A novel approach has been developed to produce pure plant-based gel soy yogurt by combining soy proteins (7S/11S), high pressure homogenization, and glycation reaction.

This research sought to examine how the physicochemical characteristics of soy globulins and different processing techniques influence the gel properties of soy yogurt. The goal was to improve these gel properties and rectify any texture issues in soy yogurt, ultimately aiming to produce premium-quality plant-based soy yogurt. In this research study, the investigation focused on examining the impact of 7S/11S, homogenization pressure, and glycation modified with glucose on the gel properties of soy yogurt. A plant-based soy yogurt with superior gel and texture properties was successfully developed using a 7S/11S globulin-glucose conjugate at a 1:3 ratio and a homogenization pressure of 110 MPa. Compared to soy yogurt supplemented with pectin or gelatin, this yogurt demonstrated enhanced characteristics. These findings provide valuable insights into advancing plant protein gels and serve as a reference for cultivating new soybean varieties by soybean breeding experts.

New clinical application of digital intraoral scanning technology in occlusal reconstruction: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Digital intraoral scanning, although developing rapidly, is rarely used in occlusal reconstruction. To compensate for the technical drawbacks of current occlusal reconstruction techniques, such as time consumption and high technical requirements, digital intraoral scanning can be used in clinics. This report aims to provide a way of selecting the most suitable maxillo-mandibular relationship (MMR) during recovery. CASE SUMMARY: A 68-year-old man with severely worn posterior teeth underwent occlusal reconstruction with fixed prosthesis using digital intraoral scanning. A series of digital models in different stages of treatment were obtained, subsequently compared, and selected using digital intraoral scanning together with traditional measurements, such as cone beam computed tomography, joint imaging, and clinical examination. Using digital intraoral scanning, the MMR in different stages of treatment was accurately recorded, which provided feasibility for deciding the best occlusal reconstruction treatment, made the treatment process easier, and improved patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the clarity, recordability, repeatability, and selectivity of digital intraoral scanning to replicate and transfer the MMR during occlusal reconstruction, expanding new perspectives for its design, fabrication, and postoperative evaluation.

Overexpression of CST4 promotes gastric cancer aggressiveness by activating the ELFN2 signaling pathway.

Gastric cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies of gastrointestinal cancer and its prognosis remains dismal because of the paucity of effective therapeutic targets. Here, we show that cystatin 4 (CST4) is markedly upregulated in gastric cancer cell lines and clinical tissues. Ectopic expression of CST4 in gastric cancer cells promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells in vitro. Furthermore, CST4 overexpression significantly promoted the tumorigenicity of gastric cancer cells in vivo, whereas silencing endogenous CST4 caused an opposite outcome. In addition, extracellular leucine rich repeat and fibronectin type III domain containing 2 (ELFN2) was identified as a downstream target of CST4 in gastric cancer cells and was positively correlated with ELFN2 expression in gastric cancer tissues. Finally, we demonstrated that CST4 enhanced gastric cancer aggressiveness by regulating ELFN2 signaling. Together, our results provide new evidence that CST4 overexpression promotes the progression of gastric cancer and might represent a novel therapeutic target for its treatment.

MiR-27a-3p promotes esophageal cancer cell proliferation via F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBXW7) suppression.

Emerging evidence has suggested that dysregulation of microRNA-27a-3p (miR-27a-3p) may contribute to tumor development and progression in various types of cancers. However, its role in esophageal cancer is still unknown. In the present study, miR-27a-3p was significantly increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues and cell lines. In esophageal cancer Eca109 cells, ectopic overexpression of miR-27a-3p promoted cell proliferation, meanwhile, cell proliferation was reduced by miR-27a-3p inhibition. Further studies showed that down-regulated miR-27a-3p expression could induced cell cycle arrest at the G1/S transition. In exploring mechanisms underlying the promotive role, our results revealed that miR-27a-3p markedly inhibited the expression of F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBXW7). FBXW7, a tumor suppressor, exhibited significantly inhibitory effect on Eca109 cell proliferation. Thus our observations suggested that miR-27a-3p functioned as a tumor suppressor by targeting FBXW7. These findings indicated that miR-27a-3p could be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for ESCC therapy.

