ABSTRACT Introduction: Knockdown of fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) can induce N6-methyladenosine (m 6A) ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of m 6A RNA methylation on atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque by FTO knockdown. Methods: A total of 50 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into pure high-fat group, sham operation group, vulnerable plaque group, empty load group, and FTO knockdown group (10 rabbits/group). Results: Flow cytometry showed that helper T (Th) cells in the FTO knockdown group accounted for a significantly higher proportion of lymphocytes than in the vulnerable plaque group and empty load group (P<0.05). Th cells were screened by cell flow. The level of m 6A RNA methylation in the FTO knockdown group was significantly higher than in the vulnerable plaque group and empty load group (P<0.05). The levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein C were higher at the 12th week than at the 1st week, but the high-density lipoprotein C level was lower at the 12th week than at the 1st week. At the 12th week, the interleukin-7 level was significantly lower in the adeno-associated virus-9 (AVV9)-FTO short hairpin RNA group than in the control and AVV9-green fluorescent protein groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: After successfully establishing a vascular parkinsonism rabbit model, m 6A RNA methylation can decrease Th cells and vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.

Abstract Background Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) induces increased release of extracellular vesicles in the heart and exacerbates myocardial IR injury. We have previously shown that propofol attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR)-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and that microvesicles derived from propofol-treated HUVECs inhibit oxidative stress in endothelial cells. However, the role of microvesicles derived from propofol post-treated HUVECs ((HR + P)-EMVs) in IR-injured cardiomyocytes is unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of (HR + P)-EMVs in cardiac IR injury compared to microvesicles derived from hypoxic/reoxygenated HUVECs (HR-EMVs) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods Hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) models of HUVECs and AC16 cells and a mouse cardiac IR model were established. Microvesicles from HR-injured HUVECs, DMSO post-treated HUVECs and propofol post-treated HUVECs were extracted by ultra-high speed centrifugation, respectively. The above EMVs were co-cultured with HR-injured AC16 cells or injected intracardially into IR mice. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to determine the levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. Apoptosis related proteins were detected by Western blot. Echocardiography for cardiac function and Evans blue-TTC staining for myocardial infarct size. Expression of lncCCT4-2 in EMVs and AC16 cells was analysed by whole transcriptome sequencing of EMVs and RT-qPCR. The molecular mechanism of inhibition of myocardial injury by (HR + P)-EMVs was elucidated by lentiviral knockdown of lncCCT4-2, plasmid overexpression or knockdown of CCT4, and actinomycin D assay. Results In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that HR-EMVs exacerbated oxidative stress and apoptosis in IR-injured cardiomyocytes, leading to increased infarct size and worsened cardiac function. Notably, (HR + P)-EMVs induced significantly less oxidative stress and apoptosis in IR-injured cardiomyocytes compared to HR-EMVs. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing of EMVs and RT-qPCR showed that lncCCT4-2 was significantly upregulated in (HR + P)-EMVs and cardiomyocytes co-cultured with (HR + P)-EMVs. Reduction of lncCCT4-2 in (HR + P)-EMVs enhanced oxidative stress and apoptosis in IR-injured cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, the anti-apoptotic activity of lncCCT4-2 from (HR + P)-EMVs was achieved by increasing the stability of CCT4 mRNA and promoting the expression of CCT4 protein in cardiomyocytes. Conclusions Our study showed that (HR + P)-EMVs uptake by IR-injured cardiomyocytes upregulated lncCCT4-2 in cardiomyocytes and promoted CCT4 expression, thereby inhibiting HR-EMVs induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Highlights Microvesicles from hypoxic/reoxygenated HUVECs (HR-EMVs) exacerbated oxidative stress and apoptosis in IR-injured cardiomyocytes. Microvesicles from propofol post-treated HUVECs ((HR + P)-EMVs) induced diminished oxidative stress and apoptosis in IR-injured cardiomyocytes compared with microvesicles from hypoxic/reoxygenated HUVECs (HR-EMVs). lncCCT4-2 was significantly highly expressed in (HR + P)-EMVs and cardiomyocytes co-cultured with (HR + P)-EMVs, and reduction of lncCCT4-2 in (HR + P)-EMVs enhanced oxidative stress and apoptosis in IR-injured cardiomyocytes. lncCCT4-2 inhibited HR-EMVs induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in HR-injured AC16 cells by increasing the stability of CCT4 mRNA and promoting the expression of CCT4 protein in AC16 cells.

