Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of microwave drying on the protein quality of japonica sorghum following an intermittent drying test. Using label-free technology and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for proteomic analysis, the effects of microwave drying on sorghum differential protein expression, functional classification, and metabolic pathways were analyzed at the molecular level. After sorghum was dried using a microwave, 85 differential proteins were identified. Among them, 51 showed up-regulated expression while 34 had down-regulated expression. The up-regulation and down-regulation of differential protein expressions significantly changed them, and proteins with larger up-regulated and down-regulated expressions were postulated to affect biological and metabolic processes of sorghum during subsequent processing. Differential proteins were significantly (P ˂ 0.01) involved in metabolic pathways, such as carbon metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms, biosynthesis of amino acids, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, and the TCA cycle. For the protein interaction network, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of the down-regulated proteins was postulated to be the key factor affecting the entire metabolic system or signal transduction pathway. Up-regulated proteins, including phosphoglycerate mutase and phosphopyruvate hydratase, as well as down-regulated proteins such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, not only directly or indirectly affected a variety of metabolic processes, but were specifically closely related to glycolysis and glycometabolism. Overall, this study showed that among the related metabolic pathways, differential protein changes in glycometabolism pathways may have the greatest impact on metabolic processes. The research results discussed herein can provide theoretical support for the industrial application of microwave drying and deep processing of sorghum.

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 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.

Resumo Introdução: Perda auditiva induzida por ruído é uma das principais doenças ocupacionais causadas pela interação gene-ambiente. O Grainy Like 2, ou GRHL2 é um gene que tem sido considerado como candidato. Nesse sentido, muitos estudos avaliaram a associação entre o GRHL2 e perda auditiva induzida por ruído, embora os resultados sejam ambíguos e conflitantes. Objetivo: Identificar uma estimativa precisa da associação entre o polimorfismo rs3735715 no gene GRHL2 e a suscetibilidade à perda auditiva induzida por ruído. Método: Uma pesquisa abrangente foi feita para coletar dados até 8 de julho de 2018. No fim, quatro artigos elegíveis foram incluídos nesta metanálise, abrangeram 2.410 indivíduos. As odds ratios agrupadas com intervalos de confiança de 95% foram usadas para avaliar a força da associação. Resultados: Uma associação significante foi encontrada na população geral no modelo de dominância (GA/AA vs. GG, odds ratio = 0,707, intervalo de confiança 95% = 0,594-0,841) e modelo de alelo (alelo G vs. alelo A; odds ratio = 1,189, intervalo de confiança 95% = 1,062 a 1,333). Quando estratificados pelo local de trabalho dos indivíduos, também encontramos associação entre rs3735715 e risco de perda auditiva induzida por ruído no modelo de dominância (GA/AA vs. GG, odds ratio = 0,634, intervalo de confiança 95% = 0,514 ± 0,783) e modelo de alelo (alelo G vs. alelo A; odds ratio = 1,206, intervalo de confiança 95% = 1,054- 1,379). Conclusão: O polimorfismo Rs3735715 no gene GRHL2 pode influenciar a suscetibilidade à perda auditiva induzida por ruído. Estudos adicionais, amplos, bem desenhados e funcionais são necessários para confirmar essa associação em diferentes populações.

Abstract Instruction: Noise-induced hearing loss is a leading occupational disease caused by gene-environment interaction. The Grainy Like 2, GRHL2, is a candidate gene. In this regard, many studies have evaluated the association between GRHL2 and noise-induced hearing loss, although the results are ambiguous and conflicting. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify a precise estimation of the association between rs3735715 polymorphism in GRHL2 gene and susceptibility of noise-induced hearing loss. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed to collect data up to July 8, 2018. Finally, 4 eligible articles were included in this meta-analysis comprising 2410 subjects. The pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate the strength of the association. Results: Significant association was found in the overall population in the dominant model (GA/AA vs. GG, odds ratio = 0.707, 95% confidence interval = 0.594-0.841) and allele model (G allele vs. A allele, odds ratio = 1.189, 95% confidence interval = 1.062-1.333). When stratified by source of the subjects, we also found association between rs3735715 and noise-induced hearing loss risk in the dominant model (GA/AA vs. GG, odds ratio = 0.634, 95% confidence interval = 0.514-0.783) and allele model (G allele vs. A allele, odds ratio = 1.206, 95% confidence interval = 1.054-1.379). Conclusion: Rs3735715 polymorphism in GRHL2 gene may influence the susceptibility of noise-induced hearing loss. Additional large, well-designed and functional studies are needed to confirm this association in different populations.

