Association between dietary riboflavin intake and cognitive decline in older adults: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Research exploring the link between dietary riboflavin intake and cognitive decline in this demographic is limited. Our aim was to examine the association between riboflavin intake levels and cognitive decline. METHODS: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2011 to 2014 were utilized in this cross-sectional analysis. The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease test Word Learning delayed recall trial (DR), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Animal Fluency Test(AFT) and Z test were used to evaluate cognitive performance. Multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic spline and subgroup analysis were performed to evaluate the associations between riboflavin intake and cognitive decline. RESULTS: The study included a total of 2255 patients, with 47.9% being male. The incidence of cognitive decline was 23.8%. After adjusting for all selected covariates, we found that high riboflavin intake was associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment in adults in the United States. When riboflavin intake was used as a Categorical variable, compared to those with the lowest intake, the odds ratio (OR) of individuals with the highest riboflavin intake for DR test, AFT test, DSST test and Z test were 0.73 (95% CI: 0.53~1), 0.68(95% CI: 0.49-0.96),0.53(95% CI: 0.37-0.77) and 0.56(95% CI: 0.39-0.8). The study also found an L-shaped association between riboflavin intake and cognitive decline, with an inflection point at approximately 2.984 mg/d. CONCLUSIONS: Our cross-sectional study in a nationwide sample of American old adults suggests that dietary riboflavin intake was negative associated with cognitive decline.

U-shaped association between serum calcium and in-hospital mortality in diabetes patients with congestive heart failure: a cohort study.

Previous studies have reported that the significant association between serum calcium and mortality substantially in patients, especially among those with intensive care unit (ICU). And In diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure (CHF) is a significant comorbidity. We aim to evaluate the association between serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality among patients with diabetes and congestive heart failure. The participants in this study were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. To scrutinize potential associations between serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality, a comprehensive analysis encompassing multivariate logistic regression, cubic spline function model, threshold effect analysis, and subgroup analysis was performed. This retrospective cohort study encompassed 7063 patients, among whom the in-hospital mortality stood at 12.2%. In the multivariate logistic regression, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were contrasted with the reference category Q6 (8.8-9.1 mg/dL) for serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality. The adjusted ORs for Q1 (≤ 7.7 mg/dL), Q2 (7.7-8 mg/dL), and Q7 (≥ 9.1 mg/dL) were 1.69 (95% CI 1.17-2.44, p = 0.005), 1.62 (95% CI 1.11-2.36, p = 0.013), and 1.57 (95% CI 1.1-2.24, p = 0.012) respectively. The dose-response analysis uncovered a U-shaped relationship between serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality in diabetic patients with heart failure. Subgroup analyses confirmed result stability notwithstanding the influence of diverse factors. Our investigation revealed a U-shaped correlation between serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality in diabetes patients with congestive heart failure, pinpointing a significant inflection point at 9.05 mg/dL.

Association between serum chloride and in-hospital mortality in congestive heart failure with diabetes: Data from the MIMIC-IV database.

Background: Congestive heart failure (CHF) demonstrates a heightened prevalence in individuals with diabetes mellitus within Intensive Care Units. The occurrence of abnormal chloride levels is frequently observed in critically ill patients, yet its clinical significance remains subject to debate. This study endeavors to explore the relationship between serum chloride levels and in-hospital mortality among patients affected by both congestive heart failure and diabetes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, utilizing data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV) database, focusing on adult patients in the United States. The impact of serum chloride levels upon ICU admission on in-hospital mortality was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models, generalized additive models and subgroup analysis. Results: The study encompassed 7,063 patients with coexisting diabetes and congestive heart failure. The fully adjusted model revealed an inverse association between serum chloride levels and in-hospital mortality. As a tertile variable (Q3 vs Q1), the odds ratio (OR) was 0.73 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.54-0.98 (p = 0.039). As a continuous variable, per 1 mmol/L increment, the OR (95% CI) was 0.97 (0.96-0.99, p = 0.01). The relationship between serum chloride and in-hospital mortality demonstrated linearity (non-linear p = 0.958). Stratified analyses further validated the robustness of this correlation. Conclusions: Serum chloride levels exhibited a negative association with in-hospital mortality in patients with both congestive heart failure and diabetes. Nevertheless, prospective, randomized, controlled studies are warranted to corroborate and validate the findings presented in this investigation.

Upper Blepharoplasty through Infrabrow Skin Excision to Treat Dermatochalasis with Lateral Hooding and Medial Orbital Fat Loss in Selected Patients.

