Relationship between endoscopic gastroesophageal valve grading and mean nocturnal baseline impedance and postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between endoscopic gastroesophageal valve grading and mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) and postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index (PSPWI) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A total of 120 patients diagnosed with GERD disease were included in the study. According to the classification of endoscopic gastroesophageal valves, the patients were divided into 5 groups, group 1 as baseline group, and Group 2-4 as Hill grade I-IV. Basic information about the patients was collected, including age and gender. The mean nocturnal baseline impedance and creep wave index induced by swallowing after rumination were measured by high resolution creep measurement technique. Through statistical analysis, the relationship between valve classification and observation index was discussed. In terms of MNBI, impedance values gradually decreased with increasing valve classification. The average impedance of the Grade 1 group was 23.5 mm Hg/cm2, while the average impedance of the Grade 5 group was 15.2 mm Hg/cm2. This reduction showed a significant decreasing trend (P < .001). In addition, in terms of the peristaltic wave index caused by swallowing after regurgitation, the peristaltic wave index gradually increased with the increase of valve classification. The mean index in the Grade 1 group was 1.8 beats/min, while the mean index in the Grade 5 group was 3.6 beats/min. This increase showed a significant positive relationship (P < .001). Endoscopic gastroesophageal valve grading was significantly correlated with MNBI and PSPWI in patients with GERD. These observations can serve as useful tools for assessing the severity of GERD and monitoring disease progression.

Characterizing Infections in Two Epidemic Waves of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants: A Cohort Study in Guangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: After the adjustment of COVID-19 epidemic policy, mainland China experienced two consecutive waves of Omicron variants within a seven-month period. In Guangzhou city, as one of the most populous regions, the viral infection characteristics, molecular epidemiology, and the dynamic of population immunity are still elusive. METHODS: We launched a prospective cohort study in the Guangdong Provincial CDC from December 2022 to July 2023. Fifty participants who received the same vaccination regimen and had no previous infection were recruited. RESULTS: 90% of individuals were infected with Omicron BA.5* variants within three weeks in the first wave. Thirteen cases (28.26%) experienced infection with XBB.1* variants, occurring from 14 weeks to 21 weeks after the first wave. BA.5* infections exhibited higher viral loads in nasopharyngeal sites compared to oropharyngeal sites. Compared to BA.5* infections, the XBB.1* infections had significantly milder clinical symptoms, lower viral loads, and shorter durations of virus positivity. The infection with the BA.5* variant elicited varying levels of neutralizing antibodies against XBB.1* among different individuals, even with similar levels of BA.5* antibodies. The level of neutralizing antibodies specific to XBB.1* determined the risk of reinfection. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid large-scale infections of the Omicron variants have quickly established herd immunity among the population in mainland China. In the future of the COVID-19 epidemic, a lower infection rate but a longer duration can be expected. Given the large population size and ongoing diversified herd immunity, it remains crucial to closely monitor the molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 for the emergence of new variants of concern in this region. Additionally, the timely evaluation of the immune status across different age groups is essential for informing future vaccination strategies and intervention policies.

Resistance exercise interventions for sarcopenia and nutritional status of maintenance hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis.

Background: A previous meta-analysis showed that exercise training improves patients' physical function and health status. However, the efficacy of resistance exercise (RE) in improving patients' physical function and nutritional status is uncertain. Objective: To evaluate the effect of RE on sarcopenia and nutritional indicators in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Design: A meta-analysis. Methods: Randomized controlled trials up to March 28, 2023 were searched from eight databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and CBM. The risk of bias of the literature eligible for inclusion was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. When a high heterogeneity was detected, a random-effects model was used. Egger's tests were used to assess publication bias. This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The reliability of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation method, and a meta-analysis of the collected data was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 software. Results: Nine studies that met the criteria were identified, and 541 patients were included in these research. Subjects: The results of this review showed that RE improved patients' grip strength levels (mean difference (MD) = 4.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) [3.14-5.64]; P < 0.00001), 6 min walking distance (MD = 40.71, 95% CI [8.92-72.49]; P = 0.01), muscle mass (MD = 4.50, 95% CI [2.01-6.99]; P = 0.0004), and serum albumin level (MD = 3.16, 95% CI [1.13-5.19]; P = 0.002) compared with the controls. However, the improvement caused by RE on hemoglobin (MD = 1.69, 95% CI [-1.49 to 4.87], P = 0.30) and cholesterol (MD = 2.33, 95% CI [-5.00 to 9.65], P = 0.53) levels was not statistically significant. Conclusion: RE showed a significant effect on muscle function and strength of MHD patients. This meta-analysis provides new ideas on the efficacy of RE in muscle function and strength of MHD patients. The use of consistent RE patterns and nutritional interventions should be considered in future studies for further assessment of its effects. In the future, more high-quality studies will be required to verify these results. Implications for practice: This meta-analysis identified the effect of RE on muscle strength, muscle function, and walking ability of HD patients, and provided a basis for clinical formulation of the optimal timing of intervention and the optimal frequency, intensity, modality, and content of intervention. Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution because it does not apply to my work. This review has been registered at the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (INPLASY) (registration number: INPLASY202340078).

