Food-derived bioactive peptides (FBPs), particularly those with ten or fewer amino acid residues and a molecular weight below 1300 Da, have gained increasing attention for their safe, diverse structures and specific biological activities. The development of FBP-based functional foods and potential medications depends on understanding their structure‒activity relationships (SARs), stability, and bioavailability properties. In this review, we provide an in-depth overview of the roles of FBPs in treating various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases, based on the literature from July 2017 to Mar. 2023. Subsequently, attention is directed toward elucidating the associations between the bioactivities and structural characteristics (e.g., molecular weight and the presence of specific amino acids within sequences and compositions) of FBPs. We also discuss in silico approaches for FBP screening and their limitations. Finally, we summarize recent advancements in formulation techniques to improve the bioavailability of FBPs in the food industry, thereby contributing to healthcare applications.
Humans ; Peptides/therapeutic use* ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Functional Food ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Biological Availability ; Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy* ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy* ; Hypertension/drug therapy* ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy* ; Bioactive Peptides, Dietary

Objective:To investigate factors influencing frequent episodes (≥ 4 episodes within 1 year) in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China.Methods:A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients under the age of 18 years diagnosed with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled at dermatology clinics in 18 medical institutions across 12 provinces and municipalities in China between June 12 and August 8, 2023. At the time of the visit, their guardians completed a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical features of AD, personal and family history, factors associated with frequent episodes of moderate-to-severe AD, compliance with treatment, and disease awareness. Statistical analyses included t tests, one-way analysis of variance, rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with multiple-response analysis applied for multiple-choice questions. Results:A total of 965 valid questionnaires were collected, and 965 children with moderate-to-severe AD were included. Among them, there were 531 males and 434 females, 678 (70.3%) were aged 2 - < 12 years, 837 (86.7%) were from urban areas, the age at onset was 2.47 ± 3.03 years, and the median frequency of AD episodes in the past year was 4 times. These children were divided into 2 groups based on the median episode frequency: < 4-episode group (439 cases, 45.5%) and ≥ 4-episode group (526 cases, 54.5%). Compared with the < 4-episode group, children in the ≥ 4-episode group showed younger ages at onset (2.22 ± 2.98 years vs. 2.76 ± 3.06 years, P = 0.006) and higher proportions of patients with comorbid allergic diseases in both the children themselves (82.9% [436/526] vs. 69.7% [306/439], χ2 = 23.42, P < 0.001) and their relatives (66.0% [347/526] vs. 57.4% [252/439], χ2 = 7.46, P = 0.006). Children in the ≥ 4- episode group also had higher monthly usage of moisturizers (150 [30, 300] g vs. 60 [6, 200] g) and daily frequency of moisturizer use, greater disease awareness, but more severe fear of medication use (all P < 0.05). The region and the human development index level were both significantly associated with the episode frequency (both P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of children from South China in the ≥ 4- episode group (36.3%, 191/526). Children in the ≥ 4-episode group also had a longer duration of topical glucocorticoid use than those in the < 4-episode group ( Z = -2.21, P = 0.027). External triggers associated with AD episodes mainly included heat exposure (50.36%, 486/965), hot water bathing (40.73%, 393/965), seafood (23.52%, 227/965), and dust mites (33.37%, 322/965) . Conclusion:In children with moderate-to-severe AD in China, factors influencing frequent episodes may include residence in southern or economically developed regions, earlier age at onset, having a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and fear of medication use.

