Effect of vegetable oils on the thermal gel properties of PSE-like chicken breast meat protein isolate-based emulsion gels.

To enhance the gel properties of PSE (pale, soft, and exudative)-like chicken meat protein isolate (PPI), the effect of peanut, corn, soybean, and sunflower oils on the gel properties of PPI emulsion gels was investigated. Vegetable oils improved emulsion stability and gel strength and enhanced viscosity and elasticity. The gel strength of the PPI-sunflower oil emulsion gel increased by 163.30 %. The thermal denaturation temperature and enthalpy values were increased. They decreased the particle size of PPI emulsion (P < 0.05) and changed the three-dimensional network structure of PPI emulsion gels from reticular to sheet with a smooth surface and pore-reduced lamellar. They elevated the content of immobile water PPI emulsion gels, decreased the α-helix and ß-turn, and increased the ß-sheet and random coil. Vegetable oil improved the gel properties of PPI in the following order: sunflower oil > soybean oil > corn oil ≈ peanut oil > control group.

ABCA8: A potential therapeutic target in the treatment of colorectal cancer?

None.

Construction of Functionalized α-Imino Ketones via Pd-Catalyzed C-H Addition to Nitriles/Aerobic Oxidation Sequences.

Pd(II)-catalyzed addition of sp2 C-H to nitrile/aerobic oxidation sequences for the preparation of functionalized α-imino ketones is described in which readily available heteroarenes and O-acyl cyanohydrins were employed. Various functionalized targeted molecules can be prepared in good yields with high atom and step economy. Moreover, a broad substrate scope and the ready manipulation and availability of the reaction partners enable this protocol to be appealing to explore the chemical space of the construction of functionalized α-imino ketones with high efficiency.

Removal of hydrogen sulfide in the gas phase by carbide slag modified bentonite.

Bentonite-based adsorbents for the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were prepared by a wet-mixing method using carbide slag as the active component. The effects of carbide slag content, calcination temperature, calcination time, and reaction temperature on the H2S adsorption capacity were investigated. The results showed that compared with the blank bentonite adsorbent, the carbide slag-modified bentonite-based adsorbent enhanced the chemisorption of H2S. The adsorption capacity of the carbide slag modified bentonite adsorbent (2.50 mg g-1) was more than 40 times higher than that of the blank bentonite-based adsorbent (0.06 mg g-1) under optimal conditions. The optimal conditions for H2S removal were 3 : 5 ratio of carbide slag-to-bentonite, calcination temperature of 450 °C for 2 h, and reaction temperature of 95 °C. H2S was mainly removed in the mesopores and macropores of the adsorbent and was finally transformed to CaS and sulfate on the adsorbent surface. The adsorption process of H2S followed the Freundlich adsorption isotherm equation and Bangham adsorption kinetic model.

Solidification/stabilization of soil heavy metals by alkaline industrial wastes: A critical review.

Solidification/stabilization technology is one of the most desirable technologies for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils due to its convenience and effectiveness. The annual production of alkaline industrial wastes in China is in the hundreds of millions of tons. Alkaline industrial wastes have the potential to replace conventional stabilizers because of their cost effectiveness and performance in stabilizing heavy metals in soils. This paper systematically summarizes the use of four alkaline industrial wastes (soda residue, steel slag, carbide slag, and red mud) for the solidification/stabilization of heavy metal contaminated soils and provides a comprehensive analysis of the three mechanisms of action (hydration, precipitation, and adsorption) and factors that influence the process. In addition, the environmental risks associated with the use of alkaline industrial wastes are highlighted. We found that soda residues, steel slag and carbide slag are appropriate for solidification/stabilization of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu, while red mud is a potential passivation agent for the stabilization of As in soils. However, implementation of remediation methods using alkaline industrial wastes has been limited because the long-term effectiveness, synergistic effects, and usage in soils containing multiple heavy metals have not been thoroughly studied. This review provides the latest knowledge on the mechanisms, risks, and challenges of using alkaline industrial wastes for solidification/stabilization of heavy metal contaminated soils.

Circular RNA circ_0001287 inhibits the proliferation, metastasis, and radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer cells by sponging microRNA miR-21 and up-regulating phosphatase and tensin homolog expression.

