Performance of the AASLD, EASL, and APASL Clinical Practice Guidelines in"grey zone"stages of Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background/objective: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who do not meet any immunostaging criteria are categorized as the "grey zone" (GZ). However, there are discrepancies in the definition of the GZ in different areas.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of Chinese GZ patients and to validate the application value of three international guidelines.

Dose-dependent Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and the Risks of Hepatitis B Virus-associated Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.

Background And Aims: The quantitative effects of alcohol consumption on cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are unknown. This study aimed to establish a dose-dependent model of alcohol consumption on the risks of cirrhosis and HCC.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and four Chinese databases were searched for studies published from their inception to 15 May 2024.

A Model to Identify Gray Zone Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Requiring Antiviral Therapy: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Individuals who do not match any specific immune stage of chronic hepatitis B are classified into the gray zone, and appropriate management for these patients remains unclear. This study aimed to develop and validate a noninvasive model to identify gray zone patients requiring antiviral therapy (AVT).

Methods: We retrospectively collected data on 200 gray zone patients not requiring AVT, according to assessment by noninvasive parameters from 2010 to 2023 in 6 hospitals, and randomized them into development (n = 140) and validation (n = 60) cohorts.

Walnut protein isolate based emulsion as a promising delivery system enhanced lutein bioaccessibility.

Lutein, a natural pigment with multiple beneficial bioactivities, faces limitations in food processing due to its instability. In this study, we constructed four modified walnut protein isolate (WNPI) based emulsions as emulsion-based delivery systems (EBDS) for lutein fortification. The modification treatments enhanced the encapsulation efficiency of the WNPI-based EBDS on lutein.

Fabrication of a novel antioxidant emulsifier through tuning the molecular interaction between soy protein isolates and young apple polyphenols.

Soy protein isolates (SPI) exhibit weaker emulsifying properties than those of animal proteins, thereby limiting their wide applicability. In this study, a novel plant-based antioxidant emulsifier was developed using SPI and young apple polyphenols (YAP), and its underlying interaction mechanisms were discovered using multispectral technology and molecular docking. YAP physically bound to SPI through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, which significantly enhanced the free radicals scavenging, reducing, and metal ion chelating abilities of SPI by introducing free hydroxyl groups.

IL-22-producing CD3 + CD8- T cells increase in immune clearance stage of chronic HBV infection and correlate with the response of Peg-interferon treatment.

Interleukin (IL)-22 regulates host defense. This study investigated the predominant IL-22-producing cell subsets under HBV associated immune stages. We found circulating IL-22-producing CD3 + CD8- T cells were significantly increased in immune active (IA) stage than those in immunotolerant stage, inactive carrier and healthy controls (HCs).

Structural modification induced by heat treatments improves the emulsifying attributes of lacquer seed protein isolate.

The lacquer seed oil has received extensive attention in the food industry due to its health function, such as regulating blood lipids. But its by-product, lacquer seed meal, is often used as a low-value-added product such as animal feed. Lacquer seed meal contains about 20 % protein, which has amphiphilic properties, and there is limited attention to its emulsifying properties.

Allyl phenyl selenides as HO acceptors to develop ROS-responsive theranostic prodrugs.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive prodrugs have received significant attention due to their capacity to target tumors to relieve the side effects caused by chemotherapy. Herein, a series of novel HO-activated theranostic prodrugs (CPTSe1-CPTSe7) were developed containing allyl phenyl selenide moieties as HO acceptors. Compared with conventional boronate ester-based prodrug CPT-B, CPTSe1 was more stable in human plasma and showed a more complete release of camptothecin (CPT) in HO inducing experiment.

Triazene as the Directing Group Achieving Highly -Selective Diborylation and Sequential Functionalization.

This study describes a regioselective ,'-diborylation of aromatic triazenes catalyzed by [Ir(OMe)(cod)] in near-quantitative yields without an additional ligand. Aromatic triazenes act as both substrates and ligands. The X-ray structures of and indicate that the monoborylation products could promote the occurrence of diborylation.

Caprylic Acid Improves Lipid Metabolism, Suppresses the Inflammatory Response and Activates the ABCA1/p-JAK2/p-STAT3 Signaling Pathway in C57BL/6J Mice and RAW264.7 Cells.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of caprylic acid (C8:0) on lipid metabolism and inflammation, and examine the mechanisms underlying these effects in mice and cells.

Methods: Fifty-six 6-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to four groups fed a high-fat diet (HFD) without or with 2% C8:0, palmitic acid (C16:0) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). RAW246.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 10-Substituted Camptothecin Derivatives with Improved Water Solubility and Activity.

Despite remarkable clinical achievements, camptothecin (CPT) still suffers from poor solubility and severe toxicity. Therefore, it is necessary to redevelop CPT derivatives as supplementary antitumor agents with good water solubility and small side effects. In this work, 27 camptothecin derivatives were synthesized and screened for their cytotoxicity against A549 (lung) and HCT-116 (colon) cancer cell lines.

Discovery of potent small molecule PROTACs targeting mutant EGFR.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. A number of efficacious EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been developed. However, acquired drug resistance largely encumbered their clinical practicability.

