Overview on signal transduction cascades regulation roles of garlic and its bioactive constituents

High-throughput technologies in combination with modern exciting advancements in mass spectrometry-based proteomics and data analysis pipelines have empowered comprehensive characterization of disease phenotypes and their mechanistic regulation by dietary agents and bioactive molecules at unprecedented dimensionality and resolution.Extra-ordinary breakthroughs in the field of nutrigenomics have leveraged our understanding altogether to a new level of maturity.Interdisciplinary researchers have extensively analyzed health promoting and pharmacologically significant properties of garlic(Allium sativum).Importantly,garlic and its biologically active chemicals targeted oncogenic signaling cascades.In this mini-review we have attempted to summarize how garlic and its bioactive constituents regulated signal transduction cascades in cell culture studies and tumor-bearing mice.

An efficient and universal protoplast-based transient gene expression system for genome editing in Brassica crops

Protoplast-based transient gene expression system has been widely used in plant genome editing because of its simple operation and less time-consuming.In order to establish a universal protoplast-based transient transfection system for verifying activities of genome editing vectors containing targets in Brassica,we systematically optimized factors affecting protoplast isolation and transient gene expression.We established an efficient protoplast-based transient gene expression system(PTGE)in Chinese cabbage,achieving high protoplast yield of 4.9×10^(5)·g^(-1)FW,viability over 95%,and transfection efficiency of 76%.We showed for the first time that pretreatment of protoplasts with a hypotonic MMG could significantly enhance the transfection efficiency.Furthermore,protoplasts incubated at 37℃ for 6 min improved the transfection efficiency to 86%.We also demonstrated that PTGE worked well(more than 50%transfection efficiency)in multiple Brassica species including cabbage,Pak Choi,Chinese kale,and turnip.Finally,PTGE was used for validating the activities of CRISPR/Cas9 vectors containing targets in Chinese cabbage,cabbage,and pak choi,demonstrating the broad applicability of the established PTGE for genome editing in Brassica crops.

Constructing an effective evaluation system to identify doctors’research capabilities

1|INTRODUCTION The events of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic have emphasized the indispensable role of doctors in promoting public health and well-being[1].Although medicine and health care are being transformed by technological advances,such as artificial intelligence,big data,genomics,precision medicine,and telemedicine,doctors continue to play a critical role in providing health care.

地西他滨治疗骨髓增生异常综合征37例临床疗效分析

目的探讨标准剂量地西他滨治疗方案治疗骨髓增生异常综合征(MDS)的临床疗效及安全性.方法2014年1月至2016年12月昆明医科大学第一附属医院血液科收治的接受地西他滨静脉滴注[20 mg/(m2·d),连续5 d,每4周为一疗程]的MDS患者37例.按照既定的治疗方案,收集患者治疗效果和安全性事件,并根据不同预后分组进行疗效差异分析.结果 20例(54.1%)在至少使用了4周期地西他滨后获得了临床疗效反应,其中3例CR(8.10%),m CR无HI 6例(16.2%),m CR伴HI 3例(8.1%),HI 8例(21.6%);另外17例患者中,脱离输血3例(8.1%);SD 11例(29.7%),PD 3例(8.1%).将MDS的总反应率按患者年龄、WHO分型和预后危险分层统计,地西他滨治疗方案对65岁以下患者的ORR高于65以上患者,对RAEB-1/RAEB-2分型患者的ORR高于其他分型,但差异均未见统计学意义(χ2值分别为0.815和1.213,P>0.05),IPSS预后危险积分中、高危组患者的ORR明显优于低危组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.044),对WPSS预后分层较高危组的ORR明显优于较低危组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.036).不良反应以血小板计数降低、白细胞计数降低和中型粒细胞计数降低最为多见,3~4级不良反应中以血小板计数降低、白细胞计数降低和中性粒细胞降低发生率最高,发生率分别为65.5%、59.3%和53.8%.非血液学不良反应主要有感染、ALT增高、腹泻和皮疹,且分级多以1~2级为主.结论地西他滨治疗MDS耐受性好,不良反应发生合理可控,能够达到预期疗效.

