The long-term prognostic implications of free triiodothyronine to free thyroxine ratio in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and thyroid dysfunction frequently overlap clinically and are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The free triiodothyronine to free thyroxine (FT3/FT4) ratio as a novel biomarker of cardiovascular disease prognosis, but the impact of the FT3/FT4 ratio on the prognosis of OSA in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains uncertain. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 2160 patients with ACS were recruited and underwent portable sleep monitoring at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from June 2015 to January 2020. OSA was diagnosed when apnea-hypopnea index of ≥15 events/h. Patients were further divided into tertiles according to FT3/FT4 ratio. All patients had scheduled follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after discharge, with subsequent outpatient visits or telephone follow-up visits every 6 months. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, ischemia-driven revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure. Results: Among 1,547 euthyroid patients enrolled (mean age, 56.0 ± 10.5 years), 812 patients (52.5%) had OSA. The FT3/FT4 ratio between OSA and non-OSA patients was not significantly different. During 2.8 (1.4, 3.5) years follow up, the risk of MACCE increased with the decreasing FT3/FT4 tertiles in patients with OSA (tertile3 as reference, tertile2: hazard ratio (HR) 1.26, 95% CI: 0.85-1.86, P = 0.255; tertile1: 1.60, 95% CI 1.11-2.32; P = 0.013). After adjustment for confounders, the lowest FT3/FT4 tertile was still independently associated with an increased risk of MACCE (adjusted HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.11-2.50, P = 0.015). Conclusion: Lower FT3/FT4 ratio associated with poor prognosis in patients with ACS and OSA.

Breaking through diabetes management barriers: Assessing the accuracy of Freestyle Libre Pro flash continuous glucose monitoring in diabetes patients with myocardial infarction.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of FreeStyle Libre Pro (FSL-Pro) flash continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: A single-arm, single-center prospective study was conducted in the cardiac care unit from January 2021 to September 2023. Patients underwent finger-prick blood glucose (FPBG) testing before breakfast (6:00 am) and after meals (at 9:00, 13:00, 19:00 pm), along with CGM during their hospitalization. Statistical analyses included mean differences (MDs), mean absolute relative difference (MARDs) of blood glucose levels, and hypoglycemia occurrences. A Bland-Altman plot analysis and Pearson correlation were performed. Results: Ninety-seven T2DM and AMI patients underwent CGM for up to 72 h (1142 monitoring point). Mean daily BG, Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and mean postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) were significantly lower by CGM than by FPBG with an estimated MD of -0.89 mmol/L in BG, -0.88 mmol/L in FPG, and -0.90 mmol/L in PPG, respectively. The maximum effect was mainly in the first day and then the difference was gradually declined (falling range, Day1, -1.24; Day 2, -0.70; Day 3, -0.68, mmol/L, respectively). The incidence rates of hypoglycemia and potential hypoglycemia was 1.57% and 8.5% higher, respectively, in CGM than in FBPG. A Bland-Altman Plot revealed some variability and bias between the two methods of measurement of glucose monitoring (p < .001). Pearson's correlation coefficient demonstrated a significant correlation between the mean BG, FPG, and PPG of CGM and FBPG (Pearson's coefficient: 0.92, 0.87, 0.92, respectively, p < .001). Conclusion: Compared with FPBG, FSL Pro-CGM showed lower mean glucose and higher hypoglycemia detection in T2DM and AMI patients, especially in the first 24 h.

On-demand removable hydrogel film derived from gallic acid-phycocyanin and polyvinyl alcohol for fruit preservation.

Postharvest spoilage of fruits accounts for significant losses ranging between 20 %-30 %, leading to considerable resource wastage and economic downturns. The development of an effective fresh-keeping packaging material is of paramount importance. This study introduces an innovative on-demand removable active fruit fresh-keeping film (GPP), created by embedding a GP (gallic acid-phycocyanin) fiber mesh hydrogel with functional properties into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. The resultant GPP hydrogel-based film demonstrates outstanding UV and water vapor barrier capabilities, mechanical stability, resistance to external mechanical stress, universal surface adhesion, antibacterial efficacy, and on-demand removal attributes, while being devoid of potential toxicity hazards. Utilizing grapes and blueberries as representative fruits, it is shown that the GPP hydrogel film significantly preserves the fruits' hardness, pH, total soluble solids content (TSS), and minimizes the rate of weight loss, thereby prolonging the shelf life to 13 days for grapes and 20 days for blueberries at ambient temperature. These results underscore the potential of this hydrogel-based film as an invaluable material for fruit preservation within the food industry.

