To examine and quantify the potential dose-response relationship between red and processed meat consumption and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality.
We searched MEDLINE, Embase, ...ISI Web of Knowledge, CINHAL, Scopus, the Cochrane library and reference lists of retrieved articles up to 30 November 2014 without language restrictions. We retrieved prospective cohort studies that reported risk estimates for all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality by red and/or processed meat intake levels. The dose-response relationships were estimated using data from red and processed meat intake categories in each study. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled relative risks and 95 % confidence intervals and to incorporate between-study variations.
Nine articles with seventeen prospective cohorts were eligible in this meta-analysis, including a total of 150 328 deaths. There was evidence of a non-linear association between processed meat consumption and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, but not for cancer mortality. For processed meat, the pooled relative risk with an increase of one serving per day was 1·15 (95 % CI 1·11, 1·19) for all-cause mortality (five studies; P<0·001 for linear trend), 1·15 (95 % CI 1·07, 1·24) for cardiovascular mortality (six studies; P<0·001) and 1·08 (95 % CI 1·06, 1·11) for cancer mortality (five studies; P<0·001). Similar associations were found with total meat intake. The association between unprocessed red meat consumption and mortality risk was found in the US populations, but not in European or Asian populations.
The present meta-analysis indicates that higher consumption of total red meat and processed meat is associated with an increased risk of total, cardiovascular and cancer mortality.
Chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) has become the dominant technique for mapping transcription factor (TF) binding regions genome-wide. We performed an ...integrative analysis centered around 457 ChIP-seq data sets on 119 human TFs generated by the ENCODE Consortium. We identified highly enriched sequence motifs in most data sets, revealing new motifs and validating known ones. The motif sites (TF binding sites) are highly conserved evolutionarily and show distinct footprints upon DNase I digestion. We frequently detected secondary motifs in addition to the canonical motifs of the TFs, indicating tethered binding and cobinding between multiple TFs. We observed significant position and orientation preferences between many cobinding TFs. Genes specifically expressed in a cell line are often associated with a greater occurrence of nearby TF binding in that cell line. We observed cell-line-specific secondary motifs that mediate the binding of the histone deacetylase HDAC2 and the enhancer-binding protein EP300. TF binding sites are located in GC-rich, nucleosome-depleted, and DNase I sensitive regions, flanked by well-positioned nucleosomes, and many of these features show cell type specificity. The GC-richness may be beneficial for regulating TF binding because, when unoccupied by a TF, these regions are occupied by nucleosomes in vivo. We present the results of our analysis in a TF-centric web repository Factorbook (http://factorbook.org) and will continually update this repository as more ENCODE data are generated.
Purple-leaf tea is a phenotype with unique color because of its high anthocyanin content. The special flavor of purple-leaf tea is highly different from that of green-leaf tea, and its main ...ingredient is also of economic value. To probe the genetic mechanism of the phenotypic characteristics of tea leaf color, we conducted widely targeted metabolic and transcriptomic profiling. The metabolites in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway of purple- and green-leaf tea were compared, and results showed that phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, accumulated in purple-leaf tea. The high expression of genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis (e.g.,
and
) exhibits the specific expression of biosynthesis and the accumulation of these metabolites. Our result also shows that two Cs
s were positively related to the accumulation of anthocyanin. Moreover, genes encoding transcription factors that regulate flavonoids were identified by coexpression analysis. These results may help to identify the metabolic factors that influence leaf color differentiation and provide reference for future research on leaf color biology and the genetic improvement of tea.
To explore the relationship between dietary patterns and physical fitness among older Chinese (≥60 years) individuals.
Cross-sectional survey. Dietary data were collected by a simplified ...semi-quantitative FFQ. The 30-s Chair Stand test (30sCST), 30-s Arm Curl test (30sACT), 8-foot Time Up-and-Go test (8fTUAGT) and 6-min Walking test (6mWT) were used to assess physical fitness. Dietary patterns were obtained by factor analysis. The association between dietary patterns and physical fitness was explored by multiple logistic regression.
Six communities (villages) of three districts in Liaocheng City (Shandong Province, China).
A total of 596 residents were recruited from April to May 2017.