As a type of non-coding RNA, circular RNA (circRNA) figures prominently in human cancer progression. Nonetheless, the expression, function, and regulatory mechanism of circ_0001287 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain obscure. In this work, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was implemented to quantify circ_0001287 and miR-21 expressions in NSCLC tissues and cells. The relationship between circ_0001287 expression and the clinicopathological parameters of NSCLC patients was examined. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-bromo-2©-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and Transwell experiments were conducted to detect the multiplication, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells after circ_0001287 was overexpressed or knocked down. The survival of NSCLC cells was studied using colony formation experiment under different doses of radiation. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiment and luciferase reporter gene experiment verified the binding relationship between circ_0001287 and miR-21. Western blot was employed to examine the regulatory effects of circ_0001287 and miR-21 on phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression. We reported that circ_0001287 expression was down-modulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Besides, circ_0001287 low expression was associated with low differentiation and positive lymph node invasion of NSCLC. Circ_0001287 overexpression suppressed the multiplication, migration, invasion, and radioresistance of NSCLC cells, whereas circ_0001287 knockdown promoted the above phenotypes. Circ_0001287 could adsorb miR-21 and repress its expression, and indirectly up-modulate PTEN expression in NSCLC cells. Taken together, circ_0001287/miR-21/PTEN axis is probably involved in regulating NSCLC cell multiplication, metastasis, and radioresistance.

A pooled analysis of risk factors of surgically treated leiomyosarcoma of the colon in adults.

BACKGROUND: This current systematic review aimed to evaluate the role of surgical management and risk factors by pooled cases from all identified patients with colonic leiomyosarcomas. METHODS: The authors searched the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases using the keywords "colonic," "colon," and "leiomyosarcoma." Risk factors of colonic leiomyosarcoma in the pooled cohort were also evaluated. RESULTS: Between 1923 and 2019, 41 cases of colonic leiomyosarcoma were identified in 22 (53.7%) males and 19 (46.3%) females, with a mean and median age of 58.7 ± 2.2 years and 56.0 years. According to univariate analysis, smaller tumor size < 8 cm was significantly associated with longer progression-free survival (HR = 6.957, 95% CI 1.405-34.442; p = 0.017), and younger age < 60 years was trending toward better overall survival (HR = 2.765, 95% CI 0.924-8.272; p = 0.069). CONCLUSIONS: Colonic leiomyosarcomas are rare neoplasms with aggressive clinical behaviors. Age < 60 years and tumor size < 8 cm were favorable factors for patients' better survival.

Left lung cancer in a patient with congenital unilateral absence of the left pulmonary artery: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Unilateral absence of pulmonary artery (UAPA) is a rare congenital disease of pulmonary circulation, which is often accompanied by other cardiovascular anomalies. Infrequently, it may remain undiagnosed until adulthood. More rarely, it is to be found with lung cancer in the ipsilateral or contralateral lung simultaneously. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old man with complaints of intermittent left chest pain for 2 months was referred to our hospital. Chest computed tomography(CT) revealed a cavitary lesion measuring 5.5 cm × 5.7 cm in the superior segment of the left lower lobe. Absence of left pulmonary artery and right-sided aortic arch were found on chest computed tomography angiography (CTA). The tumor was successfully removed via left pneumonectomy, and postoperative histopathology showed that the tumor was a squamous cell carcinoma (T2bN1). At a postoperative 24-month follow-up, the patient was free of disease and no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. Based on literature review, this is the ninth case of lung cancer in UAPA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer and UAPA occurred ipsilaterally in 66.7% of these cases (6/9), including the present case. For those patients who occurred contralaterally, surgical treatment may be more challenging. CT and CTA could provide an accurate diagnosis for this disease entity. Identification and recognition of this rare and special disease entity may facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

