Sensory omics combined with mathematical modeling for integrated analysis of retronasal Muscat flavor in table grapes

This study focused on analyzing the aroma formation mechanism of retronasal muscat flavor in table grapes. The sensory characteristics and fragrance components of table grape juice with different intensities of Muscat were investigated using GC-Quadrupole-MS, quantitative descriptive analysis and three-alternate forced choice. Free monoterpenoids were the main contributors to the retronasal Muscat flavor. The contribution of Muscat compounds to this flavor was quantified by Stevens coefficient, the most and the least sensitive compounds to concentration changes were citronellol and linalool, respectively. To predict the Muscat flavor intensity by mathematical modeling, established a model between Muscat flavor intensity and monoterpenoids concentration, and an optimal partial least squares regression model with a linear relationship between natural logarithms was obtained. These findings provide reference for understanding the formation mechanism of specific aromas in fruits and provide a basis for the development and quality control of processed products such as Muscat flavor grape juice.

Enhancing saltiness perception in bone broth: the additive effect of oil and optimization of sodium-reduction formula for consumer acceptability

BACKGROUND

Excessive NaCl intake in liquid and semi-solid food (e.g. soup, hot pot base, sauce) poses a high risk to human health, and reducing NaCl intake is a major concern for global health.

RESULTS

Using the generalized Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS) method, the study verified the possibility of sodium reduction through oil addition. The compromised acceptance threshold (CAT) and hedonic rejection threshold (HRT) were determined. The gLMS results showed that the saltiness intensity of samples containing 0.36% NaCl and 2.29% sunflower seed oil was significantly higher than that of samples containing only 0.36% NaCl (P < 0.05). CAT and HRT results indicated that by adding 3.59% sunflower oil, the NaCl content could be reduced to a minimum of 0.14% without causing sensory rejection in bone broth samples. The quantitative descriptive analysis method was used to determine the effects of NaCl and oil concentrations on the sensory attributes of bone broth samples. Furthermore, it was used to analyze the consumer acceptability drivers in combination with the hedonic scale to optimize the formulation of reduced-salt bone broth products. Notably, sample E (0.36% NaCl, 2.29% fat) not only had a significant salt reduction effect with a 20% decrease in NaCl, but also had improved overall acceptability.

CONCLUSION

This study provides theoretical guidance for designing salt-reduction cuisine within the catering and food industries, including bone broth and hot pot bases. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023. Methods: The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed. Results: A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M (Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant (P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age (P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion: Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.

Changes of the volatile compounds and odors in one-stage and three-stage infant formulas during their secondary shelf-life

The odor of infant formula changes due to alterations in its volatile composition during the shelf life. However, there is currently a lack of research on whether the odor changes in infant formula during the secondary shelf life, which refers to the period of repeated opening and usage in daily life. This study used headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-electrostatic orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-Orbitrap-MS) to investigate the volatile composition changes in one-stage and three-stage infant formulas during different stages (0 day, 3 days, and 7 days during the secondary shelf-life, i.e. simulated daily use). A total of 32 volatiles were identified, including nine aldehydes, seven ketones, four alcohols, three furans, two sulfur compounds, two esters, and five terpenoids. Of these, 16 compounds changed significantly in one-stage samples and 23 compounds in three-stage samples within 7 days of the secondary shelf-life. Further the odor of the three-stage infant formula samples was found changed substantially after 3 days of simulated use by using the triangle test. This study highlighted the considerable alterations in volatile compound composition and sensory changes during the simulated daily use and provided valuable insights for consumers in selecting and using infant formula products, as well as a new perspective for enterprises to improve the sensory quality of their products.

Sensory-Guided Establishment of Sensory Lexicon and Investigation of Key Flavor Components for Goji Berry Pulp

Many customers prefer goji berry pulp, well-known for its high nutritional content, over fresh goji berries. However, there is limited research on its sensory lexicon and distinctive flavor compounds. This study focused on developing a sensory lexicon for goji berry pulp and characterizing its aroma by sensory and instrumental analysis. Sensory characteristics of goji berry pulp were evaluated by our established lexicon. A total of 83 aromatic compounds in goji berry pulp were quantified using HS-SPME-GC-Orbitrap-MS. By employing OAV in combination, we identified 17 aroma-active compounds as the key ingredients in goji berry pulp. Then, we identified the potentially significant contributors to the aroma of goji berry pulp by combining principal component analysis and partial least squares regression (PLSR) models of aroma compounds and sensory attributes, which included 3-ethylphenol, methyl caprylate, 2-hydroxy-4-methyl ethyl valerate, benzeneacetic acid, ethyl ester, hexanal, (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, acetylpyrazine, butyric acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 1-pentanol, phenylethyl alcohol, and 2-nonanone. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving the quality control and processing technology of goji berry pulp.

Role of Cisplatin in Inducing Acute Kidney Injury and Pyroptosis in Mice via the Exosome miR-122/ELAVL1 Regulatory Axis

Although cisplatin is an effective chemotherapy drug for the treatment of various cancers, its clinical use is limited due to its side effects, especially nephrotoxicity. Unfortunately, acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by cisplatin remains one of the main challenges in effective cancer treatment. Evidence increasingly suggests that renal inflammation and pyroptotic inflammatory cell death of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) mainly determine the progression and outcome of cisplatin-induced AKI. However, it is not clear how cisplatin regulates the pyroptosis of RTECs cells in AKI. The current study aimed to determine the regulation mechanism of AKI induced by cisplatin. We used cisplatin to induce AKI in vivo. We performed H&E staining of mouse kidney tissue sections and evaluated serological indicators of kidney injury (including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)). We used immunohistochemistry and western blot to detect the important substrate protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) and key target caspase-1 of pyroptosis, respectively. Cisplatin induced mouse AKI and RTECs pyroptosis. HK2 cell-derived exosomes treated with cisplatin influenced pyroptosis of the surrounding HK2 cells. Cisplatin-treated HK2 cells exosome-derived miR-122 regulated pyroptosis in the surrounding cells. Exosome-derived miR-122 affected cisplatin-induced AKI and HK2 cells pyroptosis by regulating the expression of embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAVL1). These results suggest that exosome miR-122 inhibited pyroptosis and AKI by targeting ELAVL1 under cisplatin treatment, and this offers a potential target for the treatment of AKI.

Unraveling the relationship between key aroma components and sensory properties of fragrant peanut oils based on flavoromics and machine learning

Key aroma components of 33 fragrant peanut oils with different aroma types were screened by combined using flavoromics and machine learning. A total of 108 volatile compounds were identified and 100 kinds of them were accurately quantified, and 38 compounds out of them were with odorant activity value ≥1. The 33 peanut oils presented varied intensity of 'fresh peanuts', 'roasted nut', 'burnt', 'over-burnt', 'sweet', 'peanut butter-like', 'puffed food' and 'exotic flavor', and could be classified into four aroma types, namely raw, light, thick and salty. Partial least squares regression analysis, random forest and classification regression tree revealed that 2-acetyl pyrazine had a negative effect on 'fresh peanuts' and could distinguish raw flavor samples well; 2-methylbutanal and 4-vinylguaiacol were key compounds of 'roasted nut' and had significant differences (P < 0.0001) in thick and raw flavor samples; furfural contributed to the 'puffed food' as well as key compound of salty flavor.

