Preliminary research on the flavor substance and antioxidant capacity of beers produced with baking Qingke.

The addition of baked Qingke improves the flavor profile of beer. In this study, beer was brewed using Qingke baked at various temperatures. The beer produced with Qingke baked at 180 °C achieved the highest sensory score (40/50), an alcohol content of 6.92% (v/v), a total phenolic content of 446.42 mg/L, melanoidin concentration of 98.22 g/L, a color value of 10.88 EBC, and exhibited satisfactory antioxidant activity. Analysis of volatile compounds using HS-SPME-GC-MS revealed 48 compounds, of which esters accounted for 63% and alcohols accounted for 27% of the total content. The flavor profile of the beer varied across different baking temperatures. Pyrazines and aldehydes were predominantly present in samples baked at higher temperatures (T3, T4, and T5). Correlation analysis showed that the baking flavor in the beer was primarily correlated with 2, 5-dimethyl-pyrazine, trimethyl-pyrazine, phenylacetaldehyde, and ethyl 9-decenoate (R > 0.9).

STING agonist-based hydrogel enhances immune activation in synergy with radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Immunosuppression caused by incomplete radiofrequency ablation (iRFA) is a crucial factor affecting the effectiveness of RFA for solid tumors. However, little is known about the changes iRFA induces in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the primary application area for RFA. In this study, we found iRFA promotes a suppressive TIME in residual HCC tumors, characterized by M2 macrophage polarization, inhibited antigen presentation by dendritic cells (DCs), and reduced infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Interestingly, the STING agonist MSA-2 was able to reorganize M2-like tumor-promoting macrophages into M1-like anti-tumor states and enhance antigen presentation by DCs. To optimize the therapeutic effect of MSA-2, we used a calcium ion (Ca2+) responsive sodium alginate (ALG) as a carrier, forming an injectable hydrogel named ALG@MSA-2. This hydrogel can change from liquid to gel, maintaining continuous drug release in situ. Our results suggested that ALG@MSA-2 effectively activated anti-tumor immunity, as manifested by increased M1-like macrophage polarization, enhanced antigen presentation by DCs, increased CTL infiltration, and inhibited residual tumor growth. ALG@MSA-2 also resulted in a complete regression of contralateral tumors and widespread liver metastases in vivo. In addition, the excellent biosafety of ALG@MSA-2 was also proved by blood biochemical analysis and body weight changes in mice. In summary, this study demonstrated that the immune cascade of ALG@MSA-2 mediated the STING pathway activation and promoted a favorable TIME which might provide novel insights for the RFA treatment of HCC.

A cross-sectional study of clinical emergency department nurses' occupational stress, job involvement and team resilience.

INTRODUCTION: The occupational stress of clinical nurses has drawn increasing attention. It has been proven that occupational stress is related to job involvement, and job involvement affects team resilience. However, research on the relationship between emergency nurses' occupational stress, job involvement and team resilience is lacking. AIM: To explore relationships between occupational stress, job involvement, and team resilience among a sample of emergency nurses and determined significant influencing factors of occupational stress in emergency departments. METHODS: In four hospitals in Shandong, China, 187 emergency room nurses participated in a study. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the Chinese version of the Stressors Scale for Emergency Nurses, and a scale for evaluating the team resilience of medical professionals were used to collect data. RESULTS: The overall occupational stress score of nurses working in the emergency departments in Shandong province was 81.07 ± 25.80. The results of Single-factor analysis demonstrated that the scores indicating the occupational stress for emergency nurses differed significantly with respect to age, education level, marital status, children, professional title, work experience and work shift (P < 0.05). Additionally, there is a negative correlation between job involvement and team resilience and occupational stress. Multiple linear regression results showed that the job involvement, team resilience and work shift were statistically significant influencing factors of the level of occupational stress (change R2 = 17.5 %, F = 5.386, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Stronger team resilience and more active job involvement resulted in lower occupational stress levels experienced by emergency nurses.

Mitochondrial ROS driven by NOX4 upregulation promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell survival after incomplete radiofrequency ablation by inducing of mitophagy via Nrf2/PINK1.

