Effect of ultrahigh pressure processing (UHP) on physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity of insoluble dietary fiber from Pholiota nameko.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultrahigh pressure processing (UHP) of 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 MPa for 20, 40 and 30 min on physicochemical and bioactive properties of the insoluble dietary fiber Pholiota nameko (PN-IDF). The results revealed that UHP were capable of decreasing the particle size of PN-IDF and binding phenolic content. Moreover, UHP technique had an improving effect on the bioaccessible phenolic content, the water-holding capacity, the oil-holding capacity and the nitrite ion adsorption capacity. Further, UHP technique presented a promoting effect on the antioxidant activity by scavenging ABTS or DPPH free radicals and increasing reducing power, and the anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting carrageenan-induced paw edema on PN-IDF. Overall, this study well proved that UHP technology could improve the physicochemical and functional quality of PN-IDF, which could be used as a promising green technique for functional food ingredients processing.

The mitigating effect of new digital technology on carbon emissions: evidence from China.

This paper investigates the impacts of new digital technology on carbon emissions in China. To better capture the feature of new digital technology, we distinctively measure it using the invention patent stock of new generation information technology industry. The empirical results show that the development of new digital technology significantly reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) intensity. The results are still robust after addressing the endogeneity issues using instrumental variable regressions. The carbon reduction mechanisms of new digital technology include reducing energy intensity, optimizing energy structure, and advancing treatment technology. We further confirm the spatial spillover and nonlinear effects of new digital technology on CO2 intensity and the moderating effect of urban digitalization in carbon reduction. The study suggests that the potential of new digital technology in reducing carbon emissions should be highly attentioned by governments.

Neofusicoccum cryptomeriae sp. nov. and N. parvum Cause Stem Basal Canker of Cryptomeria japonica in China.

Cryptomeria japonica D. Don is a coniferous tree species widely grown in southern China for its high ornamental value. Recently, during disease surveys in China, a symptom of dieback occurred on C. japonica in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 130 trees were surveyed and more than 90% showed the same symptom. The crowns of affected trees were brown when viewing from a distance, and the bark showed no difference from the healthy ones. In this study, 157 isolates were isolated from the 3 affected plants of C. japonica, and based on the living culture on PDA, the fungal isolates were preliminarily divided into 6 groups. Thirteen representative isolates were selected for the pathogenicity test, and seven of them showed obvious pathogenicity on C. japonica, causing stem basal canker. These isolates were identified based on comparisons of the DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), ß-tubulin (tub2), and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2) and combined with their morphological characteristics. Results showed that these seven isolates belong to two taxa in Neofusicoccum, including a species new to science. The new species, Neofusicoccum cryptomeriae, was hereby described and illustrated. The other species was N. parvum. Both species were pathogens of stem basal canker of Cryptomeria japonica.

Metabolic Obesity Phenotypes and Risk of Lung Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study of 450,482 UK Biobank Participants.

(1) Background: The association between metabolic obesity phenotypes and incident lung cancer (LC) remains unclear. (2) Methods: Based on the combination of baseline BMI categories and metabolic health status, participants were categorized into eight groups: metabolically healthy underweight (MHUW), metabolically unhealthy underweight (MUUW), metabolically healthy normal (MHN), metabolically unhealthy normal (MUN), metabolically healthy overweight (MHOW), metabolically unhealthy overweight (MUOW), metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). The Cox proportional hazards model and Mendelian randomization (MR) were applied to assess the association between metabolic obesity phenotypes with LC risk. (3) Results: During a median follow-up of 9.1 years, 3654 incident LC patients were confirmed among 450,482 individuals. Compared with participants with MHN, those with MUUW had higher rates of incident LC (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.33-7.87, p = 0.009). MHO and MHOW individuals had a 24% and 18% lower risk of developing LC, respectively (MHO: HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.61-0.95, p = 0.02; MHO: HR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.70-0.96, p = 0.02). No genetic association of metabolic obesity phenotypes and LC risk was observed in MR analysis. (4) Conclusions: In this prospective cohort study, individuals with MHOW and MHO phenotypes were at a lower risk and MUUW were at a higher risk of LC. However, MR failed to reveal any evidence that metabolic obesity phenotypes would be associated with a higher risk of LC.

