Association of vitamins B1 and B2 intake with early-onset sarcopenia in the general adult population of the US: a cross-sectional study of NHANES data from 2011 to 2018.

Background: Early-onset sarcopenia refers to the progressive loss of muscle mass and function that occurs at an early age. This condition perpetuates the vicious cycle of muscle loss and is associated with adverse outcomes. It is important to identify the contributing factors for early intervention and prevention. While diet is known to impact muscle mass, the association of B vitamins with early-onset sarcopenia remains unexplored. Objectives: To investigate the association of B vitamins intake with early-onset sarcopenia risk in a cross-sectional study. Methods: We conducted data analysis on a total of 8,711 participants aged between 20 and 59 years who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2018. Early-onset sarcopenia was defined as a SMI measured by DXA that was one standard deviation below the sex-specific mean of the reference population. B vitamins intake (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12) was assessed by 24-h dietary recall. We used weighted multiple logistic regression and RCS models to estimate the OR and 95% CI of sarcopenia by B vitamins intake, adjusting for demographic, physical, lifestyle, comorbidities, and nutritional covariates. Results: Higher intake of vitamin B1 was associated with a 22% lower sarcopenia risk (OR = 0.78, CI = 0.63-0.97, p = 0.022), and higher intake of vitamin B2 with a 16% lower risk (OR = 0.84, CI = 0.74-0.97, p = 0.012) in both genders. Gender-specific analyses showed a 28% reduction in sarcopenia risk among males with each additional mg of vitamin B1 intake (OR = 0.72, CI = 0.52-0.97, p = 0.038), and a 26% decrease among females with each additional mg of vitamin B2 intake (OR = 0.74, CI = 0.57-0.96, p = 0.021). No significant differences were found between vitamin B2 and males, or between vitamin B1 and females. The RCS model suggested a nonlinear relationship between vitamin B2 intake and sarcopenia risk (POverall = 0.001, PNonlinear = 0.033), with a plateau effect above 3 mg/d. Conclusion: Higher intake of vitamin B1 and B2 may lower the risk of early-onset sarcopenia, with gender differences. This suggests the potential of nutritional intervention by increasing these vitamins intake through diet and supplements. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and design targeted interventions.

Exposure of farmed fish to petroleum hydrocarbon pollution and the recovery process: A simulation experiment with tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes.

Petroleum hydrocarbon (PH) pollution threatens both wild and farmed marine fish. How this pollution affects the nutrient metabolism in fish and whether this effect can be recovered have not been well-known. The present study aimed to evaluate these effects with a feeding trial on tiger puffer, an important farmed species in Asia. In a 6-week feeding trial conducted in indoor flow-through water, fish were fed a control diet (C) or diets supplemented with diesel oil (0.02 % and 0.2 % of dry matter, named LD and HD, respectively). Following this feeding trial was a 4-week recovery period, during which all fish were fed a same normal commercial feed. At the end of the 6-week feeding trial, dietary PH significantly decreased the fish growth and lipid content. The PH significantly accumulated in fish tissues, in particular the liver, and caused damages in all tissues examined in terms of histology, anti-oxidation status, and serum biochemical changes. Dietary PH also changed the volatile flavor compound profile in the muscle. The hepatic transcriptome assay showed that the HD diet tended to inhibit the DNA replication, cell cycle and lipid synthesis, but to stimulate the transcription of genes related to liver protection/repair and lipid catabolism. The 4-week recovery period to some extent mitigated the damage caused by PH. After the recovery period, the inter-group differences in some parameters disappeared. However, the differences in lipid content, anti-oxidase activity, liver PH concentration, and histological structure still existed. In addition, differences in cellular chemical homeostasis and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction at the transcriptional level can still be observed, indicated by the hepatic transcriptome assay. In conclusion, 6 weeks of dietary PH exposure significantly impaired the growth performance and health status of farmed tiger puffer, and a short-term recovery period (4 weeks) was not sufficient to completely mitigate this impairment.

