Abstract Spices have long been used in many countries to enhance or modify the flavor of meat and meat products. In general, different cooking treatments of spices can produce significantly different flavor. Jiao-ma chicken (JMC), as a traditional and characteristic cuisine in China, is prepared by boiled chicken seasoned with its exquisite flavor sauce. The delicious flavor of its sauce has won great popularity, and fried chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) oil (CPO) and pricklyash peel (Zanthoxylum bungeanum M.) oil (PPO) are its essential ingredients. To investigate the effects of CPO and PPO on the formation of aroma characteristics of JMC, the volatiles of CPO and PPO with and without chicken soup (CS) were analyzed by SPME/GC-MS. A total of 69 and 64 volatiles were identified in semi-finished JMC sauce (CS, CPO, and PPO) and final JMC sauce, respectively. GC-MS results showed that the composition and proportions of volatiles were significantly changed. Adding CPO and PPO to the basic CS generated several terpenes, and caused significant decreases in alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones, resulting in an exquisite spicy flavor of JMC sauce. Combined with GC-O and principal component analysis (PCA) results, it was found that 23 volatiles positively involved in the aroma formation, and might be significantly contributed to the unique flavor of JMC sauces.

Abstract Prediction of the development stage of flat peach is very important to determine the harvest time and guarantee high quality peach fruit. The objective of this study was to predict the development stage of flat peach by applying the SVR model based on characteristic taste attributes changes. Seven development stages were divided into immaturity stage (F1-F5) and maturity stage (F6-F7) according to PIs analysis. Both human sensory evaluation and electronic tongue showed that sourness and bitterness significantly decreased, while sweetness increased during seven development stages (P < 0.05). PCA result revealed that sourness and sweetness attributes had a high correlation between human sensory evaluation and electronic tongue. HCA classified seven development stages as two clusters, which was consistent with the PIs analysis. Seven development stages of flat peach were accurately predicted by the SVR model and the correct rate (CR) was 93.9%. The mean squared error (MSE) of each evaluation index was around 0.14 and the squared correlation coefficient (SCC) was over 0.99, which indicated the model performed well. This study proved that taste attribute could be used as an index combined with the SVR model to accurately predict the development stage of flat peach.

