Association Between Decreased Serum Vitamin D Level and Dyslipidemia: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Taiwan.

Purpose: Previous studies revealed an inconclusive association between dyslipidemia and decreased vitamin D levels. This study aims to investigate the association between dyslipidemia parameters and decreased serum vitamin D levels among the southern Taiwanese population during a health examination. Patients and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2020, enrolling 2430 subjects in a southern Taiwanese medical center. We performed logistic regression to examine the association between lipid profiles and vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency was higher in males (65.9%). Compared to individuals with total cholesterol (TC) < 200 mg/dL, those with TC ≥ 200 mg/dL exhibited vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (OR, 1.46; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.10-1.94) after adjustment for age, gender, waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose, and uric acid levels. Compared to triglyceride (TG) levels of <150 mg/dL, TG levels ≥ 150 mg/dL had a higher association with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.17-1.86) after adjustment for the same covariates. Post-gender stratification, we found female individuals with TC ≥ 200 mg/dL had a significantly higher association with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.36-3.27), whereas TG ≥ 150 mg/dL in males exhibited a significantly higher association with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.29-2.24) after adjustment for the same covariates. Conclusion: The study revealed a negative association between decreased serum vitamin D levels and TC and TG levels. However, no significant association was observed with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism.

Cation/Anion Doping Strategy for Na4MnV(PO4)3 with High Energy Density and Long Cycling Life through Construction by Aspergillus niger.

Na4MnV(PO4)3 (NMVP) has gained attention for its high redox potential, good cycling stability, and competitive price but suffers from poor intrinsic electronic conductivity and Jahn-Teller effect from Mn3+. In this work, cation/anion doping strategy was used for Aspergillus niger-bioderived carbon-coated NMVP (NMVP/AN) to improve the structural stability and electrochemical performance, where Al3+ doping inhibited the dissolution of Mn and enhanced the Mn3+/Mn2+ redox pair activity; besides, F- doping not only weakens the Na2-O bond but also endows the hierarchical and porous structure of NMVP/AN, which led to a more rapid and fluid transfer of Na+. The elaborately designed Na3.9Mn0.9Al0.1V(PO4)3/AN (NMAVP/AN) exhibits 105.9 mA h g-1 at 0.5 C, and the as-prepared Na3.1MnV(PO3.7F0.3)3/AN (NMVPF/AN) delivers 104.1 mA h g-1 at 5 C. Further demonstration of the hard carbon//NMAVP/AN full cell manifests the good potential of Al3+-doped NMVP/AN for practical applications (100.6 mA h g-1 at 1 C). These findings open up the possibility of unlocking the high-performance Na superionic conductor (NASICON).

A novel antidepressant homogeneous polysaccharide YLP-1 from Millettia pulchra ameliorates tryptophan metabolism and SCFAs through modulating gut microbiota.

The root of Millettia pulchra (YLS) has been traditionally used as a folk medicine for the treatment of depression and insomnia in the Zhuang nationality of China, and its polysaccharides have potential antidepressant effect. In this study, a novel homogeneous polysaccharide (YLP-1) was purified from the crude polysaccharides of YLS, and it is mainly composed of glucose, arabinose and mannose with molar ratio of 87.25%, 10.77%, and 1.98%, respectively. YLP-1 is a novel α-glucan with the backbone of 1,4-Glcp and branched at C6 of 1,4,6-Glcp to combine 1,4-Manp and 1,5-Araf. The microstructure of YLP-1 displayed a uniform ellipsoidal-like chain morphology and dispersed uniformly in solution. YLP-1 effectively ameliorated depression-like ethological behaviors and restored the decreased catecholamine levels in chronic variable stress (CVS)-induced depression rats. Additionally, it significantly improved the disturbance of gut microbiota induced by CVS stimuli, particularly affecting bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as bacteria species Lactobacillus spp.. In vitro fermentation study further confirmed that YLP-1 intake could promote SCFAs production by Lactobacillus spp. YLP-1 also mitigated the disruption of tryptophan metabolites in urine and serum. These findings provide evidences for the further development of YLP-1 as a macromolecular antidepressant drug.

Operando Monitoring of the Polymerization Process of Lignin Monomer and Oligomer Surrogates with Microstructured Fiber Grating Sensor.

