Investigation of the Maturity Evaluation Indicator of Honey in Natural Ripening Process: The Case of Rape Honey.

Honey maturity, a critical factor for quality evaluation, is difficult to detect in the current industry research. The objective of this study was to explore the changes in the composition and find potential maturity indicators of rape honey at different maturity stages through evaluating physicochemical parameters (moisture, sugars, pH, electrical conductivity, total protein, total phenols, total flavonoids, proline, and enzyme activity), the antioxidant capacity, and volatile components. The relevant results are as follows: 1. As the maturity increased, the moisture, sucrose, and maltose content of rape honey gradually decreased, while the glucose, fructose, and total protein content gradually increased. The activities of diastase, invertase, and ß-glucosidase showed a significant increase with the elevation of ripening days, and the activity of glucose oxidase reached the highest before completely capping. 2. The antioxidant capacity of honey increased with the increase in honey maturity. There is a significant and strong correlation between the bioactive components of rape honey and antioxidant capacity (p < 0.01, |r| > 0.857). 3. Thirty-five volatile components have been identified. Nonanal, benzaldehyde monomer, and benzaldehyde dimer can be used as potential indicators for the identification of honey maturity stages. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on antioxidant parameters and volatile components can identify the maturity of honey.

Chemical Analyses and Antimicrobial Activity of Nine Kinds of Unifloral Chinese Honeys Compared to Manuka Honey (12+ and 20+).

Honey has good antimicrobial properties and can be used for medical treatment. The antimicrobial properties of unifloral honey varieties are different. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of nine kinds of Chinese monofloral honeys. In addition, headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) technology was used to detect their volatile components. The relevant results are as follows: 1. The agar diffusion test showed that the diameter of inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus of Fennel honey (21.50 ± 0.41 mm), Agastache honey (20.74 ± 0.37 mm), and Pomegranate honey (18.16 ± 0.11 mm) was larger than that of Manuka 12+ honey (14.27 ± 0.10 mm) and Manuka 20+ honey (16.52 ± 0.12 mm). The antimicrobial activity of Chinese honey depends on hydrogen peroxide. 2. The total antioxidant capacity of Fennel honey, Agastache honey, and Pomegranate honey was higher than that of other Chinese honeys. There was a significant positive correlation between the total antioxidant capacity and the total phenol content of Chinese honey (r = 0.958). The correlation coefficient between the chroma value of Chinese honey and the total antioxidant and the diameter of inhibition zone was 0.940 and 0.746, respectively. The analyzed dark honeys had better antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. 3. There were significant differences in volatile components among Fennel honey, Agastache honey, Pomegranate honey, and Manuka honey. Hexanal-D and Heptanol were the characteristic components of Fennel honey and Pomegranate honey, respectively. Ethyl 2-methylbutyrate and 3-methylpentanoic acids were the unique compounds of Agastache honey. The flavor fingerprints of the honey samples from different plants can be successfully built using HS-GC-IMS and principal component analysis (PCA) based on their volatile compounds. Fennel honey, Agastache honey, and Pomegranate honey are Chinese honey varieties with excellent antimicrobial properties, and have the potential to be developed into medical grade honey.

Levels and congener profiles of halogenated persistent organic pollutants in human serum and semen at an e-waste area in South China.

Typical halogenated persistent organic pollutants (Hal-POPs), including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), are a group of ubiquitous organic pollutants with an endocrine disrupting effect. This study evaluated the accumulation and congener profiles of Hal-POPs in the bodies of men who live/work in areas of South China where electronic wastes are collected and managed, especially in their semen samples. The results show that the detection frequency and serum concentrations of Hal-POP congeners within the high-exposure group (HEG) were higher than those of the low-exposure group (LEG). Furthermore, an identical trend was observed for the seminal plasma concentrations of Hal-POPs. The distribution characteristics, such as their mean, median, and discrete values, of PBDE congeners in serum and semen samples from the same subjects were consistent with each other. However, the distribution characteristics of PCB congeners in serum samples were different from those in semen samples. BDE153 was one of the most abundant congeners found in the serum and semen samples; hence, it can be identified as an indicator PBDE congener. Further research is needed to explore the mechanism of Hal-POPs distribution in human semen and serum samples.