The role of plasma D-dimer levels for predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node involvement in non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated plasma D-dimer levels have been suggested as a predictor of poor prognosis in NSCLC. But rare study showed the relationship between D-dimer levels and lymph node involvement. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of plasma D-dimer levels in predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node involvement in NSCLC. METHODS: Preoperative plasma D-dimer levels were quantified in 253 NSCLC patients that underwent radical lung resection with systemic lymph node dissection. Patients were classified as lymph node negative (N0) versus lymph node positive (N1 + N2) and mediastinal lymph node negative (N0 + N1) versus mediastinal lymph node positive (N2). RESULTS: Median plasma D-dimer level was significantly lower in Group N0 (94.0 µg/L) compared to Group N1 + N2 (177.0 µg/L) and in Group N0 + N1 (122.0 µg/L) compared to Group N2 (198.0 µg/L). Similar results were found in patients stratified by age, sex, smoking status and histological type, expect in patients with squamous carcinoma. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for plasma D-dimer levels of N0 versus N1 + N2 showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.757 and when a cutoff value was 124.0 µg/L DDU, the sensitivity and specificity was 0.80 and 0.68. The ROC curve for plasma D-dimer levels of N0 + N1 versus N2 showed an AUC of 0.720 and when a cutoff value was 147.0 µg/L DDU, the sensitivity and specificity was 0.75 and 0.67. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma D-dimer level has utility for predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node status in patients with operable NSCLC.

Application of stapling devices in liver surgery: Current status and future prospects.

The liver is a vascular-rich solid organ. Safe and effective dissection of the vessels and liver parenchyma, and control of intraoperative bleeding are the main concerns when performing liver resection. Several studies have confirmed that intraoperative blood loss and postoperative transfusion are predictors of postoperative morbidity and mortality in liver surgery. Various methods and instruments have been developed during hepatectomy. Stapling devices are crucial for safe and rapid anastomosis. They are used to divide hepatic veins and portal branches, and to transect liver parenchyma in open liver resection. In recent years, laparoscopic liver surgery has developed rapidly, and is now preferred by many surgeons. Stapling devices have also been gradually introduced in laparoscopic liver surgery, from dividing vascular and biliary structures to parenchymal transection. This may be because staplers make manipulation more simple, rapid and safe. Even in single incision laparoscopic surgery, which is recognized as a new minimally invasive technique, staplers are also utilized, especially in left lateral hepatectomy. For safe application of stapling devices in liver surgery, more related designs and modifications, such as application of a suitable laparoscopic articulating liver tissue crushing device, a staple line reinforcement technique with the absorbable polymer membrane or radiofrequency ablation assistance, are still needed. More randomized studies are needed to demonstrate the benefits and find broader indications for the use of stapling devices, to help expand their application in liver surgery.

[Survey of infection situation of intestinal parasites of rural residents in plain area of Shandong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the current situation of infections of intestinal parasites of rural residents in four cities namely Dongying, Weifang, Jining and Heze of Shandong Province. METHODS: Twenty-four villages were randomly selected as study areas. The Kato-Katz technique was applied to test the stool samples of adult residents and the cellophane tape anus method was applied to test the infection of Enterobius vermicularis of children aged 12 years or below. Fifty families were randomly selected from each village and surveyed with questionnaires for the general situation of the family, and the knowledge of prevention and control of parasites, and healthy behaviors of the family members. RESULTS: Totally 8,227 adult residents and 1,313 children were investigated and the total infection rate of intestinal parasites was 0.55% (45 cases). The infection rates of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichura, E. vermicularis and Clonorchis sinensis were 0.15% (12 cases), 0.06% (5 cases), 0.09% (7 cases), 1.37% (18 cases) and 0.04% (3 cases), respectively. Totally 3,767 residents were surveyed with questionnaires, and the awareness rate of the knowledge of prevention and control of parasites was 28.72% (1,082 cases), the formation rates of washing hands before meal, washing hands after toilet, washing fruit and vegetables before eating, and never drinking unboiled water were 60.66% (2,285 cases), 50.17% (1,890 cases), 48.71% (1,835 cases), and 87.07% (3,280 cases), respectively. CONCLUSION: In the plain area of Shandong Province, the infection rates of A. lumbricoides, hookworm, T. trichura and C. sinensis are low but the infection rate of E. vermicularis of children is relatively high; the awareness rates of the knowledge of parasites as well as the formation rates of healthy behaviors are low. Therefore, the health education and promotion should be strengthened.

