The structure-properties relationships of native and debranched starch (DBS) were investigated by analyzing the results of DSC, XRD, NMR, HPAEC, FT-IR, SEM, hydrolysis, and digestibility properties. ...After debranching of starch in waxy rice, japonica rice, and indica rice, the linear short-chain molecules formed were easier to alignment and aggregation, and associate into a double helix. The crystalline structure of the rice starch after the pullulanase treatment was transformed from the type A to the type V crystalline by XRD measurement. Based on FT-IR and
13
C NMR observations, molecular rearrangement and degree of order in starch granules increased. The DSC curve showed an increase in gelatinization temperature of debranched starch compared to native starch. Meanwhile, Solubility, water holding capacity and resistant starch content of DBS also raised. The study of structure- properties relationship provides a theoretical foundation for the development of foods or drugs with targeted functional properties.
Abbreviations: WS: waxy rice starch; JS: Japonica rice starch; IS: Indica rice starch; DBWS: debranched waxy rice starch; DBJS: debranched Japonica rice starch; DBIS: debranched Indica rice starch; RDS: rapidly digestible starch; SDS: slowly digestible starch; RS: resistant starch; DP: degree of polymerization; DSC: differential scanning calorimertry; Gelatinization temperature at onset (T
o
), peak (T
p
), and end (T
c
); ∆H: transition enthalpy; HPSEC: high-performance size-exclusion chromatography; ATR-FTIR: Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance; XRD: X-ray diffraction; SEM: Scanning electron microscopy; WHC: Water holding capacity.
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) entails complex pathological changes and causes lower back pain (LBP). However, there is still a lack of understanding of the mechanisms involved in IDD, ...particularly regarding the roles of autophagy and ferroptosis. The current study used microarray data to investigate the pathogenesis of IDD and potential biomarkers related to autophagy and ferroptosis in IDD.
Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by analyzing the mRNA and miRNA expression profiles of IDD patients from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The protein-protein interaction network, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were utilized. The Human Autophagy Database (HADb) and Ferroptosis Database were used in conjunction with hub genes to identify autophagy- and ferroptosis-related genes. The Transcription Factor -hub gene-miRNA network was constructed. Lastly, the expression of DEGs in normal and degenerated nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) was investigated
the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
A total of 362 DEGs associated with IDD were identified. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that oxidative stress, extracellular matrix, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and ferroptosis were key factors in IDD occurrence. GSEA indicated that IDD was associated with changes in autophagy, iron ion homeostasis, extracellular matrix, and oxidative stress. Eighty-nine hub genes were obtained, including five that were autophagy-related and three that were ferroptosis-related. Of these, TP53 and SESN2 were the intersections of autophagy- and ferroptosis-related genes. In qRT-PCR analysis, CANX, SLC38A1, and TP53 were downregulated in degenerative NPCs, whereas GNAI3, SESN2, and VAMP3 were upregulated.
The current study revealed aspects of autophagy- and ferroptosis-related genes involved in IDD pathogenesis, warranting further investigation.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the primary epidemic strain in China. Its genome contains two regulatory genes (tat and rev), three structural genes (gag, pol, and env), and four ...accessory genes (nef, vpr, vpu, and vif). Long terminal repeats (LTRs) in thegenome regulate integration, duplication, and expression of viral gene. The permissibility of HIV-1 infection hinges on the host cell cycle status. HIV-1 replicates by exploiting various cellular processes via upregulation or downregulation of specific cellular proteins that also control viral pathogenesis. For example, HIV-1 regulates the life cycle of p53, which in turn contributes significantly to HIV-1 pathogenesis. In this article, we review the interaction between HIV-1-associated factors and p53, providing information on their regulatory and molecular mechanisms, hinting possible directions for further research.
The olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is an economically important flatfish in marine aquaculture with a broad thermal tolerance ranging from 14 to 23°C. Cold-tolerant flounder that can survive ...during the winter season at a temperature of less than 14°C might facilitate the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the response to cold stress. In this study, the transcriptional response of flounder to cold stress (0.7±0.05°C) was characterized using RNA sequencing. Transcriptome sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform for the cold-tolerant (CT) group, which survived under the cold stress; the cold-sensitive (CS) group, which could barely survive at the low temperature; and control group, which was not subjected to cold treatment. In all, 29,021 unigenes were generated. Compared with the unigene expression profile of the control group, 410 unigenes were up-regulated and 255 unigenes were down-regulated in the CT group, whereas 593 unigenes were up-regulated and 289 unigenes were down-regulated in the CS group. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed that signal transduction, lipid metabolism, digestive system, and signaling molecules and interaction were the most highly enriched pathways for the genes that were differentially expressed under cold stress. All these pathways could be assigned to the following four biological functions for flounder that can survive under cold stress: signal response to cold stress, cell repair/regeneration, energy production, and cell membrane construction and fluidity.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) or soy protein concentrate (SPC) with wheat gluten on growth performance, feed utilization, and nutrient digestibility ...and retention in Japanese seabass (
). Seven isonitrogenous (441-456 g kg
crude protein) and isocaloric (21.5-22.0 MJ kg
gross energy) diets were produced to replace 0%, 33.3%, 66.7% and 100% of FM or SPC with a mixture of wheat gluten, wheat, and taurine (GWT, 77.5% wheat gluten, 20.5% wheat and 2.0% taurine). The gradual replacement of protein in FM with GWT had no significant effects on feed intake, whole-body composition, and the hepatosomatic and viscerosomatic indices, but resulted in a linear decrease in the weight gain rate, feed efficiency, and retention of nitrogen, energy, and essential amino acids (Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, and Val). The apparent digestibility of most essential amino acids (Cys, His, Leu, Lys, and Phe) and total amino acids increased linearly. Replacement protein in SPC with GWT had no significant effects on feed intake, growth, the feed conversion ratio, whole-body composition, and the hepatosomatic index, but resulted in a linear decrease in nitrogen, energy, and Met retention; the digestibility of Cys and Met increased linearly. Overall, wheat gluten is a more effective alternative for replacing protein in SPC than FM.
Effective treatment of brain neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, or tumors should be possible with drug delivery through blood-brain barrier (BBB) or blood-brain ...tumor barrier (BTB) and targeting specific types of brain cells with drug release into the cell cytoplasm. A polymeric nanobioconjugate drug based on biodegradable, nontoxic, and nonimmunogenic polymalic acid as a universal delivery nanoplatform was used for design and synthesis of nanomedicine drug for i.v. treatment of brain tumors. The polymeric drug passes through the BTB and tumor cell membrane using tandem monoclonal antibodies targeting the BTB and tumor cells. The next step for polymeric drug action was inhibition of tumor angiogenesis by specifically blocking the synthesis of a tumor neovascular trimer protein, laminin-411, by attached antisense oligonucleotides (AONs). The AONs were released into the target cell cytoplasm via pH-activated trileucine, an endosomal escape moiety. Drug delivery to the brain tumor and the release mechanism were both studied for this nanobiopolymer. Introduction of a trileucine endosome escape unit resulted in significantly increased AON delivery to tumor cells, inhibition of laminin-411 synthesis in vitro and in vivo, specific accumulation in brain tumors, and suppression of intracranial glioma growth compared with pH-independent leucine ester. The availability of a systemically active polymeric drug delivery system that passes through the BTB, targets tumor cells, and inhibits glioma growth gives hope for a successful strategy of glioma treatment. This delivery system with drug release into the brain-specific cell type could be useful for treatment of various brain pathologies.
Talaromycosis is an invasive endemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus
(
, TM). It mainly affects immunodeficient patients, especially HIV-infected individuals, which causes significant ...morbidity and mortality. Culture-based diagnosis takes a long turnaround time with low sensitivity, leading to treatment delay. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) for the rapid diagnosis of talaromycosis in HIV-infected patients.
Retrospectively analysis was conducted in HIV-infected cases at Changsha First Hospital (China) from January 2021 to March 2022. Patients who underwent routine microbiological examination and mNGS testing in parallel were enrolled. The clinical final diagnosis was used as a reference standard, and cases were classified into the TM group (60 cases) and the non-TM group (148 cases). The clinical performances of mNGS were compared with culture and serum Galactomannan (GM). The mixed infections detected by mNGS were analyzed. The impact of mNGS detection on treatment was also investigated.
The sensitivity of mNGS test reached 98.3% (95% CI, 89.8-99.9), which was significantly higher than culture (66.7% 95% CI, 53.2-77.9,
< 0.001) and serum GM (83.3% 95% CI, 71.0-91.2,
< 0.05). The specificity of 98.6% (95% CI, 94.7-99.7) was similar to culture (100.0% 95% CI, 96.8-100.0,
= 0.156), and superior to serum GM (91.9% 95% CI, 85.9-95.5,
< 0.05). In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples, the positive rate of mNGS was 97.6%, which was significantly higher than culture (28.6%,
0.001). mNGS has excellent performance in the identification of mixed infection in TM group patients.