Study on Clinical Significance of LncRNA EGOT Expression in Colon Cancer and Its Effect on Autophagy of Colon Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Colon cancer (CC) is a common digestive tract tumor, and the increase of new and dead patients every year still puzzles clinical workers. LncRNA eosinophil granule ontogeny transcript (EGOT), as a newly discovered long-chain noncoding RNA (lncRNA), is differentially expressed in other tumors, but there are fewer studies of it in colon cancer. METHODS: The relative expression and diagnostic value of EGOT in CC were detected and analyzed by starBase online website and qRT-PCR. The patients were followed-up for five years, and Cox regression was used to analyze the independent prognostic factors of CC. The effects of EGOT overexpression (pcDNA-RGOT) on CC cell function were detected by CCK-8, transwell and flow cytometry. WB was applied to detect autophagy. The influence of knocking out EGOT (sh-EGOT) on tumor growth was observed by tumor allogeneic inhibition. The microRNA (miR) and mRNA in the downstream of EGOT were predicted and the ceRNA network map was drawn. RESULTS: The online database and qRT-PCR detection showed that EGOT was highly expression in patients with CC and had good diagnostic value. The five-year survival rate of patients with high expression of EGOT decreased. EGOT and TNM staging were independent prognostic factors of patients with CC. Functional analysis revealed that the growth and invasion abilities of cells increased, and the apoptosis rate decreased after overexpression. Upregulation of EGOT inhibited autophagy of CC cells and promoted cell growth. However, the tumor in nude mice was significantly lessened after knockout of EGOT. Bioinformatic analysis showed that microRNA-33a-5p and microRNA-33b-5p had targeted binding sites with EGOT. CONCLUSION: EGOT is highly expressed in CC and has high diagnostic value. In addition, inhibition of EGOT can promote autophagy of CC cells and inhibit cell growth and metastasis, which is expected to be a potential therapeutic index.

[Prediction model of meteorological grade of wheat stripe rust in winter-reproductive area, Sichuan Basin, China]. / å››å·ç›†åœ°å†¬ç¹åŒºå°éº¦æ¡é”ˆç— æ°”è±¡ç­‰çº§é¢„æµ‹æ¨¡åž‹.

The winter reproductive areas of Puccinia striiformis var. striiformis in Sichuan Basin are often the places mostly affected by wheat stripe rust. With data on the meteorological condition and stripe rust situation at typical stations in the winter reproductive area in Sichuan Basin from 1999 to 2016, this paper classified the meteorological conditions inducing wheat stripe rust into 5 grades, based on the incidence area ratio of the disease. The meteorological factors which were biologically related to wheat stripe rust were determined through multiple analytical methods, and a meteorological grade model for forecasting wheat stripe rust was created. The result showed that wheat stripe rust in Sichuan Basin was significantly correlated with many meteorological factors, such as the ave-rage (maximum and minimum) temperature, precipitation and its anomaly percentage, relative humidity and its anomaly percentage, average wind speed and sunshine duration. Among these, the average temperature and the anomaly percentage of relative humidity were the determining factors. According to a historical retrospective test, the accuracy of the forecast based on the model was 64% for samples in the county-level test, and 89% for samples in the municipal-level test. In a meteorological grade forecast of wheat stripe rust in the winter reproductive areas in Sichuan Basin in 2017, the prediction was accurate for 62.8% of the samples, with 27.9% error by one grade and only 9.3% error by two or more grades. As a result, the model could deliver satisfactory forecast results, and predicate future wheat stripe rust from a meteorological point of view.

Clinical Retrospective Analysis of 9 Cases of Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma.