A potential trade-off between reproduction and enhancement of thermotolerance in Liriomyza trifolii populations driven by thermal acclimation.

The invasive pest, Liriomyza trifolii, poses a significant threat to ornamental and vegetable plants. It spreads rapidly and causes large-scale outbreaks with pronounced thermotolerance. In this study, we developed L. trifolii strains adapted to high temperatures (strains designated 35 and 40); these were generated from a susceptible strain (designated S) by long-term thermal acclimation to 35 °C and 40 °C, respectively. Age-stage, two-sex life tables, thermal preferences, critical thermal limits, knockdown behaviors, eclosion and survival rates as well as expression of genes encoding heat shock proteins (Hsps) were compared for the three strains. Our findings indicated that the thermotolerance of L. trifolii was enhanced after long-term thermal acclimation, which suggested an adaptive plastic response to thermal stress. A trade-off between reproduction and thermotolerance was observed under thermal stress, potentially improving survival of the population and fostering adaptionary changes. Acclimation at 35 °C improved reproductive performance and population density of L. trifolii, particularly by enhancing the fecundity of female adults and accelerating the speed of development. Although the 40 strain exhibited the highest developmental speed and greater thermotolerance, it incurred a larger reproductive cost. This study provides a theoretical framework for monitoring and controlling leafminers and understanding their evolutionary adaptation to environmental changes.

Nonrestorative sleep and its associated factors in Chinese adolescents and the moderation effects of coffee or tea consumption.

BACKGROUND: Nonrestorative sleep (NRS) is related to numerous adverse outcomes. There is rare evidence of its associated factors, especially in Chinese adolescents. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with NRS in Chinese adolescents and the potential moderation effects of coffee or tea consumption. METHODS: This cross-sectional study invited adolescents attending Grades 7-11 in Nanjing, China, to complete a self-administered questionnaire, including their NRS, stress, anxiety, physical symptoms, depression, sociodemographics, and lifestyles. Linear regressions were applied to investigate the associated factors of their NRS, with the moderation effects of coffee or tea consumption and other characteristics being tested by additionally including their interactions. RESULTS: Totally 481 adolescents (49% male, age 15.5 ± 1.5 years) were enrolled, with the average global NRS score of 42.16 ± 7.57. Higher family income (ß = 2.01, P = 0.007), longer sleep duration (ß = 2.33, P = 0.011), and moderate after-class activity (ß = 1.50, P = 0.044) contributed less NRS, while higher educational level (ß = -2.60, P = 0.033), more coffee or tea consumption (ß = -1.68, P = 0.013), physical symptoms (ß = -3.85, P < 0.001), stress (ß = -0.23, P = 0.005), anxiety (ß = -1.54, P = 0.045), and depression (ß = -0.13, P = 0.014) contributed more NRS. Females (ß = 0.82, P = 0.005), older age (ß = -0.46, P = 0.029), and higher education level (ß = -1.68, P < 0.001) contributed less refreshment from sleep, more physical/medical symptoms of NRS, and less daytime function, respectively. Coffee or tea consumption moderated the associations of somatic symptoms (ß = 0.25, P = 0.021), stress (ß = 0.29, P = 0.022), anxiety (ß = 0.27, P = 0.005), and depression (ß = 0.17, P = 0.021) with NRS. CONCLUSIONS: Longer sleep duration, moderate after-class activity, reduced coffee or tea consumption, and promotion of physical and mental health may help reduce adolescents' NRS. Coffee or tea consumption may help buffer the negative associations of somatic symptoms, stress, anxiety, and depression with NRS.

PPAR beta/gamma mediates the antihypertensive activity of a synbiotic preparation of Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus in spontaneous hypertensive rats.

Background: Hypertension is a global public health concern. A synbiotic preparation containing Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus has been used as adjunct therapy for hypertension. We sought to elucidate the antihypertensive activity of this preparation and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods and results: Blood pressure in rats was measured using the tail-cuff method. Colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by the two probiotics was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Mechanistic studies were performed by proteomic analyses based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and STRING database and metabolomic analyses using the UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS platform and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)ß/γ antagonists. Although biochemical analysis of blood samples showed that the synbiotic preparation did not alter the levels of angiotensin II, aldosterone, or cortisol, it significantly lowered the systolic blood pressure in the treatment group. Moreover, the synbiotic preparation contributed to the localization of the two probiotics in the ileum and colon of the treatment group. Proteomics, immunochemistry, and real-time qPCR analyses showed that administration of the synbiotic preparation activated the PPAR signaling pathway in the ileum and significantly upregulated PPARß and PPARγ. The antagonist studies further confirmed this finding. In addition, metabolomic analyses demonstrated that among the 27 metabolites that showed significant differences between the control and model groups, administration of the synbiotic preparation significantly upregulated lysophosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine in the ileum of the treatment group. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that the novel synbiotic preparation reduces blood pressure by altering the composition of the intestinal microbiota, regulating PPAR signaling pathway, and activating the PPARß and PPARγ cascade reactions in the ileum.

