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Salt-baked chicken was a traditional delicacy of Guangdong, but the effects of volatile flavor compounds at different stages of its processing remained unclear. This study utilized sensory analysis, e-nose, and GC–MS to investigate the changes in volatile flavor compounds during the processing of salt-baked chicken. The results indicated significant alterations in volatile flavor compounds at different stages of processing, resulting in flavor transitioning from the original flavor to salty, scorched, and fatty flavor. 75 volatile compounds were identified by GC–MS, with 15 key flavor compounds highlighted based on OAV, including aldehydes, alcohols, terpenes, heterocycles and esters. The research revealed the dynamic changes in volatile flavor compounds throughout the cooking process of salt-baked chicken and emphasized the important role of salt-baked in shaping its distinctive taste profile. These findings provided a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for enhancing and optimizing the authentic taste of this traditional dish, while fostering innovative advancements in prepared cuisine.

2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazole [4, 5-b] pyridine (PhIP) is a prevalent heterocyclic amine (HAA) found in heated processed meat. This study investigated the inhibitory impact of eight different types of polyphenols containing m-dihydroxyl structure on PhIP formation through a chemical model system. The structure-activity relationship and potential sites of action of polyphenols containing m-dihydroxyl structure were also analyzed. Then, the mechanism of inhibiting PhIP formation by kaempferol, naringenin and quercetin was speculated by UPLC-MS. Results showed that 8 kinds of polyphenols containing m-dihydroxyl structure had significant (P

Abstract Zikui (Camellia sinensis cv. Zikui) is a recently discovered cultivar of local purple tea in Guizhou, China. It is a purple leaf bud mutation material of Meitan Taicha (Camellia sinensis cv. ‘Meitan-taicha’) ‘N61’ strain, which is an important local germplasm resource in Guizhou. It is also a model plant for the study of anthocyanins, but the limited germplasm resources and the limitation of traditional reproduction hinder its application. Here, an efficient regeneration system is established by using hypocotyl as explants for the first time. Different plant growth regulators (PGRs) are evaluated during different regeneration processes including callus and root induction. According to our findings, using the optimal disinfection conditions, the seed embryo contamination rate is 17.58%. Additionally, the mortality rate is 9.69%, while the survival rate is measured as 72.73%. Moreover, the highest germination rate of 93.64% is observed under MS + 2.40 mg/L GA3 medium conditions. The optimal callus induction rate is 95.19%, while the optimal adventitious bud differentiation rate is 20.74%, Medium with 1.6 mg/L IBA achieved 68.6% rooting of the adventitious shoots. The survival rate is more than 65% after 6 days growth in the cultivated matrix. In summary, our research aims to establish a regeneration system for Zikui tea plants and design a transformation system for tea plant tissue seedlings. This will enable transfer of the target gene and ultimately facilitate the cultivation of new tea varieties with unique characteristics.

Background: The timing of central venous pressure (CVP) measurement may play a crucial role in heart failure management, yet no studies have explored this aspect. Methods: Clinical information pertaining to patients in critical condition with a diagnosis of heart failure was retrieved from the MIMIC-IV database. The association between initial measurements of central venous pressure (CVP) and the incidence of mortality from all causes was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards approach. Subgroup analysis and propensity score matching were conducted for sensitivity analyses. Results: This study included 11,241 participants (median age, 75 years; 44.70 % female). Utilizing restricted cubic spline and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses, it was determined that prognostic outcomes were better when CVP was measured within the initial 5-h window. Multivariate-adjusted 1-year (HR: 0.69; 95 % CI: 0.61–0.77), 90-day (HR: 0.70; 95 % CI: 0.62–0.80), and 30-day (HR: 0.67; 95 % CI: 0.57–0.78) all-cause mortalities were significantly lower in patients with early CVP measurement, which was proved robustly in subgroup analysis. Subsequent to the application of propensity score matching, a cohort of 1536 matched pairs was established, with the observed mortality rates continuing to be significantly lower among participants who underwent early CVP assessment. Conclusions: Early CVP measurement (within 5 h) demonstrated an independent correlation with a decrease in both immediate and extended all-cause mortality rates among patients in critical condition suffering from heart failure.

