Deciphering the impact of circRNA-mediated autophagy on tumor therapeutic resistance: a novel perspective.

Cancer therapeutic resistance remains a significant challenge in the pursuit of effective treatment strategies. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, have recently emerged as key regulators of various biological processes, including cancer progression and drug resistance. This review highlights the emerging role of circRNAs-mediated autophagy in cancer therapeutic resistance, a cellular process that plays a dual role in cancer by promoting both cell survival and death. Increasing evidence suggests that circRNAs can modulate autophagy pathways, thereby influencing the response of cancer cells to therapeutic agents. In this context, the intricate interplay between circRNAs, autophagy, and therapeutic resistance is explored. Various mechanisms are discussed through which circRNAs can impact autophagy, including direct interactions with autophagy-related genes, modulation of signaling pathways, and cross-talk with other non-coding RNAs. Furthermore, the review delves into specific examples of how circRNA-mediated autophagy regulation can contribute to resistance against chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Understanding these intricate molecular interactions provides valuable insights into potential strategies for overcoming therapeutic resistance in cancer. Exploiting circRNAs as therapeutic targets or utilizing them as diagnostic and predictive biomarkers opens new avenues for developing personalized treatment approaches. In summary, this review underscores the importance of circRNA-mediated autophagy in cancer therapeutic resistance and proposes future directions for research in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.

3,6'-Disinapoyl sucrose alleviates cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with insidious onset and progressive development. There is an urgent need to find drugs that prevent and slow AD progression. We focus our attention on 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose (DISS), an oligosaccharide with antidepressant and antioxidant activities. In this work, APP/PS1 transgenic mice were used to explore the neuroprotective impact of DISS to provide new applications for prevention and therapy of AD. This study aims to assess DISS's neuroprotective impact on learning and memory deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice using behavioral tests (Morris water maze, novel object recognition test, and passive avoidance test). Morphological alterations of hippocampus neurons were observed by Nissl staining and neuronal apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay. By using ELISA, the expressions of inflammatory factors were evaluated, and Western blotting was used to measure the protein expressions of neuron-related regulators in the hippocampus. DISS significantly ameliorated the cognitive disorder in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, reduced apoptosis by decreasing the ratio of Bax/B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) in hippocampal neurons, and restored the abnormal secretion of inflammatory factors (IL-2, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6). Moreover, the gavage of high-dose DISS can boost the expressions of CREB/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Overall, our results indicate that DISS improves cognitive function in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by inhibiting neural apoptosis and activating the CREB/BDNF signal pathway.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, for the first time, DISS was used in APP/PS1 transgenic mice to explore its neuroprotective effect. After gavage DISS for 1 mo, the impairment of learning and spatial memory ability and the loss of neurons in APP/PS1 mice were alleviated. DISS reduced a neuroprotective effect in AD mice via decreasing neuronal apoptosis, enhancing the expressions of CREB phosphorylation and BDNF, pointing to DISS as a new therapeutic target for AD.

The Ecological Differentiation of Particle-Attached and Free-Living Bacterial Communities in a Seasonal Flooding Lake-the Poyang Lake.

Particle-attached (PA) and free-living (FL) bacterial communities play essential roles in the biogeochemical cycling of essential nutrients in aquatic environments. However, little is known about the factors that drive the differentiation of bacterial lifestyles, especially in flooding lake systems. Here we assessed the compositional and functional similarities between the FL and PA bacterial fractions in a typical flooding lake-the Poyang Lake (PYL) of China. The results revealed that PA communities had significantly different compositions and functions from FL communities in every hydrological period, and the diversity of both PA and FL communities was affected mainly by the water regime rather than bacterial lifestyles. PA communities were more diverse and enriched with Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, while FL communities had more Actinobacteria. There was a higher abundance of photosynthetic and nitrogen-cycling bacterial groups in PA communities, but a higher abundance of members involved in hydrocarbon degradation, aromatic hydrocarbon degradation, and methylotrophy in FL communities. Water properties (e.g., temperature, pH, total phosphorus) significantly regulated the lifestyle variations of PA and FL bacteria in PYL. Collectively, our results have demonstrated a clear ecological differentiation of PA and FL bacterial communities in flooding lakes, suggesting that the connectivity between FL and PA bacterial fractions is water property-related rather than water regime-related.