Tumor immune microenvironment characterization and response to anti-PD-1 therapy

In recent years,further understanding of the interaction between the immune system and tumor growth has led to the development of several immunotherapies.These immunotherapies include cancer vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors that have been tested in various solid tumors,including those traditionally considered non-immunogenic,such as non-small cell

Design of motion control of dam safety inspection underwater vehicle

Plenty of dams in China are in danger while there are few effective methods for underwater dam inspections of hidden problems such as conduits,cracks and inanitions.The dam safety inspection remotely operated vehicle(DSIROV) is designed to solve these problems which can be equipped with many advanced sensors such as acoustical,optical and electrical sensors for underwater dam inspection.A least-square parameter estimation method is utilized to estimate the hydrodynamic coefficients of DSIROV,and a four degree-of-freedom(DOF) simulation system is constructed.The architecture of DSIROV's motion control system is introduced,which includes hardware and software structures.The hardware based on PC104 BUS,uses AMD ELAN520 as the controller's embedded CPU and all control modules work in VxWorks real-time operating system.Information flow of the motion system of DSIROV,automatic control of dam scanning and dead-reckoning algorithm for navigation are also discussed.The reliability of DSIROV's control system can be verified and the control system can fulfill the motion control mission because embankment checking can be demonstrated by the lake trials.

Advances in immunotherapy for treatment of lung cancer

Different approaches for treating lung cancer have been developed over time, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies against activating mutations. Lately, better understanding of the role of the immunological system in tumor control has opened multiple doors to implement different strategies to enhance immune response against cancer cells. It is known that tumor cells elude immune response by several mechanisms. The development of monoclonal antibodies against the checkpoint inhibitor programmed cell death protein 1 （PD-1） and its ligand （PD-L1）, on T cells, has led to high activity in cancer patients with long lasting responses. Nivolumab, an anti PD-1 inhibitor, has been recently approved for the treatment of squamous cell lung cancer patients, given the survival advantage demonstrated in a phase III trial. Pembrolizumab~ another anti PD-1 antibod）5 has received FDA breakthrough therapy designation for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）, supported by data from a phase I trial. Clinical trials with anti PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in NSCLC have demonstrated very good tolerability and activity, with response rates around 20% and a median duration of response of 18 months.

Understanding the function and dysfunction of the immune system in lung cancer: the role of immune checkpoints

Survival rates for metastatic lung cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） and small cell lung cancer （SCLC）, are poor with S-year survivals of less than 5%. The immune system has an intricate and complex relationship with tumorigenesis; a groundswell of research on the immune system is leading to greater understanding of how cancer progresses and presenting new ways to halt disease progress. Due to the extraordinary power of the immune system-- with its capacity for memory, exquisite specificity and central and universal role in human biology--immunotherapy has the potential to achieve complete, long-lasting remissions and cures, with few side effects for any cancer patient, regardless of cancer type. As a result, a range of cancer therapies are under development that work by turning our own immune cells against tumors. However deeper understanding of the complexity of immunomodulation by tumors is key to the development of effective immunotherapies, especially in lung cancer.

Salivary resistin level and its association with insulin resistance in obese individuals

The escalating global burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus necessitates the implementation of strategies that are both more reliable and faster in order to improve the early identification of insulin resistance(IR)in high-risk groups,including overweight and obese individuals.The use of salivary biomarkers offers a promising alternative to serum collection because it is safer,more comfortable,and less painful to obtain saliva samples.As obesity is the foremost contributory factor in IR development,the adipocytokines such as leptin,adiponectin,resistin,and visfatin secreted from the adipose tissue have been studied as potential reliable biomarkers for IR.Measurement of salivary adipokines as predictors for IR has attracted widespread attention because of the strong correlation between their blood and salivary concentrations.One of the adipokines that is closely related to IR is resistin.However,there are conflicting findings on resistin’s potential role as an etiological link between obesity and IR and the reliability of measuring salivary resistin as a biomarker for IR.Hence this study reviewed the available evidence on the potential use of salivary resistin as a biomarker for IR in order to attempt to gain a better understanding of the role of resistin in the development of IR in obese individuals.

