Urinary haloacetic acid concentrations in relation to sex and thyroid hormones among reproductive-aged men.

Sex and thyroid hormones are critical for male reproductive health. However, the associations between haloacetic acid (HAA) exposure - a known endocrine disruptor - and sex and thyroid hormones in humans remains unclear. We thus recruited 502 male participants seeking fertility evaluation from a reproductive center. We measured concentrations of sex and thyroid hormones in a single blood sample and dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) in repeated urine samples. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to evaluate the associations between HAA concentrations and hormone measurements. After adjusting for potential confounders and urinary creatinine concentrations, urinary concentrations of TCAA were inversely associated with serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone (T), T/luteinizing hormone ratio (T/LH), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (all P for trend < 0.10). Compared with participants in the lowest quartile of TCAA concentrations, those in the highest quartile had reduced serum levels of SHGB by 14.2 % (95% CI: -26.7, -3.0 %), T by 11.1 % (95% CI: -21.7, -1.3 %), T/LH by 21.0 % (95% CI: -36.7, -7.1 %), and TSH by 19.1 % (95% CI: -39.7, -1.5 %). Additionally, we observed inverse associations between continuous measurements of urinary HAAs and serum levels of free T, bioactive T, and estradiol. Our findings suggest that male HAA exposure may be associated with disrupted sex and thyroid function.

Selective C-H Bond Activation in Propane with Molecular Oxygen over Cu(I)-ZSM-5 at Ambient Conditions.

Selective activation of C-H bonds in light alkanes under mild conditions is challenging but holds the promise of efficient upgrading of abundant hydrocarbons. In this work, we report the conversion of propane to propylene with ∼95% selectivity on Cu(I)-ZSM-5 with O2 at room temperature and pressure. The intraporous Cu(I) species was oxidized to Cu(II) during the reaction but could be regenerated with H2 at 220 °C. Diffuse reflectance ultraviolet spectroscopy indicated the presence of both Cu+-O2 and Cu2(µ-O2)2+ species in the zeolite pores during the reaction, and electron paramagnetic resonance results showed that propane activation occurred via a radical-mediated pathway distinct from that with H2O2 as the oxidant. Correlation between spectroscopic and reactivity results on Cu(I)-ZSM-5 with different Cu loadings suggests that the isolated intraporous Cu(I) species is the main active species in propane activation.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Lipid Metabolism: Novel Targets and Therapeutic Strategies.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an increasingly prevalent disease that is associated with high and continually rising mortality rates. Lipid metabolism holds a crucial role in the pathogenesis of HCC, in which abnormalities pertaining to the delicate balance of lipid synthesis, breakdown, and storage, predispose for the pathogenesis of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a disease precursor to HCC. If caught early enough, HCC treatment may be curative. In later stages, treatment is only halting the inevitable outcome of death, boldly prompting for novel drug discovery to provide a fighting chance for this patient population. In this review, we begin by providing a summary of current local and systemic treatments against HCC. From such we discuss hepatic lipid metabolism and highlight novel targets that are ripe for anti-cancer drug discovery. Lastly, we provide a targeted summary of current known risk factors for HCC pathogenesis, providing key insights that will be essential for rationalizing future development of anti-HCC therapeutics.

Six undescribed 23-norursane triterpenoids from the biotransformation of ilexgenin a by endophytic fungi and their vascular protective activity.

Biotransformation of ursane-type triterpenoid ilexgenin A by endophytic fungi Lasiodiplodia sp. MQD-4 and Pestalotiopsis sp. ZZ-1, isolated from Ilex pubescences and Callicarpa kwangtungensis respectively, was investigated for the first time. Six previously undescribed metabolites (1-6) with 23-norursane triterpenoids skeleton were isolated and their structures were unambiguously established by the analysis of spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray crystallographic experiments. Decarboxylation, oxidation, and hydroxylation reactions were observed on the triterpenoid skeleton. Especially, the decarboxylation of C-23 provided definite evidence to understand the biogenetic process of 23-norursane triterpenoids. Moreover, the qualitative analysis of the extract of I. pubescences showed metabolites 1, 3, 4, and 6 could be detected in the originated plant, indicating biotransformation by endophytic fungi is a practical strategy for the isolation of novel natural products. Finally, all isolates were evaluated for the protective activities against H2O2-induced HUVECs dysfunction in vitro. Compound 5 could improve the viability of endothelial cells and decrease the level of intracellular ROS.

Extending grazing time during the warm season can reduce P limitation and increase the N cycling rate in arid desert steppes.

