Oxidation-reduction potential affects medium-chain fatty acid ethyl ester production during wine alcohol fermentation.

The medium-chain fatty acid ethyl esters (MCFAEEs) are a group of important aroma compounds generated during wine production. Wine alcohol fermentation involves several redox processes, which are affected by the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). However, the mechanism via which ORP regulates MCFAEE production remains unclear. To investigate the effect of ORP on MCFAEE production, wine alcohol fermentation was performed using Saccharomyces cerevisiae under different ORPs. The results demonstrated that the ORPs studied (except for 90 mV) did not significantly affect cell growth, sugar consumption, and ethanol production, while the MCFAEE concentration in the simulated wines can be manipulated by ORP operation. MCFAEE levels increased till 96 h, and then decreased. The maximum MCFAEE level of 1222.97 µg/L was obtained after 96 h at 0 mV, which was 45.32% higher than that of the control. During the increase, higher relative expression of ACC1, FAS1, FAA2 and EEB1, elevated external citric acid flux, and moderate intracellular NADP+/NADPH ratio were observed at 0 mV compared to that at other ORPs. During the decrease, lowest relative expression of POX1 was detected at 0 mV. We showed for the first time the relationship between ORP operation and MCFAEE production in winemaking, which will improve the aroma quality of wine.

Spin Hall effect of transmitted light through α-Li3N-type topological semimetals.

The spin Hall effect of light occurring in topological semimetals provides unprecedented opportunities to exploit novel photonic properties and applications. In particular, pristine α-Li3N-type crystal has recently been predicted to be a type-I nodal-line semimetal based on density functional theory. Herein, the spin Hall effect of transmitted light through thin films of α-Li3N-type topological semimetals is investigated. We show that the prominent intense peak and dip emerging in the spectra of spin Hall shifts occur at the high-energy side of interband absorption of α-Li3N-type semimetals and show redshifts with increasing the incident angle or permittivity of the exit medium. In addition, type-I nodal-line semimetal under a compressive lattice strain is transformed into a type-II one such that the main intense peak and dip show blueshifts. Inversely, the tensile strain induces the formation of a triply degenerate nodal point in α-Li3N-type semimetals, causing the main intense peak and dip to show redshifts. Moreover, the influences of alloying and hole-doping in α-Li3N-type semimetals on the spin Hall effect of light are also discussed. Our findings may provide clear strategies to accurately engineer and detect the structural or phase change in topological materials.

Correlational research on facial and clinical characteristics of adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND: The neurodevelopmental model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suggests that the neurodevelopmental changes in the ventral striatal circuit of the prefrontal lobe are associated with the initial symptoms of OCD. Facial morphology is one of the most consistent anatomical phenotypes of neurodevelopmental disorders, which can reflect brain structure and function. Facial deformity, an easily measured index of brain malformation, can reflect abnormal brain structure and function. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between clinical features and neurodevelopment of adolescents with OCD through facial morphology. METHODS: The enrolled study sample comprised 40 adolescents diagnosed with OCD using the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) and 38 healthy controls (HCs). Facial photos, 21 facial diameters, and 9 facial angles were collected using image software. RESULTS: In males, lower lip red height was significantly lower in OCD patients than in HCs (P < 0.025); no significant differences were observed in other facial indicators (all P > 0.025). In females, the nasolabial angle was smaller in OCD patients than in HCs (P < 0.025); no significant differences were observed in other facial indicators (all P > 0.025). The difference in lower lip red height between the OCD group and HC group was positively correlated with neutralizing symptoms (r = 0.401, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Male OCD patients had a thinner lower lip and female OCD patients had smaller nasolabial angles. The facial features of adolescents with OCD were positively correlated with lower lip redness and neutralizing symptoms.

