Carboxylated chitosan improved the stability of phycocyanin under acidified conditions.

Phycocyanin, a natural blue colorant, derived from Spirulina platensis, is now widely used in the food industry. However, its main drawbacks are loss of color and denature of structure in an acidic environment. In this study, carboxylated chitosan (0.1 %-1 % w/v) was chosen as an additive in acid-denatured phycocyanin for preserving phycocyanin's blue color and natural structure. Zeta-potential and particle size revealed that the carboxylated chitosan with high negative charge adsorbed on phycocyanin and provided stronger electrostatic repulsion to overcome the protein aggregation. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum and fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the carboxylated chitosan recovered the microenvironment of tetrapyrrole chromophores and ß-subunits, which led the secondary structure changed and the trimers depolymerized into the monomers changed by the acidic environment. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed highly negatively charged carboxylated chitosan with the groups (NH2, COOH and OH) could restored the microenvironment of tetrapyrrole chromophores and ß-subunits of phycocyanin, and interact with phycocyanin through hydrogen bonding, NH bonding, ionic bonding and van der Waals, which led to a change in secondary structure and depolymerization of trimers into monomers. Our study demonstrated the carboxylated chitosan played a beneficial role in recovering the structure of acid-denatured phycocyanin and its blue color.

Investigation of the interactions between food plant carbohydrates and titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is commonly used as food whitening in candies, chocolates, and cakes with high carbohydrate contents. The potential interaction between the food carbohydrate and food grade TiO2 nanoparticle was little known. Therefore, we explored the interaction between TiO2 nanoparticles and seven common carbohydrates, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. The result showed that all the carbohydrates tested interacted with the surfaces of the TiO2 nanoparticles and formed biocoronas. TEM and SEM images provided information about the morphology formation of biocoronas. The surface potential and size of the TiO2 nanoparticles altered after interacting with the carbohydrates. FTIR spectroscopy and QCM-D findings showed insights into the molecular origin and nature interaction between TiO2 and carbohydrates. The results illustrated that TiO2 nanoparticles can interact with carbohydrates, enter the body as a food additive, and interact with food matrix for a series of reactions. Compared with monosaccharides or disaccharides, food polysaccharides have stronger adsorption on the surface of nanoparticles. This is a preliminary judgment for the subsequent in vitro simulated digestion. Our result could be useful for understanding and controlling the behavior of nanoparticles in food and the human gut.

Progress of compression therapy in treatment of venous leg ulcer / 中华全科医师杂志

Venous leg ulcer (VLU) is the most common chronic ulcer of lower extremity caused by persistent venous hypertension. Although the mortality rate is low, VLU seriously affects the quality of life of patients, and has the potential for infection, deterioration, and amputation. The compression therapy is simple and easy to implement, it can effectively reduce venous hypertension and is the most important conservative therapy for treating and preventing recurrence of VLU. There are various devices and applications of compression therapy, and this article reviews the classification of compression therapy, and its application in treatment and recurrence prevention of VLU.

Identification and characterization of antioxidant and immune-stimulatory polysaccharides in flaxseed hull.

Flaxseeds are widely consumed for their desirable sensory attributes and health benefits. We focused on enhancing the sustainability and economic potential of flaxseeds by characterizing functional attributes of polysaccharides isolated from flaxseed hull residues. In particular, antioxidant and immune-stimulatory polysaccharides were isolated and purified from flaxseed hull. Infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the key functional groups. The polysaccharides were composed of mannose, rhamnose, galactose, glucose, galactose, xylose, arabinose, and fucose. In vitro studies showed certain flaxseed hull polysaccharide fractions exhibited strong antioxidant activities, increased nitric oxide levels, and enhanced the production of cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). In the presence of 200 µg/mL of one of these fractions, the levels of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 increased significantly by 1.8-, 9.0-, and 6.7-fold. These polysaccharide fractions may exhibit their immune-regulatory properties partly by modulating the MAPK pathway. The flaxseed hull polysaccharides identified have potential application as natural antioxidants and immune-enhancing nutraceuticals.

Impact of mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) flour upon quality attributes of wheat dough and functional cookies-baked products.

