Abstract Tea polysaccharides was one of the active ingredients of Qingzhuan dark tea, which had antioxidant, anti-tumor, and immune-enhancing effects. The complexation of metal ions of tea polysaccharides was one of the current research hotspots. It can combine the advantages of tea polysaccharides and their complexed trace metal elements, and had great potential development. In this study, the trace element-copper required by the human body was used for complexation with Qingzhuan dark tea polysaccharides, and the structure was characterized by various chemical methods. The copper complexes of Qingzhuan dark tea polysaccharides were characterized by UV spectroscopy, FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, AFM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The tests results show that it was successfully complexed with tea polysaccharides. Meanwhile, the Qingzhuan dark tea polysaccharides copper complex compound (termed TPS-Cu) showed higher scavenging activity of hydroxyl radical and ABTS free radical than the tea polysaccharides (termed TPS). Therefore, TPS-Cu can be used as a potentially effective and stable copper supplement and preventive agent.

Although non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is widely used to detect fetal abnormalities, the results of NIPT vary by population, and data for the screening efficiency of NIPT positive predictive value (PPV) from different populations is limited. Herein, we retrospectively analyzed the NIPT results in a large multicenter study involving 52,855 pregnant women. Depending on gestational age, amniotic fluid or umbilical cord blood was extracted for karyotype and/or chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) in NIPT-positive patients, and the PPV and follow-up data were evaluated to determine its clinical value. Among the 52,855 cases, 754 were NIPT-positive, with a positivity rate of 1.4%. Karyotype analysis and/or CMA confirmed 323 chromosomal abnormalities, with a PPV of 45.1%. PPV for trisomy 21 (T21), trisomy 18 (T18), trisomy 13 (T13), sex chromosomal aneuploidies (SCAs), and copy number variations (CNVs) were 78.9, 35.3, 22.2, 36.9, and 32.9%, respectively. The PPVs for T21, T18, and T13 increased with age, whereas the PPVs for SCAs and CNVs had little correlation with age. The PPV was significantly higher in patients with advanced age and abnormal ultrasound. The NIPT results are affected by population characteristics. NIPT had a high PPV for T21 and a low PPV for T13 and T18, and screening for SCAs and CNVs showed clinical significance in southern China.

RESUMO A perturbação da microbiota intestinal comensal está relacionada à dermatose inflamatória crônica. Analisamos a diversidade da microbiota intestinal para caracterizar a variação biológica da psoríase (Ps). Diferenças significativas do perfil microbiológico intestinal foram reveladas no modelo murino com psoríase pelo sequenciamento da região variável 16S rRNA V3-V4. As comparações de grupo incluíram o creme imiquimod (grupo IMQ, n=8), o creme imiquimod e antibióticos (ATB) (grupo PC+IMQ, n=8) e o controle saudável (grupo CTRL, n=8). A microbiota intestinal existia nos grupos Ps, incluindo o grupo IMQ e o grupo PC+IMQ englobava menos diversidade do que os controles, que foram atribuídos à diminuição da presença de vários taxa. Os dois grupos de Ps caracterizavam-se por uma redução significativa nos firicutes. Neste estudo, a microbiota da psoríase foi definida por um aumento da presença de bacteroides. Após o tratamento com ATB, encontramos um aumento substancial de Lactobacillales mas uma diminuição significativa de Clostridiales e Coriobacteriales. Uma menor abundância relativa de bactérias intestinais múltiplas foi observada nos grupos de Ps. Embora parte dos gêneros tenha sido concomitantemente reduzida tanto em condições IMQ como PC+IMQ, descobrimos que a especialidade das amostras do grupo PC+IMQ era que continham menor abundância de taxas benéficas. As características dos perfis de microbiota intestinal em ratos de Ps eram comparáveis aos perfis em pacientes com Ps, que estavam relacionados à alteração de proteínas inflamatórias específicas em grupos de doenças, mas eram significativamente diferentes do grupo controle. Assim, este estudo enfatiza o papel da microbiota intestinal na patogênese do Ps e fornece novos conhecimentos para investigar a associação entre micróbios intestinais e inflamação imunológica.