Objectives:The ORION-18 study has demonstrated that inclisiran can significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and has good safety in Asian atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD)patients or ASCVD high-risk population.This subgroup analysis aims to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of inclisiran in Chinese mainland population.Methods:ORION-18 study is a multi-center,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,phase Ⅲ clinical trial among Asian subjects,Chinese mainland subgroup included 232 ASCVD patients or ASCVD high-risk subjects who had already been treated with diet control and maximum tolerated doses of statins treatment(with or without other lipid-lowering treatments)but still had elevated LDL-C levels.Subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the inclisiran group and the placebo group(n=116 each),and received 300 mg of inclisiran or placebo respectively on day 0,90 and 270.The primary endpoint was the percentage change in LDL-C from baseline to day 330.The secondary endpoints included the time-adjusted percentage change and absolute change in LDL-C from baseline after day 90 and up to day 360,the absolute change in LDL-C from baseline to day 330,and the percentage changes from baseline to day 330 in proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9),total cholesterol,apolipoprotein B(ApoB),non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(non-HDL-C).Other secondary endpoints included the proportion of participants reaching LDL-C levels of<1.8 mmol/L at day 330,the proportion of participants with≥50%LDL-C reduction from baseline to day 330 and the proportion of participants who attained global lipid targets(the LDL-C target was<1.4 mmol/L for ASCVD patients and<1.8 mmol/L for ASCVD high-risk subjects)at day 330.Safety endpoints included adverse events during treatment,aboratory test abnormalities during treatment,serious adverse events,and assessed their severity and relation to treatment.Results:The inclisiran group showed a placebo-corrected percentage change in LDL-C from baseline to day 330 of-61.16%,and an absolute change of-1.73 mmol/L(both P<0.0001).Compared to the placebo group,the inclisiran group's time-adjusted percentage change in LDL-C from baseline between day 90 and day 360 was-58.51%,and an absolute change of was-1.64 mmol/L(both P<0.0001).At day 330,reductions from baseline were observed in the inclisiran group for PCSK9,total cholesterol,ApoB,non-HDL-C,with placebo-corrected percentage changes of-77.44%,-35.65%,-43.43%,-50.90%(all P<0.0001),respectively.At day 330,79.6%(74/93)of patients in the inclisiran group and 7.8%(6/77)in the placebo group achieved LDL-C levels<1.8 mmol/L,69.9%(65/93)of patients in the inclisiran group and 0%(0/77)in the placebo group achieved≥50%LDL-C reduction from baseline,66.7%(62/93)of patients in the inclisiran group and 2.6%(2/77)in the placebo group achieved their global LDL-C targets.The safety profile of inclisiran treatment over 12 months was comparable to that of the placebo,with no occurrence of treatment-related serious adverse events.Conclusions:In ASCVD patients or ASCVD high-risk subjects in Chinese mainland who have received diet control and maximum tolerable dose statins treatment(with or without other lipid-lowering treatments)and still have elevated LDL-C,inclisiran has a definite efficacy and good safety in reducing LDL-C.The efficacy and safety results of inclisiran assessed in Chinese mainland population are consistent with those of the general Asia population.

Objective:To investigate factors influencing frequent episodes (≥ 4 episodes within 1 year) in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China.Methods:A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients under the age of 18 years diagnosed with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled at dermatology clinics in 18 medical institutions across 12 provinces and municipalities in China between June 12 and August 8, 2023. At the time of the visit, their guardians completed a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical features of AD, personal and family history, factors associated with frequent episodes of moderate-to-severe AD, compliance with treatment, and disease awareness. Statistical analyses included t tests, one-way analysis of variance, rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with multiple-response analysis applied for multiple-choice questions. Results:A total of 965 valid questionnaires were collected, and 965 children with moderate-to-severe AD were included. Among them, there were 531 males and 434 females, 678 (70.3%) were aged 2 - < 12 years, 837 (86.7%) were from urban areas, the age at onset was 2.47 ± 3.03 years, and the median frequency of AD episodes in the past year was 4 times. These children were divided into 2 groups based on the median episode frequency: < 4-episode group (439 cases, 45.5%) and ≥ 4-episode group (526 cases, 54.5%). Compared with the < 4-episode group, children in the ≥ 4-episode group showed younger ages at onset (2.22 ± 2.98 years vs. 2.76 ± 3.06 years, P = 0.006) and higher proportions of patients with comorbid allergic diseases in both the children themselves (82.9% [436/526] vs. 69.7% [306/439], χ2 = 23.42, P < 0.001) and their relatives (66.0% [347/526] vs. 57.4% [252/439], χ2 = 7.46, P = 0.006). Children in the ≥ 4- episode group also had higher monthly usage of moisturizers (150 [30, 300] g vs. 60 [6, 200] g) and daily frequency of moisturizer use, greater disease awareness, but more severe fear of medication use (all P < 0.05). The region and the human development index level were both significantly associated with the episode frequency (both P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of children from South China in the ≥ 4- episode group (36.3%, 191/526). Children in the ≥ 4-episode group also had a longer duration of topical glucocorticoid use than those in the < 4-episode group ( Z = -2.21, P = 0.027). External triggers associated with AD episodes mainly included heat exposure (50.36%, 486/965), hot water bathing (40.73%, 393/965), seafood (23.52%, 227/965), and dust mites (33.37%, 322/965) . Conclusion:In children with moderate-to-severe AD in China, factors influencing frequent episodes may include residence in southern or economically developed regions, earlier age at onset, having a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and fear of medication use.