Change in volatile profiles of wheat flour during maturation.

The volatile profiles of wheat flour during maturation were examined through headspace solid-phase micro-extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) combined with electronic nose (E-nose) and electronic tongue (E-tongue) analyses. The wheat flour underwent maturation under three distinct conditions for predetermined durations. While GC/MS coupled with E-tongue exhibited discernment capability among wheat flour samples subjected to varying maturation conditions, E-nose analysis solely relying on principal component analysis failed to achieve discrimination. 83 volatile compounds were identified in wheat flour, with the highest abundance observed in samples matured for 50 d at 25 °C. Notably, trans-2-Nonenal, decanal, and nonanal were the main contributors to the characteristic flavor profile of wheat flour. Integration of HS-SPME-GC/MS with E-tongue indicated superior flavor development and practical viability in wheat flour matured for 50 d at 25 °C. This study furnishes a theoretical groundwork for enhancing the flavor profiles of wheat flour and its derivative products.

Biochemical analyses reveal new insights into RCAN1/Rcn1 inhibition of calcineurin.

Calcineurin is a serine/threonine protein phosphatase that is highly conserved from yeast to human and plays a critical role in many physiological processes. Regulators of calcineurin (RCANs) are a family of endogenous calcineurin regulators, which are capable of inhibiting the catalytic activity of calcineurin in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we first characterized the biochemical properties of yeast calcineurin and its endogenous regulator Rcn1, a yeast homolog of RCAN1. Our data show that Rcn1 inhibits yeast calcineurin toward pNPP substrate with a noncompetitive mode; and Rcn1 binds cooperatively to yeast calcineurin through multiple low-affinity interactions at several docking regions. Next, we reinvestigated the mechanism underlying the inhibition of mammalian calcineurin by RCAN1 using a combination of biochemical, biophysical, and computational methods. In contrast to previous observations, RCAN1 noncompetitively inhibits calcineurin phosphatase activity toward both pNPP and phospho-RII peptide substrates by targeting the enzyme active site in part. Re-analysis of previously reported kinetic data reveals that the RCAN1 concentrations used were too low to distinguish between the inhibition mechanisms [Chan B et al. (2005) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102, 13075]. The results presented in this study provide new insights into the interaction between calcineurin and RCAN1/Rcn1.

Joint modeling of longitudinal health-related quality of life during concurrent chemoradiotherapy period and long-term survival among patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the prognosis of longitudinal health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) on survival outcomes in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: During 2012-2014, 145 adult NPC patients with stage II-IVb NPC were investigated weekly using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire core 30 (EORCT QLQ-C30) during their CCRT period. The effects of longitudinal trends of HRQOL on survival outcomes were estimated using joint modeling, and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were reported as a 10-point increase in HRQOL scores. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 83.4 months, the multivariable models showed significant associations of longitudinal increasing scores in fatigue and appetite loss during the CCRT period with distant metastasis-free survival: 10-point increases in scores of fatigue and appetite loss domains during CCRT period were significantly associated with 75% (HR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.02; p = 0.047) and 59% (HR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.59; p = 0.018) increase in the risk of distant metastasis, respectively. The prognostic effects of the longitudinal HRQOL trend on overall survival and progress-free survival were statistically non-significant. CONCLUSION: Increases in fatigue and appetite loss of HRQOL during the CCRT period are significantly associated with high risks of distant metastasis in advanced NPC patients. Nutritional support and psychological intervention are warranted for NPC patients during the treatment period.

Acrolein scavengers and detoxification: From high-throughput screening of flavonoids to mechanistic study of epigallocatechin gallate.

