Distribution of cardiorespiratory fitness in children and adolescents at different latitudes.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the differences and characteristics of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among children and adolescents in regions with different latitudes in China. METHODS: A total of 9892 children and adolescents aged 7-22 years were selected from seven administrative regions in China by the stratified cluster random sampling method. CRF was measured by performance on the 20 m shuttle run test (20mSRT) and estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max ). One-way ANOVA, one-way ANCOVA, and the Lambda Mu and Sigma methods were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Overall, the VO2max of children and adolescents at high latitudes was significantly lower than that of children at low and middle latitudes. The P10 , P50 , and P90 20mSRT values for children and adolescents of most age groups in high latitudes were less than those in low and middle latitudes. The 20mSRT-Z and VO2max -Z scores among children and adolescents aged 7-22 in high latitudes were lower than those in middle and low latitudes after adjusting for age, per capita gross domestic product (GDP), and per capita disposable income. CONCLUSION: In general, the CRF of children and adolescents at high latitudes was less than that at low and middle latitudes. Effective measures should be taken to improve CRF in children and adolescents at high latitudes.

A case of G6PD Utrecht associated with ß-thalassemia responding to splenectomy.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked genetic disease caused by a pathogenic G6PD mutation. An 8-year-old Chinese male child was investigated because of chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia (CNSHA) associated with hepatosplenomegaly. Genetic analysis unraveled co-inheritance of a hemizygous mutation c.1225C>T (p.Pro409Ser) in G6PD (G6PD Utrecht, previously reported only in The Netherlands) and heterozygote HBB mutation c.316-197C>T (IVS-Ⅱ-654 C>T). Because IVS-Ⅱ-654 C>T on its own does not cause CNSHA, we believe that the clinical manifestations in this patient are essentially due to the G6PD c.1225C>T mutation. The boy gained transfusion independence after splenectomy.

Salt-template preparation of Mo5N6 nanosheets with peroxidase- and catalase-like activities and application for colorimetric determination of 4-aminophenol.

Mo5N6 nanosheets were synthesized by a nickel-induced growth method and were found to possess peroxidase-like activity in acidic condition and catalase-like activity in weak basic condition. In acidic condition, Mo5N6 nanosheets can catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H2O2 to form a blue color product (TMBOX). At the co-existence of 4-aminophenol (4-AP), 4-AP can react with H2O2 and TMBOX, resulting in the decrease of TMBOX and the fading of blue color. Therefore, a facile, sensitive colorimetric method for the quantitative detection of 4-AP was developed. The linear range for 4-AP was 1.0 to 80.0 µmol⋅L‒1 (R2 = 0.999), and the detection limit was 0.56 µmol⋅L‒1 based on 3σ/k. Resorcinol, aniline, humic acid, and common ions and anions in surface water did not interfere the determination of 4-AP. This colorimetric method was applied to measure the 4-AP in real water sample from Wulong River in Fujian Province of China. The relative standard deviation for the determination of 4-AP was ranged from 0.03 to 1.88%, and the recoveries from spiked samples were ranged between 99.2 and 107.6%. The determination results were consistent with those obtained by HPLC.

Effects of Storage Time and Temperature on Antioxidants in Juice from Momordica charantia L. and Momordica charantia L. var. abbreviata Ser.

This study determined the antioxidant activities of juice from Momordica charantia L. (MC) and MC var. abbreviata Ser. (MCVAS) by analyzing 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability, ferric reducing power (FRP), and total phenolic content (TPC). The effects of storage time and storage temperature on these antioxidant activities were investigated. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was conducted to identify the major components of MC and MCVAS. The results revealed that the antioxidant activity of MCVAS was better than that of MC, possibly because of richer components of MCVAS. For MC and MCVAS, the scavenging concentrations of 50% DPPH were 3.33 and 1.19 mg/mL, respectively; moreover, the FRP values were 68.93 and 118.14 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g dry weight, respectively; and the TPC values were 8.15 and 11.47 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight, respectively. The antioxidant activities of MC and MCVAS decreased with storage time. High storage temperature decreased antioxidant activity more quickly than a low temperature. In addition, MC had exhibited a faster decline in DPPH scavenging ability and FRP than MCVAS during 24-day storage, but no difference was observed in TPC.

Antioxidation and Melanogenesis Inhibition of Various Dendrobium tosaense Extracts.