KSO-promoted C-Se bond formation to construct α-phenylseleno carbonyl compounds and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

A novel KSO-promoted C-Se bond formation from cross-coupling under neutral conditions has been developed. A variety of aldehydes and ketones react well using KSO as the oxidant in the absence of catalyst and afford desired products in moderate to excellent yields. This protocol provides a very simple route for the synthesis of α-phenylseleno carbonyl compounds and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

F10, a new camptothecin derivative, was identified as a new orally-bioavailable, potent antitumor agent.

Topoisomerases are interesting targets for drug discovery. In the present study, we attached saturated carbon atoms to the 10-position of camptothecin and synthesized 10 new camptothecin derivatives from 10-HCPT or SN-38. The activities of new compounds were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo.

Novel mutations of AXIN2 identified in a Chinese Congenital Heart Disease Cohort.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs), the most common congenital human birth anomalies, involves complex genetic factors. Wnt/β-catenin pathway is critical for cardiogenesis and proved to be associated with numerous congenital heart abnormities. AXIN2 has a unique role in Wnt/β-catenin pathway, as it is not only an important inhibitor but also a direct target of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of irreversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors containing pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine scaffold.

In the present study, a new class of compounds containing pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine scaffold with an acrylamide moiety was designed as irreversible EGFR-TKIs to overcome acquired EGFR-T790M resistance. The most promising compound 25h inhibited HCC827 and H1975 cells growth with the IC values of 0.025 μM and 0.

Lignans and diterpenes isolated from Tirpitzia ovoidea and their biological activities.

A new lignan, tirpitzin A (17) together with 20 known compounds (1-16, and 18-21) were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Tirpitzia ovoidea. The structure of new compound was elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis. Of the known compounds, 7-21 were isolated from Linaceae family for the first time.

Handgrip Strength as a Predictor of Nutritional Status in Chinese Elderly Inpatients at Hospital Admission.

Objective: To assess nutritional status and define gender- and age-specific handgrip strength (HGS) cut-point values for malnutrition or nutritional risk in elderly inpatients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1,343 elderly inpatients was conducted in the Chinese PLA General Hospital. Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS 2002) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) were administered.

A TBX5 3'UTR variant increases the risk of congenital heart disease in the Han Chinese population.

TBX5 is a vital transcription factor involved in cardiac development in a dosage-dependent manner. But little is known about the potential association of 3' untranslated region (UTR) variations with congenital cardiac malformations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between 3'UTR variants and risk for congenital heart disease (CHD) susceptibility in two Han Chinese populations, and to reveal its molecular mechanism.

Flavonoids isolated from Sinopodophylli Fructus and their bioactivities against human breast cancer cells.

Four prenylated flavonoids compounds 1-4, named sinopodophyllines A-D, and a flavonoid glycoside (compound 13), sinopodophylliside A, together with 19 known compounds (compounds 5-12 and 14-24) were isolated from the fruits of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR. Compounds 1-6, 9-11, and 14-17 were tested for their cytotoxicity against human breast-cancer T47D, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro, and compounds 2, 5, 6, 10 and 11 showed significant cytotoxicity (IC values < 10 μmol·L) against T47D cells.

Mild decrease in TBX20 promoter activity is a potentially protective factor against congenital heart defects in the Han Chinese population.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are one of the most common human birth defects worldwide. TBX20 is a crucial transcription factor for the development of embryonic cardiovascular system. Previous studies have demonstrated that mutations in the TBX20 coding region contribute to familial and sporadic CHD occurrence.

The Association of Maternal Body Composition and Dietary Intake with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus during the Second Trimester in a Cohort of Chinese Pregnant Women.

Objective: To investigate the association of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A total 154 GDM subjects and 981 controls were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in 11 hospitals from May 20, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and dietary surveys were used to determine body composition and to evaluate the intake of nutrients in subjects at 21-24 weeks' gestation (WG).

Medium-Chain Triglyceride Activated Brown Adipose Tissue and Induced Reduction of Fat Mass in C57BL/6J Mice Fed High-fat Diet.

Objective: To investigate activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) stimulated by medium-chain triglyceride (MCT).

Methods: 30 Male C57BL/6J obese mice induced by fed high fat diet (HFD) were divided into 2 groups, and fed another HFD with 2% MCT or long-chain triglyceride (LCT) respectively for 12 weeks. Body weight, blood biochemical variables, interscapular brown fat tissue (IBAT) mass, expressions of mRNA and protein of beta 3-adrenergic receptors (β3-AR), uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), protein kinase A (PKA), and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) in IBAT were measured.

The diterpenes ovoideal A-G from Tirpitzia ovoidea.

Seven new diterpenes, named ovoideal A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), E (5), F (6) and G (7), have been isolated along with eleven known diterpenes 8-18 from the petroleum ether soluble fraction of an ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Tirpitzia ovoidea. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated primarily by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, as well as by the HR-ESI-MS spectrometry. All compounds were isolated from the Linaceae family for the first time.