[Survey of intestinal parasitic infections and related knowledge and behavior of residents in Jiaodong area of Shandong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the status of intestinal parasitic infections and the related knowledge and behavior in residents of Jiaodong area of Shandong Province, so as to provide the evidence for making an appropriate preventive and control strategy. METHODS: A total of 18 villages from 6 counties in Jiaodong area were selected as investigation sites according to the stratified sampling method. The feces samples of the permanent residents aged above 3 years were collected and examined by Kato-Katz technique to find the intestinal parasite eggs, and the children under 12 years old were examined by the method of cellophane anal swab to detect the Enterobius vennrmicularis eggs. In addition, 50 households in each survey sites were randomly selected to investigate the basic family situation and the condition of awareness on prevention knowledge and formation of correct behavior of residents by using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Totally 6 163 residents involved in the feces examinations, and the total infection rate of intestinal parasites was 6.91%. The infection rates of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were 6.56%, 0.62% and 0.21%, respectively. The infection rate of E. vermicularis in children under 12 years old was 0.51%. The eggs of Clonorchis sinensis and Taenia solium were not found in this survey. The awareness rate of knowledge about preventing parasitic diseases was 49.54%. The formation rates of washing hands before eating, washing hands after using the toilet, never eating raw fruit and vegetable without washing clean, never working in the field with bare feet, and never drinking unboiled water were 97.78%, 91.95%, 88.81%, 92.42% and 86.48% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The infection rate of intestinal parasites is low in Jiaodong area, but there is a significant difference among different counties. The awareness rate of knowledge about preventing parasitic diseases is low, but the formation rate of healthy behavior is high. In the future, the health education and the strategy of taking medicine among the key population should be enhanced, and the project of reconstructing safe water supply and lavatory should be advanced.

Melatonin promotes seed germination under high salinity by regulating antioxidant systems, ABA and GA4 interaction in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).

Although previous studies have found that melatonin can promote seed germination, the mechanisms involved in perceiving and signaling melatonin remain poorly understood. In this study, it was found that melatonin was synthesized during cucumber seed germination with a peak in melatonin levels occurring 14 hr into germination. This is indicative of a correlation between melatonin synthesis and seed germination. Meanwhile, seeds pretreated with exogenous melatonin (1 µM) showed enhanced germination rates under 150 mM NaCl stress compared to water-pretreated seeds under salinity stress. There are two apparent mechanisms by which melatonin alleviated salinity-induced inhibition of seed germination. Exogenous melatonin decreased oxidative damage induced by NaCl stress by enhancing gene expression of antioxidants. Under NaCl stress, compared to untreated control, the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) were significantly increased by approximately 1.3-5.0-fold, with a concomitant 1.4-2.0-fold increase of CsCu-ZnSOD, CsFe-ZnSOD, CsCAT, and CsPOD in melatonin-pretreated seeds. Melatonin also alleviated salinity stress by affecting abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin acid (GA) biosynthesis and catabolism during seed germination. Compared to NaCl treatment, melatonin significantly up-regulated ABA catabolism genes (e.g., CsCYP707A1 and CsCYP707A2, 3.5 and 105-fold higher than NaCl treatment at 16 hr, respectively) and down-regulated ABA biosynthesis genes (e.g., CsNECD2, 0.29-fold of CK2 at 16 hr), resulting in a rapid decrease of ABA content during the early stage of germination. At the same time, melatonin positively up-regulated GA biosynthesis genes (e.g., GA20ox and GA3ox, 2.3 and 3.9-fold higher than NaCl treatment at 0 and 12 hr, respectively), contributing to a significant increase of GA (especially GA4) content. In this study, we provide new evidence suggesting that melatonin alleviates the inhibitory effects of NaCl stress on germination mainly by regulating the biosynthesis and catabolism of ABA and GA4.

