Echocardiographic evaluation of the right atrial size and function: Relevance for clinical practice.

Right atrial (RA) structural and functional evaluations have recently emerged as powerful biomarkers for adverse events in various cardiovascular conditions. Quantitative analysis of the right atrium, usually performed with volume changes or speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE), has markedly changed our understanding of RA function and remodeling. Knowledge of reference echocardiographic values and measurement methods of RA volumes and myocardial function is a prerequisite to introduce RA quantitation in the clinical routine.

Recombinant Rice Quiescin Sulfhydryl Oxidase Strengthens the Gluten Structure through Thiol/Disulfide Exchange and Hydrogen Peroxide Oxidation.

Recombinant rice quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase (rQSOX) has the potential to improve the flour processing quality, but the mechanisms remain unclear. The effects of rQSOX on bread quality, dough rheology, and gluten structure and composition, with glucose oxidase as a positive control, were investigated. rQSOX addition could improve the dough processing quality, as proved by enhanced viscoelastic properties of dough as well as a softer crumb, higher specific volume, and lower moisture loss of bread.

Targeting CCL20 inhibits subarachnoid hemorrhage-related neuroinflammation in mice.

Recent evidence suggests that CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) is upregulated after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Here, we investigated the functions of CCL20 in SAH injury and its underlying mechanisms of action. We found that CCL20 is upregulated in an SAH mouse model and in cultured primary microglia and neurons.

Comparison of the Effects of Different Food-Grade Emulsifiers on the Properties and Stability of a Casein-Maltodextrin-Soybean Oil Compound Emulsion.

The improvement of food-grade emulsifiers in the properties and stability of complex emulsion has attracted much interest. In this study, the effects of six food-grade emulsifiers with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) range of 3.4-8.

Identification of bioactives from L.f. and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects.

This work was designed to obtain the valuable compounds with antioxidant, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities from . Ethyl acetate fraction obtained from L.f.

[Correlations Between Near Infrared Spectra and Molecular Structures of 20 Standard Amino Acids].

The objective of the research was to study the correlations between near infrared spectra and molecular structures of 20 standard amino acids. It was to establish the theoretical foundation for widely use of the amino acids near infrared spectra in animal science, food and medicine. Measurement of the near infrared spectra was performed using a Shimadzu Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer IRPrestige-21, with FlexIRTM Near-Infrared Fiber Optics module.

[Difference in nitrogen accumulation and translocation between semi-winterness and springness wheat.].

Nitrogen accumulation, translocation and allocation were investigated in a field experiment to find out the difference between six semi-winterness wheat cultivars and nine springness wheat cultivars that are mainly grown in Jiangsu. Results indicated that the average nitrogen accumulation amount (NAA) in the semi-winterness wheat cultivars was lower from the beginning of wintering to jointing stage, but higher from booting to maturity stage, compared with the springness wheat cultivars tested under the same rate of nitrogen fertilization. The amount of nitrogen accumulated between the beginning of wintering and jointing stage showed no significant difference between the two types of wheat cultivars, but that accumulated between anthesis and maturity in the semi-winterness wheat cultivars was higher than that in the springness wheat cultivars.

[Clinical effect of modified Xuefuzhuyutang on senile chronic subdural hematoma after operation].

Objective: To investigate the curative effect of modified Xuefuzhuyutang on chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH)after burr holes irrigation and drainage.

Methods: From January 2010 to April 2013,137 CSDH patients were randomly divided into two groups: 65 cases of control group and 72 cases of medicine group (modified Xuefuzhuyutang).

Results: Compared with the control group, the cases of total absorption of hematoma in medicine group increased significantly (P < 0.

Immunomodulatory activity and partial characterisation of polysaccharides from Momordica charantia.

Momordica charantia Linn. is used as an edible and medicinal vegetable in sub-tropical areas. Until now, studies on its composition and related activities have been confined to compounds of low molecular mass, and no data have been reported concerning the plant's polysaccharides.

Two new alkaloids from the edible macrofungus Ramaria madagascariensis.

Phytochemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of the edible macrofungus, Ramaria madagascariensis, has led to the isolation of two new alkaloids (1 and 2). Their structures were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, IR, and 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. The antimicrobial activity of 1 and 2 was also tested and evaluated.

Solution properties and in vitro anti-tumor activities of polysaccharides from longan pulp.