2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazole [4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP) is one of the higher levels of HAAs produced in protein foods during heating. The effects of heating temperature, time, and concentration of precursors on PhIP and related substances in the chemical model system and roast pork patty were studied using HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS and GC–MS. Results showed that the heating temperature, time, and concentration of four precursors significantly affected PhIP and its related substances (P

In order to meet the needs of consumers for diversified taste and health food, a new type of Chiffon cake with Hericium erinaceus flavor was developed. In this study, Box-Behnken multiple regression model was constructed through single factor experiment and response surface experiment to optimize the formula of Hericium erinaceus Chiffon cake. Effects of different amounts of Hericium erinaceus powder, white sugar and egg on texture and sensory characteristics of cake were investigated. The nutrients and physical and chemical parameters of the optimized Chiffon cake were determined. Results showed that the optimal process formula of Hericium erinaceus Chiffon cake was as follows: Hericium erinaceus powder 22.40 g, low gluten flour 100 g, milk 75 g, white sugar 93.70 g, corn oil 45 g, egg 242.85 g and tata powder 1 g. Hericium erinaceus Chiffon cake produced according to this formula had the light brown appearance, delicate and even organization, elasticity and unique fragrance of Hericium erinaceus. Its sensory score was 91.16±1.05. The drying weight loss of the product was 35.9%. Fat and protein contents were 12.2% and 9.59%, respectively. The peroxide value and acid value were 0.032 g/100 g and 0.77 mg/g, respectively. These determination results were in line with the national standard requirements. The results of this study can provide theoretical reference for the deep processing of edible fungi and the development and standardization of functional baked products.

Animals have long been a rich and invaluable source of bioactive peptides, of which animal protein-derived immunomodulatory peptides have the advantages of high safety, low allergenicity and low cost, and play an irreplaceable role in human health and disease prevention. The immunomodulatory activities of peptides are related to amino acid composition, sequence and peptide chain length. In recent years, many new advances have been made around the study of immunomodulatory components and bioactivities related to animal protein sources, but few teams have introduced and summarized the immunomodulatory peptides in detail. In this review, the structure-effect relationships and mechanism of action of animal protein-derived immunomodulatory peptides in recent years are reviewed, the characteristics of immunomodulatory peptides from different animal protein sources are summarized, and the future research and development trend of animal protein-derived immunomodulatory peptides are prospected, which might contribute to further research and development of animal protein-derived immunomodulatory peptides.

Biomass activated carbon was prepared from discarded durian shell and longan shell by KOH chemical activation method, and their adsorption capacity of methylene blue (MB) in water was also investigated. The surface area test (BET), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the prepared biomass activated carbon, and the effects of activated carbon amount, initial concentration of MB solution, reaction time, temperature and pH on the adsorption of MB were studied. Results indicated that the maximum adsorption capacity of durian shell (longan shell) activated carbon was 363 mg/g under the optimum conditions (initial MB solution concentration of 200 mg/L, carbon amount of 30 mg, pH8.0, 120 min). The specific surface area of durian shell and longan shell activated carbon were 999.63 m2/g and 1377.95 m2/g, respectively, and their average pore sizes were 2.13 nm and 2.20 nm, respectively. In addition, the surface of durian shell and longan shell activated carbon had a large number of pores and a certain laminar structure. The existence of these pores provides rich adsorption sites for activated carbon adsorption, and compared with commercially available activated carbon, it has a more dense pore structure and has a stronger adsorption capacity for methylene blue.

IntroductionPulmonary arterial hypertension is a fatal cardiopulmonary disease. Leptin, a neuroendocrine hormone released by adipose tissue, has a complex relationship with cardiovascular diseases, including PAH. Leptin is thought to be an important factor linking metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disorders. Given the published association between metabolic syndrome and RV dysfunction in PAH, we sought to determine the association between leptin and RV dysfunction. We hypothesized that in PAH-RV, leptin influences metabolic changes via leptin receptors, which can be manipulated by metformin.MethodsPlasma leptin was measured in PAH patients and healthy controls from a published trial of metformin in PAH. Leptin receptor localization was detected in RV from PAH patients, healthy controls, animal models of PH with RV dysfunction before and after metformin treatment, and cultured cardiomyocytes with two different BMPR2 mutants by performing immunohistochemical and cell fractionation studies. Functional studies were conducted in cultured cardiomyocytes to examine the role of leptin and metformin in lipid-driven mitochondrial respiration.ResultsIn human studies, we found that plasma leptin levels were higher in PAH patients and moderately correlated with higher BMI, but not in healthy controls. Circulating leptin levels were reduced by metformin treatment, and these findings were confirmed in an animal model of RV dysfunction. Leptin receptor expression was increased in PAH-RV cardiomyocytes. In animal models of RV dysfunction and cultured cardiomyocytes with BMPR2 mutation, we found increased expression and membrane localization of the leptin receptor. In cultured cardiomyocytes with BMPR2 mutation, leptin moderately influences palmitate uptake, possibly via CD36, in a mutation-specific manner. Furthermore, in cultured cardiomyocytes, the Seahorse XFe96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer and gene expression data indicate that leptin may not directly influence lipid-driven mitochondrial respiration in BMPR2 mutant cardiomyocytes. However, metformin alone or when supplemented with leptin can improve lipid-driven mitochondrial respiration in BMPR2 mutant cardiomyocytes. The effect of metformin on lipid-driven mitochondrial respiration in cardiomyocytes is BMPR2 mutation-specific.ConclusionIn PAH, increased circulating leptin can influence metabolic signaling in RV cardiomyocytes via the leptin receptor; in particular, it may alter lipid-dependent RV metabolism in combination with metformin in a mutation-specific manner and warrants further investigation.

