Potential of plant-derived peptides for the improvement of memory and cognitive function

Recently, there has been an increased demand for functional foods, to reduce the risk of age-related cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. Among them, plant-derived bioactive compounds, such as phytochemicals and peptides, have notable potential in improving memory and cognitive functions. Many studies have provided potential data concerning the characteristics and structure-activity relationships of memory-enhancing peptides. When considering the proof of efficacy of these plant-based peptides in humans as neurological treatment options, it is necessary to accumulate evidence concerning their bioavailability and permeability through blood-brain barrier (BBB). This review focuses on the memory-enhancing effects of peptides derived from plant proteins and presents a current perspective on their structure-activity relationships and BBB permeability.

Penetration of MeV electrons into the mesosphere accompanying pulsating aurorae

Pulsating aurorae (PsA) are caused by the intermittent precipitations of magnetospheric electrons (energies of a few keV to a few tens of keV) through wave-particle interactions, thereby depositing most of their energy at altitudes ~ 100 km. However, the maximum energy of precipitated electrons and its impacts on the atmosphere are unknown. Herein, we report unique observations by the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) radar showing electron precipitations ranging from a few hundred keV to a few MeV during a PsA associated with a weak geomagnetic storm. Simultaneously, the Arase spacecraft has observed intense whistler-mode chorus waves at the conjugate location along magnetic field lines. A computer simulation based on the EISCAT observations shows immediate catalytic ozone depletion at the mesospheric altitudes. Since PsA occurs frequently, often in daily basis, and extends its impact over large MLT areas, we anticipate that the PsA possesses a significant forcing to the mesospheric ozone chemistry in high latitudes through high energy electron precipitations. Therefore, the generation of PsA results in the depletion of mesospheric ozone through high-energy electron precipitations caused by whistler-mode chorus waves, which are similar to the well-known effect due to solar energetic protons triggered by solar flares.

Glochidion littorale Leaf Extract Exhibits Neuroprotective Effects in Caenorhabditis elegans via DAF-16 Activation

A number of plants used in folk medicine in Thailand and Eastern Asia are attracting interest due to the high bioactivities of their extracts. The aim of this study was to screen the edible leaf extracts of 20 plants found in Thailand and investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of the most bioactive sample. The total phenol and flavonoid content and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity were determined for all 20 leaf extracts. Based on these assays, Glochidion littorale leaf extract (GLE), which showed a high value in all tested parameters, was used in further experiments to evaluate its effects on neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans. GLE treatment ameliorated H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress by attenuating the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and protected the worms against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced neurodegeneration. The neuroprotective effects observed may be associated with the activation of the transcription factor DAF-16. The characterization of this extract by LC-MS identified several phenolic compounds, including myricetin, coumestrin, chlorogenic acid, and hesperidin, which may play a key role in neuroprotection. This study reports the novel neuroprotective activity of GLE, which may be used to develop treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s syndrome.

Electric Quadrupolar Contributions in the Magnetic Phases of UNi_{4}B

We present acoustic signatures of the electric quadrupolar degrees of freedom in the honeycomb-layer compound UNi_{4}B. The transverse ultrasonic mode C_{66} shows softening below 30 K both in the paramagnetic phase and antiferromagnetic phases down to ∼0.33  K. Furthermore, we traced magnetic field-temperature phase diagrams up to 30 T and observed a highly anisotropic elastic response within the honeycomb layer. These observations strongly suggest that Γ_{6}(E_{2g}) electric quadrupolar degrees of freedom in localized 5f^{2} (J=4) states are playing an important role in the magnetic toroidal dipole order and magnetic-field-induced phases of UNi_{4}B, and evidence some of the U ions remain in the paramagnetic state even if the system undergoes magnetic toroidal ordering.

