Visualization of oxygen vacancies and self-doped ligand holes in La3Ni2O7-δ.

The recent discovery of superconductivity in La3Ni2O7-δ under high pressure with a transition temperature around 80 K (ref. 1) has sparked extensive experimental2-6 and theoretical efforts7-12. Several key questions regarding the pairing mechanism remain to be answered, such as the most relevant atomic orbitals and the role of atomic deficiencies. Here we develop a new, energy-filtered, multislice electron ptychography technique, assisted by electron energy-loss spectroscopy, to address these critical issues. Oxygen vacancies are directly visualized and are found to primarily occupy the inner apical sites, which have been proposed to be crucial to superconductivity13,14. We precisely determine the nanoscale stoichiometry and its correlation to the oxygen K-edge spectra, which reveals a significant inhomogeneity in the oxygen content and electronic structure within the sample. The spectroscopic results also reveal that stoichiometric La3Ni2O7 has strong charge-transfer characteristics, with holes that are self-doped from Ni sites into O sites. The ligand holes mainly reside on the inner apical O and the planar O, whereas the density on the outer apical O is negligible. As the concentration of O vacancies increases, ligand holes on both sites are simultaneously annihilated. These observations will assist in further development and understanding of superconducting nickelate materials. Our imaging technique for quantifying atomic deficiencies can also be widely applied in materials science and condensed-matter physics.

Signatures of superconductivity near 80 K in a nickelate under high pressure.

Although high-transition-temperature (high-Tc) superconductivity in cuprates has been known for more than three decades, the underlying mechanism remains unknown1-4. Cuprates are the only unconventional superconductors that exhibit bulk superconductivity with Tc above the liquid-nitrogen boiling temperature of 77 K. Here we observe that high-pressure resistance and mutual inductive magnetic susceptibility measurements showed signatures of superconductivity in single crystals of La3Ni2O7 with maximum Tc of 80 K at pressures between 14.0 GPa and 43.5 GPa. The superconducting phase under high pressure has an orthorhombic structure of Fmmm space group with the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] orbitals of Ni cations strongly mixing with oxygen 2p orbitals. Our density functional theory calculations indicate that the superconductivity emerges coincidently with the metallization of the σ-bonding bands under the Fermi level, consisting of the [Formula: see text] orbitals with the apical oxygen ions connecting the Ni-O bilayers. Thus, our discoveries provide not only important clues for the high-Tc superconductivity in this Ruddlesden-Popper double-layered perovskite nickelates but also a previously unknown family of compounds to investigate the high-Tc superconductivity mechanism.

Thermodynamic properties and enhancement of diamagnetism in nitrogen doped lutetium hydride synthesized at high pressure.

Nitrogen doped lutetium hydride has drawn global attention in the pursuit of room-temperature superconductivity near ambient pressure and temperature. However, variable synthesis techniques and uncertainty surrounding nitrogen concentration have contributed to extensive debate within the scientific community about this material and its properties. We used a solid-state approach to synthesize nitrogen doped lutetium hydride at high pressure and temperature (HPT) and analyzed the residual starting materials to determine its nitrogen content. High temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry determined the formation enthalpy of LuH1.96N0.02 (LHN) from LuH2 and LuN to be -28.4 ± 11.4 kJ/mol. Magnetic measurements indicated diamagnetism which increased with nitrogen content. Ambient pressure conductivity measurements observed metallic behavior from 5 to 350 K, and the constant and parabolic magnetoresistance changed with increasing temperature. High pressure conductivity measurements revealed that LHN does not exhibit superconductivity up to 26.6 GPa. We compressed LHN in a diamond anvil cell to 13.7 GPa and measured the Raman signal at each step, with no evidence of any phase transition. Despite the absence of superconductivity, a color change from blue to purple to red was observed with increasing pressure. Thus, our findings confirm the thermodynamic stability of LHN, do not support superconductivity, and provide insights into the origins of its diamagnetism.

Structure Responsible for the Superconducting State in La3Ni2O7 at High-Pressure and Low-Temperature Conditions.