Abstract A HA_Cart_AdaBoost model is proposed to clean the data in drinking-water-quality data. First, the data that do not follow the normal distribution are regarded as outliers and eliminated. Next, the optimal control theory of nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) is introduced into the cart decision tree, and the cart decision with the specified depth is used. As a weak classifier of AdaBoost, the tree uses the HA_Cart_AdaBoost model to compensate for the eliminated data, then it fits and predicts the missing values of the data stream, realizes the cleaning of drinking-water-quality data, and finally uses the big data Hadoop architecture for real-time storage and analysing streaming data. The experimental results show that compared with the most advanced data cleaning methods, after the optimal control theory of nonlinear PDEs is introduced into the cart decision tree, the stability and accuracy of the HA_Cart_AdaBoost model for water quality data cleaning are greatly improved. Taking pH as an example, the HA_Cart_AdaBoost model shows a minimum improvement of 2.25% and a maximum improvement of 53.33% in terms of RMSE, and a minimum improvement of 13.51% and a maximum improvement of 78.08% in terms of MAE.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The epidemic of COVID-19 has harmed the study and life of obese college students. While new research has pointed out that sports can improve body posture and alleviate psychological problems related to obesity. Objective: Explore obese college students’ motivation to play sports and the effects of physical training during COVID-19. Methods: 100 obese college students were selected for the aerobic exercise intervention. Functional and biological indicators were analyzed before and after the experiment. Results: Body shape index, body fat content index, and sports quality index showed expressive changes. The average waist circumference decreased from 99.389 cm to 91.233 cm, an average loss of 8 cm; the average body fat was reduced from 34.644 kg to 30.492 kg after training, with an average decrease of 4 kg; vital capacity increased from 4,416.465 ml before training to 4968.085 ml after the intervention, with an average increase of 500 ml. Conclusion: It can be observed that aerobic exercise helps obese college students to improve their sports motivation, with positive impacts on mental health. The encouragement of sports and engagement in physical exercise tend to strengthen healthy habits, ensuring a better quality of life for college students. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Resumen Introducción: La epidemia de COVID-19 ha tenido un impacto negativo en el estudio y la vida de los universitarios obesos. Nuevas investigaciones han señalado que el deporte puede mejorar la postura corporal y aliviar problemas psicológicos, incluidos los relacionados con la obesidad. Objetivo: Explorar la motivación de los estudiantes universitarios obesos para practicar deporte y los efectos del entrenamiento físico durante el COVID-19. Métodos: Se seleccionaron 100 estudiantes universitarios obesos para una intervención de ejercicio aeróbico. Se analizaron indicadores funcionales y biológicos antes y después del experimento. Resultados: El índice de forma corporal, el índice de contenido de grasa corporal y el índice de calidad deportiva mostraron cambios expresivos. El perímetro medio de la cintura disminuyó de 99,389 cm a 91,233 cm, con una pérdida media de 8 cm; la grasa corporal media se redujo de 34,644 kg a 30,492 kg tras el entrenamiento, con una disminución media de 4 kg; la capacidad vital aumentó de 4.416,465 ml antes del entrenamiento a 4.968,085 ml después de la intervención, con un aumento medio de 500 ml. Conclusión: Se puede observar que el ejercicio aeróbico ayuda a los estudiantes universitarios obesos a mejorar su motivación deportiva, con repercusiones positivas en la salud mental. La estimulación del deporte y el compromiso con el ejercicio físico tienden a reforzar los hábitos saludables garantizando una mejor calidad de vida a los estudiantes universitarios. