Abstract Flos Sophorae (FS) is medicinal and edible, while fresh FS is highly perishable. Thus, this study investigated the effects of different drying methods (hot air drying, HAD; vacuum drying, VD; freeze drying, FD) after steaming on the bioactive components and sensory quality of FS. The results indicated steaming for 1 min maximally retained the contents of total flavonoids, rutin, and quercetin in thermal drying (HAD and VD), meanwhile, the freeze-dried FS without steaming also had higher total flavonoids and rutin contents. Moreover, FD samples had the highest protein content and organoleptic properties, with closer color parameters to fresh FS, followed by the VD group. Considering comprehensively all data with processing cost, the sample of VD after steaming for 1 min was chosen to measure the antioxidant activity, which showed that FS extract was superior to Vc in ABTS• and •OH scavenging rates, and its DPPH• scavenging rate was stronger than Vc in the low concentration. These results demonstrated that vacuum drying after steaming for 1 min was suitable postharvest processing for fresh FS, which was beneficial to maintaining higher flavonoids, rutin, and sensory characteristics of FS, and its flavonoid extract had better antioxidant activity than Vc.

Abstract To investigate the effect of licorice on anti-liver fibrosis actions, we present systematic review and meta-analysis via systematic literature between 2010 and 2020 from the electronic databases, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ISI. A software program (Endnote X8) has been utilized for managing the electronic titles. Searches were performed with mesh terms. Mean differences between two groups (Glycyrrhizic acid and control group) with 95% confidence interval (CI), fixed effect model and Inverse-variance method were calculated. Random effects were used to deal with potential heterogeneity and I2 showed heterogeneity. The Meta analysis and forest plots have been evaluated with the Stata V16. A total of 184 potentially relevant titles and abstracts were found during the electronic and manual search. Finally, a total of four publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria required for this systematic review. TGF-β1 mRNA expression significantly decreased following Glycyrrhizic acid relative to the control group and Glycyrrhizic acid significantly decreased expression of TGF-β1 mRNA, which was about 2.90 times that in the control group. Mean difference between Glycyrrhizic acid and control group was -18.12 U/L (MD, -18.12 U/L 95% CI 30.02 U/L, -6.22 U/L. P = 0.00). Glycyrrhizic acid reduced TGF-β1, Smads mRNAs, hypdroxyproline, alanine aminotransferase.

Abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex, multisystem disease, affecting large populations worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex polygenic disease that causes hyperglycemia and accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes mellitus cases. We conducted a randomized, controlled single-blind study to observe how dietary care with restriction of carbohydrate absorption affects glucose and lipid metabolism in elderly patients with T2DM. Participants in the control group (Group C) received usual care and in the experimental group (Group E) white common bean extract (WCBE) was given before meals. The trial was divided into two periods: intensive and maintenance intervention periods. Glucose and lipid metabolic parameters of both groups were monitored over the study period. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in Group E was lower than in Group C at the end of the 2- and 4-month, and significantly decline from baseline. The area under curve of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose after 2- and 4-month intervention than baseline in Group E and were all significantly lower than in Group C after the intervention. Both High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) also improved in group E (P < 0.05). In the clinical management of elderly patients with T2DM, this individualized model of care without restricting carbohydrate intake can effectively improve patients' glucose metabolism. The effect of this care model is similar to that of a low-carbohydrate diet care model. Therefore, this regimen could be a novel antidiabetic approach for patients with T2DM who are unwilling to restrict their carbohydrate intake.

Abstract High heterogeneity of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a major clinical challenge. This study aims to characterize the molecular features of LUAD through classification based on metabolism-related genes. A total of 500 LUAD samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and 612 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were integrated with 2,753 metabolism-related genes to determine the molecular classification. Systematic bioinformatics analysis was used to conduct correlation analysis between metabolism-related classification and molecular characteristics of LUAD. LUAD patients were divided into three molecular clusters (C1-C3). Survival analysis revealed that C1 and C2 showed good and poor prognoses, respectively. Associational analysis of classification and molecular characteristics revealed that C1 was associated with low pathological stage, metabolic pathways, high metabolic process, active immune process and checkpoint, sensitive drug response, as well as a low genetic mutation. Nevertheless, C2 was associated with high pathological stage, carcinogenic pathways, low metabolic process, inactive immune signatures, resistant drug response, and frequent genetic mutation. Eventually, a classifier with 60 metabolic genes was constructed, confirming the robustness of molecular classification on LUAD. Our findings promote the understanding of LUAD molecular characteristics, and the research data may be used for providing information be helpful for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

RESUMO Objetivo Explorar o efeito das pressões intraorais na ingestão de colostro. Métodos Mulheres saudáveis com bebês a termo foram matriculadas após o nascimento. As pressões intraorais foram detectadas antes e após o início da lactação pelas mães através de um sensor de pressão durante uma sessão de amamentação. A ingestão de colostro foi mensurada pelo peso da criança antes e após a amamentação. O início da lactação foi confirmado pela percepção das mães de plenitude súbita da mama. Resultados O pico de pressão de sucção dos recém-nascidos foi de 19,89±7,67kPa antes do início da lactação e caiu para 11,54±4,49kPa após o início da lactação (p<0,01). A ingestão de colostro foi de 4,02±4,26g antes do início da lactação e 11,09±9,43g após o início da lactação. A pressão de sucção foi correlacionada com a quantidade de ingestão de colostro antes e após o início da lactação depois de terem sido feitos ajustes dos fatores de confusão. Conclusão A pressão intraoral dos recém-nascidos no estágio inicial teve um papel predominante na ingestão de colostro. Recomenda-se iniciar a amamentação imediatamente após o nascimento para aproveitar as vantagens da resposta ativa e robusta à sucção. É importante entender a importância que a pressão de sucção desempenha na ingestão de colostro e na conquista da imunidade ativa durante os primeiros dias após o nascimento.