Ecological stoichiometry serves as a valuable tool for comprehending biogeochemical cycles within grassland ecosystems. The impact of grazing time on the concentration and stoichiometric characteristics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in desert steppe ecosystems remains ambiguous. This research was carried out in a desert grassland utilizing a completely randomized experimental design. Four distinct grazing time treatments were implemented: fenced grassland (FG, control), delay to start and early to end grazing grassland (DEG), delay to start grazing grassland (DG), and traditional grazing grassland (TG). The patterns of C, N, and P concentrations and their stoichiometry in various components of the ecosystem, as well as their driving factors under different grazing times were examined. The results showed that grazing time positively influenced C and N concentrations in leaves, while negatively affecting N concentrations in roots. TG had a significant positive effect on soil P concentrations but a negative effect on soil C:P and N:P ratios. Plant C:N, C:P, and N: P ratios were mainly influenced by N and P. The soil C:N ratio was primarily influenced by soil N, the soil C:P ratio was affected by both soil C and P, and the soil N:P ratio was influenced by both soil N and P. The growth of plants in desert steppes is mainly limited by P; however, as grazing time increased, P limitation gradually decreased and the N cycling rate increased. C-N, C-P, and N-P in various plant organs and soils demonstrated significant anisotropic growth relationships at different grazing times. Soil organic carbon, pH, and soil total phosphorus were the main driving factors that affected changes in ecological C:N:P stoichiometry. These results will help improve grassland management and anticipate the response of grassland systems to external disturbances with greater accuracy.

Elucidation of key fatty aroma compound contributing to the hepatopancreas of Eriocheir sinensis using sensomics approach by GC-IMS and GC-MS-O.

Aroma is one of the most noticeable characteristics when consuming Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) and is crucial for consumer satisfaction and the development of industry. In this study, we utilized fingerprints and the sensomics approach to analyze volatiles in the hepatopancreas of E. sinensis from Chongming and Taixing. GC-IMS indicated that the odor profile was dominated by pungent (-), buttery (+), and fruity (+) from Chongming and was more prone to alcoholic (-), solvent (-), and aldehydic (+) in Taixing. Moreover, PLS-DA modeling identified 2-acetylthiazole and toluene as the primary differential compounds. Subsequently, fifteen active-aroma compounds with FD values of >4 was recombined in an odorless matrix to simulate the odor profile of the hepatopancreas. Notably, removing methional may significantly decrease the intensity of the fatty and toasted odors. The findings reveal the odor profile of hepatopancreas and establish a theoretical foundation for subsequent studies on flavor.

Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate presence inhibits methane production from anaerobic digestion: Alterations in organic matter transformation, cell physiological status, and microbial community.

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are widely used in consumer products, leading to their unavoidable release into the environment, especially accumulation in anaerobic environments and posing potential risks. This study focused on Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), a representative OPFR, to investigate its effects on carbon transformation and methane production in anaerobic digestion. Increasing TCEP concentrations from control to 16 mg/L resulted in decreased cumulative methane yield (from 235.4 to 196.3 mL/g COD) and maximum daily methane yield (from 40.8 to 16.17 mL/(g COD·d)), along with an extended optimal anaerobic digestion time (from 15 to 20 days). Mechanistic analysis revealed TCEP binding to tyrosine-like proteins in extracellular polymeric substances, causing cell membrane integrity impairment. The TCEP-caused alteration of the physiological status of cells was demonstrated to be a significant contribution to the inhibited bioprocesses including acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis. Illumina Miseq sequencing showed TCEP decreasing the relative abundance of acidogens (58.8 % to 46.0 %) and acetogens (7.1 % to 5.0 %), partly shifting the methanogenesis pathway from acetoclastic to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. These findings enhance understanding of TCEP's impact on anaerobic digestion, emphasizing the environmental risk associated with its continued accumulation.

Continuous quality improvement project to reduce the downtime of medical linear accelerators: A case study at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital.

