Impact of age, sex, and thyroid autoimmunity on the association between selenium intake and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The association between dietary selenium(Se) intake and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains controversial. The present study aimed to investigate this association using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for the years 2007-2012. METHODS: Three thousand seventy three individuals aged 20 years and above were eligible for inclusion in this cross-sectional study. The average age of the participants was 50.74 years and the proportions of males and females were nearly equal (49.12% vs. 50.88%). The odds ratios (OR) of the association between dietary Se intake (log2-transformed) and T2DM were examined through the multivariate logistic regression model. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on age, sex, and thyroid autoimmunity to assess the potential impact of these variables on the relationship. Fitted smoothing curves and threshold effect analysis were conducted to describe the nonlinear relationship. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted model, a significant positive association between Se intake and T2DM was observed (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.90, p = 0.0017). After stratifying the data by age, sex, and thyroid autoimmunity, a significant positive association between Se intake and T2DM was observed in individuals under 65 years of age, males, and those with negative thyroid autoimmunity. A two-segment linear regression model was analyzed for sex stratification, revealing a threshold effect in males with an inflection point of 90.51 µg, and an inverted U-shaped relationship in females with an inflection point of 109.90 µg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found a positive relationship between Se intake and the prevalence of T2DM. This association is particularly significant in younger individuals, males, and those with negative thyroid autoimmunity. Our results should be validated in future large prospective studies in different populations.

Cercospora leaf spot disease of sugar beet.

Leaf spot disease caused by Cercospora beticola Sacc. is the most damaging foliar disease threatening sugar beet production worldwide. The wide spread of disease incurs a reduction of yield and economic losses. The in-depth knowledge of disease epidemiology and virulence factor of pathogen is crucial and basic for preventing fungal disease. The integrated control strategies are needed for an efficient and sustainable disease management. The rotation of fungicides and crop could reduce the initial inoculum and delay the emergence of resistant pathogens. Spraying fungicides under the guide of forecasting models and molecular detecting techniques may hinder the onset of disease prevalence. The resistant varieties of sugar beet to cercospora leaf spot could be obtained by combining classical and molecular breeding methods. More effective approaches are supposed to develop for prevention and control for fungal disease of sugar beet.

Risk Factors of Isolated Microtia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Isolated microtia is a congenital facial anomaly, and its cause is unclear. This study systematically investigated related suspicious factors. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Four databases were searched for eligible case-control and cohort studies. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each exposure variable if data from at least two eligible studies were provided. If not, narrative syntheses were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight articles were included. Meta-analyses were conducted with 22 articles, and 25 factors were identified to have significant association with isolated microtia. Moderate evidence showed that parental low education level, low birth weight (<2500 g), parity greater than or equal to 2, and family history of malformation (especially microtia); maternal intake of antibiotics, benzodiazepines, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, progesterone, and traditional Chinese medicine; in addition to maternal nongestational diabetes, upper respiratory infection, and radiation exposure increased the risk of microtia in offspring. Limited evidence showed that maternal Hispanic race, pesticide exposure, threatened abortion, history of spontaneous abortion, pet contact, and male gender were associated with increased risk. Maternal race of black or non-Hispanic, and living in an urban area were two protective factors found with moderate and limited evidence, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study has provided an initial investigation of potential factors associated with isolated microtia and evidence-based conclusion supporting prevention of modifiable factors.