Metformin therapy and cognitive dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction. The relationship between metformin therapy and cognitive function in patients with T2D is unknown. Therefore, we determined the relationship between metformin therapy and cognitive function in patients with T2D using a meta-analysis. METHODS: We systematically searched the Cochrane library, PubMed, and Embase to identify studies showing correlations, and we calculated hazard ratios (HRs). RESULTS: We identified 10 studies including 254,679 participants. Metformin significantly reduced the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction in patients with T2D (HR 0.90; 95% CI [0.88, 0.92]). Compared with other hypoglycemic drugs, sulfonylureas also improved cognitive dysfunction (HR 0.92; 95% CI [0.88, 0.95]). Thiazolidinediones gave no statistically significant improvement in cognitive dysfunction (HR 0.97; 95% CI [0.87, 1.07]). The use of insulin aggravated cognitive dysfunction (HR 1.34; 95% CI [1.24, 1.43]). In the subgroup analysis of various regions controlling for age, gender, education, diabetes course, complications, metformin administration and dosage, and follow-up time, metformin significantly improved cognitive dysfunction in patients in the Americas and Europe (HR 0.69; 95% CI [0.63, 0.74]), (HR 0.71; 95% CI [0.66, 0.76], respectively), while metformin did not significantly improve cognitive dysfunction in Asian patients (HR 0.99; 95% CI [0.96, 1.01]). CONCLUSIONS: Metformin significantly improved cognitive dysfunction in patients with T2D. Sulfonylureas also improved cognitive dysfunction. Thiazolidinediones had no significant effect on cognitive dysfunction. The use of insulin aggravated cognitive dysfunction. Metformin improved cognitive dysfunction more significantly in patients in the Americas and Europe than in Asia.

[Stroke-induced acroparalysis treated with xunjingcuiqi needling technique: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impacts on the muscle strength in the patients of stroke-induced acroparalysis treated with Xunjingcuiqi needling technique. METHODS: One hundred patients were randomized into a Xunjingcuiqi group and a routine acupuncture group, 50 cases in each group. In the routine acupuncture group, the routine acupuncture technique was adopted at the main acupoints, such as Shangxing (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Dicang (ST 4), Quchi (LI 11), Huantiao (GB 30) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. In Xunjingcuiqi group, on the basis of the routine acupuncture technique, Xunjingcuiqi needling technique (pricking technique was quickly applied with the filiform needle along the running course of meridian to promote the conduction of meridian qi) was added. For the patients being hard to feel the needling sensation and with the muscle strength of 0 to 1 degree, Dongzhencuiqi technique was supplemented at shu-stream points of yang meridians (after qi arrival, the needling manipulation with limb movement was given to promote the conduction of meridian qi). The treatment was given once every day in the two groups. Ten treatments made one session. Three sessions of treatment were required. At the end of each session treatment, the muscle strength and clinical efficacy were assessed. RESULTS: In the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment, 20, 24 and 36 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and 6, 10 and 15 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in the routine acupuncture group. The differences were significant statistically in comparison of the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The markably effective rates were 60.0% (30/50), 64.0% (32/50) and 70.0% (35/50) after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and those were 38.0% (19/50), 44.0% (22/50) and 46.0% (23/50) in the routine acupuncture group, respectively. The differences were significant in the 1st and 3rd sessions of treatment between the two groups (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Xunjingcuiqi needling technique combined with routine acupuncture achieves the apparent superior efficacy on acroparalysis induced by ischemic stroke as compared with the simple routine acupuncture. Xunjingcuiqi needling technique obviously improves muscle strength and shortens the duration of sickness.

Stat3 inhibits Beclin 1 expression through recruitment of HDAC3 in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells.

Recent studies have shown that Beclin 1, a key regulator of autophagic process, is frequently downregulated and may serve as an independent prognostic biomarker for nonsmall cell lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its downregulation remain poorly understood. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is a transcription factor which plays a crucial role for multiple tumor growth and progression. Here, we demonstrate that Beclin 1 is a direct transcriptional target of Stat3 in lung cancer cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) treatment or transfection of a constitutively activated Stat3 in AGS and NCI-H1650 cells inhibited Beclin 1 expression. At the molecular level, we further revealed that Stat3 could directly bind to the promoter region of Beclin 1 and repressed its transcription through recruiting histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3). Collectively, our results suggest that the activated Stat3 may represent an important mechanism for Beclin 1 downregulation in nonsmall cell lung cancer development.

MiR-449c targets c-Myc and inhibits NSCLC cell progression.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) play an important role in tumorigenesis, proliferation, and differentiation. Altered miRNA expression in cancer indicates that miRNAs can function as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. MiR-449c downregulation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared with normal lung tissues was investigated in this study. NSCLC cell proliferation and invasion assays indicate that transfection of miR-449c expression plasmid inhibits the proliferation and invasion ability of NCI-H23 and NCI-H838 cells. In addition, miR-449c overexpression could suppress tumor growth in vivo. Morever, c-Myc was identified as a direct target gene of miR-449c. These findings clearly suggest that miR-449c downregulation and c-Myc amplification may be involved in the development of NSCLC.