Effects of ultra-high-pressure treatment on the structural and functional properties of buckwheat 13S globulin

Components with strong adsorption capacity for cholates from buckwheat proteins were screened, separated and purified by several methods, and the effects of ultra-high-pressure(UHP) on the structure and function of buckwheat 13S globulin(BW13SG) were studied. Samples were treated by UHP at different p H(3.0 and 7.0) value(s) and at 100–500 MPa for 10–30 min. The results showed that the tertiary structure of BW13SG was partially denatured and aggregated. The decrease in the unordered structure indicated that UHP resulted in a looser secondary structure of BW13SG. UHP treatment also increased solubility, emulsion activity and stability, foaming capacity and stability. The samples treated at 500 MPa, p H 3.0 for 30 min had the most enhanced functionality. Moreover, under this condition, the sodium cholate and sodium deoxycholate adsorption capacities of BW13SG were both higher than 98% and the adsorption capacity of sodium taurocholate, which can be difficult to adsorb, was higher than 60%.

Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate,Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate and Entecavir:Which is the Most Effective Drug for Chronic Hepatitis B?A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background and Aims:The therapeutic effect of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate(TAF),tenofovir disoproxil fumarate(TDF)and entecavir(ETV)on chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients remains inconsistent.The aim of this study was to explore the differences in virological responses to TAF,TDF and ETV in patients with CHB.Methods:Literature searches were conducted of the PubMed,EMBASE,and the Cochrane Library databases to identify randomized controlled trials and observational studies published up to July 21,2020.Statistical comparisons of virological response between TDF,ETV,and TAF were carried out with pooled odds ratio(OR)values.Results:The virological response in TDF-treated CHB patients was notably superior to that of the ETV-treated CHB patients after 12-weeks[OR=1.12,95%confidence interval(CI):0.89–1.41],24-weeks(OR=1.33,95%CI:1.11–1.61),48-weeks(OR=1.62,95%CI:1.16–2.25),72-weeks(OR=1.43,95%CI:0.78–2.62),and 96-weeks(OR=1.56,95%CI:0.87–2.81)treatment.No significant difference was observed for the virological responses in CHB patients after 48-weeks treatment with TAF or TDF.The virological response in TDF+ETV-treated CHB patients was superior to that of TDF-treated CHB patients after 24-weeks,48-weeks(OR=1.54,95%CI:1.17–2.02),96-weeks,and 144-weeks.Conclusions:The virological response in TDF-treated CHB patients was superior to that in ETV-treated CHB patients,but there was no significant difference between TAF and TDF.In addition,the therapeutic effect of TDF+ETV was superior to TDF alone.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Circulating Fetuin-A Levels in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background and Aims:Accumulated studies have reported the key role of circulating fetuin-A in the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)but the results have not been consistent.In this study,we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the relationship between circulating fetuin-A level and the development and classification of NAFLD.Methods:The PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library databases were searched to obtain the potentially relevant studies up to May 2020.Standardized mean differences(SMD)and 95%confidence intervals of circulating fetuin-A levels were extracted and summarized.Sensitivity,subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis were performed to investigate the potential heterogeneity.Association of circulating fetuin-A level with classification of NAFLD was also reviewed.Results:A total of 17 studies were included,composed of 1,755 NAFLD patients and 2,010 healthy controls.Meta-analysis results showed that NAFLD patients had higher circulating fetuin-A level(SMD=0.43,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.22-0.63,p<0.001)than controls.Subgroup analysis indicated that circulating fetuin-A level was markedly increased in adult NAFLD patients(SMD=0.48,95%CI:0.24-0.72,p<0.001)and not in pediatric/adolescent patients compared to controls.Circulating fetuin-A level was markedly increased in ultrasound-proven NAFLD pediatric/adolescent patients(SMD=0.42,95%CI:0.12-0.72,p=0.007),other than in the liver biopsy-proven NAFLD pediatric/adolescent patients.Body mass index might be the influencing factor to the heterogeneity in adult patients.Circulating fetuin-A level was not associated with the classification of NAFL vs.nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH).Whether the circulating fetuin-A level was associated with the development of fibrosis remains controversial.

Investigation of nanostructure of konjac-based water absorbents with atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy technology is gradually spreading to almost all aspects,including food science and technology,since it was first invented in 1986.In this study,this powerful instrument was applied to image nanostructures of three water absorbents-original konjac powder,konjac powder grafted with acrylic acid using^(60)Coγ-irradiation and regenerated grafted powder.Water absorption capacities and the rates of the three absorbents were also determined in this work.Original konjac powder could only absorb 60 times(w/w)of water,while 270 times for the grafted absorbent and 360 times for the regenerated absorbent.The initial water absorption rates in both tap and distilled water were high,but the rate decreased steeply as time elapsed.After 20 min,the absorbent was close to saturated status.These physical properties were in accordance with the nanostructures of these three water absorbents.