Acrolein (ACR) is a widespread, highly toxic substance that poses significant health risks. Flavonoids have been recognized as effective ACR scavengers, offering a possible way to reduce these risks. However, the lack of specific high-throughput screening methods has limited the identification of ACR scavengers, and their actual detoxifying capacity on ACR remains unknown. To address this, we developed a high-throughput screening platform to assess the ACR scavenging capacity of 322 flavonoids. Our results showed that 80.7 % of the flavonoids could scavenge ACR, but only 34.4 % exhibited detoxifying effects in an ACR-injured QSG7701 cell model. Some flavonoids even increased toxicity. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis indicated that galloyl and pyrogallol units enhance scavenging but worsen ACR-induced cytotoxicity. Further investigation revealed that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could exacerbate ACR-induced redox disorder, leading to cell apoptosis. Our findings provide crucial data on the scavenging and detoxifying capacities of 322 flavonoids, highlighting that ACR scavengers might not mitigate ACR-induced toxicity and could pose additional safety risks.

Decreased BIRC5-206 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in nasopharyngeal carcinoma through sponging miR-145-5p.

Metastasis significantly contributes to the poor prognosis of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Our prior studies have demonstrated a decrease in BIRC5-206 expression in NPC, which promotes disease progression. However, the role of BIRC5-206 in the invasion and metastasis of NPC has not been fully elucidated. In this study, our objective was to explore the biological function and underlying mechanisms of BIRC5-206 in NPC. Additionally, we established an NPC mouse model of lung invasiveness using C666 cells to assess the impact of BIRC5-206 on NPC metastasis. Our results revealed that silencing BIRC5-206 inhibited apoptosis and enhanced the invasion of NPC cells, whereas its overexpression reversed these effects. Moreover, decreased BIRC5-206 expression significantly increased N-cadherin and Vimentin expression while reducing E-cadherin and occludin levels, both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, silencing BIRC5-206 markedly augmented the formation of invasive foci in lung tissues. Rescue experiments further confirmed that decreased BIRC5-206 expression facilitates NPC metastasis via modulation of the miR-145-5p/CD40 signaling pathway. In summary, our study suggests that BIRC5-206 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in the diagnosis and treatment of NPC.

Strategies for crowdsourcing hearing health information: a comparative study of educational programs and volunteer-based campaigns on Wikimedia.

BACKGROUND: Several health institutions developed strategies to improve health content on Wikimedia platforms given their unparalleled reach. The objective of this study was to compare an online volunteer-based Wikimedia outreach campaign with university course Wikipedia assignments (both focused on improving hearing health content in Wikimedia's public digital knowledge archives), in terms of the reach of the contributions and the extent of the participants' input. A secondary objective was to examine the feasibility and the implementation of the different strategies. METHODS: The research team partnered for the (1) coordination of improvements in hearing and healthcare content through educational programs using Wikimedia platforms, (2) participation in the global campaign Wiki4WorldHearingDay2023 and (3) evaluation of the proposed strategies. Metrics used in the comparison of the two strategies included the number of articles edited, number of views of the edited articles (as reach) and the extent of edits, captured as the number of words. The feasibility evaluation included assessing recruitment success and the implementation of the proposed plan among faculty, students from various university programs, and volunteers representing different constituencies. RESULTS: The effort increased the availability of quality plain language information on hearing conditions and hearing care. Both strategies demonstrated to be feasible by their success in recruiting participants who contributed to the effort and by measurable outputs as edits. The contribution of content to Wikimedia platforms as part of education activities provided a more robust result. Wiki4WorldHearingDay2023 145 participants (78 from educational programs) contributed 167,000 words, 258 + references and 140 images to 322 Wikipedia articles (283 existing and 39 new ones), which were viewed 16.5 million times. Contributions occurred in six languages. Edits in Portuguese, mainly by those involved in educational programs, led the number of articles (226 or 70.2%) that were expanded or created during the 5-month tracking period. CONCLUSIONS: The elements that contributed to the success of the studied strategies include an impact topic, coordination with educational programs, international multidisciplinary collaborations, the dissemination of the initiative in several platforms, connection with a robust local Wikimedia affiliate, and the use of a technical infrastructure that provides metrics and coordination mechanisms.

Prognostic effect of obstructive sleep apnea in acute coronary syndrome patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), heart failure (HF) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often overlap and interact, the impact of OSA on ACS patients with HF remains unclear. The study sought to comprehensively evaluate the effects of the interaction between OSA and HF on long-term cardiovascular outcomes in ACS patients. METHODS: Between June 2015 and January 2020, patients hospitalized for ACS were prospectively enrolled and underwent portable sleep monitoring after clinically stabilization. OSA was defined as an apnea hypopnea index ≥15 events/h. HF was defined using medical records. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), including death, myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemia-driven revascularization, and hospitalization for unstable angina. RESULTS: Among all 1927 included patients, 214 (11.1 %) had HF, and 1014 (52.6 %) had OSA. For 2.9 years (1.5, 3.6 years) follow-up, OSA was independently associated with the risk of MACCE in HF patients (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.11; 95%CI, 1.16-3.84; P = 0.014), but not in those without HF (adjusted HR, 1.15; 95%CI, 0.92-1.45; P = 0.228). Further analysis showed OSA exerted more prognostic effect in HF patients with preserved eject fraction (adjusted HR, 2.45; 95 % CI, 1.11-5.41; P = 0.027) than those with reduced eject fraction (adjusted HR, 1.62; 95 % CI, 0.63-4.20; P = 0.319). CONCLUSIONS: In the settings of ACS, OSA was independently associated with poor prognosis in patients with concomitant HF especially those with persevered ejection fraction. Screening and treatment for OSA are highly recommended in ACS patients with HF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: www.clinicaltrails.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT03362385.