ABSTRACT Disturbance of commensal intestinal microbiota is related to chronic inflammatory dermatosis. We analyzed the diversity of the gut microbiota to characterize the biological variation of psoriasis (Ps). Significant differences of gut microbiome profiles were revealed in murine model with psoriasis by sequencing 16S rRNA V3-V4 variable region. Group comparisons included the imiquimod cream (IMQ group, n=8), the imiquimod cream and antibiotics (ATB) (PC+IMQ group, n=8) and the healthy control (CTRL group, n=8). The gut microbiota existed in Ps groups including IMQ group and PC+IMQ group encompassed less diversity than controls, which were attributed to decreased presence of several taxa. The two Ps groups were characterized by significant reduction in firmicutes. In this study, microbiota of psoriasis was defined by an increase presence of Bacteroides. After treated with ATB, we found substantial increase of Lactobacillales but significant decrease of Clostridiales and Coriobacteriales. Relative lower abundance of multiple intestinal bacteria was observed in Ps groups. Although part of genera were concomitantly reduced in both IMQ and PC+IMQ conditions, we discovered the specialty of PC+IMQ group samples was that contained lower abundance of beneficial taxa. Characteristics of gut microbiota profiles in Ps mice were comparable to profiles in patients with Ps, which were related to alteration of specific inflammatory proteins in disease groups but were significantly different from control group. Thus, this study emphasizes the role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of Ps and provides new insight for investigating association between intestinal microbes and immune inflammation.

Abstract To produce Qingzhuan dark tea polysaccharide–zinc (TPS–Zn), tea polysaccharides (TPS) were isolated from Qingzhuan dark tea and complexed with a zinc salt in the present study. The thermogravimetric analysis, molecular weight analysis, atomic absorption spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic mechanical microscope were used for qualitative and quantitative characterisation. The findings demonstrated and verified that complex reactions between zinc ions and TPS had occurred. After the Zn2+ complex was modified, the structure of TPS became more stable. The complex was homogeneous in composition and did not comprise any nucleic acid or protein. It is a zinc supplement that may be studied.

Abstract The effective selenylated polysaccharides (refer as TPS-Se) with an average molecular weight (MW) of 3.109 × 104 Da was synthesized by the reduction of sodium selenite with ascorbic acid in the presence of Qingzhuan Dark Tea polysaccharides (TPS). The selenium (Se) content of TPS-Se was up to 37.05%. The differences between TPS and TPS-Se were compared in morphology, structure, antioxidant activity, and molecular weight using FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), SEM, AFM, and Integrated thermal gravimetric analysis. The results indicated that Se4+ was reduced to Se0 by ascorbic acid. Further, the Se0 atoms aggregate into Se nuclei and bind to the C=O from TPS. Also, TPS-Se exhibited higher DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging abilities than TPS. This difference may be attributed to the fact that Se has good antioxidant activity. The test results demonstrated that TPS-Se was prepared successfully by reducing sodium selenite with ascorbic acid, which exhibited a higher radical-scavenging ability. Finally, LD50 value of 136.89 mg/kg, with a 95% confidence interval of 102.82~182.82 mg/kg, was determined by gavage administration for TPS-Se’s.

Abstract Anaemia, caused by iron deficiency, is a common disease in some parts of the world. A traditional medicine for treating anaemia resulting from iron deficiency is inorganic iron, which is represented by ferrous sulfate. However, serious irritation to the gastrointestinal tract is one of the side effects caused by inorganic iron. We extracted the tea polysaccharide (TPS) from Qingzhuan Dark Tea and employed a green technology to prepare a polysaccharide–iron [TPS-Fe(III)] complex. We further characterised the structure through thermogravimetric analysis, molecular weight analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic mechanics microscopy. We performed a comparative evaluation of the antioxidant properties of the TPS-Fe(III) complex and TPS. The results indicated that the antioxidant activity of the TPS-Fe(III) complex is superior to that of TPS. The scavenging activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, superoxide anion, and 2,2'-azobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity assays and malondialdehyde inhibition assay. The structure of the TPS-Fe(III) complex formed by the complexation of the tea polysaccharide with iron ions was highly stable, which significantly improved its antioxidant activity in vitro. Thus, the TPS-Fe (III) complex can provide additional health benefits compared with other typical non-antioxidant iron nutritional supplements.