[Association between the diet balance index-based dietary quality and cognitive function among Zhejiang population aged 40 years and older].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluation the dietary quality of Zhejiang population aged 40 years and older using the Dietary Balance Index(DBI) and to analyze the association between dietary quality and cognitive function. METHODS: The dietary information was collected with the help of questionnaire survey, a 3-day dietary recall and household condiment weighing method from Zhejiang participants of the 2018 wave of the China Health and Nutrition Survey aged 40 years and older, and the food and energy intakes were calculated. The cognitive function was assessed by the Mini Mental Status Examination. Dietary quality was evaluated using the DBI method. A multivariate Logistic regression model was used to examine the association between dietary quality and the risk of cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Among 640 participants aged 40 years and older, 14.2% had cognitive impairment. Univariate analysis showed that those with cognitive impairment had higher cereal(P=0.001), particularly, higher rice and products intake(P<0.001), as well as higher egg intake(P=0.008) than those with normal cognitive function; while the intake of soybean and its product(P=0.025) was lower. Those with cognitive impairment had higher DBI score of cereal(P=0.006) and high bound score(HBS)(P=0.028)than those with normal cognitive function. After adjustment for possible confounding factors, Logistic regression showed that moderated and severe over-consumption was positively associated with cognitive impairment(OR=2.486, 95% CI 1.130-5.470, P=0.024). CONCLUSION: Over-consumption may increase the risk of cognitive impairment among aged Zhejiang population, and should be used to prevent or reduce cognitive decline by improving the quality of the diet through a reasonable dietary mix.

The Current Status of Insufficient Sleep Duration and Its Influencing Factors Among Children and Adolescents: A Household Based Cross-Sectional Study in Zhejiang Province, China.

PURPOSE: Insufficient sleep duration is common among children and adolescents worldwide, and the decline of sleep duration during the recent years is troubling. This study aimed to learn the status of insufficient sleep duration and to explore its influencing factors among children and adolescents in Zhejiang Province, China. DESIGN AND METHODS: A stratified sampling technique was employed in the present cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics, sports time as well as sedentary behavior were investigated. RESULTS: A greater proportion of children than adolescents reported insufficient sleep duration (36.4% versus 19.2%, p = 0.001). For children, insufficient sleep duration was associated with age (OR = 1.290, 95%CI: 1.069-1.557), watching movies or TV shows with smartphones after school (OR = 3.098, 95%CI: 1.293-7.420), surf the internet after school (OR = 0.113, 95%CI: 0.013-0.969), walk to school (OR = 0.289, 95%CI: 0.105-0.793). For adolescents, insufficient sleep duration was associated with watch TV after school (OR = 0.379, 95%CI: 0.148-0.970), watching movies or TV shows with smartphones after school (OR = 4.744, 95%CI: 1.799-12.507), do homework after school (OR = 0.265, 95%CI: 0.086-0.813). CONCLUSIONS: An unhealthy sedentary screen lifestyle profile may have influence on insufficient sleep duration. Urgent actions are needed to improve sleep duration among children and adolescents.

[Relationship between physical activity and cognition function among people aged 55 and above in 4 provinces of China].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between different intensity of physical activity(PA) duration and cognitive function. METHODS: The 2018 Community-based Cohort Study on Nervous System Diseases used multi-stage stratified cluster randomization sampling method to select study participants. A total of 5571 participants aged 55 years and above from four provinces in China with complete information on demographic characteristics and PA and cognitive function were included in the final analysis. Basic information and PA data were collected by questionnaire. The Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA) score method was adopted to evaluate the cognitive function. Light physical activity(LPA) duration and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) duration were calculated. Multivariate Logistic regression and Multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the relationship between different intensity of PA duration and the risk of mild cognitive impairment(MCI) and MoCA total score. RESULTS: The median(P25, P75) of LPA and MVPA were 7. 0(0. 0, 16. 3) and 7. 3(0. 0, 14. 0) hours per week in the non-MCI group among 5571 participants aged 55 years and above in four provinces of China in 2018. In the MCI group, the median duration were 9. 3(0. 0, 17. 5) and 7. 0(0. 0, 11. 7) hours per week. The Logistic analysis showed that the OR of MCI was 0. 63(95%CI 0. 49-0. 82, P<0. 05) for the elderly with 3. 6-7. 0 hours of MVPA per week, compared to the elderly without MVPA. The OR of MCI was 1. 26(95%CI 0. 94-1. 67, P>0. 05) for the elderly with 3. 6-7. 0 hours of LPA per week compared to the elderly without LPA. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that compared to the elderly without MVPA, the total MoCA score increased with LPA duration increased as the duration was less than 10. 5 hours per week. The MoCA score decreased with LPA duration increased as duration was between 10. 5 and 21. 0 hours per week. CONCLUSION: MVPA duration increment was associated with decreased prevalence of MCI and increased cognitive function in the elderly in four provinces of China. LPA duration should be maintained at an appropriate level in order to reduce the incidence of MCI and increased cognitive function in the elderly.

