Abstract To study the caramel reactions of disaccharides with water, the type I maltose caramel products (MCPs) and sucrose caramel products (SCPs) at three reaction stages were yielded and their reaction rates, UV absorptions, flavor compounds, and antioxidant activities were also detected. It was found that the caramel reactions of sucrose were faster than those of maltose and their reaction rates quickly increased to a high level in the middle stage. UV absorption of SCP in the late stage at 305 nm was much stronger than those of MCPs. Both the MCP and SCP obtained at 180 °C and 4 min had the highest concentrations of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and total flavor compounds. Moreover, the total flavor concentrations of SCPs were much larger than those of MCPs and the antioxidant effects of SCPs were also stronger. Thus, a preferred condition for both two disaccharide caramel reactions was suggested at 180 °C for 4 min and the sucrose caramels could give better flavors than maltose caramels.

Abstract Salted duck egg white was desalted and hydrolyzed to produce angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides. Single factor test and response surface design were performed to determine the best hydrolysis conditions: enzyme dosage 11875.99 U/g, substrate concentration 33.04 g/L and hydrolysis time 4 h. The fraction V (MW < 1 kDa), which exhibited the strongest ACE inhibitory activity, was characterized by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Eighty-three peptides were identified, and among them Ile-Leu-Lys-Pro, Ile-Asn-Ser-Trp, Ile-Arg and His-Pro-Ala were synthesized for further research. Ile-Leu-Lys-Pro exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity (IC50: 0.355 mM). The molecular docking studies revealed that nine amino acids contributed to stabilize the docking complex. The ACE inhibition of Ile-Leu-Lys-Pro and Ile-Asn-Ser-Trp were mainly attributed to Ile in N-terminal. The residues Glu362 and Ala332 were the important binding sites in molecular docking. This research expands the understanding of ACE inhibitory peptides from duck egg white as well as highlights an opportunity for recycling an otherwise discarded byproduct.

Abstract: Background: Pityriasis rosea is a common papulosquamous disorder. However, its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Objective: We investigate the types of inflammatory cells infiltrating the lesional skin of pityriasis rosea and demonstrate whether T-cell-mediated immunity is involved in the pathogenesis of this condition or not. Methods: The biopsies were taken from the lesional skin of 35 cases of patients diagnosed with pityriasis rosea. The specimens were prepared in paraffin sections, then submitted to routine immunohistochemistry procedures using monoclonal antibodies directed against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20 and CD45RO and horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat anti-human antibodies. The positive sections were determined by the ratio and staining intensity of positive inflammatory cells. Results: The mean score of positive CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD45RO staining was respectively 3.74±3.88, 5.67±4.40, 2.94±3.42 and 7.68±4.33 in these pityriasis rosea patients (P<0.001). The percentage of positive staining was 54.29% (19/35), 69.7% (23/33), 40% (14/35) and 79.41% (27/34) (P<0.05). However, the staining of CD20 was negative in all samples. The mean score of CD3 staining in patients with time for remission ≤60 days (4.90±4.21) was higher than that in patients with time for remission >60 days (2.00±2.5) (P<0.05), whereas no statistical difference in the mean score of CD4, CD8 and CD45RO staining was observed. study liMitations: The sample size and the selected monoclonal antibody are limited, so the results reflect only part of the cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of pityriasis rosea. Conclusion: Our findings support a predominantly T-cell mediated immunity in the development of pityriasis rosea.

Abstract: Chuju, the flower of Chrysanthemum morifolim cv. Chuju, is a traditional medicine-food material used in China. Bioassay-guided chemical investigation on Chuju led the isolation of 16 flavonoids (1-16) characterized as quercetin (1), isorhamnetin 3-O-b-D-glucoside (2), eriodictyol (3), pyracanthoside (4), apigenin (5), apigetrin (6), acacetin (7), acacipetalin (8), luteolin (9), diosmetin (10), spinacetin (11), axillarin (12), bonanzin (13), cirsiliol (14), chrysosplenol D (15) and artemetin (16). Among them, compounds (11-16) were first reported from the Chrsanthemum species. Chuju flavonoids displayed strong antioxidant in DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay, and high anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. These findings suggests that Chuju is an ideal source of natural flavonoids with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and is worthy of further development as health-promoting food or supplement.