Resumen La válvula de energía nuclear es un equipo importante en cualquier sistema de energía nuclear. El método de elementos finitos se utilizó en este estudio para analizar la resistencia y la rigidez de la válvula de compuerta nuclear de alta temperatura y alta presión. Las características estructurales se optimizaron según los parámetros que afectan la resistencia del cuerpo de la válvula. La tecnología de acoplamiento fluido-sólido se utilizó para investigar la temperatura, la deformación y las distribuciones de tensiones en la estructura. Se observó una alta concentración de tensiones en el diseño inicial; El esfuerzo equivalente máximo excedió el rango permitido. Se desplegaron tres métodos de optimización en un esfuerzo por mejorar la distribución del estrés. Se encontró que la distribución de la tensión era más uniforme después de la optimización y la estructura de la válvula de compuerta de los tres esquemas probados cumplía con los requisitos de tensión relevantes. El esquema óptimo se determinó luego mediante una comparación adicional. Los resultados presentados aquí pueden proporcionar una referencia teórica para la optimización de los diseños de válvulas de energía nuclear.

Abstract The nuclear power valve is an important piece of equipment in any nuclear power system. The finite element method was used in this study to analyze the strength and rigidity of the high-temperature and high-pressure nuclear gate valve. The structural characteristics were optimized as per the parameters that affect the strength of the valve body. Fluid-solid coupling technology was utilized to investigate the temperature, deformation, and stress distributions in the structure. A high stress concentration was observed in the initial design; the maximum equivalent stress exceeded the allowable range. Three optimization methods were deployed in efforts to improve the stress distribution. The stress distribution was found to be more uniform post-optimization and the gate valve structure of all three schemes tested met the relevant stress requirements. The optimal scheme was then determined by further comparison. The results presented here may provide a theoretical reference for the optimization of nuclear power valve designs.

Abstract: The three-dimensional and networked SBA-15 (3D-SBA-15) supported phosphotungstic acid (PW) was used as heterogeneous catalyst for the one-pot three-components Mannich reaction at room temperature. The H3PW12O40/3D-SBA-15 catalyst was prepared using an impregnation method and confirmed by series of characterizations such as Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. 50PW/3D-SBA-15 catalyst with H3PW12O40 loading of 50 wt% showed the highest yield of 93% in 1.8 h for the Mannich reaction of benzaldehyde, aniline and acetophenone under solvent-free condition. A series of β-aminoketone derivatives were synthesized successfully in the presence of this catalyst. In addition, H3PW12O40/3D-SBA-15 catalyst can be easily recovered and reused four times without significant decrease of the activity. This work provides an improved modification of the three-component Mannich reaction in terms of mild reaction conditions, clean reaction profiles, small quantity of catalyst and a simple workup procedure.

Resumen: El ácido fosfotungstico (PW) se soportó en sílice SBA-15 (3D-SBA-15) y se usó como catalizador heterogéneo en la reacción de Mannich en un solo paso de tres componentes a temperatura ambiente. El catalizador H3PW12O40/3D-SBA-15 se preparó mediante impregnación y se caracterizó por espectroscopia de infrarrojo (FT-IR), microscopia electrónica de barrido (SEM), microscopía electrónica de transmisión (TEM), difracción de rayos-X (XRD) fisisorción de N2 y análisis termogravimétrico (TG). El catalizador 50PW/3D-SBA-15, con una carga de H3PW12O40 del 50% en peso, mostró el rendimiento más alto del 93% en 1.8 h para la reacción de Mannich entre benzaldehído, anilina y acetofenona, sin disolvente. Se sintetizó una serie de derivados de β-aminocetona en presencia de éste catalizador. Además, el catalizador H3PW12O40/3D-SBA-15 puede recuperarse fácilmente y reutilizarse cuatro veces sin pérdida significativa de la actividad. Este trabajo reporta una modificación de la reacción de Mannich de tres componentes bajo condiciones de reacción suaves, perfiles de reacción limpios, pequeña cantidad de catalizador y un procedimiento de tratamiento simple.

Abstract Parthenogenetically activated oocytes cannot develop to term in mammals owing to abnormal epigenetic modifications. Methylation of the N6 position of adenosine (m6A) is a post-transcriptional epigenetic modification of RNA. To investigate the role of m6A methylation in parthenogenetic (PA) embryonic development, we analyzed METTL3, METTL14, FTO, ALKBH5, YTHDF2, IGF2BP1, and IGF2BP2 expression by quantitative real-time PCR. These genes were found dynamically expressed during the 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, and blastocyst stages of the embryo. Compared to normally fertilized embryos, the expression of these genes was perturbed in PA embryos, especially at the 8-cell stage. Furthermore, immunofluorescence was used to detect m6A expression. The results demonstrated that m6A expression decreased in the 2-cell stage, whereas it increased in the 8-cell stage of PA embryos. Taken together, these results suggest that the expression of RNA methylation-related genes was perturbed, leading to abnormal m6A modification during early development in PA embryos.