Objective: To analyse and continually improve existing issues in the quality improvement process of medical linear accelerators (LINACs) and enhance the quality control management of LINACs. Methods: Data were collected from eight LINACs (sourced from three manufacturers) at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital using Excel diaries between January 2019 and December 2020. The data description and analysis were performed using the analytic hierarchy process, SPSSAU and Excel software, and mean-time-to-repair (MTTR)/mean-time-between-failure (MTBF) metrics. Continuous quality improvement was executed using the quality control circle (QCC) quality management method. Results: After quality improvement, the risk frequency of 'LINAC down' events decreased by 43.63% and downtime was reduced by 40.45%. The weight of downtime risk improved by 73.69%. The MTTR recovery value increased by 31.90%, and MTBF reliability increased by 2.97 h. The simulation results demonstrated that the proposed quality improvement measures could effectively decrease the frequency and duration of downtimes, consequently extending the normal operational time of LINACs. Conclusion: Transitioning from instant repair to preventative maintenance can enhance the operational efficiency of equipment and yield economic benefits for hospitals. The QCC method and the event risk evaluation model are effective in reducing the downtime of LINACs and improving their quality control management.

Effect of novel anti-tumor and anti-angiogenesis drug taurolactone on angiogenic factor AGGF1 and angiogenesis mimicry in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Our study was to investigate the impact of taurolactone, a novel anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic drug, on AGGF1, an angiogenic factor, and angiogenesis mimicry in patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A total of 120 HCC patients were enrolled from the Department of Oncology and Hepatobiliary Surgery at our hospital between May 2021 and December 2022. HCC diagnoses were confirmed through imaging or tissue biopsy for all patients. The age of patients ranged from 37 to 72 years, with an average age of 64.29 ± 4.58 years. These participants were divided equally into two groups: the control group and the observation group, each consisting of 60 individuals. While the control group received standard drug treatment, the observation group was administered taurolactone treatment. Before being included in the study, all participants or their legal representatives provided signed informed consent. Patient demographic information was collected through a questionnaire survey. ELISA was used to measure the levels of VEGF and AGGF1 in patients following treatment. Western blot was applied to assess the protein expression of PDGF, Angiopoietin, and AGGF1. MRI imaging technology was utilized to assess the perfusion characteristics of tumor blood vessels in patients. Tumor vessel density was compared between patients using ultrasonography. We also conducted a comparison between the two groups in terms of progression-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: General patient information between the two groups showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). Of note, the observation group exhibited greatly lower levels of VEGF and AGGF1 compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of PDGF, Angiopoietin, and AGGF1 protein expression were significantly reduced in the observation group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In terms of tumor perfusion, the observation group displayed lower average and maximum perfusion volumes in tumor blood vessels compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the observation group demonstrated delayed peak times and arrival times of tumor blood vessels in comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the density of tumor blood vessels was notably lower in the observation group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Patients in the observation group had longer progression-free survival and overall survival than the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In HCC patients, our study highlighted the potential efficacy of taurolactone treatment as it effectively inhibited angiogenic factors and angiogenesis mimicry, ultimately leading to an improved prognosis for these patients.

Nano-optogenetics for Disease Therapies.

Optogenetic, known as the method of 21 centuries, combines optic and genetic engineering to precisely control photosensitive proteins for manipulation of a broad range of cellular functions, such as flux of ions, protein oligomerization and dissociation, cellular intercommunication, and so on. In this technique, light is conventionally delivered to targeted cells through optical fibers or micro light-emitting diodes, always suffering from high invasiveness, wide-field illumination facula, strong absorption, and scattering by nontargeted endogenous substance. Light-transducing nanomaterials with advantages of high spatiotemporal resolution, abundant wireless-excitation manners, and easy functionalization for recognition of specific cells, recently have been widely explored in the field of optogenetics; however, there remain a few challenges to restrain its clinical applications. This review summarized recent progress on light-responsive genetically encoded proteins and the myriad of activation strategies by use of light-transducing nanomaterials and their disease-treatment applications, which is expected for sparking helpful thought to push forward its preclinical and translational uses.

HPV16-miRNAs exert oncogenic effects through enhancers in human cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease. HPV type 16 (HPV16), which is the predominant cause of cervical cancer, can encode miRNAs (HPV16-miRNAs). However, the role of HPV16-miRNAs in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer remains unclear. METHODS: Human cervical cancer cell lines SiHa (HPV16-positive) and C33A (HPV-negative), and cervical cancer tissues were collected to investigate the expression levels of two HPV16-miRNAs (HPV16-miR-H1 and HPV16-miR-H6). The overexpression and knockdown of HPV16-miR-H1 and HPV16-miR-H6 were performed using the lentiviral vector system and miRNA inhibitors, respectively. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis and H3K27ac chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing (CHIP-seq) experiments were utilized to explore the roles of HPV16-miR-H1 and HPV16-miR-H6 facilitated by enhancers. CCK8, EdU, transwell, and wound healing assays were performed to verify the effects of HPV16-miR-H1 and HPV16-miR-H6 on cell proliferation and migration. RESULTS: HPV16-miR-H1 and HPV16-miR-H6 were highly expressed in both SiHa cells and tissue samples from HPV16-positive cervical cancer patients. RNA-seq analysis showed that HPV16-miR-H1 and HPV16-miR-H6 induced the upregulation of numerous tumor progression-associated genes. H3K27ac CHIP-seq experiments further revealed that HPV16-miR-H1 and HPV16-miR-H6 modulated the expression of critical genes by regulating their enhancer activity. The functional study demonstrated that HPV16-miR-H1 and HPV16-miR-H6 increased the migratory capacity of SiHa cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data shed light on the role of HPV16-encoded miRNAs in cervical cancer, particularly emphasizing their involvement in the miRNA-enhancer-target gene system. This novel regulatory mechanism of HPV16-miRNAs provides new insights and approaches for the development of therapeutic strategies by targeting HPV16-positive cervical cancer.

