A study predicting long-term survival capacity in postoperative advanced gastric cancer patients based on MAOA and subcutaneous muscle fat characteristics.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) is relatively poor, and long-term survival depends on timely intervention. Currently, predicting survival rates remains a hot topic. The application of radiomics and immunohistochemistry-related techniques in cancer research is increasingly widespread. However, their integration for predicting long-term survival in AGC patients has not been fully explored. METHODS: We Collected 150 patients diagnosed with AGC at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University who underwent radical surgery between 2015 and 2019. Following strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, 90 patients were included in the analysis. We Collected postoperative pathological specimens from enrolled patients, analyzed the expression levels of MAOA using immunohistochemical techniques, and quantified these levels as the MAOAHScore. Obtained plain abdominal CT images from patients, delineated the region of interest at the L3 vertebral body level, and extracted radiomics features. Lasso Cox regression was used to select significant features to establish a radionics risk score, convert it into a categorical variable named risk, and use Cox regression to identify independent predictive factors for constructing a clinical prediction model. ROC, DCA, and calibration curves validated the model's performance. RESULTS: The enrolled patients had an average age of 65.71 years, including 70 males and 20 females. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that risk (P = 0.001, HR = 3.303), MAOAHScore (P = 0.043, HR = 2.055), and TNM stage (P = 0.047, HR = 2.273) emerged as independent prognostic risk factors for 3-year overall survival (OS) and The Similar results were found in the analysis of 3-year disease-specific survival (DSS). The nomogram developed could predict 3-year OS and DSS rates, with areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) of 0.81 and 0.797, respectively. Joint calibration and decision curve analyses (DCA) confirmed the nomogram's good predictive performance and clinical utility. CONCLUSION: Integrating immunohistochemistry and muscle fat features provides a more accurate prediction of long-term survival in gastric cancer patients. This study offers new perspectives and methods for a deeper understanding of survival prediction in AGC.

Quality reporting of randomized controlled trials on SGLT2 inhibitors for heart failure: a comprehensive assessment.

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) provide clinicians with the best evidence of the effectiveness of an intervention, and complete and transparent trial reports help to critically assess and use trial results. The objective of our study was to assess the quality of reporting in RCTs of sodium-glucose co-transporter protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for heart failure (HF) and identify factors associated with improved reporting quality. Two researchers conducted a comprehensive search in four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane). The quality of each report was assessed using a 25-point Overall Quality Score (OQS) based on the guidelines provided in the 2010 Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) statement. We included a total of 58 relevant RCTs. The median OQS in the 2010 CONSORT statement was 15 (range 7.5-24). The missing items were primarily found in the 'Methods' and 'Results' sections of the 2010 CONSORT statement. Multivariate regression modeling revealed that a more recent publication year, high impact factor, and large sample size were significant predictors of OQS improvement. The findings suggest that the overall quality of reported RCTs of SGLT2 inhibitors in HF is unsatisfactory, which reduces their potential usefulness.

Multifaceted analysis of the effects of roasting conditions on the flavor of fragrant Camellia oleifera Abel. seed oil.

Fragrant Camellia oleifera Abel. seed oil (FCSO), produced by a roasting process, is popular for its characteristic aroma. This study investigated the effects of various roasting temperatures (90℃, 120℃, 150℃, 180℃) and durations (20 min, 40 min, 60 min) on the flavor of FCSO by physicochemical properties, hazardous substances, sensory evaluation, and flavor analyses. The results showed that FCSO roasted at 120℃/20 min had a reasonable fatty acid composition with a lower acid value (0.16 mg/g), peroxide value (0.13 g/100 g), p-anisidine value (2.27), dibutyl phthalate content (0.04 mg/kg), and higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity (224.51 µmol TE/kg) than other samples. A multivariate analysis of FCSO flavor revealed that the 120℃/20 min group had a higher grassy flavor score (5.3 score) from nonanoic acid and a lower off-flavor score (2.2 score) from 2-methylbutyric acid. The principal component analysis showed that 120℃/20 min could guarantee the best flavor and quality of FCSO. Therefore, this information can guide the preparation of FCSO.

Structural analysis of a soluble polysaccharide GSPA-0.3 from the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer and its adjuvant activity with mechanism investigation.