This study investigated the polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and inhibition ability of mushroom tyrosinase and melanogenesis of Dendrobium tosaense (DT) extract. Ground DT was extracted using deionized water (W) or 50% ethanol (50E) at room temperature (RT) or 50 °C (50T) for 20 min. The 50T + 50E extract exhibited the highest total phenol content 47.0 ± 4.0 mg gallic acid equivalent/g DT extract, the highest level of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) free-radical scavenging 66.0 ± 3.0 mg Trolox equivalent/g DT extract, and the highest reducing power 12.00 ± 0.50 mg vitamin C equivalent/g DT extract. The RT + W extract had the highest total flavonoid content 110.0 ± 3.0 mg quercetin equivalent/g DT extract. The RT + 50E extract had the lowest half maximal inhibitory concentration 1.30 ± 0.00 mg/mL for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free-radical scavenging, and the lowest half maximal inhibitory concentration 6.40 ± 0.30 mg/mL for mushroom tyrosinase inhibition activity. DT extracts, especially RT + W and 50T + W, exhibited potent inhibitory effects on melanogenesis of B16/F10 cells. These results demonstrated the application potential of DT extract for skincare.

Antioxidant Ability and Stability Studies of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a Cosmetic Tyrosinase Inhibitor.

3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid may be a good whitening ingredient in cosmetics. However, before it can be successfully used in cosmetics, its biofunctionality and stability need to be comprehensively investigated. The reduction and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging ability of this compound were analyzed to assess its antioxidant potential. In addition, the tyrosinase inhibitory ability was analyzed to show the whitening capacity of 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimal conditions for the ascorbic acid derivative in cosmetics. Based on the DPPH radical scavenging ability results, the half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid was 0.032 g/L. It also showed a good reducing ability at 1.5 g/L concentration. Based on the tyrosinase inhibition analysis, the IC50 value was 7.5 g/L. The optimal conditions to achieve the best stability were determined from the RSM as 36.3°C and pH 5.46.

N-Glycosylation of Human R-Spondin 1 Is Required for Efficient Secretion and Stability but Not for Its Heparin Binding Ability.

R-spondin 1 (Rspo1) plays an essential role in stem cell biology by potentiating Wnt signaling activity. Despite the fact that Rspo1 holds therapeutic potential for a number of diseases, its biogenesis is not fully elucidated. All Rspo proteins feature two amino-terminal furin-like repeats, which are responsible for Wnt signal potentiation, and a thrombospondin type 1 (TSR1) domain that can provide affinity towards heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Using chemical inhibitors, deglycosylase and site-directed mutagenesis, we found that human Rspo1 and Rspo3 are both N-glycosylated at N137, a site near the C-terminus of the furin repeat 2 domain, and Rspo2 is N-glycosylated at N160, a position near the N-terminus of TSR1 domain. Elimination of N-glycosylation at these sites affects their accumulation in media but have no effect on the ability towards heparin. Introduction of the N-glycosylation site to Rspo2 mutant at the position homologous to N137 in Rspo1 restored full glycosylation and rescued the accumulation defect of nonglycosylated Rspo2 mutant in media. Similar effect can be observed in the N137 Rspo1 or Rspo3 mutant engineered with Rspo2 N-glycosylation site. The results highlight the importance of N-glycosylation at these two positions in efficient folding and secretion of Rspo family. Finally, we further showed that human Rspo1 is subjected to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) quality control in N-glycan-dependent manner. While N-glycan of Rspo1 plays a role in its intracellular stability, it had little effect on secreted Rspo1. Our findings provide evidence for the critical role of N-glycosylation in the biogenesis of Rspo1.

Supercritical fluid extract of Lycium chinense Miller root inhibition of melanin production and its potential mechanisms of action.

BACKGROUND: The mode of action of Lycium chinense Miller root extract in skin care has never been explored. In the present study, Lycium chinense Miller root was extracted by the supercritical fluid CO2 extraction method. METHODS: In the present study, the components of the root extract were analyzed by HPLC. The effects of the extract on tyrosinase activity and melanin content were determined spectrophotometrically; the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins was determined by Western blotting; the possible signaling pathways involved in the root extract-mediated depigmentation were also investigated using specific inhibitors. RESULTS: The results revealed that the SFE of Lycium chinense Miller root (2.37-7.11 mg/mL) effectively suppressed intracellular tyrosinase activity and decreased the melanin content in B16F10 cells. The root extract also effectively decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, the root extract decreased the expression of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and then inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. The root extract also showed antioxidant capacities and depleted cellular ROS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the SFE of Lycium chinense Miller root inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 cells by down-regulation of both mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathways or through its antioxidant properties.