Abstract Psoriasis is a chronic skin inflammation, characterized by impaired differentiation, hyperproliferation of keratinocytes involving pro-inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-13/17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ. Among the integrin family, α5 is important for blood vessel formation, and β4 for proliferation, differentiation of keratinocytes. To investigate the expression and regulation of integrin α5 and β4 in psoriatic keratinocytes. Skin biopsies were obtained from 14 psoriatic patients and 12 normal volunteers. We compared the immunolocalization and regulation of α5 and β4 between the psoriatic and normal ones, before and after incubation with MEK/ERK pathway inhibitor U0126 by immunohistochemistry and western blot separately. Immunohistochemistry showed psoriatic keratinocytes had higher α5 than normal ones. According to western blot, IL-17A and IL-13 increased normal keratinocytes’ α5 and β4 respectively, but psoriatic keratinocytes were the exact opposite. Incubated with U0126, normal keratinocytes’ α5 was enhanced by the 5 cytokines ; while IL-13/17A, IFN-γ suppressed β4. Psoriatic keratinocytes’ α5 was increased by IL-13/17A, decreased by IFN-γ; but β4 increased by IL-17A, IFN-γ. IL-13/17A, TNF-α, IFN-γ regulate α5 and β4 through ERK pathway whether normal or psoriasis. The normal and psoriatic keratinocytes respond to the same cytokines differently.

Abstract This study investigated the protective effect of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on lung injury during one-lung ventilation (OLV) in elderly patients undergoing radical esophagectomy with remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC). Fifty-four esophageal cancer patients undergoing radical esophagectomy were divided into control, RIPC and RIPC+Dex group. During the anesthesia and ventilation in surgery, the RIPC was performed in RIPC group, and the intravenous infusion of Dex based on RIPC was conducted in RIPC+Dex group. At the time immediately before OLV beginning (T1), 60 min of OLV (T2) and end of surgery (T3), the oxygenation index (OI) and respiratory index (RI) were recorded, and the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were determined. Results showed that, compared with RIPC group, in RIPC+Dex group the OI at T2 and T3 increased, the RI at T2 and T3 decreased, the serum SOD level at T3 increased, the serum MDA level at T3 decreased, the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels at T2 and T3 decreased (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, for elderly patients undergoing radical esophagectomy with RIPC, Dex can effectively inhibit the oxidative stress and inflammatory response during OLV, thus alleviating the lung injury and reducing the postoperative complications.

Patients with osteosarcoma (OS) usually have poor overall survival because of frequent metastasis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis. In this study, we investigated the expression and roles of lncRNA human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex P5 (HCP5) in OS, aiming to provide a novel molecular mechanism for OS. HCP5 was up-regulated both in OS tissues and cell lines and high expression of HCP5 was associated to low survival in OS patients. Down-regulation of HCP5 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, suggesting its carcinogenic role in OS. miR-101 was targeted by HCP5 and its expression was decreased in OS. The inhibitor of miR-101 reversed the impact of HCP5 down-regulation on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis in OS. Ephrin receptor 7 (EPHA7) was proved to be a target of miR-101 and had ability to recover the effects of miR-101 inhibitor in OS. In conclusion, lncRNA HCP5 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced apoptosis through depleting the expression of EPHA7 by binding to miR-101, providing a potential therapeutic strategy of HCP5 in OS.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os índices subclínicos de to pografia de ceratocone utilizando as medidas feitas com Pentacam e com Orbscan-II para identificar evidências para a busca de índices sensíveis para triagem e diagnóstico de ceratocone subclínico. Métodos: Cinquenta participantes saudáveis (50 olhos) e 40 pacientes com ceratocone subclínico (40 olhos) foram incluídos. Sete parâmetros comuns, incluindo a espessura da córnea no ponto mais fino; a curvatura mínima da superfície frontal (valor mínimo da ceratometria simulada, Min de SimK); a curvatura máxima da superfície frontal (valor máximo da ceratometria simulada, Max de SimK); a superfície frontal e a superfície posterior da córnea de melhor ajuste ao raio da curvatura, a altura da superfície anterior da córnea (valor Diff anterior) e a altura da superfície corneana posterior (valor Diff posterior) medidos pelo Pentacam e pelo Orbscan-II entre os olhos normais e com ceratocone subclínico foram comparados. Resultados: As diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos saudável e com ceratocone subclínico (p<0,01) foram encontradas em todos os parâmetros corneanos medidos usando ambos os dispositivos. Diferenças na curvatura mínima da superfície frontal (Min de SimK) no ponto mais fino, no valor Diff anterior e no valor Diff posterior foram significativas entre Pentacam e Orbscan-II no grupo com ceratocone subclínico (p<0,05). Conclusão: Os achados deste estudo identificam as diferenças entre olhos normais e com ceratocone subclínico para a curvatura mínima da superfície frontal, a curvatura máxima da superfície frontal, a superfície corneana frontal e a superfície corneana posterior de melhor ajuste ao raio esférico da curvatura e as medidas de Diff anterior e posterior usando Orbscan II e o Pentacam que podem auxiliar os profissionais de oftalmologia a diagnosticar clinicamente o ceratocone subclínico.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze subclinical keratoconus topography indexes using Pentacam and Orbscan-II measurements to identify evidences for seeking sensitive indexes to screen and diagnose subclinical keratoconus. Methods: Fifty healthy participants (50 eyes) and 40 patients with subclinical keratoconus (40 eyes) were included. Seven common parameters including corneal thickness at the thinnest point; minimum curvature of the front surface (minimum simulated keratometry value, SimK’s Min); maximum curvature of the front surface (maximum simulated keratometry value, SimK’s Max); the frontal corneal surface best-fit spherical radius of the curvature; the back corneal surface best-fit spherical radius of curvature; the anterior corneal surface height (anterior Diff value); and the posterior corneal surface height (posterior Diff value) measured by Pentacam and Orbscan-II between normal and subclinical keratoconus eyes were compared. Results: Statistical differences between the healthy and subclinical keratoconus groups (p<0.01) were found in all corneal parameters measured using both devices. Differences in the minimum curvature of the front surface (SimK’s Min), thinnest point, anterior Diff value, and posterior Diff value were significant between Pentacam and Orbscan-II in the subclinical keratoconus group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study identify the differences between normal and subclinical keratoconus eyes at the minimum curvature of the front surface, maximum curvature of the front surface, frontal corneal surface best-fit spherical radius of curvature, back corneal surface best-fit spherical radius of curvature, Anterior Diff value, and Posterior Diff value measures using Orbscan II and Pentacam that can help eye care practitioners clinically diagnose subclinical keratoconus.