A novel polysaccharide (GSPA-0.3) was isolated and purified from the root of cultivated Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, and its structure, adjuvant activities, and mechanisms for inducing the maturation of mouse dendritic 2.4 cells (DC2.4) were extensively studied. Fraction GSPA-0.3, mainly composed by the galacturonic acid, galactose, arabinose, glucose, rhamnose, mannose, and xylose, had a molecular weight of 62,722 Da. The main chain of GSPA-0.3 was composed of →3)-α-L-Rhap-(1→, →4)-α-D-GalpA-(1→, and →3, 4)-α-D-GalpA-(1→. Branched chains comprised α-L-Araf-(1→3, 5)-α-L-Araf-(1→5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, α-D-Glcp-(1→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, ß-D-Galp-(1→4)-ß-D-Galp-(1→4)-ß-D-Galp-(1→, and α-D-GalpA-(1→ units connected to the C3 position of →3, 4)-α-D-GalpA-(1→. In vivo, GSPA-0.3 was found to stimulate the production of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a; increase the splenocyte proliferation index; and promote the expression of GATA-3, T-bet, IFN-γ, and IL-4 in H1N1 vaccine-immunized mice. Moreover, GSPA-0.3 significantly increased the levels of neutralizing antibodies in the mice, and its adjuvant activity was found to be superior to aluminum adjuvant (Alum adjuvant). Mechanistic investigations showed that GSPA-0.3 activated the TLR4-dependent pathway by upregulating the expressions of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF-6, and NF-κB proteins and gens. The results presented herein suggested that GSPA-0.3 could significantly promote the efficacy of the H1N1 vaccine by modulating Th1/Th2 response via the TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway.

Diagnostic accuracy of superb microvascular imaging for detecting intraplaque neovascularization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Atherosclerotic plaques can cause carotid artery stenosis, and "vulnerable plaques" can even lead to ischemic stroke. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) for the detection of carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in patients with atherosclerotic plaques. Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, and Wanfang databases until January 17, 2023. We included original studies with information on diagnostic accuracy of SMI for the evaluation of carotid IPN. The primary outcome was the accuracy of SMI for detecting carotid IPN. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the accuracy of each parameter. We used the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) to assess the risk of bias for each included article. Meta-regression was performed to determine items that may have contributed to heterogeneity in the sensitivity or specificity of the test. Results: This meta-analysis included 20 studies with 1,589 carotid plaques in 1,225 patients. The analysis showed a sensitivity and specificity of SMI for detecting IPN of 93% [95% confidence interval (CI): 87-96%] and 80% (95% CI: 71-87%), respectively. The risk of bias across the QUADAS-2 domains was low. Only the proportion of dyslipidemia influenced the estimates of sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions: This review suggests that SMI has a good diagnostic performance for detecting carotid IPN. The very high sensitivity with excellent post-test probability indicated that SMI can be recommended to screen for carotid IPN among patients with carotid plaques.

Exosome from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuates scar formation through microRNA-181a/SIRT1 axis.

Pathological scarring is the greatest challenge after injury. Exosome from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells has been reported effective to improve hypertrophic scar. This study focused on the possible mechanisms during this process. Exosomes from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted first. Hypertrophic scar tissue and paired normal skin tissue were collected from patients. Mice skin incision model and fibroblasts model were established. TGF-ß1 was used to stimulate fibroblasts to myofibroblasts transdifferentiation. It was found that exosomes injection could decrease collagen sediment after wound healing. During which, the expression of microRNA-181a decreased. Further, we found that expression of microRNA-181a in scar tissue was higher than in normal skin. Then hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts were used for in vitro study. It was found that similar to the use of exosomes, microRNA-181a inhibitor decreased the expression of collagen and α-SMA. While microRNA-181a mimics suppressed the effects of exosomes. During fibroblast to myofibroblast trans-differentiation, level of microRNA-181a well as levels of scar-related molecules also decreased with the use of exosomes and vice versa. SIRT1 was confirmed one of the downstream targets of microRNA-181a. Suppression of SIRT1 led to diminished effects of exosomes in hypertrophic scar derived fibroblasts. In mice skin incision model, injection of SIRT1 inhibitor led to increased collagen synthesis. In conclusion, exosomes from Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells are promising to antagonize scarring through the regulation of microRNA-181a/SIRT1 axis.