[Analysis of results of technique competition for diagnosis of parasitic diseases in Shandong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the capacity of Plasmodium detection and helminth detection and the mastery degree of basic knowledge of parasitic diseases. METHODS: Three professionals from each city were selected as contestants. The content of the competition contained three parts. The first part included making blood slides and Giemsa staining of Plasmodium, and identification of species and number with microscopy, the second part included making stool slides with Kato-Katz technique and identification of common helminth eggs with microscopy, and the third part was basic knowledge of parasitic diseases. RESULTS: Totally 51 contestants took part in the competition. The average score of the test of making blood slides was 14.8 +/- 3.3, and the passing rate was 82.4%. The average score of the identification of species and number of Plasmodium with microscopy was 19.2 +/- 9.3, and the passing rate was 29.4%. The average score of the test of making stool slides was 9.3 +/- 0.7, and the passing rate was 100%. The average score of the identification of common helminth eggs with microscopy was 28.0 +/- 2.6, and the passing rate was 100%. The average score of basic knowledge of parasitic diseases was 76.3 +/- 11.9, and the passing rate was 88.2%. The average score of the test of making blood slides in the female was higher than that in the male (15.7vs.13.5, P < 0.05), and the average score of the test of making blood slides in the intermediate title contestants was higher than that in the junior title contestants (16.1 vs.14.1, P < 0.05). The average score of the basic knowledge of parasitic diseases in the contestants from cities was higher than that in the contestants from towns (83.2 vs. 72.6, P < 0.05), and the average score of basic knowledge of parasitic diseases in the contestants from high economic level cities was higher than that in the contestants from low economic level cities (82.4 vs. 71.5, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: For professionals in Shandong Province, the capacity of helminth detection was strong and the basic knowledge of parasitic diseases was mastered well, while the capacity of Plasmodium detection was weak.

Amyand's hernia in a neonate: A case report.

Acute appendicitis secondary to hernia incarceration presenting as scrotal swelling is exceptionally rare in neonates. We report a neonate who presented with tender swelling in the right scrotum. Ultrasonography detected features of a rare Amyand's hernia. Surgical exploration and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis.

[Control strategy and practice of soil-transmitted parasitic diseases in Shandong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the sustainable development control strategies on soil-transmitted parasitic diseases appropriate to current epidemic characteristics so as to effectively reduce the epidemic level and harm to people in Shandong Province. METHODS: This project was led by the Shandong Medical Department, governed and instructed by the Shandong Institute of Parasitic Diseases, concretely implemented by the centers for disease control and prevention in counties or cities. All the work was carried out according to the Control Programming of National Key Parasitic Diseases, and with the combination of routine and key control strategies according to the actual situation. RESULTS: The average infection rate of soil-transmitted parasitic diseases in Shandong Province was 18.26% in 2003. During the 2007 to 2009 period, 3,115,194 people from 74 counties in 9 cities received anthelmintic medicine. The numbers receiving health education were 39 866 923 in county, 34,730,663 in city, 3,2000 in province, respectively. The coverage rate of non-hazardous sanitary latrines was 58.05%. In 2009, 6,581 people were surveyed from 7 counties or cities and the infection rate of soil-transmitted parasitic diseases was 7.61%. During three years, 30 provincial training classes were held and 2,130 people attended, 52 municipal classes were held and 3110 people attended, and 403 county classes were held and 12,789 people attended. In the whole province, the infection rate of soil-transmitted parasitic diseases reduced to 7.10% in 2009, with the reduction rate of 61.12%, reaching the national objective. CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive control model for soil-transmitted parasitic diseases is very successful in Shandong Province.

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum from hepatic metastatic trophoblastic tumor.

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum (SP) is defined as the presence of blood within the peritoneal cavity that is unrelated to trauma. Although there is a vast array of etiologies for SP, primary hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic adenoma are considered to be the most common causes. Hepatic metastatic tumor associated with spontaneous rupture is rare. SP from hepatic metastatic trophoblastic tumor may initially present with a sudden onset of abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in establishing the diagnosis of SP, indicating its origin and etiology, and determining subsequent management. Herein, we report an uncommon case of hemoperitoneum from spontaneous rupture of a hepatic metastatic trophoblastic tumor in a young female patient. Interestingly, the contrast-enhanced CT findings demonstrated hypervascular hepatic masses with persistent enhancement at all phases, which were completely different from the common appearances of hepatic metastases. For SP resulting from hepatic metastatic tumors, surgical intervention is still the predominant therapeutic method, but the prognosis is very poor.