Abstract Introduction: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disease in which there is excessive fat deposition in hepatocytes due to hepatoprotective factors. Objectives: to assess the association of the triglyceride-glucose index with the occurrence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and mortality in elderly inpatients. To identify the TyG index as a predictive factor of NAFLD. Methods: this prospective observational study included elderly inpatients admitted to the Department of Endocrinology at the Linyi Geriatrics Hospital, Affiliated to Shandong Medical College, between August 2020 and April 2021. The TyG index was calculated according to an established formula: TyG = Ln [triglycerides (TG) (mg/dl) × Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (mg/dl) / 2]. Result: a total of 264 patients were enrolled, with 52 (19.7 %) cases occurred NAFLD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TyG (OR = 3.889; 95 % CI: 1.134-11.420; p = 0.014) and ALT (OR = 1.064; 95 % CI: 1.012-1.118; p = 0.015) were independently associated with the occurrence of NAFLD. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of TyG was 0.727, with sensitivity = 80.4 % and specificity = 57.8 % at cut off = 8.71. A Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that, after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, drinking, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes TyG > 8.71 (HR = 3.191; 95 % CI: 1.347 to 7.560; p < 0.001) was an independent risk factor for mortality in the elderly. Conclusions: the TyG index can predict non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and mortality in elderly Chinese inpatients.

Resumen Introducción: la enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólico (EHGNA) es una enfermedad en la que una cantidad excesiva de grasa se acumula en los hepatocitos debido a factores hepatoprotectores. Objetivos: evaluar la asociación entre el índice glucemia-triglicéridos con la presencia de hígado graso no alcohólico (EHGNA) y mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados de avanzada edad. Identificar el índice TyG como factor predictivo de la EHGNA. Métodos: este estudio observacional y prospectivo incluyó a pacientes de avanzada edad hospitalizados en el Departamento de Endocrinología del Hospital de Geriatría de Linyi, Afiliado al Colegio Médico de Shandong, entre agosto de 2020 y abril de 2021. El índice TyG se calculó según una fórmula establecida: TyG = Ln [triglicéridos (TG) (mg/dl) × Glucosa en sangre en ayunas (FPG) (mg/dl) / 2]. Resultado: se incluyeron 264 pacientes, con 52 (19,7 %) casos de EHGNA. El análisis de regresión logística multivariante mostró que el TyG (razón de momios (OR) = 3,889; intervalo de confianza del 95 %: 1,134-11,420; p = 0,014) y ALT (razón de momios (OR) = 1,064; intervalo de confianza del 95 %: 1,012-1,118; p = 0,015) se asociaban de forma independiente con la aparición de EHGNA. Además, el análisis de la curva de características operativas del receptor (ROC) mostró que el área bajo la curva (AUC) de TyG era de 0,727, con una sensibilidad del 80,4 % y una especificidad del 57,8 % en el punto de corte de 8,71. El modelo de regresión de riesgos proporcionales de Cox mostró que, tras ajustar por edad, sexo, tabaquismo, consumo de alcohol, hipertensión y diabetes tipo 2, un TyG > 8,71 (HR = 3,191; intervalo de confianza del 95 %: 1,347 a 7,560; p < 0,001) era un factor de riesgo independiente de mortalidad para los paciente de edad avanzada. Conclusiones: el índice TyG puede predecir la enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólico y la mortalidad en pacientes chinos hospitalizados de avanzada edad.

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the design of a safflower picking robot control system and focuses on a navigation control subsystem based on multisensor fusion. A navigation subsystem, an identification and positioning subsystem, a picking subsystem, and a levelling subsystem are designed. The hardware and software of the navigation subsystem are designed in detail, and a multisensor fusion positioning method based on extended Kalman fusion technology is proposed. The accuracy and stability levels of different combined navigation methods are compared. To test the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method, an outdoor test is carried out. The test results show that the outdoor fusion positioning accuracy of the robot is less than 8 cm, and when the satellite signal is lost, the navigation control subsystem can still provide high positioning accuracy. The final positioning result obtained using the integrated positioning method of the wheel odometer + IMU + DGNSS is approximately 52% higher than that of the odometer, approximately 29% higher than that of the wheel odometer + IMU, and approximately 11% higher than that of the IMU + DGNSS.

