Maximizing Polysaccharides and Phycoerythrin in Porphyridium purpureum via the Addition of Exogenous Compounds: A Response-Surface-Methodology Approach.

Phycoerythrin and polysaccharides have significant commercial value in medicine, cosmetics, and food industries due to their excellent bioactive functions. To maximize the production of biomass, phycoerythrin, and polysaccharides in Porphyridium purpureum, culture media were supplemented with calcium gluconate (CG), magnesium gluconate (MG) and polypeptides (BT), and their optimal amounts were determined using the response surface methodology (RSM) based on three single-factor experiments. The optimal concentrations of CG, MG, and BT were determined to be 4, 12, and 2 g L-1, respectively. The RSM-based models indicated that biomass and phycoerythrin production were significantly affected only by MG and BT, respectively. However, polysaccharide production was significantly affected by the interactions between CG and BT and those between MG and BT, with no significant effect from BT alone. Using the optimized culture conditions, the maximum biomass (5.97 g L-1), phycoerythrin (102.95 mg L-1), and polysaccharide (1.42 g L-1) concentrations met and even surpassed the model-predicted maximums. After optimization, biomass, phycoerythrin, and polysaccharides concentrations increased by 132.3%, 27.97%, and 136.67%, respectively, compared to the control. Overall, this study establishes a strong foundation for the highly efficient production of phycoerythrin and polysaccharides using P. purpureum.

Association of sonographic features and clinicopathologic factors of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma for prevalence of lymph node metastasis: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to develop an association between clinicopathologic and sonographic features of patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma and the prevalence of lymph node metastasis. METHODS: Clinicopathologic and sonographic features of 415 patients of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with (n = 102) or without (n = 313) lymph node metastasis were retrospectively reviewed. The thickness of the lymph node ≥ 6 mm with intra-lymph nodal occupying lesions considered lymph node metastasis. Also, it was considered metastasis if lymph node perfusion or blood flow defect was found with any thickness size. Univariate following multivariate analysis was performed for the prediction of sonographic features and clinicopathologic factors for the prevalence of lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Male gender (p = 0.041), age < 45 years (p = 0.042), preoperative calcitonin > 65 pg/ mL (p = 0.039), nodule size > 5 mm in diameter (p = 0.038), bilaterality (p = 0.038), tumor capsular invasion (p = 0.048), cystic change (p = 0.047), and hyper vascularity (p = 0.049) of thyroid nodules were associated with lymph node metastasis. Also, thyroid nodules 5 mm and more in diameter may have high aggressiveness. CONCLUSION: These data helped the surgeon for individualized treatment in thyroid carcinoma and avoid unnecessary prophylactic surgery of the lymph node.

Association of sonographic features and clinicopathologic factors of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma for prevalence of lymph node metastasis: a retrospective analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of the study was to develop an association between clinicopathologic and sonographic features of patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma and the prevalence of lymph node metastasis. Subjects and methods: Clinicopathologic and sonographic features of 415 patients of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with (n = 102) or without (n = 313) lymph node metastasis were retrospectively reviewed. The thickness of the lymph node ≥ 6 mm with intra-lymph nodal occupying lesions considered lymph node metastasis. Also, it was considered metastasis if lymph node perfusion or blood flow defect was found with any thickness size. Univariate following multivariate analysis was performed for the prediction of sonographic features and clinicopathologic factors for the prevalence of lymph node metastasis. Results: Male gender ( p = 0.041), age < 45 years ( p = 0.042), preoperative calcitonin > 65 pg/ mL ( p = 0.039), nodule size > 5 mm in diameter ( p = 0.038), bilaterality ( p = 0.038), tumor capsular invasion ( p = 0.048), cystic change ( p = 0.047), and hyper vascularity ( p = 0.049) of thyroid nodules were associated with lymph node metastasis. Also, thyroid nodules 5 mm and more in diameter may have high aggressiveness. Conclusion: These data helped the surgeon for individualized treatment in thyroid carcinoma and avoid unnecessary prophylactic surgery of the lymph node.

Retraction Note: Ultrasound versus temporal artery biopsy in patients with Giant cell arteritis: a prospective cohort study.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

LncRNA-GAS5 regulates PDCD4 expression and mediates myocardial infarction-induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis via targeting MiR-21.