The enzymatic depolymerization is a promising route to valorize the lignin polymers by turning the cross-linked polymers into monomers or oligomers. However, the lignin polymers cannot be effectively converted into small chemicals, as the oligomers are prone to polymerization, which is particularly challenging to monitor and thus regulate. Here, we develop a microstructured fiber Bragg grating (mFBG) sensor to probe the dynamic polymerization process of typical lignin oligomer surrogates─guaiacol (monomer) and guaiacylglycerol-ß-guaiacyl ether (GBG, dimer)─catalyzed by laccase in an operando way. The mFBG sensor was developed with its reliability well validated by control experiments at first. Further, operando monitoring of the polymerization reaction process of the typical lignin monomer (i.e., guaiacol) and dimer (guaiacylglycerol-ß-guaiacyl ether, GBG) was demonstrated under various conditions with the mFBG sensor. The GC-MS and UV-vis absorption measurements were carried out as a further check. Finally, the specific polymerization characteristics and reaction mechanism were studied. The mFBG sensor enables operando monitoring of the heterogeneous polymerization process of lignin monomers and oligomers and can potentially be tailored to probe more complex lignin depolymerization processes and unveil enzymatic synergistic mechanisms for the biological transition of biomass.

Perturbing TET2 condensation promotes aberrant genome-wide DNA methylation and curtails leukaemia cell growth.

The ten-eleven translocation (TET) family of dioxygenases maintain stable local DNA demethylation during cell division and lineage specification. As the major catalytic product of TET enzymes, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine is selectively enriched at specific genomic regions, such as enhancers, in a tissue-dependent manner. However, the mechanisms underlying this selectivity remain unresolved. Here we unveil a low-complexity insert domain within TET2 that facilitates its biomolecular condensation with epigenetic modulators, such as UTX and MLL4. This co-condensation fosters a permissive chromatin environment for precise DNA demethylation. Disrupting low-complexity insert-mediated condensation alters the genomic binding of TET2 to cause promiscuous DNA demethylation and genome reorganization. These changes influence the expression of key genes implicated in leukaemogenesis to curtail leukaemia cell proliferation. Collectively, this study establishes the pivotal role of TET2 condensation in orchestrating precise DNA demethylation and gene transcription to support tumour cell growth.

Association between mode of delivery and early neurodevelopment: A prospective birth cohort study.

Previous research has assessed the effects of caesarean delivery (CD) on child neurodevelopment; however, whether the effects stem from the surgical procedure itself or its related medical conditions has not been conclusively determined. This study aimed to evaluate the associations among delivery mode, CD-related medical conditions and early childhood neurodevelopment. A total of 3829 maternal-infant pairs from a longitudinal birth cohort in Wuhan City, China, were included in the primary analysis. The neurodevelopment of the children was assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID), the Conners Comprehensive Behaviour Rating Scale and the Chinese version of the Autism Behavior Checklist. Data on delivery mode and medical conditions were collected via medical records from the study hospital. Among the 3829 children for whom the BSID test was completed at two years of age, 50%, 27%, and 23% were delivered vaginally, by necessary CD, and by elective CD, respectively. Compared with vaginally delivered children, Necessary CD was associated with a 16.67% decrease in Mental Development Index (MDI) scores and a 13.37% decrease in Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) scores, while elective CD showed a 20.63% and 20.99% decrease after FDR correction, respectively. Similarly, among the 2448 children for whom the CBRS was completed, necessary CD was found to be associated with conduct disorders (adjusted ß: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.09), hyperactivity (adjusted ß: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.11), and hyperactivity index (adjusted ß: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.11), while elective CD was significantly associated with hyperactivity problem scores (adjusted ß: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.13). However, no significant association was found between CD and symptoms of autism in children, as assessed by the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that the adverse impact of CD on child neurodevelopment stems from the procedure itself rather than CD-related medical conditions. It is important to minimize the use of CD when there is no medical necessity. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Caesarean delivery (CD) may influence child neurodevelopment and other long-term outcomes. • In China, approximately one-quarter of CD are performed due to maternal request without medical indications. WHAT IS NEW: • The negative impact of CD on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children may be primarily attributed to the procedure itself, as opposed to related medical conditions. • In the absence of medical indications, unnecessary CD may have adverse impacts on children's neurodevelopment.