BACKGROUND: The recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) remains a major clinical problem. Cells that survive the sublethal heat stress that is induced by incomplete RFA are the main source of HCC relapse. Heat stress has long been reported to increase intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Although ROS can induce apoptosis, a pro-survival effect of ROS has also been demonstrated. However, the role of ROS in HCC cells exposed to sublethal heat stress remains unclear. METHODS: HepG2 and HuH7 cells were used for this experiment. Insufficient RFA was performed in cells and in a xenograft model. ROS and antioxidant levels were measured. Apoptosis was analyed by Annexin-V/PI staining and flow cytometry. Protein expression was measured using western blotting. Colocalization of lysosomes and mitochondria was analyzed to assess mitophagy. Corresponding activators or inhibitors were applied to verify the function of specific objectives. RESULTS: Here,we showed that sublethal heat stress induced a ROS burst, which caused acute oxidative stress. This ROS burst was generated by mitochondria, and it was initiated by upregulated NOX4 expression in the mitochondria. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) decreased HCC cell survival under sublethal heat stress conditions in vivo and in vitro. NOX4 triggers the production of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS), and NOX4 inhibitors or siNOX4 also decreased HCC cell survival under sublethal heat stress conditions in vitro. Increased mtROS trigger PINK1-dependent mitophagy to eliminate the mitochondria that are damaged by sublethal heat stress and to protect cells from apoptosis. Nrf2 expression was elevated in response to this ROS burst and mediated the ROS burst-induced increase in PINK1 expression after sublethal heat stress. CONCLUSION: These data confirmed that the ROS burst that occurs after iRFA exerted a pro-survival effect. NOX4 increased the generation of ROS by mitochondria. This short-term ROS burst induced PINK1-dependent mitophagy to eliminate damaged mitochondria by increasing Nrf2 expression.

Chinese version of the stressor scale for emergency nurse: A methodological study design.

AIM: The aim of this study was to modify and test the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the stressor scale for emergency nurses. DESIGN: The methodological design was carried out in two phases: (a) form the Chinese version by Delphi method and (b) test the psychometric properties by cross-sectional survey. METHODS: The translated scale was administered to 420 nurses in Qingdao. Validity was assessed in terms of content validity, calibration correlation validity and construct validity using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach α coefficients. RESULTS: The Chinese version of the SSEN retains 27 items, four common factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis, and the factor cumulative variance contribution rate was 78.463%. The fitting indexes of the four-factor model of CFA were all in the acceptable range[χ2  = 711.30, df = 312, p < 0.001, χ2 /df = 2.280, CFI = 0.933, TLI = 0.924, IFI = 0.933, RMSEA = 0.079 (90% confidence interval = 0.071-0.086)].The item-level content validity index of the Chinese SSEN is 0.89 ~ 1.00; the scale-level content validity index is 0.98; the Cronbach α coefficient of the total table is 0.971 and the split-half reliability is 0.877. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The C-SSEN can be used to help nursing managers accurately formulate management measures to improve the stress coping ability of nurses in the ED, stabilize the nursing team and ensure nursing safety.

The biochemical and molecular investigation of flower color and scent sheds lights on further genetic modification of ornamental traits in Clivia miniata.

Clivia miniata is renowned for its evergreen and strap-like leaves, whereas its floral color and scent are lacking diversity. Here, anthocyanin, volatile terpene, and carotenoid metabolisms were integrally investigated in C. miniata flowers. The results showed that pelargonidins and lutein might cooperate to confer orange or yellow color to C. miniata flowers, but only a trace amount of (+)-limonene was detected. The expression levels of CmF3'H and CmDFR appeared to be responsible for the ratio of cyanidin and pelargonidin derivatives in C. miniata, and the low expression of CmF3'H was responsible for the lack of cyanidins in flowers. Moreover, the CmF3'H promoter could not be activated by CmMYBAs, suggesting that it was controlled by novel regulators. Only two CmTPSs were functional, with CmTPS2 responsible for (+)-limonene synthesis, contributing to the monotonous flower volatile terpenes of C. miniata. CmCCD1a and CmCCD1b were able to cleave carotenoids at the 5,6 (5',6'), and 9,10 (9',10') positions to generate volatile apocarotenoids, whereas the substrates found in low-quantities or specific subcellular localizations of CmCCD1s might constrain volatile apocarotenoid release. Consequently, activating F3'H and introducing novel F3'5'H or versatile TPS may be effective ways to modify the floral color and scent, respectively. Alternatively, modifying the carotenoid flux or CCD1 localization might affect floral color and scent simultaneously. Taking these results together, the present study provides a preliminary deciphering of the genetic constraints underlying flower color and scent development, and proposes possible schemes for further genetic modification of ornamental traits in C. miniata and other plants.