Inulin has a beneficial effect by modulating the intestinal microbiome in a BALB/c mouse model

Food allergy is an important health problem that affects human quality of life and socioeconomic development, and its treatment requires improvement. Intestinal flora dysbiosis is closely associated with food allergies. A sensitised mouse model was established by the intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA). The mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, model, high-dose (H), and low-dose (L) inulin. The mice were administered water containing different concentrations of inulin four weeks before the OVA injection. Body weight changes were monitored. After the last OVA injection, the mice were scored for allergic reactions. The levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and diamine oxidase (DAO) in the serum and secretory IgA (sIgA) in the small intestinal mucus were measured, and 16S rRNA sequencing of the faecal flora was performed to evaluate microbial parameters. The intestinal flora biomarkers, correlations between them, and biochemical indicators were analysed. Inulin treatment had no effect on the body weight of OVA-sensitised mice but attenuated allergic reactions and intestinal injury in mice. Compared with the control group, the model group had significantly higher levels of serum DAO and IgE and significantly lower levels of intestinal mucus IgA. IgA levels in the intestinal mucus of mice treated with inulin prior to OVA sensitisation were higher than those in non-inulin-treated OVA-sensitised mice. Furthermore, analysis of operational taxonomic units showed that inulin treatment decreased the abundance of Alloprevotella, Rikenellaceae RC9, Eubacterium siraeum, and Eubacterium xylanophilum, and increased the abundance of Blautia and Lachnospiraceae. Serum DAO levels were positively associated with Eubacterium siraeum, Alloprevotella, Eubacterium xylanophilum, and Odoribacter and negatively associated with Blautia, Tyzzerella, Alistipes, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Ruminococcaceae UCG005. In addition, IgE levels were positively associated with Eubacterium siraeum, Alloprevotella, Eubacterium xylanophilum, Odoribacter, and Citrobacter and negatively associated with Blautia, unclassified Ruminococcaceae, and Alistipes. IgA exhibited significant positive correlation with Blautia, norank_f_Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, Alistipes, norank Desulfovibrionaceae, Muribaculum, and Ruminococcaceae U C G 005 and significant negative correlation with Eubacterim siraeum, Eubacterium xylanophilum, Odoribacter, and Citrobacter. Inulin exerts a protective effect against food allergies in mice, which is partially mediated by alterations in the gut microbiota.

Lithium Intercalation into the Excitonic Insulator Candidate Ta2NiSe5

A new reduced phase derived from the excitonic insulator candidate Ta₂NiSe₅ has been synthesized via the intercalation of lithium. LiTa₂NiSe₅ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmnb (no. 62) with lattice parameters a = 3.50247(3) Å, b = 13.4053(4) Å, c = 15.7396(2) Å, and Z = 4, with an increase of the unit cell volume by 5.44(1)% compared with Ta₂NiSe₅. Significant rearrangement of the Ta-Ni-Se layers is observed, in particular a very significant relative displacement of the layers compared to the parent phase, similar to that which occurs under hydrostatic pressure. Neutron powder diffraction experiments and computational analysis confirm that Li occupies a distorted triangular prismatic site formed by Se atoms of adjacent Ta₂NiSe₅ layers with an average Li-Se bond length of 2.724(2) Å. Li-NMR experiments show a single Li environment at ambient temperature. Intercalation suppresses the distortion to monoclinic symmetry that occurs in Ta₂NiSe₅ at 328 K and that is believed to be driven by the formation of an excitonic insulating state. Magnetometry data show that the reduced phase has a smaller net diamagnetic susceptibility than Ta₂NiSe₅ due to the enhancement of the temperature-independent Pauli paramagnetism caused by the increased density of states at the Fermi level evident also from the calculations, consistent with the injection of electrons during intercalation and formation of a metallic phase.

A rapid and reliable method for the determination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum during wine fermentation based on PMA-CELL-qPCR

Real-time monitoring of microbial dynamics during fermentation is essential for wine quality control. This study developed a method that combines the fluorescent dye propidium monoazide (PMA) with CELL-qPCR, which can distinguish between dead and live microbes for Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. This method could detect the quantity of microbes efficiently and rapidly without DNA extraction during wine fermentation. The results showed that (1) the PMA-CELL-qPCR enumeration method developed for L. plantarum was optimized for PMA treatment concentration, PMA detection sensitivity and multiple conditions of sample pretreatment in wine environment, and the optimized method can accurately quantify 10⁴-10⁸ CFU/mL of the target strain (L. plantarum) in multiple matrices; (2) when the concentration of dead bacteria in the system is 10⁴ times higher than the concentration of live bacteria, there is an error of 0.5-1 lg CFU/mL in the detection results. The optimized sample pretreatment method in wine can effectively reduce the inhibitory components in the qPCR reaction system; (3) the optimized PMA-CELL-qPCR method was used to monitor the dynamic changes of L. plantarum during the fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon wine, and the results were consistent with the plate counting method. In conclusion, the live bacteria quantification method developed in this study for PMA-CELL-qPCR in L. plantarum wines is accurate in quantification and simple in operation, and can be used as a means to accurately monitor microbial dynamics in wine and other fruit wines.

Investigation of aroma characteristics of seven Chinese commercial sunflower seed oils using a combination of descriptive Analysis, GC-quadrupole-MS, and GC-Orbitrap-MS

The aroma characteristics of seven commercial Chinese sunflower seed oils were investigated in this study using descriptive analysis, headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with GC-quadrupole-MS (LRMS, low-resolution mass spectrometry), and GC-Orbitrap-MS (HRMS, high-resolution mass spectrometry). GC-Orbitrap-MS quantified 96 compounds, including 18 alcohols, 12 esters, 7 ketones, 20 terpenoids, 11 pyrazines, 6 aldehydes, 6 furans, 6 benzene ring-containing compounds, 3 sulfides, 2 alkanes, and 5 nitrogen-containing compounds. Moreover, 22 compounds including 5 acids, 1 amide, and 16 aldehydes were quantified using GC-Quadrupole-MS. To our knowledge, 23 volatile compounds were reported for the first time in sunflower seed oil. All the seven samples were found to have a 'roasted sunflower seeds' note, 'sunflower seeds aroma' note and 'burnt aroma' note and only five of them had 'fried instant noodles' note, three had 'sweet' note and two had 'puffed food' note. Partial least squares regression was used to screen the candidate key volatiles that caused the aroma differences among these seven samples. It was observed that 'roasted sunflower seeds' note was positively correlated with 1-octen-3-ol, n-heptadehyde and dimethyl sulfone, whereas the 'fried instant noodles' and 'puffed food' demonstrated a positive correlation with pentanal, 3-methylbutanal, hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal and 2-pentylfuran. Our findings provide information to the producers and developers for quality control and improvement of sunflower seed oil.

[Influential factors related to functional status after full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the influential factors associated with functional status of those patients who undertook a full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy operation.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted. A total of 96 patients who undertook a full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy operation and met inclusive criteria were enrolled in the study. The postoperative follow-up was held 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation. The self-developed record file was used to collect the patient's information and medical history. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, Gene-ralised anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale score and patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale score were applied to measure pain intensity, functional status, anxiety status and depression status. Repeated measurement analysis of variance was used to explore the ODI score 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation. Multiple linear regression was recruited to illuminate the influential factors associated with functional status after the operation. Logistic regression was employed to explore the independent risk factors related to return to work 6 months after operation.

