Comparison of aroma properties of infant formulas: Differences in key aroma compounds and their possible origins in processing.

Aroma is an important attribute of infant formula (IF). In this study, 218 volatiles and 62 odor-active compounds were detected from IF by dynamic headspace sampling combined with comprehensive 2-dimensional gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry. Aldehydes and ketones were determined as the most abundant odor-active compounds. Among them, the contents of pentanal and hexanal were the most abundant, while 1-octen-3-one had the highest flavor dilution factor and odor activity value in most of the IF. Sensory evaluation and electronic nose analysis showed that the skimming process, the fatty acid composition, and powdered or liquid milk base used for the production of IF may be important factors resulting in their differences in aroma profiles and compounds. These differences were assumed to be mainly ascribed to the Maillard reaction and lipid oxidation, which were largely influenced by the temperature and water activity.

Yak milk-derived exosomes alleviate lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal inflammation by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/C3 pathway activation.

Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) are important parts of the mucosal barrier, whose function can be impaired upon various injury factors such as lipopolysaccharide. Although food-derived exosomes are preventable against intestinal barrier injuries, there have been few studies on the effect of yak milk-derived exosomes and the underlying mechanism that remains poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the effect of exosomal proteins derived from yak and cow milk on the barrier function of IEC-6 treated with lipopolysaccharide and the relevant mechanism involved. Proteomics study revealed 392 differentially expressed proteins, with 58 higher expressed and 334 lower expressed in yak milk-derived exosomes than those in cow exosomes. Additionally, the top 20 proteins with a relatively consistent higher expression in yak milk exosomes than cow milk exosomes were identified. Protein CD46 was found to be a regulator for alleviating inflammatory injury of IEC-6. In vitro assay of the role of yak milk exosomes on survival of IEC-6 in inflammation by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay confirmed the effectiveness of yak milk exosomes to increase IEC-6 survival up to 18% for 12 h compared with cow milk exosomes (up to 12%), indicating a therapeutic effect of yak milk exosomes in the prevention of intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, yak and cow milk exosomes were shown to activate the PI3K/AKT/C3 signaling pathway, thus promoting IEC-6 survival. Our findings demonstrated an important relationship between yak and cow milk exosomes and intestinal inflammation, facilitating further understanding of the mechanisms of inflammation-driven epithelial homeostasis. Interestingly, compared with cow milk exosomes, yak milk exosomes activated the PI3K/AKT/C3 signaling pathway more to lower the incidence and severity of intestine inflammation, which might represent a potential innovative therapeutic option for intestinal inflammation.

[The development history and prospect of neuro-ophthalmology in China].

Neuro-ophthalmology is an interdisciplinary subspecialty that occupies an important position in ophthalmology. We review the development history and subspecialty construction of the neuro-ophthalmology in China, showing the achievements, providing reference for the clinical and scientific research of neuro-ophthalmology in the future, commemorating the predecessors and inspiring the contemporary neuro-ophthalmology profession to forge ahead. Congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the publication of the Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56:891-894).

[Progress in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders related optic neuritis].

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) related optic neuritis (NMOSD-ON) is a common neuro-ophthalmic disease which often results in permanent blindness. NMOSD is characterized by high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. Therefore the two key objectives of the therapeutic approach for patients with NMOSD are treatment of the acute attacks and prevention of the relapses. With the in-depth study of the pathogenesis of NMOSD, new treatments developed for different stages of the disease are emerging. This review gives an update of latest knowledge of NMOSD-ON, emphasizing both current and future therapeutic approaches. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 539-543).

Deep thought of COVID-19 based on Diamond Princess's quarantine and home quarantine.

Not Available.

[Toll-like receptor 4 in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury].

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a member of the toll-like receptor family and belongs to the family of pattern recognition receptors. The role of TLR4 signaling pathway in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury has been widely studied in recent years, and its control methods in inflammatory response is becoming the most important research hotspot. In this paper, the research progress of the molecules and their regulatory mechanisms involved with TLR4 signaling pathway in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury is reviewed, which act as a new foundation of clinical research to study the pathogenic mechanisms and treatment plan.