Preoperative sarcopenia combined with prognostic nutritional index predicts long-term prognosis of radical gastrectomy with advanced gastric cancer: a comprehensive analysis of two-center study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the predictive value of the combined index smni(skeletal muscle index (SMI)-prognostic nutrition index(PNI)) for the postoperative survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer(AGC). METHODS: 650 patients with AGC from two centers (290 cases from the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian University and 360 points from the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital) were selected as the study subjects based on unified screening criteria. Clinical data, preoperative abdominal CT images, results of hematology-related examinations, tumor-related characteristics, and surgical and follow-up data of the patients were collected and organized. The L3 vertebral level muscle area was measured using computer-assisted measurement techniques, and the skeletal muscle index(SMI) was calculated based on this measurement. The prognostic nutrition index (PNI) was calculated based on serum albumin and lymphocyte count indicators. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of data from the First Affiliated Hospital was used to determine that SMI and PNI are significantly correlated with the postoperative survival rate of patients with advanced gastric cancer. Based on this, a novel combined index smni was fitted and stratified for risk. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine that the index smni is an independent prognostic risk factor for patients with AGC after surgery. The ROC curve was used to describe the predictive ability of the new combined index and its importance and predictive power in predicting postoperative survival of patients with AGC, which was verified in the data of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital. RESULT: The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis of the combined indicator smni Is clearly associated with long-term survival(3-year OS (P < 0.001) and DSS (P < 0.001)), univariate analysis and multivariate analysis showed that smni was an independent prognostic risk factor, The ROC curve for the first center 3-year OS(AUC = 0.678), DSS(AUC = 0.662) show good predictive ability and were validated in the second center. CONCLUSION: The combined index smni has a good predictive ability for the postoperative survival rate of patients with AGC and is expected to provide a new reference basis and more accurate and scientific guidance for the postoperative management and treatment of patients with AGC.

Economic analysis of global microalgae biomass energy potential.

With the increasing demand for renewable energy, microalgae, as a renewable biomass energy, can fix carbon dioxide and have broad application prospects in alleviating the energy crisis and improving the environment. In this paper, the potential biomass of global microalgae is calculated based on the mathematical growth model of microalgae proposed by predecessors. Based on this, this study further uses Newton's gravity model as the basic model of economic analysis and calculates the economic potential coefficient of microalgae production in various regions of the world by using the data of the world's top 20 cities in terms of urban population and urban GDP in 2020. The study has obtained the current global unused land with the high economic value of large-scale microalgae production areas, such as western North America, northern Africa, and northwest China, etc., which can provide guidance for the future site selection and development of microalgae biomass energy.

Reporting quality of randomized controlled trials evaluating non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are subject to bias if they lack methodological quality. Furthermore, optimal and transparent reporting of RCT findings aids their critical appraisal and interpretation. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the report quality of RCTs of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and to analyze the factors influencing the quality. METHODS: By searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases RCTs published from inception to 2022 evaluating the efficacy of NOACs on AF were collected. By using the 2010 Consolidated Standards for Reporting Tests (CONSORT) statement, the overall quality of each report was assessed. RESULTS: Sixty-two RCTs were retrieved in this study. The median of overall quality score in 2010 was 14 (range: 8.5-20). The extent of compliance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials reporting guideline differed substantially across items: 9 items were reported adequately (more than 90%), and 3 were reported adequately in less than 10% of trials. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the higher reporting scores were associated with higher journal impact factor (P = 0.01), international collaboration (P < 0.01), and Sources of trial funding (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Although a large number of randomized controlled trials of NOACs for the treatment of AF were published after the CONSORT statement in 2010, the overall quality is still not satisfactory, thus weakening their potential utility and may mislead clinical decisions. This survey provides the first hint for researchers conducting trials of NOACs for AF to improve the quality of reports and to actively apply the CONSORT statement.