Abstract Oridonin is an enantiomer-kaurene tetracyclic diterpenoid compound, which is the main active component of Rabdosia rubescens, a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been reported to exert anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, neuroprotective, and other pharmacological effects. Owing to the overuse of antibiotics, currently, the medical and food industries are facing drug resistance challenges, which have severely impacted food and medical safety. Thus, new antibacterial agents must be identified. As an important active component of Rabdosia rubescens, oridonin has been extensively and deeply studied in antimicrobial aspects. This paper reviews the antimicrobial activity of oridonin and its underlying mechanism. In addition, its safety and application as an antibacterial agent were briefly introduced. Finally, the current problems and challenges of the application of oridonin and the prospects were also elucidated. enantiomerkaurene enantiomer kaurene compound rubescens medicine antitumor, antitumor anti tumor, tumor anti-tumor antiinflammatory, antiinflammatory inflammatory, inflammatory anti-inflammatory proapoptotic, proapoptotic pro apoptotic, apoptotic pro-apoptotic antiangiogenic, antiangiogenic angiogenic, angiogenic anti-angiogenic neuroprotective effects antibiotics currently Thus identified aspects mechanism addition introduced Finally elucidated

Abstract To investigate the effect of DNMT3A in vascular calcification (VC) induced by high phosphorus. The arterial tissues of 12 patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and VC and 12 patients with ESRD without VC were collected. Rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were divided into control group, high phosphorus (P) group, P + DMSO group, p-ERK1/2 inhibitor group, DNMT3A group and DNMT3A + P group and P + shRNA-DNMT3A group. Vascular calcification was evaluated by von kossa staining. Cell calcification was evaluated by alizarin red staining. The calcium content was assessed by calcium determination kit. The levels of DNMT3A, Runx2, LC3 and p-ERK1/2 were significantly up-regulated in CKD patients with VC in comparison with those in CKD patients without VC(p<0.05). Moreover, the levels of SM22α and P62 were notably decreased in CKD patients with VC in comparison with those in CKD patients without VC(p<0.05). Similar changes were observed in VSMCs induced by high phosphorus. Knock down of DNMT3A in VSMCs inhibited phenotypic transformation and induced autophagy, then reduced calcification(p<0.05). Moreover, p-ERK1/2 level was downregulated by knock down of DNMT3A in comparison with the control group(p<0.05). In conclusion, DNMT3A regulated high phosphorus induced vascular medial calcification via ERK1/2 signaling.

Abstract We aimed to establish a method for the rapid identification of three common Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Micrococcus luteus) associated with foodborne diseases. MALDI-TOF-MS was used to determine the effects of sample pretreatment, culture medium, and culture time on the identification results. Then, MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS was used to establish an optimized method and further explore the effects of culture time on secondary proteins. Among the three sample pretreatment methods, formic acid extraction outperformed direct transfer and extended direct transfer, resulting in more protein peaks and higher peak intensity in B. cereus culture samples. However, with different culture times (1–7 d), ion peaks of all bacterial proteins were relatively stable according to MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS data. The protein peaks of B. cereus (1430 m/z), L. monocytogenes (2100 m/z), and M. luteus (2140 m/z) were split into small ion peaks at 1162, 1465, and 1625 m/z, respectively. After 7 d of culture, the secondary spectra, peak intensities, and peak values of formic acid-treated samples were relatively stable, indicating that secondary protein peaks were less affected by culture time. It provides a new approach for the routine identification and market supervision of food safety in China.

Abstract Three typical contaminant bacteria, namely, Gluconobacter, Acetobacter, and Lactobacillus, were selected from fermented milk. The strong specific genes were screened as target sequences, and the droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) amplification system and reaction conditions were optimized. We established a ddPCR detection method for the three kinds of bacteria in fermented milk and then verified the specificity and sensitivity of the method. Absolute quantitative results were also analyzed. Results showed that ddPCR detection method for the three contaminants was specific and sensitive, and that the lowest detectable concentrations of Gluconobacter, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus plantarum were 8.8 × 100 CFU/mL, 8.9 × 101 CFU/mL, and 9.6 × 101 CFU/mL, respectively. The relationship between the quantitative analysis results and ddPCR test results was good, proving the feasibility of ddPCR for absolute quantitative detection. This manuscript reports on establishment of a ddPCR detection system for three bacterial contaminants in fermented milk. The ddPCR detection system has efficient detection of targeted bacterial contaminants in fermented milks that can be valuable to the dairy industry in terms of preventing economic loss due to microbial spoilage and associated quality defects.