In the process of food processing, traditional processing methods can no longer meet people's high demand for food quality. Ultrasonic technology is a non-heat treatment technology that can reduce the damage caused by conventional food processing to enhance food's nutritional value and processing characteristics. This paper mainly discusses the effects and functions of ultrasonic waves in processing operations such as drying, freezing, extraction, filtration and emulsification. The cavitation, mechanical, chemical and biological effects of ultrasonic waves can affect processing operations through complex correlations. For example, it can improve mass transfer and heat transfer efficiency, reduce processing time, reduce the dosage of processing reagents, increase yield, enhance food safety, and preserve food nutrition. By combing and comparing the literature, ultrasonic technology has been of great application value in food processing operations, but inappropriate ultrasonic conditions can also negatively affect food quality. In future work and research, it is necessary to establish the dynamic model of ultrasonic in food processing and dig deep into the application at the industrial level to overcome the shortcomings of ultrasonic energy consumption.

Abstract Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with connective tissue disease (CTD) belongs to Group 1 pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD), which is characterized by venous system aberrations, has been previously reported in CTD-PAH; however, it has rarely been observed in Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). Case presentation Our 28-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with recurrent shortness of breath even after minimal physical activity. Her chest high-resolution CT scan demonstrated pulmonary artery dilatation and bilateral ground-glass nodules. A subsequent right heart catheterization confirmed pulmonary hypertension because her mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 62 mmHg. Our inquisitive genomic assessment identified a novel EIF2AK4 mutation at c.1021 C > T (p. Gln341*), the dominant causal gene of PVOD. Histological examination demonstrated stenosis and occlusions in the pulmonary veins. Because she presented with features such as dry eyes and Raynaud's phenomenon, we performed a biopsy on the labial salivary gland, which confirmed SS. Her treatment regimen included PAH-targeted therapies (tadalafil and macitentan) in combination with hydroxychloroquine. Although she was hospitalized several times due to acute exacerbation of PAH, her disease progression was under control, and she did not demonstrate any signs of pulmonary edema even after a three-year treatment period. Conclusion Here, we report the case of an SS-PAH patient with PVOD who carried a novel biallelic EIF2AK4 mutation, and PAH-targeted therapies were well tolerated by our patient.

γ-Glutamyl peptides can enhance basic taste sensations such as saltiness, sweetness, and umaminess, while the molecular mechanism and the difference in taste enhancement remain elusive. Thus, two complex conformations: taste type 1 receptor 1 (T1R1)-MSG and taste type 1 receptor 2 (T1R2)-sucrose were constructed to form binding receptors. These peptides showed affinity for the two receptors, but a higher affinity scores and more binding amino acid residues for the T1R1-MSG receptor, implying that they may exhibit a higher umami-enhancing effect. Thereinto, γ-glutamyl alanine (γ-EA) displayed the highest affinity for the two receptors through mobilizing multiple amino acid residues to form hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds, indicating it had the highest enhancement for umaminess and sweetness among these peptides. Sensory evaluation demonstrated the enhancement of γ-EA on umaminess was superior to that of sweetness. Generally, γ-glutamyl peptides could enhance basic taste sensation via activating taste receptor, and exhibited a highest umami-enhancing effect.