The profiling of elements and pesticides in surface water in Nanjing, China with global comparisons.

The study on high-throughput determination covering various kinds of elements and pesticides in surface water is rarely reported. The surface water samples were collected from the Yangtze River, the Qinhuai River and the Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing which is a large and populous city in eastern China, and elementome (47 elements) and pesticide exposome (60 pesticides) were profiled, which were characterized by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, literature comparison, and risk assessment. A total of 47 elements and 47 pesticides were detectable. By combining the results of univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, we consistently found that the levels of elements in the Qinhuai River were relatively higher than those in the Yangtze River and the Xuanwu Lake, mainly including rare earth elements and macroelements. The concentrations of isoprocarb, profenofos and simazine in the Yangtze River were relatively higher than those in the Qinhuai River and the Xuanwu Lake. Based on literature search and our data, the results about global element and pesticide concentrations in surface water were summarized. The surface water in Nanjing showed notably higher aluminum level when compared to the level around the world. The risk assessment suggested that arsenic posed a considerable carcinogenic risk. This study provided a large volume of first-hand information about the profiles of elements and pesticides in surface water, which can be used for warning of surface water pollution and preventing potential hazardous effect on public health.

Melatonin attenuated inflammatory reaction by inhibiting the activation of p38 and NF­κB in taurocholate­induced acute pancreatitis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective mechanism underlying of melatonin in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). A total of 64 male Sprague­Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: The sham operation (SO) group, SAP group, melatonin treatment (MLT) group and p38 inhibitor (SB203580) treatment (SB) group. Acute pancreatitis was induced by 5% taurocholate through retrograde infusion into the biliopancreatic ducts. The melatonin and SB203580 treatment groups were administered with MLT and SB 30 min before operation the induction of SAP. Rats in each group were euthanized at 6 and 12 h following SAP induction. Blood and pancreatic tissues were removed for inflammatory examination. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated following sacrifice to measure the phosphorylation of p38 and nuclear factor­κB (NF­κB was measured as p65 and phosphorylation of p65). The pretreatment of melatonin significantly attenuated the severity of pancreatitis. In addition, melatonin also reduced serum amylase and proinflammatory cytokine levels, including tumor necrosis factor­α, interleukin (IL)­1 and IL­6. The mean pathological scores for pancreatic tissues in the MLT group were higher than those for samples in the SO group, but were lower than those for samples in the SAP group at each time-point. Phosphorylation of p38 and p65 levels in the melatonin treatment group were lower than that in the SAP group, and higher in the SAP group than in the SO group, and the SB203580 treatment group. Furthermore, melatonin significantly inhibited the activation of p38 and NF­κB in PBMCs. The authors revealed that melatonin may attenuate inflammatory reactions by inhibiting the activation of p38 MAPK and NF­κB in both acute pancreatitis rats and PBMCs. SAP is a severe disease with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. It is important to attenuated inflammatory reaction in acute pancreatitis. Thus, the authors studied melatonin, which is synthesized by the pineal gland and released into the blood. Previous studies have shown that melatonin serves a protective role in the early course of human acute pancreatitis, and melatonin concentration variations are closely related to the severity of acute pancreatitis. It may be concluded that melatonin may attenuates inflammatory reactions by inhibiting the activation of p38 MAPK and NF­κB in both acute pancreatitis rats and PBMCs.