Far lateral lumbar disc herniation part 1: Imaging, neurophysiology and clinical features

Far lateral lumbar disc herniations(FLLDH)represent a separate category of disc pathology which includes both intraforaminal and extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations,that are characterized by a peculiar clinical presentation,diagnostic and treatment modalities as compared to the more frequent median and paramedian disc hernias.Surgical treatment often represents the only effective weapon for the cure of this disease and over the years different approaches have been developed that can reach the region of the foramen or external to it,with different degrees of invasiveness.The diagnosis is more demanding and still underestimated as it requires a more detailed knowledge in the spine anatomy and dedicated radiological studies.Computerized tomography and in particular magnetic resonance imaging are the appropriate tools for the diagnosis of FLLDH.Despite the widespread use of these diagnostic tests,many cases of FLLDH are overlooked due to insufficiently detailed radiological examinations or due to the execution of exams not focused to the foraminal or the extraforaminal region.Neurophysiological studies represent a valid aid in the diagnostic classification of this pathology and in some cases they can facilitate the differential diagnosis with other types of radiculopathies.In the present study,a comprehensive review of the clinical presentation,epidemiology,radiological study and the neurophysiological aspects is presented.

In elderly population prophylactic anticoagulation favors early detection of digestive track cancers: an observational study in eastern Poland

The launch of non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) caused revolution in thrombosis prevention, which was mainly due to their safety and simplicity in treatment when compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA). Clinical observations indicate that despite the benefits of NOACs, many patients still use VKA even if they cannot cope with dose modifications and often do not control INR.

A Solution of the Burger’s Equation Arising in the Longitudinal Dispersion Phenomenon in Fluid Flow through Porous Media by Mixture of New Integral Transform and Homotopy Perturbation Method

The main aim of the paper is to examine the concentration of the longitudinal dispersion phenomenon arising in fluid flow through porous media. These phenomenon yields a partial differential equation namely Burger’s equation, which is solved by mixture of the new integral transform and the homotopy perturbation method under suitable conditions and the standard assumption. This method provides an analytical approximation in a rapidly convergent sequence with in exclusive manner computed terms. Its rapid convergence shows that the method is trustworthy and introduces a significant improvement in solving nonlinear partial differential equations over existing methods. It is concluded that the behaviour of concentration in longitudinal dispersion phenomenon is decreases as distance x is increasing with fixed time t > 0 and slightly increases with time t.

Chemical, Nutritional, Rheological, and Organoleptical Characterizations of Stirred Pumpkin-Yoghurt

Pumpkin contains considerable amounts of bioactive compounds which hardly valorized in dairy products. This study aims to investigate the chemical, nutritional, rheological, and organoleptical properties of prepared stirred pumpkin-yoghurt. Stirred yoghurt with three different pumpkin varieties pulp [American (AP), Domestic (DP), and Indian (IP) pumpkin] at 15% was prepared and stored at 5°C ± 1°C up to 14 d. The chemical properties of yoghurts include protein, fat, crude fiber, and available carbohydrates were significantly affected by adding pumpkin without remarkable change in caloric value. Addition of pumpkin pulps decreased the pH and increased the acidity of stirred pumpkin-yoghurt significantly (P -1 in all stirred yoghurts after 1 d. After that, it was increased without notable effect of adding pumpkin pulps, and with slight simulation in LAB, growth was noticed in DP and IP yoghurts. Total phenolic compounds (TPC), total flavonoid (TF), total flavonols (TFL), carotenoids contents, and antioxidant capacity of pumpkin-yoghurts were significantly increased. Fortifying yoghurt with pumpkin pulp was associated with a statistically significant effect on sensory parameters such as flavor, color, and overall acceptability. Scores of AP yoghurt showed the highest score which significantly differed from CY. It is obviously showed that panelists were favored the prepared stirred pumpkin-yoghurt. Thus, it is recommended that adding pumpkin pulps increases yoghurt health benefits and could be scaled up further.