O/W emulsions stabilized by polyphenol/amylose (AM) complexes with several polyphenol/AM mass ratios and different polyphenols (gallic acid (GA), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and tannic acid (TA)) were prepared by a high-intensity ultrasound emulsification technique. The effect of the pyrogallol group number of polyphenols and the mass ratio of polyphenols/AM on polyphenol/AM complexes and emulsions was studied. The soluble and/or insoluble complexes gradually formed upon adding polyphenols into the AM system. However, insoluble complexes were not formed in the GA/AM systems because GA has only one pyrogallol group. In addition, the hydrophobicity of AM could also be improved by forming polyphenol/AM complexes. The emulsion size decreased with increasing pyrogallol group number on the polyphenol molecules at a fixed ratio, and the size could also be controlled by the polyphenol/AM ratio. Moreover, all emulsions presented various degrees of creaming, which was restrained by decreasing emulsion size or the formation of a thick complex network. The complex network was enhanced by increasing the ratio or pyrogallol group number on the polyphenol molecules, which was because the increasing number of complexes was adsorbed onto the interface. Altogether, compared to GA/AM and EGCG/AM, the TA/AM complex emulsifier had the best hydrophobicity and emulsifying properties, and the TA/AM emulsion had the best emulsion stability.

In this study, by measuring the nutrient components of peanuts, the results of six different varieties Shanyouhong 3, Shanyouhong 4, Zhanyou 75, Shanyou 121, Shanyouhei 620, Shanyouhei 1 were analyzed and compared. The results showed that the sphericity of peanuts basically reached more than 50%, the water content was more than 5%, the fat was more than 40%, the total sugar was more than 5%, the protein was more than 20%, and the mineral content was more than 2%; the content of total unsaturated fatty acid was more than 70%, the essential amino acids reached more than 16%. In addition, the proportion of nutrients obtained by the same variety of peanuts after planting in different regions was different. For example, the fat content of Shanyou 121 in Guangzhou was 55.64%, while that in Yangjiang, Zhanjiang and Shaoguan was 52.18%, 44.86% and 49.81%, respectively. However, different varieties in the same area also had great differences. For example, in Yangjiang area, the fat content of Shanyouhong 4 was the highest of 54.35%, while the lowest of Shanyouhei 1 was only 49.95%. The analysis of peanut allergenic protein content showed that in four different regions of Guangdong, Zhanyou 75 in Zhanjiang area had the most allergenic protein content of Ara h3, and the content of Ara h2 allergenic protein in Yangjiang area was less, and there was no significant difference in other areas. The research on the nutritional components of different varieties in different regions provides a certain basis for the follow-up research on peanuts in Guangdong Province.

In order to standardize the white-cut chicken brine and promote its high-value utilization, in this paper, butter chicken and Tu Er chicken were used as raw materials for making white-cut chicken, and the changes in the nutritional content of the brine produced by the two raw chickens under different cooking times (2, 4, 6, 8) were studied. In addition, headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the flavor compounds of two kinds of white-cut chicken brines with different cooking times. The results showed that with the increase of cooking times, the protein, fat, carbohydrate and other nutrients in the brine of the white-cut chicken increased significantly (P

BackgroundCardiac arrest (CA) can activate blood coagulation. This study aimed to explore the potential prognostic value of prothrombin time–international normalized ratio (INR) in post-CA patients.MethodsThe clinical data of eligible subjects diagnosed with CA was extracted from the MIMIC-IV database as the training cohort. Restricted cubic spline (RCS), Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival curve, and Cox regression analyses were conducted to elucidate the association between the INR and all-cause mortality of post-CA patients. Subgroup analysis, propensity score matching (PSM), and inverse probability of treatment (IPTW) were also conducted to improve stability and reliability. Data of the validation cohort were collected from the eICU database, and logistic-regression analyses were performed to verify the findings of the training cohort.ResultsA total of 1,324 subjects were included in the training cohort. A linear correlation existed between INR and the risk of all-cause death of post-CA patients, as shown in RCS analysis, with a hazard ratio (HR) >1 when INR exceeded 1.2. K-M survival curve preliminarily indicated that subjects with INR ≥ 1.2 presented lower survival rate and shorter survival time, and the high level of INR was independently associated with 30-day, 90-day, 1-year, and in-hospital mortalities, with multivariate-adjusted HR of 1.44 (1.20, 1.73), 1.46 (1.23, 1.74), 1.44 (1.23, 1.69), and 1.37 (1.14, 1.64), respectively. These findings were consistent and robust across the subgroup analysis, PSM and IPTW analyses, and validation cohort.ConclusionsWe systematically and comprehensively demonstrated that elevated INR was associated with increased short- and long-term all-cause mortality of post-CA patients. Therefore, elevated INR may be a promising biomarker with prognosis significance.