Abstract Objectives To explore the role and possible mechanisms of action of apolipoprotein O (APOO) in autophagy in Myocardial Infarction (MI) in vivo and in vitro. Methods Differential gene expression and single Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to evaluate MI-related candidate genes. Animal and cell MI models were established. Sh-APOO, si-APOO, and SB203580 were used to inhibit the expression of APOO or p38MAPK. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to analyze the expression levels of the target protein or mRNA. Apoptosis was observed using the TUNEL assay. The plasma concentrations of CK-MB and cTn-I in humans and mice were determined. Results In the GSE23294 dataset, APOO mRNA was highly expressed in the left ventricle of mice with MI; GSEA revealed that APOO was positively correlated with p38MAPK, autophagy, and apoptosis. The plasma concentration of APOO in patients with MI was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects. The expression of APOO, Beclin-1, LC3, and Bax in mouse and AC16 cell MI models increased, while the level of Bcl-2 decreased. After silencing the APOO gene, the expression of APOO was downregulated; meanwhile, changes in autophagy, apoptosis and myocardial cell injury were reversed in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, autophagy was alleviated after AC16 cells were treated with SB203580. Conclusions The increased APOO expression in mouse and cell MI models may activate autophagy and apoptosis by regulating the p38MAPK signaling pathway, thus aggravating the myocardial injury. HIGHLIGHTS APOO was highly expressed in the left ventricle of mice with myocardial infarction. Increasing of APOO may activate autophagy and apoptosis in myocardial infarction. The regulation of APOO in autophagy and apoptosis was regulated by p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Abstract Oridonin, a terpenoid with various biological functions, has limited uses in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries owing to its low water solubility. Previous studies have used cyclodextrin inclusion to improve its solubility. Herein, the effects of different cyclodextrins on the inclusion of oridonin were investigated using phase solubility and molecular docking tests. The binding constants of α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, and γ-cyclodextrin with oridonin were 22.6, 298.6, and 317.4, respectively. The corresponding binding energies were -6.49, -6.76, and -7.53 kcal/mol, respectively, suggesting that the interaction between γ-cyclodextrin and oridonin was the strongest, thereby improving the solubility of oridonin to the greatest extent. Further experiments indicated that no new unsaturated bonds formed after oridonin complexed with γ-cyclodextrin. In addition, the complexation of oridonin with γ-cyclodextrin, led to its complete dispersal in an amorphous state that was thermally stable. This study promotes the application of oridonin in food and medicines.

Abstract Pickering high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) has a broad application prospect in the field of solid fat substitution and nutraceutical delivery, but the safe and available food-derived particle emulsifier is the bottleneck of its practical application. In this study, mung bean flour was used as a particle emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water Pickering HIPEs. The results showed that the particle size of mung bean flour was suitable (median diameter, 26.41 μm) and had certain wettability. The volume fraction of oil phase (φ) and the concentration of mung bean flour (c) had significant effects on the formation of Pickering HIPEs. When c ≥ 1%, the Pickering HIPE of φ = 80% could be obtained. Mung bean flour not only played an emulsifying role at the oil/water interface, but also prevented the coalescence of oil droplets through its viscosity effect in the aqueous phase. With the increase of c, the droplet size of Pickering HIPEs decreased, the mechanical properties increased gradually, and the ability of HIPEs protecting β-carotene against ultraviolet irradiation was also enhanced.

Abstract With sodium trimetaphosphate as cross-linking agent, the cross-linked tigernut starch (CLTS) was prepared in this study. The effects of cross-linking on the structure and physicochemical properties of tigernut starch were also investigated. FT-IR analysis confirmed the formation of CLTS. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) results suggested that cross-linking not only retained the crystallization type of starch (C-type), but also enhanced the crystallinity. Compared with the native tigernut starch (NTS), CLTS had lower solubility and swelling power, the better syneresis and freeze-thaw stability. It was more prone to settlement. The pasting temperature and peak viscosity of CLTS were superior to those of NTS. It was easier to regenerate at low temperature, and its thermal stability was also significantly improved. Our results provide a reference for the in-depth development of tigernut starch.