Description of the unknown male of Vappolotestianjiayu Li, Zhao & Li, 2023 (Araneae, Agelenidae, Coelotinae) from China.

Background: Vappolotes Zhao & Li, 2019 is one of the troglophilous genera, with five known species. The previous description of V.tianjiayu from China was based solely on female specimens collected from caves in the Wuling Mountains in southern China without any males. New information: The present study, deals with the first record of the male of V.tianjiayu from its type locality: Guluo Cave. The validation of species is based on the morphological characteristics of both male and female.

Effects of Maternal Dietary Enteromorpha prolifera Polysaccharide Iron Supplement on Mineral Elements and Iron Level of Neonatal Piglets.

Iron plays a key role in maternal health during pregnancy and fetal growth. Enteromorpha polysaccharide-iron (EP-Fe) as an organic iron chelate may improve the iron transmission of mother and offspring, ameliorate the poor pregnancy outcomes of sows, and alleviate the growth restriction of piglets caused by iron deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal dietary supplementation with EP-Fe on reproductive performance and placental iron transmission of sows, as well as growth performance of piglets. Sixty pregnant sows at the 95th day of gestation were randomly divided into control group and EP-Fe group (EP-Fe, 139 mg kg-1). Blood samples of sows and neonatal piglets, colostrum, and tissue samples were collected on the day of delivery. The animal experiment ended at the 21st day of post-delivery. Results showed that maternal dietary EP-Fe increased colostrum iron (P < 0.05) of sows, as well as final litter weight (P < 0.05) and average daily weight of piglets (P < 0.05) during days 1-21 of lactation, as well as iron and manganese content in umbilical cord blood (P < 0.05) and hepatic iron of neonatal piglets (P < 0.01), and decreased fecal iron (P < 0.001), serum calcium (P < 0.05), phosphorus (P < 0.05), and zinc (P < 0.01) in the parturient sow. RT-qPCR results showed that Fpn1 and Zip14 in placenta, as well as TfR1 and Zip14 in duodenum of neonatal piglets, were activated by maternal EP-Fe supplement. These findings suggest that maternal dietary EP-Fe could increase iron storage of neonatal piglets via improving placental iron transport and iron secretion in colostrum, thus enhancing the growth performance of sucking piglets.

Stigmatizing attitudes toward mental disorders among non-mental health nurses in general hospitals of China: a national survey.