Abstract Outbreak of global pandemic Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has so far caused countless morbidity and mortality. However, a detailed report on the impact of COVID-19 on hypertension (HTN) and ensuing cardiac injury is unknown. Herein, we have evaluated the association between HTN and cardiac injury in 388 COVID-19 (47.5 ± 15.2 years) including 75 HTN and 313 normotension. Demographic data, cardiac injury markers, other laboratory findings, and comorbidity details were collected and analyzed. Compared to patients without HTN, hypertensive-COVID-19 patients were older, exhibited higher C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and comorbidities such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Further, these hypertensive-COVID-19 patients presented more severe disease with longer hospitalization time, and a concomitant higher rate of bilateral pneumonia, electrolyte disorder, hypoproteinemia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In addition, cardiac injury markers such as creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide were significantly increased in these patients. Correlation analysis revealed that systolic blood pressure correlated significantly with the levels of CK, and LDH. Further, HTN was associated with increased LDH and CK-MB in COVID- 19 after adjusting essential variables. We also noticed that patients with elevated either high sensitivity-CRP or CRP demonstrated a significant high level of LDH along with a moderate increase in CK (p = 0.07) and CK-MB (p = 0.09). Our investigation suggested that hypertensive patients presented higher risk of cardiac injury and severe disease phenotype in COVID-19, effectively control blood pressure in HTN patients might improve the prognosis of COVID-19 patients.

The ERF gene family is widely present in plants and has crucial regulatory importance in plant seed development, organ morphogenesis, the synthesis of secondary metabolites, and coping with abiotic stresses such as cold and drought. In this study, 90 members of CsERF were screened by bioinformatics tools analysis and named CsERF1–CsERF90. Their molecular characteristics and systematic evolution were studied, and the tissue expression characteristics of CSERF genes and the composition of promoter cis-acting elements were predicted. The results showed that 81 proteins encoded by CsERF genes had conserved motifs 1, 2, and 3, while 64 members possessed other motifs. The theoretical isoelectric point was between 4.49 and 10.24, and 85 members constituted unstable proteins, while the rest were stable proteins. Subcellular localization predicted that 77 members were in the nucleus, 8 were in the chloroplasts, and 5 were in the mitochondria. The promoter sequence of CsERFs was found to include not only cis-acting elements related to hormone regulation, such as gibberellin (41), methyl jasmonate (110), and abscisic acid (185), but also cis-acting elements involved in low-temperature response (56) and light response (22), indicating that CsERFs have a key role in plant growth and abiotic stress. Phylogenetic analysis of tea plant and Arabidopsis thaliana ERF gene families showed that the tea plant ERF gene families could be divided into six groups, with B3 having 29 members at most and B1 having only 3 members at least. The phylogenetic tree constructed using only the CsERF genes is also divided into six groups, with slightly different but minimal differences in members. Of the 90 tea plant ERF members, 85 were located on 15 chromosomes, whereas 5 were not located on chromosomes. The collinearity analysis showed that there were 41 homologous gene pairs among the CsERFs, and these homologous gene pairs may have the same function. According to the expression of CsERFs in cold-stressed tea plant and in different tissues, 90 CsERF genes played their respective roles in different tissues and stages to regulate plant growth, and some of them participated in the process of cold stress tolerance. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the study of tea plant growth and development and low-temperature resistance.

In this study, lipoxygenase (LOX) extracted from dry-cured mackerel was purified, resulting in a 4.1-fold purification factor with a specific activity of 493.60 U/min·g. LOX enzymatic properties were assessed, referring to its optimal storage time (1–2 days), temperature (30 °C), and pH value (7.0). The autoxidation and LOX-induced oxidation of palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:2n9c), linoleic acid (C18:2n6c), arachidonic acid (C20:4), EPA (C20:5), and DHA (C22:6n3) were simulated to explore the main metabolic pathways of key flavors in dry-cured mackerel. The results showed that the highest LOX activity was observed when arachidonic acid was used as a substrate. Aldehydes obtained from LOX-treated C18:1n9c and C18:2n6c oxidation, which are important precursors of flavors, were the most abundant. The key flavors in dry-cured mackerel were found in the oxidative products of C16:0, C18:0, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, and C20:4. Heptanaldehyde could be produced from autoxidation or LOX-induced oxidation of C18:0 and C18:1n9c, while nonal could be produced from C18:1n9c and C18:2n6c oxidation. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, EPA, and DHA made great contributions to the overall flavor of dry-cured mackerel. This study may provide a relevant theoretical basis for the scientific control of the overall taste and flavor of dry-cured mackerel and further standardize its production.