Objectives:The ORION-18 study has demonstrated that inclisiran can significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and has good safety in Asian atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD)patients or ASCVD high-risk population.This subgroup analysis aims to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of inclisiran in Chinese mainland population.Methods:ORION-18 study is a multi-center,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,phase Ⅲ clinical trial among Asian subjects,Chinese mainland subgroup included 232 ASCVD patients or ASCVD high-risk subjects who had already been treated with diet control and maximum tolerated doses of statins treatment(with or without other lipid-lowering treatments)but still had elevated LDL-C levels.Subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the inclisiran group and the placebo group(n=116 each),and received 300 mg of inclisiran or placebo respectively on day 0,90 and 270.The primary endpoint was the percentage change in LDL-C from baseline to day 330.The secondary endpoints included the time-adjusted percentage change and absolute change in LDL-C from baseline after day 90 and up to day 360,the absolute change in LDL-C from baseline to day 330,and the percentage changes from baseline to day 330 in proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9),total cholesterol,apolipoprotein B(ApoB),non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(non-HDL-C).Other secondary endpoints included the proportion of participants reaching LDL-C levels of<1.8 mmol/L at day 330,the proportion of participants with≥50%LDL-C reduction from baseline to day 330 and the proportion of participants who attained global lipid targets(the LDL-C target was<1.4 mmol/L for ASCVD patients and<1.8 mmol/L for ASCVD high-risk subjects)at day 330.Safety endpoints included adverse events during treatment,aboratory test abnormalities during treatment,serious adverse events,and assessed their severity and relation to treatment.Results:The inclisiran group showed a placebo-corrected percentage change in LDL-C from baseline to day 330 of-61.16%,and an absolute change of-1.73 mmol/L(both P<0.0001).Compared to the placebo group,the inclisiran group's time-adjusted percentage change in LDL-C from baseline between day 90 and day 360 was-58.51%,and an absolute change of was-1.64 mmol/L(both P<0.0001).At day 330,reductions from baseline were observed in the inclisiran group for PCSK9,total cholesterol,ApoB,non-HDL-C,with placebo-corrected percentage changes of-77.44%,-35.65%,-43.43%,-50.90%(all P<0.0001),respectively.At day 330,79.6%(74/93)of patients in the inclisiran group and 7.8%(6/77)in the placebo group achieved LDL-C levels<1.8 mmol/L,69.9%(65/93)of patients in the inclisiran group and 0%(0/77)in the placebo group achieved≥50%LDL-C reduction from baseline,66.7%(62/93)of patients in the inclisiran group and 2.6%(2/77)in the placebo group achieved their global LDL-C targets.The safety profile of inclisiran treatment over 12 months was comparable to that of the placebo,with no occurrence of treatment-related serious adverse events.Conclusions:In ASCVD patients or ASCVD high-risk subjects in Chinese mainland who have received diet control and maximum tolerable dose statins treatment(with or without other lipid-lowering treatments)and still have elevated LDL-C,inclisiran has a definite efficacy and good safety in reducing LDL-C.The efficacy and safety results of inclisiran assessed in Chinese mainland population are consistent with those of the general Asia population.

OBJECTIVE: Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR, Danggui in Chinese), Cistanches Herba (CH, Roucongrong in Chinese), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (PG, Renshen in Chinese), and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix (PQ, Xiyangshen in Chinese), widely used as medicine and dietary supplement around the world, are susceptible to fungal and mycotoxin contamination. In this study, we aim to analyze their fungal community by DNA metabarcoding. METHODS: A total of 12 root samples were collected from three main production areas in China. The samples were divided into four groups based on herb species, including ASR, CH, PG, and PQ groups. The fungal community on the surface of four root groups was investigated through DNA metabarcoding via targeting the internal transcribed spacer 2 region (ITS2). RESULTS: All the 12 samples were detected with fungal contamination. Rhizopus (13.04%-74.03%), Aspergillus (1.76%-23.92%), and Fusarium (0.26%-15.27%) were the predominant genera. Ten important fungi were identified at the species level, including two potential toxigenic fungi (Penicillium citrinum and P. oxalicum) and eight human pathogenic fungi (Alternaria infectoria, Candida sake, Hyphopichia burtonii, Malassezia globosa, M. restricta, Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and Ochroconis tshawytschae). Fungal community in ASR and CH groups was significantly different from other groups, while fungal community in PG and PQ groups was relatively similar. CONCLUSION DNA metabarcoding revealed the fungal community in four important root herbs. This study provided an important reference for preventing root herbs against fungal and mycotoxin contamination.