Breast milk selenocystine as a biomarker for selenium intake in lactating women at differential geographical deficiency risk in China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A reliable biomarker for optimal selenium (Se) intake in lactating women is not currently available. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Daily dietary Se intake in lactating women was calculated from a 24-hour meal record survey for over 3 days. Se levels in plasma and breast milk were measured through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Plasma selenoprotein P 1 levels and glutathione peroxidase 3 activity were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze proteinaceous Se species in enzymatically digested breast milk. RESULTS: Dietary Se intakes of lactating women from Liangshan, Beijing, and Enshi were 41.6±21.2 ng/d, 51.1±22.6 ng/d, and 615±178 ng/d, respectively (p<0.05). The Se levels in the blood and breast milk were significantly associated with the dietary Se intake (p<0.05). The proteinaceous Se species in breast milk were SeMet and SeCys2. The levels of SeMet in the lactating women from Liangshan, Beijing, and Enshi were 3.31±2.44 ng Se/mL, 7.34±3.70 ng Se/mL, and 8.99±9.64 ng Se/mL, while that of SeCys2 were 13.7±12.0 ng Se/mL, 35.6±20.9 ng Se/mL, and 57.4±13.2 ng Se/mL, respectively. Notably, the concentration of SeCys2, the metabolite of unstable SeCys, reached a saturation platform, whereas no similar phenomenon were found for the total Se SeMet from Secontaining proteins. CONCLUSIONS: SeCys2 in breast milk is a potential biomarker for determining the optimal Se intake in lactating women.

[Comparative study on burden of diet-related chronic diseases in China between 1990 and 2016].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the disease burden of diet-related chronic diseases in China between 1990 and 2016. METHODS: Based on the Global Burden of Disease 2016, we extracted the absolute number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years( DALYs) of diet-related chronic diseases and the corresponding age-standardized rates in China in 1990 and 2016. Subgroup analyses were conducted in various gender, dietary risk factors and categories of diseases. RESULTS: In 2016, the total number and rate of diet-related NCDs deaths was 2493 thousand and 182. 4/100000. The corresponding number and rate of DALYs was 54995 thousand person-year and 4023. 0/100000. Compared with those in 1990, the rates of death and DALYs in 2016 increased by19. 5% and 9. 3%, respectively. Both death rate and DALYs rate increased with the age. Death rate( 214. 6/100000) and DALYs rate( 4961. 1/100000) in males were 1. 4-fold and 1. 6-fold as that in females( 148. 2/100000 and 3028. 2/100000, respectively). High intake in sodium, low intake in whole grains and low intake in fruits were the three leading dietary risk factors and cardiovascular diseases accounted for 88. 1% DALYs in all chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: The burden of diet-related chronic diseases in China is severe and it continues increasing over years.

Anti-Tumor Effects of Atractylenolide-I on Human Ovarian Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Atractylenolide-I (AT-I), a naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, on human ovarian cancer cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS The viability and anchorage-independent growth of ovarian cancer cells were evaluated using MTT and colony formation assay, respectively. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected with flow cytometry analysis. The level of cyclin B1 and CDK1 was measured using qPCR and ELISA analysis. The expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome c, AIF, and Bcl-2, and phosphorylation level of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR were determined with Western blot analysis. RESULTS AT-I decreased the cell viability and suppressed anchorage-independent growth of A2780 cells. Cell cycle was arrested in G2/M phase transition by AT-I treatment, which was related to decreased expression of cyclin B1 and CDK1 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the treatment induced apoptosis, as shown by up-regulation of Bax, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and cytosolic release of cytochrome c and AIF, and down-regulation of Bcl-2, in a dose-dependent manner. Then, the effects of AT-I on PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways were examined to further investigate the underlying anti-cancer mechanism of AT-I, and the results showed that treatment with AT-I significantly decreased the phosphorylation level of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that AT-I induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in ovarian cancer cells. These results suggest that AT-I might be a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