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted with a random sample of patients from the entire population of National Health Insurance enrollees during 2000-2010 and used ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes to identify T2DM patients and GAD. The prevalence of GAD was compared between T2DM patients and the general population. Results: Between 2000 and 2010, the prevalence of GAD was significantly greater in the T2DM patients than the general population, while the increase of GAD was higher in the general population (from 0.25 to 0.63%) than among T2DM patients (from 0.81 to 1.03%). In T2DM patients, GAD was associated with female gender, a Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 1, diabetes mellitus duration > 9 years, and the following comorbidities: congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, and depressive disorder. The prevalence of GAD among T2DM patients was negatively associated with rapid-acting insulin injection therapy and with the use of metformin and sulfonylureas. Conclusion: Since the prevalence of GAD was greater among T2DM patients than the general population, public health initiatives are needed to prevent and treat GAD in T2DM patients, specifically those with the above mentioned risk factors.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the application value of magnetic resonance (MR) hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation. METHODS 146 patients were enrolled. MR hydrography and spiral CT examinations for the intracranial auditory canal were performed before surgery, and all imaging results were statistically analyzed in order to explore the application value of MR hydrography of the inner ear in cochlear implantation. RESULTS 146 patients (292 ears) were examined. Among these patients, 13 were diagnosed with abnormal vestibular aqueducts (20 ears) by MR hydrography, while five were diagnosed with this disease by CT; 15 patients were diagnosed with inner ear malformation (19 ears) by MR hydrography, while 11 were diagnosed by CT (four were misdiagnosed); five patients were diagnosed with internal acoustic canal stenosis (eight ears) by MR hydrography, while two were diagnosed by CT (three were misdiagnosed); and four patients were diagnosed with cochlear fibrosis (five ears) by MR hydrography, while four were diagnosed by CT (four ears). The correct rate of diagnosis was 77.40% (113/146) based on CT, while the rate was 93.84% (137/146) based on MR hydrography. CONCLUSIONS MR hydrography imaging technique can be applied to the preoperative evaluation of cochlear implantation, providing accurate and reliable anatomic information on the inner membranous labyrinth and nerves in the internal acoustic canal and an accurate basis for the diagnosis of cochlear fibrosis and nerve development. This has a guiding significance for the selection of treatment schemes.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Este estudo visa investigar o valor da aplicação da hidrografia por ressonância magnética (RM) do ouvido interno no implante coclear. MÉTODOS Cento e quarenta e seis pacientes foram inscritos. Os exames da hidrografia por RM e do CT espiral para o canal auditivo intracraniano foram executados antes da cirurgia, e todos os resultados da imagem foram analisados estatisticamente, a fim de explorar o valor da aplicação da hidrografia por RM do ouvido interno no implante coclear. RESULTADOS Centro e quarenta e seis pacientes (292 ouvidos) foram examinados. Dentre esses pacientes, 13 foram diagnosticados com aquedutos vestibulares anormais (20 ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto cinco pacientes foram diagnosticados com esta doença pelo CT; 15 pacientes foram diagnosticados com malformação do ouvido interno (19 ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto 11 pacientes foram diagnosticados por CT (quatro foram diagnosticados erroneamente); cinco pacientes foram diagnosticados com estenose de canal acústico interno (oito ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto dois pacientes foram diagnosticados por CT (três foram diagnosticados erroneamente); e quatro pacientes foram diagnosticados com fibrose coclear (cinco ouvidos) pela hidrografia por RM, enquanto quatro foram diagnosticados por CT (quatro ouvidos). A taxa correta de diagnóstico foi de 77,40% (113/146) com base no CT, enquanto a taxa foi de 93,84% (137/146) com base na hidrografia por RM. CONCLUSÕES A técnica de imagem da hidrografia por RM pode ser aplicada à avaliação pré-operatória do implante coclear, que pode fornecer informações anatômicas precisas e confiáveis sobre o labirinto membranoso interno e os nervos no canal acústico interno, além de uma base exata para o diagnóstico da fibrose coclear e do desenvolvimento do nervo. Isso tem um significado orientador para a seleção de esquemas de tratamento.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To study factors affecting the liver regeneration after hepatectomy METHODS With 3D reconstitution technology, liver regeneration ability of 117 patients was analysed, and relative factors were studied. RESULTS There was no statistically difference between the volume of simulated liver resection and the actual liver resection. All livers had different degrees of regeneration after surgery. Age, gender and blood indicators had no impact on liver regeneration, while surgery time, intraoperative blood loss, blood flow blocking time and different ways of liver resection had a significant impact on liver regeneration; In addition, the patients’ own pathological status, including, hepatitis and liver fibrosis all had a significant impact on liver regeneration. CONCLUSION 3D reconstitution model is a good model to calculate liver volume. Age, gender, blood indicators and biochemistry indicators have no impact on liver regeneration, but surgery indicators and patients’ own pathological status have influence on liver regeneration.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Estudar os fatores que afetam a regeneração hepática após hepatectomia. MÉTODOS A capacidade de regeneração hepática de 117 pacientes foi analisada com a tecnologia de reconstituição 3D e foram estudados os fatores relacionados. RESULTADOS Não houve diferença estatística significante entre o volume de ressecção hepática simulada e a ressecção atual. Todos os fígados apresentaram diferentes graus de regeneração após cirurgia. Idade, gênero e indicadores sanguíneos não tiveram impacto na regeneração hepática, enquanto que tempo de cirurgia, perda sanguínea intraoperatória, tempo de bloqueio do fluxo sanguíneo e diferentes formas de ressecção mostraram impacto significante na regeneração do órgão. Além disso, condições patológicas dos pacientes, incluindo hepatite e fibrose hepática, tiveram impacto significante na regeneração hepática. CONCLUSÃO O modelo de reconstituição 3D é um bom modelo para calcular o volume do fígado. Idade, gênero, indicadores sanguíneos e bioquímicos não tiveram impacto na regeneração hepática, mas indicadores operatórios e condição patológica dos pacientes mostraram influência na regeneração do órgão.