The value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging combined with apparent diffusion coefficient in the differentiation of benign and malignant diseases of the breast.

BACKGROUND: The value of combined dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis for the diagnosis of breast cancer has not been evaluated in previous studies. PURPOSE: To investigate the diagnostic value of DCE-MRI combined with ADC in benign and malignant breast lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinicopathological imaging data included 168 patients (177 lesions) with breast lesions who underwent convention breast MRI, DCE-MRI, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI); they were divided into the benign lesion group (n = 39) and malignant lesion group (n = 129) based on pathology. RESULTS: Using the type III outflow curve as a diagnostic criterion for malignant breast lesions, the diagnostic sensitivity was 76.9%, the specificity was 80%, the correct rate was 72.2%, and its area under the curve (AUC) was 0.823. Using an enhancement ratio > 100% as a diagnostic criterion for malignant breast lesions, the sensitivity was 61.5%, specificity was 80%, and AUC was 0.723. Using > 3 ipsilateral vessels as a diagnostic criterion for malignant lesions in the breast resulted in a diagnostic sensitivity of 81.6%, a specificity of 80.8%, and an AUC of 0.805. CONCLUSION: The type of time intensity curve DCE-MRI, the early enhancement rate in the first phase, the number of ipsilateral vessels, and the ADC full volume histogram of the blood supply score and DWI are valuable in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions.

A new classification of injury patterns of the medial patellofemoral ligament after acute lateral patella dislocation detected using magnetic resonance imaging studies.

INTRODUCTION: Acute lateral patellar dislocation is a very common condition in orthopedics, especially among adolescents and physically active patients. To evaluate distinct medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) injury patterns and the associated knee pathology after acute lateral patellar dislocation (ALPD) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, which is essential for the development of treatment protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI images of 74 ALPD patients were taken between January 2015 to December 2016. Images were evaluated using standardized protocols. RESULTS: The prevalence of MPFL injury following ALPD was 97.3% (72/74 patients). Among the 72 patients with MPFL, the prevalence of Type Ⅰ injury was 26.4% (19/72). Since only bone marrow edema and a partial tear were showed on MRI of these patients, conservative treatment was given. Tear of the MPFL occurred at the patellar attachment (Type Ⅱa) in 16 patients (16/72, 22.2%), at the middle area of the ligament (Type Ⅱb) in 5 patients (5/72, 6.9%), and at the femoral attachment (Type Ⅱc) in 27 patients (27/72, 37.5%). For Type Ⅱ injuries, all patients had the surgery to reconstruct the MPFL. The prevalence of Type Ⅲ MPFL injury was 6.9% (5/72) after the surgery. CONCLUSION: MPFL injury of is a common sequel following ALPD. We assessed the distinct injury pattern and associated pathology of MPFL using MRI studies. A good understanding of the injury pattern and associated knee pathology of MPFL is essential in managing patients with ALPD, especially if surgical intervention is considered.

Enhanced mitochondrial pyruvate transport elicits a robust ROS production to sensitize the antitumor efficacy of interferon-γ in colon cancer.

Metabolic reprogramming is a feature of cancer cells and crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. Interferon-γ (IFNγ) is a cytokine that plays a pivotal role in host antitumor immunity. However, little is known about the roles of metabolic reprogramming in immune responses. Here, we show that colon cancer cells reprogram metabolism to coordinate proper cellular responses to IFNγ by downregulating mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC)1 and 2 via STAT3 signaling. Forced overexpression of MPC promote the production of reactive oxygen species and enhance the apoptosis induced by IFNγ in colon cancer cells. Moreover, inhibiting STAT3 sensitize the antitumor efficacy of IFN-γ against colon cancer cells. Our findings present a previously unrecognized mechanism that colon cancer manipulate to resist IFNγ mediated antitumor immunity that have implications for targeting a unique aspect of this disease.