Solanum nigrum Linn.: Advances in anti-cancer activity and mechanism in digestive system tumors.

Cancer has currently become a serious public health issue in many countries worldwide, and tumors of the digestive system have attracted an increasing number of researchers' due to their numerous types, high proportion and wide area of occurrence. While tumors of the digestive system suffer from high mortality rates, leading to untimely diagnosis and a poor prognosis, making it necessary to update current treatment approaches such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. This highlights the importance of exploring novel therapeutic ideas and targets. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of clinical use due to its low toxicity and multi-factor targeting of multiple pathways. As a kind of traditional Chinese herb, S. nigrum Linn. is highly regarded for its proven antitumor activity. The aim of this study was to comprehensively recapitulate and analyze the anti-cancer effects and molecular mechanisms of treatment of gastrointestinal tumors with S. nigrum Linn. extracts and related compounds, including classical signaling pathways mediated by them as well as noncoding RNA pathways associated with tumor suppression. Components that have been found to be responsible for the anti-cancer activity of S. nigrum Linn. include solanine, solasonine, solamargine, a-L-rhhamnopyranose, uttroside B, degalactotigonin, glycoprotein, and other compounds. The underlying mechanisms of anti-cancer activity reflected in this study include apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, anti-angiogenesis, suppression of metastasis and invasion, immune escape, and increased sensitivity to radiotherapy. S. nigrum Linn. has great potential in the treatment of tumors of the digestive system, and through further clinical trials and pharmacological mechanisms it has the potential to become a uniform and standardized anti-tumor drug.

Apigenin inhibits macrophage pyroptosis through regulation of oxidative stress and the NF-κB pathway and ameliorates atherosclerosis.

Pyroptosis plays an important role in inflammatory diseases such as viral hepatitis and atherosclerosis. Apigenin exhibits various bioactivities, particularly anti-inflammation, but its effect on pyroptosis remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of apigenin on pyroptosis and explore its potential against inflammatory diseases. THP-1 macrophages treated by lipopolysaccharides/adenosine 5'-triphosphate were used as the in vitro pyroptosis model. Western blot was used to detect the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components and key regulators. Immunofluorescence was used to observe ROS production and intracellular location of p65. The potential of apigenin against inflammatory diseases was evaluated using atherosclerotic mice. Plaque progression was observed by pathological staining. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components in plaques. The results showed that apigenin inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Apigenin reduced ROS overproduction and inhibited p65 nuclear translocation. Additionally, apigenin decreased the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components in the plaque. Plaque progression was inhibited by apigenin. In conclusion, apigenin exhibited a preventive effect on macrophage pyroptosis by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. Apigenin may alleviate atherosclerosis at least partially by inhibiting macrophage pyroptosis. These findings suggest apigenin to be a promising therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases.

Recent advance in phytonanomedicine and mineral nanomedicine delivery system of the treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an invasive hematopoietic malignancy caused by excessive proliferation of myeloblasts. Classical chemotherapies and cell transplantation therapies have remarkable efficacy in AML treatment; however, 30-40% of patients relapsed or had refractory disease. The resistance of AML is closely related to its inherent cytogenetics or various gene mutations. Recently, phytonanomedicine are found to be effective against resistant AML cells and have become a research focus for nanotechnology development to improve their properties, such as increasing solubility, improving absorption, enhancing bioavailability, and maintaining sustained release and targeting. These novel phytonanomedicine and mineral nanomedicine, including nanocrystals, nanoemulsion, nanoparticles, nanoliposome, and nanomicelles, offer many advantages, such as flexible dosages or forms, multiple routes of administration, and curative effects. Therefore, we reviewed the application and progress of phytomedicine in AML treatment and discussed the limitations and future prospects. This review may provide a solid reference to guide future research on AML treatment.