PURPOSE: Dermatochalasis with lateral hooding and medial orbital fat loss are common signs of aging in the upper eyelid. Removing the excess skin in this area through infrabrow skin excision can effectively lift the loose skin of the upper eyelid and minimizes visible scarring. Additionally, we have identified three compartments of orbital fat prolapse based on orbital anatomy. Transferring volume from the lateral compartment to the intermediate region can flatten the lateral upper eyelid and create medial fullness, which ultimately rejuvenates the upper eyelid. This study presents an operative method for correcting age-related changes in the upper eyelid using this technique. METHODS: A total of 34 eyelids from 17 patients underwent a surgical procedure involving infrabrow skin excision, along with repositioning and lifting of lateral orbital fat. The inclusion criteria consisted of patients with moderate to severe upper eyelid dermatochalasis, coupled with middle fat loss and lateral hooding. To correct lateral hooding and restore midfacial fullness, lateral orbital fat was repositioned to an intermediate position, and the orbicularis oculi muscle was fold-sutured to the corrugator supercilii muscle. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 55.59 ± 3.20 years, with a range of 48 to 61 years. The mean follow-up period was 9.94 ± 1.35 months, ranging from 8 to 12 months. Patients were evaluated at 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month intervals. The Strasser system was used to evaluate the surgical outcomes at 3 months. All patients achieved good surgical outcomes, expressed through satisfactory cosmetic improvements, and improved visual field. The procedure effectively corrected lateral hooding and loss of middle orbital fat through infrabrow skin excision. No complications, such as wound dehiscence, lagophthalmos, noticeable scarring, ocular dyskinesia, or sensory changes, were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of infrabrow skin excision, repositioning of lateral orbital fat, and lifting of the orbicularis oculi muscle effectively addresses moderate to severe dermatochalasis, lateral hooding, medial fat loss, and improves elasticity of the anterior wall of the upper lid in our patients. This procedure can produce satisfactory and long-lasting aesthetic results with an inconspicuous scar beneath the brow.

Association between the triglyceride glucose index and length of hospital stay in patients with heart failure and type 2 diabetes in the intensive care unit: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The coexistence of heart failure and diabetes is prevalent, particularly in Intensive Care Units (ICU). However, the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, heart failure, diabetes, and the length of hospital stay (LHS) in patients with cerebrovascular disease in the ICU remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the association between the TyG index and LHS in patients with heart failure and diabetes. Methods: This retrospective study utilized the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database to analyze patients with diabetes and heart failure. Participants were categorized into quartiles based on the TyG index, and the primary outcome was LHS. The association between the TyG index at ICU admission and LHS was examined through multivariable logistic regression models, restricted cubic spline regression, and subgroup analysis. Results: The study included 635 patients with concurrent diabetes and heart failure. The fully adjusted model demonstrated a positive association between the TyG index and LHS. As a tertile variable (Q2 and Q3 vs Q1), the beta (ß) values were 0.88 and 2.04, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of -0.68 to 2.44 and 0.33 to 3.74, respectively. As a continuous variable, per 1 unit increment, the ß (95% CI) was 1.13 (0.18 to 2.08). The TyG index's relationship with LHS showed linearity (non-linear p = 0.751). Stratified analyses further confirmed the robustness of this correlation. Conclusion: The TyG index exhibited a linearly positive association with the LHS in patients with both heart failure and diabetes. Nevertheless, prospective, randomized, controlled studies are imperative to substantiate and validate the findings presented in this investigation.

Association between dietary folate intake and severe abdominal aorta calcification in adults: A cross-sectional analysis of the national health and nutrition examination survey.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have established a connection between folate intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has been introduced as a good predictor of CVD events, but no previous study has investigated the relationship between dietary folate intake and severe AAC. Therefore, the study aims to explore the association between dietary folate intake and severe AAC in the United States (US) middle-aged and elderly population. METHODS: This study employed cross-sectional data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to examine the relationship between dietary folate intake and severe AAC. Two 24-h dietary recall interviews were conducted to assess dietary folate intake and its sources, while a DXA scan was used to determine the AAC score. To analyze the association between dietary folate intake and severe AAC, a multivariable logistic regression model was applied, and a subgroup analysis was performed. RESULTS: Our analysis utilized data from 2640 participants aged 40 years and above, including 288 individuals diagnosed with severe AAC. After adjusting for confounding factors, we observed an inverted L-shaped association between folate intake and severe AAC. Upon further adjustment for specific confounding factors and covariates, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles of folate intake, using the first quartile as the reference, were as follows: 1.24 (0.86-1.79), 0.86 (0.58-1.27), and 0.63 (0.41-0.97), respectively. Subgroup analysis results were consistent with the logistic regression models, indicating concordant findings. Moreover, no significant interaction was observed in the subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest an inverted L-shaped association between dietary folate intake and severe AAC. However, additional prospective investigations are necessary to explore the impact of dietary folate intake on severe AAC in patients.