Abstract The rheological properties of dough from modified Tartary buckwheat bran flour (MTBF) by heat-moisture treatment (HMT) and wheat flour (WF) were investigated in this study, and the application of MTBF in steamed bread processing was also evaluated. The results showed that the addition of MTBF had a significant effect on torque curve and parameters of the dough. With the increase of the weight proportion of MTBF in the blend (WMTBF), the water absorption of the dough gradually increased, the protein weakening degree decreased at first and then increased, and the dough had better kneading resistance when the WMTBF was 30% and 40%. With the increase of WMTBF, the color of the steamed bread gradually darkened and yellowed, and the specific volume declined gradually. In addition, the hardness, gumminess and chewiness of steamed bread increased with WMTBF, but its springiness, cohesiveness and resilience decreased. When WMTBF ≥ 20%, internal texture structure of steamed bread was enhanced. Sensory evaluation indicated that the steamed bread developed at WMTBF = 20% could obtain similar quality and pleasant appearance to common wheat steamed bread.

Abstract Using fig leaves as raw materials, extraction time, extraction temperature, solid to liquid ratio, and ultrasonic power were selected as influencing factors to analyze their effects on the yield of fig leaf polysaccharides (FLPS). The response surface methodology was carried out to optimize the extraction parameters. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of FLPS was studied. The experimental results show that the optimum extraction conditions are: extraction time of 121 min, extraction temperature of 72 °C, solid to liquid ratio of 1: 48 g/mL, and ultrasonic power of 250 W. In this case, the measured extraction rate of FLPS was 11.78%, which was in agreement with the theoretical extraction rate. Response surface analysis was used to accurately and reliably optimize the extraction of FLPS. The results of the antioxidant activity showed that FLPS had antioxidant activity. It has the best scavenging effect on ABTS radical cation (ABTS+·), and it also has ability to scavenge DPPH radical (DPPH·), hydroxyl radical (·OH), superoxide anion radical (·O2-), and ferric reducing activity. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the further development and application of FLPS.

Abstract Genetically modified soybean strains are trade monitoring object by China. Currently, the genetically modified soybean MON89788 has been approved in China to be imported as processing raw material. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish a method to quantitatively assess MON89788. This study used droplet digital PCR technology to quantitatively detect MON89788. The results showed that the genomic DNA concentration and its copy number of genetically modified soybeans showed a certain linear relationship. The formula was y = 2.5967x + 3.1437, where R2 = 0.999. When the same 4.5% genetically modified sample was contained, the results of the droplet digital PCR ratio and linear methods were 5.88% and 3.599%, respectively. Comparing the two results showed that the droplet digital PCR ratio method has a larger error than the linear relationship method. The novel droplet digital PCR linear relationship method established in this study has high sensitivity and specificity, and thus is a good prospect for quantitative research.

Abstract The evaluation of learning constitutes one of the most controversial and worked categories in the area of pedagogical sciences, its meanings are dissimilar from the epistemological point of view attributed to it by: types, functions, methods, among others; without forgetting the importance of the cultural substrate. This work is the result of a doctoral thesis developed at the Center of Studies for the Improvement of Higher Education (CSIHE) at the University of Havana. This research identified a problem related to the formative assessment at the Hunan University of International Economics in China, due to, among other causes, the traditionalism that has characterized the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language (SFL) in this university. The objective of this article is to design a formative evaluation strategy in the teaching - learning process of SFL for first year students at the University Hunan Economics of China. As a result of the research, the strategy was structured following the requirements and typical characteristics proposed by the didactics of linguistics. It also contains six methods and four techniques appropriate to this area of knowledge. Actions were determined for each method and technique, based on the objective, requirements and demands of the SFL learning process, so that the evaluation could acquire the potential of formative. Experts criteria were favorable in terms of the viability of the formative evaluation strategy.