Polyacrylonitrile as an Efficient Transfer Medium for Wafer-Scale Transfer of Graphene.

The disparity between growth substrates and application-specific substrates can be mediated by reliable graphene transfer, the lack of which currently strongly hinders the graphene applications. Conventionally, the removal of soft polymers, that support the graphene during the transfer, would contaminate graphene surface, produce cracks, and leave unprotected graphene surface sensitive to airborne contaminations. In this work, it is found that polyacrylonitrile (PAN) can function as polymer medium for transferring wafer-size graphene, and encapsulating layer to deliver high-performance graphene devices. Therefore, PAN, that is compatible with device fabrication, does not need to be removed for subsequent applications. The crack-free transfer of 4 in. graphene onto SiO2/Si wafers, and the wafer-scale fabrication of graphene-based field-effect transistor arrays with no observed clear doping, uniformly high carrier mobility (≈11 000 cm2 V-1 s-1), and long-term stability at room temperature, are achieved. This work presents new concept for designing the transfer process of 2D materials, in which multifunctional polymer can be retained, and offers a reliable method for fabricating wafer-scale devices of 2D materials with outstanding performance.

Comparative study of the multiple wavelength lasing of nitrogen ions: the role of vibrational level-dependent photoionization.

We report on an optical amplification and energy threshold of the two most prominent emission lines, 391.4 and 427.8 nm, of the cavity-less lasing of nitrogen ions pumped by femtosecond laser pulses. It was found that the two transitions both show optical amplification under a low gas pressure condition, while the 391.4 nm emission is barely amplified under high gas pressure. Moreover, the 427.8 nm emission presents a significant lower pump laser energy threshold and a larger gain factor than the 391.4 nm emission. Numerical simulations based on a three-state coupling model suggest that the smaller ionization Franck-Condon factor from the ground state of N2 to the vibrational level ν = 1 in X 2 Σ g+ state of N2 + favors the formation of population inversion corresponding to the 427.8 nm emission. Meanwhile, the competition between the strong field ionization and excitation induced by the pumping laser requires higher laser intensity to acquire the population inversion for the 391.4 nm radiation, leading to a corresponding larger energy threshold.

Associations of serum vitamin B12 and its biomarkers with musculoskeletal health in middle-aged and older adults.

Introduction: The effects of vitamin B12 metabolism on musculoskeletal health and the exact mechanism have not been fully determined. Our study aimed to assess the association of vitamin B12 and its biomarkers with musculoskeletal health in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: The data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2002 were used to investigate the effects of serum vitamin B12 and its biomarkers (homocysteine and methylmalonic acid) on skeletal muscle health. Bone mineral density (BMD), lean mass, gait speed and knee extensor strength were used as indicators for musculoskeletal health. Results: Serum vitamin B12 level was positively correlated with the total and appendicular lean mass (ß = 584.83, P = 0.044; ß = 291.65, P = 0.043) in older adults over 65 years of age. In the full population, plasma homocysteine was associated with total lean mass, appendicular lean mass, gait speed, and knee extensor strength (all P < 0.05). Among older adults over 65 years of age, homocysteine level was significantly negatively correlated with gait speed and knee extensor strength (ß = -12.75, P = 0.019; ß = -0.06, P <0.001). Plasma methylmalonic acid was negatively associated with total BMD and femur BMD in the full population (ß = -0.01, P = 0.018; ß = -0.01, P = 0.004). In older adults, methylmalonic acid significantly affected total BMD, femur BMD and knee extensor strength (ß = -0.01, P = 0.048; ß = -0.01, P = 0.025; ß = -7.53, P = 0.015). Conclusions: Vitamin B12 and its biomarkers are closely related to BMD, body composition, muscle strength and physical function in middle-aged and older adults. Vitamin B12 may be an important indicator of musculoskeletal health in the elderly.