Resumen: La flor de Chrysanthemum morifolim cv. Chuju, conocida popularmente como Chuju, se utiliza tradicionalmente como alimento y medicina en China. Un estudio químico biodirigido de un extracto de las flores condujo al aislamiento de 16 flavonoides, los cuales se caracterizaron como quercetina (1), isoramnetina 3-O-b-D-glucosido (2), eriodictiol (3), piracantosido (4), apigenina (5), apigetrina (6), acacetina (7), acacipetalina (8), luteolina (9), diosmetina (10), espinacetina (11), axilarina (12), bonanzina (13), cirsiliol (14), crisosplenol D (15) and artemetina (16). Los productos 11-16 se describen por primera vez en la especie. Los flavonoides de Chuju demostraron una notable actividad antioxidante en el ensayo de captación del radical 2,2- difenil-1-picrilhidrazilo (DPPH); asimismo presentaron un fuerte efecto antiinflamatorio in vitro, valorado a través de la inhibición de la producción de NO en macrófagos RAW 264.7 estimulados con LPS. Estos resultados indican que Chuju es una fuente importante de flavonoides antiinflamatorios y antioxidantes con un potencial importante para su desarrollo como agente nutracéutico.

Chemical investigation on the root of R. laevigata led the isolation and identification of two new flavonoids, (+)-catechin-8-acetic acid (1) and guibourtacacidine 4-methyl ether (2), one known flavonoid, guibourtacacidine (3), along with seven known triterpenoids, euscaphic acid (4), kajiichigoside F1 (5), nigaichigoside F2 (6), rubuside J (7), tomentic acid (8), rosamutin (9) and betulinic acid (10). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and comparisons with literature data. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 showed considerable radical scavenging activity in the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

La investigación química de las raíces de R. laevigata condujo al aislamiento de dos nuevos flavonoides, 8-(+)-catequin-ácido acético (1) y éter 4-metílico de guibourtacacidina (2); un flavonoide conocido, guibourtacacidina (3), y siete triterpenos conocidos, ácido euscáfico (4), kajichi-gósido F1 (5), nigaichigósido F2 (6), rubúsido J (7), ácido toméntico (8), rosamutina (9) y ácido betulínico (10). Las estructuras fueron establecidas de acuerdo a las evidencias espectroscópicas y comparaciones con los datos informados en la literatura. Los compuestos 1, 2 y 3 mostraron actividad atrapadora de radicales en el ensayo del 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidracilo (DFPH).

OBJECTIVES: to investigate the quality of life and the associated factors on left behind elderly in rural China.METHOD: the research was conducted cluster sampling to select 456 elderly left behind when family members migrated out of rural China to participate in a cross-sectional study by completing a general data questionnaire and Quality of Life questionnaire.RESULTS: 91.5% of the elderly requested psychological counseling and education. For the elderly, scores for mental health (39.56±13.73) were significantly lower compared with Chinese standard data (61.6±13.7) (P<0.001). Age, chronic disease type, gender, residence pattern and economic support from children were the main psychological factors influencing this population.CONCLUSION: mental health is the most important factor influencing quality of life of elderly left behind when family members migrated out of rural China. Our study suggested a need to widely establish a general practitioner team for psychological intervention for improving rural elderly people's Quality of Life level, especially in the psychological domain.

OBJETIVOS: investigar la calidad de vida y los factores asociados a los adultos mayores que se quedan en las zonas rurales de China.MÉTODO: la investigación se realizó por medio de muestreo por conglomerados para seleccionar 456 adultos mayores que se quedaron cuando los miembros de la familia emigraron de zonas rurales de China, para participar en un estudio de corte transversal, completando un cuestionario de datos generales y cuestionario de calidad de vida.RESULTADOS: el 91.5% de los adultos mayores solicitó asistencia psicológica y educación. Para los adultos mayores, las puntuaciones de salud mental (39.56±13.73) fueron significativamente más bajos en comparación con los datos estándar de China (61.6±13.7) (p<0.001). La edad, el tipo de enfermedad crónica, el género, el patrón de residencia y el apoyo económico de los hijos fueron los principales factores psicológicos que influencian esta población.CONCLUSIÓN: la salud mental es el factor más importante que influye la calidad de vida de los adultos mayores que se quedan cuando los miembros de la familia emigran de las zonas rurales de China. Nuestro estudio sugiere la necesidad de establecer ampliamente un equipo médico general para la intervención psicológica para mejorar el nivel de la Calidad de Vida de la población rural de edad avanzada, sobre todo en el dominio psicológico.

OBJETIVOS: investigar a qualidade de vida e fatores associados de idosos deixados para trás na China rural.MÉTODO: foi realizada amostragem por conglomerado para selecionar 456 idosos deixados para trás quando os membros da família emigram da China rural. Este é um estudo transversal com preenchimento de um questionário de dados gerais e de qualidade de vida.RESULTADOS: 91,5% dos idosos convidados solicitaram aconselhamento e educação psicológicos. Para os idosos, os escores de saúde mental (39,56±13,73) foram significativamente menores em comparação aos dados padrões chineses (61,6±13,7) (p<0,001). A idade, tipo de doença crônica, gênero, tipo de moradia e suporte econômico dos filhos foram os principais fatores psicológicos que influenciaram essa população.CONCLUSÃO: a saúde mental é o fator mais importante que influencia a qualidade de vida de idosos deixados para trás quando os familiares emigraram da China rural. Este estudo sugere a necessidade de criação de ampla equipe de generalistas para intervenção psicológica, com o intuito de melhorar o nível de qualidade de vida de idosos de áreas rurais, especialmente no domínio psicológico.