RESULTS

The postoperative functional status of the patients improved gradually. The functional status of the patients 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation were highly positively correlated with the current average pain intensity. The factors influencing the postoperative functional status of the patients were different according to the recovery stage. One month and 3 months after operation, the factors influencing the postoperative functional status were the current average pain intensity; 6 months after operation, the factors influencing the postoperative functional status included the current average pain intensity, preoperative average pain intensity, gender and educational level. The risk factors influencing return to work 6 months after operation included women, young age, preoperative depression status and high average pain intensity 3 months after operation.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to treat chronic low back pain with full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy operation. In the process of postoperative functional status recovery, medical staffs should not only take analgesic mea-sures to reduce the pain intensity experienced by the patients, but also pay attention to the impact of psychosocial factors on the recovery. Women, young age, preoperative depression status, and high average pain intensity 3 months after operation may delay return to work after the operation.

Expert consensus of management of adverse drug reactions with anaplastic lymphoma kinase tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements occur in ∼3%-6% of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Small molecular drugs that effectively inhibit ALK gene have revolutionized the therapeutic paradigm for patients with ALK rearrangements, resulting in significant improvements in objective response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival compared with classical platinum-based chemotherapy. Several ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs), including crizotinib, alectinib, ceritinib, brigatinib, ensartinib, and lorlatinib, have been recommended as standard first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC patients with ALK rearrangements. Patients with ALK rearrangements typically exhibit long-term durable responses to ALK-TKIs; therefore, the management of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with ALK-TKIs is crucial in clinical practice to maximize clinical benefits, prevent an adverse impact on quality of life, and improve patient compliance. In general, ALK-TKIs are well tolerated. There are, however, a number of serious toxicities that may necessitate dose modification or even discontinuation of treatment and the management of ADRs with ALK-TKIs has grown in importance. The therapeutic use of this class of medications still carries some risk because there are currently no pertinent guidelines or consensus recommendations for managing ADRs caused by ALK-TKIs in China. In order to improve the clinical management of ADRs with ALK-TKIs, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Professional Committee led the discussion and summary of the incidence, diagnosis and grading standards, and prevention and treatment of ADRs caused by ALK-TKIs.

[Therapeutic mechanism of Guizhi Gancao Decoction for heart failure: a network pharmacology-based analysis]

OBJECTIVE

To predict the targets and pathways in the therapeutic mechanism of Guizhi Gancao Decoction (GZGCD) against heart failure (HF) based on network pharmacology.

METHODS

The chemical components of GZGCD were analyzed using the databases including TCMSP, TCMID and TCM@Taiwan, and the potential targets of GZGCD were predicted using the SwissTargetPrediction database. The targets of HF were obtained using the databases including DisGeNET, Drugbank and TTD. The intersection targets of GZGCD and HF were identified using VENNY. Uniport database was used to convert the information, and the components-targets-disease network was constructed using Cytoscape software. The Bisogene plug-in, Merge plug-in, and CytoNCA plug-in in Cytoscape software were used for protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis to acquire the core targets. Metascape database was used for GO and KEGG analysis. The results of network pharmacology analysis were verified with Western blot analysis. Three factors (PKCα, ERK1/2 and BCL2) were screened according to the degree value of network pharmacology results and the degree of correlation with heart failure process. The pentobarbtal sodium was dissolvein H9C2 cells treated with serum-free high glucose medium to simulate the ischemic anoxic environment of heart failure. The total proteins of myocardial cells were extracted. The protein contents of PKCα, ERK1/2 and BCL2 were determined.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 190 intersection targets between GZGCD and HF using Venny database, involving mainly the circulatory system process, cellular response to nitrogen compounds, cation homeostasis, and regulation of the MAPK cascade. These potential targets were also involved in 38 pathways, including the regulatory pathways in cancer, calcium signal pathway, cGMP-PKG signal pathway, and cAMP signal pathway. Western blot analysis showed that in an in vitro H9C2 cell model of HF, treatment with GZGCD downregulated PKCα and ERK1/2 expressions and upregulated BCL2 expression.

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic mechanism of GZGCD for HF involves multiple targets including PRKCA, PRKCB, MAPK1, MAPK3, and MAPK8 and multiple pathways including the regulatory pathway in cancer and the calcium signaling pathway.

[Dose-response association between fluid overload and hospital mortality in patients with sepsis]

Objective: To investigate dose-response associations between fluid overload (FO) and hospital mortality in patients with sepsis. Methods: The current cohort study was prospective and multicenter. Data were derived from the China Critical Care Sepsis Trial, which was conducted from January 2013 to August 2014. Patients aged≥18 years who were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) for at least 3 days were included. Fluid input/output, fluid balance, fluid overload (FO), and maximum FO (MFO) were calculated during the first 3 days of ICU admission. The patients were divided into three groups based on MFO values: MFO<5%L/kg, MFO 5%-10%L/kg, and MFO≥10% L/kg. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to predict time to death in hospital in the three groups. Associations between MFO and in-hospital mortality were evaluated via multivariable Cox regression models with restricted cubic splines. Results: A total of 2 070 patients were included in the study, of which 1 339 were male and 731 were female, and the mean age was (62.6±17.9) years. Of 696 (33.6%) who died in hospital, 968 (46.8%) were in the MFO<5%L/kg group, 530 (25.6%) were in the MFO 5%-10%L/kg group, and 572 (27.6%) were in the MFO≥10%L/kg group. Deceased patients had significantly higher fluid input than surviving patients during the first 3 days [7 642.0 (2 874.3, 13 639.5) ml vs. 5 738.0 (1 489.0, 7 153.5)ml], and lower fluid output [4 086.0 (1 367.0, 6 354.5) ml vs. 6 130.0 (2 046.0, 11 762.0) ml]. The cumulative survival rates in the three groups gradually decreased with length of ICU stay, and they were 74.9% (725/968) in the MFO<5% L/kg group, 67.7% (359/530) in the MFO 5%-10%L/kg group, and 51.6% (295/572) in the MFO≥10%L/kg group. Compared with the MFO<5%L/kg group, the MFO≥10%L/kg group had a 49% increased risk of inhospital mortality (HR=1.49, 95%CI 1.28-1.73). For each 1% L/kg increase in MFO, the risk of in-hospital mortality increased by 7% (HR=1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.09). There was a"J-shaped"non-linear association between MFO and in-hospital mortality with a nadir of 4.1% L/kg. Conclusion: Higher and lower optimum fluid balance levels were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality, as reflected by the observed J-shaped non-linear association between fluid overload and inhospital mortality.

Exploring the Sensory Properties and Preferences of Fruit Wines Based on an Online Survey and Partial Projective Mapping

Non-grapefruits with unique sensory properties and potential health benefits provide added value to fruit wine production. This study aimed to explore consumers' fruit wine preferences and descriptors for the varied fruit wines. First, 234 consumers participated in an online survey concerning their preferences for different wines (grape, blueberry, hawthorn, goji, Rosa roxburghii, and apricot). In addition, their attitudes towards general health interests, food neophobia, alcoholic drinks, and sweetness were collected. Grape wine and blueberry wine were the most favored wines, and goji wine was the least liked fruit wine sample. Moreover, 89 consumers were invited to evaluate 10 commercial fruit wines by using partial projective mapping based on appearance, aroma, and flavor (including taste and mouthfeel) to obtain a comprehensive sensory characterization. Multifactor analysis results showed that consumers could differentiate the fruit wines. Participants preferred fruit wines with "sweet", "sour", and "balanced fragrance", whereas "bitter", "astringent", "deep appearance", and "medicinal fragrance" were not preferred. Attitudes toward health, food neophobia, alcohol, and sweetness had less influence than taste and aroma (sensory attributes) on the preferences for fruit wine products. More frequent self-reported wine usage resulted in higher consumption frequency and liking ratings compared to non-users. Overall, the main factors influencing consumer preference for fruit wines were the sensory characteristics of the products, especially the taste.

