Abstract In this study, we incorporated gallic acid (GA) and salicylic acid (SA) onto chitosan (CS) using free radical grafting initiated by hydrogen peroxide/Vitamin C (H2O2/Vc) redox system. We characterized the structural properties of the GA (CS-GA) and SA (CS-SA) derivatives using UV–vis absorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and thermal stability analysis. We proved that these phenolic acids were successfully grafted onto the molecular skeleton of CS. We investigated the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of CS-GA and CS-SA and found that they had significantly higher antioxidant and antibacterial properties than native CS. Furthermore, the antioxidant ability increased with the increase in grafting ratios. Finally, in vivo tests showed that CS-GA could maintain the firmness and the content of soluble solids and titratable acids in Saimaiti apricots at cool storage. The storage period was prolonged by inhibiting the respiratory intensity of apricots. Our results suggest that CS-GA can be potentially used as an edible coating material to preserve apricots.

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes vary greatly in different regions. The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of HCV genotypes in HCV infected patients, in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Nucleic acid extraction and amplification were performed with test kits on 153 HCV infected patients serum samples. The HCV viral load was measured using reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and HCV genotypes were determined. Among the 153 HCV-infected patients, 56 had genotype (GT)1b (36.60%), 45 had GT2a (29.40%), 23 had GT3a (15.00%), 14 had GT3b (9.20%),13 had GT6a (8.50%), 1 had GT1g (0.70%), 1 had GT6xa (0.70%). In GT1b, 21.40% were female and 78.60% were male; in GT2a, 42.20% were female and 57.80% were male;Males were most prevalent in genotypes 1b(39.30%), while female were most prevalent in genotype 2a(46.30%). Rare GT1g and GT6xa were also detected in males. The 41-50 year age group had the highest HCV prevalence of 32.00%. HCV GT1b is the predominant HCV genotype in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Resumo Os genótipos do vírus da hepatite C (HCV) variam muito de acordo com a região. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a distribuição do genótipo do vírus da hepatite C em pessoas infectadas pelo vírus na região autônoma de Ningxia Hui. A extração de ácido nucleico e a expansão de amostras séricas em 153 pacientes infectados com HCV foram realizadas utilizando kits de ensaio. A capacidade do vírus HCV foi medida pela reação em cadeia da polimerase retrotranscrição (RT-PCR) e o genótipo HCV foi determinado. Os genótipos (Gt) tiveram a seguinte distribuição entre os 153 casos de infecção HCV: 56 Gt 1-B (36, 60%), 45 Gt 2-A (29, 40%), 23 Gt 3-A (15, 00%), 14 Gt 3-B (9, 20%), 13 Gt 6-A (8, 50%), 1 Gt 1-G (0, 70%) e 1 Gt 6-Xa (0, 70%). Já o sexo dos indivíduos teve a seguinte distribuição: Gt 1-B, 21, 40% mulheres e 78, 60% homens; Gt 2-A, 42, 20% mulheres e 57, 80% homens. A presença de homens é mais comum no genótipo 1-B (39, 30%), enquanto as mulheres ocorrem mais comumente no genótipo 2-A (46, 30%). Gt 1-G e Gt 6-Xa raros também foram detectados em homens. A taxa de infecção com HCV para grupos etários de 41 a 50 anos é a mais alta, com 32,00%. HCV Gt 1-B é o genótipo dominante do HCV na região autônoma de Ningxia Hui.

Abstract We aimed to study level of cardiac troponin T(cTnT) and its possible influence factorsin maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Blood was obtained from 123 MHD patients before undergoing hemodialysis. Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) had higher cTnT levels than those without CVD (0.062 [0.044 - 0.083] ng/mL vs 0.031[0.020 - 0.046] ng/mL, P = 0.002). Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) had higher cTnT levels than those non-DM (0.061[0.042 - 0.102] ng/mL vs 0.044[0.025 - 0.064] ng/mL, P = 0.003). We found that in all MHD patients, cTnT correlated positively with age(ρ = 0.309, P = 0.001), glycated albumin (ρ = 0.192, P = 0.040), amino-terminal pro-B-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (ρ = 0.448, P < 0.001), high-sensitive C reactive protein(hsCRP) (ρ = 0.335, P < 0.001), carotid artery intima-media thickness (ρ = 0.315, P = 0.004) and left ventricular mass index(ρ = 0.369, P < 0.001); negatively with pre-albumin(ρ = -0.280, P = 0.002), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(ρ = -0.201, P = 0.047). Age (β = 0.204, P = 0.043), NT-proBNP (β = 0.299, P = 0.010) and left ventricular mass index (β = 0.345, P = 0.003) were independently associated cTnT. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis showed the correlation between cTnT and CVD was more closely than NT-proBNP and hsCRP, the correlation between cTnT and left ventricular hypertrophy was lower than NT-proBNP, and higher than hsCRP. In conclusions, serum cTnT is markedly elevated in MHD patients; Serum cTnT is associated with advanced age, fluid overload, malnutrition, microinflammation, left ventricular hypertrophy and CVD in MHD patients.