A series of carbon nanotube (CNTs)-supported copper-cobalt catalysts were prepared and investigated in a slurry reactor for their ability to selectively convert syngas into higher carbon number alcohols. The 7.5Cu7.5Co/CNTs catalyst achieved superior selectivity towards the formation of ethanol (30.1%) and C2+ alcohols (57.7%), while the 10Co5Cu/CNTs catalyst exhibited the largest alcohol space-time yield (372.9 mg gcat -1 h-1). However, the pure Cu (15Cu/CNTs) catalyst displayed negligible activity. Cobalt reduction was enhanced in the presence of copper. In addition to the Cu0-Co0 center, Co0-Co2+ also presented dual active sites for higher alcohols synthesis, the Co2+ site could terminate carbon chain growth to produce alcohols. The ratio of Cu/Co considerably influences the metal particle properties-synergistically effecting the active species.

The mortality of patients with mycotic aneurysms is high, especially in East Asia, and infection by Salmonella species is the most common. Our study aimed to improve prognosis of adult mycotic aneurysms with early diagnosis and accurate treatment. Four adult patients with mycotic aneurysm caused by Salmonella were included and analyzed by single-center retrospective analysis. Cases reported in the literature during the past 10 years were also summarized. The average age of the 4 male patients was 61.25 years, while that of the 53 cases reported in the literature was 65.13 years. Hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis were common complications. Most patients presented fever and experienced pain at the corresponding position of the aneurysm. Laboratory examination found an increased number of white blood cells accompanied by an increase in inflammatory markers. Most aneurysms were found in the abdominal aorta, while the rupture of an aneurysm was the most common complication. The mortality rates were 21.43 and 7.14% after open surgery or endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) intervention, respectively. The recurrence rates of infection were 0 and 17.85% for both treatments, respectively. The mortality rate of mycotic aneurysm caused by Salmonella infection was high in middle-aged males with hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. The possibility of a Salmonella-infected aneurysm should be considered in these high-risk groups presenting chills, fever, chest, and back pain. Open surgery was superior to EVAR treatment in the clearance of infected foci and the reduction of postoperative recurrence. The recurrence of postoperative infection can be prevented by intravenous antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks post-surgery.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, especially in myocardial infarction and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we determined the role and the possible underlying molecular mechanism of lncRNA-ROR in myocardial I/R injury. H9c2 cells and human cardiomyocytes (HCM) were subjected to either hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), I/R or normal conditions (normoxia). The expression levels of lncRNA-ROR were detected in serum of myocardial I/R injury patients, H9c2 cells, and HCM by qRT-PCR. Then, levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were measured by kits. Cell viability, apoptosis, apoptosis-associated factors, and p38/MAPK pathway were examined by MTT, flow cytometry, and western blot assays. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was determined by H2DCF-DA and MitoSOX Red probes with flow cytometry. NADPH oxidase activity and NOX2 protein levels were measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence and western blot. Results showed that lncRNA-ROR expression was increased in I/R patients and in H/R treatment of H9c2 cells and HCM. Moreover, lncRNA-ROR significantly promoted H/R-induced myocardial injury via stimulating release of LDH, MDA, SOD, and GSH-PX. Furthermore, lncRNA-ROR decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis, and regulated expression of apoptosis-associated factors. Additionally, lncRNA-ROR increased phosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2 expression and inhibition of p38/MAPK, and rescued lncRNA-ROR-induced cell injury in H9c2 cells and HCM. ROS production, NADPH oxidase activity, and NOX2 protein levels were promoted by lncRNA-ROR. These data suggested that lncRNA-ROR acted as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of myocardial I/R injury.