[Study on the obesity-related factors among primary and middle school students in Hangzhou]

Objective: To explore the obesity-related factors among primary and middle school students in Hangzhou. Methods: A stratified random cluster sampling cross-sectional study was conducted using Hangzhou city's 2016-2020 annual school health survey data. Finally, 9 213 primary and secondary school students with complete data were selected as the research objects. The standard of Overweight and Obesity Screening for School-age Children and Adolescents (WS/T 586-2018) was used to verify students' obesity. SPSS 25.0 software was applied to conduct statistical analysis on the related factors of obesity. Results: The overall obesity detection rate among primary and middle school students in Hangzhou was 8.52%. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that inadequate sleep (OR=6.507, 95%CI: 2.371-17.861, P<0.001), 3- hours (OR=5.666, 95%CI: 2.164-14.835, P<0.001) and ≥4 hours (OR=7.530, 95%CI: 2.804-20.221, P<0.001) of watching video every day in the past week, being beaten and scolded by parents in the past week (OR=1.627, 95%CI: 1.161-2.280, P=0.005), parents often reduce students' exercise time in order to let students have more time to study in the past week (OR=3.310, 95%CI: 1.243-8.819, P=0.017), age 16-18 years old (OR=0.137, 95%CI: 0.050-0.374, P<0.001), often suffering from campus violence in the past week (OR=0.332, 95%CI: 0.141-0.783, P=0.012), 1 hour of watching video every day in the past week (OR=0.023, 95%CI: 0.006-0.083, P<0.001), sometimes having breakfast (OR=0.151, 95%CI: 0.058-0.397, P<0.001) and eating breakfast every day (OR=0.020, 95%CI: 0.005-0.065, P<0.001) in the past week, eating vegetables and fruits sometimes (OR=0.015, 95%CI: 0.010-0.023, P<0.001) and every day (OR=0.020, 95%CI: 0.008-0.053, P<0.001) in the past week, eating sweet food sometimes (OR=0.089, 95%CI: 0.035-0.227, P<0.001) and every day (OR=2.568, 95%CI: 1.632-4.041, P<0.001) in the past week, eating fried food sometimes (OR=0.274, 95%CI: 0.094-0.800, P=0.018) in the past week, and having three physical education classes every week (OR=0.156, 95%CI: 0.057-0.423, P<0.001) were the main related factors affecting the occurrence of obesity in primary and secondary school students. Conclusions: With the higher obesity prevalence among primary and middle school students in Hangzhou, parents and teachers should strengthen health education for primary and middle school students, help children develop scientific eating behavior, develop positive and healthy living habits of children, and effectively prevent overweight/obesity in primary and middle school students.

Bacterial antibiotic resistance among cancer inpatients in China: 2016-20

BACKGROUND

The incidence of infections among cancer patients is as high as 23.2-33.2% in China. However, the lack of information and data on the number of antibiotics used by cancer patients is an obstacle to implementing antibiotic management plans.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance in Chinese cancer patients to provide a reference for the rational use of antibiotics.

DESIGN

This was a 5-year retrospective study on the antibiotic resistance of cancer patients.

METHODS

In this 5-year surveillance study, we collected bacterial and antibiotic resistance data from 20 provincial cancer diagnosis and treatment centers and three specialized cancer hospitals in China. We analyzed the resistance of common bacteria to antibiotics, compared to common clinical drug-resistant bacteria, evaluated the evolution of critical drug-resistant bacteria and conducted data analysis.

FINDINGS

Between 2016 and 2020, 216 219 bacterial strains were clinically isolated. The resistance trend of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem was relatively stable and did not significantly increase over time. The resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to all antibiotics tested, including imipenem and meropenem, decreased over time. In contrast, the resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii strains to carbapenems increased from 4.7% to 14.7%. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) significantly decreased from 65.2% in 2016 to 48.9% in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

The bacterial prevalence and antibiotic resistance rates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, S. aureus and MRSA were significantly lower than the national average.

[Retrospective analysis of associated factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes of postpartum hemorrhage in the caesarean section of different types of placenta previa]

Objective: To analyze associated factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes of postpartum hemorrhage in the caesarean section of puerperae with different types of placenta previa. Methods: This retrospective research was a case-control study. Puerperae with cesarean section of placenta previa from January 2019 to December 2020 in Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University were collected and divided into the<1 000 ml control group or ≥1 000 ml postpartum hemorrhage group according to the amount of blood loss during cesarean section. Differences in continuous variables were analyzed by t-test and categorical variables were analyzed by χ² test. The risk factors of postpartum hemorrhage were analyzed by logistic multivariate regression. Results: A total of 962 puerperae were enrolled with 773 cases in the control group and 189 cases in the postpartum hemorrhage group. The incidence of gestational weeks, gravidity, parity, induced abortion, placental accreta and preoperative hemoglobin<110 g/L was significantly different between two groups in different types of placenta previa (P<0.001). Logistic multivariate regression model analysis showed that the independent risk factors of postpartum hemorrhage in the caesarean section of low-lying placenta included placental accreta (OR=12.713, 95%CI: 4.296-37.625), preoperative hemoglobin<110 g/L (OR=2.377, 95%CI: 1.062-5.321), and prenatal vaginal bleeding (OR=4.244, 95%CI: 1.865-9.656). The independent risk factors of postpartum hemorrhage in the caesarean section of placenta previa included once induced abortion (OR=2.789, 95%CI:1.189-6.544), induced abortion≥2 (OR=2.843, 95%CI:1.101-7.339), placental accreta (OR=6.079, 95%CI:3.697-9.996), HBsAg positive (OR=3.891, 95%CI:1.385-10.929), and placental attachment to the anterior uterine wall (OR=2.307, 95%CI:1.285-4.142). The rate of postpartum hemorrhage and premature delivery in puerperae with placenta previa was higher than that in puerperae with low-lying placenta (P<0.001). Conclusions: The associated factors of postpartum hemorrhage in puerperae with different types of placenta previa are different. Placenta accreta is the common risk factor of postpartum hemorrhage in puerperae with low-lying placenta and placenta previa.

Reference intervals of systemic immune-inflammation index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio during normal pregnancy in China

OBJECTIVE

To observe the changes in systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) during normal pregnancy and establish appropriate reference intervals (RIs) for healthy pregnant women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted from March 2018 to February 2019. Blood samples were collected from healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women. The complete blood count (CBC) parameters were measured, and SII, NLR, LMR, and PLR were calculated. RIs were established using the 2.5th and 97.5th percentile of the distribution. Besides, the differences in CBC parameters between three pregnant trimesters and maternal ages were also compared to assess their influences on each indicator.

RESULTS

SII and NLR in three pregnant trimesters increased in pregnant women, and the upper limit of SII and NLR in trimester 2 showed the highest value. On the contrary, LMR decreased in all three pregnant trimesters compared with nonpregnant women, and the values of LMR and PLR showed a gradual downward trend along with the trimesters. Besides, RIs of SII, NLR, LMR, and PLR during different trimesters in different age partitions showed that the values of SII, NLR, and PLR increased with age in a general trend, while LMR showed the opposite trend (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The SII, NLR, LMR, and PLR showed dynamic changes during pregnant trimesters. RIs of SII, NLR, LMR, and PLR for healthy pregnant women according to pregnant trimesters and maternal age were established and validated in this study, which will promote the standardization of clinical application.