The first imported human case of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype O1 septicemia presents with acute appendicitis-like syndrome in Taiwan.

Human nonplague yersiniosis occurs more commonly in temperate regions than in tropical or subtropical regions. In Taiwan, which is located in a subtropical region of Southeast Asia, only environmental isolates and human infection of Yersinia enterocolitica were reported, but a human case of Y. pseudotuberculosis infection had not been identified. We report the first person with Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype O1 septicemia who presented with acute appendicitis-like syndrome and who was probably contracted the infection via ingestion of raw foods in a barbecue restaurant in Japan.

Potent antioxidative and UVB protective effect of water extract of Eclipta prostrata L.

Oxidative stress, including Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-induced skin damage, is involved in numerous diseases. This study demonstrates that water extract of Eclipta prostrata L. (WEP) has a potent effect in scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide radicals, and chelating ferrous ion, exhibiting IC50 values of 0.23 mg/mL, 0.48 mg/mL, and 1.25 mg/mL, respectively. The WEP total phenol content was 176.45 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g sample. Chlorogenic acid, a component of the plant's active ingredients, was determined by HPLC and antioxidative assay. However, no caffeic acid, stigmasterol, or wedelolactone was present in WEP. WEP absorbs both UVA and UVB irradiation, and furthermore, the extract shows a dose-dependent response in the protection of HaCaT human keratinocytes and mouse fibroblasts 3T3 cells against UVB-induced cytotoxicity, which may result from a synergistic effect between chlorogenic acid and other active components present in WEP.

Effects of water quality on dissolution of yerba mate extract powders.

Yerba mate tea is known as one of the most popular nonalcoholic beverages favoured by South Americans due to its nutrition facts and medicinal properties. The processing of yerba mate tea is found to affect the properties of its final forms. This study presents an investigation into the effects of water sources on the dissolution of yerba mate extract powders. Comparisons were conducted between yerba mate teas prepared by dissolving yerba mate extract powders into tap water and deionized water. Topics to be explored in this work are the major compositions and antioxidant activities, including total phenol content, reducing power, DPPH scavenging activity, and ABTS(+)• scavenging capacity. It is indicated that there is little difference for antioxidant activities and major constituents of yerba mate teas between both water sources. However, a deeper color is seen in the tap water case, resulting from the reaction between tannic acid and ions. This research finding can be treated as a way to benefit the yerba mate tea processing for applications.

Mo5N6 nanosheets for fluorescent quenching and target recognition: Highly selectively sensing of sodium hexametaphosphate.

Typical fluorescent biosensors use fluorescently labeled ssDNA for target recognition and nanomaterials for signal transduction. Herein, we propose a reverse sensing strategy that Mo5N6 nanosheets are used for target recognition while fluorescein (FAM)-labeled ssDNA only serves for signal generation. We discover that Mo5N6 nanosheets show high fluorescence quenching ability (>95%) and selective recognition for sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). After FAM-labeled ssDNA is adsorbed on Mo5N6 nanosheets, the fluorescence is quenched due to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) effect between FAM and Mo5N6 nanosheets. SHMP can specifically displace the adsorbed FAM-labeled ssDNA from Mo5N6 nanosheets, resulting in more than 80% fluorescence recovery on addition of 5 µmol L-1 SHMP. This biosensor can sensitively detect SHMP down to 150 nmol L-1 and selectively recognize SHMP over glucose, lactose, common amino acids, Zn2+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and other phosphates (such as Na2HPO4, sodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate). This biosensor also shows great potential for the detection of SHMP in bacon sample. This work not only provides a facile sensitive and selective biosensor for SHMP but also exploits the application of transition metal nitrides in the field of sensing and biosensing.

Intravenous metastasis of unexpected uterine sarcoma in the context of uterine fibroids: case report and literature review.

Objective: Endometrial stromal tumors are rare and complex mesenchymal tumors that often present with clinical symptoms similar to uterine leiomyomas. Due to their atypical nature, they are prone to be misdiagnosed or overlooked by healthcare professionals. This study presents a case report of an incidentally discovered endometrial stromal sarcoma with venous metastasis, which was initially misdiagnosed as a uterine leiomyoma. In addition, this study reviews previously documented cases of similar tumors. Case report: During a routine medical examination in 2016, a 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. In June 2020, she began experiencing moderate, irregular vaginal bleeding. Nevertheless, a histopathological examination indicated an endometrial stromal sarcoma with a striking amalgamation of both low-grade and high-grade features. Molecular analysis identified a rare MED12 gene mutation. The patient underwent total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and resection of the metastatic lesions. Postoperative management included radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. After completion of chemotherapy, the patient was followed up for 27 months with no evidence of tumor recurrence. Conclusion: This case report highlights the importance of pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular aspects of this rare tumor involving the inferior vena cava and showing the presence of atypical gene mutations. The successful treatment outcome further emphasizes the importance of advances in diagnostic modalities for managing rare tumors like this.