The objective of this study was to create a healthier version of a commonly consumed baked food (cookies) by replacing some of the wheat flour with a nutraceutical-rich mushroom flour. The impact of incorporating different levels of powdered mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) flour on the rheological properties of the cookie dough and the final cookies was therefore determined. The rheological properties of wheat dough supplemented with 0%-25% (w/w) of mushroom flour were analyzed using a Mixolab instrument and a shear rheometer. Increasing the ratio of mushroom-to-wheat flour in the doughs increased the peak and final viscosities, but decreased dough stability and elastic modulus. Sensory evaluation using an orthogonal test showed that 15% mushroom flour, 10% maltodextrin, and 1.5% sodium bicarbonate were the optimal composition for producing cookies with the best sensory score. In conclusion, our results showed that cookies with acceptable textures and appearances could be produced by replacing up to 15% of wheat flour with mushroom flour.

Compression therapy in preventing deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities / 中华全科医师杂志

Drug prophylaxis is commonly used for prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but it has deficiencies such as causing thrombocytopenia and weakening coagulation function. Compression therapy is a safe and economical physiotherapy method, which can effectively prevent the occurrence of DVT with less adverse reactions. This article reviews the clinical application and efficacy of four pressure treatment methods: graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression, venous foot pumps and continuous enhanced circulation therapy.

Compression therapy in preventing deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities / 中华全科医师杂志

Drug prophylaxis is commonly used for prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but it has deficiencies such as causing thrombocytopenia and weakening coagulation function. Compression therapy is a safe and economical physiotherapy method, which can effectively prevent the occurrence of DVT with less adverse reactions. This article reviews the clinical application and efficacy of four pressure treatment methods: graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression, venous foot pumps and continuous enhanced circulation therapy.

Building virtual simulation teaching platform based on electronic standardized patient / 生理学报

Informatization is an effective way to promote the reform and innovation of higher education and improve its quality. Virtual simulation teaching is indispensable in the educational informatization. Here, we describe the development and current situation of virtual simulation teaching, and introduce electronic standardized patient (ESP) based-virtual human body system powered by the real-time human physiological parameters. We also discuss how to build an ESP-based community in the teaching of human physiology, preclinical integrated case learning and other teaching projects. These ESP-based virtual simulation projects display the advantages of interdisciplinary fusion and the combination of basic and clinical knowledge, and open up the third type of functional experiments. Therefore, ESP-based virtual simulation teaching platform presumably becomes a considerable option for the first-class course construction in physiology.

Influence of gene regulation on rice quality: Impact of storage temperature and humidity on flavor profile.

Effects of high temperature-high humidity (HT-HH) storage on the flavor profile of rice were investigated. Volatile compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, and furans increased when rice was stored under HT-HH conditions, leading to a pronounced deterioration in rice quality. Correspondingly, the fatty acid content of the rice significantly increased during storage. Lipid oxidation was also accelerated under HT-HH conditions leading to the formation of peroxides. However, catalase activity was reduced under these conditions promoting the accumulation of peroxides. For the first time, insights into the genetic mechanisms responsible for these changes were obtained using RNA-sequencing to establish the flavor metabolic pathways in rice. Under HT-HH conditions, gene expression of lipase increased while that of catalase decreased, leading to faster hydrolysis and oxidation of the rice lipids. As a result, a series of lipid degradation products was formed (such as fatty acids, aldehydes, and ketones) that decreased the rice flavor quality.

Progress of recurrence of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients / 肿瘤研究与临床

Cancer patients complicated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) face treatment problems, very high recurrence rate and bleeding rate. Cancer itself and the antitumor treatment plan are the important factors causing the recurrence. After the relapse, the prognosis of the patients is extremely bad, and more than 50% of the patients died within 1 year. Until now, there is no unified effective treatment plan for the relapse. This paper reviews the recurrence of VTE and the related research progress.

Total Arterial Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A 10-Year Experience / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>Arterial grafts had better mid-term and long-term patency than saphenous vein grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We summarized our experience with total arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) and assessed the early clinical results, surgical complications, and follow-up.</p><p><b>Methods</b>From January 2007 to May 2017, 508 coronary artery disease patients undergoing total arterial OPCAB were enrolled. Clinical features, approaches, outcomes of surgical treatments, and follow-up data of these patients were studied retrospectively. A total of 122 patients underwent single left internal mammary artery (IMA)-left anterior descending artery grafts, whereas the other 386 patients underwent multiple vessel grafts.</p><p><b>Results</b>The average distal anastomosis was 2.34 ± 0.97 (range: 1-4). All the patients were discharged from hospital except one died. A total of 457 (90.32%) patients were followed up. In the 4-, 7-, and 10-year follow-up groups, the rate of death from any cause was 1.19%, 6.47%, and 10.67%; rate of cardiac death was 0.60%, 2.88%, and 3.33%; rate of repeat revascularization was 0.00%, 3.60%, and 8.67%; rate of ischemic symptoms was 1.79%, 7.91%, and 11.33%; and incidence of stroke was 2.38%, 4.32%, and 6.67%, respectively. Poor medication adherence was observed in 9.38% of the follow-up population.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>Total arterial OPCAB with bilateral IMA, radial artery, and right gastroepiploic artery grafting yielded satisfactory early and midterm outcomes in this patient group, without a significant increase in early mortality or morbidity. Moreover, the long-term outcomes are also positive.</p>