Melatonin induces anti-inflammatory effects via endoplasmic reticulum stress in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Melatonin, which is predominantly secreted by the pineal gland and is released into the blood, appears to have anti­inflammatory properties. Several studies have shown that melatonin can relieve lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses of RAW264.7 cells. However, the mechanisms underlying this anti­inflammatory effect remain to be fully elucidated, particularly the association between melatonin and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (ERS). Therefore, the present study examined the anti­inflammatory activity of melatonin in RAW264.7 cells and analyzed its molecular mechanisms in ERS. The RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide and treated with melatonin. A Cell Counting Kit­8 assay was used to assess the toxicity of melatonin. The degree of inflammation was evaluated using ELISA. The expression levels of ERS­associated protein molecules were examined using reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. The results revealed that melatonin had no toxic effect on the RAW264.7 cells at the range of concentrations used in the experiment. Lipo-polysaccharide stimulated the cells to produce inflammatory molecules; in the early stage, proteins associated with ERS increased, and then apoptosis occurred. The cells treated with melatonin exhibited attenuated inflammation, decreased expression of ERS­associated proteins and inhibition of apoptosis. Taken together, the results of the present study showed that melatonin may attenuate the inflammatory response by inhibiting the activation of ERS in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Size-resolved carbonaceous components and water-soluble ions measurements of ambient aerosol in Beijing.

A MOUDI-120 sampler was used in Beijing to collect multi-stage samples in the summer and winter of 2013 to 2015. Thirty-three sample sets were collected during the daytime, nighttime, and different pollution levels. The actual relative humidity in the impactors was calculated for the first time. The carbonaceous components (organic and elemental carbon, OC and EC, respectively) and water-soluble inorganic ions (Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, NO3-, and SO42-) were analyzed in each sample. The characteristics of the mass concentration distribution and charge balance were discussed. On the basis of relative humidity in the impactors, aerosols less than 1.0µm were sampled under relatively dry conditions in most cases. The concentration levels for the chemical species were higher in the winter than in the summer. Three modes (condensation mode, droplet mode, and coarse mode) could be identified from the distributions of NH4+, NO3-, SO42-, Cl-, K+, OC and EC. The distribution characteristics for the pollution dissipation process were different from the pollution accumulation process. NO3- and NO2- contributed most of the negative electric charges in the stage below 0.1µm. In the condensation mode, the cations were dominated by NH4+, which was sufficient to balance the anions. In the droplet mode of the heavily polluted samples, the ammonium was not sufficient to balance the anions. In the coarse mode, the positive electric charges were primarily composed of metal cations. The analyzed anions were not sufficient to neutralize the measured cations.

Melatonin treatment induces apoptosis through regulating the nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells.

Melatonin, which is synthesized by the pineal gland and released into the blood, exhibits antitumor properties. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects, particularly in stomach cancer, remain unknown. In the present study, the effect of melatonin on the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, involving p38 and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), were investigated in SGC7901 gastric cancer cells. In addition, the effect of melatonin on the survival, migration and apoptosis of these cells was investigated in vitro in order to evaluate the use of melatonin for the treatment of gastric cancer. The results of the present study revealed that melatonin decreased the viability and migration of SGC7901 cells. Furthermore, melatonin induced apoptosis. Melatonin was identified to elevate the expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-p38 and p-JNK protein, and decrease the expression level of nucleic p-p65. These results suggest that the protein levels of p65, p38 and JNK are associated with the survival of SGC7901 cells following treatment with melatonin. The optimal concentration of melatonin was demonstrated to be 2 mM, which significantly induced apoptosis following a 24 h treatment period. These findings suggest that conflicting growth signals in cells may inhibit the efficacy of melatonin in the treatment of gastric cancer. Therefore, adjunct therapy would be required to improve the efficacy of melatonin in the treatment of cancer.

Helicobacter pylori infection with intestinal metaplasia: An independent risk factor for colorectal adenomas.