ObjectiveTo adapt the Stanford Expectations of Treatment Scale（SETS） into Chinese（C-SETS） and test the feasibility， validity and reliability of its application in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome（IBS-D） with liver-constraint and spleen-deficiency syndrome treated with traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）. MethodsWe obtained authorisation from the developer of the SETS， and followed the principle of "two-way translation" to translate the SETS by literal translation and back translation to form the C-SETS. Ninety-six IBS-D patients with liver-constraint and spleen-deficiency syndrome were enrolled as respondents and filled out C-SETS before receiving treatment； the feasibility was assessed by the recall rate， completion rate and the duration of filling out the scale； the reliability was assessed by Cronbach's α； the structural validity was assessed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis， and the content validity was assessed by correlation analysis. ResultsThe C-SETS consists of 10 items， with the 1st， 3rd， and 5th rating items constituting the Positive Expectations subscale， and the 2nd， 4th， and 6th rating items constituting the Negative Expectations subscale， each of which is rated on a 7-point Likert Scale. The recall of C-SETS was 100%（96/96）， the completion rate was 89.58%（86/96）； Cronbach's α for the Positive and Negative Treatment Expectations subscales were 0.845 and 0.854， respectively； exploratory factor analysis showed that the coefficient of commonality for all six entries was larger than 0.4， and that the six entries could be used by both factors to explain 77.092% of the total variance； validation factor analysis showed that the goodness-of-fit index， comparative fit index， root mean square of approximation error， canonical fit coefficient， and chi-square degrees of freedom ratio took the values of 0.943， 1.003， 0， 0.943， and 0.626， respectively； and the results of Spearman's analysis suggested that the C-SETS had good content validity. ConclusionThe C-SETS has well feasibility， reliability， and validity， which initially proves that it can be used as a tool to assess the treatment expectation of patients with IBS-D with liver-constraint and spleen-deficiency syndrome before receiving TCM treatment.

Objective: To provide high-quality clinical evidence of the efficacy of Tibetan medicine Honghua Ruyi (HHRY) pills for endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea. Methods: This study constitutes a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial encompassing a three-menstrual cycle intervention followed by a three-menstrual cycle follow-up period. A total of 164 eligible females with endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into HHRY pills and placebo groups in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome included dysmenorrhea symptoms assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and quality of life, whereas the secondary outcome measures included the maximum VAS for non-menstrual pelvic pain, duration of pain episodes (in days), frequency and quantity of the consumption of ibuprofen sustained-release capsules (or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and days off work/study for staff/student due to dysmenorrhea, ovarian cyst, and/or pelvic nodule size. The safety was monitored throughout the treatment period. All the analyses were based on the intention-to-treat principle. For continuous outcomes, simple or multiple linear regressions were used to estimate the differences between the HHRY pills and placebo groups, with categorical data expressed as the number and percentage of occurrences. Differences were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The predefined analysis was adjusted for concomitant treatment, a variable considered to be associated with outcomes but unaffected by treatment allocation. Estimates of treatment effects were reported with 95% confidence intervals. Two-tailed P values ≤ .05 were considered statistically significant. Conclusion Positive results from this trial, upon completion would provide robust evidence for the efficacy and safety of HHRY pills in treating dysmenorrhea in patients with endometriosis.