Abstract To determine the effect of transportation vibration on the nutritional quality and antioxidant activity of sweet cherry fruits in the process of cold chain transportation. Two kinds of sweet cherry “Summit” and “Nanyang” with different storage and transportation resistance were used as experimental materials. The results showed that the content of soluble solids, titratable acids and vitamin C in sweet cherry fruits were significantly reduced, while the content of superoxide anion radical, malondialdehyde and the antioxidant enzyme activities of CAT, APX, POD and PPO increased significantly, At the same time, the content of total phenols and flavonoids were increased under transport vibration stress, but the ability of DPPH and ABTS+ free radical scavenging of sweet cherry were reduced significantly. In particular, transportation vibration stress had a greater impact on the nutritional quality and antioxidant activity of “Nanyang”, a sweet cherry with poor storage resistance. The results of this study indicated that transportation vibration has a great impact on the nutritional quality of sweet cherry, and that there is a strong correlation between antioxidant activity and nutritional quality. This study confirmed that transportation vibration during cold chain transportation can significantly reduce the nutritional quality and antioxidant activity of sweet cherry.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to determine the phytochemical composition and evaluate the nutritional value of qamgur (Brassica rapa L., a characteristic crop in Xinjiang). The fresh qamgur was processed with hot air drying and freeze drying and then sliced into FD qamgur slices and ground into qamgur powders. The results show that qamgur powders and FD qamgur slices are rich in the nutrients essential for human health, such as total sugar (41.4 and 44.8 g/100 g), polysaccharide (16.3 × 103 and 20.4 × 103 g/100 g), Vitamin C (39.3 and 46.5 g/100 g), flavonoids (45.0 and 33.0 g/100 g) and total saponins (46.0 and 30.0 g/100 g) compared with the fresh qamgur. Moreover, major elements and micro elements analysis were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and the results showed that an abundant number of mineral elements (e.g. K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) were found in qamgur. The content of Ca was 4.5×103 mg/kg, 15.7 mg/kg for Zn, and 81.1 mg/kg for Fe. Similarly, the highest protein value was observed in the qamgur powders (12.4 g/100 g), whereas the fresh samples contained only 2.78 g/100 g. In addition, the proportion of essential amino acids (EAA) and nonessential amino acids (NEAA) of the powders were 59.7% and 40.3%, whereas for the FD slices, they were 61.0% and 39.0%. Overall, the nutritional value of qamgur was significantly improved through processing. So, in this paper, we provide the theoretical basis for the study on the nutritional value of qamgur and the development of medicinal foods and functional foods.

ABSTRACT Studies on how washing and storage influence duck egg quality are scarce compared with those on chicken egg quality. The present study investigated the quality of washed and unwashed duck eggs stored at 7 ºC and 25 ºC for 8 weeks. Quality parameters, including Haugh unit (HU), yolk index, thick albumen ratio, albumen pH, and air cell size, indicated that egg quality deteriorated during prolonged storage, and cuticle staining confirmed that washing reduced cuticle coverage. Washed eggs stored at 7 ºC maintained high quality (grade B; HU: 54) according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, 2000) after storage for 8 weeks, whereas unwashed eggs stored at 25 ºC exhibited a low but acceptable quality (grade B, but HU: 36) after 7 weeks. Strong correlations were observed between the quality parameters evaluated. In conclusion, duck eggs should be washed and then stored at 7 ºC to enhance microbial safety and maintain quality to achieve a shelf life of at least 8 weeks.