Therapeutic effect of dexmedetomidine on intracerebral hemorrhage via regulating NLRP3.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of dexmedetomidine on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) mice and the underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vivo ICH model was induced by the injection of autologous blood in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were randomly assigned into control group (no specific treatment) and treatment group (dexmedetomidine administration). Mouse neuronal deficits were evaluated by modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) and Corner Turn Test. ICH volume and cerebral edema at the hemisphere of lesions were determined. Inflammatory response at post-ICH was examined by flow cytometry and quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The integrity and permeability of blood brain barrier (BBB) were detected by Western blot and Evans Blue extravasation. RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine treatment markedly alleviated the clinical symptoms of ICH mice, and decreased ICH volume and cerebral edema. QRT-PCR data revealed down-regulated levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and IL-1ß in mice of the treatment group relative to controls. Moreover, dexmedetomidine administration decreased contents of CD11b+CD45int, IL-6, and IL-1ß, but elevated TGF-ß content in treatment group. The Evans Blue leakage was reduced in mice of the treatment group. Both protein and mRNA levels of Claudin-5 and ZO-1 were upregulated in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine remarkably inhibits the activation of inflammasome, alleviates secondary cerebral injury and inflammation, and protects the integrity and permeability of BBB at post-ICH.

[Clinical characteristics of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-positive optic neuritis].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein(MOG) antibody-positive optic neuritis (MOG-ON). Methods: Retrospective case series study. A total of 65 patients diagnosed with MOG-ON at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital during January 2016 and October 2017 were selected. The patients underwent examinations including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus color photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patients were tested for serum levels of antibodies for aquaporin 4 and MOG with a cell-based assay. The follow-up duration ranged from 14 to 217 months. Statistical analyses of patients' clinical features, neuroimaging features and prognosis were conducted. The independent-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variable data and the χ(2) test or Fisher exact test for classified variable data and rates were used. Results: There were 35 children (<18 years) and 30 adults (≥18 years) patients. Thirty-seven patients were female and 28 patients were male. The mean age of onset was (23±16) years (range of 3-61 years). There were 40 unilateral patients and 25 bilateral patients at the first onset. Fifty-five patients (84.6%) suffered from eye pain at the first onset and the incidence in children was significantly lower than that in adult [74.3% (26/35) and 96.7% (29/30), P=0.016]. Abnormal autoimmune antibodies were found in 13 patients (20.0%).And 47.8% (43/90) eyes had optic disc edema. Sixty percent (39/65) were recurrent optic neuritis and 73.8% (48/65) were bilateral diseases at final visit. Orbital MRI scans showed T(2) hyperintensity of optic nerve in 98.4% patients (62/63). Head MRI scans showed demyelinating lesions of the brain in 12/19 patients. Within 2 weeks of onset, 78.9%(71/90) of the affected eyes had BCVA ≤ 0.1. The visual impairment of the children and adult was serious, and there was no significant difference (P=0.650). After treatment with corticosteroid, visual acuity improved in all affect eyes. After the initial attack, 95.6%(86/90) of the affected eyes had BCVA ≥ 0.5. The children and adult had good visual recovery, and there was no significant difference (P=0.061). At the final visit, 86.7%(98/113) of the eyes had BCVA ≥ 0.5, the children had better visual recovery than adult [logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, 0.10±0.35 vs. 0.32±0.53, t=-2.526, P=0.013].Three children (8.6%) were diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. The average thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layers (pRNFL) and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layers (mGCIPL) were (69.90±12.49) µm and (59.58±7.91) µm at least 6 months after optic neuritis attack. There were different degrees atrophy and not statistically different in pRNFL and mGCIPL between children and adult (P=0.606, 0.223). Conclusions: The clinical characteristics of MOG-ON are diverse. The children patients are more common and have better recovery of visual acuity. Additionally, some patients have demyelinating lesions in the brain. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 174-179).