Analysis of Regulatory Mechanism of AcrB and CpxR on Colistin Susceptibility Based on Transcriptome and Metabolome of Salmonella Typhimurium.

With the increasing and inappropriate use of colistin, the emerging colistin-resistant isolates have been frequently reported during the last few decades. Therefore, new potential targets and adjuvants to reverse colistin resistance are urgently needed. Our previous study has confirmed a marked increase of colistin susceptibility (16-fold compared to the wild-type Salmonella strain) of cpxR overexpression strain JSΔacrBΔcpxR::kan/pcpxR (simplified as JSΔΔ/pR). To searching for potential new drug targets, the transcriptome and metabolome analysis were carried out in this study. We found that the more susceptible strain JSΔΔ/pR displayed striking perturbations at both the transcriptomics and metabolomics levels. The virulence-related genes and colistin resistance-related genes (CRRGs) were significantly downregulated in JSΔΔ/pR. There were significant accumulation of citrate, α-ketoglutaric acid, and agmatine sulfate in JSΔΔ/pR, and exogenous supplement of them could synergistically enhance the bactericidal effect of colistin, indicating that these metabolites may serve as potential adjuvants for colistin therapy. Additionally, we also demonstrated that AcrB and CpxR could target the ATP and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, but not proton motive force (PMF) production pathway to potentiate antibacterial activity of colistin. Collectively, these findings have revealed several previously unknown mechanisms contributing to increased colistin susceptibility and identified potential targets and adjuvants for potentiating colistin treatment of Salmonella infections. IMPORTANCE Emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative (G-) bacteria have led to the reconsideration of colistin as the last-resort therapeutic option for health care-associated infections. Finding new drug targets and strategies against the spread of MDR G- bacteria are global challenges for the life sciences community and public health. In this paper, we demonstrated the more susceptibility strain JSΔΔ/pR displayed striking perturbations at both the transcriptomics and metabolomics levels and revealed several previously unknown regulatory mechanisms of AcrB and CpxR on the colistin susceptibility. Importantly, we found that exogenous supplement of citrate, α-ketoglutaric acid, and agmatine sulfate could synergistically enhance the bactericidal effect of colistin, indicating that these metabolites may serve as potential adjuvants for colistin therapy. These results provide a theoretical basis for finding potential new drug targets and adjuvants.

Sandwich-Structured Implants to Obstruct Multipath Energy Supply and Trigger Self-Enhanced Hypoxia-Initiated Chemotherapy Against Postsurgical Tumor Recurrence and Metastasis.

As a currently common strategy to treat cancer, surgical resection may cause tumor recurrence and metastasis due to residual postoperative tumors. Herein, an implantable sandwich-structured dual-drug depot is developed to trigger a self-intensified starvation therapy and hypoxia-induced chemotherapy sequentially. The two outer layers are 3D-printed using a calcium-crosslinked mixture ink containing soy protein isolate, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, and combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P). The inner layer is one patch of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based electrospun fibers loaded with tirapazamine (TPZ). The preferentially released CA4P destroys the preexisting blood vessels and prevents neovascularization, which obstructs the external energy supply to cancer cells but aggravates hypoxic condition. The subsequently released TPZ is bioreduced to cytotoxic benzotriazinyl under hypoxia, further damaging DNA, generating reactive oxygen species, disrupting mitochondria, and downregulating hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, vascular endothelial growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinase 9. Together these processes induce apoptosis, block the intracellular energy supply, counteract the disadvantage of CA4P in favoring intratumor angiogenesis, and suppress tumor metastasis. The in vivo and in vitro results and the transcriptome analysis demonstrate that the postsurgical adjuvant treatment with the dual-drug-loaded sandwich-like implants efficiently inhibits tumor recurrence and metastasis, showing great potential for clinical translation.

Effects of Lysophosphatidylcholine on Intestinal Health of Turbot Fed High-Lipid Diets.