Mitophagy in metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS), a chronic and non-communicable pathological condition, is characterized by a constellation of clinical manifestations including insulin resistance, abdominal adiposity, elevated blood pressure, and perturbations in lipid metabolism. The prevalence of MS has increased dramatically in both developed and developing countries and has now become a truly global problem. Excessive energy intake and concomitant obesity are the main drivers of this syndrome. Mitophagy, in which cells degrade damaged mitochondria through a selective form of autophagy, assumes a crucial position in the regulation of mitochondrial integrity and maintenance. Abnormal mitochondrial quality could result in a spectrum of pathological conditions related to metabolic dysfunction, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular ailments, and neoplasms. Recently, there has been a proliferation of research pertaining to the process of mitophagy in the context of MS, and there are various regulatory pathways in MS, including pathways like the ubiquitin-dependent mechanism and receptor-mediated mechanisms, among others. Furthermore, studies have uncovered that the process of mitophagy serves a defensive function in the advancement of Metabolic Syndrome, and inhibition of mitophagy exacerbates the advancement of MS. As a result, the regulation of mitophagy holds great promise as a therapeutic approach in the management of Metabolic Syndrome. In this comprehensive analysis, the authors present a synthesis of the diverse regulatory pathways involved in mitophagy in the context of Metabolic Syndrome, as well as its modes of action in metabolic disorders implicated in the development of MS, Including obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), offering novel avenues for the prophylaxis and therapeutic management of MS.

LncRNA SNHG14/miR-497a-5p/BACE1 axis modulates obesity-induced adipocyte inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Obesity is a metabolic disease with excess weight. LncRNA SNHG14 is abnormally expressed in numerous diseases. This research aimed to enucleate the lncRNA SNHG14 role in obesity. Adipocytes were treated with free fatty acid (FFA) to establish an in vitro model for obesity. Mice were fed a high-fat diet to construct an in vivo model. Gene levels were determined using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The protein level was checked by western blot. The lncRNA SNHG14 role in obesity was assessed using western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanism was estimated by Starbase, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, and RNA pull-down. LncRNA SNHG14 function in obesity was estimated using mouse xenograft models, RT-PCR, western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. LncRNA SNHG14 and BACE1 levels were increased, but the miR-497a-5p level was decreased in FFA-induced adipocytes. Interference with lncRNA SNHG14 reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related molecules GRP78 and CHOP expressions in FFA-induced adipocytes, and decreased IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α expressions, indicating that lncRNA SNHG14 knockdown mitigated FFA-induced ER stress and inflammation in adipocytes. Mechanistically, lncRNA SNHG14 combined with miR-497a-5p, and miR-497a-5p targeted BACE1. Meanwhile, lncRNA SNHG14 knockdown reduced levels of GRP78, CHOP, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α, while cotransfection with anti-miR-497a-5p or pcDNA-BACE1 abolished these trends. Rescue assays illustrated that lncRNA SNHG14 knockdown relieved FFA-induced adipocyte ER stress and inflammation through miR-497a-5p/BACE1. Meanwhile, lncRNA SNHG14 knockdown restrained adipose inflammation and ER stress caused by obesity in vivo. LncRNA SNHG14 mediated obesity-induced adipose inflammation and ER stress through miR-497a-5p/BACE1.

Clinical Efficacy, Healing Efficacy, and Safety Analysis of Skin Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Combined with Tissue Flap for Eyelid Trauma.

This study investigates the efficacy, healing efficiency, and safety of skin orbicularis oculi muscle combined with tissue flap repair for eyelid trauma patients. According to the different methods of surgical intervention, this study chooses 78 cases of eyelid injury patients. This study sets up the joint intervention group and the routine repair group, including the joint intervention group adopting the orbicularis oculi muscle skin of composite tissue flap to repair surgery. The routine repair group is treated by conventional repair skin flap transfer operation. Spearman correlation coefficient is used to analyze the correlation between postoperative healing of eyelid trauma patients and quality of life (SF-36) and self-image satisfaction (BIS) scale scores. The surgical intervention of skin orbicularis oculi muscle combined with tissue flap for patients with eyelid trauma has a better plastic repair effect in clinical practice. It can also effectively reduce the risk of postoperative complications, which is conducive to improve the postoperative quality of life and self-image satisfaction of patients.

Hesperidin alleviates insulin resistance by improving HG-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction by restoring miR-149.