Naringin (NG), a natural flavanone glycoside, possesses a multitude of pharmacological properties, encompassing anti-inflammatory, sedative, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-osteoporosis, and lipid-lowering functions, and serves as a facilitator for the absorption of other drugs. Despite these powerful qualities, NG’s limited solubility and bioavailability primarily undermine its therapeutic potential. Consequently, innovative solubilization methodologies have received considerable attention, propelling a surge of scholarly investigation in this arena. Among the most promising solutions is the enhancement of NG’s solubility and physiological activity without compromising its inherent active structure, therefore enabling the formulation of non-toxic and benign human body preparations. This article delivers a comprehensive overview of NG and its physiological activities, particularly emphasizing the impacts of structural modification, solid dispersions (SDs), inclusion compound, polymeric micelle, liposomes, and nanoparticles on NG solubilization. By synthesizing current research, this research elucidates the bioavailability of NG, broadens its clinical applicability, and paves the way for further exploration and expansion of its application spectrum.

Abstract Background Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) share an overlapping disease phenotype. Hence it is necessary to distinguish them. Case presentation Our 14-year-old female patient admitted with progressive shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue even after minimal physical activity was clinically suspected for PAH, based on her previous history. Her chest computed tomography artery reported the presence of PVOD triad features - subpleural thickened septal lines, ground-glass nodules/opacities and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Because of her weak physical stature, a lung biopsy was not performed; however, the genetic testing identified a novel heterozygous EIF2AK4 mutation at c.4833_4836dup (p.Q1613Kfs*10) - the dominant susceptible factor driving PVOD. Combination of genetic testing and computed tomography artery facilitated us to distinguish PVOD from PAH. Her disease symptoms advanced aggressively so that she died even before the lung transplantation, which was less than 6 months from the onset of disease symptoms. Conclusion This case report highlights that novel EIF2AK4 mutation at [c.4833_4836dup (p.Q1613Kfs*10)] would predict an aggressive phenotype of PVOD. Hence, we conclude that a genetic test identifying EIF2AK4 mutation would serve as a tool for the early diagnosis of PVOD, circumventing lung biopsy.

Abstract Lemon is a fruit with delicious taste and attractive flavor, which has been widely accepted by people over the world. Dry lemon slice is a classical processed product of lemon. It is readily to be browning during storage. Which chemicals are responsible for the browning behavior remains unclear. Therefore, in this work, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is used to analyze the metabolites changes in dry lemon slice during storage. Nineteen metabolites were identified and their related levels were statistically calculated by principal component analysis. The first principal components were represented by glutamic acid, α‐amino‐butyric acid, γ‐amino‐butyric acid, alanine, limonoid, citric acid, glutamine, and phosphocholine. The changes of browning degree during storage and its correlations with the levels of polyphenol, ascorbic acid, amino acid nitrogen, and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural were analyzed. The results indicated that Maillard reaction and oxidation of phenolics were two main processes contributing to the nonenzymatic browning during storage.

Monascus is a filamentous fungus that is widely used for producing Monascus pigments in the food industry in Southeast Asia. While the development of bioinformatics has helped elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying metabolic engineering of secondary metabolite biosynthesis, the biological information on the metabolic engineering of the morphology of Monascus remains unclear. In this study, the whole genome of M. purpureus CSU-M183 strain was sequenced using combined single-molecule real-time DNA sequencing and next-generation sequencing platforms. The length of the genome assembly was 23.75 Mb in size with a GC content of 49.13%, 69 genomic contigs and encoded 7305 putative predicted genes. In addition, we identified the secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters and the chitin synthesis pathway in the genome of the high pigment-producing M. purpureus CSU-M183 strain. Furthermore, it is shown that the expression levels of most Monascus pigment and citrinin clusters located genes were significantly enhanced via atmospheric room temperature plasma mutagenesis. The results provide a basis for understanding the secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and constructing the metabolic engineering of the morphology of Monascus.