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted, where turbot were fed four experimental diets, containing different LPC levels (0%, 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5%, named LPC0, LPC0.1, LPC0.25, and LPC0.5, respectively). The intestinal morphology results showed that there were no widened lamina propria and mixed inflammatory cells in the LPC-supplemented groups. Dietary LPC remarkably decreased the expression of TLRs (TLR3, TLR8, TLR9, and TLR22), MyD88, and signaling molecules (NF-κB, JNK, and AP-1). Similarly, diets with LPC supplementation markedly depressed the gene expression of NF-κB and JNK signaling pathway downstream genes (TNF-α, IL-1ß, Bax, Caspase9, and Caspase-3). Furthermore, dietary LPC modified the intestinal microbial profiles, increasing the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acids-producers, lactic acid bacteria, and digestive enzyme-producing bacteria. Predictive functions of intestinal microbiota showed that turbot fed LPC diets had a relatively higher abundance of functions, such as lipid metabolism and immune system, but a lower abundance of functions, such as metabolic diseases and immune system diseases. The activities of intestinal acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were also increased by dietary LPC. In conclusion, LPC supplementation could regulate the intestinal mucosal barrier via the TLR signaling pathway and alter the intestinal microbiota profile of turbot fed high-lipid diets.

Additional supplementation of sulfur-containing amino acids in the diets improves the intestinal health of turbot fed high-lipid diets.

An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of diets supplemented with three sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA), namely, methionine, cysteine, and taurine, on the intestinal health status of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fed high-lipid diets. Four diets were formulated, namely, a high-lipid control diet (16% lipid, HL) and three SAA-supplemented diets, which were formulated by supplementing 1.5% methionine (HLM), 1.5% cysteine (HLC), and 1.5% taurine (HLT) into the HL control diet, respectively. Each diet was assigned to triplicate tanks, and each tank was stocked with 30 juvenile fish (appr. initial weight, 8 g). The histological and morphometric results showed that dietary SAA supplementation obviously improved the intestinal morphology and integrity, in particular as reflected by higher height of microvilli and mucosal folds. Dietary SAA supplementation, in particular cysteine, up-regulated the gene expression of mucin-2 and tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Tricellilun and JAM). Dietary SAA supplementation remarkably down-regulated the gene expression of apoptosis-related factors such as p38, JNK, and Bax, expression of pro-inflammatory factors (e.g., NF-κB, AP-1 IL-1ß, IL-8, and TNF-α). SAA supplementation resulted in higher antioxidative abilities in the intestine. Additionally, dietary SAA supplementation largely altered the communities of intestinal microbiota. Compared with the HL group, higher relative abundance of potential beneficial bacteria, and lower relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens were observed in SAA-supplemented groups. Dietary taurine supplementation significantly increased the relative abundance of Ligilactobacillus (in particular Lactobacillus murinus) and Limosilactobacillus (especially Lactobacillus reuteri). In conclusion, dietary sulfur-containing amino acids supplementation have promising potential in ameliorating the intestinal inflammation of turbot fed high-lipid diets. Especially dietary cysteine and taurine supplementation have more positive effects on the communities of the intestinal microbiota of turbot.

Research on Classification of Fine-Grained Rock Images Based on Deep Learning.

Rock classification is a significant branch of geology which can help understand the formation and evolution of the planet, search for mineral resources, and so on. In traditional methods, rock classification is usually done based on the experience of a professional. However, this method has problems such as low efficiency and susceptibility to subjective factors. Therefore, it is of great significance to establish a simple, fast, and accurate rock classification model. This paper proposes a fine-grained image classification network combining image cutting method and SBV algorithm to improve the classification performance of a small number of fine-grained rock samples. The method uses image cutting to achieve data augmentation without adding additional datasets and uses image block voting scoring to obtain richer complementary information, thereby improving the accuracy of image classification. The classification accuracy of 32 images is 75%, 68.75%, and 75%. The results show that the method proposed in this paper has a significant improvement in the accuracy of image classification, which is 34.375%, 18.75%, and 43.75% higher than that of the original algorithm. It verifies the effectiveness of the algorithm in this paper and at the same time proves that deep learning has great application value in the field of geology.