Background: Negative attitudes of nurses toward mental disorders have been reported in various countries. Nurses' stigmatizing attitudes can harm patients with mental disorders (PWMD), thereby delaying the provision of help to patients and leading to decreased quality of care. In this study, we aimed to assess Chinese nurses' stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with mental illness and provide a basis for future development and testing of appropriate and culturally adapted interventions to reduce it. Objective: This study aimed to assess the attitudes of Non-mental Health Nurses (NMHNs) in general hospitals in China toward the stigma of PWMD and determine the factors influencing them. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of NMHNs in general hospitals were conducted. A self-designed WeChat-based questionnaire was used that included demographic information about the need for training on mental health issues. Participants were provided with a vignette of a depression case with suicidal thoughts. The Depression Stigma Scale (DSS) and Social Distance Scale (SDS) were used to assess attitudes toward mental disorders. Nine questions on the adequacy of knowledge about anxiety and depression and the current status of scale use were used to assess the current status of training needs for mental disorders. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression were used for the table. Results: A total of 8,254 nurses in non-mental health professions participated in this study. The mean DSS score of NMHNs was (17.24 ± 6.700), and the SDS score was (10.34 ± 3.154). The total detection rate of stigma among the survey respondents was 13.40% (1,107/8254). Multivariate logistic regression showed that age between 30 and 39 years [p = 0.001, OR = 1.427 (1.154-1.764)], 4 years of work experience and above [p = 0.018, OR = 1.377 (1.056-1.796)], having a bachelor's degree [p < 0.001, OR = 0.742 (0.647-0.851)], adequate psychological knowledge [p < 0.001, OR = 1.567 (1.364-1.799)], full knowledge of communication with patients with anxiety and depression [p < 0.001, OR = 1.848 (1.389-2.459)], and the need to acquire skills to identify anxiety and depression were the influencing factors associated with stigma [p < 0.001, OR = 0.343 (0.236-0.499)]. Conclusion: Stigmatizing attitudes toward PWMD exist among NMHNs in general hospitals in China. Thus, more mental health education programs for NMHNs are needed. Factors associated with higher morbidity stigma can be used to develop appropriate interventions to improve NMHNs' stigmatizing attitudes and provide better quality care to PWMD.

Mediating role of learned helplessness' components in the association between health literacy/social support and self-management among maintenance haemodialysis patients in Changsha, China: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the multiple mediating roles of the learned helplessness's core system in the relationship between health literacy/social support and self-management. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey design. SETTING: Changsha, China. PARTICIPANTS: 239 Chinese maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients. METHODS: Two multiple mediator models were constructed based on the COM-B (Capacity, Opportunity, Motivation - Behaviour) model. A total of 239 Chinese MHD patients participated in a cross-sectional study, which included surveys on the Learned Helplessness Scale for MHD patients, Dialysis Knowledge Questionnaire, Social Support Scale and Self-Management Scale for Haemodialysis. The PROCESS macro in SPSS was used for mediated effects analysis. RESULTS: Helplessness and internality partially mediated the relationship between health literacy/social support and self-management ((ß=-0.212, p<0.01; ß=0.240, p<0.01)/(ß=-0.331, p<0.001; ß=0.376, p<0.001)). The mediation effect size was 0.780 (95% CI (0.373 to 1.218)) in the health literacy model, accounting for 45.29% of the total effect, and 0.286 (95% CI (0.207 to 0.377)) in the social support model, accounting for 57.88% of the total effect. The differences in effect sizes for helplessness and internality in the two models were -0.080 (95% CI (-0.374 to 0.216)) and -0.041 (95% CI (-0.127 to 0.043)), respectively. CONCLUSION: Health literacy/social support directly affects MHD patients' self-management and indirectly affects it by changing learned helplessness, such as increasing internality while reducing helplessness.

Factors Associated with Self-Management of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in Urumqi of Xinjiang of China: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Purpose: To explore the factors associated with self-management of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) patients and methods of acquiring PD knowledge. Design: Cross-sectional survey design. Setting: Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. Patients: 131 Chinese maintenance Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to March 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University of China. 131 PD patients were recruited. Data were collected, including demographic characteristics, clinical dialysis data, self-management ability scale, and methods to obtain PD knowledge. A self-management questionnaire was used for the evaluation of self-management ability. Results: The score of the self-management ability of PD patients in Xinjiang, China, was (57.6±13.7) points, which was at the middle level in China. There was no statistically significant difference in the self-management ability scores of patients with different ages, sex, ethnicity, marital status, pre-dialysis status, PD time, PD procedures, self-care ability, PD satisfaction, and 24-hour average urine output (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the self-management ability scores of patients with different education levels, occupations, and medical insurance forms (P<0.05). The self-management ability of PD patients was positively correlated with the disease course of uremia and attending lectures on PD knowledge (P<0.05). The main factor affecting self-management ability was education level. There 73.28% of patients considered that it was necessary to establish a WeChat group for PD patients, and 65.7% believed that establishing a WeChat group for PD patients could facilitate communication between patients and enhance treatment confidence. Conclusion: The study surveyed PD patients who have certain self-management ability. For patients with different education levels, different health education methods should be adopted to promote the improvement of patients' self-management ability. Furthermore, WeChat is essential for Chinese PD patients to obtain disease-related information.