Evaluating Quality-of-Life, Length of Stay and Cost-Effectiveness of a Front-Door Geriatrics Program: An Exploratory Proof-of-Concept Study

BACKGROUND

The Emergency Department Interventions for Frailty (EDIFY) program was developed to deliver early geriatric specialist interventions at the Emergency Department (ED). EDIFY has been successful in reducing acute admissions among older adults.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to examine the effectiveness of EDIFY in improving health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and length of stay (LOS), and evaluate EDIFY's cost-effectiveness.

DESIGN

A quasi-experiment study.

SETTING

The ED of a 1700-bed tertiary hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients (≥85 years) pending acute hospital admission and screened by the EDIFY team to be potentially suitable for discharge or transfer to low-acuity care areas.

INTERVENTION

EDIFY versus standard-care.

MEASUREMENTS

Data on demographics, comorbidities, premorbid function, and frailty status were gathered. HRQOL was measured using EQ-5D-5L over 6 months. We used a crosswalk methodology to compute Singapore-specific index scores from EQ-5D-5L responses and calculated quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained. LOS and bills in Singapore-dollars (SGD) before subsidy from ED attendances (including admissions, if applicable) were obtained. We estimated average programmatic EDIFY cost and performed multiple imputation (MI) for missing data. QALYs gained, LOS and cost were compared. Potential uncertainties were also examined.

RESULTS

Among 100 participants (EDIFY=43; standard-care=57), 61 provided complete data. For complete cases, there were significant QALYs gained at 3-month (coefficient=0.032, p=0.004) and overall (coefficient=0.096, p=0.002) for EDIFY, whilst treatment cost was similar between-groups. For MI, we observed only overall QALYs gained for EDIFY (coefficient=0.102, p=0.001). EDIFY reduced LOS by 17% (Incident risk ratio=0.83, p=0.015). In a deterministic sensitivity analysis, EDIFY's cost-threshold was SGD$2,500, and main conclusions were consistent in other uncertainty scenarios. Mean bills were: EDIFY=SGD$4562.70; standard-care=SGD$5530.90. EDIFY's average programmatic cost approximated SGD$469.30.

CONCLUSIONS

This exploratory proof-of-concept study found that EDIFY benefits QALYs and LOS, with equivalent cost, and is potentially cost-effective. The program has now been established as standard-care for older adults attending the ED at our center.

[Association between fluid balance and clinical outcomes in sepsis patients with identified subtypes]

Objective: To identify clinical subphenotypes of sepsis by clinical variables, and the association between fluid balance (FB) and outcomes in sepsis patients with different subphenotypes. Methods: Data were derived from China Critical Care Sepsis Trial. A total of 2 075 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of (62.5±17.4) years, 1 362 (65.6%) were male, 713 (34.3%) were female. In-hospital mortality was the primary outcome. Clinical variables were entered into the latent profile analysis (LPA) model which was used to identify the subphenotypes of sepsis. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to explore the association of FB on the first 2 days admitted to ICU and in-hospital mortality. Results: Total of 687 (33.1%) patients died in the hospital. Four subphenotypes of sepsis were identified by the PLA model: 1 421 (68.5%) patients were identified as profile 1, which was characterized by the lowest in-hospital mortality (28.3%, 402/1 421) and was considered as the baseline subphenotype; profile 2 was characterized by multiple organ dysfunction(232, 11.2%); profile 3 was characterized by respiratory dysfunction (196, 9.4%) and profile 4 was characterized by kidney injury/failure (226, 10.9%). Profile 2 showed the highest in-hospital mortality (54.3%, 126/232), followed by profile 4 (39.4%, 89/226), profile 3 (35.7%, 70/196). Profile 2 had the highest FB of 68.5(34.7, 89.4)ml/kg on day 1 and decreased rapidly to 29.4(13.6, 49.8) ml/kg on day 2. Multivariable analysis showed that for every 10 ml/kg of FB increased on the first 48 hours admitted to ICU, the risk of in-hospital mortality decreased 14% (OR=0.86, 95%CI: 0.81-0.97) in profile 2, and increased 4% (OR=1.04, 95%CI:1.02-1.07) in profile 4. However, there were no significant association between FB on the fist 2 days admitted to ICU and the risk of in-hospital mortality in profile 1 (OR=1.06, 95%CI: 0.94-1.19)and in profile 3 (OR=0.99, 95%CI: 0.94-1.05). Conclusions: Four subphenotypes of sepsis were identified according to the clinical variables, which showed different characteristics, distributions, outcomes and responses to fluid balance.

Aromatic Characteristics of Passion Fruit Wines Measured by E-Nose, GC-Quadrupole MS, GC-Orbitrap-MS and Sensory Evaluation

This study investigated the volatile composition and aromatic features of passion fruit wines using a combination of gas chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-qMS), gas chromatography-Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (GC-Orbitrap-MS), electronic nose (E-nose) and sensory evaluation. The results showed that these passion fruit wines possessed different aromatic features confirmed by E-nose. Seventeen sulfur compounds and seventy-eight volatiles were detected in these passion fruit wines using GC-Orbitrap-MS and GC-qMS, respectively. Forty-four volatiles significantly contributed to the overall wine aroma. These wines possessed passion fruit, mango, green apple, lemon and floral aromas confirmed by sensory evaluation. The partial least squares regression analysis indicated that sulfides, esters and terpenes, and terpenes mainly correlated to the passion fruit, mango and green apple aroma, respectively. Sulfur compounds significantly affected the aroma of passion fruit wine. The findings in this study could provide useful insight toward the quality control of passion fruit wine.

Current census of oncology critical care medicine in China

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this survey were to show the current situation of oncology critical care medicine in China by questionnaire, to understand the resource distribution of oncology critical care medicine and to analyze and evaluate the existing resources and reserve capacity of oncology critical care medicine in China.

METHODS

We conducted the survey mainly in the form of an online questionnaire. The Committee of Cancer Critical Care Medicine of the Chinese Anticancer Association (CACA) initiated the survey on 1 November 2017, and 36 member hospitals nationwide participated in the survey. The questionnaire included 10 items: investigator information, hospital information, general information of oncology critical care department, staffing of oncology critical care department, management in oncology critical care department, technical skills in oncology critical care department, patient source in oncology critical care department, equipment configuration in oncology critical care department, special skills in oncology critical care department and summary of the information.

RESULTS

The survey results included information from 28 member units, all of which were tertiary hospitals, distributed in 20 provinces and 4 direct-controlled municipalities. The results are as follows. (i) The total ratio of beds in the oncology critical care department to hospital beds was 1.06%, and the average number of beds in the oncology critical care department was 16.36. (ii) The ratio of physicians in the oncology critical care department to beds was ∼0.62:1, and the ratio of nurses to beds was ∼1.98:1. (iii) According to the census of the population and gross domestic product (GDP) of different regions conducted by the State Statistics Bureau in 2017, the ratio of beds in the oncology critical care department for tumor patients to the population was 4.55 beds per 10 million people, and the ratio of beds in the oncology critical care department to GDP was 8.00 beds per RMB 100 billion, on average. (iv) According to the requirements of the guidelines for the development and management of critical care medicine in China, the facilities in departments of oncology critical care medicine meet the requirements, and the technical skills of medical staff are competent.

CONCLUSION

The development of oncology critical care in China is becoming better, but there is still a certain gap compared with the intensive care unit standards in China and the average level of the nationwide. The development of oncology critical care medicine is urgent.