[The MRI analysis of 220 cases of placenta previa complicated with placenta accrete or not].

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of MRI for placenta previa complicated with placenta accreta or not. Methods: A total of 220 placenta previa patients were diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound and MRI in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from May 2014 to May 2017.The MRI images of 220 placenta previa patients suspicious of placenta previa were interpreted by two radiologists who majored on gynecological radiology. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of two radiologists in diagnosis of placenta accreta were calculated respectively. Kappa test were used to verify the consistency between two doctors, as well as their MRI diagnosis and pathological results. The diagnostic value of MRI and pathological were assessed by Chi-square test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve. Results: The 220 patients were all confirmed with placenta previa by surgical pathology.Out of 220, 71 cases were diagnosed as placenta accreta, and 149 cases were diagnosed without placenta accreta. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value with physician A and physician B were 90.1%/84.5%, 88.6%/89.9%, 89.1%/88.2%, 79.0%/80.0% and 95.0%/92.4%, respectively.The consistency between MRI diagnosis and pathological results was excellent in physician A (κ=0.759), and good in physician B (κ=0.734). However, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of diagnosis between two physicians had no significant difference (all P>0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of ROC in physician A and B were 0.858 and 0.847 (P=0.980). Conclusion: MRI is feasible for patients with placenta previa, as the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI are high in assessing whether placenta previa complicated with placenta accreta or not.

Co-existence of histopathological features is characteristic in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and correlates with high grades of cutaneous abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: Only few studies had investigated the histopathological presentations of drug reaction with eosinophilia with systemic symptoms (DRESS). The results of these studies were diverse and not conclusive. A characteristic histopathological feature is still lacking. OBJECTIVE: We tempted to identify characteristic histopathological features in DRESS and to correlate them with clinical presentations. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from patients treated from 1998 through 2015. Available skin specimens from probable or definite cases according to the RegiSCAR criteria were analysed for histopathological patterns, which were then compared with the patients' clinical presentations. Chi-squared test was used for comparisons, while Bonferroni correction was applied if multiple comparison tests were encountered. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients with an average age of 52 years were identified, including 22 definite cases. The single most common histopathological pattern was interface dermatitis (75%). The co-existence of two or more patterns in a skin specimen was common (62.5%). In such cases, the co-existence of three patterns (the eczematous pattern, the interface dermatitis pattern and the vascular damage pattern) was most frequently encountered. It exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of being definite cases (P = 0.004) and was significantly associated with high grades of cutaneous abnormalities (P < 0.001). It showed a trend towards having higher grades of haematological abnormalities in patients with co-existence of three patterns (P = 0.04). In addition, patients with the co-existence of three patterns tended to have a higher rate of reactivation of human herpesvirus-6 than those with other patterns but not statistically significant (P = 0.052). CONCLUSION: The co-existence of three histopathological patterns in a skin specimen is characteristic in DRESS and shows a significant association with clinical severity.

APOA5 -1131T/C polymorphism and coronary artery disease susceptibility in Chinese population: an updated meta-analysis and review.

Although many studies have investigated the association of the APOA5 -1131T/C polymorphism with coronary artery disease (CAD), definite conclusions have not been drawn. To understand the effects of the APOA5 -1131T/C polymorphism on the risk of developing CAD, we performed an updated meta-analysis in the Chinese population. Relevant studies published till April 2015 were identified from databases such as PubMed, Springer Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biology Medicine. A total of 19 studies including 3983 patients and 4358 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. The crude OR with 95%CI was calculated to assess the strength of the association. With the pooled data from the studies included in this meta-analysis, we found a significant association between the APOA5 -1131T/C polymorphism and CAD risk in the Chinese population (C vs T: OR = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.16-1.54; CC vs TT: OR = 1.73, 95%CI = 1.30-2.30; CC vs TT and TC: OR = 1.51, 95%CI = 1.17-1.95; CC vs TC: OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.03-1.65). Stratified analyses according to the geographical location and source of controls revealed significantly increased risk in South China and in population-based studies. In conclusion, our meta-analysis provides substantial evidence that the APOA5 -1131T/C polymorphism might contribute to CAD development in the Chinese population.