PDMS diaphragm based miniature fiber-optic Fabry-Perot dynamic pressure sensor for turbomachinery application.

Small-sized, highly sensitive dynamic pressure sensors are crucial in the field of turbomachinery application. In this paper, a fiber-tip structure dynamic pressure sensor utilizing a small piece of glass tube as the air cavity and PDMS material as the diaphragm was fabricated. It has the advantage of being small in size with the diameter of 125 µm while having high sensitivity of 26.26 pm/kPa. The fabrication process was described in detail, which is simple and cost-effective. The sensor characteristics were studied theoretically and experimentally. Quasi-square pressure signal of different frequencies generated by the siren disk were measured by the sensor and compared with that obtained from the commercial piezoresistive pressure sensor to verify the accuracy of the proposed sensor. The R2 of the four pairs of pressure waveforms were 0.94, 0.81, 0.93, and 0.96, respectively. Stability testing of the sensor was also performed, showing that the sensor can work reliably under dynamic pressure environment.

U-shaped association between serum calcium and in-hospital mortality in patients with congestive heart failure.

AIMS: Serum calcium level is widely used for evaluating disease severity, but its impact on clinical outcomes in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) remains poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality in CHF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective analysis utilizing clinical data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database, encompassing a cohort of 15 983 CHF patients. This cohort was stratified based on their serum calcium levels, with the primary objective being the determination of in-hospital mortality. To assess the impact of admission serum calcium levels on in-hospital mortality, we employed various statistical methodologies, including multivariable logistic regression models, a generalized additive model, a two-piecewise linear regression model, and subgroup analysis. Comparative analysis of the reference group (Q3) revealed increased in-hospital mortality in the first quintile (Q1, the group with the lowest blood calcium level) and the fifth quintile (Q5, the group with the highest blood calcium level), with fully adjusted odds ratios of 1.38 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.68, P = 0.002] and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.01-1.5, P = 0.038), respectively. A U-shaped relationship was observed between serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality, with the lowest risk occurring at a threshold of 8.35 mg/dL. The effect sizes and corresponding CIs below and above this threshold were 0.782 (95% CI: 0.667-0.915, P = 0.0023) and 1.147 (95% CI: 1.034-1.273, P = 0.0094), respectively. Stratified analyses confirmed the robustness of this correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies a U-shaped association between serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality in CHF patients, with a notable inflection point at 8.35 mg/dL. Further investigation through prospective, randomized, and controlled studies is warranted to validate the findings presented in this study.

U-Shaped Association between Serum Chloride Levels and In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure in Intensive Care Units.

Serum chloride level has clinical significance in the prognosis of heart failure. Little is known regarding the association between serum chloride levels and in-hospital mortality in patients with heart failure.This retrospective study used clinical data obtained from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care Database. The study cohort comprised patients who were categorized on the basis of their serum chloride levels, and the primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. To assess the impact of serum chloride levels at the time of intensive care unit admission on in-hospital mortality, we used various statistical approaches, including multivariable logistic regression models, a generalized additive model, and a two-piecewise linear regression model. In addition, subgroup analysis was conducted to examine the robustness of the main findings.This study comprised 15,983 participants. When compared with the reference group (Q5), the groups with the highest (Q7) and lowest (Q1) blood chloride levels exhibited increased in-hospital mortality, with fully adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 1.36 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.71] and 1.25 (95% CI: 1-1.56), respectively. A U-shaped relationship was observed between blood chloride levels and in-hospital mortality, with the lowest risk observed at a threshold of 105.017 mmol/L. The effect sizes and corresponding CIs below and above the threshold were 0.969 (95% CI: 0.957-0.982) and 1.039 (95% CI: 1.002-1.076), respectively. Stratified analyses demonstrated the robustness of this correlation.The relationship between serum chloride levels and in-hospital mortality in patients with heart failure was U-shaped, with an inflection point of 105.017 mmol/L.