Antioxidant potential of edible mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) protein hydrolysates and their ultrafiltration fractions.

Mushroom protein isolate (MPI) from Agaricus bisporus was hydrolyzed using Alcalase, Pancreatin, Flavourzyme, Alcalase-Pancreatin and Alcalase-Flavourzyme. The obtained hydrolysates (MPHs) were ultrafiltered to generate peptide fractions (UFs) of molecular sizes (<1, 1-3, 3-5 and 5-10kDa). The electrophoretic profile results indicated that the enzymatic systems were efficient in hydrolyzing the MPI into low molecular weight peptides. Hydrolysate yields of >57% and protein recoveries of >43% were obtained. Effective concentration that scavenged 50% (EC50) of DPPH radicals was similar for the MPHs while inhibition against linoleic acid oxidation was strongest (66.49%) for Alcalase-Flavourzyme hydrolysate on day 5 of incubation. UFs exhibited a concentration-dependent FRAP, with the highest activity for fractions from Alcalase and Pancreatin recorded in 1-3kDa. The antioxidant activities of MPHs and their UFs suggested that they could be potential bioactive ingredients for use in the formulation of functional foods as well as natural antioxidants in lipid food systems.

Endovascular therapy for arteriogenic erectile dysfunction / 中华男科学杂志

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male condition, which is closely related with cardiovascular diseases. With the increasing incidence of cardiovascular events, arteriogenic ED (AED) is becoming more prevalent in recent years. Despite the variety of therapies for ED, no effective treatment has been found for this arteriogenic type. Based on the experience in the successful treatment of cardiovascular diseases by endovascular therapy, some scholars are carrying out clinical researches on this therapy for AED, which has shed some new light on its management. This review outlines recent advances in the studies of endovascular therapy for AED.

Overexpression of microRNA-486 Improves the Cardiac Function in Rats with Myocardial Infarction / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-486 (miR-486) expression on the cardiac function in rats with myocardial infarction (MI),through direct injection of an adenovirus carrying the miR-486 gene into the myocardium.Methods Totally 120 male rots were divided into 4 groups.Different target materials were infused into the surrounding areas of MI after building a successful disease model.Expression of miR-486 in the surrounding areas of left ventricular MI was detected using real-time PCR at different time points.Cardiac function was measured by cardiac ultrasound at 4 weeks.Using TUNEL,TTC,Masson,and CD31 staining to measure the organic changes in heart tissues.Results The expression of miR-486 in miR-486 group was higher than the other three groups.The expression of miR-486 in the three groups decreased when the time of MI in rats was prolonged.The cardiac function of the miR-486 group was better than that of the MI and AD groups.The MI area in the miR-486 group was smaller than that in the other two groups.Compared to the Sham group,the CVF at the infarct border zone was increased in the MI,Ad,and miR-486 groups.The AI in the MI and Ad groups was significantly increased compared to that in the miR-486 group.MVD was increased in the miR-486 group compared to that in the Sham,MI,and Ad groups.Conclusion miR-486 improved the cardiac function after MI in rats,through lightening collagen deposition,inhibiting apoptosis,and inducing angiogenesis in ischemic regions.

Hybrid therapy in patients with complex arteriosclerosis obliterans / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To evaluate hybrid therapy in patients with complex arteriosclerosis obliterans.Methods From Sep 2006 to Oct 2011,66 patients with complex arteriosclerosis obliterans were treated by hybrid therapy.A retrospective review was performed in all cases.Primary patency rate analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier life tables.Results The technical success rate was 100％,and no patients died in perioperative period.12.1％ patients improved 3 levels,22.7％ patients improved 2 levels,and 65.2％ patients improved 1 level in Fontaine grade after procedures.The average ABI before and after procedures were 0.38 and 0.67 (P ＜ 0.05).2 patients died and other 64 patients completed 24 months follow-up.The primary patency rates and second patency rates were 75.0％ and 92.2％ at 24 months respectively.Primary patency rates of Fontaine Ⅱ patients were better than Fontaine Ⅲ and Ⅳ patients (P ＜ 0.05),and primary patency rates of Fontaine Ⅲ patients were better than Fontaine Ⅳ patients (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Hybrid therapy procedures provide an effective treatment in complex arteriosclerosis obliterans patients.