ABSTRACT Objective To explore the effects of intraoral pressure on colostrum intake. Methods Healthy women with full-term infants were admitted in the study after birth. Intraoral pressure was detected before and after the mothers’ onset of lactation by a pressure sensor during a breastfeeding session. Colostrum intake was measured by weighting the infant before and after breastfeeding. The onset of lactation was confirmed by the mothers’ perceptions of sudden breast fullness. Results The newborns’ peak sucking pressure was 19.89±7.67kPa before the onset of lactation, dropping to 11.54±4.49kPa after mothers’ onset of lactation (p<0.01). The colostrum intake was 4.02±4.26g before the onset of lactation, and 11.09±9.43g after the onset of lactation. Sucking pressure was correlated with the amount of colostrum intake before and after the onset of lactation after adjusting the confounding factors. Conclusions The newborns’ intraoral pressure at early stage played a predominant role in colostrum intake. It is recommended to initiate breastfeeding immediately after the birth to take advantages of the active and robust sucking response. It is valuable to understand the importance that the sucking pressure plays in the colostrum intake and active immunity achievement during the first several days after birth.

Abstract Professional athletes conduct high-intensitive hypoxic training often accompanied by the increase of many inflammatory-related cytokines and immunosuppression. Cucurbitacin E (CucE), as a triterpenoid isolated from Cucurbitaceae plants, exert potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. However, it is unknown whether that the CucE could be used as dietary supplement for athletes to improve inflammatory response and immunosuppression. In this study, we established the simulative hypoxic training rat and monkey models and evaluated the effects of CucE on immune- and inflammation-related factors. Obvious improvement on pro-inflammatory factors and pro-lymphocyte proliferation activities were showed in CucE treated rats compared with the control. Further supplement of CucE in professional meals for cynomolgus monkeys with 4-weeks high-intensitive hypoxic training also exert effects on altitude-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and immunologic function. Furtherly, we explored the underlying mechanism of CucE in human Jurkat T cells and results showed that CucE may exhibit immunosuppressive effect by attenuating critical cytokine expression through down-regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, CucE is expected to be a potential dietary supplement for athletes to ameliorate the inflammation and immunosuppression caused by high-intensitive exercise.

Abstract Background: The present study aimed to investigate the underlying role of interferon-regulatory factor 2 (IRF2)-inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase, type-II (INPP4B) axis in the regulation of autophagy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Methods: Quantitative real time PCR (QRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to determine the expression levels of IRF2, INPP4B and autophagy-related markers in AML cell lines. Autophagy was assessed by elevated Beclin-1 expression, the conversion of light chain 3 (LC3)-I to LC3-II, downregulated p62 expression and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-LC3 puncta formation. The colony formation and apoptosis assays were performed to determine the effects of IRF2 and INPP4B on the growth of AML cells. Results: IRF2 and INPP4B were highly expressed in AML cell lines, and were positively correlated with autophagy-related proteins. Overexpression of IRF2 or INPP4B stimulated autophagy of AML cells, whereas inhibition of IRF2 or INPP4B resulted in the attenuation of autophagy. More importantly, IRF2 or INPP4B overexpression reversed autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA)-induced proliferation-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects, while IRF2 or INPP4B silencing overturned the proliferation-promoting and anti-apoptotic effects of autophagy activator rapamycin. Conclusion: IRF2-INPP4B signaling axis attenuated apoptosis through induction of autophagy in AML cells.

ABSTRACT IFN-γ (Interferon-gamma), Mx and IRF-1 (Interferon regulatory factor-1) are main immune-related genes and they play important roles in the innate immune system of vertebrates. In this study, the expression level of the three immune-related genes in twelve tissues of normal adult Japanese flounder was detected using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Thirteen time points (3h, 6h, 9h, 12h, 24h, 36h, 48h, 60h, 72h, 84h, 96h, 108h, 120h) were selected to analyze the expression of IFN-γ, Mx and IRF-1 in spleen, head kidney, liver of Japanese flounder infected with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The Japanese flounder IFN-γ, Mx and IRF-1 genes were differently expressed in these tissues and had high expression levels in classical fish immune organs like spleen and head kidney. It was found that the highest expression levels of the Japanese flounder IFN-γ were detected at 24h in spleen, 36h in head kidney and 48h in liver after challenge with LPS. Interestingly, the highest expression levels of Mx in spleen and head kidney were both at 36h and IRF-1 in spleen and liver were both at 24h. The highest expression level of Mx in liver was at 48h and IRF-1 in head kidney was at 12h. The study provides a basis for further research on immune mechanism of IFN-γ, Mx, IRF-1 and the production of recombinant IFN-γ, Mx or IRF-1 used in Japanese flounder cultivation in future.