ABSTRACT Grafting is an important means to overcome the obstacles of continuous cropping of solanaceous vegetables. The objective of this subject was to evaluate the performance of different rootstocks in grafted tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under coconut coir cultivation. This research was carried out on a scion ‘Ruifen 882’ grafted onto four rootstocks (‘Guangzhen 1’, ‘Zhenai 1’, ‘Ganzhen 1’, and ‘Guozhen 1’) in comparison with non-grafted and self-grafted ‘Ruifen 882’ plants. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse environment and adopted the casing grafting method with three replicates; 20 plants per replicate were employed in a randomized block design. The following variables were analyzed: graft survival rate, growth parameters (plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of above-ground part and under-ground part, root-shoot ratio and strong seedling index), physiological characteristics (chlorophyll and mineral element contents), fruit yield, and fruit quality (hardness, soluble solid, soluble sugar, titratable acid, vitamin C and lycopene). The results of growth monitoring indicated that grafting could improve the growth and development of tomato plants at the seedling stage and ‘Ruifen 882’/‘Guozhen 1’ (R/GUO) had high grafting survival rate of nearly 98%, which is close to the self-grafted plants. Physiological analysis showed that R/GUO and ‘Ruifen 882’/‘Zhenai 1’ (R/ ZA) significantly increased the chlorophyll content and absorption of K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, Mn and Cu. On fruit yield, grafts ‘Ruifen 882’/‘Ganzhen 1’ (R/GAN) and R/GUO had better performance. Comprehensive analysis showed that the best results for tomato scion growth, development, fruit quality and yield were observed with the graft combination R/GUO.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the influence of cold chain integrity during postwashing processing and storage on chicken egg quality. Postwashed eggs from a commercial washing plant were assigned to eight groups that simulated the conditions of postwashing temporary storage, transportation, selling, and storage. At each step, eggs were stored at low (7 °C) or high (25 °C or 30 °C) temperatures for a certain period of time to simulate commercial handling. Freshness and microbial characteristics of the eggs were analyzed for 4 weeks. The results demonstrated that eggs stored at low temperatures during all three steps in the cold chain maintained the highest quality. Any interruption of the integrity of low temperature in the cold chain resulted in varied quality deterioration. Therefore, processors and consumers should maintain washed eggs in a cold chain from postwashing until consumption to maintain the quality and safety of eggs.

Yeast cultures (YCs) are defined as promising feed additives that maintain the health of birds and improve growth performance by modulating gut microbiota. YCs contain effective metabolites such as glycine, fructose, inositol, galactose, and sucrose. This study investigated the effects of YCs and their effective metabolites on carcass traits and cecal microflora in broilers. A total of 280 one-day-old mixed-sex Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated to seven groups. The basal diet (control DZ) was supplemented with various proportions of glycine, fructose, inositol, galactose, and sucrose (Groups A, B, and C), 24-hour grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures (Group D) (YC), and a commercial yeast culture product (SZ) at concentrations of 0.1% and 1% (Groups E and F). Bodyweight of broilers was correlated positively with proportions of Proteobacteria in Group C and Lactobacillus and Roseburia in Group B (P <0.05). Broilers fed diets supplemented with YC or its active metabolites had the highest proportions of bacteria involved in nucleotide metabolism, and amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. These results suggested that the dietary addition of YC could alter the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in broilers.

Resumo Objetivo: Observar os efeitos do bloqueio do gânglio estrelado na fibrilação atrial no período perioperatório em pacientes submetidos a lobectomia pulmonar. Método: Duzentos pacientes programados para lobectomia foram divididos aleatoriamente nos grupos S e C. O grupo S recebeu infusão de 4 mL de ropivacaína a 0,2% orientada por ultrassom e o grupo C não foi submetido a bloqueio do gânglio estrelado. Os pacientes foram submetidos à monitoração contínua de ECG, e as incidências de fibrilação atrial e outros tipos de arritmias foram registradas do início da cirurgia até 24 horas depois da cirurgia. Resultados: As incidências de fibrilação atrial no grupo S e no grupo C foram 3% e 10%, respectivamente (p = 0,045); as de outras arritmias atriais foram 20% e 38% (p = 0,005); e de arritmias ventriculares, 28% e 39% (p = 0,09). Conclusões: Os resultados do estudo indicaram que o bloqueio do gânglio estrelado no pré-operatório pode ser efetivo na redução da incidência de fibrilação atrial nos períodos intra- e pós-operatório.