Zinc finger protein-440 promotes cartilage degenerative mechanisms in human facet and knee osteoarthritis chondrocytes

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the role of zinc finger protein 440 (ZNF440) in the pathophysiology of cartilage degeneration during facet joint (FJ) and knee osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Expression of ZNF440 in FJ and knee cartilage was determined by immunohistochemistry, quantitative (q)PCR, and Western blotting (WB). Human chondrocytes isolated from FJ and knee OA cartilage were cultured and transduced with ZNF440 or control plasmid, or transfected with ZNF440 or control small interfering RNA (siRNA), with/without interleukin (IL)-1β. Gene and protein levels of catabolic, anabolic and apoptosis markers were determined by qPCR or WB, respectively. In silico analyses were performed to determine compounds with potential to inhibit expression of ZNF440.

RESULTS

ZNF440 expression was increased in both FJ and knee OA cartilage compared to control cartilage. In vitro, overexpression of ZNF440 significantly increased expression of MMP13 and PARP p85, and decreased expression of COL2A1. Knockdown of ZNF440 with siRNA partially reversed the catabolic and cell death phenotype of human knee and FJ OA chondrocytes stimulated with IL-1β. In silico analysis followed by validation assays identified scriptaid as a compound with potential to downregulate the expression of ZNF440. Validation experiments showed that scriptaid reduced the expression of ZNF440 in OA chondrocytes and concomitantly reduced the expression of MMP13 and PARP p85 in human knee OA chondrocytes overexpressing ZNF440.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of ZNF440 is significantly increased in human FJ and knee OA cartilage and may regulate cartilage degenerative mechanisms. Furthermore, scriptaid reduces the expression of ZNF440 and inhibits its destructive effects in OA chondrocytes.

Health Benefits of Antioxidative Peptides Derived from Legume Proteins with a High Amino Acid Score

Legumes such as soybean, chickpea, lentil, cowpea, and mung bean, are valuable sources of protein with a high amino acid score and can provide bioactive peptides. This manuscript presents a review on legume-derived peptides, focusing on in vitro and in vivo studies on the potential antioxidative activities of protein hydrolysates and their characterization, amino acid sequences, or purified/novel peptides. The health implications of legume-derived antioxidative peptides in reducing the risks of cancer and cardiovascular diseases are linked with their potent action against oxidation and inflammation. The molecular weight profiles and amino acid sequences of purified and characterized legume-derived antioxidant peptides are not well established. Therefore, further exploration of legume protein hydrolysates is necessary for assessing the potential applications of antioxidant-derived peptides in the functional food industry.

Neurokinin 3 receptor-selective agonist, senktide, decreases core temperature in Japanese Black cattle

Heat stress disrupts reproductive function in cattle. In summer, high ambient temperature and humidity elevate core body temperature, which is considered to be detrimental to reproductive abilities in cattle. Neurokinin B (NKB) is a factor that generates pulsatile GnRH and subsequent LH secretion in mammals. Recent studies have reported that NKB-neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R) signaling is associated with heat-defense responses in rodents. The present study aimed to clarify the role of NKB-NK3R signaling in thermoregulation in cattle. We examined the effects of an NK3R-selective agonist, senktide, on vaginal temperature as an indicator of core body temperature in winter and summer. In both seasons, continuous infusion of senktide for 4 h immediately decreased vaginal temperature, and the mean temperature change in the senktide-treated group was significantly lower than that of both vehicle- and GnRH-treated groups. Administration of GnRH induced LH elevation, but there was no significant difference in vaginal temperature change between GnRH- and vehicle-treated groups. Moreover, we investigated the effects of senktide on ovarian temperature. Senktide treatment seemed to suppress the increase in ovarian temperature from 2 h after the beginning of administration, although the difference between groups was not statistically significant. Taken together, these results suggest that senktide infusion caused a decline in the vaginal temperature of cattle, in both winter and summer seasons, and this effect was not due to the gonadotropin-releasing action of senktide. These findings provide new therapeutic options for senktide to support both heat-defense responses and GnRH/LH pulse generation.

Sex-differences in outcomes after PCI or CABG for left main disease: from the DELTA registries

Background

Women have worse outcomes than men after PCI, with some studies suggesting a lower mortality of CABG vs PCI in females.