Prevalence of atrial fibrillation and its risk factors in rural China: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in physical laborers in rural China and identify contributing risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 11,956 permanent residents of Liaoning Province in rural China≥35y of age (primarily physical laborers) was conducted between January and August 2013 (response rate 85.3%). All participants completed a questionnaire and underwent a physical exam, echocardiography and electrocardiography. Blood samples were drawn for laboratory analyses, and AF was diagnosed on the basis of history and electrocardiograph findings. Risk factors for AF were evaluated with a stepwise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of AF was 1.2% overall, but rose steeply with age (0.1% in those 35-44y of age, and 4.6% in those≥75y); there was no significant gender difference at any age. Independent risk factors for AF were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.89; P<0.001), diabetes (OR 2.07; P=0.001), history of myocardial infarction (OR 5.91; P<0.001), low left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 1.85; P=0.005), and low physical activity (OR 1.72; P=0.003), whereas obesity, hypertension, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, current smoking and drinking, left ventricular hypertrophy, and family history of AF were not significant contributors. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of AF in physical labors in rural China is low, age, diabetes, history of myocardial infarction, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and low physical activity are independent risk factors.

[Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma of kidney: a clinicopathological study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features, histogenesis and prognosis of mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC). METHODS: Five MTSCCs were studied with histochemical, immunohistochemical staining, electron microscopy, and review of the related literatures. RESULTS: Four cases of MTSCC were females and one was male. Three patients presented with flank discomfort and two were incidentally found with health examination. In gross examination, the tumors were circumscribed. The cut surface was solid, gray-white, yellow or red. Necrosis was present in one case of high-grade MTSCC. Microscopically, low-grade MTSCC was mainly consisted of tubular, spindle cell and mucinous stroma with relatively bland morphology, and mitoses were rare. While in the high-grade area of one case, the cells were spindle or polymorphic with severe atypia and high mitotic activity, without mucinous stroma and tubular structure. Mucin was positive for Alcian blue. The neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin (5/5), CKpan (5/5), CK7 (5/5), CK19 (5/5), 34betaE12 (1/5), EMA (5/5), E-cadherin (3/5), CD10 (1/5), P504S (5/5), and CAM5.2 (5/5). The Ki-67 index was low (< or = 5%) in the low-grade component, while it was high (15%) in the high-grade component. Ultrastructural study showed short microvilli along glandular lumens. The nuclear membrane was focally invaginated. Four cases were followed up for 3 to 52 months, and recurrence and metastasis were not found. CONCLUSIONS: MTSCC occurs predominantly in females and it is a rare kidney neoplasm. Most of MTSCCs are low-grade and the prognosis is relatively good. However, the patients of high-grade MTSCC should be closely followed up.

[Characteristics of free Ca2+ distribution in cultured osteoclast-like cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the spatial distribution of free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells cultured on glass. METHODS: To detect the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells, the images were analyzed with image software, using the laser scanning confocal microscope and fluorescent probe. RESULTS: At 37 degrees C the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells could be labelled effectively with 10 micromol/L Fluo-3/AM, the intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal in the central part was greater than that in the peripheral part and in the same section the signal was not distributed evenly. CONCLUSION: The intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal is different among various organellae in osteoclast-like cell, which suggests the osteoclast-like cell modulate its own function through the spatial difference of free Ca2+ concentration.

[Experimental study on the reconstruction of bone defects in vivo and the osteoinduction with degradation products of alpha-tricalcium phosphate cements in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to clarify the characteristics of alpha-tricalcium phosphate cements in reconstructing bone defects and the action of degradation products of cements in vitro. METHODS: The defect (diameter 1.5 cm) was created in the calvaria of rabbit. Alpha-tricalcium phosphate cements were planted in the treatment groups. All groups were observed by histological examination and roentgenography. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSc) were cultured in the degradation products of cements in vitro, and were observed by means of cytology and ALP. RESULTS: Degradation of artificial bone, new bone formation, and osteogenesis between artificial bone particles were observed at 12 weeks after implantation. Osteoinduction was observed in vitro. CONCLUSION: Alpha-tricalcium phosphate cements have good biocompatibility, osteoinductivity and degradability, and are ideal bone substitute material for reconstruction.

[Intervention of cetirizine on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in cutaneous inflammation].

AIM: To study the intervention of cetirizine on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in different cutaneous inflammation models. METHODS: Histamine and IFN-gamma stimulated dermal fibroblast cells and HaCaT cells to mimic cutaneous inflammation. Expression of MCP-1 was assessed by means of RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the control group of dermal fibroblast (DF) cells and HaCaT cells, MCP-1 mRNA was significantly upregulated by histamine (10 micromol x L(-1)) and IFN-gamma (20 ng x mL(-1)). The protein secretions of MCP-1 were increased 3.5 fold and 8.4 fold in DF cells, respectively. The similar tendency was observed in HaCaT cells. The enhancing effects of histamine and IFN-gamma on MCP-1 protein production were significantly inhibited by cetirizine (1 and 10 micromol x L(-1)) in DF and HaCaT cells. CONCLUSION: Cetirizine may exert the anti-inflammatory effect of skin via inhibiting MCP-1 expression.