Abstract Objective: To observe the effects of preoperative right stellate ganglion block on perioperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing lung lobectomy. Methods: Two hundred patients who underwent a scheduled lobectomy were randomly divided into the S and C groups. The S group was injected with 4 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine under ultrasound guidance, and the C group did not receive stellate ganglion block. The patients underwent continuous ECG monitoring, and the incidences of atrial fibrillation and other types of arrhythmias were recorded from the start of surgery to 24 hours after surgery. Results: The respective incidences of atrial fibrillation in the S group and the C group were 3% and 10% (p = 0.045); other atrial arrhythmias were 20% and 38% (p = 0.005); and ventricular arrhythmia were 28% and 39% (p = 0.09). Conclusions: The results of the study indicated that preoperative right stellate ganglion block can effectively reduce the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative atrial fibrillation.

ABSTRACT Over-accumulation of triglycerides (TGs) in goose hepatocytes leads to the formation of fatty acid liver. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinase 1 (PEPCK) is regarded as the rate-limiting enzyme for gluconeogenesis, and there is evidence that PEPCK is involved in regulating hepatic glucolipid metabolism. Hence, we proposed that PEPCK may have a role in goose hepatic steatosis. To test our hypothesis, the present study was conducted to firstly determine the sequence characteristics of goose PEPCK and then to explore its role in overfeeding-induced fatty liver. Our results showed that goose PEPCK encodes a 622-amino-acids protein that contains highly conserved oxaloacetate-binding domain, kinase-1 and kinase-2 motifs. PEPCK had higher mRNA levels in goose liver, and overfeeding markedly increased its expression in livers of both Sichuan White and Landes geese (p<0.05). Besides, expression of PEPCK was positively correlated with hepatic TG levels as well as plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Additionally, in cultured goose primary hepatocyte, treatment with either oleic acid (0.8, 1.2 or 1.6 mM) or linoleic acid (0.125 or 0.25 mM) significantly (p<0.05) enhanced the expression of PEPCK. Taken together, these data suggested a role for PEPCK in the occurrence of overfeeding-induced goose hepatic steatosis.

Abstract Purpose To explore the role of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury of diabetic rats. Methods Sixty adult male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, including sham group (S group), ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group), ischemia-reperfusion+ATRA group (A group), diabetic group (D group), diabetic ischemia-reperfusion group (DI/R group), diabetic ischemia-reperfusion +ATRA group (DA group). The levels of creatinine (Cr), cystatin C (Cys-C) and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) were measured. Morphology of renal tissue was observed under light microscope. Results DJ-1, Nrf2, HO-1 and caspase-3 were detected by western blot. DJ-1, Nrf2, HO-1 and caspase-3 in I/R group, D group and DI/R group was higher than that in S group. Compared with I/R group, Nrf2 and HO-1 in A group was decreased, but caspase-3 was increased. However, Nrf2 in DA group was higher than that in DI/R group, HO-1 and caspase-3 in DA group were lower than that in DI/R group. Compared with group S, Cr, Cys-C and β2-MG in I/R group, A group, D group, and DI/R group were higher. Whereas the levels of Cr, Cys-C, β2-MG and renal injury score in DA group were lower than those in DI/R group. Conclusion ATRA has a protective effect on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetic rats, maybe relating to DJ/Nrf2 pathway.

ABSTRACT Heat stress induces oxidative stress, and reduces body antioxidant metabolite levels, which can affect poultry production performance. Dietary antioxidants protect birds against the adverse effects of heat stress. The effects of increasing concentrations of dietary curcumin on the antioxidant parameters of layers maintained under high-temperature conditions for nine weeks were evaluated. Roman laying hens (n = 336, 22 weeks old, 1420 g BW) were divided into three treatment groups. The first group served as a thermoneutral control (kept at 25 ± 1 °C). The second group was exposed to high temperatures (32 ± 1 °C, 6 h/d), given a basal diet. The third group was further divided into five treatment groups (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 mg/kg Curcumin) fed a basal diet (treatments H1, H2, H3, H4, H5) under high temperatures conditions (32 ± 1 °C, 6 hours/day). As a result of this study, total superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in H2 and H3 groups, and total antioxidant capacity was higher in H2, H3, and H5 groups. Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in the H3 group. Malondialdehyde concentration was lowered in curcumin supplemented hens compared with control groups hens. Laying hens in all curcumin treatment groups had slightly higher activities of CAT, SOD, GSH-Px, and T-AOC in the liver, heart, and lungs, compared with heat stressed control group. It was concluded that dietary curcumin given to laying hens under heat stress may enhance their antioxidant status, and alleviate the detrimental effects of stressful environmental conditions.