Purpose

To assess the outcomes of CABG and PCI according to sex in a large registry population of patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease.

Methods

The DELTA and DELTA 2 registries are two multicentric, prospective registries evaluating the outcomes of subjects undergoing coronary revascularization for ULMCA disease.

Results

Total population was 6253 patients, 27% women. Table 1 shows baseline clinical characteristics. Median follow up was of 880 days. Women undergoing CABG had lower incidence of death, myocardial infarction (MI) or cerebrovascular accidentc (CVA) (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35–0.79) and a lower risk of death (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.24–0.67). No significant differences were observed in men (Figure 1A). SIgnificant interaction was observed between sex and revascularization strategy for both outcomes (p<0.01-Figure 1B). CABG was associated with lower risk of target-vessel and target-lesion revascularization consistently inwomen and men (pint=0.49 and pint=0.89, respectively–Figure 1B).

Conclusions

In women undergoing coronary revascularization for ULMCA disease, CABG is associated to lower risk of death, MI or CVA. Further dedicated studies are needed to determine the optimal revascularization strategy in women with ULMCA disease.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Real-world comparison of the last generation main balloon-expandable and self-expanding valves in patients undergoing TAVI. Does the type matter?

Background/Introduction

The balloon expandable Edwards Sapien-S3 and Ultra, and the self-expanding Medtronic Evolut-Pro and Evolut-R 34mm represent the main volume of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures conducted worldwide.

Purpose

In the present study, we aim to compare the peri-procedural and one-year clinical outcomes between these last generation devices.

Methods

Consecutive patients from the ATLAS (Athens-Tokyo-London Aortic Stenosis) registry, who had undergone TAVI with either the S3/Ultra or Evolut-Pro/R 34mm device, in four centers were retrospectively studied. In-hospital procedural characteristics and outcomes were recorded and compared. Kaplan-Meier estimated 1-year all-cause mortality was compared between groups.

Results

In total, 692 patients (352pts treated with S3/Ultra and 340pts with Evolut-Pro/R34mm device) were included in the analysis. Baseline demographics (age, coronary artery disease risk factors, logistic Euroscore and aortic valve hemodynamics) were similar between the two groups.

In terms of peri-procedural and short-term outcomes, patients treated with the Evolut-Pro/R34mm device had significantly lower peak (25.4±3.6mmHg for S3/Ultra vs 14.9±0.6mmHg for the self-expanding valves, p=0.002) and mean (10.7±0.3mmHg S3/Ultra vs 7.9±0.4mmHg Evolut PRO/R34, p<0.001) gradients at discharge.

Conversely, the S3 demonstrated significantly lower rates of at least moderate residual aortic regurgitation (AR) post-operatively (0.3% vs 4.8% for S3 and Evolut-Pro/R34mm respectively, p=0.001). Interestingly, the rate of new permanent pacemaker (PPM) required after the implantation in pacemaker-free patients on baseline, was higher for the S3/Ultra cohort compared to the self-expanding valve group (17.6% vs 11.7% respectively, p=0.054), however not reaching statistical significance yet. As expected, the need for balloon post dilatation of the implanted prosthesis was less among the S3/Ultra patients (5.5% vs 26.1%, p=0.001).

One-year Kaplan-Meier estimated survival was similar between the two groups (85.9% for S3 vs. 90% for Evolut-Pro/R34mm, plog-rank=0.071). Hazard ratio for all-cause mortality (Pro/R34 vs. S3/Ultra) after adjustment for gender and previous MI was similar between the groups (HR=0.73; 95% CI 0.47 to 1.14, p=0.165).

Conclusions

Real life comparison of the last generation balloon expandable and self-expanding devices demonstrates similar 1-year all-cause mortality. The S3/Ultra platforms, as compared to the Evolut-Pro/R34mm, demonstrate less paravalvular leak, at the expense of higher transvalvular gradients. Long-term follow-up and future larger trials are required to establish any potential long-term difference in clinical outcomes and prognosis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Predictors for rapid progression of coronary calcification: an optical coherence tomography (OCT) study

Background

The natural progression of coronary calcification has not been systematically studied. In vivo coronary calcium can be evaluated by OCT.