Humor-based interventions for patients undergoing hemodialysis: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: There is evidence that humor interventions can impact chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Synthesize relevant literature to understand the elements and mechanisms of implementation of humor interventions. METHODS: Relevant peer-reviewed articles were searched. Data were extracted according to the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 261 articles. Nine were included in the scoping review. The studies included laughter (n = 5) and humorous video interventions (n = 4) in a face-to-face group format. The tailoring and fidelity process needs to be more detailed in most studies. None of the studies mentioned the theoretical basis. The humor videos were provided by nurses and required various types of equipment. The video interventions were conducted during dialysis. The laughter intervention consisted of 3-4 themes guided by qualified therapists. The timing of the laughter intervention is chosen based on the patient's dialysis schedule and is maintained for 30 min. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the current study somewhat limit the understanding, replication, and implementation of evidence-based humor interventions. Future studies need to clarify the theoretical basis, tailoring, fidelity, and control groups. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Ongoing reporting and evaluation of the implementation of humor interventions may help better understand their underlying mechanisms.

A cross-sectional study on the need for and utilization of assistive walking devices by people age 55 and older in Shanghai.

We conducted a study to analyze the unmet needs of and risk factors for use of assistive walking devices by the elderly based on sample survey data from Shanghai, China from July to October 2019. Among a total sample size of 11,193 people age 55 and older, 1,947 people (17.39%) needed assistive walking devices, 829 (42.58%) of whom needed but did not use those devices. Multivariate analysis indicated that residence, living alone or cohabitating, indoor handrails, the number of diseases, and IADL were factors influencing the unmet need for assistive walking devices (p < 0.05, respectively). People who lived in community health centers (p = 0.0104, OR = 1.956, 95% CI: 1.171-3.267) and those who lived only with their spouse (p = 0.0002, OR = 2.901, 95% CI: 1.641-5.126) were more likely to have an unmet need for assistive walking devices. People without indoor handrails (p = 0.0481, OR = 0.718, 95% CI: 0.517-0.997), those with 3 or more diseases (p = 0.0008, OR = 0.577, 95% CI: 0.418-0.796), and those with severely impaired IADL (p = 0.0002, OR = 0.139, 95% CI: 0.05-0.386) were less likely to have an unmet need for assistive walking devices. Self-perceived needs of the elderly, the diversity and performance of assistive devices, and the accessibility and affordability of assistive walking devices may lead to unmet needs.

Characteristics, scope of activity, and negative emotions in elderly women with urinary incontinence: Based on a longitudinal follow-up in Shanghai, China.

We conducted a study to assess the characteristics, scope of activity, and negative emotions in elderly women with urinary incontinence (UI) based on a longitudinal follow-up conducted in Shanghai, China from 2013 to 2019. A total of 3,531 elderly women were included in the final analysis, and 697 women who experienced UI during follow-up were included in the UI group. Subjects with UI were subdivided into those with partial UI (UI once a day or less) and UI (frequent UI). Two thousand eight hundred and thirty-four women who did not have UI during the same period served as the control group. The prevalence of UI was 19.74% in this study. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being older (> 80 years of age), having a high level of education (> 12 years; elderly people with a high level of education may pay more attention to their health and notice UI more readily), a low personal monthly income (≤ 3,000 RMB), more gravidity/parity, and having a chronic disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dementia, or Parkinson's disease) were risk factors for UI (p < 0.05). About 60% of women in the partial UI group engaged in daily activities outdoors, while this number decreased sharply to 3.6% in the UI group. Women in the UI group were more likely to have negative emotions, such as depression, anxiety, irritability, or feeling worthless (p < 0.001). Among elderly women with dementia, those with UI had defects in terms of judgment in everyday life, the ability of convey information, and the ability to understand information (p < 0.05). More attention needs to be paid to the adverse effects of UI on activities of daily living (ADL) and mental health in the future.

Trajectories of Learned Helplessness in Maintenance Haemodialysis Patients and Their Predictive Effects on Self-Management: A Latent Growth Mixture Modeling Approach.

