Short chain fatty acids(SCFA) are produced in the large bowel of humans by anaerobic bacterial fermentation.The main fermentative substrates are undigested dietary carbohydrates,including nonstarch polysaccharides and resistant starch(RS).SCFA are major organic acids in the lumen of the large intestine.They are preferred energy source for colonocytes.Their effects include enhancement of electrolyte uptake,stimulation of colon epithelial cell proliferation and mucosa growth,modulation of colonic immune function,nutritional support and protection of colon mucosa.Butyric acid can suppress colon neoplasm cell proliferation,induce its apoptosis and differentiation,affect proto-onc genes expression,which suggest that butyrate may be an important agent in cancer treatment.

With the development of society and living condition,the incidences of fatty liver and other diseases like hypertension,cardiovascular disease and diabetes have increasd by several factors.This review discussed the cause,mechanism and therapy of fatty liver.The emphasis was put on the object and principle of nutritional therapy.Generally,the treatment of fatty liver includes control of the underlying causes,nutritional therapy,proper physical exercise,upbeat life-rhythm and a certain workload.Plasmapheresis and oxygen therapy are the new methods.

the effect of maintaining integrity of epithelial cells by increasing occludin protein expression,and the effect is related with the up-regulation of occludin mRNA.

Applying scientific literature in the teaching of nutrition and food hygiene is neces-sary. It can not only deepen students' understanding of the course and improve students' English level and scientific research ability, but also can improve teachers' professional skill. To improve the effi-ciency of teaching, teachers should choose literature close to the course and pay attention to selecting review literature and English literature. Textbook should be principal line of study during the teach-ing. Teachers should control the number and timing of explaining literature and grasp the complexity of literature. In order to facilitate students' understanding, teachers should make full use of related figures and tables.

Objective:To explore whether sleep quality suffers in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease(AD)and mild cognitive impairment(MCI), and to further investigate the correlation between sleep disorders and cognitive function in these patients.Methods:In this study, 30 mild AD patients, 39 MCI patients and 43 demographically matched healthy controls were enrolled.Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI), and cognitive function was assessed by the mini-mental state examination(MMSE), the Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)and a set of neuropsychological scales.The correlation of sleep quality with cognitive function was analyzed for the three groups.Results:Differences were significant in sleep time score[0.0(1.0), 1.0(2.0) vs.1.0(1.0), F=8.18, P=0.02]and daytime function score[1.0(1.0), 1.0(1.0) vs.0.0(1.0), F=8.73, P=0.01]between mild AD, MCI and health control groups.Spearman correlation analysis suggested that scores of sleep disorders were negatively correlated with DSB( r=-0.43, P=0.02)and scores of daytime function were positively correlated with ADL( r=0.39, P=0.03)in patients with mild AD.In addition, scores of sleep quality were negatively correlated with the DSB score( r=-0.40, P=0.01), scores of sleep disorders were positively correlated with ADL( r=0.45, P<0.01), scores of daytime function were negatively correlated with DSF( r=-0.42, P=0.01), DSB( r=-0.62, P<0.01)and VFT-S( r=-0.33, P=0.04), and the total PSQI score was negatively correlated with DSF( r=-0.45, P=0.01)and DSB( r=-0.44, P=0.01)in the MCI group. Conclusions:Patients with mild AD and MCI have longer sleep time and impaired daytime function than healthy people, and sleep quality is correlated with memory, attention and daily living ability in patients with mild AD and MCI.

Objective To summarize the routine application of neonatal lung ultrasound in neonatal and NICU department of our hospital in the past 2 years,and to explore the feasibility of using ultrasound in-stead of X-ray in diagnosing pulmonary diseases in neonatal ward. Methods From March 2017 to May 2019,a total of 2 874 children hospitalized in the department of neonatology in our hospital were collected to analyze the types of pulmonary diseases and the reliability of lung ultrasound diagnosis. Results A total of 2 874 children received lung ultrasound examination for 7 902 times,including 1 040 patients(36. 2%) with pulmonary disease and 1 834 patients(63. 8%)without pulmonary disease. There were 152 cases of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome,112 cases of wet lung,652 cases of pneumonia,87 cases of meconium aspira-tion syndrome,12 cases of pneumothorax ( including 1 case with mediastinal emphysema),and 25 cases of pulmonary hemorrhage. Among the 2 874 children,106 received X-ray examination of the lungs before admis-sion,and received dynamic monitoring of lung ultrasound. Ninety-six cases were found to have pulmonary lesions,among which 8 cases were diagnosed with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome by X-ray examina-tion and wet lung by lung ultrasound,and recovered quickly after treatment according to wet lung. In 2 cases, X-ray examination showed no pneumonia complicated with pneumothorax,while ultrasound diagnosis showed a small amount of pneumothorax, and ultrasound diagnosis showed pneumonia complicated with a small amount of pleural effusion in 1 case. The diagnostic coincidence rate was 91. 7%. Conclusion It is feasible to use ultrasound instead of X-ray to diagnose pulmonary diseases in neonatal wards. Ultrasonic diagnosis of neonatal pulmonary diseases is worth promoting.

