effects and utilization of different parts (seeds, seed shells and leaves) of this plant. In particular, the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of sacha inchi seed oil are described. The whole sacha inchi plant has been utilized to generate nutritional, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products with the goal to maximize its economic value. The sacha inchi plant may become a valuable resource for high value-added compounds used in many diverse food and non-food products.
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3.
Tackling scabies: novel agents for a neglected disease.
Gopinath, H, Aishwarya, M, Karthikeyan, K
International journal of dermatology. 2018;(11):1293-1298
Abstract
The scabies mite, Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis, is an obligate ectoparasite of humans. It has been a source of distress for humanity since antiquity. The troublesome mite is emerging triumphant over current acaricidal agents with reports of emerging resistance and treatment failures. Scabies in endemic areas and crusted scabies offer additional management challenges. Exploration of indigenous plants and better understanding of mite biology and pathogenesis provide opportunities for the development of novel agents for this common pest. We review the recent diverse approaches to scabies, including the use of novel plant products with a better safety profile, translating the use of moxidectin from veterinary practice to human scabies, vaccination, immunotherapy, and development of drugs that directly target mite molecules.
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4.
Acute effects of diets rich in almonds and walnuts on endothelial function.
Bhardwaj, R, Dod, H, Sandhu, MS, Bedi, R, Dod, S, Konat, G, Chopra, HK, Sharma, R, Jain, AC, Nanda, N
Indian heart journal. 2018;(4):497-501
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which are present in nuts may reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, by changing vascular inflammation and improving endothelial dysfunction. The objective of the study was to evaluate the acute effects of two different diets, one containing walnuts and the other almonds on endothelial function. METHODS Twenty-seven overweight volunteers underwent a randomized 2-period, crossover, controlled intervention study. The subjects were given either walnut or almond diets which varied in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content. The walnut diet provided 23.1% energy from PUFA and the almond diet provided 7.6% energy from PUFA. Endothelial function was assessed physiologically by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and biochemically by sVCAM (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules). RESULTS The walnut diet significantly improved FMD (p=0.004) and decreased sVCAM (p=0.009) whereas the almond diet tended to improve FMD (p=0.06) and significantly decreased sVCAM (p=0.004). CONCLUSION Both walnut and almond diets improved FMD and sVCAM and there was no significant difference in physiological and biochemical markers between the two diets.
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5.
How to change the ratio of unsaturated (omega 3, 6, 7 and 9) to saturated fatty acids in Oenothera biennis L. oil under water deficit stress, fertilizers and geographical zones.
Mohammadi, M, Modarres-Sanavy, SAM, Pirdashti, H, Zand, B, Tahmasebi-Sarvestani, Z
Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB. 2018;:71-80
Abstract
The 2015-2020 dietary guidelines for Americans advise substituting total unsaturated fatty acids (∑UFA) for total saturated fatty acids (∑SFA). Thus, field experiments were carried out to verify the influence of irrigation regime (well-irrigated and water deficit) and fertilizers (chemical and biological) on the ratio of ∑UFA to ∑SFA of evening primrose seed oil. Therefore, two experiments were conducted at the experimental stations (arid and semi-arid) of Iran in 2014 and 2015. Experiments were conducted in a split factorial layout within a randomized complete block design with three replications. Water deficit significantly reduced UFA (omega 3, 6, 7 and 9), ∑UFA and ratio of ∑UFA to ∑SFA (especially in the arid region), but it increased SFA and ∑SFA (especially in the arid region). In fact, fatty acid quality (increased ratio of ∑UFA to ∑SFA) of evening primrose seed oil was significantly increased in well-irrigated compared to water deficit stress (especially in the semi-arid region). Bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum lipoferum and Glomus mosseae) and chemical fertilizers (urea + triple superphosphate) increased the ratio of ∑UFA to ∑SFA of evening primrose seed oil (especially in the semi-arid region), but fatty acid quality of evening primrose oil was significantly increased in bio-fertilizers compared to the chemical fertilizers (especially in the arid region).
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6.
Seeds as oil factories.
Baud, S
Plant reproduction. 2018;(3):213-235
Abstract
Studying seed oil metabolism. The seeds of higher plants represent valuable factories capable of converting photosynthetically derived sugars into a variety of storage compounds, including oils. Oils are the most energy-dense plant reserves and fatty acids composing these oils represent an excellent nutritional source. They supply humans with much of the calories and essential fatty acids required in their diet. These oils are then increasingly being utilized as renewable alternatives to petroleum for the chemical industry and for biofuels. Plant oils therefore represent a highly valuable agricultural commodity, the demand for which is increasing rapidly. Knowledge regarding seed oil production is extensively exploited in the frame of breeding programs and approaches of metabolic engineering for oilseed crop improvement. Complementary aspects of this research include (1) the study of carbon metabolism responsible for the conversion of photosynthetically derived sugars into precursors for fatty acid biosynthesis, (2) the identification and characterization of the enzymatic actors allowing the production of the wide set of fatty acid structures found in seed oils, and (3) the investigation of the complex biosynthetic pathways leading to the production of storage lipids (waxes, triacylglycerols). In this review, we outline the most recent developments in our understanding of the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms of seed oil production, focusing on fatty acids and oils that can have a significant impact on the emerging bioeconomy.
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7.
Efficacy of Argane Oil on Metabolic Syndrome in a Moroccan Knee Osteoarthritis Population.