PURPOSE: The management of intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma (IFNS) is challenging because it is extremely rare and often misdiagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma or another parotid tumor. The purpose of this study was to report on the authors' experience in the treatment of IFNS and to review the literature regarding the diagnosis and management of IFNS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1997 through October 2015, 916 consecutive parotidectomies were performed at Shenzhen People's Hospital (Shenzhen, China). Of 916 parotid tumors samples, 9 cases of IFNS confirmed by histopathology were identified and analyzed retrospectively. In addition, 161 published cases from 1956 through 2015 were systematically reviewed. RESULTS: Nine cases of IFNS were identified from 916 parotid tumors samples and accounted for 0.98% of all parotid tumors. All these patients with IFNS underwent tumor removal and parotidectomy with preservation of facial nerve (FN) continuity. The mean follow-up period was 6.2 years (range, 1 to 16 yr). Facial function improved gradually from House-Brackmann grade (HBG) II to III immediately postoperatively to HBG I during the subsequent 3 to 9 months in all cases. Tumor recurrence with stylomastoid foramen involvement was observed in 1 case 3 years after surgery. The others remained free of recurrence. Of 161 IFNS cases reported in the literature, 17 cases with facial paresis were found to have intra-temporal involvement, but no facial paresis was found in patients with intraparotid involvement only. CONCLUSIONS: An IFNS is easily misdiagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma or Warthin tumor preoperatively; the correct diagnosis for IFNS depends mainly on intraoperative observation of the gross relation between the tumor and the FN or excision frozen biopsy examination. The integrity of the FN should be preserved for patients with IFNS and without facial paresis, whenever possible.

Cystic metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting as branchial cleft cyst: report of two cases and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To describe the differential diagnosis between solitary cystic metastatic carcinoma from branchial cleft cyst and provide references for clinicians to treat cystic metastases from primary sites of the head and neck region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cases of cystic metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are presented and a review of the relevant English literature on cystic metastasis from head and neck cancer was performed. RESULTS: Two adult patients with a lateral cystic neck mass were initially clinically diagnosed as branchial cleft cysts. Based on the postoperative histopathologic examination and nasopharyngeal blind biopsy, they were finally diagnosed as cystic metastases from occult nasopharyngeal carcinoma. After a review of the literature, diagnostic strategies, histopathologic features, and therapeutic options for cervical cystic metastases were discussed. CONCLUSION: Cervical cystic metastasis of NPC in adults may mimic branchial cleft cyst in clinical, radiological, and even histological features. Surgeons should bear in mind that when lateral neck cysts with characteristics of suspected malignancy are confronted, nasopharynx examination, including blind or random biopsy, is highly recommended before surgery. Metastatic disease should always be considered as a potential differential diagnosis in adult patients with a cystic neck lesion. Correct diagnosis is important so that appropriate surgical and radiotherapeutic treatment can be delivered.

Guan-Din method: a novel surgical technique for selective thoracic fusion to maximize the rate of selective thoracic fusion and compensatory correction.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective radiographical review. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of selective thoracic fusion (STF) by using the Guan-Din method for the treatment of major thoracic compensatory lumbar (MTCL) curves. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Performing STF for MTCL curves is to minimize the loss of lumbar motion and the risk of lumbar degeneration or pain. Surgical treatment of MTCL curves aims to maximize the rate of STF for MTCL curves while optimizing instrumental thoracic and compensatory lumbar correction. The Guan-Din method has been demonstrated to be able to enhance the lumbar curve's capacity for spontaneous correction and broaden the current curve criteria of MTCL curves for STF. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2010, 510 consecutive surgically treated MTCL curves were reviewed. Of these MTCL curves, who met the criteria of lumbar side bending Cobb 35° or less and without global thoracic hyperkyphosis and/or thoracolumbar kyphosis (T10-L2 ≤20°), were treated with STF using the Guan-Din method. Radiographs were analyzed before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the most recent follow-up (range, 2-8 yr). RESULTS: Curve types of 510 MTCL curves according to Lenke system were as follows: 1A (n = 91), 2A (n = 74), 3A (n = 6), 4A (n = 2), 1B (n = 93), 2B (n = 34), 3B (n = 8), 4B (n = 5), 1C (n = 84), 2C (n = 26), 3C (n = 72), and 4C (n = 15). Of the 510 MTCL curves, 458 (90%) curves were treated with STF. A mean 73% thoracic correction and 63% lumbar correction was obtained at the most recent follow-up. Of the 197 surgically treated MTCL curves with a lumbar C modifier, 148 (75%) curves that contained 57 Lenke 1C and 2C curves and 40 Lenke 3C and 4C curves that did not meet Lenke curve criteria for STF, were successfully treated with STF. A mean 67% thoracic correction and 57% lumbar correction was obtained at the most recent follow-up. The rate of STF and the magnitude of correction of MTCL curves in this study were significantly greater than those in all other reports. No significant change in global coronal and sagittal imbalance was observed. CONCLUSION: The rate of STF and the compensatory correction of MTCL curves could be maximized by using the Guan-Din method as the method for STF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Association of genetic variant in 12-lipoxygenase and risk of hepatic carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of 12-lipoxygenase (LOX12) Arg261Gln polymorphism with the risk of hepatic carcinoma in Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 280 cases of hepatic carcinoma and 560 frequency-matched controls were recruited from January 2008 to December 2012 at Hebei United University Affiliated Hospital. The method of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was employed to genotype LOX12 Arg261Gln polymorphism. And odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with a model of unconditional Logistic regression. RESULTS: The allelic frequency for LOX12 Arg261Gln was significantly higher in hepatic carcinoma cases than that in controls (0.563 vs 0.437). For the control group, the three genotypes of LOX12 Arg/Arg, Arg/Gln and Gln/Gln were 24.3% (136/560), 52.9% (296/560) and 22.8% (128/560) respectively. For the hepatic carcinoma group, these three genotypes were 19.1% (53/278), 49.3% (137/278) and 31.6% (88/278) respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that, compared with 261 Arg/Arg genotype carriers, the subjects with 261Gln/Gln had increased risks for hepatic carcinoma (OR = 1.83, 95%CI:1.18-2.84). When stratified by smoking status, the 261Gln/Gln carriers had an increased risk of developing hepatic carcinoma (OR = 2.23, 95%CI:1.16-4.26) among smokers, but not among non-smokers. CONCLUSION: LOX12 Arg261Gln polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to hepatic carcinoma.