BACKGROUND: Hesperidin, a natural flavanone, has been proven to have multiple protective effects in diabetic rats, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of hesperidin are not well elucidated. METHODS: LO2 cells were stimulated with high glucose (HG, 33 mM) for 24 h to establish a model of oxidative stress. Then, cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. The antioxidant activities, including the reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) production, were measured with the corresponding kits. The levels of gene expression, protein expression and methylation were detected using qRT-PCR, western blotting and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) assays, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to the NG treatment, hesperidin treatment increased the viability and improved the oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance of HG-treated LO2 cells, and these effects were correlated with heightened SOD and GPx activities, increased MMP level and ATP generation, reduced MDA, ROS and glucose levels, and activated GSK3ß/AKT and inactivated IRS1 signals. Mechanistically, hesperidin treatment enhanced the miR-149 expression level by reducing its promoter methylation by inhibiting DNMT1. Importantly, knockdown of miR-149 obviously abolished the biological roles of hesperidin. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that hesperidin treatment ameliorated HG-induced insulin resistance by reducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction partly by suppressing DNMT1-mediated miR-149 silencing.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine for obstructive sleep apnea: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is significant public concern. Clinical practice indicates that Chinese medicine has certain therapeutic advantages, while there is a lack of evidence-based medicine support. The aim of this study is to synthesize related data to explore efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine for OSA. METHODS: Data in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang, VIP databases were comprehensively searched. All the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in OSA children were identified, in which the effects of Chinese medicine on a range of outcomes were compared. The search had a deadline of January 1, 2020. Two investigators independently conducted data extraction and assessed the literature quality of the included studies. The Revman5.3 software was used for meta-analysis of the included literature. RESULTS: The efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine for OSA were evaluated in terms of apnea hypopnea index (AHI, the average and lowest blood oxygen, the Epworth Sleep Scale [ESS], and adverse effects). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides reliable evidence-based support for the clinical application of Chinese medicine for OSA. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020154864.

Efficacy and safety of montelukast for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is significant public concern. Clinical practice indicates that montelukast has certain therapeutic advantages, while there is a lack of evidence-based medicine support. The aim of this study is to synthesize related data to explore efficacy and safety of montelukast for pediatric OSAS. METHODS: Data in Pubmed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CBM, CNKI, WanFang, VIP databases were comprehensively searched. All the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in OSAS children were identified, in which the effects of montelukast on a range of outcomes were compared. The search had a deadline of January 1, 2020. Two investigators independently conducted data extraction and assessed the literature quality of the included studies. The Revman5.3 software was used for meta-analysis of the included literature. RESULTS: The efficacy and safety of montelukast in the treatment of pediatric OSAS were evaluated in terms of apnea hypopnea index (AHI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS), neck circumference, important index in Polysomnography: sleep efficiency, desaturation index, total sleep time. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides reliable evidence-based support for the clinical application of montelukast in the treatment of pediatric OSAS. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020146940.

Hesperidin prevents hyperglycemia in diabetic rats by activating the insulin receptor pathway.

Diabetes, a disease with high prevalence in China, is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Hesperidin is a flavanone glycoside with anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the potential preventive effect of hesperidin against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using a rat model of alloxan and high fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance. Male Sprague Dawley rats were orally administered with 100 mg/kg hesperidin or vehicle (sodium carboxy methyl cellulose) for 35 days. Insulin resistance was induced by feeding animals a HFD for 3 weeks (from day 7) and then with an alloxan injection on day 28. Results from the in vivo study demonstrated that hesperidin improved fasting serum glucose (from 19.8 to 10.6 mmol/l) without changing the fasting insulin level, suggesting that hesperidin prevented the development of insulin resistance and diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity. In the oral glucose tolerance test, the development of impaired glucose tolerance was also prevented by hesperidin treatment. Hesperidin was found to regulate glycolysis and gluconeogenesis by enhancing the activity of glucokinase, inducing the phosphorylation of insulin receptor (IR) and phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1), while decreasing the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in the liver. In a cell-based assay, hesperidin increased glucose uptake in primary rat adipocytes. Collectively, the present study identified the potent preventive effect of hesperidin against HFD-induced insulin resistance by activating the IR/PDK1 pathway. The current results may provide a potential strategy lacking sides effects to improve metabolic health and reduce risks.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of VviYABs Family Reveal Its Potential Functions in the Developmental Switch and Stresses Response During Grapevine Development.