The solution properties of four fractions (LPI-IV) from crude longan pulp polysaccharides (LP3) were analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography combined with laser light scattering, viscometry, complex formation with Congo red, and atomic force microscopy. Their radii of gyration (z)(½) were 43.3, 62.

Phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity of litchi (Litchi Chinensis Sonn.) fruit pericarp from different commercially available cultivars.

Litchi fruit pericarp (LFP) contains significant amounts of phenolics which have been found to exhibit diverse biological activities. The purpose of this work was to determine the varietal differences in phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity of LFP from nine commercially available cultivars. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 9.

Isolation and identification of compounds from Penthorum chinense Pursh with antioxidant and antihepatocarcinoma properties.

Penthorum chinense Pursh, widely distributed in eastern Asia, has long been used in China for both food and medicine due to its various bioactivities. The aim of this study was to isolate its active compounds with antioxidant and antihepatocarcinoma properties. P.

Structural features and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides of longan pulp.

An aqueous extract of polysaccharides from longan pulp was chromatographed on a DEAE anion-exchange column to yield four fractions (LPI-IV). Immunomodulatory activities of these polysaccharides were also evaluated in vitro. The purified products, neutral polysaccharide LPI, polysaccharide-protein complex LPII and acidic polysaccharides LPIII and LPIV, exhibited conspicuous differences in their monosaccharide composition, molecular mass and glycosidic linkages.

Immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharide-protein complex of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) pulp.

The immunomodulatory function of longan pulp polysaccharide-protein complex (LP3) was investigated in immunosuppressed mice models. Compared with the model control, peroral administration of 100 mgkg⁻¹d⁻¹ LP3 could significantly increase/enhance antibody production against chicken red blood cell (CRBC), concanavalin A (ConA)-induced splenocyte proliferation, macrophage phagocytosis, NK cell cytotoxicity against YAC-1 lymphoma cell, and interferon-gamma (INF-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion in serum (P < 0.05).

Physicochemical characteristics and immunomodulatory activities of three polysaccharide-protein complexes of longan pulp.

Three polysaccharide-protein complexes of longan pulp (LP1-3) were isolated in this work. Their physicochemical characteristics and immunomodulatory effects on splenocytes, natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages in vitro were investigated. The carbohydrate portions of LP1-3 were principally composed of glucose, arabinose and mannose.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity in seed coats of 60 Chinese black soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) varieties.

Phenolics in black soybean seed coat (BSSC) are considered to be responsible for the health benefits of black soybean. BSSCs of 60 Chinese varieties were examined for phenolic contents, anthocyanin profiles, and antioxidant activity. Total phenolic and condensed tannin contents ranged from 512.

AMP-activated protein kinase rescues the angiogenic functions of endothelial progenitor cells via manganese superoxide dismutase induction in type 1 diabetes.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an essential role in angiogenesis but are functionally impaired in diabetes. We recently reported that decreased expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) critically contributes to diabetic EPC dysfunction. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation has been shown to induce MnSOD and suppress hyperglycemia-induced mitochondrial ROS production in endothelial cells.

CRP enhances soluble LOX-1 release from macrophages by activating TNF-α converting enzyme.

Circulating levels of soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (sLOX-1) play an important role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) might stimulate sLOX-1 release by activating tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE). Macrophages differentiated from THP-1 cells were stimulated with TNF-α and further treated with CRP in the absence or presence of specific inhibitors or small interfering RNA (siRNA).

Phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity of black rice bran of different commercially available varieties.

Increased consumption of whole grains has been associated with reduced risk of developing major chronic diseases. These health benefits have been attributed in part to their unique phytochemicals. Previous studies on black rice mainly focused on anthocyanins.

Correlation between CK18 gene and gastric carcinoma micrometastasis.

Aim: To explore the biological behavior of gastric carcinoma micrometastasis (MM) with a marker of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and to evaluate the clinical stage of gastric carcinoma and its prognosis.

Methods: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine the expression of CK18 mRNA in 298 lymph nodes from 35 patients with gastric carcinoma and 20 lymph nodes from 10 patients with chronic peptic ulcer and gastric perforation diagnosed by pathological examination and surgery. CK18 mRNA expression of peripheral blood from 54 patients with gastric carcinoma and 10 healthy people were also examined.