A single-dose toxicity study on non-radioactive iodinated hypericin for a targeted anticancer therapy in mice.

AIM: Hypericin (Hyp) and its radio-derivatives have been investigated in animal models with ischemic heart diseases and malignancies for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Before radioiodinated Hyp ((123)I-Hyp or (131)I-Hyp) can be considered as a clinically useful drug, vigorous evaluations on its chemotoxicity are necessary. In the present study, we examined the toxicity of a single dose of non-radioactive (127)I-Hyp in normal mice for 24 h and 14 d. METHODS: Studies were performed on 132 normal mice. (127)I -Hyp at a clinically relevant dose of 0.1 mg/kg body weight and a 100-times higher dose of 10 mg/kg was intravenously injected into 40 mice. The safety aspects of clinical manifestations, serological biochemistry, and histopathology were assessed. In another 72 mice, (127)I-Hyp was administered intravenously at assumed values to bracket the value of LD(50). The rest 20 mice were used in the control groups. RESULTS: At 24 h and 14 d following the injection of (127)I -Hyp at either 0.1 or 10 mg/kg, all mice tolerated well without mortality or any observable treatment-related symptoms. No significant differences were found in blood biochemical parameters between the test and control groups. All organs presented normal appearances upon histopathological inspection. The value of LD(50) of (127)I-Hyp in mice through intravenous injection was 20.26 mg/kg, with the 95% confidence interval between 18.90 and 21.55 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: The current study reveals a broad safety range of (127)I-Hyp, which not only supports the use of (123)I-Hyp or (131)I-Hyp in the necrosis targeting theragnostic strategy, but also serves as a valuable reference for exploring other possible applications for iodinated Hyp.