Very recently, a new superconductor with Tc = 80 K has been reported in nickelate (La3Ni2O7) at around 15-40 GPa conditions (Nature, 621, 493, 2023), which is the second type of unconventional superconductor, besides cuprates, with Tc above liquid nitrogen temperature. However, the phase diagram plotted in this report was mostly based on the transport measurement under low-temperature and high-pressure conditions, and the assumed corresponding X-ray diffraction (XRD) results were carried out at room temperature. This encouraged us to carry out in situ high-pressure and low-temperature synchrotron XRD experiments to determine which phase is responsible for the high Tc state. In addition to the phase transition from the orthorhombic Amam structure to the orthorhombic Fmmm structure, a tetragonal phase with the space group of I4/mmm was discovered when the sample was compressed to around 19 GPa at 40 K where the superconductivity takes place in La3Ni2O7. The calculations based on this tetragonal structure reveal that the electronic states that approached the Fermi energy were mainly dominated by the eg orbitals (3dz2 and 3dx2-y2) of Ni atoms, which are located in the oxygen octahedral crystal field. The correlation between Tc and this structural evolution, especially Ni-O octahedra regularity and the in-plane Ni-O-Ni bonding angles, is analyzed. This work sheds new light to identify what is the most likely phase responsible for superconductivity in double-layered nickelate.

Selenium level does not differ in blood but increased in cerebrospinal fluid in Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Recent studies have found that selenium (Se) levels were associated with the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD), but the results were contradictory. Therefore, this meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation between Se levels and PD.Methods: PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched published up to 28 October 2019. The differences between groups were analyzed by forest plots and results were pooled and assessed using a random-effect model. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the association between Se levels and the risk of PD. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis were also conducted. Publication bias was estimated using Begg's regression asymmetry test.Results: Finally, 12 articles involving 601 PD patients and 749 controls were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significantly higher cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Se level in PD patients than those in controls (SMD = 1.22; 95%CI [0.05, 2.39]; p = 0.000). No publication bias was found.Conclusion: The meta-analysis indicated that CSF Se levels in PD patients were significantly higher than those in controls.

New evidence for associations between vitamin D receptor polymorphism and obesity: case-control and family-based studies.

Association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) genetic polymorphism and obesity was observed in several case-control studies. This study hypothesized that these associations could be verified in family-based study. We aimed at investigating the associations between VDR SNPs and obesity (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2) by case-control study with 688 subjects and family-based study with 419 pedigrees. The results of case-control study suggested that rs3847987 (AC vs CC, Adjusted OR: 1.938, 95% CI: 1.359-2.763, P = 0.000405) was associated with obesity. Allele C of rs3847987 was risk factors for obesity (P = 0.006). Furthermore, association of rs3847987 with BMI was verified in family-based study (Z = 2.077, P = 0.037811). In addition, sibling with AC genotype of rs3847987 had significant higher BMI than CC genotype in the same family (P = 0.03). Therefore, it could be concluded that VDR genetic polymorphism (rs3847987) may be associated with obesity.

Reproducibility and validity of an FFQ in the Henan Rural Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the validity and reproducibility of a thirteen-item FFQ regarding identification of dietary conditions in a rural population in China. DESIGN: A reproducibility study repeated the first FFQ (FFQ1) approximately 4 weeks later (FFQ2). A validity study evaluated the mean of three consecutive 24 h diet recalls as the reference measure. SETTING: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Residents of a rural area in Henan Province, which is located in the central region of China. RESULTS: A total of 295 individuals participated in the reproducibility study. In addition, 123 people agreed to participate in the validity study. Spearman's correlation coefficients between the two FFQ ranged from 0·06 (vegetables) to 0·58 (eggs). Spearman's correlation coefficients between the two methods of collection ranged from 0·01 for cereal to 0·49 for staple foods. The mean of the intraclass correlation coefficients of the two FFQ (FFQ1 v. FFQ2) was 0·19. Bland-Altman analysis indicated good agreement for most food groups across the range of intake for the two studies. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that our FFQ design could be used as a representative tool to conduct a dietary evaluation of a rural population.