Background: Learned helplessness (LH) is an essential psychological factor influencing maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients' health behaviour and is closely related to prognosis of the disease. This study aimed to identify potential trajectories of LH in MHD patients and assess their predictive role in self-management. Methods: This study was conducted in strict compliance with national laws, the Declaration of Istanbul, and the Declaration of Helsinki. A total of 347 MHD patients at a blood purification centre in Hunan Province, China, were selected as the study population. Four longitudinal surveys (baseline and second/fourth/sixth month after baseline) were conducted using the General Information Questionnaire for MHD patients, the Chinese version of the Learned Helplessness Scale for MHD patients, and the Self-Management Scale for Haemodialysis. Latent growth mixture model (LGMM) analysis was used to identify LH trajectories, and their predictors were analysed using multinomial logistic regression. The predictive role of LH trajectory on self-management was analysed using linear regression. Results: This study identified three LH trajectories in MHD patients, named the "high-decreasing group" (57.9%), "low-increasing group" (21.3%), and "low-stability group" (20.7%). The results of the univariate analysis showed that sex (χ2=33.777, P < 0.001), age (χ2=10.605, P<0.05), and subjective social status (SSS) (χ2=12.43, P<0.01) were associated with LH trajectory classes. Multinomial logistic regression further demonstrated that gender, age, and SSS were predictors of different LH trajectories. The intercept and slope of the overall LH trajectory were negatively correlated with self-management (ß=-0.273, P<0.001; ß=-0.234, P<0.01). Conclusion: MHD patients show three different LH trajectories. The initial level and developmental rate of LH can negatively predict future self-management. It is necessary to screen MHD patients' LH and develop targeted interventions for them with different LH trajectories at specific stages.

The cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of a learned helplessness scale for maintenance hemodialysis patients in China (LHS-MHD-C).

Learned helplessness (LH) is an important concept in nursing. This study aimed to adapt and translate the Arthritis Helplessness Index scale into a Chinese version of an LH scale for maintenance hemodialysis patients in China (LHS-MHD-C), and to validate its psychometric properties. Data collected included LHS-MHD-C, as well as the Hospital Depression Scale (HADS-D), and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) for assessing LHS-MHD-C's criterion validity (predictive and concurrent, respectively). The expert consultation and the pilot study demonstrated semantic and conceptual equivalence and content validity (except for Item 3, the item content validity ranged from 0.82 to 1, and the scale content validity was 0.95). An exploratory factor analysis (n = 146) eliminated three items and accepted 11 items for the two factors, explaining 63.87% of the total variance. A CFA (n = 218) showed that the two-factors structure was consistent with the LH theory. The LHS-MHD-C can distinguish between maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients of different ages, education, working status, monthly income, and MHD duration. The scale had good concurrent validity with the BHS (r = .78, p < 0.01). Using the HADS-D as a criterion, the LHS-MHD-C showed a sensitivity of 86.2% and a specificity of 96.8%. A total score of 36.5 may be the best cut-off value for predicting MHD patients' depression. The scale showed good reliabilities (Cronbach's α value of .759, test-retest reliability of 0.772, and split-half reliability of 0.774). This study found that the LHS-MHD-C is a reliable and valid scale for assessing Chinese MHD patients' helplessness.

"Alive Day is the Day": A Qualitative Study of Experiences of Learned Helplessness in Maintenance Haemodialysis Patients.

Background: Learned helplessness (LH) is a common psychological phenomenon among chronic disease patients. However, LH remains underrecognized in the context of maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients. This qualitative study is the first study of this topic to be conducted in a Chinese cultural context, and its purpose is to explore the LH experiences of MHD patients and to highlight their interpretations of LH. Methods: We employed a qualitative research design. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit participants. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Data were obtained from MHD patients in a blood purification centre located in Hunan Province, China. Data were collected from June to September 2022. The researchers conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with participants after obtaining informed consent. Texts were transcribed verbatim from the audio recordings of these interviews. Data processing and analysis were based on Giorgi's phenomenological approach. Results: Twenty-two respondents completed the interviews (aged 29-75 years, including ten females and twelve males). Four themes emerged from the interviews: (1) triggers of helplessness (hope is gone; witnessing renal friends' helplessness; out of control; nothing works); (2) being tied down (limitation; perceived loss; social isolation; giving in); (3) I am just a loser (self-image disorder; low self-concept; negative attitudes; guilt; abandonment); (4) alive day is the day (fatalism; my duty; downwards comparison). Conclusion: The study reveals that multiple stressors drive MHD patients' LH. These salient phenomena demonstrate the importance of recognizing MHD patients' LH. We suggest that support services should be developed alongside a framework that addresses MHD patients' LH from the beginning of treatment.