Plant-specific YABBY (YAB) transcription factors play multiple roles in plant growth and development process. However, no comprehensive study has been performed in grapevines, especially to determine their roles in berry development and abiotic stress response. A total of seven VviYABs allocated to six chromosomal positions in grapevines were identified and classified into five subfamilies based on phylogenetic and structural analysis. Promoter element analysis and tissue-specific transcriptional response of VviYABs suggested that VviYABs might play vital roles in plant growth and development. VviYAB1, 2, 3, and 5 showed significantly higher expression levels in vegetative/green organs than in mature/woody tissues, implying that VviYABs might be involved in the regulatory switch from immature to mature developmental phases. The expression of VviYAB1, 2, 3, and VviFAS were gradually downregulated during berry developmental and ripening, which can be considered as putative molecular biomarkers between vegetative/green and mature/woody samples, and were used to identify key developmental and metabolic processes in grapevines. Furthermore, VviYAB1 expression was not markedly increased by gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment alone, but displayed significant upregulation when GA3 in combination with N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (CPPU) were applied, suggesting an involvement of VviYAB1 in fruit expansion by mediating cytokinin signaling pathway. Additionally, microarray and RNA-seq data suggested that VviYABs showed transcriptional regulation in response to various abiotic and biotic stresses, including salt, drought, Bois Noir, Erysiphe necator, and GLRaV-3 infection. Overall, our results provide a better understanding of the classification and functions of VviYABs during berry development and in response to abiotic and biotic stresses in grapevines.

The influence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index: A systematic review and dose response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIMS: The effect of DHEA supplementation on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin levels (IN) and the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index in humans has not been assessed so far. Thus, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials (RCT) which assessed the effects of DHEA supplementation on FPG, IN and the HOMA-IR index in humans. METHODS: An extensive search was performed in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Web of Science from inception to June 2020. Data was combined using the random effects model. RESULTS: 14 publications were included in this study. Overall results demonstrated that FPG was significantly altered after DHEA consumption (WMD: -2.185 mg/dl, P = 0.029). DHEA administration did not result in any significant changes in IN (WMD: 0.057 µU/mL, P = 0.067), and the HOMA - IR index (WMD: 0.174, P = 0.060). In the subgroup analyses, FPG significantly decreased in the subgroup who received DHEA supplementation in dosages of ≤50 mg/day (WMD: -2.29 mg/dl), when the treatment duration was <12 weeks (WMD: -5.25 mg/dl), and in subjects aged ≥60 years (WMD: -2.94 mg/dl). CONCLUSION: This systematic review evaluated the association between FPG and DHEA, revealing that the administration of DHEA reduces FPG levels. However, we found no association between DHEA administration and IN levels or insulin resistance.

Berberine ameliorates obesity-induced chronic inflammation through suppression of ER stress and promotion of macrophage M2 polarization at least partly via downregulating lncRNA Gomafu.

BACKGROUND: Berberine has been established as a potential drug for inflammation and metabolic disorder. Here, we aimed to explore the effects and the underlying mechanisms of berberine on obesity-induced chronic inflammation. METHODS: Mice were fed with high-fat diet to induce obesity. Inflammation in adipocytes were induced with treatment of free fatty acids. The expression of IL-4, CD206, ARG1 and other markers were used to identify M1 and M2 polarization. The expression of GPR78 and CHOP were used to evaluate endoplasmic reticulum stress. H&E staining was used to reveal the adipose tissue macrophage and adipocytes enlargement. RESULTS: Berberine treatment attenuated endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in obese mice and free fatty acids-treated adipocytes. Overexpression of lncRNA Gomafu partially blocked the protective effects of berberine in free fatty acids-treated adipocytes by increasing endoplasmic reticulum stress. Moreover, Gomafu overexpression partly reversed berberine-induced enhancement of M2 polarization in macrophages. Finally, Gomafu overexpression induced ER stress and inflammation in mice, which were improved by berberine administration. CONCLUSIONS: Berberine improves obesity-induced chronic inflammation by alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress and consequently promoting macrophage M2 polarization. And these protective effects were mediated at least partly by the suppression of lncRNA Gomafu.