De novo construction of mammalian synthetic inhibitory transcription factor and promoter pairs / 生物工程学报

Transcriptional regulation is crucial for regulated gene expression. Due to the complexity, it has been difficult to engineer eukaryotic transcription factor (TF) and promoter pairs. The few availabilities of eukaryotic TF and promotor pairs limit their practical use for clinical or industrial applications. Here, we report a de novo construction of synthetic inhibitory transcription factor and promoter pairs for mammalian transcriptional regulation. The design of synthetic TF was based on the fusion of DNA binding domain and Kruppel associated box transcription regulating domain (KRAB). The synthetic promoter was constructed by inserting the corresponding TF response element after SV40 promoter. We constructed and tested five synthetic inhibitory transcription factor and promoter pairs in cultured mammalian cells. The inhibition capability and orthogonality were verified by flow cytometry. In summary, we demonstrate the feasibility of constructing mammalian inhibitory TF and promoter pairs, which could be standardized for advanced gene-circuit design and various applications in the mammalian synthetic biology.

Role of Met/HGF signal pathway on inhibiting autophagy in ischemia-reperfusion induced cardiomyocytes injury / 安徽医科大学学报

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of autophagy inhibited by Met/HGF passway in alleviating myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury.Methods Lsolated cardiomyocytes of rats were divided into 5 groups:control group,ischemia and reperfusion (IR) group,Met-transfection group,Met siRNA-transfection group,Met-transfection and HGF activator group.Over or less expressions of Met were controlled by the method of transfection.Cell proteins were extracted after IR injury.The expression of cell protein such as met,HGF,AMPK,PI3K,autophagy-related protein LC3B,Beclin-1 and apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with control group,Western blot results showed that the expression of AMPK and PI3K increased significantly by the method of over expression of Met and activation of HGF,the expression of autophagy-related protein LC3B and Beclin-1 decreased significantly at the same time.However,it showed an opposite trend in IR group and Met siRNA-transfection group.Conclusion Activation of the Met/HGF signal pathway inhibits autophagy and attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Prevalence of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Chinese Adults: A Cross-sectional Survey / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The prevalence of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is unknown in China. We aimed to determine the prevalence of DDH in Chinese adults.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, we performed a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of Chinese adults. All participants underwent questionnaire investigation, physical examination, and X-ray examination. Factors associated with DDH were analyzed with logistic regression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We invited 29,180 individuals aged 18 years and over to participate, randomly selected from 18 primary sampling units (street districts in urban areas and townships in rural areas). The survey and examination were completed in 25,767 people (10,296 men and 15,471 women). DDH was diagnosed in 391 people, yielding an overall DDH prevalence of 1.52%. Based on this information, we estimate the number of individuals with DDH in China to be approximately 16.05 million. DDH prevalence increased with age (odds ratio = 1.53 [1.03-2.27], P = 0.036), was significantly higher among women than men (2.07% vs. 0.75%, P< 0.001), and was higher among rural residents than urban residents (1.75% vs. 1.29%, P< 0.001). Economic development was independently associated with the presence of DDH. There was no evidence of an association between body mass index alone, education, or current smoking or drinking and risk of DDH (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DDH has become an important public health problem. Special attention should be paid to residents with DDH. Screening for DDH should be performed in China.</p>

Responses of adventitial CD34+ vascular wall-resident stem/progenitor cells and medial smooth muscle cells to carotid injury in rats.

Cell culture and carotid injury studies with SD rats were performed to investigate the roles of CD34+ vascular wall-resident stem/progenitor cells (VRS/Pcs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in neointimal formation. In vitro, the media-isolated SM MHC+ SMCs occupied 93.92±8.62% of total BrdU+ cells, whereas the CD34+ cells, only 2.61±0.82%, indicating that the cell expansion in SMC culture was attributed to SM MHC+ SMCs. The adventitia-isolated CD34+ VRS/Pcs responded to PDGF-BB by differentiating into SMC-like cells which expressed SM22α (an early stage SMC marker), but seldom SM MHC (a late stage SMC marker). In carotid injury model, the CD34+ VRS/Pcs differentiated SMC-like cells migrated in very few numbers into only the outer layer of the media, and this was further confirmed by a cell tracking analysis. While the neointimal cells were consistently SM MHC+ and CD34- SMCs during whole course of the post-injury remodeling. Thus it is speculated that the adventitial CD34+ VRS/Pcs, at least in rat model, do not directly participate in neointimal formation, but function to maintain homeostasis of the media during injury-induced vascular wall remodeling.