Purpose

To identify the incidence and predictors for rapid progression of coronary calcification.

Methods

Patients with serial OCT imaging at baseline and at 6 months were selected from our database. Changes in calcium index during 6-month follow-up and predictors for progression of calcification were studied. Calcium index was defined as the product of the mean calcium arc and calcium length. Rapid progression of calcification was defined as an increase in calcium index above the median value.

Results

Among 187 patients who had serial OCT imaging, 235 calcified plaques were identified in 108 patients (57.8%) at baseline with median calcium index of 132.0 (Interquartile range 58.5–281.2). After 6 months, the calcium index increased in 95.3% of calcified plaques from 132.0 to 178.2 (p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), lipid-rich plaque, and macrophages were found to be independent predictors for rapid progression of coronary calcification (table). Interestingly, rapid progression of calcification was associated with a significant reduction of inflammatory features (thin-cap fibroatheroma [TCFA]; baseline 21.2% vs. follow-up 11.9%, p=0.003, macrophages; baseline 74.6% vs. follow-up 61.0%, p=0.001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that DM, CKD, lipid-rich plaque, and macrophages were independent predictors for rapid progression of coronary calcification. High level of vascular inflammation may stimulate rapid progression of calcification.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Impact of a stent-less percutaneous coronary intervention strategy using directional coronary atherectomy and a drug coated balloon for left main and ostial lesions

Background

With the advent of drug eluting stents (DESs), the restenosis rate has markedly decreased. However, even with DESs, problems remain unsolved for bifurcated lesions including left main trunk (LMT) and right coronary artery (RCA) ostial lesions. In the era of directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) alone, an optimal DCA provides a significantly lower residual stenosis and lower angiographic restenosis than conventional balloon angioplasty, despite failing to reach a statistical significance for reducing late clinical events as compared to balloon angioplasty (Circulation 1998; 97:322–31.).

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the safety and effectiveness of stent-less percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using DCA and drug coated balloons (DCBs).

Methods

From November 2017 to June 2019, a stent-less PCI for LMT and ostial lesions was performed in 32 consecutive cases (male 24/female 8; mean age 70.9±9.8). A stent-less PCI was performed using SeQuent Please™ DCB after an ATHEROCUT™ DCA, and procedural success was obtained in all cases (6 cases with LMT, 18 with left anterior descending ostial, 6 with left circumflex ostial, and 2 with RCA ostial lesions).

Results

The percent plaque area (%PA) decreased from 70.0±7.7% at baseline to 51.6±8.1% after the DCA and to 46.1±9.0% after the DCBs. All patients completed a follow up coronary angiography after 6 months and no restenosis was observed. No major adverse cardiac events occurred in any cases including target lesion revascularizations. In 29 cases that the lumen was confirmed with IVUS at 6 months of follow-up, the lumen area (LA) had expanded significantly from 8.0±2.3 mm2 at baseline (post DCBs) to 8.9±2.7 mm2 at 6 months (P=0.023, Figure 1A). Local paclitaxel may induce late lumen enlargement (LLE) after a DCA/DCB. The group in which the LA increased during the chronic phase was defined as the Increased group and the group in which the LA decreased during the chronic phase was defined as the Decreased group. When comparing the LDL-Cho level pre DCA between the two groups, the LDL-Cho level in the Increased group was significantly low (74.0±25.8 mg/dl vs. 101.0±33.6 mg/dl, P=0.050, Figure 1B).

Conclusions

Stent-less PCI using DCA and DCBs for bifurcated lesions including LMT and RCA ostial lesions was effective, safe, and useful. Furthermore, a chronic LLE effect by DCBs is expected. In addition, intensive lipid-lowering therapy may also contribute to the chronic outcome after DCA/DCBs.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

TAT-Beclin-1 induces severe synovial hyperplasia and does not protect from injury-induced osteoarthritis in mice

OBJECT

Autophagy maintains cartilage homeostasis and is compromised during osteoarthritis (OA), contributing to cartilage degeneration. We sought to determine if D-isomer TAT-Beclin-1, a potent inducer of autophagy, could attenuate post-traumatic OA in mice.