The clinical outcome of minor changes in serum creatinine for patients after curative gastrectomy: a prospective study.

Introduction: Patients with renal insufficiency are more prone to postoperative complications (PCs). Studies have shown that minor changes in serum creatinine (SCr), immediately post-surgery, can aid in assessing patients' renal function. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the changes in SCr and PCs in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Materials and methods: We prospectively collected data regarding the SCr of 530 GC patients, within 2 weeks before surgery and within 24 hours after surgery in our hospital (2014-2016). The patients were divided into three groups according to the level of SCr change after surgery: reduced (<10%), normal (10%), and elevated (>10%) creatinine groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were performed to evaluate its correlation with short-term PCs in the patients. The R language was used to construct a nomogram. Results: 83, 217, and 230 patients were assigned to the elevated, reduced, and normal SCr groups, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the reduced and elevated SCr groups were independently associated with the occurrence of PCs and severe postoperative complications (SPCs), respectively. Additionally, postsurgical SCr change, age, hypoalbuminemia, total gastrectomy, combined resection, and laparoscopy, were independently related to PCs. Combining the above influential factors, the predictive model can distinguish patients with PCs more reliably (c-index is 0.715). Conclusion: Post-surgery, reduced SCr is a protective factor for PCs, while elevated serum creatinine is an independent risk factor for SPCs. Our nomogram can identify GC patients with high risks of PCs.

Synergistic treatment of digested wastewater with high ammonia nitrogen concentration using straw and microalgae.

Microalgae as a promising approach for wastewater treatment, has challenges in directly treating digested piggery wastewater (DPW) with high ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) concentration. To improve the performance of microalgae in DPW treatment, straw was employed as a substrate to form a straw-microalgae biofilm. The results demonstrated that the straw-microalgae biofilm achieved the highest NH4+-N removal rate of 193.2 mg L-1 d-1, which was 28.8 % higher than that of culture system without straw. The final NH4+-N concentration in the effluent met the discharge standard of 5 mg L-1. Furthermore, the total organic carbon (TOC) released from straw facilitated bacterial proliferation and the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The EPS and TOC increased the suspension viscosity and surface tension, thereby enhancing the residence time of CO2 in the liquid phase and promoting CO2 fixation. This study presented a novel method for the biological treatment of high-ammonia-nitrogen DPW.

Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and ASD-Related Symptoms in Early Childhood: Mediation Role of Steroids.

Previous studies regarding the associations between perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have yielded inconsistent results, with the underlying mechanisms remaining unknown. In this study, we quantified 13 PFAS in cord serum samples from 396 neonates and followed the children at age 4 to assess ASD-related symptoms. Our findings revealed associations between certain PFAS and ASD-related symptoms, with a doubling of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) concentrations associated with respective increases of 1.79, 1.62, and 1.45 units in language-related symptoms and PFDA exhibiting an association with higher score of sensory stimuli. Nonlinear associations were observed in the associations of 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (Cl-PFAES) and 8:2 Cl-PFAES with ASD-related symptoms. Employing weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, we observed significant mixture effects of multiple PFAS on all domains of ASD-related symptoms, with PFNA emerging as the most substantial contributor. Assuming causality, we found that 39-40% of the estimated effect of long-chain PFAS (PFUnDA and PFDoDA) exposure on sensory stimuli was mediated by androstenedione. This study provides novel epidemiological data about prenatal PFAS mixture exposure and ASD-related symptoms.

All-cause and cause-specific mortality risk among men and women with hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects men and women differently, yet few studies have investigated sex differences in long-term mortality risk among the HCV-infected population. We conducted a population-based study to elucidate all-cause and cause-specific mortality among men and women with HCV infection. METHODS: The study population consisted of adult participants from the 1999-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, including 945 HCV-infected and 44,637 non-HCV-infected individuals. HCV infection was defined as either HCV seropositivity or detectable HCV RNA. Participants were followed until the date of death or December 31, 2019, to determine survival status. RESULTS: The HCV-infected population, both male and female, tended to be older, more likely to be Black, single, have lower income, lower BMI, higher prevalence of hypertension, and were more likely to be current smokers. During a median follow-up of 125.0 months, a total of 5,309 participants died, including 1,253 deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 1,319 deaths from cancer. The crude analysis showed that the risk of death from all causes and from cancer, but not from CVD, was higher in the HCV-infected population. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that both HCV-infected men (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.10-1.81) and women (HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.36-3.02) were equally at increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to their non-HCV infected counterparts (p for interaction > 0.05). The risk of cancer-related mortality was significantly increased in HCV-infected women (HR 2.14, 95% CI 1.01-4.53), but not in men, compared to non-HCV-infected counterparts. Among HCV-infected population, there was no difference in the risks of all-cause, CVD-related, or cancer-related death between men and women. CONCLUSION: Both men and women with HCV infection had an increased risk of death from all causes compared to their non-HCV infected counterparts, but we did not observe a significant sex difference.