Effect of Vitamin D on Blood Pressure and Hypertension in the General Population: An Update Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies and Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: The effect of vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure has been explored in previous meta-analyses, but whether the association is causal in the general population is still unknown. We evaluated the association comprehensively and quantitatively. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Embase for relevant cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We used a 2-step generalized least-squares method to assess the dose-response association of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and hypertension and a fixed-effects model to pool the weighted mean differences (WMDs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of blood pressure across RCTs. RESULTS: We identified 11 cohort studies and 27 RCTs, with 43,320 and 3,810 participants, respectively. The dose-response relationship between circulating 25(OH)D levels and hypertension risk was approximately L-shaped (Pnonlinearity = .04), suggesting that the risk of hypertension increased substantially below 75 nmol/L as 25(OH)D decreased, but it remained significant over the range of 75-130 nmol/L. However, pooled results of RCTs showed that there was no significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (WMD, -0.00 mm Hg; 95% CI, -0.71 to 0.71) or diastolic blood pressure (WMD, 0.19 mm Hg; 95% CI, -0.29 to 0.67) after vitamin D intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis indicate that supplementation with vitamin D does not lower blood pressure in the general population. RCTs with long-term interventions and a sufficient number of participants who have low levels of vitamin D are needed to validate these findings.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with triceps skin fold thickness and body fat percentage but not with body mass index or waist circumference in Han Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows that low serum vitamin D concentrations account for an increased risk of obesity by inducing vitamin D receptor (VDR) hypofunction. Although the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of VDR gene and obesity-related anthropometric measures (such as body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference[WC]) has already been tested, there are only few studies on the association between direct measures of body fat percentage (BFP) and triceps skinfold thickness and the SNPs of VDR. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of VDR gene polymorphism on multiple obesity indexes in Han Chinese, including BMI, WC, BFP and triceps skinfold thickness. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, five hundred and seventeen healthy Chinese adults were enrolled in the trial. Four loci in VDR gene (rs2228570 [FokI], rs2189480, rs2239179 and rs7975232[ApaI]) were genotyped by TaqMan probe assays. Obesity indexes including BMI, WC, BFP and triceps skinfold thickness were used to evaluate the relationship to the VDR SNPs. Multiple logistic regression, linear regression and general multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) were performed to analyze the correlation of VDR gene and obesity indexes. RESULTS: None of the VDR SNPs were associated with BMI and WC, the C allele of FokI and the T allele of ApaI were associated with an increase in BFP (ß = 0.069,P = 0.007; ß = 0.087, P = 0.022 respectively); the G allele of rs2239179 and the T allele of ApaI were associated with an increase in triceps skin fold thickness (ß = 0.074, P = 0.001; ß = 0.122, P < 0.001 respectively). In regards to adiposity-related metabolic parameters, we found that the GT genotype of ApaI was associated with higher level of total cholesterol (TC) (P = 0.013) and Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Though we failed to prove that VDR SNPs were in correlation with BMI and WC, we did establish the association between VDR variants and BFP, as well as triceps skinfold thickness. Data obtained suggested that the VDR variants play an important role in regulating adipose tissue activity and adiposity among Han Chinese.

The association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration and serum lipids in the rural population of China.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is implicated in some diseases, including cardiovascular. Few studies have assessed the correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH) D3] and serum lipids. In this study, we explored the correlation between serum 25(OH) D3 concentrations and serum lipids with a typical sample of the rural population in China. METHODS: Face-to-face research was used to gather some basic information. Fasting serum concentrations of 25-(OH) D3, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) tested in the laboratory. RESULTS: The mean of serum 25(OH) D3 level was 28.71 ± 29.29 ng/mL. The results showed that the dyslipidemia was strongly associated with gender (P = 0.031), drinking (P = 0.043), high-fat diet intake (P = 0.017), HDL-C (P<0), TG (P<0), body mass index (BMI) (P<0) and serum 25(OH)D3 levels (P = 0.002). There was a positive correlation between serum 25(OH)D3 and HDL-C (P<0) in all groups. The relationship between 25(OH) D3 and LDL-C (P = 0.024) was discovered only in normal lipid group. The multivariable adjusted odds ratio (95%CI) of hypoalphalipoproteinemia/HDL and dyslipidemia by comparing the sufficiency vs. the deficiency serum 25-(OH) D3 level were 0.31 (0.192, 0.499) (P = 0.001) and 0.52 (0.36, 0.73) (P = 0.005), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum 25(OH) D3 concentrations were associated with the serum lipids level and the association was different in normal serum lipid group and dyslipidemia group. With the increase of serum 25(OH) D3 levels, the incidence of dyslipidemia decreased.