Objective:To analyse the differences of related genes between serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) positive gastric cancer and AFP negative gastric cancer, and the relationship between related genes and prognosis of serum AFP positive gastric cancer.Methods:A total of 1 144 gastric cancer patients undergoing surgery at the 940th Hospital , Joint Logistic Support Force, People's Liberation Army from Jan 2013 to Dec 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Of them, 47 cases were of AFP positive gastric cancer, and 47 serum AFP negative case were obtained by proper matching method.Results:Forty-seven patients with serum AFP positive gastric cancer, accounting for 4.1% of all gastric cancer patients during the same period. The prognosis of serum AFP negative gastric cancer is better than that of serum AFP positive gastric cancer. The 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 95.6% vs. 63.8%, 48.9% vs. 23.4% and 26.7% vs. 14.9%, respectively. There were statistical differences in the immunohistochemistry of AFP, HER2, VEGF, GPC3, SALL4, P53 and Ki67 between the two groups ( χ2=67.758, P<0.001; χ2=4.004, P=0.044; χ2=19.299, P<0.001; χ2=5.232, P=0.022; χ2=6.359, P=0.012; χ2=6.224, P=0.013; χ2=5.232, P=0.022). The more co-positive expressions of AFP, GPC3, VEGF and SALL4, the more likely they were to affect pTNM stage, vascular invasion and liver metastasis ( χ2=5.328, P=0.021; P=0.013; χ2=5.887, P=0.015; χ2=3.923, P=0.048). Univariate and multivariate survival analysis of serum AFP positive gastric cancer showed:AFP, GPC3, VEGF and SALL4 were risk factors for AFP positive gastric cancer ( HR=3.700, P=0.036; HR=4.237, P=0.003; HR=3.916, P=0.004; HR=3.412, P=0.001). Conclusions:Serum AFP positive gastric cancer is a rare and highly invasive special type of gastric cancer. AFP, GPC3, VEGF and SALL4 are overexpressed in serum AFP positive gastric cancer, which is correlated with tumor stage, vascular invasion and liver metastasis. The final diagnosis of serum AFP positive gastric cancer still needs immunohistochemical examination. Preoperative serum AFP level is an important basis for AFP positive gastric cancer screening and AFP immunohistochemical examination.

BACKGROUND:Transpedicular transdiscal lumbar screw is a new type of spinal minimally invasive internal fixation technology.Compared with traditional bilateral pedicle screws,only one screw is needed to fix one segment on one side.It has the characteristics of being more economical,less trauma and easy to operate.However,studies on the application of transpedicular transdiscal lumbar screws combined with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(TLIF)and fixation are still rare. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of TLIF combined with various surgery methods on stress distribution of cage,fixation,disc lower and endplate and range of motion of lumbar vertebrae by constructing three kinds of finite element models including modified TLIF(cage alone)model,modified TLIF combined with bilateral pedicle screw(cage+BPS)model and modified TLIF combined with bilateral transpedicular transdiscal lumbar screw(cage+BTPTDS)model. METHODS:The CT images of the adult lumbar spine were used to establish the three kinds of TLIF finite element models:cage alone,cage+BPS and cage+BTPTDS using software Mimics,Geomagic and SolidWorks.ANSYS Workbench was used to simulate the application of six different motion loads of human body flexion and extension,left and right bending,and left and right rotation to calculate stress distribution and the changes in the range of motion of the lumbar spine of the cage,fixation,endplate and disc of the three lumbar spine surgery models and to compare the effects of three surgical options on the biomechanical effects of the lumbar spine. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The cage alone model,cage+BPS model and cage+BTPTDS model were constructed successfully.(2)In flexion and lateral bending conditions,the maximum stress of the cage of cage+BTPTDS model was smaller than that of the cage alone model and a little greater than that of the cage+BPS model.In the extension condition,the maximum stress of the cage of the cage+BPS model was obviously smaller than that of the other two models.When it came to rotating condition,the maximum stress of the cage in the cage+BPS model and the cage+BTPTDS model presented no obvious difference,which was both smaller than the cage alone model.(3)The maximum stress of fixation of the cage+BTPTDS model was obviously bigger than the cage+BPS model in flexion and extension conditions,close to the cage+BPS model in lateral bending conditions,and smaller than the cage+BPS model in rotation conditions.(4)The maximum stress of the lower endplate of the fusion segment of the cage+BPS model was between the two other models.(5)In terms of the range of motion,the cage+BTPTDS model presented no obvious difference with that of the cage+BPS model at flexion and extension,left and right bending,and left and right rotation.(6)It is concluded that modified TLIF combined with transpedicular transdiscal lumbar screw provides stable support for the vertebral body of the fusion segment,ensures the motion range of the lumbar spine and has a good biomechanical effect.