Maternal high-fat diet alters Tet-mediated epigenetic regulation during heart development.

Imbalanced dietary intake, such as a high-fat diet (HFD) during pregnancy, has been associated with adverse offspring outcomes. Metabolic stress from imbalanced food intake alters the function of epigenetic regulators, resulting in abnormal transcriptional outputs in embryos to cause congenital disorders. We report herein that maternal HFD exposure causes metabolic changes in pregnant mice and non-compaction cardiomyopathy (NCC) in E15.5 embryos, accompanied by decreased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels and altered chromatin accessibility in embryonic heart tissues. Remarkably, maternal vitamin C supplementation mitigates these detrimental effects, likely by restoring iron, a cofactor for Tet enzymes, in a reduced state. Using a genetic approach, we further demonstrated that the cardioprotective benefits of vitamin C under HFD conditions are attributable to enhanced Tet activity. Our results highlight an interaction between maternal diet, specifically HFD or vitamin C, and epigenetic modifications during early heart development, emphasizing the importance of balanced maternal nutrition for healthy embryonic development.

Potential use of Six Sigma metrics in the quality control review of hospital glucose meters.

Background and aim: This study applied Six Sigma metrics to facilitate the quality control (QC) review for hospital glucose meters. Materials and methods: QC data from a period of six months on all hospital glucose meters were extracted from the data management system. Sigma values for each meter at two QC levels were calculated and evaluated each month by combining the imprecision, the absolute bias between the meter mean and all-meter mean, and the standards from ISO 15179:2013. The effectiveness of using Sigma values in identifying meters with possible quality problems for further Levey-Jennings QC chart review was assessed. Results: More than 80 % of the meter's Sigma values within the six months were greater than 4 at either QC level. At the high QC level, twice as many Sigma values were below 4 than the low QC level. Including Sigma values 4, 3.5 or 3 in the criteria for the QC review reduced the number of chart review to 32.8 %, 11.2 % or 3.5 %, respectively. Conclusions: The majority of the glucose meters examined in this study demonstrated optimal Sigma values. The Sigma metrics-based approach could be a valuable tool to guide an effective QC review of glucose meters for quality improvement.

NJGCG: A node-based joint Gaussian copula graphical model for gene networks inference across multiple states.

Inferring the interactions between genes is essential for understanding the mechanisms underlying biological processes. Gene networks will change along with the change of environment and state. The accumulation of gene expression data from multiple states makes it possible to estimate the gene networks in various states based on computational methods. However, most existing gene network inference methods focus on estimating a gene network from a single state, ignoring the similarities between networks in different but related states. Moreover, in addition to individual edges, similarities and differences between different networks may also be driven by hub genes. But existing network inference methods rarely consider hub genes, which affects the accuracy of network estimation. In this paper, we propose a novel node-based joint Gaussian copula graphical (NJGCG) model to infer multiple gene networks from gene expression data containing heterogeneous samples jointly. Our model can handle various gene expression data with missing values. Furthermore, a tree-structured group lasso penalty is designed to identify the common and specific hub genes in different gene networks. Simulation studies show that our proposed method outperforms other compared methods in all cases. We also apply NJGCG to infer the gene networks for different stages of differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells and different subtypes of breast cancer, and explore changes in gene networks across different stages of differentiation or different subtypes of breast cancer. The common and specific hub genes in the estimated gene networks are closely related to stem cell differentiation processes and heterogeneity within breast cancers.

Sources and transport of organic matter in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River system of Bengal Basin, Bangladesh.