Does public health policy quality foster state innovation capacity? Evidence from a global panel data

The design and implementation of public health policy may shape state innovation capacity with governance effectiveness, political stability, and government integrity. Previous studies, however, failed to incorporate these relationships simultaneously. This study aims to combine two distinct scholarships to examine whether the quality of policies in the public health sector contributes to state innovation capacity. We extracted data from the WHO international health regulatory dataset covering the WHO Member States between 2010 and 2017 to investigate the relationship (N = 145). Our fixed-effects models and regression discontinuity design (RDD) suggest a positive impact of public health policy quality on state innovation capacity. There are several contributions to the study of the relationship between public health and innovation in this study. Firstly, it fills a theoretical void concerning the relationship between policy development and implementation in the public health sector and country-specific innovations. Second, it provides an empirical quantitative analysis of policy quality in the public health sector. Third, this study contributes evidence that public health plays an important role in fostering state innovation beyond urbanization, investment in science and technology, and foreign trade. Furthermore, our quasi-experimental evidence found that this mechanism may be significant only between the more politically stable countries and the most politically stable countries. These contributions have empirical implications for governments across the world that seek to balance public health and innovation capacity in the context of the post-pandemic era.

[Application expansion of unilateral biportal endoscopy in spine surgery and its related issues]

At the beginning of clinical application, unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) was mainly applied to lumbar degenerative diseases, and lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis accounted for the majority. With the improvement of technology and equipment, the range of diseases being treated continues to expand, and the indications are extended to cervical and thoracic spinal decompression, and it can also be used in conjunction with minimally invasive techniques such as percutaneous pedicle screws and oblique lumbar interbody fusion, which plays an important role in lumbar interbody fusion. However, the development of unilateral biportal endoscopic technology is still in its initial stage in China and has not been widely applied. There are still relevant issues that need to be clarified and further studied. Therefore, this paper discusses the technical superiority, the application expansion and the shortcomings of UBE technique and related issues.

[Correlation between serum IgM antibody and viral load with clinical symptoms in neonates infected with cytomegalovirus]

To investigate the correlation between serum cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM antibody/viral load and infection-related clinical symptoms in neonates infected with CMV, and provide basis for clinical assessment and monitoring of neonatal CMV infection. A total of 70 neonates with CMV infection admitted to neonatology in Women's Hospital, School of Medicine Zhejiang University, from January 2014 to December 2020 were included in this study. Using real-time quantitative PCR as the diagnostic criteria, congenital cytomegalovirus-infected neonates (n=29) was diagnosed within the first 3 weeks of life, otherwise, it was postnatally acquired cytomegalovirus infection (n=41). The differences in general information and clinical indicators between IgM antibody positive and negative patients were analyzed, combined with the PCR result, the correlation between the IgM/viral load and the occurrence of symptoms were analyzed. T-test and non-parametric test were used to compare the differences of indicators between groups, logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis, and ROC curve was used to evaluate the auxiliary diagnostic value of relevant indicators. In the congenital CMV infection group and the postnatally acquired CMV infection group, viral load and the proportion of symptomatic patients in IgM positive group were significantly higher than IgM negative group (Z=-2.616, P=0.008; 80% vs. 21%, P=0.005) (Z=-2.405, P=0.016; 56% vs. 19%, P=0.025). Logistic regression analysis of the included population showed the risk factors of CMV infection-related symptoms were IgM positive (OR 4.562, 95%CI:1.461-14.246,P=0.009) and viral load (OR 1.728, 95%CI:1.068-2.798,P=0.026). Regressive analysis for single symptom with correction showed IgM antibody positive was associated with hearing dysfunction(OR 3.954, 95%CI:1.066-14.677,P=0.040),the CMV viral load was associated with thrombocytopenia (OR 2.228, 95%CI:1.124-4.413,P=0.022), and brain imaging abnormalities (OR 3.956, 95%CI:1.421-11.011, P=0.008). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the area under ROC curve of CMV viral load for brain imaging abnormalities was 0.883 (P<0.001), with a sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 90.3%. For neonates infected with CMV, the risk of infection-related clinical symptoms and hearing dysfunction may be increased when IgM antibody was positive. Meanwhile, the higher the CMV viral load at diagnosis, the higher the risk of thrombocytopenia and abnormal brain imaging.

Monoterpenoids Evolution and MEP Pathway Gene Expression Profiles in Seven Table Grape Varieties

This research investigated the evolution of both monoterpenoids and expression profiles of related biosynthesis genes in the MEP pathway in seven different table grape varieties from veraison to maturity stage in two seasons, and the correlation was further evaluated between monoterpenoid accumulation and expression of these genes studied in these varieties. Results showed that linalool, trans-furan linalool oxide, geraniol, and cis-furan linalool oxide were the main compounds in the five Muscat varieties two seasons. ‘Zaomeiguixiang’ had the highest contents of geraniol and β-Citronellol. ‘Xiangfei’ had the most abundant of linalool and cis-furan linalool oxide, whereas the neutral varieties of ‘Moldova’ and ‘Christmas Rose’ had the least amount. Monoterpenoid volatiles have been grouped in three evolutionary patterns in the berry development of these varieties. ‘Zaomeiguixiang’ and ‘Xiangfei’ had distinct different pattern of terpenoids evolution profiles. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that in the MEP pathway, the first biosynthesis gene VvDXS3 was significantly correlated to the accumulation of monoterpenoids, and appeared to be an important candidate gene for synthesis of the monoterpenoids.

A high-resolution Orbitrap Mass spectral library for trace volatile compounds in fruit wines

The overall aroma is an important factor of the sensory quality of fruit wines, which attributed to hundreds of volatile compounds. However, the qualitative determination of trace volatile compounds is considered to be very challenging work. GC-Orbitrap-MS with high resolution and high sensitivity provided more possibilities for the determination of volatile compounds, but without the high-resolution mass spectral library. For accuracy of qualitative determination in fruit wines by GC-Orbitrap-MS, a high-resolution mass spectral library, including 76 volatile compounds, was developed in this study. Not only the HRMS spectrum but also the exact ion fragment, relative abundance, retention indices (RI), CAS number, chemical structure diagram, aroma description and aroma threshold (ortho-nasally) were provided and were shown in a database website (Food Flavor Laboratory, http://foodflavorlab.cn/). HRMS library was used to successfully identify the volatile compounds mentioned above in 16 fruit wines (5 blueberry wines, 6 goji berry wines and 5 hawthorn wines). The library was developed as an important basis for further understanding of trace volatile compounds in fruit wines.

Measurement(s)	volatile compounds
Technology Type(s)	GC-Orbitrap-MS

Transcriptome and Metabolomics Integrated Analysis Reveals Terpene Synthesis Genes Controlling Linalool Synthesis in Grape Berries

In this study, four hybrids from the cross between "Italia" and "Tamina" grapes were chosen to investigate their distinct monoterpenoids patterns and candidate genes involved. Monoterpenoid profiles and transcriptome data were generated at four berry developmental stages. Trans-rose oxide, cis-rose oxide, citronellol, neral, nerol, nerol oxide, geraniol, geranial, geranic acid, and cis-isogeraniol were the dominant compounds in R250 hybrid, while linalool, hotrienol, linalool oxide pyranoside, and cis-furan linalool oxide were the main compounds in R77 hybrid. Six TPS-g subfamily genes were found related with the contents of linalool and its related monoterpenoids by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and phylogenetic analysis. Among them, TPS59 was cloned and functionally verified by transient overexpression in the leaves of Vitis quinquangularis. Meanwhile, NAC (newGene_195), C2C2-GATA (VIT_15s0021g02510), and bHLH (VIT_14s0128g00110) were selected as candidate transcription factors (TFs) that could regulate the expression of the six TPS-b genes. These data enhanced our understanding on the regulation of monoterpenoid biosynthesis in grapes.