Soft chemical control of superconductivity in lithium iron selenide hydroxides Li(1-x)Fe(x)(OH)Fe(1-y)Se.

Hydrothermal synthesis is described of layered lithium iron selenide hydroxides Li(1-x)Fe(x)(OH)Fe(1-y)Se (x ∼ 0.2; 0.02 < y < 0.15) with a wide range of iron site vacancy concentrations in the iron selenide layers. This iron vacancy concentration is revealed as the only significant compositional variable and as the key parameter controlling the crystal structure and the electronic properties. Single crystal X-ray diffraction, neutron powder diffraction, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements are used to demonstrate that superconductivity at temperatures as high as 40 K is observed in the hydrothermally synthesized samples when the iron vacancy concentration is low (y < 0.05) and when the iron oxidation state is reduced slightly below +2, while samples with a higher vacancy concentration and a correspondingly higher iron oxidation state are not superconducting. The importance of combining a low iron oxidation state with a low vacancy concentration in the iron selenide layers is emphasized by the demonstration that reductive postsynthetic lithiation of the samples turns on superconductivity with critical temperatures exceeding 40 K by displacing iron atoms from the Li(1-x)Fe(x)(OH) reservoir layer to fill vacancies in the selenide layer.

Trichinella-derived protein ameliorates colitis by altering the gut microbiome and improving intestinal barrier function.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Reports have highlighted the potential use of helminths or their byproducts as a possible treatment for IBD; however, the mechanisms underlying their ability to modulate inflammation remain incompletely understood. In the present study, we analyze the possible mechanism of a serine protease inhibitor from adult T. spiralis excretion-secretion products (rTsSPI) on the improvement of colitis. METHODS: The immune protective effect of rTsSPI was studied by using DSS or Salmonella-induced colitis in female C56BL/6 mice. The effect of rTsSPI on the immune and inflammatory responses, gut microbiota, permeability of colon epithelium and junction proteins was analyzed. RESULTS: Treating mice with rTsSPI induced type 2 immunity and significantly attenuated clinical symptoms, macroscopical and histological features of DSS or bacteria-induced colonic inflammation. This was accompanied by decreasing neutrophil recruitment in the colonic lamina propria, and reducing TNF-α mRNA levels in the colon; in contrast, the recruitment of M2 macrophages, the expression level of IL-10 and adhesion molecules increased in the colon tissue. Moreover, treatment with rTsSPI led to an improvement in gut microbiota diversity, as well as an increase in the abundance of the bacterial genera Bifidobacterium and Ruminclostridium 5. CONCLUSIONS: Collective findings suggest that pretreatment with rTsSPI can ameliorate colitis in mice by inducing a Th2-type response with M2 macrophages. Data also indicate that immunotherapy with rTsSPI represents an additional strategy to ameliorate inflammatory processes in IBD by enhancing probiotic colonization and maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier function.

Strong interlayer magnetic exchange coupling in La3Ni2O7-δ revealed by inelastic neutron scattering.

After several decades of studies of high-temperature superconductivity, there is no compelling theory for the mechanism yet; however, the spin fluctuations have been widely believed to play a crucial role in forming the superconducting Cooper pairs. The recent discovery of high-temperature superconductivity near 80 K in the bilayer nickelate La3Ni2O7 under pressure provides a new platform to elucidate the origins of high-temperature superconductivity. We perform elastic and inelastic neutron scattering studies on a polycrystalline sample of La3Ni2O7-δ at ambient pressure. No magnetic order can be identified down to 10 K. The absence of long-range magnetic order in neutron diffraction measurements may be ascribed to the smallness of the magnetic moment. However, we observe a weak flat spin-fluctuation signal in the inelastic scattering spectra at ∼ 45 meV. The observed spin excitations could be interpreted as a result of strong interlayer and weak intralayer magnetic couplings for stripe-type antiferromagnetic orders. Our results provide crucial information on the spin dynamics and are thus important for understanding the superconductivity in La3Ni2O7.

Orbital-dependent electron correlation in double-layer nickelate La3Ni2O7.