This study aimed to understand the sources and transport mechanism of organic matter (OM) in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river system in Bangladesh. We conducted analyses of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), their stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N), and sediment grain size. The results reveal a heterogeneous mixture of OM derived from terrestrial plants, aquatic environments, and anthropogenic sources. The Brahmaputra River exhibited higher concentrations of TOC and TN, with δ13C and δ15N values indicating that the OM is primarily sourced from C3 plants. Conversely, the Ganges River demonstrated lower TOC levels and higher isotopic values, reflecting significant anthropogenic inputs. The Lower Meghna showed a mixture of terrestrial and marine sources. Variations in the TOC/TN ratios across the river system underscore the complex interplay between natural and anthropogenic factors. Additionally, sediment grain size plays a crucial role, with finer sediments in the Brahmaputra River associated with increased OM concentrations, while coarser sediments in the Ganges River correlate with lower TOC and TN levels.

The role of cricoarytenoid joint ankylosis in bilateral vocal cord immobility.

OBJECTIVES: To stratify the severity of cricoarytenoid joint fixation (CAJF) by surgery and understand the role of it played in the bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI). The second objective emphasizes on the significance of the preoperative differential diagnosis from neurogenic immobility with medical history and endoscopic findings. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 74 patients between 2005 and 2022. Careful medical history inquiry, and videolaryngoscopy are conducted to recruit the appropriate surgical candidates. All patients underwent arytenoid remobilization (AR) followed by vocal fold medialization with arytenoid adduction (AA) or lateralization with suture lateralization (SL). The severity of CAJF is graded during the operation or inferred based on the period from operation to recurrence. RESULT: A total of 18 patients, aged between 18 and 76 years, were analyzed. Among them, 14 cases were classified as the adducted type with ventilation problems, with three presenting with dyspnea, and 11 requiring artificial airways. Additionally, four patients presented with the abducted type, characterized by aphonia. Meanwhile, two additional cases were considered for comparison but were not included in this cohort of 18 subjects due to incorrect diagnosis and inappropriate management. Using AR procedure, the AA procedure offered three aphonia subjects a voiced sound without airway impairment and the SL procedure decannulated 100% (11/11) of the artificial airways and improved the airway patency in 100% (3/3) of the non-tracheostomized subjects despite the severity of CAJF. The severity of joint ankylosis was distributed as follows: In the aphonia group, there were three subjects with grade I, one subject with grade II, and 0 subjects with grade III. In the ventilation group, there was one subject with grade I, seven subjects with grade II, and six subjects with grade III. In contrast, the two cases used for comparison experienced recurrent dyspnea and failed decannulation because the AR procedure was not performed. The follow-up period was averaged in 58 and 14 months at least. CONCLUSION: From this experience, it is the accurate preoperative diagnosis instead of the severity of CAJF that determines the successful rate in airway patency and voiced phonation if the AR procedure is utilized. Careful medical history inquiry and videolaryngoscopic examination can correctly differentiate the mechanical from neurogenic origin without the help of EMG. Evidence of level: 4.

Elementomics of 32 elements in cord serum depicts the risk of orofacial clefts: A case-control study in Shanxi, China.

Maternal exposure to various metallic and non-metallic elements has been linked to the occurrence of orofacial clefts (OFCs), yet there remains a dearth of comprehensive research on the potential ramifications of simultaneous exposure to multiple elements. In this study, we investigated the individual and combined effects of element exposure on OFCs in a cohort of 168 pregnant women (49 cases and 119 controls) in the Shanxi province of northern China from 2010 to 2015. Cord serum samples were obtained from all participants to analyze the levels of 32 elements using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The study examined the independent correlation between element concentrations and OFCs using two machine screening models, Boruta and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was utilized to determine the combined effects of key exposure elements on OFCs and to clarify the interaction between exposed elements through the generalized additive model (GAM). The screening models identified lead (Pb), tin (Sn), iron (Fe), and cesium (Cs) as the most significant risk factors for OFC development in offspring. In the BKMR model, the probability of OFCs increased with higher overall levels of these risk elements, with Pb emerging as the primary contributor to the combined effect of the mixture. The findings of the GAM indicated that the combined exposure to Pb and Sn had a synergistic effect on the risk of developing OFCs. Analysis of elemental exposure in umbilical cord serum suggested that Pb exposure may have detrimental effects on OFC development in offspring, which may be further intensified by a synergistic interaction between Sn and Pb in the occurrence of OFCs.