Abstract Background: Prognosis remains one of most crucial determinants of gastric cancer (GC) treatment, but current methods do not predict prognosis accurately. Identification of additional biomarkers is urgently required to identify patients at risk of poor prognoses. Methods: Tissue microarrays were used to measure expression of nine GC-associated proteins in GC tissue and normal gastric tissue samples. Hierarchical cluster analysis of microarray data and feature selection for factors associated with survival were performed. Based on these data, prognostic scoring models were established to predict clinical outcomes. Finally, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was used to identify a biological GC network. Results: Eight proteins were upregulated in GC tissues versus normal gastric tissues. Hierarchical cluster analysis and feature selection showed that overall survival was worse in cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)2, Akt1, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), Notch4, and phosphorylated (p)-protein kinase C (PKC) α/β2 immunopositive patients than in patients that were immunonegative for these proteins. Risk score models based on these five proteins and clinicopathological characteristics were established to determine prognoses of GC patients. These proteins were found to be involved in cancer related-signaling pathways and upstream regulators were identified. Conclusion: This study identified proteins that can be used as clinical biomarkers and established a risk score model based on these proteins and clinicopathological characteristics to assess GC prognosis.

Resumo Fundamento: A função ventricular direita é fator crucial do prognóstico do lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES). Objetivos: Avaliar a função ventricular direita em pacientes com LES e diferentes graus de hipertensão pulmonar (HP) por avaliação do strain e do strain rate. Métodos: Um total de 102 pacientes com LES e 30 voluntários sadios foram estudados entre outubro de 2015 e maio de 2016. Os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com a pressão sistólica da artéria pulmonar (PSAP) estimada por ecocardiografia: grupo controle (A); PSAP ≤ 30 mmHg (grupo B, n = 37); PSAP 30-50 mmHg (HP leve; grupo C, n = 34); e PSAP ≥ 50 mmHg (HP moderada a grave; grupo D, n = 31). Foram medidos, nos segmentos basal, medial e apical da parede livre do ventrículo direito, o pico sistólico longitudinal (ε) e o strain rate (SR), incluindo o SR sistólico (SRs), o SR diastólico precoce (SRp) e o SR diastólico tardio (SRt) pela técnica de ecocardiografia bidimensional com rastreamento de “pontos” (two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, 2D-STE) pela visualização apical de quatro câmaras. Um p < 0,05 foi adotado como estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: Os parâmetros ε, SRs, SRp e SRt foram significativamente menores nos grupos C e D em comparação aos grupos A e B. O ε de cada segmento foi significativamente menor no grupo D que no grupo C, ao passo que não houve diferença no SRs, SRp ou SRt entre os grupos C e D. Conclusões: O strain e o SR obtidos por 2D-STE puderam detectar precocemente disfunção ventricular direita em pacientes com LES e HP, contribuindo para o tratamento clínico e prognóstico desses pacientes. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2018; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract Background: Right ventricular function is a crucial factor of the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Objectives: To evaluate the right ventricular function in SLE patients with different degrees of pulmonary hypertension (PH) by strain and strain rate imaging. Methods: A total of 102 SLE patients and 30 healthy volunteers were studied between October 2015 and May 2016. Patients were divided into three groups according to pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) estimated by echocardiography: group control (A); PASP ≤ 30 mmHg (group B, n = 37); PASP 30-50 mmHg (mild PH; group C, n = 34); and PASP ≥ 50 mmHg (moderate-to-severe PH; group D, n = 31). Longitudinal peak systolic strain (ε) and strain rate (SR), including systolic strain rate (SRs), early diastolic strain rate (SRe) and late diastolic strain rate (SRa) were measured in the basal, middle and apical segments of the right ventricular free wall in participants by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) from the apical four-chamber view. A p < 0.05 was set for statistical significance. Results: The parameters of ε, SRs, SRe, and SRa were significantly decreased in groups C and D compared with groups A and B. The ε of each segments was significantly lower in group D than in group C, while there were no differences in SRs, SRe and SRa between groups C and D. Conclusions: Strain and strain rate imaging could early detect the right ventricular dysfunction in SLE patients with PH, and provide important value for clinical therapy and prognosis of these patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2018; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)