Glycemic Variability and the Risk of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Meta-Analysis.

Glycemic variability (GV) has been related to complications in patients with diabetes. The aim of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate whether GV is also associated with the incidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). A systematic search of Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library database was conducted to identify relevant observational studies with longitudinal follow-up. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for study quality evaluation. A random-effects model was utilized to pool the results, accounting for heterogeneity. Ten observational studies including 72 565 patients with diabetes were included. The quality score was 8-9, indicating generally good quality of the included studies. With a mean follow-up duration of 7.1 years, 11 532 patients (15.9%) were diagnosed as DPN. Compared to patients with low GV, patients with high GV were associated with an increased risk incidence of DPN (risk ratio: 1.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.23 to 1.85, p<0.001; I2=78%). In addition, subgroup analysis showed consistent results in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and in studies evaluating the short-term and long-term GV (p for subgroup difference=0.82 and 0.53). Finally, results of subgroup analysis also suggested that the association between GV and risk of DPN were not significantly affected by study design, follow-up durations, diagnostic methods for DPN, adjustment of mean glycated hemoglobin A1c, or study quality scores (p for subgroup difference all>0.05). A high GV may be associated with an increased incidence of DPN.

Identification of the regulatory networks and hub genes controlling alfalfa floral pigmentation variation using RNA-sequencing analysis.

BACKGROUND: To understand the gene expression networks controlling flower color formation in alfalfa, flowers anthocyanins were identified using two materials with contrasting flower colors, namely Defu and Zhongtian No. 3, and transcriptome analyses of PacBio full-length sequencing combined with RNA sequencing were performed, across four flower developmental stages. RESULTS: Malvidin and petunidin glycoside derivatives were the major anthocyanins in the flowers of Defu, which were lacking in the flowers of Zhongtian No. 3. The two transcriptomic datasets provided a comprehensive and systems-level view on the dynamic gene expression networks underpinning alfalfa flower color formation. By weighted gene coexpression network analyses, we identified candidate genes and hub genes from the modules closely related to floral developmental stages. PAL, 4CL, CHS, CHR, F3'H, DFR, and UFGT were enriched in the important modules. Additionally, PAL6, PAL9, 4CL18, CHS2, 4 and 8 were identified as hub genes. Thus, a hypothesis explaining the lack of purple color in the flower of Zhongtian No. 3 was proposed. CONCLUSIONS: These analyses identified a large number of potential key regulators controlling flower color pigmentation, thereby providing new insights into the molecular networks underlying alfalfa flower development.

Preventive Effects of Sesamol on Deep-Frying Oil-Induced Liver Metabolism Disorders by Altering Gut Microbiota and Protecting Gut Barrier Integrity.

SCOPE: The total polar components (TPC) in the edible oil are produced during the frying process, and excessive intake of TPC may lead to metabolic disorders. This study aims to investigate the preventive effects of sesamol, a functional component from sesame, on suppressing TPC production, and on the deep-frying oil (DFO)-induced liver lipid metabolism disorders and gut homeostasis disruption. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sesamol addition (0.2 mg mL-1 ) improves the quality of the soybean oil by reducing the production of TPC during the deep-frying process (180 °C for 40 h). The diet-induced obesity model is established by feeding mice with a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Either sesamol pre-treated DFO or sesamol supplementation (0.2%, w/w) in the diet reduces the liver lipid accumulation in the obese mice by increasing lipolysis-related genes expression. Sesamol elevates the antioxidant enzyme activities, protectes the integrity of the jejunum and colon barrier, and enhances the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia in obese mice. CONCLUSION: Sesamol suppresses TPC production and prolongs the use time of deep-frying oil. Meanwhile, sesamol can improve TPC-induced liver lipid metabolism disorders and gut dysbiosis, thus reducing the health risks associated with deep-fried food.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Delphinium grandiflorum L.

Delphinium grandiflorum L. is a perennial herb, and has very high medicinal value. However, the evolutionary relationship analysis of D. grandiflorum is limited. Its cp genome was 157,339 bp in length, containing a pair of inverted repeated regions (52,304 bp), separated by a large single copy region of 88,098 bp, and a small single copy region of 16,937 bp. Moreover, a total of 117 functional genes were annotated, including 79 mRNA, 30 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic relationships inferred that D. grandiflorum was closely related to Gymnaconitum gymnandrum. This study will provide a theoretical basis for species identification and biological research.