Effect of Microwave-Ultrasound Treatment on Physicochemical and Structural Properties of Highland Barley β-Glucan

The extraction efficiency, physicochemical properties, and structural characteristics of β-glucan extracted from highland barley branby sequential microwave-ultrasound-assisted extraction were explored. At the same heating rate, microwave enhanced α-amylase activity. The extraction efficiency of highland barley β-glucan was correlated with ultrasound power and treatment time. An ultrasound power of 600 W for 30 min and microwave heating at 60 ℃ for 30 min resulted in the maximum β-glucan yield of (6.30 ± 0.38)%. The results of physicochemical properties showed that with increasing sonication time up to 40 min, the solubility and foaming capacity of barley β-glucan increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the turbidity and emulsifying capacity decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The results of particle size distribution showed that with increasing sonication time, the relative molecular mass of barley β-glucan decreased, and ultrasound changed the rheological behavior of β-glucan, decreasingits viscosity and resulting in shear thinning. The infrared spectroscopic results showed that sonication did not change the functional groups of β-glucan, but it caused partial breakage of the glycosidic bonds. The microscopic results showed that ultrasonic treatment led to a looser structure of barley β-glucan, which was conducive to improving its extraction efficiency. Therefore, the microwave-ultrasound-assisted extraction of β-glucan from highland barley provides a basis for developing new food types and functional products

Assessment of cataract surgical outcomes in settings where follow-up is poor: PRECOG, a multicentre observational study

Background Poor follow-up after cataract surgery in developing countries makes assessment of operative quality uncertain. We aimed to assess two strategies to measure visual outcome: recording the visual acuity of all patients 3 or fewer days postoperatively (early postoperative assessment), and recording that of only those patients who returned for the fi nal follow-up examination after 40 or more days without additional prompting. Methods Each of 40 centres in ten countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America recruited 40–120 consecutive surgical cataract patients. Operative-eye best-corrected visual acuity and uncorrected visual acuity were recorded before surgery, 3 or fewer days postoperatively, and 40 or more days postoperatively. Clinics logged whether each patient had returned for the fi nal follow-up examination without additional prompting, had to be actively encouraged to return, or had to be examined at home. Visual outcome for each centre was defi ned as the proportion of patients with uncorrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better minus the proportion with uncorrected visual acuity of 6/60 or worse, and was calculated for each participating hospital with results from the early assessment of all patients and the late assessment of only those returning unprompted, with results from the fi nal follow-up assessment for all patients used as the standard. Findings Of 3708 participants, 3441 (93%) had fi nal follow-up vision data recorded 40 or more days after surgery, 1831 of whom (51% of the 3581 total participants for whom mode of follow-up was recorded) had returned to the clinic without additional prompting. Visual outcome by hospital from early postoperative and fi nal follow-up assessment for all patients were highly correlated (Spearman’s rs=0·74, p<0·0001). Visual outcome from fi nal followup assessment for all patients and for only those who returned without additional prompting were also highly correlated (rs=0·86, p<0·0001), even for the 17 hospitals with unprompted return rates of less than 50% (rs=0·71, p=0·002). When we divided hospitals into top 25%, middle 50%, and bottom 25% by visual outcome, classifi cation based on fi nal follow-up assessment for all patients was the same as that based on early postoperative assessment for 27 (68%) of 40 centres, and the same as that based on data from patients who returned without additional prompting in 31 (84%) of 37 centres. Use of glasses to optimise vision at the time of the early and late examinations did not further improve the correlations. Interpretation Early vision assessment for all patients and follow-up assessment only for patients who return to the clinic without prompting are valid measures of operative quality in settings where follow-up is poor

Factors influencing the sediment delivery ratio of the Three Gorges Reservoir

In recent years, the sediment delivery ratio (SDR) of the Three Gorges reservoir (TGR) has noticeably decreased as a result of the increase in water levels at the dam site and the decrease in inflow of fine particles, thereby resulting in increased reservoir siltation. Therefore, it is vital to research the factors that influence the SDR of the TGR. Factors that could have impact on the SDR were studied using TGR monitoring data. The study indicated that the water level at the dam site and inflow and outflow rates could have contributed to the change in the SDR. A sensitivity analysis of the influencing factors was then carried out using a mathematical model to simulate numerous sediment movement scenarios in the TGR. By changing the input conditions of the model, sufficient results were obtained to enable a sensitivity analysis of each factor. The results showed the flood retention time (FRT)—the ratio of reservoir capacity to average outflow discharge—was the principal factor influencing the SDR. The other factors (inflow sediment concentration, inflow sediment coefficient, inflow sediment gradations, and the shape coefficient of the inflow flood shape coefficient), also had an influence on the SDR. However, under different levels of FRT, their degrees of influence on the SDR were not the same.