Among 556 residents who were finally enrolled, 196 were men (35 %) and 360 were women (65 %). Three dietary patterns were identified: 'Western', 'Vegetarian' and 'Modern'. The 30sACT revealed that men in the fourth quartile of the Western pattern were less likely to be classified in the 'high-level' group, but men in the fourth quartile of the Vegetarian pattern were classified in the high-level group. The 6mWT revealed that men in the fourth quartile of the Modern pattern were classified in the high-level group. These associations were independent of confounding factors.
Adherence to the Vegetarian pattern and Modern pattern may be protective factors for maintaining good physical fitness in older Chinese individuals. The Western pattern may lead to poor physical fitness in this population.
Key message
In albino tea cultivars, the content of chlorophyll, carotenoids and metabolites changes significantly, which has an important influence on the regulation mechanism of tea albinism.
...Albino tea mutants with specific shoot colors (white or yellow) have received extensive attention for their uniqueness. Herein, novel natural mutants of
C. sinensis
‘Fuyun 6’ with yellow leaves (YF-6) and the same genetic background as the original green variety (GF-6) were obtained. The metabolomes of the two species were compared using LC–ESI–MS/MS. A total of 124 significantly changed metabolites (SCMs) were identified in the metabolite profile of YF-6. Compared with GF-6, 64 upregulated metabolites and 60 downregulated metabolites were identified in YF-6. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the differential metabolites were mainly enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Moreover, metabolites related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism were enriched in other secondary metabolic pathways. The chlorophyll content in YF-6 was significantly reduced, and the carotenoid content was slightly decreased. A large number of metabolites related to photoprotection accumulated in YF-6, including flavonoids, l-ascorbic acid, lipids, and vitamins and their derivatives. The decrease in chlorophyll content increases the possibility of light stress, thereby facilitating large-scale metabolic reprogramming events under light pressure. This study provides a reference value for further research on the metabolic mechanism of albino tea germplasm and provides new materials for the production and application of tea.
Macrophage plays an important role in innate immune responses by secreting immune molecules and phagocytosis.
fruit shell, accounting for approximately 60% weight of the single
fruit, is rich in ...polysaccharides and has several biological activities such as anti-oxidation, lipid regulation and anticancer. However, the immunomodulatory activity of the polysaccharide from
fruit shells (CPS) has not been reported.
This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory activities and mechanisms of CPS in RAW264.7 macrophages.
The Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium (MTT) method was used to evaluate the effect of CPS on the cell viability of RAW264.7 macrophages, and cell morphology was pictured using microscope. The production of immune-related molecules, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, was detected by Griess assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and the phosphorylation level of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were analyzed through western blotting. The mRNA levels of related genes were tested using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was detected using immunofluorescence technology.
The results indicated that CPS treatment stimulated the production of NO and PGE2 and significantly enhanced the protein expression of iNOS and COX2 with little effect on the cell morphology and viability. Also, the secretion and mRNA levels of TNFα were increased by the treatment of CPS. In addition, CPS treatment markedly upregulated the phosphorylation level of MAPKs including Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase (ERK), P38, and c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) at different time points and caused the activation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB.
Our data implied that CPS exerts immunomodulatory activities by activating MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways in RAW264.7 macrophages.
The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of excess iodine on rat aorta endothelial cells and the potential underlying mechanisms. Rat aorta endothelial cells were cultured with ...iodide ion (3506, 4076, 4647, 5218, 5789, 6360, 6931, and 7512 mg/L) for 48 h. Morphological changes of cells were observed with microscope after Wright-Giemsa staining and acridine orange staining. Cell proliferation was determined with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and cell apoptosis was assessed with flow cytometry. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and protein carbonyl in culture medium were determined with colorimetric method. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that excess iodine induced abnormal morphologic changes of cells, inhibited cell proliferation, and increased apoptosis rate. Iodine also reduced the activity of SOD, GSH-Px, and concentrations of GSH and increased the concentrations of MDA and protein carbonyl in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, excess iodine decreased the activity of eNOS and increased the activity of iNOS and the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in culture medium. Our results suggested that excess iodine exposure increased oxidative stress, caused damage of vascular endothelial cells, and altered the expression of adhesion factors and the activity of NOS. These changes may explain the mechanisms underlying excess iodine-induced vascular injury.