Abstract The wampee seed protein (WSP) was extracted by the ultrasonic and alkaline solution. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction parameters for obtaining the highest protein yield, and the protein’s functional properties such as protein solubility, water and oil holding capacity, and emulsifying and foaming properties ware studied in comparison with soy protein isolate (SPI). The results showed that ultrasonic time and pH significantly influenced the yield, and the optimal extraction conditions were achieved when solid-solvent ratio, ultrasonic time and pH were 1:29 g/mL, 64 min and 12, respectively, under which the yield was 15.06%. The functional property tests revealed that the WSP’s solubility was higher than that of SPI and its isoelectric point was near 3.0. Compared with SPI, the oil holding capacity, emulsion activity index and emulsion stability index of WSP were significantly higher, but its water holding capacity, foaming capacity and foaming stability were significantly lower.

Psoriasis is a T-cell mediated disease that involves IL-23/Th17 and IL-12/Th1 axes. Ustekinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the p40 subunit of both IL-12 and IL-23, has proven to be efficient and safe for treating patients with psoriasis. Yet, there have been no reports with human skin/blood samples that would elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which ustekinumab calms psoriasis skin lesions. To investigate the efficacy and molecular pathway (RORC, t-BOX and GATA) of ustekinumab in treating patients with psoriasis skin lesions. A total of 30 patients with psoriasis were randomized into placebo group and treatment group. PASI of each patient was calculated at 0, 12 and 24 weeks post-treatment. The mRNA levels of RORC, t-BOX and GATA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells separated from patients’ whole blood were analyzed using qPCR. Decreased mRNA of RORC, t-BOX and GATA were observed after continuous injections, indicating that ustekinumab exerts its effect by interacting with these molecules; while no significant difference in foxp3 mRNA levels were found between placebo group and treatment group.

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.

Um novo método para oxidação regiosseletiva de trans-chalconas com peróxido de hidrogênio em acetonitrila para fornecer ácidos cinâmicos é reportado. Somente os ácidos trans-b-arilacrílicos foram obtidos. Um largo intervalo de produtos funcionalizados pode ser efetivamente produzido a partir de várias chalconas com rendimentos de bons a excelentes.

A novel method for regioselective oxidation of trans-chalcones with hydrogen peroxide in acetonitrile to afford cinnamic acids is reported. Only trans-b-arylacrylic acids were observed. A wide range of functionalized products can be effectively produced from various chalcones in good to excellent yields.