Study of Consumer Liking of Six Chinese Vinegar Products and the Correlation between These Likings and the Volatile Profile

As the aroma of Chinese vinegar is a key quality trait that influences consumer liking, a combination of sensory data and instrumental measurements were performed to help understand the aroma differences of six types of Chinese vinegar. A total of 52 volatile compounds, mostly ethyl acetate, acetic acid, and phenethyl alcohol, were detected in six types of Chinese vinegar using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME-GC–MS). Combined with open-ended questions, the correlation between consumer liking and the volatile profile of the vinegar was further investigated. More consumers preferred the potato vinegar (B6) described as “having a sweet aroma and fruity vinegar aroma”. The Heng-shun Jinyou balsamic vinegar (B5) was not favored by consumers with its exhibition of “too pungent vinegar aroma”. Based on their preference patterns, consumers were grouped into three clusters by k-means clustering and principal component analysis (PCA). Using partial least squares regression (PLSR), the most important volatile compounds that drove consumer liking in the three clusters were obtained, among which 14 compounds such as 1-methylpyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde, ethyl acetate, and acetylfuran had the greatest impact on consumer liking, which could guide manufacturers to improve product quality and customer satisfaction.

[Characteristics of liver function changes in 111 elderly patients with COVID-19 pneumonia]

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of liver function changes in 111 elderly patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: 111 elderly patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February 5 to March 3, 2020 were enrolled. According to the severity of disease and liver function condition, they were divided into severe group (n=40), normal group (n=71), abnormal liver function group (n=86) and normal liver function group (n=25). The indexes related to liver function changes [total bilirubin (TBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)] and related influencing factors were analyzed. Results: Among 111 cases, 86 (77.5%) had abnormal liver function of varying degrees, and 28 (25.2%) had liver injury. The abnormal rates of TBil, AST, ALP and GGT were significantly higher in the severe group than normal group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in age, ribavirin, glucocorticoid and the application of lopinavir-ritonavir tablets between the abnormal liver function and the normal group (P>0.05). The proportion of male was significantly higher in the abnormal liver function than normal liver function group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Elderly COVID-19 patients have a higher proportion of abnormal liver function, and patients in the severe group are more likely to have higher level of TB, AST, ALP and GGT. The abnormal liver function may be related to the direct viral infection of the liver and the inflammatory immune response of the body after infection in elderly patients.

Total bone mineral density is inversely associated with stroke: a family osteoporosis cohort study in rural China

BACKGROUND

The relationship of osteoporosis and stroke is still not fully clarified. Apart from the well-known risk factors for stroke, bone mineral density (BMD) has gained more interest in recent years.

AIM

To further elucidate the relationship between BMD and stroke risk, a prospective cohort study in the Chinese rural population was conducted.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of a family osteoporosis cohort.

METHODS

Our subjects were selected from an osteoporosis cohort conducted in Anqing, China. All participants underwent a questionnaire assessment, clinical examinations and laboratory assessments. During the follow-up period, the number of people who had a stroke was recorded. Generalized estimating equation regression analysis was performed to determine the significance of the association between BMD and stroke.

RESULTS

A total of 17868 people were included. A two-way interaction test of sex and BMD on stroke was significant (P = 0.002). There was a significant difference in BMD and stroke morbidity in the male group (P = 0.003). When BMD was assessed as quartiles and the lowest quartile was used as reference, a significantly lower risk for stroke was observed in Q2-4. Notably, no significant difference was observed in female participants with adjusted odds ratio (P > 0.05). The P-value for interaction was calculated. The body mass index (P = 0.014) and waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.027) were found to be significantly associated with BMD and stroke risk in female participants.

CONCLUSIONS

In Chinese rural areas, total BMD may negatively correlated with stroke, especially in men.

The effect of neuropilin-1 silencing on the transforming growth factor-β1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colon cancer SW480 cells and its effect on the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells

This study aimed to investigate the effect of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) silencing on epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) mediated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and on the proliferation and migration of colon cancer SW480 cells. After transfection of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA)-NRP-1 into colon cancer SW480 cells, the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels of NRP-1 were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Four EMT models were induced using 0, 2, 5, and 10 ng/mL TGF-β1, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8, and the protein levels of EMT markers E-cadherin and vimentin were detected using Western blot. EMT was induced in the transfected SW480 cells using TGF-β1, after which four groups were created: a negative control group (siRNA-Ncontrol), a transfection group (siRNA-NRP-1), an induction group (TGF-β1), and a transfection + induction group (siRNA-NRP-1+TGF-β1). Western blot was then used to detect the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin, and cell proliferation and migration were detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and scratch assay. After transfection with siRNA-NRP-1, the mRNA and protein expression levels of SW480 cells were significantly decreased (P<0.05). After 48 hours of induction with 10 ng/mL TGF-β1, cell proliferation was obvious, E-cadherin expression decreased, and vimentin expression significantly increased (P<0.05), indicating that EMT had been successfully induced compared with the induction group, the transfection + induction group had significantly increased E-cadherin expression after corresponding treatments (including transfection and induction alone) (P<0.05), and the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells decreased (P<0.05). In conclusion: silencing, NRP-1 in colon cancer SW480 cells can partially reverse TGF-β1-mediated EMT, reduce the proliferation activity of colon cancer cells, and slow their migration ability. Therefore, NRP-1 may become a new target for the treatment of colon cancer.

[Efficacy comparison of unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression and extended interlaminar fenestration for lumbar lateral recess stenosis]

Objective: To analyze and compare the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic(UBE) decompression and extended interlaminar fenestration for lumbar lateral recess stenosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 103 patients treated with UBE decompression or extended interlaminar fenestration for lumbar lateral recess stenosis from July 2017 to June 2020 in the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University was performed. Eighty patients aged 40 to 86 (63.2±9.8) years were included in this study, including 42 males and 38 females. Forty patients received UBE decompression (UBE group) and 40 patients received extended interlaminar fenestration (fenestration group). Operative time, length of incision, hospital stay and complications were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of low back pain and leg pain and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) scores were recorded preoperatively and at 1, 3 and 6 months after the operation and at the final follow-up, and the modified Macnab scale was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy at the final follow-up. Results: Patients in both groups successfully received lumbar lateral recess decompression and were followed up for (12.9±5.4) months in the UBE group and (14.9±3.5) months in the fenestration group, respectively. The operation time in the UBE group was (63.9±11.6) min, it was higher than that in the fenestration group ((54.1±9.2) min, P<0.001). The average incision length in the UBE group was (18.2±1.7) mm, it was lower than that in the fenestration group ((73.5±11.6) mm, P<0.001). Postoperative hospital stay in the UBE group was (4.1±2.2) d, it was lower than that in the fenestration group ((7.6±3.1) d, P<0.001). VAS scores of low back pain were improved after operation in both groups. Low back pain VAS scores of UBE group were lower than those in fenestration group at 1 and 3 months post operation (both P<0.05). The VAS scores of lower limb pain were improved after operation in both groups and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at postoperative 1, 3, 6 months after the operation and at the last follow-up (all P>0.05). ODI scores were improved after operation in both groups. ODI scores of UBE group were lower than those in fenestration group at postoperative 1 month and 3 months(both P<0.05). Intraoperative dural tear occurred in 2 cases(5.0%) in the UBE group and 1 case(2.5%) in the fenestration group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.556). According to the modified Macnab scale at the last follow-up, 35 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and 2 cases were fair in the UBE group, and 37 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good, and 1 case was fair in the open group. The difference was not statistically significant between the two groups (P=0.745). Conclusion: Compared with the extended interlaminar fenestration, UBE technique can not only reduce the early postoperative low back pain, shorten hospital stay, but also achieve the same long-term clinical efficacy with less trauma.