Essouiri, J, Abourazzak, FE, Lazrak, F, Najdi, A, Benaicha, N, Harzy, T, Errasfa, M
Current rheumatology reviews. 2018;(1):84-88
Abstract
Five medical conditions which characterize metabolic syndrome are abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting plasma glucose, high serum triglycerides, and low highdensity lipoproteins cholesterol. When a patient has any three of the five above conditions, he is known to have metabolic syndrome, and these conditions represent a key element in cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease which was shown to be affected by some of the parameters of metabolic syndrome. Edible Argane oil is used in Moroccan folk medicine against several health conditions, such as knee osteoarthritis, though, evidence-based medical data about the above health benefit from Argane oil treatment are lacking. In the present clinical controlled study, we have found that consumption of Argane oil by 38 patients who have knee osteoarthritis and metabolic syndrome can improve several of their metabolic syndrome parameters and decrease their blood lipid atherogenic ratios. The present clinical study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first one to show that Argane oil consumption could be a therapeutic preventive tool against key cardiovascular risk factors of metabolic syndrome in knee osteoarthritis patients.
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8.
Chitosan oligosaccharides affect xanthone and VOC biosynthesis in Hypericum perforatum root cultures and enhance the antifungal activity of root extracts.
Badiali, C, De Angelis, G, Simonetti, G, Brasili, E, Tobaruela, EC, Purgatto, E, Yin, H, Valletta, A, Pasqua, G
Plant cell reports. 2018;(11):1471-1484
Abstract
Water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) affect xanthone and volatile organic compound content, as well as antifungal activity against human pathogenic fungi of extracts obtained from Hypericum perforatum root cultures. Several studies have demonstrated the elicitor power of chitosan on xanthone biosynthesis in root cultures of H. perforatum. One of the major limitations to the use of chitosan, both for basic and applied research, is the need to use acidified water for solubilization. To overcome this problem, the elicitor effect of water-soluble COS on the biosynthesis of both xanthones and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was evaluated in the present study. The analysis of xanthones and VOCs was performed by HPLC and GC-MS headspace analysis. The obtained results showed that COS are very effective in enhancing xanthone biosynthesis. With 400 mg L-1 COS, a xanthone content of about 30 mg g-1 DW was obtained. The antifungal activity of extracts obtained with 400 mg L-1 COS was the highest, with MIC50 of 32 µg mL-1 against Candida albicans and 32-64 µg mL-1 against dermatophytes, depending on the microorganism. Histochemical investigations suggested the accumulation of isoprenoids in the secretory ducts of H. perforatum roots. The presence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes was confirmed by the headspace analysis. Other volatile hydrocarbons have been identified. The biosynthesis of most VOCs showed significant changes in response to COS, suggesting their involvement in plant-fungus interactions.
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9.
Postprandial Metabolomics Response to Various Cooking Oils in Humans.
Wang, PS, Kuo, CH, Yang, HC, Liang, YJ, Huang, CJ, Sheen, LY, Pan, WH
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2018;(19):4977-4984
Abstract
Lipids account for a high proportion of dietary calories, which greatly affect human health. As a result of differences in composition of fatty acid of individual cooking oils, certain biological effects of these oils may vary. This study aimed to compare postprandial metabolomic profiles of six commonly consumed cooking oils/fats. Adopting a switch-over experimental design ( n = 15), we carried out a human feeding study with six groups (control without oils, soybean oil, olive oil, palm oil, camellia oil, and tallow) and collected fasting and postprandial serum samples. The metabolomic profile was measured by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight. We observed significant differences between the control group and experimental groups for 33 serum metabolites (false discovery rate; p < 0.05), which take part in lipid digestion, fatty acid metabolism, metabolism of pyrimidines and pyrimidine nucleosides, amino acid metabolism, neurobiology, and antioxidation. Sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed distinct metabolomics patterns between monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and saturated fatty acid oils, between soybean oil, olive oil, and palm oil, and between two MUFA-rich oils (olive and camellia oils). The present metabolomics study suggests shared and distinct metabolisms of various cooking oils/fats.
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10.
Assessment of the efficacy of a new complex antisensitive skin cream.
Wang, Y, Viennet, C, Jeudy, A, Fanian, F, He, L, Humbert, P
Journal of cosmetic dermatology. 2018;(6):1101-1107
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensitive skin is frequently complaint in dermatology consultation with cutaneous manifestations such as stinging, redness, dryness, and burning sensation that affect the quality of life. Its pathogenesis is mainly related to dysfunction of neurosensory, skin barrier, and also immune activity. The treatment is generally based on continuous and topical therapy by nonirritating complex. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the antisensitive function of a new complex cream composed by Yunnan Portulaca oleracea extract, Prinsepia utilis oil, beta-glucan, and sodium hyaluronate extracted from mushroom. METHODS A randomized double-blind and self-control study was conducted on 20 selected volunteers with sensitive skin. Subjects applied the test cream to 1 side of the face, and the control cream (tolerance-extreme cream) to the other side of the face, twice daily over 28 days. Evaluations were performed at baseline and at 28 days. Expert clinical grading of facial skin including dryness, roughness, desquamation, and erythema was assessed. Subject self-assessment questionnaires, digital photography and noninvasive bioinstrumentation of hydration, transepidermal water loss, lipid index, skin texture, and wettability were also included in the study. RESULTS Products were well tolerated. For all parameters studied, no significant difference was observed between test and control creams. Results showed that test cream provided a statistically significant improvement in clinical grading scores for dryness, roughness, and erythema at 28 days compared to baseline. In addition, statistically significant improvement of skin hydration and texture parameters (eg, smoothness and roughness) was demonstrated. Volunteers' questionnaire revealed self-perceived benefits consistent with expert visual grading. CONCLUSION This study confirmed the effectiveness and tolerance of the new complex cream in subjects with sensitive skin. The test cream could serve as a daily care moisturizer for face.