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: A epidemia da COVID-19 teve um impacto negativo no estudo e na vida dos estudantes universitários obesos. Novas pesquisas apontaram que o esporte pode melhorar a postura corporal e aliviar problemas psicológicos, incluindo aqueles relacionados à obesidade. Objetivo: Explorar a motivação dos estudantes universitários obesos na prática de esportes e os efeitos do treinamento físico durante a COVID-19. Métodos: 100 estudantes universitários obesos foram selecionados para a intervenção com exercícios aeróbicos. Indicadores funcionais e biológicos foram analisados antes e depois do experimento. Resultados: O índice de forma corporal, índice de conteúdo de gordura corporal e índice de qualidade esportiva apresentaram alterações expressivas. A circunferência média da cintura diminuiu de 99,389 cm para 91,233 cm, com perda média de 8 cm; a gordura corporal média foi reduzida de 34,644 kg para 30,492 kg após o treinamento, com uma diminuição média de 4 kg; a capacidade vital elevou-se de 4.416,465 ml antes do treinamento para 4968,085 ml após a intervenção, com um aumento médio de 500 ml. Conclusão: Pode-se observar que o exercício aeróbico auxilia os estudantes universitários obesos a melhorarem a sua motivação esportiva, com impactos positivos na saúde mental. O estimulo ao esporte e o engajamento pelo exercício físico tendem a fortalecer os hábitos saudáveis garantindo uma melhor qualidade de vida aos universitários. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Abstract Objective Abnormal complement activation is associated with periodontitis. W54011 is a novel non-peptide C5aR antagonist (C5aRA) that exhibits favorable anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory models. However, whether W54011 inhibits periodontitis has not yet been fully elucidated. To address this, we have investigated the probable anti-inflammatory mechanism of W54011 in LPS-treated inflammation in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Methodology HGFs were isolated from healthy gingival tissue samples using the tissue block method and were identified with immunofluorescence staining. The CCK8 assay and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) were used to select the optimal induction conditions for Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and C5aRA (according to supplementary data S1, S2 and S3). The levels of inflammatory cytokines, C5aR, and the activation of NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways were determined by RT-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Results Immunofluorescence results showed that vimentin and FSP-1 were positive in HGFs and Keratin was negative in HGFs. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that C5aRA inhibited LPS-stimulated nuclear translocation of p-p65. RT-qPCR and Western blotting showed that C5aRA reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, C5aR, p-p65, p-IκBα, p-JNK, p-c-JUN, and TLR4 in LPS-induced HGFs. Conclusion These findings suggested that C5aRA attenuated the release of inflammatory cytokines in LPS-induced HGFs by blocking the activation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Abstract Objectives Cardiac involvement is one of the most serious complications of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) that indicates poor prognosis. However, there is a lack of effective biomarkers for the identification of cardiac involvement and the prediction of prognosis in IIM. Here, we aimed to explore the value of different cardiac biomarkers in IIM patients. Methods A total of 142 IIM patients in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Ruijin Hospital from July 2019 to October 2022 were included in this study. The clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, treatments and prognosis were recorded. The disease activity was assessed according to the core set measures. The correlations of the serum cardiac biomarkers levels with disease activity were analyzed by the Spearman correlation test. Risk factors for cardiac involvement were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Higher high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels were associated with cardiac involvement (n = 41) in IIM patients [adjusted OR 7.810 (95% CI: 1.962–31.097); p = 0.004], independent of other serum cardiac biomarkers. The abnormal hs-cTnI had the highest AUC for distinguishing of cardiac involvement in IIM patients (AUC = 0.848, 95% CI: 0.772,0.924; p < 0.001). Besides, we found that high serum levels of hs-cTnI were significantly correlated with disease activity. Moreover, patients with higher serum levels of hs-cTnI tended to suffer from poor prognosis. Conclusions Serum hs-cTnI testing may play a role in screening for cardiac involvement in IIM patients. Abnormal levels of serum hs-cTnI were associated with increased disease activity and poor prognosis. Key Points Among all the cardiac biomarkers, the serum levels of hs-cTnI were independently associated with cardiac involvement in IIM patients. The serum levels of hs-cTnI were significantly correlated with disease activity in IIM patients. The abnormal hs-cTnI levels were correlated with poor prognosis in IIM patients.