Doppler noninvasive vascular scanning for the diagnosis of arteriosclerotic occlusion of the lower limbs / 中华普通外科杂志

Objectives To compare Doppler noninvasive vascular testing and computed tomographic angiography(CTA) with vascular angiography in the assessment of arteriosclerotic occlusion of the lower limbs. Methods In this study 97 lower extremities in 64 patients suffering from arteriosclerotic occlusion underwent both Doppler and CTA plus angiography. Angiogram results were taken as golden standard.The sensitivity and specificity of Doppler was calculated,the diagnostic accuracy of Doppler scanning and CTA plus angiography was calculated and compared.The statistic analysis was performed using x2 test in SPSS 16.0 format. Results Compared with CTA,Doppler scanning is equally accurate at the segments of iliac artery,common femoral artery,superficial femoral artery,dorsal pedis artery and posterior tibial artery (P ＞ 0.05).At segment of popliteal artery,Doppler scanning yields more accurate results (P ＜0.05 ). Conclusions Being noninvasive convenient and of good accuracy,Doppler examination has a role for the diagnosis of arteriosclerotic occlusion of the lower limbs.

Analysis of plague monitoring results in Zhangye city Gansu province from 1982 to 2011 / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To analyze the monitoring results of human and animal plague in Zhangye city from 1982 to 2011,and further explore the prevention and control policies and measures to control the spread of the disease.Methods The trends of human and animal plague were studied by retrospective survey in Zhangye city.Information of animal and human plague epidemic and prevention and control measures were collcoted and assessed with epidemiology methods,and the density of rodents,the rodents infected with flea,flea index and other indicators were calculated.Results 1982-2011,there were 6 cases of human plague incidence of 6 cases,of which 2 cases cured,4 cases died,the mortality rate was 67％; detection of Yersinia pestis from the captured 5167 animals was 93 strains from 1982 to 2011,the detection rate was 1.80％; 29 840 various vector insects were collected from the body surface of the 5167 animals captured,21 206 hole dries,and three marmot dens.A total of 7050 groups of Marmota parasites and hole stem fleas were inspected,52 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated,and the average detection rate was 0.74％; 3912 marmot serums were detected,178 were positive,and the positive rate was 4.55％.Conclusions The prevention and control of plague is still very grim in Zhangye city.It is recommended to take publicity,education and active surveillance measures in the future to deal with emergencies and other.

Endovascular angioplasty for extracranial vertebral artery stenosis caused by atherosclerosis / 中华普通外科杂志

Objectives To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovascular angioplasty for extracranial vertebral artery ( VA ) stenosis caused by atherosclerosis. Methods We analyzed retrospectively data of the 24 patients with extracranial vertebral artery stenosis who had been placed endovascular angioplasty from April 2006 to March 2010. According to Mori classification, there were 21 type A and 3 type B among all cases.The artery stenosis rate was 60％ -95％ , the average was 79％ ± 10％. Results Twenty-four balloon mounted stents were placed, the successful rate was 100％. Postoperatively the stenosis rate decreased to 4％ ± 6％. Patients were followed up from 3 to 36 months, the average was 22 months. Symptomes disappeared in 15 out of 17 patients. Postoperative restenosis on the treatment site with transient brain ischemia occurred in one patient. The symptoms in another patient of multiple cerebral infarction with ataxia and episodic vertigo were not relieved, although the patient didn't suffer from apoplectic seizure after the intervention. Postoperative color Doppler ultrasound revealed an over 50％ residual stenosis in 5 patients. The postoperative restenosis rate was 20. 8％. According to Malek scoring, 22 patients were scored 1 point, 1 patient scored 2 and one scored 4. Conclusions Endovascular angioplasty with stent placement is a safe and effective treatment. The restenosis rate could be futher reduced by technology improvement.