Abstract Vitamin D has been known to have important regulatory functions in inflammation and immune response and shows inhibitory effects on experimental periodontitis in animal models. However, the potential mechanism has yet to be clarified. Recent studies have highlighted Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and its downstream signaling as a crucial regulator of immune homeostasis and inflammatory regulation. Objective: This study aimed to clarify the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3) on experimental periodontitis and AhR/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/NLR pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway in the gingival epithelium in a murine model. Methodology: We induced periodontitis in male C57BL/6 wild-type mice by oral inoculation of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), and subsequently gave intraperitoneal VD3 injection to the mice every other day for 8 weeks. Afterwards, we examined the alveolar bone using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and detected the gingival epithelial protein using western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Results: SEM images demonstrated that alveolar bone loss was reduced in the periodontitis mouse model after VD3 supplementation. Western blot analyses and immunohistochemical staining of the gingival epithelium showed that the expression of vitamin D receptor, AhR and its downstream cytochrome P450 1A1 were enhanced upon VD3 application. Additionally, VD3 decreased NF-κB p65 phosphorylation, and NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 protein expression. Conclusions: These results implicate the alleviation of periodontitis and the alteration of AhR/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway by VD3 in the mouse model. The attenuation of this periodontal disease may correlate with the regulation of AhR/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway by VD3.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the concise effects of a traditional herb pair, Curcumae rhizoma-Sparganii rhizoma (CRSR), on uterine leiomyoma (UL) by analyzing transcriptional profiling. The UL rat model was made by intramuscular injection of progesterone and gavage administration of diethylstilbestrol. From 11 weeks of the establishment of the model, rats of the UL+CRSR group were gavaged daily with CRSR (6.67 g/kg). The serum concentrations of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) were determined by radioimmunoassay, the uterine index was measured by caliper measurement, and the pathological status was observed by hematoxylin and eosin stain. Gene expression profiling was checked by NimbleGen Rat Gene Expression Microarrays. The results indicated that the uterine mass of UL+CRSR rats was significantly shrunk and serum P and E2 levels significantly reduced compared to UL animals and nearly to the level of normal rats. Results of microarrays displayed the extensive inhibition of CRSR upon the expression of proliferation and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes, and significantly regulated a wide range of metabolism disorders. Furthermore, CRSR extensively regulated key pathways of the UL process, such as MAPK, PPAR, Notch, and TGF-β/Smad. Regulation of the crucial pathways for the UL process and ECM metabolism may be the underlying mechanisms of CRSR treatment. Further studies will provide clear clues for effectively treating UL with CRSR.

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the incidence and pathologic characteristics of prostate cancer (PCa) incidentally discovered at the time of radical cystectomy and its impact on overall survival. Materials and Methods A single center retrospective study of 762 male patients who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy from Jan 1994 to Dec 2012. Results Of all included patients, 132 (17.3%) were found to have PCa. Patients with incidental PCa had a significantly higher mean age (69.2 vs. 62.2 years, P=0.015). Among the 132 patients with PCa, prostate specific antigen (PSA) analysis was available in 76 patients (57.6%), with a median value of 1.06ng/mL, and 61 (80.3%) patients had a PSA value below 4ng/mL. Four hundred and thirty-six patients (57.1%) were successfully followed, with a median duration of 46.5 months. The overall 5-year survival rate was 62.1%, and the 5-year cancer–specific survival rate was 72%. PCa recurrence was defined by two consecutive PSA values of >0.2 ng/mL and rising, and no PCa recurrence occurred. According to a univariate analyses, incidental PCa was not associated with cancer-specific survival (P=0.192) or overall survival (P=0.493). According to univariate analyses, the overall survival of patients with PCa was not associated with prostate cancer staging, PSA value, or Gleason score (All P values>0.05). Conclusions Prostate cancer incidentally discovered at the time of radical cystectomy does not decrease overall survival. Patients with incidental PCa were older than those without. The PSA value before operation is not helpful for predicting incidental prostate cancers.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the association of molecular subtypes, clinical characteristics and pathological types with the prognosis of patients with medulloblastoma. METHODS: We analyzed forty patients with medulloblastoma who underwent surgical resection at our center between January 2004 and June 2014. Risk factors associated with survival, disease progression and recurrence were analyzed with a univariate Cox regression analysis, and the identified significant risk factors were further analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: Factors associated with overall survival included M stage (p=0.014), calcification (p=0.012), postoperative treatment, postoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score (p=0.015), and molecular subtype (p=0.005 for WNT and p=0.008 for SHH). Number of symptoms (p=0.029), M stage (p<0.001), and postoperative radiotherapy (p=0.033) were associated with disease progression. Patients with the WNT or SHH subtype had better survival outcomes than patients with non-WNT/SHH subtypes. Risk factors for disease progression-free survival were symptoms >2 and ≥M1 stage without postoperative radiotherapy. The risk of recurrence increased with advanced M stage. Protective factors for recurrence included M0 stage and a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: We identified the risk factors associated with survival, disease progression and recurrence of medulloblastoma patients. This information is helpful for understanding the prognostic factors related to medulloblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepcidin, encoding by HAMP gene, is the pivotal regulator of iron metabolism, controlling the systemic absorption and transportation of irons from intracellular stores. Abnormal levels of HAMP expression alter plasma iron parameters and lead to iron metabolism disorders. Therefore,itis animportant goal to understand the mechanisms controlling HAMP gene expression. RESULTS: Overexpression of Sox2 decrease basal expression of HAMP or induced by IL-6 or BMP-2, whereas, knockdown of Sox2 can increase HAMP expression, furthermore, two potential Sox2-binding sites were identified within the human HAMP promoter. Indeed, luciferase experiments demonstrated that deletion of any Sox2-binding site impaired the negative regulation of Sox2 on HAMP promoter transcriptional activity in basal conditions. ChIP experiments showed that Sox2 could directly bind to these sites. Finally, we verified the role of Sox2 to negatively regulate HAMP expression in human primary hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: We found that Sox2 as a novel factor to bind with HAMP promoter to negatively regulate HAMP expression, which may be further implicated as a therapeutic option for the amelioration of HAMP-overexpression-related diseases, including iron deficiency anemia.

