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In order to clarify the influence of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus fermentation on the structure of peanut proteins, changes in the structure of peanut protein isolate (PPI), arachin and conarachin before and after fermentation were studied. The results showed that L. pentosus fermentation significantly increased the free sulfhydryl content, surface hydrophobicity and denaturation temperature, and significantly reduced the β-folding content and denaturation enthalpy of arachin (P < 0.05). It reduced the free sulfhydryl content, surface hydrophobicity, and denaturation enthalpy, and significantly increased the degeneration temperature and α-helix content of PPI and conarachin (P < 0.05). Through particle size, potential and spectral analysis, we found that L. pentosus fermentation significantly improved the particle size and zeta potential of each protein component, and resulted in a red shift in their fluorescence peaks. In contrast to PPI and conarachin, the maximum fluorescence emission wavelength of arachin showed a 1.3 and 2.4 nm red shift, and arachin exhibited a 19.54% and 14.75% higher increase in thermal denaturation temperature, respectively. Thermal properties and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis showed that arachin had maximum structural unfolding and higher thermostability after fermentation, indicating that L. pentosus fermentation is more likely to promote the molecular modification of arachin, and contributes to the gel modification of peanut proteins.

Fu brick tea (FBT) is a unique compressed dark tea in China. The unique fungal fermentation process creates its unique fungal flavor and special health benefits, so FBT is deeply favored by consumers. This paper reviews the research results on the volatile components contributing to the aroma of FBT and the methods for their evaluation. The reported volatile compounds are systematically classified, and the compounds with high detection frequency are elaborated in detail. The methods for the extraction, qualitative and quantitative analysis of the volatile compounds and the methods for the screening and evaluation of the odor-active compounds of FBT are summarized. Meanwhile, the problems with the current studies and the focus of future research are pointed out.

[Purpose/Significance] This paper aims at discussing the current situation and characteristics of the scientific and technical novelty search evaluation, and putting forward suggestions for the research. [Method/Process] We analyze the research status and problems of the domestic scientific and technical novelty search evaluation from the aspects of evaluation subject and object, evaluation index system, evaluation methods, and empirical research through the literature content analysis method. [Results/Conclusions] It is found that there are some problems in the evaluation of scientific and technical novelty search in China, such as fuzzy and confused evaluation objects, a lack of quantitative evaluation indicator system and standard, , neglect of evaluation of the service efficiency, and a lack of discussion of the development of scientific and technical search after evaluation. Finally, some suggestions for future research are put forward, such as clarifying the evaluation object and its concept boundary, designing the top-level index system guided by efficiency, implementing the internal and external dual evaluation mechanism, and meeting the needs and focusing on detailed development.

Background and purpose: The expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in lung cancer not only is the most important biomarker for predicting the efficacy of programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 inhibitors, but also may affect the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) targeted therapy. However, there are currently few reports in the relevant literature on whether the expression of PD-L1 in lung cancer can affect the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. This study mainly explored the effect of PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma on the efficacy of pemetrexed-based chemotherapy and its underlying mechanism. Methods: From Oct. 2015 to Dec. 2018, 185 eligible lung adenocarcinoma patients treated in Department of Pathology, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command PLA were enrolled. The expressions of PD-L1 and thymidylate synthase (TS), a molecule predicting the efficacy of pemetrexed-based chemotherapy, were detected by immunohistochemistry. The survival curve of patients was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test and COX regression model were used to analyze the clinicopathological factors affecting the patients’ progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The log-rank test was used to analyze the effects of PD-L1 and TS expressions on the patients’ PFS and OS. Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between PD-L1 expression and TS expression in lung cancer tissues. Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTFQ-PCR) were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of PD-L1 and TS in 6 types of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. The Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between PD-L1 and TS at protein expression level and mRNA expression level. Results: Among 51 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma who received pemetrexed-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment, the objective response rate (ORR) of the PD-L1 positive group was 20.0%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 60.0%. There was no significant difference compared with the PD-L1 negative group (ORR: 20.0% vs 35.5%, χ 2 =1.404, P=0.236; DCR: 60.0% vs 80.6%, χ 2 =2.602, P=0.107). The median PFS (mPFS) of patients with negative expression of PD-L1 was significantly better than that of patients with positive expression of PD-L1 (mPFS: 5.6 months vs 4.1 months, log-rank=5.406, P=0.020), and there was no significant difference in median OS (mOS) between them (mOS: 15.9 months vs 12.7 months, log-rank=0.525, P=0.469). Univariate analysis found that the positive expressions of PD-L1 and TS were risk factors for PFS ［PD-L1 negative vs positive: HR=2.002 (1.100-3.645), P=0.023; TS negative vs positive: HR=2.205 (1.367-4.587), P=0.003］. Multivariate analysis found that TS positive expression was an independent risk factor for PFS ［TS negative vs positive: HR=3.245 (1.091-9.652), P=0.034］. Among the 51 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma who received pemetrexed-based chemotherapy as the first-line treatment, the expression of PD-L1 in cancer tissues was significantly positively correlated with the expression of TS (r s =0.691, P