The present study was designed to investigate whether and how lncRNA-GAS5 regulates cardiomyocyte apoptosis in MI. MI rat model was established by the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation. MI model was further evaluated by biomarkers detection and TUNEL, HE and Masson staining. The roles of lncRNA-GAS5 on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocytes survival, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis were examined by MTT and flow cytometry in rat heart-derived H9c2 cells. Western blot was used to determine the effect of GAS5 on the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins and PI3 K/AKT signaling pathway. The direct bindings of GAS5 to miR-21 and miR-21 to PDCD4 were measured by dual-luciferase reporter assay or RNA immunoprecipitation. Decreased expressions of GAS5 and PDCD4 as well as increased miR-21 level were observed in the hearts of MI-modeled rat, accompanying with morphologically myocardial cell injury, as well as collagen deposition and fibrosis, and elevated levels of cTnl, CK, CK-MB and LDH. In the cell model, the knockdown of GAS5 promoted cell survival, prevented cell cycle arrest and inhibited cell apoptosis while the overexpression of GAS5 showed the opposite effects. GAS5 was found to downregulate miR-21 and the effects of GAS5 were attenuated by miR-21 mimics. GAS5 positively regulated PDCD4 expression by functioning as a sponge of miR-21 in H/R model. Moreover, GAS5 stimulated PDCD4 and suppressed PI3 K/AKT signal pathway. LncRNA-GAS5 regulates PDCD4 expression to mediate MI-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via targeting miR-21, suggesting that GAS5 could be a therapeutic target for MI.

Purification and identification of antioxidant peptides from duck plasma proteins.

The antioxidant peptides extracted from duck plasma hydrolysate (DPH) was investigated. The antioxidant activity of DPH, which was isolated and purified via ultrafiltration, size exclusion chromatography, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, was evaluated using its free radical scavenging ability. Nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was conducted to identify the DPH fractions with the highest antioxidant ability. Seven novel peptides: LDGP, TGVGTK, EVGK, RCLQ, LHDVK, KLGA, and AGGVPAG (400.43, 561.63, 431.48, 260.14, 610.71, 387.47, and 527.57 Da, respectively) were identified and synthesized using a solid-phase peptide produce to evaluate their antioxidant activities. Of these, EVGK exhibited the highest Fe2+ chelating ability (16.35%), and RCLQ presented the highest reducing power, 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt scavenging activity, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging rate (0.62, 274.83 mM TE/mg, and 95.12%, respectively). Our results indicated that DPH possessed antioxidant capabilities and could be used to obtain antioxidant peptides, thus adding economic value to duck blood.

Ultrasound versus temporal artery biopsy in patients with Giant cell arteritis: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of giant cell arteritis by temporal artery biopsy is time-consuming and visual loss lies in the first week after its diagnosis. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that ultrasound can reduce the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in giant cell arteritis. METHODS: Data regarding physical/ clinical features examinations, temporal artery biopsy examinations, ultrasound findings, and magnetic resonance imaging examinations of 980 suspected patients for giant cell arteritis were included in the study. Decision curve analysis was applied to get a beneficial score for selected diagnostic modalities. Cost analysis was performed for each patient. RESULTS: Fewer numbers of false positive giant cell arteritis results were reported under physical/ clinical features examinations following ultrasound detection than physical/clinical features examinations following temporal artery biopsy examinations (45 vs. 127, p < 0.0001). The working area that detects giant cell arteritis at least one time for physical/ clinical features examinations following ultrasound detection and physical/ clinical features examinations following temporal artery biopsy examinations were 0-91% and 0-86%. No significant difference for true negative results between magnetic resonance imaging and physical and clinical features examinations following ultrasound detection (p = 0.007). Physical and clinical features examinations following ultrasound detection were less expensive method than physical/ clinical features examinations following temporal artery biopsy examinations (14,023 ± 982 ¥/patient vs. 18,551 ± 1231 ¥/patient, p < 0.0001) and MRI. CONCLUSION: Physical and clinical features examinations following ultrasound are recommended for diagnosis of patients with suspected giant cell arteritis.

Gender-specific prevalence and associated risk factors of prehypertension among rural children and adolescents in Northeast China: a cross-sectional study.