In China, alcohol consumption is increasing faster than anywhere else in the world. A steady increase in alcohol production has also been observed in the country, together with a rise in alcohol-related harm. Despite these trends, China's policies on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are weak compared with those of other countries in Asia. Weakest of all are its policies on taxation, drink driving laws, alcohol sale to minors and marketing licenses. The authors of this descriptive paper draw attention to the urgent need for public health professionals and government officials in China to prioritize population surveillance, research and interventions designed to reduce alcohol use disorders. They describe China's current alcohol policies and recent trends in alcohol-related harm and highlight the need for health officials to conduct a thorough policy review from a public health perspective, using as a model the World Health Organization's global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

En China, el consumo de alcohol está aumentando con mayor rapidez que en cualquier otro lugar del mundo, y también se ha observado un crecimiento constante de la producción de alcohol en el país, junto con un aumento de los daños relacionados con esta sustancia. A pesar de estas tendencias, las políticas chinas sobre la venta y consumo de bebidas alcohólicas son débiles en comparación con las de otros países asiáticos. Las políticas más débiles son las que regulan los impuestos, las leyes de consumo y conducción, la venta de alcohol a menores de edad y las licencias para la venta de alcohol. Los autores de este artículo descriptivo llaman la atención sobre la necesidad urgente de que los funcionarios gubernamentales y los profesionales de la sanidad pública chinos den prioridad a la vigilancia de la población, a la investigación y a las intervenciones diseñadas para reducir los trastornos provocados por el consumo de alcohol. Describen las políticas actuales chinas relativas al alcohol, así como las tendencias presentes de los daños relacionados con el alcohol y destacan la necesidad de que los funcionarios de salud lleven a cabo una revisión de toda la política desde la perspectiva de la sanidad pública, usando como modelo la estrategia global de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para reducir el uso nocivo de alcohol.

En Chine, la consommation d'alcool augmente plus rapidement que partout ailleurs dans le monde. Une augmentation constante de la production d'alcool a également observée dans le pays, ainsi qu'une augmentation des méfaits de l'alcool. Malgré ces tendances, les politiques de la Chine en matière de vente et de consommation de boissons alcoolisées sont faibles comparées à celles des autres pays d'Asie. Les plus faibles de toutes sont ses politiques sur la taxation, les lois relatives à l'alcool au volant, la vente d'alcool aux mineurs et la commercialisation des licences. Les auteurs de cet article descriptif attirent l'attention sur la nécessité urgente pour les professionnels de la santé publique et les fonctionnaires gouvernementaux chinois d'accorder la priorité à la surveillance de la population, la recherche et les interventions destinées à réduire les troubles liés à la consommation d'alcool. Ils décrivent les politiques actuelles sur l'alcool en Chine et les tendances récentes des méfaits de l'alcoolisme. Ils soulignent également la nécessité pour les autorités sanitaires de procéder à un examen approfondi de la politique dans une perspective de santé publique, en prenant comme modèle la stratégie globale de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé afin de réduire l'usage nocif de l'alcool.