Abstract Aiming to provide a new way that preserves more active components in Eucommia ulmoides (EU) leaves, this paper utilizes 4 methods, i.e., microwave, steam, air heating, and frying, to process EU leaves before drying, and their respective effects on the leaves were evaluated. The antioxidant activity of EU leaves in vitro was measured by the DPPH free radical method; the contents of total flavonoids (TFC) and total phenols (TPC) were analyzed by spectrophotometry; and the contents of main active components were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed the pre-process improved the quality of the EU leaves. As a simple and fast process, the microwave process is the most effective technique in the retention of flavonoids and four active ingredients except aucubin. High power (800 W) and short time (2.5 min) are more conducive to the retention of active ingredients, with high antioxidant activity. Appropriate steam and frying processes also exhibited benefits for the active components. In particular, the samples treated with steam for 10 minutes showed great potential for industrial application with the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol content. Therefore, proper pre-processing before drying should be conducted to effectively protect the active components of EU leaves.

Abstract To investigate the characteristics of heart rate variability in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and the relationship between HRV parameters and inflammatory activity. Background: CD is a chronic inflammatory granuloma disease of the digestive tract. A total of 37 patients with CD and 39 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Demographic information, medication, and medical history were collected from questionnaires completed by all participants. HRV parameters was recorded by 5 min short-term heart rate variability analyzer. Inflammatory factors, Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI), and anxiety and depression were assessed. The mean autonomic nerve function score was 72 in CD group, significantly lower than that in control group (75, P < 0.05). The equilibrium in CD group was strongly lower than that in control group (P = 0.001). CD subjects had lower autonomic nervous function compared with controls, which positively correlated with body mass index. Equilibrium was significantly lower among CD subjects, which negatively correlated with inflammatory markers C reactive protein and platelet count. Autonomic dysfunction was observed in CD subjects, mainly manifested as decreased equilibrium, which this inherent imbalance of autonomic function associated with active inflammation.

Abstract: Sustainably managed soils can increase soil quality, biodiversity, and reduce soil erosion and nutrient losses. In several regions of China, long-term monocultures such as watermelon are leading to severe degradation of soil biological functions due to contamination by dominant and deleterious microbes, particularly Fusarium spp., resulting in decreased soil productivity and quality. The main goal of this study was to assess a new bio-organic fertilizer in monoculture areas by testing the interactions between Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum and microbial communities to inhibit it. The results showed that the tested organism significantly reduced Fusarium wilt in a watermelon monoculture plantation in China. The rate of wilt incidence following bio-fertilizer treatment was decreased by 70% at 63 days and the Fusarium counts in the watermelon rhizosphere declined too. Moreover, total abundance of bacteria increased, but total abundance of actinomycetes decreased. The beneficial microbes increased and became dominant while deleterious microbes, particularly Fusarium spp., were inhibited. The main conclusions of this study were that: i) a controlled bio-organic fertilizer stimulated the growth of ecologically beneficial microbes and naturally existing autochthonous antagonistic microbes; and, ii) the beneficial population structure and soil functions recovered following the reconstruction of functional microbial communities. Our results will add more useful information to understand how long-term crop monocultures can lead to detrimental effects on the soil microbial communities that will, in turn, affect the growth of plants and normal soil functions.

Abstract Background Neurokinin1 (NK1) receptor has played a vital role in the development of tumor. However, NKP608 as a NK1 receptor antagonist whether has the effect of the resistance of colorectal cancer is still unclear. Thereby, in this study, we investigated the role of NKP608 on human colorectal cancer and explored the underlying mechanism. Methods The cell proliferation of colorectal cancer cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay, cell migration and invasion were assessed by transwell assay, the apoptotic ratio of cells was assessed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide stained and flow cytometry. The involvement of molecular mechanisms was examined by western blot. Results In this study, we found that NKP608 inhibited the proliferation, migration/invasion of HCT116 cells. In addition, NKP608 reduced expressions of Wnt-3a, β-catenin, Cyclin D1, and (vascular endothelial growth factor) VEGF while induced expression of E-Cadherin. Furthermore, flow cytometry analyzed that NKP608 induced apoptosis of HCT116 cells, consistently, western blotting detecting of apoptosis-related proteins revealed that NKP608 downregulated Bcl-2 while upregulated Bax and Active-Caspase-3. Conclusions Taken together, our results demonstrated that NKP608 inhibited colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion via suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, NKP608 might represent a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a variação no gene UBASH3A com a doença tiroidiana autoimune e características clínicas na população chinesa Han. Sujeitos e métodos: Um total de 667 pacientes com DTAI (417 com DG e 250 com TH) e 301 controles saudáveis foi genotipado para dois polimorfismos de nucleotídeo simples (SNPs) rs11203203, rs3788013 do gene UBASH3A, usando-se a plataforma MALDI-TOF-MS (Ionização/Dessorção de Matriz Assistida por Laser – Tempo de Voo/Espectrômetro de Massa). Resultados: Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as frequências genotípicas e alélicas dos dois SNPs nos grupos controle e DTAI, DG e TH. Não houve diferenças significativas entre as frequências alélicas dos dois SNPs em pacientes com DG com ou sem olftalmopatia. Não houve diferenças significativas nas distribuições de haplótipos no grupo controle e nos grupos DTAI, DG e TH. Conclusão: Os SNPs rs11203203 e rs3788013 do gene UBASH3A podem não estar associados a pacientes com DTAI na população chinesa Han.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate UBASH3A gene variation association with autoimmune thyroid disease and clinical features in a Chinese Han population. Subjects and methods: A total of 667 AITD patients (417 GD and 250 HT) and 301 healthy controls were genotyped for two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs11203203, rs3788013 of UBASH3A gene, utilizing the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) Platform. Results: Between the control group and AITD, GD and HT group, no statistically significant difference was observed in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the two SNPs. There was no significant difference in allelic frequencies of the two SNPs between GD with and without ophthalmopathy. There was no significant difference in haplotype distributions between the control group and AITD, GD or HT group. Conclusion: Rs11203203 and rs3788013 in UBASH3A gene may not be associated with AITD patients in Chinese Han population.