Association between dietary calcium intake and severe abdominal aorta calcification among American adults: a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding the relationship between dietary calcium intake and severe abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between dietary calcium intake and severe AAC in American adults based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). METHODS: The present cross-sectional study utilized data from the NHANES 2013-2014, a population-based dataset. Dietary calcium intake was assessed using two 24-h dietary recall interviews. Quantification of the AAC scores was accomplished utilizing the Kauppila score system, whereby severe AAC was defined as having an AAC score greater than 6. We used multivariable logistic regression models, a restricted cubic spline analysis, and a two-piecewise linear regression model to show the effect of calcium intake on severe AAC. RESULTS: Out of the 2640 individuals examined, 10.9% had severe AAC. Following the adjustment for confounding variables, an independent association was discovered between an augmented intake of dietary calcium and the incidence of severe AAC. When comparing individuals in the second quartile (Q2) of dietary calcium intake with those in the lowest quartile (Q1), a decrease in the occurrence of severe AAC was observed (odds ratio: 0.66; 95% confidence interval: 0.44-0.99). Furthermore, the relationship between dietary calcium intake and severe AAC demonstrated an L-shaped pattern, with an inflection point observed at 907.259 mg/day. Subgroup analyses revealed no significant interaction effects. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the relationship between dietary calcium intake and severe AAC in American adults is L-shaped, with an inflection point of 907.259 mg/day. Further research is required to confirm this association.

New mechanistic insight into catalytic decomposition of dioxins over MnOx-CeO2/TiO2 catalysts: A combined experimental and density functional theory study.

Elucidation of the catalytic decomposition mechanism of dioxins is pivotal in developing highly efficient dioxin degradation catalysts. In order to accurately simulate the whole molecular structure of dioxins, two model compounds, o-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB) and furan, were employed to represent the chlorinated benzene ring and oxygenated central ring within a dioxin molecule, respectively. Experiments and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were combined to investigate the adsorption as well as oxidation of o-DCB and furan over MnOx-CeO2/TiO2 catalyst (denoted as MnCe/Ti). The results indicate that competitive adsorption exists between furan and o-DCB. The former exhibits superior adsorption capacity on MnCe/Ti catalyst at 100 °C - 150 °C, for it can adsorb on both surface metal atom and surface oxygen vacancies (Ov) via its O-terminal; while the latter adsorbs primarily by anchoring its Cl atom to surface Ov. Regarding oxidation, furan can be completely oxidized at 150 °C - 300 °C with a high CO2 selectivity (above 80 %). However, o-DCB cannot be totally oxidized and the resulting intermediates cause the deactivation of catalyst. Interestingly, the pre-adsorption of furan on catalyst surface can facilitate the catalytic oxidation of o-DCB below 200 °C, possibly because the dissociated adsorption of furan may form additional reactive oxygen species on catalyst surface. Therefore, this work provides new insights into the catalytic decomposition mechanism of dioxins as well as the optimization strategies for developing dioxin-degradation catalysts with high efficiency at low temperature.

Association between dietary total choline and abdominal aorta calcification among older US adults: A cross-sectional study of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies indicate a potential bidirectional association between dietary choline intake and its derivative, betaine, and subclinical atherosclerosis. However, little research has been conducted on the relationship between dietary choline and severe abdominal aortic calcification (SAAC). METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed population-based data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2014). Choline intake and food sources were measured using two 24-h dietary-recall interviews. The abdominal aortic calcification score was measured using a dual-emission x-ray absorptiometry scan. To assess the relationship between choline intake and SAAC, the study utilized restricted cubic spline and a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: Among the 2640 individuals included in the study, 10.9% had SAAC. After adjusting for all selected covariates, compared with the lowest quartile of dietary choline, the odds ratios of SAAC for the second-quartile, third-quartile, and fourth-quartile dietary choline intake were 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.93), 0.63 (95% CI, 0.42-0.94), and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.5-1.16), respectively. The study found an L-shaped relationship between dietary choline and SAAC in the dose-response analysis. Subgroup analyses did not demonstrate any statistically significant interaction effects for any subgroup. CONCLUSION: The study found that a higher intake of dietary choline is associated with a lower prevalence of SAAC. The dose-response analysis revealed an L-shaped relationship between dietary choline and SAAC. However, further studies are warranted to investigate the direct role of choline in the development of SAAC.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the lineage of malignant epithelial cells and upregulation of TAGLN2 promotes peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer

Background Peritoneal metastasis (PM) is an important factor contributing to poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Transcriptomic sequencing has been used to explore the molecular changes in metastatic cancers, but comparing the bulk RNA-sequencing data between primary tumors and metastases in PM studies is unreasonable due to the small proportion of tumor cells in PM tissues. Methods We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis on four gastric adenocarcinoma specimens, including one primary tumor sample (PT), one adjacent nontumoral sample (PN), one peritoneal metastatic sample (MT) and one normal peritoneum sample (MN), from the same patient. Pseudotime trajectory analysis was used to display the process by which nonmalignant epithelial cells transform into tumor cells and then metastasize to the peritoneum. Finally, in vitro and in vivo assays were used to validate one of the selected genes that promote peritoneal metastasis. Results Single-cell RNA sequencing showed that a development curve was found from normal mucosa to tumor tissues and then into metastatic sites on peritoneum. TAGLN2 was found to trigger this metastasis process. The migration and invasion capability of GC cells were changed by downregulating and upregulating TAGLN2 expression. Mechanistically, TAGLN2 might modulate tumor metastasis via alterations in cell morphology and several signaling pathways, thus promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conclusions In summary, we identified and validated TAGLN2 as a novel gene involved in GC peritoneal metastasis. This study provided valuable insight into the mechanisms of GC metastasis and developed a potential therapeutic target to prevent GC cell dissemination (AU)

Association Between Body Temperature and In-Hospital Mortality Among Congestive Heart Failure Patients with Diabetes in Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Body temperature (BT) has been utilized to assess patient outcomes across various diseases. However, the impact of BT on mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) among patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV data set. The primary outcome assessed was in-hospital mortality rates. BT was treated as a categorical variable in the analyses. The association between BT on ICU admission and in-hospital mortality was examined using multivariable logistic regression models, restricted cubic spline, and subgroup analysis. The cohort comprised 7063 patients with both DM and CHF (3135 females and 3928 males), with an average age of 71.5 ± 12.2 years. Comparative analysis of the reference group (Q4) revealed increased in-hospital mortality in Q6 and Q1 temperature groups, with fully adjusted odds ratios of 2.08 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-2.96) and 1.95 (95% CI: 1.35-2.79), respectively. Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated a U-shaped relationship between temperature on admission and mortality risk (p nonlinearity <0.001), with the nadir of risk observed at 36.8°C. The effect sizes and corresponding CIs below and above the threshold were 0.581 (95% CI: 0.434-0.777) and 1.674 (95% CI: 1.204-2.328), respectively. Stratified analyses further validated the robustness of this correlation. Our study establishes a nonlinear association between BT and in-hospital mortality in patients with both CHF and DM, with optimal suitable BT at 36.8°C. Further research is necessary to confirm this relationship.

Association between dietary zinc intake and Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in US adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Purpose: Helicobacter pylori infection is a well-established etiological factor for gastric inflammation and a significant risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. However, the precise relationship between dietary zinc intake and seropositivity for Helicobacter pylori remains uncertain. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study utilized data from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 1999 and 2000. The study cohort comprised 2,884 adults aged 20 years or older who provided comprehensive 24-h dietary recall data. The presence of Helicobacter pylori infection was confirmed using serum analysis and lgG protein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multivariable logistic regression models and generalized additive model (GAM) were employed to explore the potential association between dietary zinc intake and Helicobacter pylori seropositivity. Results: Additionally, subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the robustness of the primary findings. Of the 1,281 participants, 47.8% were male and the average age was 49.5 years. In the fully adjusted model, a statistically significant inverse association between dietary zinc intake and Helicobacter pylori seropositivity was observed [quartile variable, Q4 vs. Q1, odds ratio (OR): 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57-0.91, p = 0.007]. Furthermore, the relationship between dietary zinc intake and Helicobacter pylori seropositivity exhibited an L-shaped pattern, indicating a saturation effect. The results of sensitivity analysis remained consistent and reliable. Conclusion: Therefore, this study suggests that higher dietary zinc intake may be associated with a lower prevalence of Helicobacter pylori seropositivity. Notably, this association follows an L-shaped pattern, with a threshold point estimated at 24.925 mg/day.