METHODS

10-week-old mice underwent destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery to induce post-traumatic OA, or sham surgery (control), and injected intra-articularly with D-isomer TAT-Beclin-1 (0.5-2 mg/kg) or PBS 1 week post-surgery for up to 9 weeks. Mice were sacrificed at 2 or 10 weeks post-surgery. Knee joint sections were evaluated by histopathology for cartilage degeneration and synovitis, and immunostaining for key markers of autophagy (LC3B), cell proliferation (nuclear Ki67), activated fibroblasts (αSMA), and cells of hematopoietic origin (CD45).

RESULTS

All D-isomer TAT-Beclin-1-treated DMM mice had no difference in the degree of cartilage degeneration compared to PBS-injected DMM mice. Surprisingly, all D-isomer TAT-Beclin-1-treated mice exhibited substantial synovial hyperplasia, with increased cellularity and ECM deposition (fibrosis-like phenotype), as compared to PBS-injected mice. Synovial effects of D-isomer TAT-Beclin-1 were dose- and injection frequency-dependent. An increased percentage of cells positive for LC3B and nuclear Ki67 were found in the synovial intima early after injection, which persisted after frequent injections.

CONCLUSIONS

D-isomer TAT-Beclin-1 did not attenuate cartilage degeneration, but rather induced synovial hyperplasia associated with increased expression of key markers of autophagy and cell proliferation and a fibrosis-like phenotype, independent of markers of fibroblast activation or persistent hematopoietic-origin cell infiltration. These data suggest that, if not tissue-targeted, caution should be taken using autophagy activators due to diverse cellular responses in the joint.

Production and characterization of chicken blood hydrolysate with antihypertensive properties

Chicken blood has limited utilization despite its high protein content. Production of a blood hydrolysate exhibiting angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity would be means of valorizing chicken blood. The optimized conditions used to produce chicken blood corpuscle hydrolysate (BCH) by Alcalase were 51.1°C, 4% enzyme, and pH 9.6 for 6 h, resulting in a 35.8% degree of hydrolysis and 37.7% ACE inhibition at a peptide concentration of 0.2 mg/mL. The permeate of a 1-kDa membrane, BCH-III, showed a 2.5-fold increase in ACE inhibition compared with that of BCH. BCH-III was resistant to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, whereas the BCH digesta exhibited an increased ACE-inhibitory activity after digestion. Both BCH and BCH-III were rich in hydrophobic amino acids. A single administration of BCH and BCH-III to spontaneously hypertensive rats at concentrations of 600 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, lowered the systolic blood pressure by -57.7 and -70.9 mmHg, respectively, 6 h after oral administration compared with the control group. The blood pressure-lowering effect of the 600 mg/kg BCH dose was comparable with that of the 100 mg/kg BCH-III dose after 4 wk of oral administration. Both BCH and BCH-III could be developed for use as nutraceutical products with antihypertensive effects.

Antioxidant Properties of Casein Phosphopeptides (CPP) and Maillard-Type Conjugated Products