Response surface methodology for meat-like odorants from Maillard reaction with glutathione I: the optimization analysis and the general pathway exploration.

This study is about reaction condition optimization and exploration of the general pathway of GSH-participating Maillard reaction. Response surface methodology (RSM) is used to define the reaction condition for optimal meat flavor product generation from synthetic oligopeptides via the Maillard reaction. The optimal reaction condition is: (A) temperature: 131.53 °C, (B) reaction time: 94.85 min, (C) volume of 0.2M phosphate buffer: 49.61 mL and (D) initial pH of reactants: 4.79. The priority sequence is: A > D > C > B, and the verification score was 9.1. A preliminarily pathway scheme using CAMOLA has been constructed to suggest a reaction mechanism for meat-like aroma product formation. In addition, a 2-pathway and 3-stage formation scheme of the GSH-participating Maillard reaction has been constructed.

Response surface methodology for meat-like odorants from the Maillard reaction with glutathione II: the tendencies analysis of meat-like donors.

Understanding the flavor effect of molecules on food products is fundamental for the food technologist. In this study, the formation of different meat-like compounds was controlled by various influence factors. Furthermore, the concept of interrelationships between Maillard reaction products (MRPs) was demonstrated by statistical analysis for the first time, which provides data and hence production system parameters by which to generate and optimize meat-like flavors through Maillard reactions. We report here the analysis and synthesis trend of the 13 meat-like donors which are regarded as forming the major flavor compounds of cooked meat. Response surface methodology (RSM) has not previously been reported in the literature as a technique to identify which parameters have the greatest influence on the synthesis of these flavor compounds. RSM has been used here to identify the influence of initial pH and ΔpH on flavor compound generation. As all ΔpH had positive RSM values between 0.5 and 1.5 it can be concluded that MRPs of this meat flavor-adapted system would be mostly acidic. These positive values also indicate that under this condition the Maillard reaction is stable and will therefore promote more meat-like flavor compounds to be generated. In addition to ΔpH, varied concentrations of glutathione, cysteine, thiamine, and xylose were investigated for their ability to influence the generation of meat-like flavors.

The application of the restriction site mutation assay to compare 1-ethyl-1-nitrosourea-induced mutations between the endogenous p53 gene and the transgenic LacZ gene in MutaMouse testes.

Transgenic mouse modelling has provided a new approach to study the various steps involved in spontaneous and induced mutagenesis in rodent somatic and germline tissues in vivo. However, the important question arises as to whether mutations occur at the same rate in transgenes as in endogenous genes. Here, the restriction site mutation (RSM) assay was used to study mutations induced in the endogenous p53 gene and LacZ transgene of MutaMouse testes treated with 1-ethyl-1-nitrosourea (ENU). The aim of these experiments was to compare mutation susceptibility between the endogenous p53 gene and the integrated LacZ gene in the transgenic mouse. ENU-treated and control testes were analysed 102 days after treatment; a total of 297 RSM analyses were performed on ENU-treated and untreated testis DNA. Ten mutational events were detected in the p53 gene (exon 5 and intron 8), two of which occurred in untreated animals and probably represent spontaneous events. Only a single mutation was detected in the LacZ gene of an ENU-treated animal by the RSM assay. Thus the RSM assay can readily detect ENU-induced mutations in the p53 gene, but not in the LacZ transgene. Comparison of the LacZ RSM mutation data with results from a previous study of identically dosed MutaMice in the transgenic selection assay [Ashby, J., Gorelick,N.J. and Shelby,M.D. (1997) Mutat. Res., 388, 111-122] showed that LacZ mutations were far more readily recovered with the MutaMouse transgenic selection assay than by RSM analysis. The reason for the relative inability of the RSM assay to detect LacZ mutations may be the smaller target size of the RSM analysis compared with the transgenic selection assay (16 bases compared with 3000 bases). Taking into account the different target sizes by calculating the mutation frequency per base allowed the RSM data regarding p53 and LacZ to be compared with previously published data from transgenic selection assays. These studies demonstrated that the p53 mutations were present at mutation frequencies (per base) 5- to 70-fold higher than the LacZ gene mutations. In addition, the LacZ mutation frequency per base found in the RSM was an order of magnitude higher than that found in the transgenic selection assay. The transgenic selection assay is more sensitive per locus (due to the larger target of the LacZ gene), as evidenced by ability to detect ENU-induced testes mutations readily.