UNLABELLED: Little is known about the prevalence and risk profile of prehypertension among Chinese children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prehypertensive status and its associated risk factors among rural Chinese children and adolescents. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 5,245 children and adolescents (2,732 boys and 2,513 girls) aged 5-18 years in Northeast China. Main anthropometric data and related information were collected. The overall prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 15 % and 20.2 %, respectively. The prevalence of prehypertension among boys was 15.7 %, compared to that of 14.2 % among girls (P = 0.256). After adjusting for age, race, weight status, waist circumference, triceps skinfold, family income, smoking and drinking status, boys aged 12-14 and 15-18 years had a 2.86- and 5.97-fold risk of prehypertension, respectively, compared to those aged 5-8 years. Overweight and obese boys had an increased risk of prehypertension in comparison to those with normal weight (overweight: odds ratio [OR] = 1.837, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.321-2.556; obese: OR = 2.941, 95 % CI 1.783-4.851). A larger triceps skinfold (≥90th percentile) was significantly related to increased odds of prehypertension (OR = 2.32; 95 % CI, 1.516-3.55) among boys. For girls, only older age was found to be a risk factor for prehypertension. CONCLUSION: Pediatric prehypertension is highly prevalent in rural Northeast China. The risk factors for prehypertension differed among boys and girls. A more comprehensive risk profile of prehypertension among children and adolescents needs to be established for early prevention.

Differences in lifestyle behaviors, dietary habits, and familial factors among normal-weight, overweight, and obese Chinese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric obesity has become a global public health problem. Data on the lifestyle behaviors, dietary habits, and familial factors of overweight and obese children and adolescents are limited. The present study aims to compare health-related factors among normal-weight, overweight, and obese Chinese children and adolescents. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study consisted of 4262 children and adolescents aged 5-18 years old from rural areas of the northeast China. Anthropometric measurements and self-reported information on health-related variables, such as physical activities, sleep duration, dietary habits, family income, and recognition of weight status from the views of both children and parents, were collected by trained personnel. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 15.3 and 6.4%, respectively. Compared to girls, boys were more commonly overweight (17.5% vs. 12.9%) and obese (9.5% vs. 3.1%). Approximately half of the parents with an overweight or obese child reported that they failed to recognize their child's excess weight status, and 65% of patients with an overweight child reported that they would not take measures to decrease their child's body weight. Obese children and adolescents were more likely to be nonsnackers [odds ratio (OR): 1.348; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.039-1.748] and to have a family income of 2000 CNY or more per month (OR: 1.442; 95% CI: 1.045-1.99) and less likely to sleep longer (≥7.5 h) (OR: 0.475; 95% CI: 0.31-0.728) than the normal-weight participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in a large Chinese pediatric population. Differences in sleep duration, snacking, family income, and parental recognition of children's weight status among participants in different weight categories were observed, which should be considered when planning prevention and treatment programs for pediatric obesity.

Differences in healthy lifestyles between prehypertensive and normotensive children and adolescents in Northern China.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and differences of healthy lifestyles among children and adolescents differing in blood pressure status. METHODS: A cross-sectional study analyzed 5,270 children and adolescents ages 5-18 years. Anthropometric measurements and information on six healthy lifestyles (normal body mass index [BMI], appropriate physical activity, sufficient sleep, appropriate breakfast, no smoking, and no alcohol use) were collected by well-trained personnel. RESULTS: The prevalence of healthy lifestyles was relatively low. Only 22.4% of the study participants had all six healthy lifestyle characteristics. The participants with prehypertension were less likely to have a normal BMI (odds ratio [OR] 0.362; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.292-0.449) or to be nonsmokers (OR 0.793; 95% CI 0.64-0.982) than those with normal blood pressure. Overall, the prehypertensive participants had a lower likelihood of having four to six (especially all 6) of the healthy lifestyles (OR 0.688; 95% CI 0.561-0.844) than their normotensive counterparts. In addition, some socioeconomic factors, such as family income, had an impact on healthy life habits. CONCLUSION: Among children and adolescents, poor prehypertensive status was associated with a low likelihood of healthy lifestyles. Evaluation of multiple healthy lifestyles as a whole should receive more attention for better prevention and control of high blood pressure.