Exenatide at therapeutic and supratherapeutic concentrations does not prolong the QTc interval in healthy subjects.

AIMS: Exenatide has been demonstrated to improve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, with no effect on heart rate corrected QT (QTc ) at therapeutic concentrations. This randomized, placebo- and positive-controlled, crossover, thorough QT study evaluated the effects of therapeutic and supratherapeutic exenatide concentrations on QTc . METHODS: Intravenous infusion was employed to achieve steady-state supratherapeutic concentrations in healthy subjects within a reasonable duration (i.e. days). Subjects received exenatide, placebo and moxifloxacin, with ECGs recorded pre-therapy and during treatment. Intravenous exenatide was expected to increase heart rate to a greater extent than subcutaneous twice daily or once weekly formulations. To assure proper heart rate correction, a wide range of baseline heart rates was assessed and prospectively defined methodology was applied to determine the optimal QT correction. RESULTS: Targeted steady-state plasma exenatide concentrations were exceeded (geometric mean ± SEM 253 ± 8.5 pg ml(-1) , 399 ± 11.9 pg ml(-1) and 627 ± 21.2 pg ml(-1) ). QTc P, a population-based method, was identified as the most appropriate heart rate correction and was prespecified for primary analysis. The upper bound of the two-sided 90% confidence interval for placebo-corrected, baseline-adjusted QTc P (ΔΔQTc P) was <10 ms at all time points and exenatide concentrations. The mean of three measures assessed at the highest steady-state plasma exenatide concentration of ∼500 pg ml(-1) (ΔΔQTc P(avg) ) was -1.13 [-2.11, -0.15). No correlation was observed between ΔΔQTc P and exenatide concentration. Assay sensitivity was confirmed with moxifloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that exenatide, at supratherapeutic concentrations, does not prolong QTc and provide an example of methodology for QT assessment of drugs with an inherent heart rate effect.

Stability studies of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside in cosmetic lotion using surface response methodology.

Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA-2G) has been widely used in cream and lotion types of cosmetic products. Thus, the degradation of AA-2G caused by the temperature change and pH variation was very critical for determining the bio-functionality of cosmetics. Response surface methodology (RSM) was introduced to study the influence of temperature and pH on the stability of AA-2G. The optimal condition of retaining AA-2G with the highest stability was determined to be 55.3°C and pH 6.4. The antioxidative activities of AA-2G including DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities, metal chelating activity, and reducing ability were also determined. AA-2G was a good ascorbic acid derivative which could be used in cosmetic products as an active ingredient.

Effects of water solutions on extracting green tea leaves.

This study investigates the effects of water solutions on the antioxidant content of green tea leaf extracts. Green teas prepared with tap water and distilled water were compared with respect to four antioxidant assays: total phenol content, reducing power, DMPD assay, and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay. The results indicate that green tea prepared with distilled water exhibits higher antioxidant activity than that made with tap water. The high performance liquid chromatography showed that major constituents of green tea were found in higher concentrations in tea made with distilled water than in that made with tap water. This could be due to less calcium fixation in leaves and small water clusters. Water solutions composed of less mineralisation are more effective in promoting the quality of green tea leaf extracts.

Applications of Lactobacillus rhamnosus spent culture supernatant in cosmetic antioxidation, whitening and moisture retention applications.

This study was aimed at investigating the antioxidant, whitening, and moisture-retention properties of Lactobacillus rhamnosus spent culture supernatant (Lr-SCS) in cosmetic applications. Results reveal that Lr-SCS effectively and gradually scavenges 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl as well as 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cations, and increases reducing power in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, Lr-SCS can also suppress tyrosinase activity in vitro and effectively promote moisture retention. Heat treatment at 100 °C for 30 min does not influence the functions of Lr-SCS. We conclude that Lr-SCS can be used effectively in skin care cosmetics.

Do biased technological advances affect carbon productivity of service sector: Evidence from China.