[UPLC-MS / MS for the pharmacokinetics of icariin in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an ultra-performance liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry( UPLC-MS / MS) method for the quantification of icariin( ICA), and investigate pharmacokinetics of ICA in rats following multiple oral administration. METHODS: ICA and an internal standard coumestrol( CMT) were extracted from rat plasma using ethyl acetate and separated on a BEH C18( 50 mm × 2. 1mm, 1. 7 µm) column using a gradient mobile phase of acetonitrile containing 0. 1%( V / V)formic acid and water containing 2 mmol / L ammonium formate at a flow rate of 0. 3m L / min. In negative electrospray ionization mode, multiple reaction monitoring of the precursor-product ion transitions of m / z 675. 6→351. 1 for ICA, 267. 0 →211. 1 for CMT was used for the quantification. Plasma was collected after rats were orally administered with ICA at multiple doses of 50 mg / kg. RESULTS: The linear calibration curve was achieved in a concentration range of 0. 5-50 ng / m L with a lower limit of quantification of0. 5 ng / m L. The value of intra- and inter-day precision was less than 11. 3% and accuracy fell in the ranges of 94. 3%-98. 7%. The recovery ranged from 81. 3% to85. 2% and the matrix effects from 94. 3% to 103. 2%. After oral administration of ICA to rats, t1 /2was( 1. 68 ± 0. 29) h, Cmaxwas( 29. 6 ± 5. 3) ng / m L, tmaxwas( 1. 00 ± 0. 00) h, AUC0- twas( 88. 4 ± 13. 9)( h·ng) / m L. CONCLUSION: The method is specific and accurate, suitable for preclinical pharmacokinetics of ICA.

[Determination of free selenomethionine in cow milk by UPLC-MS/MS].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of free selenomethionine (SeMet), and be applied to the quantification of free SeMet in cow milk. METHODS: The analyte was separated on a BEH C18 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 µm) at 40 degrees C with a mobile phase of water: acetonitrile: formic acid (95: 5: 0.1, V/V) , a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min, and an analysis time of 2. 5 min. At positive electrospray ionization mode, multiple reaction monitoring of the precursor-product ion transitions of m/z 198.0 --> 181.1 was used for the quantification. RESULTS: The linear calibration curve was obtained in a concentration range of 0.5 - 100 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 0.5 ng/mL. The value of intra- and inter-day accuracy for SeMet fell in the range of 97.6%-100.6% and 97.7%-99.2%, and value of intra- and inter-day precision 0.53%-4.49% and 1.03%-4.54%. CONCLUSION: The method is specific, sensitive, rapid, and accurate, suitable for the quantification of free SeMet in cow milk.

Temporal variability in urinary levels of drinking water disinfection byproducts dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid among men.

Urinary haloacetic acids (HAAs), such as dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA), have been suggested as potential biomarkers of exposure to drinking water disinfection byproducts (DBPs). However, variable exposure to and the short elimination half-lives of these biomarkers can result in considerable variability in urinary measurements, leading to exposure misclassification. Here we examined the variability of DCAA and TCAA levels in the urine among eleven men who provided urine samples on 8 days over 3 months. The urinary concentrations of DCAA and TCAA were measured by gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detection. We calculated the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) to characterize the within-person and between-person variances and computed the sensitivity and specificity to assess how well single or multiple urine collections accurately determined personal 3-month average DCAA and TCAA levels. The within-person variance was much higher than the between-person variance for all three sample types (spot, first morning, and 24-h urine samples) for DCAA (ICC=0.08-0.37) and TCAA (ICC=0.09-0.23), regardless of the sampling interval. A single-spot urinary sample predicted high (top 33%) 3-month average DCAA and TCAA levels with high specificity (0.79 and 0.78, respectively) but relatively low sensitivity (0.47 and 0.50, respectively). Collecting two or three urine samples from each participant improved the classification. The poor reproducibility of the measured urinary DCAA and TCAA concentrations indicate that a single measurement may not accurately reflect individual long-term exposure. Collection of multiple urine samples from one person is an option for reducing exposure classification errors in studies exploring the effects of DBP exposure on reproductive health.