Association study of apolipoprotein E epsilon4 with clinical phenotype and clozapine response in schizophrenia.

Schizophrenic patients with the apolipoprotein E (APOE = gene; apoE = protein) epsilon4 allele exhibited lower psychosis scores than patients without the epsilon4 allele in previous reports. The present study tested the hypothesis that the APOE epsilon4 allele confers association with the clinical manifestations of schizophrenia or clozapine response. A total of 95 schizophrenic patients who were treatment resistant were included in the study. The results demonstrated that the presence of the APOE epsilon4 allele did not influence the response to clozapine in schizophrenic patients, neither was the baseline psychopathology related to the APOE epsilon4 allele. Given the multiple functions of the apoE protein in the brain, further study of the influence of APOE on CNS medication response is needed.

Association study of a functional serotonin transporter gene polymorphism with schizophrenia, psychopathology and clozapine response.

Serotonin is implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Following serotonin release, the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is the major determinant of serotonin inactivation. The present study tested the hypothesis that a biallelic polymorphism in the 5' regulatory region of the 5-HTT gene (5-HTTLPR) confers susceptibility to schizophrenia, association with the clinical manifestations of schizophrenia or clozapine response. 90 treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale before and after clozapine treatment. The results demonstrated that the 5-HTTLPR variants did not play a major role in the susceptibility, clinical manifestations or clozapine response in schizophrenia.

Association analysis of the 5-HT(6) receptor polymorphism (C267T) in mood disorders.

The serotonergic system is implicated in the etiology of mood disorders. Among those most recently discovered serotonin receptors, the relative abundance of serotonin type 6 receptor (5-HT(6)) in the limbic area and the high affinity of some antidepressants to 5-HT(6) receptors suggest that this receptor might be involved in the pathogenesis of mood disorders. In a population-based association study, we tested the hypothesis that the allelic variant (C267T) of the human 5-HT(6) gene confers susceptibility to mood disorders. We genotyped the 5-HT(6) receptor in 139 patients with mood disorders and 147 controls. The results demonstrated that there were no significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies between controls and all patients, or between controls and patients with bipolar disorders or major depression, separately. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 88:601-602, 1999.

Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin polymorphism in schizophrenia: frequency, age at onset and cognitive function.

A common polymorphism in the alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) gene is associated with Alzheimer's disease. ACT is also a trophic factor in the hippocampal neurons. In order to examine if the ACT gene plays a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenic disorders, patients (n = 175) and control subjects (n = 114) were genotyped for ACT. We also investigated the relationship between genotypes and patients' cognitive function as evaluated by the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination. The results demonstrated no association between schizophrenia and/or cognitive deficit in schizophrenia and ACT polymorphism. The data suggest that the ACT gene is not of major importance for the genesis of schizophrenia. Further studies measuring ACT expression as messenger RNA or serum ACT level may help to exclude the role of ACT in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Apolipoprotein E genotype and schizophrenia.

Schizophrenic disorders are complex genetic disorders and may involve multiple genes of small effect. The presence of apolipoprotein E (apoE) is associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders. Previous studies on apoE genotype distribution in schizophrenia have reported conflicting findings. We studied the genotype frequencies in a large group of schizophrenic patients. The genotype distribution was significantly different between the schizophrenic patients and the control subjects. Persons who were sigma3 carriers have an increased risk of schizophrenia. This result suggests that apoE isoforms may play a functional role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenic disorders. Some possible mechanisms regarding the effect of apoE on the development of schizophrenia are discussed.