The latest discovery of high temperature superconductivity near 80 K in La3Ni2O7 under high pressure has attracted much attention. Many proposals are put forth to understand the origin of superconductivity. The determination of electronic structures is a prerequisite to establish theories to understand superconductivity in nickelates but is still lacking. Here we report our direct measurement of the electronic structures of La3Ni2O7 by high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The Fermi surface and band structures of La3Ni2O7 are observed and compared with the band structure calculations. Strong electron correlations are revealed which are orbital- and momentum-dependent. A flat band is formed from the Ni-3d z 2 orbitals around the zone corner which is ~ 50 meV below the Fermi level and exhibits the strongest electron correlation. In many theoretical proposals, this band is expected to play the dominant role in generating superconductivity in La3Ni2O7. Our observations provide key experimental information to understand the electronic structure and origin of high temperature superconductivity in La3Ni2O7.

Preexisting Trichinella spiralis infection attenuates the severity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: A range of helminth species involve the migration of developing larvae through the lung and establish chronic infections in the host that include potent immune regulatory effects. Trichinella spiralis is one of the most successful parasitic symbiotes. After released by intestinal female adult worms, newborn larvae of T. spiralis travel through the circulatory system to the lung and finally reach skeletal muscle cells. As unique inflammation modulator of intracellular parasitism, T. spiralis shows improved responses to autoimmune disease and viral pulmonary inflammation by exerting immunomodulatory effects on innate and adaptive immune cells. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: uninfected; helminth- T. spiralis infected; P. aeruginosa infected; and co-infected. Mice infected with T. spiralis were incubated for 6 weeks, followed by P. aeruginosa intranasal inoculation. Bronchial alveolar lavage fluid, blood and lung samples were analyzed. We found that T. spiralis induced Th2 response in the mouse lung tissue, increased lung CD4+ T cells, GATA3, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 expression. Pre-existing T. spiralis infection decreased lung neutrophil recruitment, inflammatory mediator IL-1ß and IL-6 expression and chemokine CXCL1 and CXCL2 release during P. aeruginosa- pneumonia. Furthermore, T. spiralis co-infected mice exhibited significantly more eosinophils at 6 hours following P. aeruginosa infection, ameliorated pulmonary inflammation and improved survival in P. aeruginosa pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that a prior infection with T. spiralis ameliorates experimental pulmonary inflammation and improves survival in P. aeruginosa pneumonia through a Th2-type response with eosinophils.

Observation of a C-type short-range antiferromagnetic order in layer spacing expanded FeS.

We report neutron diffraction studies of FeS single crystals obtained from Rb x Fe2-y S2 single crystals via a hydrothermal method. While no 5 × 5 iron vacancy order or block antiferromagnetic order typical of Rb x Fe2-y S2 is found in our samples, we observe C-type short-range antiferromagnetic order with moments pointed along the c axis hosted by a different phase of FeS with an expanded interlayer spacing. The Néel temperature for this magnetic order is determined to be 170 ± 4 K. Our finding of a variant FeS structure hosting this C-type antiferromagnetic order demonstrates that the known FeS phase synthesized in this method is in the vicinity of a magnetically ordered ground state, providing insights into understanding a variety of phenomena observed in FeS and the related FeSe1-x S x iron chalcogenide system.

Structural, magnetic, and electronic evolution of the spin-ladder system BaFe2S3-x Se x with isoelectronic substitution.

We report experimental studies of a series of BaFe2S3-x Se x (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 3) single crystals and powder specimens using x-ray diffraction, neutron-diffraction, muon-spin-relaxation, and electrical transport measurements. A structural transformation from Cmcm (BaFe2S3) to Pnma (BaFe2Se3) was identified around x = 0.7 - 1. Neutron-diffraction measurements on the samples with x = 0.2, 0.4, and 0.7 reveal that the Néel temperature of the stripe antiferromagnetic order is gradually suppressed from ~120 to 85 K, while the magnitude of the ordered Fe2+ moments shows very little variation. Similarly, the block antiferromagnetic order in BaFe2Se3 remains robust for 1.5 ⩽ x ⩽ 3 with negligible variation in the ordered moment and a slight decrease of the Néel temperature from 250 K (x = 3) to 225 K (x = 1.5). The sample with x = 1 near the Cmcm and Pnma border shows coexisting, two-dimensional, short-range stripe- and block-type antiferromagnetic correlations. The system remains insulating for all x, but the thermal activation gap shows an abrupt increase when traversing the boundary from the Cmcm stripe phase to the Pnma block phase. The results demonstrate that the crystal structure, magnetic order, and electronic properties are strongly coupled in the BaFe2S3-x Se x system.