Responses of the public towards the government in times of crisis.

We experimentally investigate how and when the public responds to government actions during times of crisis. Public reactions are shown to follow different processes, depending on whether government performs in exemplary or unsatisfactory ways to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 'how' question is addressed by proposing that negative moral emotions mediate public reactions to bad government actions, and positive moral emotions mediate reactions to good government actions. Tests of mediation are conducted while taking into account attitudes and trust in the government as rival hypotheses. The 'when' question is studied by examining self-regulatory moderators governing the experience of moral emotions and their effects. These include conspiracy beliefs, political ideology, attachment coping styles and collective values. A total of 357 citizens of a representative sample of adult Norwegians were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and a control group, where complaining, putting pressure on the government and compliance to Covid-19 policies were dependent variables. The findings show that negative moral emotions mediate the effects of government doing badly on complaining and pressuring the government, with conspiracy beliefs moderating the experience of negative moral emotions and attachment coping moderating the effects of negative moral emotions. The results also show that positive moral emotions mediate the effects of government doing well on compliance with COVID-19 regulations, with political ideology moderating the experience of positive moral emotions and collective values moderating the effects of positive moral emotions.

Microbiome-metabolome analysis reveals alterations in the composition and metabolism of caecal microbiota and metabolites with dietary Enteromorpha polysaccharide and Yeast glycoprotein in chickens.

The intestinal microbiome is responsible for the fermentation of complex carbohydrates and orchestrates the immune system through gut microbiota-derived metabolites. In our previous study, we reported that supplementation of Enteromorpha polysaccharide (EP) and yeast glycoprotein (YG) in combination synergistically improved antioxidant activities, serum lipid profile, and fatty acid metabolism in chicken. However, the mechanism of action of these polysaccharides remains elusive. The present study used an integrated 16S-rRNA sequencing technology and untargeted metabolomics technique to reveal the mechanism of action of EP+YG supplementation in broiler chickens fed basal diet or diets supplemented with EP+YG (200mg/kg EP + 200mg/kg YG). The results showed that EP+YG supplementation altered the overall structure of caecal microbiota as evidenced by ß diversities analysis. Besides, EP+YG supplementation changed the microbiota composition by altering the community profile at the phylum and genus levels. Furthermore, Spearman correlation analysis indicated a significant correlation between altered microbiota genera vs serum cytokine levels and microbiota genera vs volatile fatty acids production. Predicted functional analysis showed that EP+YG supplementation significantly enriched amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, energy metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. Metabolomics analysis confirmed that EP+YG supplementation modulates a myriad of caecal metabolites by increasing some metabolites, including pyruvic acid, pyridoxine, spermidine, spermine, and dopamine, and decreasing metabolites related to lipid metabolisms such as malonic acid, oleic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. The quantitative enrichment analysis results further showed that glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, citric acid cycle, tyrosine metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and cysteine and methionine metabolism were the most important enriched pathways identified with enrichment ratio >11, whereas, fatty acid biosynthesis and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids pathways were suppressed. Together, the 16S-rRNA and untargeted metabolomics results uncovered that EP+YG supplementation modulates intestinal microbiota and their metabolites, thereby influencing the important metabolism pathways, suggesting a potential feed additive.

Effect of color protection treatment on the browning and enzyme activity of Lentinus edodes during processing.

Fresh Lentinus edodes (L. edodes) are prone to browning (including enzymatic and nonenzymatic browning), which affects their quality and leads to economic losses during later processing. This study explored various effective color protection methods (color protection reagent and/or blanching) for inhibiting the browning of L. edodes. First, a single-factor experiment and a response surface method were used to optimize the concentration of the color retention reagent. The compound color retention reagent (comprising 0.1% phytic acid, 0.8% sodium citrate, and 0.5% d-sodium erythorbate) had the smallest total color difference (ΔE) value, suggesting that the compound color reagent had a better inhibiting effect than the single agent. Following this, the blanching conditions were studied; the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was the lowest when the blanching temperature was 90°C and blanching time 180 s, indicating that browning is likely to be minimal. Finally, comparing the oxidase activity and total color difference (ΔE) revealed that combining the two color protection methods inhibits browning better than using a single method (color protection reagent or blanching). In addition, the polysaccharide and vitamin C (VC) contents of L. edodes under optimal color protection conditions were determined, which were 0.96 and 2.54 g/100 g fresh weight (FW), respectively. The results demonstrated that this color protection method effectively inhibits browning, reduces the nutritional loss, and improves the quality of L. edodes.