Accurate Determination of 12 Lactones and 11 Volatile Phenols in Nongrape Wines through Headspace-Solid-Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME) Combined with High-Resolution Gas Chromatography-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry (GC-Orbitrap-MS)

This paper clarifies the contribution of lactones and volatile phenols to the aroma of nongrape wine. A target method for the simultaneous determination of these two kinds of volatiles in nongrape wines was developed using headspace-solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with high-resolution gas chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (GC-Orbitrap-MS). A high-resolution mass spectrometry database including 12 lactones and 11 volatile phenols was established for qualitative accuracy. Different matrix-matched calibration standards should be prepared for specific samples due to the matrix effects. The method was successfully validated and applied in three nongrape wines. Hawthorn wine contained more lactones (δ/γ-hexalactone, δ/γ-nonalactone, δ/γ-decalactone, γ-undecalactone, δ/γ-dodecalactone, C10 massoia lactone, and whiskey lactone), while blueberry wine contained more volatile phenols (especially 4-vinylguaiacol and 4-ethylguiaiacol). Goji berry wines contained certain concentrations of δ-nonalactone, γ-nonalactone, δ-hexalactone, and 3-ethyl phenol. This study demonstrated that HS-SPME-GC-Orbitrap-MS can be applied for the accurate quantification of trace aroma compounds such as lactones and volatile phenols in fruit wines.

[Associations between adverse childhood experiences and adulthood substance use among lesbians]

Objective: To investigate the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and substance use behaviors among lesbians to provide a scientific basis for high-risk population identification and formulation of targeted intervention measures. Methods: Lesbians who participated in routine AIDS voluntary counseling, testing services, activities, and peer recommendations were recruited from July to December 2018, with the help of LesPark in Beijing. Convenient sampling method was used. Demographic characteristics, ACE, and substance use behaviors of subjects were investigated using an online platform powered by www.wjx.cn. Subsequently, the associations between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors were evaluated using the logistic regression model. The SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 294 lesbians were recruited in the study, 81.3% (239/294) of them were lesbians, and 18.7% (55/294) were bisexuals. Besides, 55.8% (164/294) of subjects reported they had had ACE, with proportions of lesbians experiencing abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction as 33.3% (98/294), 24.5% (72/294), and 32.7% (96/294), respectively. 55.1% (162/294) of the lesbians reported they had smoked in the past 30 days, 11.2% (33/294) reported having drug-use behavior in the past three months, and 22.8% (67/294) claimed drinking alcohol weekly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lesbians with ACE were at high risks to smoke (OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.13-3.08), drink (OR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.18-3.84), and use drugs (OR=3.33, 95%CI: 1.29-8.61) in adulthood. Moreover, lesbians with childhood family dysfunction were at higher risk of smoking cigarettes (OR=2.60, 95%CI: 1.46-4.62) and drinking alcohol (OR=2.65, 95%CI: 1.44-4.87). At the same time, those with abuse experience were at higher risk of drug use (OR=3.17, 95%CI: 1.26-7.96). Conclusions: Substance use behaviors, including cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol, and drugs use, were common among lesbians. Positive associations were found between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors.

Sensory and chemical characterization of Chinese bog bilberry wines using Check-all-that-apply method and GC-Quadrupole-MS and GC-Orbitrap-MS analyses

The sensory and chemical profiles of commercial bog bilberry (BB) wines were investigated using a multi-analytical approach. Sensory test included scaling and check-all-that-apply (CATA) method with questions on liking of BB wine. The sensory data was correlated with their volatile compound profiles determined using gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole and orbitrap mass spectrometry (GC-Quadrupole/Orbitrap-MS). In general, all BB wines were characterized with "fruity", "blueberry" and "floral" odors and "sour", "mouth puckering" and "sweet" flavors. Samples more frequently characterized as "fruity" and "floral" in CATA were preferred by the panelists (n = 93). High relative proportions of o-cymene, p-cymenene, 1-octen-3-one and 3-ethylphenol in a sample (described as "ginger" and "chili") resulted in a lower liking rating. Similarly, generally disliked sample described with "Chinese herbs" and "licorice" was characterized by compounds 3-methylpentan-1-ol, 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, and 4-vinylphenol. The data will give novel information for berry wine and beverage industry on the quality factors of BB wines linked to higher acceptance.

Critical analysis of peptidoglycan structure of Lactobacillus acidophilus for phthalate removal

Our previous studies have shown that lactic acid bacteria (LABs) can bind and remove di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate, and dioctyl phthalate; three ubiquitous environmental phthalate contaminants. In this study, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM was chosen to study the DBP binding mechanism. We found that the three-dimensional structure of the bacterial cell wall, including the carbohydrates and proteins, was essential for DBP adsorption. Peptidoglycan was the main binding component in the cell wall (80.71%), and binding sites exposed to DBP were C-N, N-H, O-H, and C-O bonds. Molecular dynamic (MD) studies demonstrated that hydrophobic interaction plays an important role in DBP adsorption, the chemical sites that influenced the binding in the peptidoglycan model were O2, O3>N1, N2, N3>O1, O4, and the form of adsorption force included hydrogen bonding force, electrostatic force, and van der Waals forces. These theoretical data from the MD simulation were consistent with the experimental results in terms of the ability of this bacterium to bind DBP, so the MD simulation proposed a new way to investigate the mechanisms of phthalate binding to LABs.

[Activation of mir-30a-wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway upregulates cathepsin K expression to promote cementogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of cathepsin K (CTSK) regulated by mir-30a-wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in cementogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).

METHODS

Human PDLSCs isolated by limiting dilution culture were induced by enamel matrix protein derivative (EMD) for differentiation into cementoblast-like cells. MicroRNA chip technique was employed to screen the differentially expressed microRNAs in the cells during induced differentiation. The effect of inhibiting miR-30a on CTSK expression in the induced cells was examined using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Ceramic scaffolds coated with PDLSCs treated with EMD and transfected with the miR-30a inhibitor or a lentiviral vector for CTSK overexpression were prepared and implanted subcutaneously in nude mice, and 8 weeks later the cellular expressions of cementoblast markers CAP and CEMP-1 were detected with immunohistochemistry to verify whether CTSK participate in cementogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. The role of wnt signaling pathway in miR-30a-mediated regulation of CTSK expression was explored by examining CTSK protein expressions after blocking wnt signaling in PDLSCs.

RESULTS

In PDLSCs with EMD-induced differentiation into cementoblast-like cells, multiple microRNAs exhibited differential expressions; and among them, miR-30a was specifically and significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). Up-regulation of miR-30a obviously increased the expression of CTSK (P < 0.05) and promoted PDLSCs to form cementum-like tissues with high expressions of CAP and CEMP-1. The regulatory effect of miR-30a on CTSK expression was obviously attenuated after inhibiting wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

EMD induces cementogenic differentiation of PDLSCs possibly by up-regulating the expression of miR-30a, which further activates the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to enhance the expression of CTSK.