Sedentary Activities and Food Intake among Children and Adolescents in the Zhejiang Province of China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior may affect the types of food consumed in children and adolescents' daily diets. Previous published studies are limited to local surveys. This study aimed to explore the relationship between sedentary behavior and food intake among children and adolescents. METHODS: A stratified sampling technique was employed in the present cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics, sedentary behavior, transportation modes, and food intake were investigated. RESULTS: We found that children and adolescents who watched movies or TV programs online or on their smartphones on weekends and who chatted online on weekends, including on QQ (an instant messaging software service) and WeChat (an instant messaging software service), increased their intake of instant noodles and fried pasta (Spearman's rho = 0.468, 0.575, 0.465, and 0.323; p < 0.05). Children and adolescents who chatted online on weekends, including on QQ and WeChat, increased their intake of tofu skin (Spearman's rho = 0.461; p < 0.05), and those who browsed online on weekdays increased their intake of whole-fat liquid milk (Spearman's rho = 0.455; p < 0.05). Children and adolescents who browsed and chatted online on weekends, including on QQ and WeChat, and who played computer or smartphone games, increased their intake of fried potato chips (French fries or other fried snacks) (Spearman's rho = 0.568, 0.270, and 0.412; p < 0.05). With respect to modes of transportation used to travel to and from school, children and adolescents who took buses and subways increased their intake of rice, instant noodles, sweet potatoes, soybean milk, tofu skin, processed meat products (sausage, ham sausage, or lunch meat), fish, shrimp, vegetables, nuts, and sweet cookies (buns, cakes, Dim sum, and moon cakes) (Spearman's rho = 0.394, 0.536, 0.630, 0.408, 0.485, 0.441,0.410, 0.424, 0.444, 0.541, and 0.366; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary behavior affects the types of food consumed in children and adolescents' daily diets. Children and adolescents who browsed online on weekdays increased their intake of whole-fat liquid milk, but also increased their intake of foods with high fat, high salt, and low nutrient density. Children and adolescents taking buses and subways increased their intake of low-nutrition quality products. Public awareness efforts should focus on reducing the consumption of low-nutrition quality products and nutritional education.

Food and Nutrient Intake in Children and Adolescents with or without Overweight/Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the food and nutrient characteristics of children and adolescents with or without overweight/obesity and to provide scientific basis for the development of prevention strategies on overweight/obesity. METHODS: This study included children and adolescents aged 6-17 years who participated in provincial nutrition surveillance which included 90 counties (cities and districts) in Zhejiang Province with a provincial representative. Food consumption was assessed using three consecutive days of 24 h dietary recall, and nutrient intake was calculated using dietary recall in conjunction with the China Food Composition Table. Overweight/obesity was also investigated. Associations were evaluated using ordinal regression models. RESULTS: The analysis included a total of 1827 children and adolescents. The overweight prevalence was 14.0% and the obesity prevalence was 10.1%. Children and adolescents with overweight/obesity were observed to have a higher intake of carbohydrates, iron, sodium, potassium, and magnesium (F = 3.464, 5.232, 5.619, 3.469, 3.934, p < 0.05), as well as having a higher intake of the food group of cereals, tubers and beans, snacks, and salt (F = 7.348, 6.797, 3.413, p < 0.05) compared to children and adolescents without overweight/obesity. After adjusting for potential confounders via ordinal regression models, children and adolescents with overweight/obesity were observed to have a higher intake of carbohydrates (Wald χ2 = 4.325, p < 0.05). There were significant differences concerning the daily energy provided by snacks, the daily carbohydrate intake provided by snacks, the daily sodium intake provided by snacks, and the proportion of snacks to the food group of cereals, tubers, and beans (F = 8.305 6.316, 13.955, 3.692, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents with overweight/obesity have presented a high consumption of carbohydrates, which is associated with the food group of cereals, tubers, and beans. Snacks are the main factor leading to the high intake of the food group of cereals, tubers, and beans among children and adolescents with overweight/obesity.