Tai Chi pedicle screw placement for severe scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical safety and accuracy of the Tai Chi ((Equation is included in full-text article.)) technique for placing pedicle screws, without intraoperative radiographic imaging, in severe scoliotic spines. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The current techniques for pedicle screw placement have a number of drawbacks in cases of severe scoliosis, including difficulty or impossibility to use, delayed operative time, requiring the presence of trained personnel for the duration of the surgery, high cost issues, increased radiation exposure, and technical challenges. No previous report has described the application of the Tai Chi pedicle screw placement technique for severe scoliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2008, the cases of 39 consecutive patients with severe scoliosis (Cobb angle >100 degrees) who underwent posterior correction and stabilization (from T1 to L5) using 992 transpedicular screws were examined. The mean patient age was 25.7 (range, 11 to 63) years at the time of surgery. Pedicle screws were inserted by the Tai Chi technique using anatomic landmarks and preoperative radiographs as a guide. Tai Chi drilling fully utilizes the natural anatomic and physical characteristics of pedicles and unconstrained circular force. By nature, a drill bit driven by unconstrained circular force would migrate within the pedicle along a path of least resistance, advancing along the central cancellous bone tunnel spontaneously. Accurate drilling was achieved by following the nature and sticking to the hand sensation when the drill bit broke through the cancellous bone. The total time for inserting all pedicle screws in each case was recorded. Postoperative computed tomography scans were performed to evaluate the position of the inserted pedicle screws. The screw position was classified as "in" or "out." The distance of perforation was measured. RESULT: The average Cobb angle was 127 degrees (range, 100 to 153 degrees). The number of screws inserted at each level were as follows: T1 (n=10), T2 (n=34), T3 (n=46), T4 (n=53), T5 (n=61), T6 (n=69), T7 (n=75), T8 (n=76), T9 (n=76), T10 (n=77), T11 (n=76), T12 (n=78), L1 (n=77), L2 (n=68), L3 (n=56), L4 (n=38), and L5 (n=22). There were 923 (93%) "in" screws and 69 (7%) "out" screws. The overall accuracy of screw placement was 93%. There were no neurological, vascular, or visceral complications. No screws required postoperative repositioning. The average time for pedicle screw placement was 73 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the Tai Chi pedicle screw placement technique, which does not require intraoperative radiographic imaging, is an accurate, reliable, safe, and time-saving method of placing pedicle screws in severe scoliotic spines.

Partial cone conformer of 25,27-bis-[(methoxy-carbonyl)-meth-oxy]-26,28-dipropoxycalix[4]arene.

Mol-ecules of the title compound, C(40)H(44)O(8), adopt a partial cone conformation. The dihedral angles between the planes of the aromatic rings and the mean plane through the methyl-ene C atoms bridging the aromatic rings are 35.74 (7), 85.86 (5), 87.77 (4) and 89.95 (5)°. Two opposite aryl rings are approximately parallel to each other; the others are at an inter-planar angle of 52.41 (6)°. Intra- and inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds stabilize the mol-ecular conformation and the crystal packing. Two C atoms of one propoxy chain are disordered over two positions; the site occupancy factors are ca 0.66 and 0.34.

[Experimental study of delayed implantation on bone grafts].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of transplantation of frozen autogenous mandible with delayed implantation. METHODS: Operations were performed to create two defects in the bilateral mandible of 16 dogs. The left defect was grafted by composite transplantation of frozen autogenous mandible (immersed in -196 degrees C liquid nitrogen) with fresh cancellous ilium (composite transplantation group, CTG). The right defect was grafted by fresh ilium (iliac transplantation group, ITG). Three months after transplantation one IMZ TPS dental implant was placed into the graft of each side. At 3, 6, 9, 12 weeks postoperatively, 4 animals were sacrificed respectively and the grafts with dental implant were harvested for gross observation, X-Ray examination and histological evaluation to compare peri-implant bone healing between composite transplantation group and iliac transplantation group. RESULTS: There was no absorbing bone density reducing image of peri-implant at each stage. The quantified X-Ray gray extent displayed obvious variation of interfacial bone density between two kinds of grafts at 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 9 weeks after implantation. The composite transplantation group obviously surpassed the iliac transplantation group. At 12 weeks after the implantation, there was no significant difference between the peri-implant bones of both sides. There was satisfactory osseointegration between the implants and the two kinds of grafts. The healing style of peri-implant bone was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Good osseointegration was performed between the implant and the composite transplantation of frozen autogenous mandible following delayed implantation.

The evaluation of jaw function subsequent to bilateral sagittal split osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the jaw function and anatomical changes subsequent to orthodontic treatment combined with mandibular advancement or set-back surgery. STUDY DESIGN: The sample consisted of 67 combined skeletal and dental malocclusion patients, who had received orthodontic and surgical treatment previously. Three and 6 months following jaw surgery, the following jaw functions were evaluated: the level of occlusal force developed, the efficiency of masticatory function, the size in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the relationship between occlusal force and maxillo-mandibular skeletal change, and the range of mandibular movement. RESULTS: The results revealed that after surgery the occlusal force, masticatory function, TMJ positioning, and mandibular movement distance were all different from presurgery values. The surgical set-back group jaw function recovery proved to be more rapid than that for the mandibular-advancement group. CONCLUSION: Surgical mandibular advancement and set-back by sagittal-split osteotomy influence subsequent mandibular function.