Association between vitamin D and risk of cardiovascular disease in Chinese rural population.

Previous studies have suggested that vitamin D is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), however, the relationship between vitamin D levels and CVD risk is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) with CVD in rural residents of Henan province of China. Basic information and medical history were gathered through face-to-face surveys from July 2013 to August 2015, and biochemical indicators were gathered in a laboratory setting. Logistic and restricted cubic splines regression analyses were used to estimate odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of CVD. A total of 1078 participants were included, the mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was determined to be 25 ± 18 ng/ml, with 54.45% of the participants presenting vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL]. Moreover, the prevalence of CVD was 59.28% in the vitamin D deficient group, which was higher than in the insufficient (48.55%) and sufficient groups (52.78%). After adjusting for potential confounders, compared with the deficient group, the ORs (95%CI) of CVDs were 0.68 (0.50, 0.91) in the insufficient group and 0.81 (0.56, 1.16) in the sufficient group. A nonlinear (U-shaped) association was observed between the risk of CVD and 25(OH)D concentration. Further research suggested that the risk of CVD was higher in males than in females. In conclusion, a U-shape association between serum levels of 25(OH)D and the risk of CVD was identified in our study, suggesting a nonlinear relationship between vitamin D with the prevalence of CVD.

Serum vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in a Chinese rural population.

Several studies have reported a conflicting association between vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism, and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We hypothesized that serum 25(OH)D concentrations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the VDR were associated with and increased risk of CVD. A total of 2378 adults residing in rural parts of China participated in this study. Ultimately, 1142 individuals, including 638 CVD patients and 504 control subjects were included in the study. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spines regression were used to determine the correlation between 25(OH)D and the risk of CVD. Allele frequency and genotype distribution were analyzed between CVD patients and control subjects, and haplotype analysis was used to evaluate the combined effect of VDR SNPs on CVD pathogenesis. In the adjusted model, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) of the CVD in the sufficient vitamin D group was 0.76 (0.60-0.96)when compared with the vitamin D deficient group. At 25(OH)D doses of less than 20 ng/mL, there was a dose-response relationship between 25(OH)D and CVD risk. Moreover, the rs3847987 SNP was associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and triglyceride (TG) in CVD patients. In all models, there was a significant association between rs2189480 and CVD, especially in females and those aged ≥55 years. In these groups, rs3847987 SNPs were significantly different, especially in females. Compared with the ACA haplotype, the AAA and CCA haplotypes were associated with increased risk of CVD. In conclusion, our results suggested that serum 25(OH)D levels and VDR SNPs are closely related with CVD pathogenesis.

Antidiabetic effects of pterostilbene through PI3K/Akt signal pathway in high fat diet and STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Pterostilbene (PTE) is a natural dimethylated analog of resveratrol, which exerts antioxidative, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects; however, the underlying mechanism is not yet clear. In this study, we evaluated the effects of PTE on diabetic rats and clarified the underlying mechanism. Diabetes was induced in rats by streptozotocin (STZ) and a high-sugar and high-fat diet. Rats were then treated with PTE (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg/d) for 8 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to measure the glycometabolism of the diabetic rats at the end of the treatment. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS) and lipid profile were determined using an automatic biochemistry analyzer and serum inflammatory factors were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also analyzed by spectrophotometry to evaluate the anti-oxidant effects. The expression of proteins of PPARγ and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway related proteins in adipose tissue of the diabetic rats was analyzed by Western blotting. PTE treatment significantly reduced weight loss, FBG, insulin resistance, serum lipid levels and inflammatory factors. PTE treatment also inhibited oxidative stress by decreasing MDA expression and increasing SOD expression. Simultaneously, PTE treatment significantly ameliorated morphological impairment of the pancreas in diabetic rats. Furthermore, PTE treatment significantly increased the protein expression of PPARγ, PI3K, p-Akt, GLUT4 and IRS-1 in adipose tissues of diabetic rats. This study suggests that PTE can exert antidiabetic effects via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.