Resumen La evaluación del aprendizaje constituye una de las categorías más polémicas y trabajadas en el área de las ciencias pedagógicas, son disímiles las acepciones desde la mirada epistemológica que se le atribuye por: tipos, funciones, métodos, entre otros; sin obviar la importancia del sustrato cultural. El presente trabajo es el resultado de una tesis doctoral desarrollada en el Centro de Estudios para el Perfeccionamiento de la Educación Superior (CEPES) de la Universidad de La Habana, a partir de la problemática identificada con la función formativa del proceso evaluativo en la Universidad Internacional de Economía de Hunan en China, dado, entre otras causas, por el tradicionalismo que ha caracterizado a la didáctica del español como lengua extranjera (ELE). El objetivo del presente trabajo es presentar una estrategia de evaluación formativa en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje del ELE para el primer año de la Universidad de Economía Internacional de Hunan de China. Como resultado de la investigación se obtuvo la estructura de una estrategia que, partiendo de requerimientos y características tipos de la didáctica de la lingüística, es contentiva, además, de seis métodos y cuatro técnicas aplicables en esta área del saber. Se diseñaron acciones por cada método y técnica, sobre la base del objetivo, requerimientos y exigencias, imbricándose en el proceso de aprendizaje, de manera que la evaluación adquiera el potencial de formativa. Se aplicó el método de criterio de especialistas, resultando valoraciones favorables en términos de la viabilidad de la estrategia de evaluación formativa. Como resultado de la investigación se obtuvo la estructura de una estrategia que, partiendo de requerimientos y características tipos de la didáctica de la lingüística, es contentiva, además, de seis métodos y cuatro técnicas aplicables en esta área del saber. Se diseñaron acciones por cada método y técnicas, sobre la base del objetivo, requerimientos y exigencias, imbricándose en el proceso de aprendizaje, de manera que la evaluación adquiera el potencial de formativa. Se aplicó el método de criterio de especialistas, resultando valoraciones favorables en términos de la viabilidad de la estrategia de evaluación formativa.

Resumo Fundamento: A doença cardiovascular é a principal causa de morte em todo o mundo. A apoptose mediada por hipóxia em cardiomiócitos é uma das principais causas de distúrbios cardiovasculares. O tratamento com a proteína do fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF, do inglês vascular endothelial growth factor) foi testado, mas as dificuldades operacionais limitaram seu uso. Entretanto, com os avanços da terapia gênica, aumentou o interesse na terapia gênica baseada no VEGF em doenças cardiovasculares. No entanto, o mecanismo preciso pelo qual a reposição de VEGF resgata os danos pós-hipóxia em cardiomiócitos não é conhecido. Objetivos: Investigar o efeito da expressão de VEGF121 pós-hipóxia utilizando cardiomiócitos de ratos neonatos. Métodos: Cardiomiócitos isolados de ratos neonatos foram utilizados para estabelecer um modelo in vitro de lesão cardíaca induzida por hipóxia. O efeito da superexpressão de VEGF, isolado ou em conjunto com inibidores de moléculas pequenas que têm como alvo os canais de cálcio, receptores sensíveis ao cálcio (CaSR, do inglês calcium-sensitive receptors) e calpaína, no crescimento e proliferação celular em lesão de cardiomiócitos induzidos por hipóxia, foram determinados com ensaio de MTT, coloração TUNEL, coloração com Anexina V/PI, lactato desidrogenase e atividade da caspase. Para análise estatística, um valor de p<0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados: Verificou-se que o efeito do VEGF121 foi mediado por CaSR e calpaína, mas não foi dependente dos canais de cálcio. Conclusões: Nossos resultados, mesmo em um ambiente in vitro, estabelecem as bases para uma validação futura e testes pré-clínicos da terapia gênica baseada em VEGF em doenças cardiovasculares.

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death worldwide. Hypoxia-mediated apoptosis in cardiomyocytes is a major cause of cardiovascular disorders. Treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein has been tested but operational difficulties have limited its use. However, with the advancements of gene therapy, interest has risen in VEGF-based gene therapy in cardiovascular disorders. However, the precise mechanism by which VEGF replenishment rescues post-hypoxia damage in cardiomyocytes is not known. Objectives: To investigate the effect of post-hypoxia VEGF121 expression using neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Methods: Cardiomyocytes isolated from neonatal rats were used to establish an in vitro model of hypoxia-induced cardiac injury. The effect of VEGF overexpression, alone or in combination with small-molecule inhibitors targeting calcium channel, calcium sensitive receptors (CaSR), and calpain on cell growth and proliferation on hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury were determined using an MTT assay, TUNEL staining, Annexin V/PI staining, lactate dehydrogenase and caspase activity. For statistical analysis, a value of P<0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The effect of VEGF121 was found to be mediated by CaSR and calpain but was not dependent on calcium channels. Conclusions: Our findings, even though using an in vitro setting, lay the foundation for future validation and pre-clinical testing of VEGF-based gene therapy in cardiovascular diseases.