Abstract Objective The study investigated the effects of a short video app guided loving-kindness meditation (LKM) on college students’ mindfulness, self-compassion, positive psychological capital, and suicide ideation. The purpose of the study is to investigate the intervention effect of LKM training on suicidal ideation among college students with the help of the short video application and to provide an empirical basis for the exploration of early suicide intervention strategies for college students. Methods We recruited 80 college students from a university in China. The final 74 eligible participants were divided into two groups: app use group (n = 37) and the control group (n = 37). The app group accepted an 8-week app use interference, while the control group underwent no interference. We measured four major variable factors (mindfulness, self-compassion, positive psychological capital, and suicide ideation) before and after the app use intervention. Results In the app group, self-compassion and positive psychological capital were significantly higher, and suicide ideation was significantly lower than the control group. In the control group, there were no noticeable differences in any of the four variables between the pre-test and post-test. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that the short video app guided LKM may help to improve self-compassion, and positive psychological capital, and reduce suicide ideation. The finding of the short video app-guided LKM's effect extends our understanding of the integrative effects of positive psychology and digital media on the reduction of suicide ideation.

Abstract Background: Metastatic melanoma has a high mortality rate and poor survival. This is associated with efficient metastatic colonization, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Communication between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and cancer cells plays an important role in metastatic dissemination. Whether cancer stem cells can alter the metastatic properties of non-CSC cells; and whether exosomal crosstalk can mediate such interaction, have not been demonstrated in melanoma prior to this report. Results: The results revealed that exosomes secreted by highly metastatic melanoma CSCs (OL-SCs) promoted the invasiveness of the low metastatic melanoma cells (OL) and accelerated metastatic progression. miR-1268a was up-regulated in cells and exosomes of OL-SCs. Moreover, OL-SCs-derived exosomal miR-1268a, upon taking up by OL cells, promoted the metastatic colonization ability of OL cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the pro-metastatic activity of exosomal miR-1268a is achieved through inhibition of autophagy. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that OL cells can acquire the “metastatic ability” from OL-SCs cells. OL-SCs cells achieves this goal by utilizing its exosomes to deliver functional miRNAs, such as miR-1268a, to the targeted OL cells which in turn augments metastatic colonization by inactivating the autophagy pathway in OL cells.

Abstract This study aims to develop a batter system with natural purple and functional quality for vacuum fried breaded shrimp. Purple sweet potato flour (PSPF), soy protein isolate (SPI), and xanthan gum were used as coating materials. The effect of the ratio of SPI and xanthan gum on the rheological properties, coating pick-up, color, moisture content, oil content, texture, anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity were investigated. Compared with the control group, it was observed that the batter system with PSPF, SPI and xanthan gum had better rheological properties. The result showed that a ratio of 2:1 for SPI to xanthan gum had the highest coating pick-up value (49.83%), the more attractive purple (a* = 3.07), less oil content (20.55%) and retained higher anthocyanin content (51.71 mg/100 g). Based on the results of anthocyanin content, vacuum fried shrimps were analyzed for antioxidant activity. In the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (•DPPH), hydroxyl (•OH) radical-scavenging assay test, PSPF vacuum fried shrimps showed high free-radical scavenging activity (60.19% for •DPPH and 35.97% for •OH). Therefore, the batter system with PSPF, SPI and xanthan gum is a promising coating material, which is widely used for vacuum fried breaded products, such as pork chop, steak, chicken nuggets and fish fingers.

Abstract Aroma attributes are one of the most important criteria that affect the flavor quality of dried shrimp, but the dynamic changes of aroma attributes remain largely unknown during the drying process. The present study investigated aroma attributes change during the hot-air-drying process of shrimp using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), electronic nose (E-nose) and sensory analysis. The potential correlations among volatile compounds, sensory attributes and E-nose data were analyzed by partial-least-squares regression (PLSR). Results showed that the aroma characteristic of shrimps changed significantly during processing. The odor in the fresh shrimp was very light, and the key aroma compounds mainly consisted of trimethylamine and three aldehydes. The aroma characteristics mainly consisted of roasted and meat-like odors had come into being gradually with the decrease of water activity (Aw), and the aroma attributes were the most acceptable at about Aw 0.274 (hot-air drying for 7 h). Four kinds of aroma-active compounds (pyrazines, amines, aldehydes and heterocyclic compounds) made important contributions to the formation of aroma characteristics. The PLSR result showed a good correlation between most variables of volatile compounds, E-nose data and sensory attributes.

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 The modification of zein with sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) as a cross-linking agent was studied. The effects of the mass ratio of STMP to zein (RS/Z), pH, reaction temperature and time on the rheological properties of modified zein solution (Z-SP) were evaluated. By using response surface methodology, the optimal modification conditions were also determined as following: RS/Z 0.03, pH 6.8, reaction time 2 h, reaction temperature 25 °C. Under these conditions, the observed shear stress of Z-SP solution was 35.0025 Pa, close to the predicted value. Compared with natural zein, the viscosity of Z-SP increased with the increasing shear rate, which was attributed to the structural changes, as evidenced by circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis.

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 Purpose: Tanshinone IIA is a well-known lipophilic active constituent refined from traditional Chinese medicines, danshen. It has been previously demonstrated to possess various biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, promoting angiogenesis effect and so on. However, the mechanism of tanshinone IIA on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of tanshinone IIA on MI/RI. Methods: MI/RI rat models were set up. Echocardiographic evaluation and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to analyze the cardiac function and morphology of MI/RI. Western blot was conducted for the detection of protein expression of pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1 in heart tissues. Flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used for the detection of proinflammatory cytokines and Th17 cells differentiation. Results: We found that tanshinone IIA alleviated the myocardial damage of MI/RI, ameliorated the overall and local inflammatory reaction, and produced a cardioprotective effect by inhibiting of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Th17/Treg cells differentiation. Conclusions: Our results highlighted the cardio-protective effect of tanshinone IIA on MI/RI and uncovered its underlying mechanism related to the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition and the modulation of Th17/Treg cells differentiation.