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The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a pleiotropic nuclear factor that was originally recognized as a "master" of xenobiotic metabolism but demonstrated recently to be a vital regulator of many normal physiological events. Understanding of the mechanism of action of AhR-targeted compounds, as represented by polyphenols (the greatest source of xenobiotic AhR modulators in the human diet) is of critical importance for the development of polyphenol-based nutraceutical strategies or the prevention of AHR-mediated toxicity associated with polyphenol intake. In this review, based on studies conducted over the past decade, we summarized the modes of function of polyphenolic AhR modulators. Furthermore, we made a brief mechanistic synopsis of the pharmacological/therapeutic use of polyphenols as AhR antagonists, selective AhR regulators and dual AhR/ER modulators, and underscored their potential in the prevention/treatment of common human diseases/disorders. Additionally, interesting subjects for further mechanistic investigations on polyphenolic AhR modulators have been provided.

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Salt stress affects the growth and development of plants, which results in a decrease in crop quality and yield. In this study, we used tomato seedlings treated with salt and trehalose as experimental materials and analyzed them using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution analysis to select the optimal trehalose concentration for treatment. We also determined the contents of sugar and abscisic acid (ABA) and detected the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of sugar and ABA by quantitative real-time PCR. Results showed that the optimal trehalose concentration was 2 mmol/L for tomato seedlings under salt stress. Exogenous trehalose decreased the starch content and increased the soluble sugar content by affecting the expression of genes related to the metabolism of starch and soluble sugar. Exogenous trehalose altered the accumulation and distribution of sugar by inducing the upregulation of sugar transporter genes. Furthermore, trehalose increased the ABA content to induce salt stress response by regulating the expression of genes related to the synthesis and metabolism of ABA. In conclusion, trehalose can effectively alleviate salt stress and enhance salt tolerance of tomato. These findings provide a novel perspective and a better resource to investigate the salt tolerance mechanism and a new method for alleviating salt stress in tomato.

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BACKGROUND: Ziziphus jujuba Miller cv. Dongzao is extremely susceptible to reddening, browning, nutritional loss, and perishability after harvest. In this study, we evaluated the mechanisms of calcium chloride and chitosan/nano-silica composite film treatments on the quality, especially in reddening, by physiological and metabolomic assays. RESULTS: The treatment delayed the decline of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), and chalcone isomerase (CHI) activities. Meanwhile, the treated groups retarded the increases in anthocyanin and quercetin contents by inhibiting the gene expressions of flavonol synthase (ZjFLS), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (ZjDFR), and anthocyanidin synthase (ZjANS), while promoting leucoanthocyanidin reductase (ZjLAR) expression, which leads to retardation of fruit reddening. Anthocyanins were found to be responsible for post-harvest winter jujube reddening through principal component analysis. Results from the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution indicated that the treated group delayed the decline of the quality of 'Dongzao' and extended its shelf life. CONCLUSION: The treatment induced the heightening of flavonoids metabolism. They enhanced the nutritional value and the ability to resist stress by delaying the decline of PAL, CHS, and CHI activities. Meanwhile, the treated groups retarded the increase in anthocyanin and quercetin contents by inhibiting the gene expressions of ZjFLS, ZjDFR, and ZjANS and promoting ZjLAR expression, which leads to retardation of fruit reddening. Anthocyanins are responsible for post-harvest winter jujube reddening. Coating treatment effectively delayed the decline of winter jujube quality.

INTRODUCTION: The association between proton pump inhibitors' (PPIs) use and mortality remains unclear. METHODS: This was a prospective analysis of 440,840 UK residents and 13,154 deaths. We evaluated the associations with multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, such as over health status and longstanding diseases, the regular use of PPIs was not associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and mortality due to neoplasms, circulatory system diseases, respiratory system diseases, digestive system diseases, external causes, and other causes. DISCUSSION: Regular use of PPIs was not associated with an increased risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

BackgroundThe multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion has earned increasing popularity for the delivery of cancer care. However, MDT meeting (MDTM) is time and resource intensive, and some efforts to optimize discussion processes are required. This study aims to investigate the efficiency of electronic list-based MDTM in treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy.MethodsBetween January 2015 and December 2016, patients with GI cancers were retrospectively reviewed. Patients permitting an MDTM with our novel technique (eMDT group) were compared with those undergoing a traditional discussion (cMDT group). The efficiency of MDT working, including time cost per meeting or case and overall number of reviewed cases, was checked, with accuracy of clinical staging and other outcomes explored meanwhile.ResultsThree thousand six hundred seventy-four patients were included, with 2156 (58.7%) and 1518 (41.3%) cases for eMDT and cMDT groups, respectively. Comparisons in age (P = 0.529), gender (P = 0.844), cancer type (P = 0.218), treatment plan (P = 0.737), and pathological stage (P = 0.098) were not significant between groups. However, the average time cost in both each meeting (149.4 vs. 205.1 min; P < 0.001) and each case (3.1 vs. 6.2 min; P < 0.001) was markedly reduced. Besides, this novel technique was associated with improved accuracy of clinical staging (P = 0.070) and reduced hospital stay (P < 0.001) compared with the traditional approach, with similar incidence of complications observed (P = 0.243).ConclusionsThe MDT working based on an intelligent checklist could save considerable time while not affecting treatment of GI malignancies. The improved efficiency also earns an increased capacity of hospital admission and in-patient care.