BackgroundAccording to the literature, pigmentary disorders have a significantly negative impact on a person's health-related quality of life. Moreover, among pigmentary disorders, incidence of melasma ranks high. The Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) is the scale that is generally used to evaluate a melasma-affected area and its severity. However, the relationship between the MASI and Melasma Quality of Life (MELASQoL) scores, as well as the impact of melasma on patients' quality of life, remain unclear.ObjectivesTo explore the influence of melasma on patients' lives, analyze the relationship between the MASI and MELASQoL scores, and identify the factors that may be influencing the quality of life of patients with melasma.MethodsTwo reviewers independently searched four databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) for literature on quality of life of patients with melasma. In addition to an epidemiological study, a cross-sectional study, and validation studies, gray literature was also included. StataSE version 16 software was used for the meta-analysis. The score of each item on the MELASQoL scale was determined using a random-effects model.ResultsFourteen studies with a total of 1398 melasma patients were included in the systematic review, four of which were eligible for meta-analysis. The relationship between the MELASQoL and MASI scores was found to be mixed. Five studies concluded that the MASI and MELASQoL scores were statistically correlated, while seven studies found no statistical correlation between the two. It is obvious that melasma causes emotional distress and has a negative impact on patients' social lives. Patients were most bothered by the appearance of their skin condition. However, the MELASQoL score had no definite correlation with patient characteristics such as age, education levels, and history.ConclusionMelasma has a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life. Thus, evaluating the quality of life of patients with melasma should not be ignored. Additionally, utilization of the MELASQoL scale should be considered in the care plan. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the relationship between melasma and quality of life.

Purpose: The present study aimed to clarify the potential predictive significance of Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in assessing the poor prognosis of critically ill patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).Methods: Detailed clinical data were extracted from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care III database after gaining access and building the local platform. The 30- and 90-day and hospital all-cause mortalities of the patient was the primary outcome, and the readmission rate and the occurrence of major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) were the secondary outcomes. the Cox proportional hazard model and Logistic regression analysis were selected to reveal the relationship between SII level and the research outcome. Further, the propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to improve the reliability of results by reducing the imbalance across groups.Results: There were a total of 4,606 subjects who passed the screening process and entered the subsequent analysis. Multivariate regression analysis showed that after adjusting for possible confounders, including age, heart rate, and albumin, etc., the high level of SII was independently associated with 30- and 90-day and hospital mortalities (tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: HR, 95% CIs: 1.23, 1.04-1.45; 1.21, 1.06-1.39; 1.26, 1.05-1.50) and the incidence of MACEs (tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: OR, 95% CI: 1.39, 1.12-1.73) in critically ill patients with CHF, but no significant correlation was found between SII and the readmission rate. Consistently, patients with high SII level still presented a significantly higher short-term mortality than patients with low SII in the PSM subset.Conclusion: In critically ill patients with CHF, high level of SII could effectively predict high 30- and 90-day and hospital mortalities, as well as the high risk of occurrence of MACEs.

The high sodium diet is harmful to the human body. In this study, beef was cured with some salt substitutes, namely SS, 39.7% NaCl, 51.3% KCl, 7% L-lysine and 2% L-histidine, in order to reduce the Na content for the final products, and salt substitute effects the physicochemical, lipolytic, and flavor characteristics of dry-cured beef by determining free fatty acids, lipase activity, volatile compounds, and water mobility. The results showed that the lipase activity and unsaturated fatty acids were significantly increased due to the present of L-lysine and L-histidine. In addition, the SS could also enhance the lipoxygenase activity and promoted the lipid oxidation and influenced volatile compounds. The changes of T21 and T22 showed that the water mobility in SS was higher (P < .05) than in the control group. Moreover, the cadaverine, histamine, and tyramine were detected in 57-day dry-cured beef, being below their toxic limits. The present study demonstrated that salt substitute by L-lysine and L-histidine alter the water distribution and mobility, improved the amounts and types of volatile compounds, while had no influence in the quality of product.

PIN-formed (PIN) proteins are important auxin carriers that participate in the polar distribution of auxin in plants. In this study, 16 ZaPIN genes were identified from the whole genome of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. The physicochemical properties and structure of PIN proteins were determined, and the gene sequences and promoter regions were analyzed to identify cis-acting elements and conserved motifs. The transcript profiles of ZaPIN genes in different tissues and in response to auxin and gibberellin treatments were also analyzed. A phylogenetic analysis separated the 16 ZaPIN genes into four groups. The ZaPIN genes showed the closest evolutionary relationship to those of Citrus sinensis and the most distant evolutionary relationship to those of Oryza sativa. A cis-element analysis revealed a large number of cis elements in ZaPIN promoter regions related to plant hormones, plant growth and development, and stress stimuli, suggesting that ZaPINs have a wide range of biological activities. Additionally, gene expression profiling revealed that ZaPINs had different expression patterns in nine tissues. Further qRT-PCR analyses revealed that most ZaPINs were upregulated by auxin and gibberellin in young leaves. Our results provide useful information for further structural and functional analyses of the ZaPIN gene family in Z. armatum.