Learned Helplessness in Renal Dialysis Patients: Concept Analysis with an Evolutionary Approach.

Background: Learned helplessness is an early psychological concept, but in the field of nursing, the concept of learned helplessness in renal dialysis patients and its unique challenges are not well understood. Objective: This article provides a conceptual analysis of learned helplessness in renal dialysis patients to increase knowledge of this psychological phenomenon in the setting of renal nursing. Design: Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis. Methods: The literature published in five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, CNKI) was searched using specific terms. In the first stage, search terms and strategies were used to narrow the relevant articles. In the second stage, the data were extracted from the included articles. In the third stage, the data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and the results were presented in the form of attributes, antecedents, consequences, surrogate terms, and related terms. We found additional instruments and interventions and presented a model case to emphasize the practicality of the concept. In the fourth phase, experts contributed to the discussion and interpretation of the findings. Results: A total of 22 articles were included. Four attributes of learned helplessness in renal dialysis patients were identified: low self-concept, perceived loss, negative cognitive set, and abandonment of action. The antecedents were sociodemographic characteristics, disease and treatment, and psychological factors. Consequences were separated into four themes: psychological problems, physiological problems, quality of life, and health-related behavior. Surrogate terms are hopelessness and powerlessness, and the related term is depression. Conclusion: The process of conceptual analysis in this study provides a means of identifying awareness gaps and practice challenges of learned helplessness in renal dialysis patients and other concepts. The findings can be used to guide the design of tools and interventions to expand the use of learned helplessness theory in nursing.

Biotransformation of bisphenol F by white-rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida YK-624 under non-ligninolytic condition.

Environmental bisphenol F (BPF) has a cyclic endocrine disruption effect, seriously threatening animal and human health. It is frequently detected in environmental samples worldwide. For BPF remediation, biological methods are more environmentally friendly than physicochemical methods. White-rot fungi have been increasingly studied due to their potential capability to degrade environmental pollutants. Phanerochaete sordida YK-624 has been shown to degrade BPF by ligninolytic enzymes under ligninolytic conditions. In the present study, degradation of BPF under non-ligninolytic conditions (no production of ligninolytic enzymes) was investigated. Our results showed that BPF could be completely removed after 7-d incubation. A metabolite of BPF, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone (DHBP) was identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, and DHBP was further degraded by this fungus to form 4-hydroxyphenyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (HPHB). DHBP and HPHB were the intermediate metabolites of BPF and would be further degraded by P. sordida YK-624. We also found that cytochrome P450s played an important role in BPF degradation. Additionally, transcriptomic analysis further supported the involvement of these enzymes in the action of BPF degradation. Therefore, BPF is transformed to DHBP and then to HPHB likely oxidized by cytochrome P450s in P. sordida YK-624. Furthermore, the toxicological studies demonstrated that the order of endocrine-disrupting activity for BPF and its metabolites was HPHB > BPF > DHBP. KEY POINTS: • White-rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida YK-624 could degrade BPF. • Cytochrome P450s were involved in the BPF degradation. • The order of endocrine disrupting activity was: HPHB > BPF > DHBP.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Risk Factors Among Chinese Adults: Results from a Population-Based Study - Beijing, China, 2017-2018.

What is already known about this topic?: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the most easily available health indicative markers for cardiovascular diseases, and it has become a major public health problem worldwide due to increasing urbanization and aging populations. The prevalence of MetS increased dramatically in China, however, there are no records of MetS defined by the 2017 Chinese Diabetes Society for Beijing by far. What is added by this report?: In this study, the data of 24,412 participants aged 18-74 years from a large population-based study in Beijing was collected. The overall prevalence of MetS among Beijing residents was 24.5%. The prevalence was 35.2% in males and 15.4% in females. What are the implications for public health practice?: Effective public health strategies should target males, people with older age, lower education, higher body mass index, smokers, those who drink alcohol, those who are unemployed or retired, and those who live in rural areas on MetS prevention and control.