Objective: To compare the starting points of the active phase of labor and labor duration between preterm and full-term primiparae and to provide evidence for appropriate labor management. Methods: From January 2013 to December 2016, 925 preterm primiparae (preterm group, 28 to 36⁺⁶ weeks) and equal number of full-term primiparae (full-term group, 37 to 41⁺⁶ weeks) who delivered in Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics were recruited. The starting point of the active labor was defined as the cervical dilatation at the turning point on the cervical dilatation curve where changing from almost flat to the biggest slope. Differences in the starting points and labor duration between the two groups were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using two independent sample t-test, one way analysis of variance and rank-sum test. Results: The duration of the first and second stages [(5.7±2.5) vs (6.8±5.2) h, t=-5.835; (29.9±16.8) vs (34.2±17.2) min, t=-12.637; both P<0.001] and the active phase [M (P₉₅): 1.0 (3.2) vs 1.0 (4.5) h, Z=2.017, P=0.047] of the preterm primiparae were all significantly shorter than those of the full-term primiparae, and the average cervical dilatation rate was significantly accelerated during the active period [M (P₅): 6.7 (1.8) vs 5.1 (1.6) cm/h, Z=-2.676, P<0.001]. In the preterm group, women whose starting points of the active phase were at 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm and ≥6 cm of cervical dilatation were 25 (2.7%), 275 (29.7%), 258 (27.9%), 203 (21.9%),109 (11.8%) and 55 (5.9%), respectively. While in the full-term group, women whose starting points of the active phase were at 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm and >6 cm of cervical dilatation were 74 (8.0%), 208 (22.5%), 287 (31.0%), 168 (18.2%), 127 (13.7%) and 61(6.6%), respectively. In the preterm group, the starting points of the active phase at cervical dilatation≤3 cm, ≤4 cm and ≤5 cm accounted for 60.3% (558/925), 82.3% (761/925) and 94.1% (870/925), respectively. In the full-term group, the percentages of the active phase starting at cervical dilatation≤4 cm, ≤5 cm and ≤6 cm were 61.5% (569/925), 79.7% (737/925) and 93.4% (864/925), respectively. Conclusions Preterm primiparae may experience shorter labor duration and an earlier start of the active phase than full-term primiparae. The routine labor progression model for full-term primiparae should not be applied to preterm primiparae.

To improve the expression level and catalytic efficiency of (R)-carbonyl reductase from Candida parapsilosis in Escherichia coli, we optimized the mRNA secondary structure of (R)-carbonyl reductase gene in translation initiation region (from +1 to +78), and constructed the corresponding variant. The formation of hairpin structure was significantly reduced and the Gibbs free energy was dramatically decreased from -9.5 kcal/mol to -5.0 kcal/mol after optimization. As a result, the expression level of (R)-carbonyl reductase in the variant was increased by 4-5 times and its specific activity in cell-free extract was enhanced by 61.9% compared to the wild-type strain. When using the whole cells as catalyst and 2-hydroxyacetophenone as substrate with a high concentration of 5.0 g/L, the variant showed excellent performance to give (R)-1-phenyl-1, 2-ethanediol with optical purity of 93.1% enantiomeric excess and a yield of 81.8%, which were increased by 27.5% and 40.5% respectively than those of the wild-type. In conclusion, the optimization of mRNA secondary structure in translation initiation region can overcome the steric hindrance of translation startup, promote translation smoothly to acquire high expression of target protein, and favor protein folding correctly to efficiently improve the enzyme specific activity and biotransformation function.
Alcohol Oxidoreductases ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Biocatalysis ; Candida ; enzymology ; Catalysis ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutant Proteins ; genetics ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational ; RNA, Messenger ; chemistry ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stereoisomerism

OBJECTIVETo identify potential mutations among three sisters from a Chinese family suspected with Cockayne syndrome for growth and psychomotor retardation, and to offer genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the family.

METHODSG-banded karyotyping, microarray comparative genomic hybridization (CM-CGH), whole genome exon high-throughput sequencing and Sanger sequencing were employed to identify potential genetic variations for the three patients and their parents.

RESULTSWhole exome sequencing has identified two novel missense mutations, i.e., c.1595A>G (p.Asp532Gly) and c.1607T>G (p.Leu536Trp), in exon 7 of excision repair cross-complementing rodent repair deficiency, complementation group 6 (ERCC6) gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed that all of the three sisters have inherited one of the mutations (c.1607T>G) from their father and another (c.1595A>G) from their mother.

CONCLUSIONThree sisters have all been identified as double heterozygote for mutations c.1607T>G and c.1595A>G and were diagnosed with Cockayne syndrome.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; Cockayne Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA Helicases ; genetics ; DNA Repair Enzymes ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins

Objective To investigate the application effect of case-based teaching versus traditional teaching in the optional course of maternal and child nutrition for medical undergraduates.Methods The students who completed the course through the traditional teaching method in 2016 were enrolled as control group,and those who completed the course through the case-based teaching method in 2017 were enrolled as experimental group.In the process of teaching,the teachers in the experimental group needed to write cases,prepare lessons collectively,give guidance and inspiration,and summarize after class.During the learning process,the students in the experimental group needed to collect information before class and perform role play,group discussion,and intergroup communication about the case during class.After the course ended,a questionnaire for nutrition during pregnancy preparation,pregnancy,and lactation,breastfeeding,and complementary feeding was developed for assessment.With sex and grade as related factors,SPSS 18.0 was used for the chi-square test of two sample rates according to knowledge points,and the correct rate of each item was analyzed.Results A total of 107 valid questionnaires were collected from the control group,and 109 valid questionnaires were collected from the experimental group.For the questions on the knowledge of maternal and child nutrition,the experimental group had slightly higher correct rates than the control group (all P＞0.05).For the questions on the comprehension and practical application of the knowledge of maternal and child nutrition,the experimental group had significantly higher correct rates than the control group (all P＜0.05).Further stratified analysis based on sex and grade showed that the experimental group had higher correct rates than the control group.Conclusion Compared with traditional teaching,case-based teaching may not have advantages in enhancing students' memorizing ability,but it can make it easier for students to understand the theoretical knowledge of matemal and child nutrition and master the practical application of such knowledge.