A casein phosphopeptide (CPP) fraction derived from tryptic hydrolysis of bovine casein was evaluated for antioxidant activity. Conjugations or mixtures of CPP with polysaccharide, galactomannan (Gal), or xyloglucan (Xyl) were prepared to evaluate potential enhancement of CPP antioxidant activity. The effect of calcium was also investigated. The CPP preparation alone was effective at scavenging hydroxyl radicals and sequestering Fe2+ to protect against Fenton reaction-induced deoxyribose oxidation in non-site-specific (up 63.3% inhibition) and site-specific (up 32.1% inhibition) binding assays, respectively. CPP also effectively quenched 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radicals (ABTS•+) to an extent of 67.6% scavenging in an aqueous system. In a soybean lecithin liposome system, CPP exhibited effective protection against peroxyl radical-induced liposomal peroxidation (38.3% of control in terms of rate of propagation). Conjugating CPP with Gal or Xyl polysaccharides using Maillard reaction conditions significantly reduced activity in the Fenton reaction-deoxyribose assays, while exhibiting no effect on the antioxidant activity of native CPP in both the ABTS and liposome assays, respectively. These results represent comparative antioxidant capacity of the native CPP and associated conjugates in phases that varied in relative hydrophilic and hydrophobic character. We conclude that CPP has the potential to act as both a primary and secondary antioxidant by displaying transition metal ion sequestering activity and free radical quenching activity. Improvements in antioxidant activity of CPP by Maillard-type conjugation with Xyl or Gal were relatively small and model-specific.

Tamm plasmons in metal/nanoporous GaN distributed Bragg reflector cavities for active and passive optoelectronics

We theoretically and experimentally investigate Tamm plasmon (TP) modes in a metal/semiconductor distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) interface. A thin Ag (silver) layer with a thickness (55 nm from simulation) that is optimized to guarantee a low reflectivity at the resonance was deposited on nanoporous GaN DBRs fabricated using electrochemical (EC) etching on freestanding semipolar (2021¯) GaN substrates. The reflectivity spectra of the DBRs are compared before and after the Ag deposition and with that of a blanket Ag layer deposited on GaN. The experimental results indicate the presence of a TP mode at ∼ 454 nm on the structure after the Ag deposition, which is also supported by theoretical calculations using a transfer-matrix algorithm. The results from mode dispersion with energy-momentum reflectance spectroscopy measurements also support the presence of a TP mode at the metal-nanoporous GaN DBR interface. An active medium can also be accommodated within the mode for optoelectronics and photonics. Moreover, the simulation results predict a sensitivity of the TP mode wavelength to the ambient (∼ 4-7 nm shift when changing the ambient within the pores from air with n = 1 to isopropanol n = 1.3), suggesting an application of the nanoporous GaN-based TP structure for optical sensing.

Swelling of Doubly Magic ^{48}Ca Core in Ca Isotopes beyond N=28

Interaction cross sections for ^{42-51}Ca on a carbon target at 280  MeV/nucleon have been measured for the first time. The neutron number dependence of derived root-mean-square matter radii shows a significant increase beyond the neutron magic number N=28. Furthermore, this enhancement of matter radii is much larger than that of the previously measured charge radii, indicating a novel growth in neutron skin thickness. A simple examination based on the Fermi-type distribution, and mean field calculations point out that this anomalous enhancement of the nuclear size beyond N=28 results from an enlargement of the core by a sudden increase in the surface diffuseness of the neutron density distribution, which implies the swelling of the bare ^{48}Ca core in Ca isotopes beyond N=28.

Mucor pulmonary embolism in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infectious disease that occurs most commonly in immunocompromised patients such as those with hematological malignancies. Its clinical symptoms and associated radiological findings vary and specific biomarkers and culture characteristics have not been defined. An 85-year-old man who had been treated for myelodysplastic syndrome and tuberculosis for several months presented with subacute fever and worsening left-side chest pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography images depicted massive tumor-like consolidation without enhancement, expanding from the left lower lobe. Emboli that did not respond to anticoagulants were detected in the left descending pulmonary artery. Despite intensive treatment he developed multiple organ failure and died 47 days after hospitalization. Gross pathology of a lung autopsy specimen revealed left lower pulmonary arterial emboli and pulmonary infarction, which was concluded to be the direct cause of death. The emboli were histopathologically identified as invasive mycelia in vessels. Mucor sp. was detected via real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistopathological analyses revealed that the mold in the blood vessels of lung tissue was partially positive for the mucor antigen. In the present case of Mucor sp. pulmonary emboli in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome, radiographic findings were hard to distinguish from those typical of a lung abscess.