Abstract Dynamic compression behaviors of density-homogeneous and density-graded irregular honeycombs are investigated using cell-based finite element models under a constant-velocity impact scenario. A method based on the cross-sectional engineering stress is developed to obtain the one-dimensional stress distribution along the loading direction in a cellular specimen. The cross-sectional engineering stress is contributed by two parts: the node-transitive stress and the contact-induced stress, which are caused by the nodal force and the contact of cell walls, respectively. It is found that the contact-induced stress is dominant for the significantly enhanced stress behind the shock front. The stress enhancement and the compaction wave propagation can be observed through the stress distributions in honeycombs under high-velocity compression. The single and double compaction wave modes are observed directly from the stress distributions. Theoretical analysis of the compaction wave propagation in the density-graded honeycombs based on the R-PH (rigid-plastic hardening) idealization is carried out and verified by the numerical simulations. It is found that stress distribution in cellular materials and the compaction wave propagation characteristics under dynamic compression can be approximately predicted by the R-PH shock model.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The activity of garlic oil extract against Schistosoma japonicum cercariae was evaluated. METHODS: The in vitro and in vivo cercaricidal activities against S. japonicum larvae were determined. RESULTS: Exposure to ≥ 10-6 (v/v) garlic emulsions for 30 min led to 100% cercariae mortality; pre-exposure treatment with ≥ 10-4 (v/v) garlic emulsions showed 100% preventive efficacy against S. japonicum infection, while pre-treatment with 10-5 and 10-6 (v/v) emulsions achieved 20%-40% preventive efficacy and 35.2%-63.6% worm burden reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Garlic oil extract has activity against S. japonicum larvae and a promising preventive efficacy against S. japonicum infection.

To apply the ultrasonic 3D reconstruction method to measure the anatomic image data of lacrimal sac in the normal adult Chinese population, providing imaging anatomical basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of lacrimal duct diseases. 80 volunteers without lacrimal duct diseases were enrolled. The GE Voluson E8 ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus was used, with gynecological intracavitary probe (frequency: 5 ~ 12MHz) for the examination and measurement. Each datum was repeated three times for the average value. Among the 80 eyes, the lacrimal sacs of 74 eyes exhibited the clear imaging, with the imaging rate as 92.5 %. the vertical diameter of lacrimal sac cavity (LSC): 13.3±2.2 mm; anteroposterior diameter: 6.0±1.1 mm; trans diameter: 4.9±0.9 mm; the vertical distance from the sac cavity top to the skin surface: 6.3±0.12 mm, the vertical distance from the sac cavity bottom to the skin surface: 6.5±0.11 mm; the distance from the angular artery to the medial canthus: 7.8±0.05 mm; the vertical distance from the angular artery to the skin surface: 7.7±0.08 mm. The lacrimal sac and angular artery in the adults could be shown clearly in ultrasonic 3D reconstruction, the accumulated anatomical parameters could provide the instructive meanings towards the clinical diagnosis and treatment of lacrimal diseases.

El objetivo de este estudio consistió en aplicar el método de reconstrucción 3D de ultrasonidos para medir los datos de las imágenes anatómicas del saco lagrimal en una población china adulta normal, proporcionando imágenes con base anatómica para el diagnóstico clínico y el tratamiento de las enfermedades de los conductos lagrimales. La muestra consistió en 80 voluntarios sin enfermedades de los conductos lagrimales. Se utilizó el aparato de ultrasonido GE Voluson E8, con una sonda intracavitaria ginecológica (frecuencia: 5 ~ 12 MHz) para realizar el examen y la medición. Cada dato se repitió tres veces para obtener el valor medio. De los 80 ojos, los sacos lagrimales de 74 ojos mostraron una imagen clara, siendo la tasa de formación de imágenes del 92,5 %. Se realizaron mediciones: diámetro vertical de la cavidad del saco lagrimal (LSC): 13,3 ± 2,2 mm; diámetro anteroposterior: 6,0 ± 1,1 mm; diámetro transversal: 4,9 ± 0,9 mm; distancia vertical desde la porción superior de la cavidad del saco lagrimal hasta la superficie de la piel: 6,3 ± 0,12 mm, distancia vertical desde el fondo de la cavidad del saco lagrimal hasta la superficie de la piel: 6,5 ± 0,11 mm; distancia desde la arteria angular al canto medial: 7,8 ± 0,05 mm; distancia vertical desde la arteria angular a la superficie de la piel: 7,7 ± 0,08 mm. El saco lagrimal y la arteria angular en los adultos se podría demostrar claramente en la reconstrucción 3D con ultrasonido. Los parámetros anatómicos acumulados podrían ser de significativo valor para un certero diagnóstico clínico y tratamiento de enfermedades de los sacos lagrimales.