Mass transfer in heterogeneous biofilms: Key issues in biofilm reactors and AI-driven performance prediction.

Biofilm reactors, known for utilizing biofilm formation for cell immobilization, offer enhanced biomass concentration and operational stability over traditional planktonic systems. However, the dense nature of biofilms poses challenges for substrate accessibility to cells and the efficient release of products, making mass transfer efficiency a critical issue in these systems. Recent advancements have unveiled the intricate, heterogeneous architecture of biofilms, contradicting the earlier view of them as uniform, porous structures with consistent mass transfer properties. In this review, we explore six biofilm reactor configurations and their potential combinations, emphasizing how the spatial arrangement of biofilms within reactors influences mass transfer efficiency and overall reactor performance. Furthermore, we discuss how to apply artificial intelligence in processing biofilm measurement data and predicting reactor performance. This review highlights the role of biofilm reactors in environmental and energy sectors, paving the way for future innovations in biofilm-based technologies and their broader applications.

Lipid profiling identifies modifiable signatures of cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents with obesity.

Pediatric obesity is a progressive, chronic disease that can lead to serious cardiometabolic complications. Here we investigated the peripheral lipidome in 958 children and adolescents with overweight or obesity and 373 with normal weight, in a cross-sectional study. We also implemented a family-based, personalized program to assess the effects of obesity management on 186 children and adolescents in a clinical setting. Using mass spectrometry-based lipidomics, we report an increase in ceramides, alongside a decrease in lysophospholipids and omega-3 fatty acids with obesity metabolism. Ceramides, phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylinositols were associated with insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk, whereas sphingomyelins showed inverse associations. Additionally, a panel of three lipids predicted hepatic steatosis as effectively as liver enzymes. Lipids partially mediated the association between obesity and cardiometabolic traits. The nonpharmacological management reduced levels of ceramides, phospholipids and triglycerides, indicating that lowering the degree of obesity could partially restore a healthy lipid profile in children and adolescents.

Knocking Out of UDP-Glycosyltransferase Gene UGT2B10 via CRISPR/Cas9 in Helicoverpa armigera Reveals Its Function in Detoxification of Insecticides.

The role of insect UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) in the detoxification of insecticides has rarely been reported. A UGT gene UGT2B10 was previously found overexpressed in a fenvalerate-resistant strain of Helicoverpa armigera. Herein, UGT2B10 was cloned, and its involvement in insecticide detoxification was investigated. UGT2B10 was highly expressed in the larvae, mainly in the fat body and midgut. Treatment with UGT inhibitors 5-nitrouracil and sulfinpyrazone significantly enhanced the fenvalerate toxicity. Knocking down UGT2B10 by RNAi significantly increased the larvae mortality by 17.89%. UGT2B10 was further knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9, and a homozygous strain (HD-dUGT2B10) with a C-base deletion at exon 2 was obtained. The sensitivity of HD-dUGT2B10 to fenvalerate, deltamethrin, cyantraniliprole, acetamiprid, and lufenuron increased significantly, with sensitivity index increased 2.523-, 2.544-, 2.250-, 2.473-, and 3.556-fold, respectively. These results suggested that UGT2B10 was involved in the detoxification of H. armigera to insecticides mentioned above, shedding light upon further understanding of the detoxification mechanisms of insecticides by insect UGTs.

Utilising accessible and reproducible neurological assessments in clinical studies: Insights from use of the Neurological Impairment Scale in the multi-centre COVID-CNS study.

Reproducible and standardised neurological assessment scales are important in quantifying research outcomes. These scales are often performed by non-neurologists and/or non-clinicians and must be robust, quantifiable, reproducible and comparable to a neurologist's assessment. COVID-CNS is a multi-centre study which utilised the Neurological Impairment Scale (NIS) as a core assessment tool in studying neurological outcomes following COVID-19 infection. We investigated the strengths and weaknesses of the NIS when used by non-neurology clinicians and non-clinicians, and compared performance to a structured neurological examination performed by a neurology clinician. Through our findings, we provide practical advice on how non-clinicians can be readily trained in conducting reproducible and standardised neurological assessments in a multi-centre study, as well as illustrating potential pitfalls of these tools.