[Effect of moxibustion on expression of GAP-43 in sciatic nerve trunk and ventral horn of spinal cord of rats with primary sciatica and its nerve repair function].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion at "Huantiao" (GB 30) on the expression of growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in the sciatic nerve trunk and ventral horn of spinal cord (L4-L6) in rats with primary sciatica, and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in improving primary sciatica. METHODS: A total of 48 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and a moxibustion group, 12 rats in each group. The rat model of primary sciatic pain was established by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in the model group and the moxibustion group. On the 8th day of the experiment, moxibustion was adopted at "Huantiao" (GB 30) in the moxibustion group for 5-10 min, once a day for 14 consecutive days. Sciatic nerve function index (SFI) was measured and compared in each group at day 1, 7, 14 and 21. On the 21st day of the experiment, HE staining was used to observe the morphology of ventral horn of rat spinal cord and sciatic nerve trunk. Immunohistochemical method and real-time PCR were used to detect mRNA and protein expressions of GAP-43 in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve trunk of rats. RESULTS: On day 7, 14 and 21, there was no statistical difference in SFI between the sham operation group and the normal group (P>0.05); compared with the sham operation group on day 7, 14 and 21, the SFI of the model group was reduced (P<0.01); compared with the model group on day 14 and 21, SFI in the moxibustion group was increased (P<0.01). In the normal group and the sham operation group, neuronal cells were in order in the ventral horn of the spinal cord, nissl bodies were spaced regularly, the myelin sheath structure of sciatic nerve axon was clearly visible. In the model group, neuronal cells were deformed and ruptured in the ventral horn of the spinal cord, the number of nissl bodies was less, and the demyelination of sciatic axons appeared. In the moxibustion group, neuronal cells were found in the ventral horn of spinal cord, and the number of nissl bodies was increased, and less demyelinating changes of axons appeared in sciatic nerve. Compared with the normal group, the expressions of GAP-43 mRNA and GAP-43 protein in the sciatic nerve trunk and GAP-43 protein in the ventral horn of spinal cord were increased in the sham operation group (P<0.01). Compared with the sham operation group, the expression of GAP-43 mRNA and GAP-43 protein in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve trunk of rats in the model group was increased. Compared with the model group, the expression of GAP-43 mRNA and GAP-43 protein in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve trunk of rats in the moxibustion group was increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion at "Huantiao" (GB 30) could improve the sciatic nerve function in rats with primary sciatica and its mechanism may be related to improving the expression of GAP-43 and enhancing the self-repair ability of the sciatic nerve after injury.

Clinical study of XiangShaLiuJunZi decoction combined with S-1 as maintenance therapy for stage III or IV gastric carcinoma and colorectal carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: S-1, a new oral fluorouracil chemotherapeutical drug, has been increasingly used in clinical maintenance after first-line chemotherapy for stage III or IV gastric carcinoma (GC) and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) for its own advantages. XiangshaLiujunzi Decoction (XSLJZD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula with effects of alleviating the adverse reactions of chemotherapy and improving the quality of life of cancer patients has been gradually confirmed, with no more reports about the maintenance therapy mode of combination of chemotherapeutic drugs and TCM. We designed the study of XSLJZD combined with S-1 in the maintenance therapy of Stage III or IV GC and CRC, and hoped that this research program will go further and comprehensively evaluate its efficacy and safety. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of XSLJZD combined with S-1 in the maintenance therapy of stage III or IV GC and CRC. METHODS: This study is an open, single-center, randomized study. Patients with stage III or stage IV GC and CRC will be randomized (1:1) into S-1group, S-1 combined with XSLJZD group for 5 years of maintenance therapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, and secondary end point was overall survival and Quality of Life Assessment (QOLA), which include an improvement in symptoms before and after treatment, Karnofsky Performance Status, and adverse events assessment. DISCUSSION: This study will provide meaningful clinical information about the combination of chemotherapeutic drugs S-1 with TCM in the maintenance therapy of stage III or IV GC and CRC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-INR-16008575.