Specific Differentially Methylated and Expressed Genes in People with Longevity Family History

Background: We attempt to identify specific differentially methylated and expressed genes in people with longevity family history, it will contribute to discover significant features about human longevity. Methods: A prevalence study was conducted during October 2017 to January 2019 in Bama County of Guangxi, China and individuals were recruited and grouped into longevity family (n=60) and non-longevity family (n=60) to identify differentially methylated genes (DMGs). The expression profile dataset GSE16717 was downloaded from the GEO database in which individuals were divided into 3 groups, namely longevity (n=50), longevity offspring (n=50) and control (n=50) for identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs). It was considered significantly different when P or adjusted P£0.05. Results: In total, 117 longevity-related hypermethylated genes enriched in interleukin secretion/production regulation, chemokine signaling pathway and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Another 296 significant key longevity-related DEGs primarily involved in protein binding, nucleus, cytoplasm, T cell receptor signaling pathway and Metabolic pathway, H19 and PFKFB4 were found to be both methylated and downregulated in people with longevity family history. Conclusion: Human longevity-specific genes involve in many immunity regulations and cellular immunity pathways, H19 and PFKFB4 show hypermethylated and suppressed status in people with longevity family history and might serve as longevity candidate genes

Factors influencing the sediment delivery ratio of the Three Gorges Reservoir

In recent years, the sediment delivery ratio (SDR) of the Three Gorges reservoir (TGR) has noticeably decreased as a result of the increase in water levels at the dam site and the decrease in inflow of fine particles, thereby resulting in increased reservoir siltation. Therefore, it is vital to research the factors that influence the SDR of the TGR. Factors that could have impact on the SDR were studied using TGR monitoring data. The study indicated that the water level at the dam site and inflow and outflow rates could have contributed to the change in the SDR. A sensitivity analysis of the influencing factors was then carried out using a mathematical model to simulate numerous sediment movement scenarios in the TGR. By changing the input conditions of the model, sufficient results were obtained to enable a sensitivity analysis of each factor. The results showed the flood retention time (FRT)—the ratio of reservoir capacity to average outflow discharge—was the principal factor influencing the SDR. The other factors (inflow sediment concentration, inflow sediment coefficient, inflow sediment gradations, and the shape coefficient of the inflow flood shape coefficient), also had an influence on the SDR. However, under different levels of FRT, their degrees of influence on the SDR were not the same.

Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness in three counties, Jiangxi Province, China.

BACKGROUND: A survey was undertaken in 2007 to assess the prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in people aged ≥ 50 years in three different counties in Jiangxi, South East China (Gao'an, Xin'gan and Wan'zai). The counties were purposively selected to assess the impact of established non-governmental organisation activities in two counties (Gao'an and Xin'gan) compared with a third county (Wan'zai) without such a programme. METHODS: Clusters of 50 people aged ≥ 50 years were sampled with a probability proportional to the size of the population. Because of differences in expected prevalence and resources available for conducting the surveys, the total sample size varied from 4699 in Gao'an (94.0% response rate) to 3834 in Xin'gan (95.9%) and 2861 (95.4%) in Wan'zai. Households within clusters were selected through random walk sampling. Visual acuity (VA) was measured with a tumbling 'E' chart. Ophthalmologists examined people with VA< 6/18 in either eye. RESULTS: The prevalence of blindness (VA< 3/60 in the better eye with available correction) was similar in Gao'an (1.5%, 95% CI 1.1% to 1.8%), Xin'gan (1.8%, 1.4% to 2.2%) and Wan'zai (1.6%, 1.2% to 2.1%), and the prevalence of visual impairment (VA< 6/18 and ≥ 6/60) was approximately fourfold higher. Cataract was the leading cause of blindness in each of the three counties, while uncorrected refractive error was the dominant cause of visual impairment. The majority of blindness was avoidable in Gao'an (84.3%), Xin'gan (71.0%) and Wan'zai (71.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of blindness in the three counties in Jiangxi, China was lower than expected, yet most of the blindness and visual impairment was avoidable, indicating that the prevalence could be reduced further through adequate programme planning and implementation

Reactive P/S/N-containing synergistic flame retardant towards eco-friendly durable flame-retardant cotton fabric: Flame-retardant property, durability and mechanism

Developing eco-friendly durable flame-retardant cotton fabric not only expands its application area, but also caters to the healthy and environmentally friendly concept of consumers. Herein, a reactive P/S/N-containing synergistic flame retardant (PSN) was synthesized to prepare eco-friendly durable flame-retardant cotton fabric through chemical modifying method. Flame-retardant finishing deteriorated the softness, whiteness, tensile strength and air permeability of cotton fabric. PSN conferred outstanding flame retardancy, fire safety and durability to cotton fabric. For treated fabric with the add-on of 14.2%, it achieved an LOI value of 36.5% and extinguished spontaneously even after 50 laundering cycles. Its peak heat release rate, total heat release and fire growth rate index values decreased sharply than those of the control fabric. PSN exhibited high-efficiency flame-retardant behavior, and the synergy between P, S and N elements facilitated the formation of intumescent barrier on the fiber surface during combustion. The hydrolysis of covalent bond and formation of phosphate/sulphonate during laundering both accounted for the decrease in flame retardancy of treated fabric

Paraprobiotics 5-PA and 6-PA restore intestinal homeostasis by inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway and alleviating dysbiosis in mice with chronic ulcerative colitis

Research on the role of paraprobiotics in ameliorating the pathology of ulcerative colitis and its intestinal homeostatic imbalance is still limited. In this study, we investigated the effects of the anti-inflammatory probiotic HF05 and HF06 derived paraprobiotics 5-PA and 6-PA on mice with ulcerative colitis and their intestinal homeostasis. 5-PA and 6-PA alleviated inflammation, intestinal damage, and weight loss in mice, suppressed the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway, and upregulated the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1). Notably, the two paraprobiotic regulated the gut microbiota and their metabolic interactions with the host. Specific taxa of gut microbes, including unclassified f_Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus, Adlercreutzia, and Candidatus_Homeothermus, as well as bile acids and glycerophospholipid metabolites, were closely associated with gut homeostasis. In conclusion, this study confirms the beneficial effects of 5-PA and 6-PA in alleviating ulcerative colitis and promoting intestinal homeostasis