Neuroinflammation is associated with poor outcomes in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Recent studies have demonstrated that stimulator of interferon genes (Sting) plays a key role in inflammatory diseases. However, the role of Sting in SCI remains unclear. In the present study, it is found that increased Sting expression is mainly derived from activated microglia after SCI. Interestingly, knockout of Sting in microglia can improve the recovery of neurological function after SCI. Microglial Sting knockout restrains the polarization of microglia toward the M1 phenotype and alleviates neuronal death. Furthermore, it is found that the downregulation of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) expression in microglial cells leads to an imbalance in mitochondrial fusion and division, inducing the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which mediates the activation of the cGas‐Sting signaling pathway and aggravates inflammatory response damage after SCI. A biomimetic microglial nanoparticle strategy to deliver MASM7 (named MSNs‐MASM7@MI) is established. In vitro, MSNs‐MASM7@MI showed no biological toxicity and effectively delivered MASM7. In vivo, MSNs‐MASM7@MI improves nerve function after SCI. The study provides evidence that cGas‐Sting signaling senses Mfn2‐dependent mtDNA release and that its activation may play a key role in SCI. These findings provide new perspectives and potential therapeutic targets for SCI treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporotic bone defects refer to the disruption of bone structural integrity in patients with osteoporosis and pose a substantial challenge to orthopedic surgeons. In this study, we developed a biomimetic hydrogel to improve the osteogenic microenvironment and promote stem cell homing. This hydrogel served as a container for S-nitrosoglutathione and Ca 2+ , promoting the release of bioactive nitric oxide (NO) from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and human vascular endothelial cells and activating the NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling pathway. These changes promote osteogenic and angiogenic couplings. The hydrogel simultaneously recruited BMSCs by conjugating the stem cell homing peptide SKPPGTSS. Using a rat distal femoral defect model, it was demonstrated that this hydrogel can effectively increase the formation of bone tissue and new blood vessels and has immune-regulating functions. We envision that this hydrogel may be a minimally invasive yet highly effective strategy for expediting the healing of osteoporotic bone defects.

Aim: To clarify the molecular mechanism involved in pathogenesis of colorectal cancer as well as clinical significance of genetic analysis of histological samples., Methods: A total of 480 blood and tissue specimens were collected in our hospital from January 2011 to October 2012. In the observation group, there were 120 blood specimens and 120 intestinal tract tissue specimens collected from patients with neoplastic intestinal polyps. In the control group I there were 80 blood specimens and 80 intestinal tract tissue specimens collected from patients with colorectal cancer. In the control group II there were 40 blood specimens and 40 intestinal tract tissue specimens collected from healthy individuals. The gene segments were amplified using PCR and DNA gel electrophoresis along with DNA sequence analysis were employed for the detection of the following single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): K-RAS codons 12 and 13; hMLH1 (human mutS homolog 1) gene missense mutation at Va1384Asp; hMSH2 (human mutS homolog 2) gene missense mutation at 2783C/A., Results: The mutation rate of the SNP at Va1384Asp locus of the hMLH1 gene from blood and tissue specimens in the observation group showed no statistical difference from those in the control group I. The mutation rates of SNPs in codons 12 and 13 of K-RAS and at 2783C/A locus of the hMSH2 gene were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group I (χ(2) = 15.476, 29.670, 10.811, 16.618, 33.538, 7.898, P < 0.05). The mutation rate of SNP at Va1384Asp locus of the hMLH1 gene was significantly higher in the observation group when compared to the control group II (χ(2) = 10.486, 4.876, P < 0.05). The mutation rates of SNPs in codons 12 and 13 of K-RAS and at 2783C/A locus of the hMSH2 gene did not show any statistical difference from those in the control group II., Conclusion: There may be important clinical significance and relevance between neoplastic intestinal polyps and colorectal cancer in terms of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis.

Aim: To investigate the sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor expression profile in human esophageal cancer cells and the effects of S1P5 on proliferation and migration of human esophageal cancer cells., Methods: S1P receptor expression profile in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line Eca109 was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Eca109 cells were stably transfected with S1P5-EGFP or control-EGFP constructs. The relation between the responses of cell proliferation and migration to S1P and S1P5 expression was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and migration assay, respectively., Results: Both normal human esophageal mucosal epithelium and Eca109 cells expressed S1P1, S1P2, S1P3 and S1P5, respectively. Esophageal mucosal epithelium expressed S1P5 at a higher level than Eca109 cell line. S1P5 over-expressing Eca109 cells displayed spindle cell morphology with elongated and extended filopodia-like projections. The proliferation response of S1P5-transfected Eca109 cells was lower than that of control vector-transfected cells with or without S1P stimulation (P < 0.05 or 0.01). S1P significantly inhibited the migration of S1P5-transfected Eca109 cells (P < 0.001). However, without S1P in transwell lower chamber, the number of migrated S1P5-transfected Eca109 cells was greater than that of control vector-transfected Eca109 cells (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: S1P binding to S1P5 inhibits the proliferation and migration of S1P5-transfected Eca109 cells. Esophageal cancer cells may down-regulate the expression of S1P5 to escape the inhibitory effect.