Choroid Plexus Enlargement and Allostatic Load in Schizophrenia.

Although schizophrenia is a brain disorder, increasing evidence suggests that there may be body-wide involvement in this illness. However, direct evidence of brain structures involved in the presumed peripheral-central interaction in schizophrenia is still unclear. Seventy-nine previously treatment-naïve first-episode schizophrenia patients who were within 2-week antipsychotics initial stabilization, and 41 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Group differences in subcortical brain regional structures measured by MRI and the subclinical cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neuroendocrine biomarkers as indexed by allostatic load, and their associations were explored. Compared with controls, patients with schizophrenia had significantly higher allostatic load (P = .001). Lateral ventricle (P < .001), choroid plexus (P < .001), and thalamus volumes (P < .001) were significantly larger, whereas amygdala volume (P = .001) was significantly smaller in patients. The choroid plexus alone was significantly correlated with higher allostatic load after age, sex, education level, and the total intracranial volume were taken into account (t = 3.60, P < .001). Allostatic load was also significantly correlated with PANSS positive (r = 0.28, P = .016) and negative (r = -0.31, P = .008) symptoms, but in opposite directions. The peripheral multisystemic and central nervous system abnormalities in schizophrenia may interact through the choroid plexus during the early stage of the illness. The choroid plexus might provide a sensitive structural biomarker to study the treatment and prevention of brain-periphery interaction abnormalities in schizophrenia.

Structure and Anti-HIV Activity of Betulinic Acid Analogues.

Firstly discovered in 1980s, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to affect more and more people. However, there is no effective drug available for the therapy of HIV infection. Betulinic acid existing in various medicinal herbs and fruits exhibits multiple biological effects, especially its outstanding anti-HIV activity, which has drawn the attentions of many pharmacists. Among the derivatives of betulinic acid, some compounds exhibited inhibitory activities at the nanomolar concentration, and have entered phase II clinical trials. This paper summarizes the current investigations on the anti-HIV activity of betulinic acid analogues, and provides valuable data for subsequent researches.

Effect of C/N ratios on the performance of earthworm eco-filter for treatment of synthetics domestic sewage.

PURPOSE: The performances of filter systems that use earthworms and plants, combined with earthworm eco-filter (EE) systems in treating synthetic domestic sewage (SDS) with different C/N ratios, were investigated for a 9-month period. METHODS: The effects of the combination of filters, earthworms, plants, as well as the combination of earthworms and plants on SDS nutrient removal efficiency were separately investigated to select the optimum system for treating SDS. The results of the current study could be used to determine how treatment performance responds to different C/N ratios and to explain and predict the performance of an operating EE system. RESULTS: EE systems with earthworms and plants (EP groups) consistently performed better than the other types of systems (CK, E, and P; that is, without earthworms and without plants, with earthworms and without plants, and without earthworms and with plants, respectively) under all C/N ratios. The highest removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total organic carbon were achieved under C/N ratios of 6:1, 6:1, 6:1, and 9:1, respectively. The optimum nutrient removal efficiency was achieved at C/N = 6, and the contribution order for nutrient removal was EP > P > E > CK. CONCLUSIONS: Influent C/N ratios, the time of year, and the synergetic effects of earthworm behavior and microorganisms significantly affected nutrient removal efficiencies. Considering the removal of all nutrients, EE systems with plants and earthworms achieved optimum removal effects in July when the influent C/N ratio was controlled at 6. Appropriate control of carbon and nitrogen source concentrations permitted the achievement of optimal nutrient removal effects.