Increasing carbon productivity is regarded as one of the significant ways to strike a balance between national economic growth and environmental protection. As the proportion of China's service sector in the national economy rises and the severity of environmental pollution increases, the matter of carbon productivity in service sector required to be explored in depth. This paper focuses on the biased technological advances index of China's service sector and its impact on carbon productivity by constructing a two-layer nested CES production function, proposing policy countermeasures to raise service sector's carbon productivity in China, which is of great practical significance in reducing carbon emissions of China's service sector, improve carbon productivity of China's service sector and promote the green transformation and sustainable development of China's service sector. The results are as follows. (1) The average value of the biased technological advances index of services in China is negative, indicating that technological advances of services in China are biased towards non-energy elements. The biased technological advances indexes of China's service sector in the western, middle and eastern regions are also negative, and the index of the eastern region is the smallest, indicating that the technological advances of the service sector in the eastern region are biased towards non-energy elements to the highest extent. (2) There is a negative correlation between the biased technological advances index and carbon productivity of services in China. In the western, middle and eastern regions of China, the bias of technological advances in eastern China has the greatest effect on China's productivity of carbon in service sector. The policy implication is that in order to increase China's services' productivity of carbon, it is essential to reduce the biased technological advances index of China's service sector.

Sintilimab-related diabetes mellitus and psoriasis: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: With the popularity of ICIs in different oncology treatments, immune-related adverse events have raised concerns, mostly occurring in skin and endocrine gland injury. This disease involves different organ systems and presents with a variety of clinical manifestations. Most patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced type 1 diabetes are reported to have no combination of autoimmune disease. We report a case of Sintilimab-related diabetes mellitus and psoriasis. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of a 65-year-old female with Sintilimab-related diabetes mellitus and psoriasis. DIAGNOSIS: The patient treated with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (Sintilimab) for 4 cycles. The patient presented with inexplicable bouts of nausea and vomiting, accompanied by chest discomfort and a feeling of breathlessness, prompting their admission to the local hospital. The initial assessment upon admission revealed an abrupt elevation in blood glucose levels, alongside normal ketone levels, lactic acidosis, and hyperuricemia. A comprehensive regimen was provided to regulate glucose levels and address the symptoms, resulting in notable improvement and subsequent discharge. Regrettably, the patient's personal decision to discontinue medication for a single day led to the emergence of acute ketoacidosis, coupled with a recurrence of psoriasis vulgaris. Consequently, readmission became necessary. Based on the patient's medical history and diabetes antibody testing, the diagnosis of immune checkpoint inhibitor induced diabetes mellitus has been confidently established. INTERVENTIONS: The patient ceased treatment with Sintilimab and was initiated on insulin therapy for glycemic control, alongside symptomatic management for psoriasis. Upon stabilization of the condition, long-term administration of exogenous insulin was implemented as a substitute treatment. OUTCOME: Outside of the hospital, insulin therapy effectively maintained stable blood glucose levels, and there were no further episodes of psoriasis flare-ups. LESSON: The clinical manifestations of immune checkpoint inhibitor induced diabetes mellitus are variable, and in this case the patient presented with unique primary symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial to accumulate relevant cases, understand the different clinical presentations and identify the underlying mechanisms of the disease. This will provide further evidence for early therapeutic intervention in similar patients in the future.

Sodium butyrate activates HMGCS2 to promote ketone body production through SIRT5-mediated desuccinylation.

Ketone bodies have beneficial metabolic activities, and the induction of plasma ketone bodies is a health promotion strategy. Dietary supplementation of sodium butyrate (SB) is an effective approach in the induction of plasma ketone bodies. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms are unknown. In this study, SB was found to enhance the catalytic activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2), a rate-limiting enzyme in ketogenesis, to promote ketone body production in hepatocytes. SB administrated by gavage or intraperitoneal injection significantly induced blood ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in mice. BHB production was induced in the primary hepatocytes by SB. Protein succinylation was altered by SB in the liver tissues with down-regulation in 58 proteins and up-regulation in 26 proteins in the proteomics analysis. However, the alteration was mostly observed in mitochondrial proteins with 41% down- and 65% up-regulation, respectively. Succinylation status of HMGCS2 protein was altered by a reduction at two sites (K221 and K358) without a change in the protein level. The SB effect was significantly reduced by a SIRT5 inhibitor and in Sirt5-KO mice. The data suggests that SB activated HMGCS2 through SIRT5-mediated desuccinylation for ketone body production by the liver. The effect was not associated with an elevation in NAD+/NADH ratio according to our metabolomics analysis. The data provide a novel molecular mechanism for SB activity in the induction of ketone body production.