Naringin (NG), a natural flavanone glycoside, possesses a multitude of pharmacological properties, encompassing anti-inflammatory, sedative, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-osteoporosis, and lipid-lowering functions, and serves as a facilitator for the absorption of other drugs. Despite these powerful qualities, NG’s limited solubility and bioavailability primarily undermine its therapeutic potential. Consequently, innovative solubilization methodologies have received considerable attention, propelling a surge of scholarly investigation in this arena. Among the most promising solutions is the enhancement of NG’s solubility and physiological activity without compromising its inherent active structure, therefore enabling the formulation of non-toxic and benign human body preparations. This article delivers a comprehensive overview of NG and its physiological activities, particularly emphasizing the impacts of structural modification, solid dispersions (SDs), inclusion compound, polymeric micelle, liposomes, and nanoparticles on NG solubilization. By synthesizing current research, this research elucidates the bioavailability of NG, broadens its clinical applicability, and paves the way for further exploration and expansion of its application spectrum.

The imaging performance of active matrix flat-panel imagers designed for megavoltage imaging (MV AMFPIs) is severely constrained by relatively low x-ray detection efficiency, which leads to a detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of only ∼1%. Previous theoretical and empirical studies by our group have demonstrated the potential for addressing this constraint through the utilization of thick, two-dimensional, segmented scintillators with optically isolated crystals. However, this strategy is constrained by the degradation of high-frequency DQE resulting from spatial resolution loss at locations away from the central beam axis due to oblique incidence of radiation. To address this challenge, segmented scintillators constructed so that the crystals are individually focused toward the radiation source are proposed and theoretically investigated. The study was performed using Monte Carlo simulations of radiation transport to examine the modulation transfer function and DQE of focused segmented scintillators with thicknesses ranging from 5 to 60 mm. The results demonstrate that, independent of scintillator thickness, the introduction of focusing largely restores spatial resolution and DQE performance otherwise lost in thick, unfocused segmented scintillators. For the case of a 60 mm thick BGO scintillator and at a location 20 cm off the central beam axis, use of focusing improves DQE by up to a factor of ∼130 at non-zero spatial frequencies. The results also indicate relatively robust tolerance of such scintillators to positional displacements, of up to 10 cm in the source-to-detector direction and 2 cm in the lateral direction, from their optimal focusing position, which could potentially enhance practical clinical use of focused segmented scintillators in MV AMFPIs.

Braised squabs are traditional Chinese foods. However, the processing is highly experience dependent and lacks a theoretical basis. Hence, a comparative study of the physicochemical properties in different processing stages of braised squabs was necessary. We observed the physicochemical changes in the processing stages of braised squabs (raw meat, braised meat, and fried meat). The color parameters, moisture content, and drip loss rate gradually decreased during the processing. On the contrary, crude protein content and pH value were upregulated in the processing stages of braised squabs. Furthermore, the diameter of muscle fiber significantly increased in the braised meat and further decreased in the fried meat compared with the raw muscle fiber. Similarly, hardness, springiness, and chewiness were also increased in the braised step and decreased in the fried step. Additionally, the contents of essential amino acids remain unchanged. Hence, our results provided a certain reference value on the production of braised squabs.

Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with neuroregulatory and cognition-enhancing properties, has recently attracted attention for its hepatoprotective properties. Through sequential purification involving ultrasonic extraction, Sevag deproteinization, and chromatographic separation (DEAE cellulose-52 and Sephadex G-75), a homogeneous polysaccharide (ZGE-2) was isolated from Tibetan G. elata, exhibiting a peak molecular weight of 19.337 kDa with exclusive glucose composition. Methylation-GC-MS analysis indicated one non-reducing terminal Glcp-(1 → residue, linear → 4)-Glcp-(1 → and → 6)-Glcp-(1 → residues, as well as branch-point → 3,4)-Glcp-(1 → and → 4,6)-Glcp-(1 → residues in ZGE-2. In the zebrafish in vivo model, ZGE-2 treatment not only ameliorated lipid metabolism disorders by reducing hepatic triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels but also enhanced antioxidant capacity through SOD activation and suppression of MDA accumulation by attenuating oxidative stress via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and modulated alcohol metabolism pathways by downregulating ADH and ALDH expression. Furthermore, ZGE-2 treatment also had the potential to inhibit the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). At the transcriptional level, ZGE-2 downregulated oxidative stress-related genes (Nrf2 and HO-1), suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), and reduced the relative mRNA expression of alcohol metabolism-related genes (ADH and ALDH). Collectively, these findings indicate that G. elata polysaccharides mitigate alcohol-induced hepatic and systemic injury and improve lipid homeostasis via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic modulation, supporting their potential as hepatoprotective agents.