AIM: To explore the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection status, intestinal metaplasia (IM), and colorectal adenomas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1641 individuals aged ≥ 40 years who underwent physical examination, laboratory testing, 13C-urea breath testing, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and an interview to ascertain baseline characteristics and general state of health. Histopathological results were obtained by gastric and colorectal biopsies. RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori infection and adenomas was 51.5% (845/1641) and 18.1% (297/1641), respectively. H. pylori infection was significantly correlated with an increased risk of colorectal adenomas (crude OR = 1.535, 95%CI: 1.044-1.753, P = 0.022; adjusted OR = 1.359, 95%CI: 1.035-1.785, P = 0.028). Individuals with IM had an elevated risk of colorectal adenomas (crude OR = 1.664, 95%CI: 1.216-2.277, P = 0.001; adjusted OR = 1.381, 95%CI: 0.998-1.929, P = 0.059). Stratification based on H. pylori infection stage and IM revealed that IM accompanied by H. pylori infection was significantly associated with an increased risk of adenomas (crude OR = 2.109, 95%CI: 1.383-3.216, P = 0.001; adjusted OR = 1.765, 95%CI: 1.130-2.757, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: H. pylori-related IM is associated with a high risk of colorectal adenomas in Chinese individuals.

Melatonin Induces Anti-Inflammatory Effects to Play a Protective Role via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Acute Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Melatonin, which is mainly secreted by the pineal gland and released into blood, has anti-inflammatory properties in acute pancreatitis. Many studies show that melatonin can relieve inflammation in taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis. However, the mechanisms of its anti-inflammatory effects are still undefined, especially the relationship between melatonin and endoplasmic reticulum stress. We explored the anti-inflammatory activity of melatonin in AR42J and rat models. METHODS: The CCK-8 assay was used to assess effects of melatonin on AR42J cell viability. Inflammatory degree and the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress related molecules were examined by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. The degree of inflammation in the tissue was also accessed by pathological grading. Finally, we used the western blotting method to verify apoptosis and autophagy. RESULTS: Endoplasmic reticulum stress was obviously activated in early stage inflammation in AR42J and rat models. Melatonin could induce anti-inflammatory effects via endoplasmic reticulum stress. Melatonin significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokines and the expression of ERS-related molecules. Finally, it played a protective role by promoting apoptosis and autophagy of the cells, which were damaged in the process of inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSION: Melatonin induces anti-inflammatory effects via endoplasmic reticulum stress in acute pancreatitis to play a protective role.

[Characteristics of Number Concentration Size Distributions of Aerosols Under Processes in Beijing].

The aerosol number concentration size distributions were measured by a Wide-Range Particle Spectrometer (WPS-1000XP) at an urban site of Beijing from 2012 to 2014; and the characteristics of the size distributions in different seasons and weather conditions were discussed. The results showed that the daily average number concentration of Aitken mode aerosols was highest in the spring and lowest in the autumn; the daily average number concentration of accumulation mode aerosols was bigher in the spring and winter, while lowest in summer; and the average concentration of coarse mode was highest during the winter. The Aitken mode particles had the most significant diurnal variations resulted from the traffic sources and the summer photochemical reactions. In the spring, autumn and winter, the number concentrations of accumulation mode of the nighttime was higher than that of the daytime. The coarse mode particles did not have obvious diurnal variation. During the heavy pollution process, the accumulation mode aerosols played a decisive role in PM2.5 concentrations and was usually removed by the north wind. The precipitation could effectively eliminate the coarse mode particles, but it bad no obvious effect on the accumulation mode particles under small speed wind and zero speed wind. During the dust process, the concentrations of coarse mode particles increased significantly, while the accumulation mode aerosol concentration was obviously decreased.

[Impact of Collision Removal of Rainfall on Aerosol Particles of Different Sizes].

The impact of collision removal of rainfall on aerosol particles of different sizes was analyzed through the calculation of Stokes number, combining with the hourly PM2.5 concentrations and meteorological data in Haidian from October 2012 to October 2014, and also the size distribution data in a selected rainfall process. The calculation results of Stokes number showed that the raindrops had little effect on direct collision removal of aerosol particles of smaller than 2 µm, and had more effect on aerosol particles of larger than 2 µm. Based on the statistical analysis of the observation data, the precipitation processes or the precipitation hours with significantly decreased PM2.5 were quite limited. However, PM2.5 concentrations were increased in 43.2% of the precipitation hours. By analyzing the size distribution data of aerosol particles during a typical precipitation process, we found that the precipitation had significant scavenging effect on Aitken mode particles (<0.1 µm) and coarse mode particles (>1.0 µm), except for the accumulation mode particles. Since the accumulation mode aerosols contributed most of the mass of PM2.5, the rainfall processes only had minor influence on the collision scavenging of PM2.5.