[Functional characterization of ent-kaurane-type diterpenoid synthases from Stellera chamaejasme].

Sequential catalysis by ent-copalyl diphosphate(CPS) and ent-kaurene synthase(KS) is a critical step for plants to initiate the biosynthesis of gibberellin with geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate(GGPP) as the substrate. This study mined the transcriptome data of Stellera chamaejasme and cloned two key diterpene synthase genes, SchCPS and SchKS, involved in the gibberellin pathway. The two genes had the complete open reading frames of 2 595 bp and 1 701 bp, encoding two hydrophilic proteins composed of 864 and 566 amino acid residues and with the relative molecular mass of 97.9 kDa and 64.6 kDa and the theoretical isoelectric points of 5.61 and 6.12, respectively. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic tree showed that SchCPS contained LHS, PNV, and DxDD motifs conserved in the CPS family and was categorized in the TPS-c subfamily, while SchKS contained DDxxD, NSE/DTE and PIx motifs conserved in the KS family and was categorized in the TPS-e subfamily. Functional validation showed that SchCPS catalyzed the protonation and cyclization of GGPP to ent-CPP, while SchKS acted on ent-CPP dephosphorylation and re-cyclization to ent-kaurene. In this study, the full-length sequences of SchCPS and SchKS were cloned and functionally verified for the first time, which not only enriched the existing CPS and KS gene libraries but also laid a foundation for the cloning and biosynthesis pathway analysis of more genes involved in the synthesis of active components in S. chamaejasme.

[A new sesquiterpene from Syringa oblata].

In this study, the chemical components of ethanol extract from the aromatic parts of Syringa oblata were systematically separated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, thin layer plate preparation and liquid phase preparation. Combined with ultraviolet analyzer(UV), infrared analyzer(IR), nuclear magnetic resonance analyzer(NMR), high resolution mass spectrometer(HR-ESI-MS), X-ray diffraction and other spectrum technology as well as literature physicochemical data comparison methods for structural identification, a total of 10 compounds were identified. They were identified as oblatanoid D(1),(-)-T-muurolol(2), oblatanoid E-G(3-5), 14-noreudesma-3-hydroxy-3-en-2,9-dione(6), 1-isopropyl-2,7-dimethylnaphthalene(7), isocoradiol(8), α-calacorene(9), cadin-4-en-1-ß-ol(10). Compound 1 is a new sesquiterpene compound that has not been reported, and the other 9 compounds are isolated from S. oblata for the first time. The compound 1 has a significant protective effect on the LPS-induced inflammatory injury model of RAW264.7 cells.

[Inheritance of Yunling and rise of Anling: producing areas of Fuling in local chronicles of the Qing Dynasty].

There are abundant local chronicles in the Qing Dynasty, which provide rich literature for the research on the production of medicinal materials. This paper collates the contents of Fuling in the local chronicles of the Qing Dynasty to reveal the distribution of Fuling in China at that time. The distribution of Fuling in the local chronicles of the Qing Dynasty involved 318 county-level regions in 23 provinces. The distribution records were mainly found in Yunnan, Anhui, Hunan, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, and Hubei. The local chronicles of the Qing Dynasty showed that Yunnan was the Dao-di producing area of Fuling, which was consistent with the materia medica of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the Qing Dynasty, the quality of Fuling in Dabie Mountains of Anhui was excellent, and it was called "Anling". The development of Anling benefited from the introduction of planting technology from Yunnan and the development of characteristic cultivation technology, with the formation of a complete industrial chain covering planting, processing, and sales. The abundant historical materials of Fuling in the local chronicles of the Qing Dynasty provide not only a documentary basis for revealing the changes of the Dao-di producing areas but also a historical context for the development of modern Fuling-producing areas such as Fujian, Jiangxi, and Hunan. In addition to the information of producing areas, the local records recorded the quality, commodity evaluation, and cultivation techniques of Fuling, filling the gaps in ancient materia medica books and providing detailed historical materials for understanding the producing areas and application of Fuling in the Qing Dynasty.

Circulating metabolic biomarkers and risk of new-onset hypertension: findings from the UK Biobank.