Novel Analytical Approach of Non Conventional Mapping Scheme with Discrete Hartley Transform in OFDM System

The system performance has been analyzed for π/4 DQPSK mapping scheme, which is differential in nature and hence adding additional advantage. Performance evaluation with random data as well as some images has been taken. Channel modeling has been performed in multipath fading environment. For elaboration of the concept mathematical modeling has been implemented using computer simulation. In this paper, an attempt is made to know the capabilities of DHT-OFDM with non conventional mapping technique π/4 DQPSK.

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Thyme Essential Oil (<i>Thymus vulgaris</i>)

Herbal medicine from natural resources plays an important role as antibacterial and antioxidant agents. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil (TEO) and/or chitosan (CH) in vitro. Results indicated that TEO exhibited high radical scavenging activity (RSA) toward DPPH, ABTS, linoleic acid deterioration and iron chelation activity. TEO exhibited high amount of total phenolic compounds (TPC) related to its terpenes. The TPC of TEO was 177.3 mg GAE g-1 demonstrated 149.8 μmol of TE g-1 DPPH-RSA and 192.4 μmol of TE g-1 ABTS-RSA. The antioxidant capacity of TEO exhibited 68.9% reduction when evaluated by β-carotene bleaching assay. The reducing power activity related to iron chelation was 142.8 μmol of AAE g-1. The TEO exhibited a high content of Thymol (41.04%) as major compound over 14 identified components by GC-MS analysis followed by 1,8-Cineole (14.26%), γ-Terpinene (12.06%), p-Cymene (10.50%) and α-Terpinene (9.22%). TEO exhibited antimicrobial activity in vitro and MIC noticed that TEO was efficiently affected pathogens in vitro. Indeed, CH exhibited negligible or very low antimicrobial activity. In conclusion, both investigated TEO and TEO-CHmix have strong antibacterial activity against many pathogenic bacteria and need exploitation as an alternative source of natural antibacterial and antioxidant agents for potential applications.

Nutritional, Chemical and Organoleptical Characteristics of Low-Calorie Fruit Nectars Incorporating Stevioside as a Natural Sweetener

The study is aiming at preparation of low-calorie fruit nectars for diabetes and weight maintaining approaches as well as consumer satisfaction. Therefore, twenty low-calorie fruit-based formulated nectars were prepared mainly from orange, pomegranate, guava and mango pulps which sweetened with sucrose or sucrose— replaced at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% using stevioside. Primitively, the yield of fresh fruits had been calculated. Consequently, nutritional, chemical and organoleptical characteristics of prepared fruit nectars have been determined. Results indicated that total solids content was in range of 5.57% - 13.20%, 9.90% - 14.37%, 8.25% - 13.27% and 8.25% - 16.50% for orange, pomegranate, guava and mango nectars, respectively. Dependently, caloric value resulted 21.57 to 51.08, 38.31 to 55.62, 31.93 to 51.37 and 31.93 to 63.86 kcal 100 g-1 fw for orange, pomegranate, guava and mango nectars, respectively. Total phenols content [TPC, mg GAE 100 g-1 dw] ranged from 665.12 to 747.41, 1180.42 to 1319.47, 742.54 to 848.27 and 418.01 to 472.42 for orange, pomegranate, guava and mango nectars, respectively. The antioxidant capacity by DPPH method [μmol TE g-1 dw] ranged from (20.79 to 26.51), (47.13 to 56.56), (60.68 to 69.25) and (8.39 to 13.32) for orange, pomegranate, guava and mango nectars, respectively. Total carotenoids [mg 100 g-1 dw] were the highest in mango nectars ranged from (102.99 to 110.52) in mango nectar with 100% sugar and mango nectar with 100% stevioside, respectively. Anthocyanins content recorded 6.14 mg 100 g-1 dw in pomegranate nectar with 100% sugar, while increased to be 9.01 mg 00 g-1 dw in pomegranate nectar with 100% stevioside. Ascorbic acid [mg 100 g fw] ranged from 23.41 to 27.53, 15.73 to 18.32, 25.72 to 30.87 and 18.07 to 20.98 for orange, pomegranate, guava and mango nectars, respectively. The results of organoleptical attributes showed no effect of sugar substituting by stevioside on color, odor and mouth feel. The most dramatic effect of sugar substituting had been observed on taste, bitter after taste and the overall acceptability of prepared nectars with high substitution levels. Practically, using stevioside to produce low-calorie nectars was shown to be satisfactory up to 50% - 75% substituting level, resulting low-calorie nectars and could be applied commercially.