The palladium catalyst supported on agarose-alumina composite and its utilization in the Suzuki reaction have been investigated. The agarose-alumina composite was prepared and modified with organofunctional groups by reacting with the coupling reagent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) through Al−O−Si bonds. Palladium was efficiently loaded on the composite by the amino groups. The Suzuki coupling reaction can proceed successfully at room temperature under air. High yields of various aryl-aryl products have been obtained. Recycling studies have shown that the catalyst can be easily recovered and reused several times. The yields decreased from 95% to 85% in five cycles.

The aim of this study was to enhance the production of vitamin K2 by using N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine (NTG) and low energy ion beam implantation and optimizing the fermentation medium. Mutation resulted in 1.66-fold higher production of vitamin K2 than that of the parentl strain. The production by the mutant BN-P15-11-1was increased 55% and reached 3.593±0.107 mg/L by using the Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken designs to optimize the fermentation medium. The optimal fermentation culture medium was composed of (g/L) glycerol 69.6, sucrose 34.5, K2HPO4 4.0, peptone 20, yeast extract 25 and fermented at 37 °C and 150 rpm for 72 h. The results showed that the NTG and low energy ion beam implantation mutations and optimizing fermentation medium were effective methods to enhance vitamin K2production.

Objective : Pineal region tumors (PRTs) are uncommon, and treatments vary among neoplasm types. The authors report their experience with gamma knife surgery (GKS) as an initial treatment in a series of PRT patients with unclear pathological diagnoses. Method : Seventeen PRT patients with negative pathology who underwent GKS were retrospectively studied. Nine patients had further whole-brain and spinal cord radiotherapy and chemotherapy 6–9 months after GKS. Results : Sixteen of 17 cases were followed up over a mean of 33.3 months. The total response rate was 75%, and the control rate was 81.3%. No obvious neurological deficits or complications were attributable to GKS. Conclusion : The findings indicate that GKS may be an alternative strategy in selected PRT patients who have negative pathological diagnoses, and that good outcomes and quality of life can be obtained with few complications.

Tumores da região da pineal (TRP) são pouco frequentes e as propostas de tratamento são bastante variadas. Os autores relatam sua experiência em cirurgias com uso gamma knife (CGK) como tratamento experimental inicial em séries de TRP que não têm diagnóstico anatomopatológico ou nos quais o diagnóstico não ficou claro. Foram estudados retrospectivamente 17 pacientes com TRP nestas condições e que foram submetidos a CGK. Destes, 9 pacientes foram submetidos posteriormente a radioterapia de todo o encéfalo e medula espinhal entre 6 e 9 meses depois da CGK. Dezesseis dos 17 pacientes foram acompanhados por um período médio de 33,3 meses. A taxa total de resposta nos pacientes foi de 75% e a taxa dos controles, 81,3%. Não houve nenhum déficit neurológico evidente que pudesse ser atribuído à CGK. A CGK como tratamento experimental pode ser uma estratégia alternativa no grupo específico de pacientes com TRP em que não há diagnóstico anatomopatológico, podendo ser obtida uma boa qualidade de vida com poucas complicações para esse grupo de pacientes.

A new benzofuran neolignan, dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9-isovalerate, along with ten known phenolic compounds, olivil, pinoresinol, 8-hydroxypinoresinol, pinorespiol, 8-hydroxy7-epipinoresinol, trans-p-hydroxyphenyl- propenoic acid, cis-p-hydroxyphenyl-propenoic acid, ferulic acid, isoferulic acid and isovanillin were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia. Their structures and configurations were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The inhibitory activity for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and enhancing activity on nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells of dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9-isovaterate and olivil were evaluated.

Uma nova neolignana benzofurânica, isovalerato de 9-di-hidrodesidrodiconiferila, além de 10 compostos fenólicos conhecidos, olivil, pinoresinol, 8-hidroxipinoresinol, pinorespiol, 8-hidroxi-7epipinoresinol, ácido trans-p-hidroxifenil-propenoico, ácido cis-p-hidroxifenil-propenoico, ácido isoferúlico e isovanilina foram isolados a partir das raízes da Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia. Suas estruturas e configurações foram elucidadas com base em métodos espectroscópicos. A atividade inibitória da acetilcolinesterase (AChE) e a atividade intensificada do fator de crescimento neural (NGF) mediada pelo crescimento de neurites em células PC12 pelos compostos isovalerato de 9-di-hidrodesidrodiconiferila e olivil foram avaliadas.