OBJECTIVE: The evidence regarding the associations of circulating metabolic biomarkers with hypertension risk is scarce. We aimed to examine the associations between circulating metabolites and risk of hypertension. METHODS: We included 49 422 individuals free of hypertension at baseline with a mean (SD) age of 53.5 (8.0) years from the UK Biobank. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to quantify 143 individual metabolites. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: During a mean (SD) follow-up of 11.2 (1.8) years, 2686 incident hypertension cases occurred. Out of 143 metabolites, 76 were associated with incident hypertension, among which phenylalanine (hazard ratio: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.24-1.58) and apolipoprotein A1 (hazard ratio: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.66-0.87) had the strongest association when comparing the highest to the lowest quintile. In general, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles were positively, whereas high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles were inversely associated with risk of hypertension. Similar patterns of cholesterol, phospholipids, and total lipids within VLDL and HDL particles were observed. Triglycerides within all lipoproteins were positively associated with hypertension risk. Other metabolites showed significant associations with risk of hypertension included amino acids, fatty acids, ketone bodies, fluid balance and inflammation markers. Adding 10 selected metabolic biomarkers to the traditional hypertension risk model modestly improved discrimination (C-statistic from 0.745 to 0.752, P < 0.001) for prediction of 10-year hypertension incidence. CONCLUSION: Among UK adults, disturbances in metabolic biomarkers are associated with incident hypertension. Comprehensive metabolomic profiling may provide potential novel biomarkers to identify high-risk individuals.

Enhancing Rumen Fermentation and Bacteria Community in Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) through Varying Levels of Dragon Fruit Peel Polyphenolic Extract: An In Vitro Study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of dragon fruit peel polyphenolic extract (DFPE) on gas production, rumen fermentation, and bacterial communities in sika deer using an in vitro technique. Three treatments with different DFPE levels (DFPE0, base diet; DFPE5, base diet + 5 mg/g DFPE; DFPE10, base diet + 10 mg/g DFPE, respectively; n = 6) were implemented. The phenolic composition of DFPE, gas production (GP), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acid (VFA), and bacteria communities was evaluated after 24 h of incubation. The results showed that GP and NH3-N were reduced by DFPE supplementation. Total VFA, isovaleric acid, and valeric acid were increased (p < 0.05) by the addition of DFPE. No changes (p > 0.05) were observed in pH, acetic acid, propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, and the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid. Additionally, the alpha indexes, including Sobs, Shannon, and Ace, were increased by DFPE supplementation. Moreover, at the phylum level, DFPE supplementation increased (p = 0.01) Bacteroidota but reduced (p < 0.01) Firmicutes. At the genus level, compared to DFPE0, the DFPE10 had increased relative abundances of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group (p < 0.01), norank_f_Muribaculaceae (p = 0.01), Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group (p < 0.01), Christensenellaceae_R-7_group (p < 0.01), and NK4A214_group (p < 0.01), decreased relative abundances of Streptococcus (p < 0.01), Oribacterium (p = 0.01), and Enterococcus (p < 0.01). Compared to DFPE0, DFPE5 had no change (p > 0.05) in all bacteria at the genus level except for decreased relative abundance of Enterococcus (p < 0.01). These results indicated that DFPE may be able to be used as a feed additive to enhance fermentation parameters and improve ruminal bacteria communities in Sika deer.

Associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and vitamin D receptor polymorphisms with risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding the relationships of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited and inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the associations between serum 25(OH)D and CVD incidence and mortality among patients with CKD. METHODS: This prospective study included 21,507 participants with CKD and free of CVD in the UK Biobank. Incidences of total and subtypes of CVD and mortality were ascertained via electronic health records. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidential intervals (CIs) for CVD incidence and mortality. RESULTS: The median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 44.0 nmol/L (interquartile range: 30.1, 60.6 nmol/L). After multivariable adjustment, compared with CKD patients with serum 25(OH)D concentrations of <25 nmol/L, those with serum 25(OH)D ≥75 nmol/L had HRs (95% CIs) of 0.80 (0.71, 0.90) for total CVD incidence, 0.82 (0.69, 0.97) for ischemic heart disease, 0.56 (0.41, 0.77) for stroke, 0.64 (0.46, 0.88) for myocardial infarction, 0.62 (0.49, 0.80) for heart failure, 0.60 (0.43, 0.85) for CVD mortality, and 0.62 (0.52, 0.74) for all-cause mortality. In addition, these associations were not modified by vitamin D receptor polymorphisms, with no significant interaction detected. CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly associated with lower risks of total and subtypes of CVD incidence and mortality among individuals with CKD. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D status in the prevention of CVD and mortality in patients with CKD.