Identifying the causal relationship between sedentary behavior and heart failure: Insights from a Mendelian randomization study and mediation analysis.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have revealed that a lack of physical exercise may be linked to a higher risk of heart failure (HF). Here, the causal relationship between sedentary behavior (SB) and HF was investigated using Mendelian randomization (MR). HYPOTHESIS: SB was considered as an important risk factor of HF. METHODS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms with a genome-wide statistical significance threshold of <5 × 10-8 among the SB-proxied phenotypes (TV screen time, computer use, and driving) from genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets were identified as instrumental variables (IVs). The MR study was performed using the inverse-variance weighting (IVW) model as a primary standard to evaluate causal relationships. Simultaneously, MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and maximum likelihood models were used as supplements. Sensitivity analysis, consisting of a heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy test, was performed using Cochran's Q, MR-Egger intercept, and MR-PRESSO tests to ensure the reliability of conclusions. RESULTS: The IVW model results showed that increased TV screen time correlated with a higher genetic susceptibility for HF in both HF-associated GWAS datasets, which was also supported by weighted median and maximum likelihood model results. The odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were 1.418 (1.182-1.700) and 1.486 (1.136-1.943), respectively. Although the results of Cochran's Q test indicated certain heterogeneity among the IVs. The MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO tests suggested no horizontal pleiotropy and verified the reliability of the conclusion. CONCLUSIONS: This MR study identified that increased TV screen time may predispose individuals to the development of HF.

Preparation of a porous graphene oxide/alkali lignin aerogel composite and its adsorption properties for methylene blue.

Herein, a three-dimensional porous graphene oxide/alkali lignin aerogel composite was prepared by a simple green method, and its adsorption performance for methylene blue (MB) in water was studied. The graphene oxide/alkali lignin aerogel composite (GO-AL aerogel) was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and the BET surface area. The adsorption kinetics study showed that the adsorption process conformed to the second-order kinetic model and this process was chemical adsorption. It was also found that intraparticle diffusion was not the only rate control step in the adsorption process. The adsorption isotherm study showed that the adsorption process conforms to the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model and the process was a single layer adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of MB on GO-AL aerogel was 1185.98 mg/g, at 303 K. Adsorption thermodynamics studies showed that adsorption process was a spontaneous endothermic process and the disorder increased during the adsorption process. Overall, this study indicated the GO-AL aerogel could be an eco-friendly, cost-effective and recyclable adsorbent for the removal of dyes from water.