Effect of all-trans retinoic acid combined with trichostatin A on the nude mice bearing human follicular thyroid carcinoma / 中华核医学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the changes of iodine uptake of the follicular thyroid carcinoma cell line (FTC-133) and nude mice bearing human follicular thyroid carcinoma after the induction with alltrans retinoic acid (ATRA),trichostatin A (TSA) or ATRA combined with TSA.MethodsAfter the induction with ATRA,TSA,or ATRA combined with TSA in different concentrations for 96 h,the iodine uptake of FTC-133 cells was observed.The concentrations for different groups were as follows:ATRA 1.0 ×10-6 mol/L(Alow group),ATRA 1.0 × 10-4 mol/L(Ahigh group),TSA 1.65 ×10-7 mol/L(T group),Alow +T group,Ahigh +T group and ethanol (control group).Cell quantities and morphology were observed by HE staining.FTC-133 cells were subcutaneously injected into nude mice.Twelve nude mice were randomly divided into 4 groups after tumor formation:ATRA group (2 mg/kg,intragastric administration),TSA group (10 mg/kg,intraperitoneal injection),combined therapy group (ATRA + TSA,the same doses as above) and saline control group (10 ml/kg,intragastric and intraperitoneal administration,respectively).Drugs were administered to the tumor-bearing mice according to the mouse body mass daily.At the 22nd day,the tumor-bearing mice were injected with 37 MBq 131I intraperitoneally.The biodistribution of 131I and gamma imaging were performed at 4,6,12 and 24 h after the injection respectively.Histopathological examinations of the tumor samples were taken after imaging completion.The results were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS 13.0.ResultsThe cellular iodine uptake were (23 885 ± 616.0 ) and ( 13 849 ±728.2) counts · min-1 · 10-6 cells in the Alow + T group and Ahigh + T group respectively,and the data were (985 ± 84.2) - ( 17 600 ± 782.7 ) counts · min-1 · 10-6 in the other groups ( F =600.879,P ＜0.001 ).The ％ ID/g of tumor at 6 h was 6.17 ±0.46 in the combined group and it increased to 9.34 ±0.61 at 12 h and 11.19 ± 0.98 at 24 h.The ％ ID/g of tumor in the other groups were from ( 1.97 ± 0.34)to (5.14 ± 0.65 ).The tumor qualities of the 4 groups were significantly different ( F =3.723,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionThe iodine uptake of the tumor could be enhanced in the tumor-bearing mice administered with ATRA combined with TSA,a potential way for treating follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Long-term results of endovascular therapy for proximal subclavian arterial obstructive lesions / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Endovascular therapy is a treatment option for localized occlusion of the subclavian artery. In this report the long-term experience with 59 patients is presented.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between June 1998 and September 2008, we used endovascular therapy to treat 61 subclavian arterial obstructive lesions in 59 patients (46 males and 13 females, 34 - 82 years of age with a mean age (61.9 + or - 11.0) years). Twenty patients (34%) had clinical symptoms due to vertebrobasilar insufficiency, 26 (44%) had disabling arm ischemia, and 13 (22%) had both symptoms. We performed all procedures under local anesthesia. The approaches were from the femoral artery (n = 47), brachial artery (n = 1, involving bilateral subclavian disease) or both (n = 11). Sixty stents were implanted. All patients were followed-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-procedure, and annually thereafter.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We achieved technical success in 58 (95.1%) arteries, all of which were stented. There were three technical failures; two were due to the inability to cross over an occlusion, necessitating the switch to an axillo-axillary bypass, and the third was due to shock after digital subtraction angiography and prior to stenting. Arterial stenosis pre- and post-stenting was (83.6 + or - 10.8)% and (2.5 + or - 12.5)% (P < 0.01). Clinical success was achieved in 55 of the 59 patients (93.4%). Of the four clinical failures, three were technical and the remaining patient had a stent thrombosis. Systolic blood pressure difference between the two brachial arteries was (44.7 + or - 18.5) vs. (2.2 + or - 3.9) mmHg (P < 0.01). Primary patency was 98% at 12 months, 93% at 24 months, and 82% at 5 years. Five patients were lost to follow-up by 12 months post-stenting. Significant recurrent obstruction developed in five patients with resumption of clinical symptoms. The overall survival rate was 98.2% at 12 months, 89.5% at 24 months, and 84.5% at 5 years.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endovascular therapy for proximal subclavian arterial obstructive lesions is effective and successful. This minimally invasive treatment may be the first choice of treatment for proximal subclavical arterial obstructive lesions.</p>