Association between dietary vitamin E intake and cognitive decline among old American: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

PURPOSE: Numerous studies have reported that vitamin E plays a key role in nervous system development and neurotransmitter production. This study aimed to investigate changes in vitamin E intake in older adults with low cognitive performance using NHANES. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we examined a sample of 2255 American adults aged 60 and over between 2011 and 2014. We collected dietary data by averaging two recalls for dietary use to determine vitamin E intake. We assessed cognitive function using five tests and analyzed the association between these variables using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 2255 participants aged ≥ 60 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the 2011-2014 cycle were included in the analysis. Vitamin E intake was negatively associated with cognitive function. In the Z test, with each 1 mg/day increase in dietary intake of vitamin E, there was a 6% decrease in the correlation with cognitive impairment (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.97) in the fully fitted model (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.97). These findings remained consistent when analyzing the exposure as a categorical variable. In comparison to Q1, Q4 showed a 53% reduction in the incidence of cognitive impairment in the Z test (OR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.33-0.67).No significant statistical interaction between the variables was found. CONCLUSION: An increased dietary intake of vitamin E has been associated with decreased cognitive impairment in individuals over 60 years old. The dose-response curve showed an L-shaped association between dietary vitamin E intake and cognitive decline in US adults, with an inflection point of approximately 9.296 mg/day.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the lineage of malignant epithelial cells and upregulation of TAGLN2 promotes peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal metastasis (PM) is an important factor contributing to poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Transcriptomic sequencing has been used to explore the molecular changes in metastatic cancers, but comparing the bulk RNA-sequencing data between primary tumors and metastases in PM studies is unreasonable due to the small proportion of tumor cells in PM tissues. METHODS: We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis on four gastric adenocarcinoma specimens, including one primary tumor sample (PT), one adjacent nontumoral sample (PN), one peritoneal metastatic sample (MT) and one normal peritoneum sample (MN), from the same patient. Pseudotime trajectory analysis was used to display the process by which nonmalignant epithelial cells transform into tumor cells and then metastasize to the peritoneum. Finally, in vitro and in vivo assays were used to validate one of the selected genes that promote peritoneal metastasis. RESULTS: Single-cell RNA sequencing showed that a development curve was found from normal mucosa to tumor tissues and then into metastatic sites on peritoneum. TAGLN2 was found to trigger this metastasis process. The migration and invasion capability of GC cells were changed by downregulating and upregulating TAGLN2 expression. Mechanistically, TAGLN2 might modulate tumor metastasis via alterations in cell morphology and several signaling pathways, thus promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we identified and validated TAGLN2 as a novel gene involved in GC peritoneal metastasis. This study provided valuable insight into the mechanisms of GC metastasis and developed a potential therapeutic target to prevent GC cell dissemination.

Neuropeptides and hormones in hypothalamus-pituitary axis of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis).

The hypothalamus and pituitary serve as important neuroendocrine center, which is able to secrete a variety of neuropeptides and hormones to participate in the regulation of reproduction, growth, stress and feeding in fish. Chinese sturgeon is a basal vertebrate lineage fish with a special evolutionary status, but the information on its neuroendocrine system is relatively scarce. Using the transcriptome data on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis of Chinese sturgeon as reference, we found out 46 hypothalamus neuropeptide genes, which were involved in regulation of reproduction, growth, stress and feeding. The results of sequence alignment showed that the neuroendocrine system of Chinese sturgeon evolves slowly, which confirms that Chinese sturgeon is a species with a slow phenotypic evolution rate. In addition, we also isolated six pituitary hormones genes from Chinese sturgeon, including reproductive hormones: follicle-stimulating homone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), growth-related hormones: growth hormone (GH)/prolactin (PRL)/somatolactin (SL), and stress-related hormone gene: proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Similar to teleost, immunostaining localization analysis in Chinese sturgeon pituitary showed that LH and FSH were located in the pituitary proximal pars distalis, SL was located in the pituitary rostral pars distalis, and POMC was located in the pituitary pars intermedia and pituitary rostral pars distalis. This study will give a contribution to enrich our information on the neuroendocrine system in Chinese sturgeon.

Chemical looping based ammonia production-A promising pathway for production of the noncarbon fuel.

Ammonia, primarily made with Haber-Bosch process developed in 1909 and winning two Nobel prizes, is a promising noncarbon fuel for preventing global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. However, the undesired characteristics of the process, including high carbon footprint, necessitate alternative ammonia synthesis methods, and among them is chemical looping ammonia production (CLAP) that uses nitrogen carrier materials and operates at atmospheric pressure with high product selectivity and energy efficiency. To date, neither a systematic review nor a perspective in nitrogen carriers and CLAP has been reported in the critical area. Thus, this work not only assesses the previous results of CLAP but also provides perspectives towards the future of CLAP. It classifies, characterizes, and holistically analyzes the fundamentally different CLAP pathways and discusses the ways of further improving the CLAP performance with the assistance of plasma technology and artificial intelligence (AI).