Effects of estrogen on growth and smooth muscle differentiation of vascular wall-resident CD34(+) stem/progenitor cells.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of estrogen on growth and smooth muscle cell (SMC)-differentiation of vascular wall-resident CD34(+) stem/progenitor cells (VRS/Pcs). METHODS AND RESULTS: The existence of CD34(+) VRS/Pcs was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in the adventitia of arteries of young (2-month-old) and old (24-month-old) female SD rats with less CD34(+) adventitial cells detected in the old. The VRS/Pcs isolated from young animals were grown in Stem cell growth medium or induced to differentiate into SMC with PDGF-BB in the presence or absence of 17ß-estrodiol (E2). Flow cytometry, RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that E2 promoted Brdu incorporation of the CD34(+) VRS/Pcs growing in Stem cell growth medium; but when the cells were incubated in PDGF-BB, the hormone enhanced their expression of SMC marker SM22. ChIP and IP assays showed that E2 significantly promoted the binding of pELK1-SRF complex to the promoter of c-fos gene in CD34(+) VRS/Pcs growing in the Stem cell growth medium; but when the cells were stimulated with PDGF-BB, an E2-enhanced binding of myocardin-SRF to the promoter of SM22 gene was found with enhanced expression of SRC3 and its binding to myocardin. The effects of E2 above could be blocked by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 or inhibited by SRF-siRNA. CONCLUSION: Estrogen has dual effects on CD34(+) VRS/Pcs. For the undifferentiated VRS/Pcs, it accelerates their proliferation by enhancing binding of pELK1-SRF complex to c-fos gene; while for the differentiating VRS/Pcs, it promotes their differentiation to SMC through a mechanism of SRC3-mediated interaction of myocardin-SRF complex with SM22 gene.

[The impact of exercise rehabilitation on left ventricular remodeling and systolic function in acute myocardial infarction patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of rehabilitation on left ventricular remodeling and systolic function in acute myocardial infarction patients. METHODS: Patients meeting the inclusion criteria with uneventful clinical course after a first myocardial infarction were randomly assigned to a 3-month exercise training period (exercise group, n = 35) or a control group (n = 29). Before randomization, all patients underwent NT-proBNP test, 2-dimensional echocardiography, and submaximal exercise test. RESULTS: (1) At baseline, there were no significant differences in NT-proBNP, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between the exercise and control groups. After 3 months, a significant decrease in NT-proBNP was observed only in the exercise group [from (845.29 +/- 93.48) ng/L to (335.64 +/- 246.14) ng/L, P < 0.05], but not in the control group [from (1091.62 +/- 101.78) ng/L to (1099.83 +/- 168.75) ng/L, P > 0.05) and there was significant difference in NT-proBNP level between the two groups after 3 months (P < 0.01). The LVDd increased in the control group [from (50.9 +/- 5.8) to (52.6 +/- 5.4) mm, P < 0.05] but not in the exercise group [from (50.7 +/- 4.5) to (50.3 +/- 3.9) mm, P > 0.05] and there was significant difference in LVDd between the two groupsafter 3 months (P < 0.05). Conversely, LVEF improved in the exercise group [from (55.0 +/- 8.6)% to (60.0 +/- 8.0)%, P < 0.05] but not in the control group (P > 0.05) and there was significant difference in LVEF between the two groups after 3 months (P < 0.05). (2) NT-proBNP was inversely correlated with LVEF. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation exercise training under instructions based on family condition in the early and recovery stage of AMI can lower the NT-proBNP level, improve ejection fraction, and prevent the increase of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter. Therefore, it may reduce unfavorable remodeling response and improve cardiac systolic function hereafter.