BackgroundStudies have investigated whether patients with lichen planus are at a high risk of metabolic syndrome; however, currently, no conclusive data are available in this regard.ObjectiveThis meta-analysis was performed to analyze the published literature investigating the association between metabolic syndrome and lichen planus.MethodTwo reviewers independently searched 4 databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science) for observational studies assessing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with lichen planus. Review Manager 5.3 software was used to statistically analyze the data.Results200 relevant articles were searched. After a further reading, 12 studies with 1422 participants (715 with LP and 707 controls) fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Overall, the pooled odds ratio based on random effects analysis was 2.81 (95% confidence interval: 1.79-4.41, PConclusionsThis meta-analysis shows that compared with the general population, patients with lichen planus are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome. Therefore, early diagnosis and prompt initiation of first-line therapy for metabolic disorders are important in patients with lichen planus.

Aquaporins are a specific type of membrane channel proteins that efficiently transport water molecules and other small molecular substrates in plants. In this study, we isolated the plasma membrane aquaporin gene EuPIP1;2 from Eucommia ulmoides, an important medicinal plant in China. The EuPIP1;2 protein was localized on the plasma membrane. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that EuPIP1;2 was constitutively expressed in all analyzed tissues, with the highest expression levels detected in the fruit and root. Overexpression of EuPIP1;2 in transgenic tobacco enhanced plant tolerance of drought and salinity. Under drought and salt stress, the transgenic lines exhibited higher percentage germination, longer roots, and enhanced percentage survival compared with wild-type plants. The contents of malonaldehyde and proline suggested that EuPIP1;2 improved drought and salt tolerance in transgenic lines by reducing damage to membranes and improving osmotic adjustment. We predict that EuPIP1;2 could be applied to improve drought and salt tolerance in transgenic plants.

No previous meta-analysis has evaluated the efficacy and safety of pulmonary vasodilators in Fontan physiology. Recent relative trials have obtained conflicting results regarding improvements in peak oxygen consumption; the relatively small number of patients in each study may be a limiting factor. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulmonary vasodilators in Fontan patients. Relevant studies were identified by searching the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Pooled outcomes were determined to assess the efficacy and safety of pulmonary vasodilators in Fontan patients. Nine randomized controlled studies involving 381 patients with Fontan circulation were included. Pulmonary vasodilator therapy led to significant improvement (mean difference = −0.39, 95% CI: [−0.72, −0.05]) in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class. The 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) was significantly increased by 134 m (95% CI: [86.07, 181.94]), and the peak VO 2 was also significantly improved (mean difference = 1.42 ml·(kg·min) -1 , 95% CI: [0.21, 2.63]). Additionally, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was significantly reduced (mean difference = −2.25 mmHg, 95% CI: [−3.00, −1.50]). No significant change was found in mortality or in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pronatriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Four studies reported no side effects and good drug tolerance, and two studies reported mild adverse effects. The present meta-analysis indicated that pulmonary vasodilators (primarily the PDE-5 inhibitor and endothelin-1 receptor antagonist) significantly improved the hemodynamics of Fontan patients, reduced the NYHA functional class and increased the 6MWD. The peak oxygen consumption was also improved. No significant change was observed in mortality or in the BNP or NT-proBNP level. Overall, the pulmonary vasodilators were well tolerated. This finding needs to be confirmed in future studies.

Sanger sequencing, the traditional “gold standard” for mutation detection, has been wildly used in genetic testing of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). However, with the advent of whole-exome sequencing (WES), few studies have compared the accuracy of WES and Sanger sequencing in routine genetic testing of PAH. PAH individuals were enrolled from Fu Wai Hospital and Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital. WES was used to analyze DNA samples from 120 PAH patients whose bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) mutation statuses had been previously studied using Sanger sequencing. The Sanger sequencing and WES agreement was 98.3% (118/120) with near-perfect agreement (κ coefficient = 0.848). There was no significant difference between the two methods on the McNemar–Bowker test ( P > 0.05). Twenty-one BMPR2 mutation carriers and 99 non-carriers were detected by Sanger sequencing. Among the 21 BMPR2 carriers detected by Sanger sequencing, one variant (c.1040 T > A) was not found by WES. Among the 99 BMPR2 non-carriers, WES detected an extra mutation carrier (c.76 + 1 G > C) missed by Sanger sequencing. Both false-positive and false-negative results were highly conserved and were re-analyzed by Sanger sequencing. WES improved the accuracy of Sanger sequencing and detected 1% (1/99) false-positive and 4.8% (1/21) false-negative results of Sanger sequencing. No false-positive and false-negative results of WES were identified in our analysis. WES is non-inferior to Sanger sequencing and may play a more important role in genetic testing of PAH patients in the future.