,
and
were the most common concurrent pathogens. In summary, 60.0% (36/60) patients were added or adjusted to antimicrobial therapy after mNGS test.
mNGS is a powerful technique with high specificity and sensitivity for the rapid diagnosis of talaromycosis. mNGS of BALF samples may be a good option for early identification of
in HIV-infected individuals with manifestations of infection. Moreover, mNGS shows excellent performance in mixed infection, which benefits timely treatment and potential mortality reduction.
Introduction
The benefits of minimally invasive surgery are numerous; however, considerable variability exists in its application and there is a lack of standardized training for important advanced ...skills. Our goal was to determine whether participation in an advanced laparoscopic curriculum (ALC) results in improved laparoscopic suturing skills.
Methods and procedures
Study design was a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Surgery novices and trainees underwent baseline FLS training and were pre-tested on bench models. Participants were stratified by pre-test score and randomized to undergo either further FLS training (control group) or ALC training (intervention group). All were post-tested on the same bench model. Tests for differences between post-test scores of cohorts were performed using least squared means. Multivariable regression identified predictors of post-test score, and Wilcoxon rank sum test assessed for differences in confidence improvement in laparoscopic suturing ability between groups.
Results
Between November 2018 and May 2019, 25 participants completed the study (16 females; 9 males). After adjustment for relevant variables, participants randomized to the ALC group had significantly higher post-test scores than those undergoing FLS training alone (mean score 90.50 versus 82.99,
p
= 0.001). The only demographic or other variables found to predict post-test score include level of training (
p
= 0.049) and reported years of video gaming (
p
= 0.034). There was no difference in confidence improvement between groups.
Conclusions
Training using the ALC as opposed to basic laparoscopic skills training only is associated with superior advanced laparoscopic suturing performance without affecting improvement in reported confidence levels. Performance on advanced laparoscopic suturing tasks may be predicted by lifetime cumulative video gaming history and year of training but does not appear to be associated with other factors previously studied in relation to basic laparoscopic skills, such as surgical career aspiration or musical ability.
X-ray excited photodynamic therapy (X-PDT) is the bravo answer of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for deep-seated tumors, as it employs X-ray as the irradiation source to overcome the limitation of light ...penetration depth. However, high X-ray irradiation dose caused organ lesions and side effects became the major barrier to X-PDT application. To address this issue, this work employed a classical co-precipitation reaction to synthesize NaLuF
4
:15%Tb
3+
(NLF) with an average particle size of (23.48 ± 0.91) nm, which was then coupled with the photosensitizer merocyanine 540 (MC540) to form the X-PDT system NLF–MC540 with high production of singlet oxygen. The system could induce antitumor efficacy to about 24% in relative low dose X-ray irradiation range (0.1–0.3 Gy).
In vivo
, when NLF–MC540 irradiated by 0.1 Gy X-ray, the tumor inhibition percentage reached 89.5% ± 5.7%. The therapeutic mechanism of low dose X-PDT was found. A significant increase of neutrophils in serum was found on the third day after X-PDT. By immunohistochemical staining of tumor sections, the Ly6G
+
, CD8
+
, and CD11c
+
cells infiltrated in the tumor microenvironment were studied. Utilizing the bilateral tumor model, the NLF–MC540 with 0.1 Gy X-ray irradiation could inhibit both the primary tumor and the distant tumor growth. Detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), two cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α in serum were upregulated 7 and 6 times than negative control, respectively. Detected by enzyme linked immune spot assay (ELISPOT), the number of immune cells attributable to the IFN-γ and TNF-α levels in the group of low dose X-PDT were 14 and 6 times greater than that in the negative control group, respectively. Thus, it conclude that low dose X-PDT system could successfully upregulate the levels of immune cells, stimulate the secretion of cytokines (especially IFN-γ and TNF-α), activate antitumor immunity, and finally inhibit colon tumor growth.
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR)-sensitive mutations are extremely important for targeted treatment strategies in lung cancer. Osimertinib can effectively inhibit the activity of ...EGFR-sensitive mutations, including the T790M mutation. However, the efficiency of osimertinib for rare mutation types of T790 is unclear. Here, we report the case of a Chinese patient with lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) harboring a T790I mutation who achieved significant benefits from osimertinib treatment.
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