Effect of Camel Milk Fortified with Dates in Ice Cream Manufacture on Viscosity, Overrun, and Rheological Properties during Storage Period

The effect of using camel milk with 2 dates types (Sokary & Al-Khalas), in 3 forms (paste, pieces, and molasses), with 2 different concentrations (5% & 10%) in the manufacturing of ice cream on its viscosity, overrun%, rheological and melting properties during storage period up to 60 days at -18&#176C was studied. It was noticed that there are higher mean of viscosity values (cp) when using “Al-khalas” dates paste 5% and 10% followed by samples with “sokary” paste then samples with molasses in ice cream samples compared to those with added date’s pieces of either “Sokary” or “Al-khalas”. There are significant differences of overrun values between all treatments and samples with the added date paste of either “sokary” or “Al-khalas” which recorded the lowest values. Increased melting resistance and good qualities as heat shock and melting properties were significantly better for the samples with added dates pieces or paste unlike the molasses. The storage effect is obvious decline, especially when using dates molasses.

Human endogenous retroviruses and cancer

Human endogenous retroviruses(HERVs) are retroviruses that infected human genome millions of years ago and have persisted throughout human evolution. About 8% of our genome is composed of HERVs, most of which are nonfunctional because of epigenetic control or deactivating mutations. However, a correlation between HERVs and human cancer has been described and many tumors, such as melanoma, breast cancer, germ cell tumors, renal cancer or ovarian cancer, express HERV proteins, mainly HERV-K(HML6) and HERV-K(HML2). Although the causative role of HERVs in cancer is controversial, data from animal models demonstrated that endogenous retroviruses are potentially oncogenic. HERV protein expression in human cells generates an immune response by activating innate and adaptive immunities. Some HERV-derived peptides have antigenic properties. For example, HERV-K(HML-6) encodes the HER-K MEL peptide recognized by CD8+ lymphocytes. In addition, HERVs are twoedged immunomodulators. HERVs show immunosuppressive activity. The presence of genomic retroviral elements in host-cell cytosol may activate an interferon type I response. Therefore, targeting HERVs through cellular vaccines or immunomodulatory drugs combined with checkpoint inhibitors is attracting interest because they could be active in human tumors.

Prenatal exposure to the fluoride containing psychiatric drug fluoxetine and anti-oxidative alterations in the neonatal rat brain

Fluoride is a key ingredient of many psychiatric drugs like fluoxetine(Prozac■Fluoxetine■).Pregnant women frequently use this drug as they suffer from depression and anxiety disorders during this period.Fluoxetine is able to reach the fetus through the placenta and passes to the newborn through milk.In the present study,female Wistar rats were treated with 5,10,and 20 mg/L fluoxetine(containing 94% fluorides)from pregnancy day 10 to day 20.After delivery,the levels of the enzymatic antioxidants in the brain of their offspring at postnatal day 2 were measured.The results showed that,in all fluoxetine exposed groups compared with the control group,there was a significant decrease(P<0.01)in the glutathione,catalase,glutathione S-transferases and potassium and a non-significant increase(P>0.05)in the activity of malondialdehyde and creatine kinase.The results suggest that fluoxetine may be a developmental neurotoxicant due to presence of fluoride hence must be used carefully during pregnancy.

Several pragmatic techniques for harmony of English teaching

A few problems affecting harmonious English teaching exist in both linguistic and non-linguistic aspects at present. Several pragmatic techniques, including individuality, flexibility, the concept of ＂One for all, and all for one＂ are suggested on a trial basis in this paper.