The aim of the present study was to illustrate the combined effect of excess iodine and low-protein diet on the thyroid, and the potential molecular mechanism of this effect. One hundred ninety-two ...Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following groups: normal; 10- (10HI), 50- (50HI), or 100-fold excess iodine (100HI); low-protein; and low-protein combined with 10- (L10HI), 50- (L50HI), or 100-fold excess iodine (L100HI). At the end of 2, 4, or 6 months, the rats were sacrificed for iodine concentration and thyroid hormone analyses. The histological appearance of the thyroid gland was observed at the end of 6 months. At the end of 6 months, the serum total thyroxine (TT₄), free thyroxine (FT₄), total triiodothyronine (TT₃), and free triiodothyronine (FT₃) levels in the 100HI, L10HI, L50HI, and L100HI groups were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Serum TT₄, FT₄, TT₃, and FT₃ levels in the low-protein excess iodine groups were significantly lower than the groups with an equal amount of excess iodine alone (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Light and electron microscopy showed that excess iodine caused damage to the ultrastructure of thyroid and apoptosis of follicular epithelial cells. In the 100HI, L50HI, and L100HI groups, thyroid follicular epithelial cells became flattened, and follicles became distended with colloid. The damage was more serious in low-protein groups. The present findings demonstrated that the low-protein diet aggravated the damage to the thyroid caused by excess iodine alone.
MYB transcription factors play essential roles in many biological processes and environmental stimuli. However, the functions of the MYB transcription factor family in tea plants have not been ...elucidated. Here, a total of 122 CsR2R3-MYB genes were identified from the chromosome level genome of tea plant (Camellia sinensis). The CsR2R3-MYB genes were phylogenetically classified into 25 groups. Results from the structure analysis of the gene, conserved motifs, and chromosomal distribution supported the relative conservation of the R2R3-MYB genes family in the tea plant. Synteny analysis indicated that 122, 34, and 112 CsR2R3-MYB genes were orthologous to Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa and C. sinensis var. ‘huangdan’ (HD), respectively. Tissue-specific expression showed that all CsR2R3-MYB genes had different expression patterns in the tea plant tissues, indicating that these genes may perform diverse functions. The expression patterns of representative R2R3-MYB genes and the regulatory network of the main anthocyanin components were analyzed, which suggested that CsMYB17 may played a key role in the regulation of cya-3-O-gal, del-3-O-gal, cya-3-O-glu and pel-3-O-glu. Results from the qRT-PCR validation of selected genes suggested that CsR2R3-MYB genes were induced in response to drought, cold, GA, and ABA treatments. Overall, this study provides comprehensive and systematic information for research on the function of R2R3-MYB genes in tea plants.
•A total of 122 genes of R2R3-MYB gene family were identified from C. sinensis by molecular and phylogenetic analyses.•The regulatory network analysis indicated CsMYB17 may be involved in anthocyanin accumulation in tea plants.•The expression profiles showed CsR2R3-MYB genes were induced in response to drought, cold, GA, and ABA treatments.
Polyphenols have attracted extensive attention due to their rich functional activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor. However, the low solubility and poor stability limit ...their bioavailability and functional activities. Plant-derived ferritin cages have a unique hollow cage structure that can embed polyphenols to improve their unfavorable properties. Therefore, it is essential to adequately elaborate and summarize plant-derived ferritin cages to maximize their potential benefits in nutritional interventions. This review focuses on the fundamental properties of plant-derived ferritin cages, including the preparation process, purification technology, identification methods, and structural and functional properties. The relevant research on ferritin cages in polyphenol delivery has been summarized, including the delivery of water/lipid soluble polyphenols, modification of ferritin cages, and the interaction between polyphenols and ferritin cages. The research progress, shortcomings and prospects of plant-derived ferritin cages in precise nutrition are introduced. In addition, the relevant research on ferritin in immune response and protein engineering is also discussed to provide the theoretical basis for applying plant-derived ferritin cages in many frontier fields.
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