Melatonin Induces Cell Apoptosis in AGS Cells Through the Activation of JNK and P38 MAPK and the Suppression of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B: a Novel Therapeutic Implication for Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Melatonin, synthesized by the pineal gland and released into the blood, appears to have antitumour properties; however, the mechanisms of its anti-cancer effects are largely unknown, especially in stomach cancer. Here, we explore the antitumour activity of melatonin in a gastric cancer cell line (AGS) and analyse its molecular mechanisms. METHODS: AGS cells were treated with melatonin, and cell viability was assessed using a CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate apoptosis, and protein expression was examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: Melatonin significantly inhibited cell viability, clone formation, and cell migration and invasion and induced apoptosis in AGS cells. Moreover, MAPK pathways (p38, JNK and ERK) were activated by melatonin treatment, which also significantly increased caspase-3 cleavage and Bax protein expression and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression in a time-dependent manner. Our results demonstrate that p38 and JNK inhibitors (SB203580 and SP600125, respectively) prevented melatonin-induced apoptosis; thus, the propensity of p38 MAPK and JNK to promote apoptosis could be at least partly due to the inhibition of NF-x03BA;B p65 activation by p38 and JNK. Finally, melatonin was able to strengthen cisplatin-mediated antitumour effects in human gastric carcinoma cells by up-regulating the expression of Bax, down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and activating the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. CONCLUSION: Melatonin induced apoptosis in AGS cells by activating the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway and by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-x03BA;B p65, two processes that are regulated by p38 and JNK. Furthermore, melatonin significantly enhanced the anti-tumour effects of cisplatin, with low systemic toxicity. These new findings suggest that melatonin may act as a potent anti-tumour agent and may have great potential as an adjuvant therapy in the future.

TCEA3 Attenuates Gastric Cancer Growth by Apoptosis Induction.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate and interpret the expression level and potential function of TCEA3 in gastric cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: qRT-PCR was used to determine the expression level of TCEA3 in gastric cancer tissues. Pearson χ2 test was performed to clarify the correlation between TCEA3 expression and patients' clinicopathologic characteristics. Biological function of TCEA3 was tested by proliferation assay and colony formation assay. Flow cytometry was used to study the potential function of TCEA3 in apoptosis induction. RESULTS: TCEA3 expression was significantly downregulated in gastric cancer tissues compared with paired normal tissues. Poor prognoses were observed in the low TCEA3 expression group of patients in contrast to the high TCEA3 expression group. Functionally, upregulation of TCEA3 inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation and colony formation. We also found that TCEA3 may attenuate cell growth through apoptosis induction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that TCEA3 attenuates the proliferation and induces apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

[Characteristics and Parameterization for Atmospheric Extinction Coefficient in Beijing].

In order to study the characteristics of atmospheric extinction coefficient in Beijing, systematic measurements had been carried out for atmospheric visibility, PM2.5 concentration, scattering coefficient, black carbon, reactive gases, and meteorological parameters from 2013 to 2014. Based on these data, we compared some published fitting schemes of aerosol light scattering enhancement factor [ f(RH)], and discussed the characteristics and the key influence factors for atmospheric extinction coefficient. Then a set of parameterization models of atmospheric extinction coefficient for different seasons and different polluted levels had been established. The results showed that aerosol scattering accounted for more than 94% of total light extinction. In the summer and autumn, the aerosol hygroscopic growth caused by high relative humidity had increased the aerosol scattering coefficient by 70 to 80 percent. The parameterization models could reflect the influencing mechanism of aerosol and relative humidity upon ambient light extinction, and describe the seasonal variations of aerosol light extinction ability.