OBJETIVOS: investigar a qualidade de vida e fatores associados de idosos deixados para trás na China rural.MÉTODO: foi realizada amostragem por conglomerado para selecionar 456 idosos deixados para trás quando os membros da família emigram da China rural. Este é um estudo transversal com preenchimento de um questionário de dados gerais e de qualidade de vida.RESULTADOS: 91,5% dos idosos convidados solicitaram aconselhamento e educação psicológicos. Para os idosos, os escores de saúde mental (39,56±13,73) foram significativamente menores em comparação aos dados padrões chineses (61,6±13,7) (p<0,001). A idade, tipo de doença crônica, gênero, tipo de moradia e suporte econômico dos filhos foram os principais fatores psicológicos que influenciaram essa população.CONCLUSÃO: a saúde mental é o fator mais importante que influencia a qualidade de vida de idosos deixados para trás quando os familiares emigraram da China rural. Este estudo sugere a necessidade de criação de ampla equipe de generalistas para intervenção psicológica, com o intuito de melhorar o nível de qualidade de vida de idosos de áreas rurais, especialmente no domínio psicológico.

OBJECTIVES: to investigate the quality of life and the associated factors on left behind elderly in rural China.METHOD: the research was conducted cluster sampling to select 456 elderly left behind when family members migrated out of rural China to participate in a cross-sectional study by completing a general data questionnaire and Quality of Life questionnaire.RESULTS: 91.5% of the elderly requested psychological counseling and education. For the elderly, scores for mental health (39.56±13.73) were significantly lower compared with Chinese standard data (61.6±13.7) (P<0.001). Age, chronic disease type, gender, residence pattern and economic support from children were the main psychological factors influencing this population.CONCLUSION: mental health is the most important factor influencing quality of life of elderly left behind when family members migrated out of rural China. Our study suggested a need to widely establish a general practitioner team for psychological intervention for improving rural elderly people's Quality of Life level, especially in the psychological domain.

OBJETIVOS: investigar la calidad de vida y los factores asociados a los adultos mayores que se quedan en las zonas rurales de China.MÉTODO: la investigación se realizó por medio de muestreo por conglomerados para seleccionar 456 adultos mayores que se quedaron cuando los miembros de la familia emigraron de zonas rurales de China, para participar en un estudio de corte transversal, completando un cuestionario de datos generales y cuestionario de calidad de vida.RESULTADOS: el 91.5% de los adultos mayores solicitó asistencia psicológica y educación. Para los adultos mayores, las puntuaciones de salud mental (39.56±13.73) fueron significativamente más bajos en comparación con los datos estándar de China (61.6±13.7) (p<0.001). La edad, el tipo de enfermedad crónica, el género, el patrón de residencia y el apoyo económico de los hijos fueron los principales factores psicológicos que influencian esta población.CONCLUSIÓN: la salud mental es el factor más importante que influye la calidad de vida de los adultos mayores que se quedan cuando los miembros de la familia emigran de las zonas rurales de China. Nuestro estudio sugiere la necesidad de establecer ampliamente un equipo médico general para la intervención psicológica para mejorar el nivel de la Calidad de Vida de la población rural de edad avanzada, sobre todo en el dominio psicológico.

Prompt and accurate detection of rejection prior to pathological changes after organ transplantation is vital for monitoring rejections. Although biopsy remains the current gold standard for rejection diagnosis, it is an invasive method and cannot be repeated daily. Thus, noninvasive monitoring methods are needed. In this study, by introducing an IL-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody (IL-2 N-mAb) and immunosuppressants into the culture with the presence of specific stimulators and activated lymphocytes, an activated lymphocyte-specific assay (ALSA) system was established to detect the specific activated lymphocytes. This assay demonstrated that the suppression in the ALSA test was closely related to the existence of specific activated lymphocytes. The ALSA test was applied to 47 heart graft recipients and the proliferation of activated lymphocytes from all rejection recipients proven by endomyocardial biopsies was found to be inhibited by spleen cells from the corresponding donors, suggesting that this suppression could reflect the existence of activated lymphocytes against donor antigens, and thus the rejection of a heart graft. The sensitivity of the ALSA test in these 47 heart graft recipients was 100%; however, the specificity was only 37.5%. It was also demonstrated that IL-2 N-mAb was indispensible, and the proper culture time courses and concentrations of stimulators were essential for the ALSA test. This preliminary study with 47 grafts revealed that the ALSA test was a promising noninvasive tool, which could be used in vitro to assist with the diagnosis of rejection post-heart transplantation.