Two-dimensional HfS2-ZrS2 lateral heterojunction FETs with high rectification and photocurrent.

Multifunctional devices are an indispensable choice to fulfil the increasing demand for miniaturized and integrated circuit systems. However, bulk material-based devices encounter the challenge of miniaturized all-in-one systems with multiple functions. In this study, we designed a field effect transistor (FET) based on a monolayer HfS2-ZrS2 lateral heterojunction. It possesses simultaneous and obvious rectifying behavior and photodetection characteristics in the visible light region, such as the rectification ratio of ∼1012, photocurrent density of 13.3 nA m-1, responsivity of 57 mA W-1, and extinction ratio of 108. Notably, the rectification ratio of the single-gate FET is larger than that of the dual-gate FET under the negative gate voltage. These results indicate that monolayer lateral heterojunction-based FETs can provide an effective route to integrate rectifying and photodetection functions in single optoelectronic nanodevices.

Controllable Regulation of Ag2 S Quantum-Dot-Mediated Protein Nanoassemblies for Imaging-Guided Synergistic PDT/PTT/Chemotherapy against Hypoxic Tumor.

The combination of phototherapy and chemotherapy holds great potential for cancer treatment, while hypoxia in tumor as well as unexpected drug release largely restricts anticancer therapy. Inspired by the natural intelligence, herein, for the first time, a "bottom-up" protein self-assembly strategy mediated by near-infrared (NIR) quantum dots (QDs) with multicharged electrostatic interactions is presented to develop a tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive theranostic nanoplatform for imaging-guided synergistic photodynamic therapy (PDT)/photothermal therapy (PTT)/chemotherapy. Catalase (CAT) possesses diverse surface charge distribution under different pH conditions. After modification by chlorin e6 (Ce6), the formulated CAT-Ce6 with patchy negative charges can be assembled with NIR Ag2 S QDs by regulating their electrostatic interactions, allowing for effective incorporation of specific anticancer drug oxaliplatin (Oxa). Such Ag2 S@CAT-Ce6@Oxa nanosystems are able to visualize nanoparticle (NP) accumulation to guide subsequent phototherapy, together with significant alleviation of tumor hypoxia to further enhance PDT. Moreover, the acidic TME triggers controllable disassembly through weakening the CAT surface charge to disrupt electrostatic interactions, allowing for sustained drug release. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate remarkable inhibition of colorectal tumor growth with a synergistic effect. Overall, this multicharged electrostatic protein self-assembly strategy provides a versatile platform for realizing TME-specific theranostics with high efficiency and safety, promising for clinical translation.

Healthy lifestyles in relation to cardiometabolic diseases among schoolteachers: A cross-sectional study.

Background: We aimed to explore the associations of adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle with cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) among schoolteachers in China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 2983 teachers (aged 39.8 ± 9.3 years, 73.8% women) in Zhejiang Province, China. A healthy lifestyle score (0-7) was constructed based on seven low-risk factors: healthy diet, noncurrent smoking, noncurrent drinking, regular exercise, normal body mass index (BMI), adequate sleep duration, and limited sedentary behavior. CMDs included self-reported hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between healthy lifestyle and CMD. Results: A total of 493 (16.5%) participants had at least one CMD, with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes being the three leading CMDs. Each point increment in a healthy lifestyle score was associated with 20% lower odds of having CMD (p-trend < 0.001). Compared with 0-3 low-risk factors, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 0.66 (0.50-0.88) for 4 low-risk factors and 0.51 (0.39-0.67) for 5-7 low-risk factors. We observed independent associations for normal BMI (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.40-0.63), noncurrent drinking (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.36-0.77), and limited sedentary behavior (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.62-0.96) in relation to CMD. Healthy diet (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.55-1.01) exhibited marginally significant association with CMD. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle is associated with lower odds of CMD among schoolteachers.

Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) Diet and Cognitive Function and its Decline: A Prospective Study and Meta-analysis of Cohort Studies.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the association of the Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet with cognitive aging is limited and inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: We examined how the MIND diet is related to cognitive function and its decline among middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: We included 4066 participants with baseline dietary assessment and ≥1 cognitive test from the China Health and Nutrition Survey in 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2006, with a median follow-up of 3 y. The modified MIND diet score (range: 0-12) was calculated based on 9 healthy and 3 unhealthy food groups. Linear mixed-effect models were used to examine the association of adherence to the MIND diet with z-scores of cognitive function and cognitive decline. We also conducted a meta-analysis including our findings and 7 other cohort studies. RESULTS: At baseline, the median MIND diet scores across increasing tertile were 3.0, 4.0, and 5.5, respectively. Participants with higher MIND diet scores had better global cognitive function. The adjusted difference in global cognitive function z-score for every 3-point increment of MIND diet scores was 0.110 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.060, 0.159, P-trend < 0.001], which was approximately equivalent to being 1 y younger in age. Consumption of nuts, fish, red meats, and tea showed independent positive associations with cognitive function, while fried food consumption exhibited inverse associations. In the meta-analysis of 26,103 participants, one standardized deviation increment of the MIND score was associated with 0.042 (95% CI: 0.020, 0.065) units higher in global cognitive function z-score and 0.010 (95% CI: -0.001, 0.021) units slower in annual cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that higher adherence to the MIND diet was associated with better cognitive function and potentially slower cognitive decline in later life. Further large-scale observational and interventional studies are warranted to elucidate the cognitive effects of the MIND diet. This meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42022330417.

Prostate Cancer Incidence and Mortality: Global Status and Temporal Trends in 89 Countries From 2000 to 2019.

AIMS: To evaluate current status of prostate cancer incidence and mortality worldwide, and compare the global trends of incidence and mortality in the past two decades and in the most recent period. METHODS: Data on the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer for 174 countries in 2020 were obtained from the GLOBOCAN 2020 database, and associations with the human development index (HDI) were evaluated. Data for trend analyses in 89 countries from 2000 to 2019 were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 platform. Age standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and mortality rate (ASMR) were calculated by using the Segi's population. The average annual percent changes (AAPC) of ASIRs and ASMRs were evaluated by joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1 414 259 new cases of prostate cancer and 375 304 related deaths were reported in 2020 globally. HDI was positively correlated with ASIRs (P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with ASMRs (P < 0.001). In the past two decades, ASIRs have been increasing in 65 countries, stable in 15 countries and decreasing in 9 countries, and ASMRs have been increasing in 19 countries, stable in 25 countries and decreasing in 45 countries, respectively. In the most recent period, 44 countries have increasing ASIRs, and 32 countries have decreasing ASMRs, respectively. For instance, in the United States of America, the AAPC of ASIRs significantly decreased by 0.62% and ASMRs significantly decreased by 1.22% from 2000 to 2019, while the AAPC from 2015 to 2019 significantly increased by 0.49% for ASIRs and significantly increased by 0.48% for ASMRs. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of increasing incidence and decreasing mortality of prostate cancer is attenuated in the recent period. Further study is needed to analyze the absolute effect of risk factors, PSA screening and treatment.

Assessment of serum Vit A, D and zinc nutritional status and related dietary and exercise behaviors of children and adolescents in rural and urban area.

Vitamin A and vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents has a negative impact on their growth and development. This study aimed to learn the nutritional status of vitamin A and D among rural children and adolescents and to explore related dietary and exercise behaviors. A total of 10 counties (cities, districts) from 90 counties (cities, districts) in Zhejiang Province were selected by the method of random cluster sampling. Children and adolescents were investigated and their food and nutrient intake were calculated. The concentration of serum vitamin A in urban area was 0.38 ng/ml, which was higher than that in rural area (p < 0.05); while the concentration of serum vitamin D in urban area was 21.25 mg/L, which was lower than that in rural area (p < 0.05). The concentration of serum zinc was 101 µg/dl in urban area and 107 µg/dl in rural area (p < 0.05). The intake of dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin C was lower than the recommended value. In rural area, the intakes of cereals, tubers and beans, livestock, poultry and meat of children and adolescents were higher than the recommended values; while the intake of vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk, fish and shrimp, soybean and nuts was lower than the recommended value. The intake of edible oil and salt is higher than the recommended value. The time of medium and high intensity exercise time in rural area is more than that in urban area in the age group of 12-17 years, while the sitting time is less than that in urban area. Children and adolescents living in rural area should be guided to eat reasonably, and to choose foods with high nutrient density and with low oil, salt and sugar.