The conserved transcriptional regulation mechanism of ADH1 gene in Zanthoxylum armatum to waterlogging stress.

Waterlogging stress negatively affects plant growth and survival. However, the ability of Zanthoxylum armatum, a valuable tree species, to tolerate and adapt to waterlogging stress remains poorly understood. Here we report how alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (ZaADH1) confers waterlogging stress tolerance in Z. armatum. ZaADH1 expression was induced after waterlogging treatment. ZaADH1 overexpression increased waterlogging stress by modulating the metabolite levels of the ADH enzyme, soluble sugar, and trehalose, promoting glycolysis and carbohydrate metabolism. The overexpression of ZaADH1 in Arabidopsis thaliana increased the total plant area and chlorophyll content, thereby increasing resistance to waterlogging stress. Physiological and overexpression transcriptome analyses in A. thaliana indicated that ZaADH1 overexpressing lines generated more carbohydrates to meet energy demands, employing a "static" strategy to increase tolerance to waterlogging stress, which confirms the conservation of the ADH1 response to waterlogging stress and represents a potential crucial measure for improving waterlogging tolerance in Z. armatum.

In-Hospital Mortality and Treatment in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome With and Without Standard Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Findings From the CCC-ACS Project.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndrome without standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRFs; hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes) have not been well studied, with little known about their characteristics, quality of care, or outcomes. We sought to systematically analyze patients with ACS without SMuRFs, especially to evaluate the effectiveness of guideline-directed medical therapy for these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the CCC-ACS (Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome) project (2014-2019), we examined the presence and absence of SMuRFs and features among 89 462 patients with initial acute coronary syndrome. The main outcome was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Among eligible patients, 11.0% had none of the SMuRFs (SMuRF-less). SMuRF-less patients had higher in-hospital mortality (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.49 [95% CI, 1.19-1.87]). After adjustment for clinical characteristics and treatments, the associations between SMuRF status and in-hospital mortality persisted (adjusted HR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.07-1.70]). Guideline-directed optimal medical therapy (receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, ß-blockers, and statins) was not associated with lower mortality (adjusted HR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.58-1.67]) in SMuRF-less patients, unlike the association in patients with SMuRFs (adjusted HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.66-0.98]). Sensitivity analyses were consistent with these results. CONCLUSIONS: SMuRF-less patients were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality. Guideline-directed medical therapy was less effective in SMuRF-less patients than in patients with SMuRFs. Dedicated studies are needed to confirm the optimal therapy for SMuRF-less patients. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02306616.

GRP75 triggers white adipose tissue browning to promote cancer-associated cachexia.

Cachexia, which affects 50-80% of cancer patients, is a debilitating syndrome that leads to 20% of cancer-related deaths. A key feature of cachexia is adipose tissue atrophy, but how it contributes to the development of cachexia is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate in mouse models of cancer cachexia that white adipose tissue browning, which can be a characteristic early-onset manifestation, occurs prior to the loss of body weight and skeletal muscle wasting. By analysing the proteins differentially expressed in extracellular vesicles derived from cachexia-inducing tumours, we identified a molecular chaperone, Glucose-regulated protein 75 (GRP75), as a critical mediator of adipocyte browning. Mechanistically, GRP75 binds adenine nucleotide translocase 2 (ANT2) to form a GRP75-ANT2 complex. Strikingly, stabilized ANT2 enhances its interaction with uncoupling protein 1, leading to elevated expression of the latter, which, in turn, promotes adipocyte browning. Treatment with withanone, a GRP75 inhibitor, can reverse this browning and alleviate cachectic phenotypes in vivo. Overall, our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which tumour-derived GRP75 regulates white adipose tissue browning during cachexia development and suggest a potential white adipose tissue-centred targeting approach for early cachexia intervention.

Trends and development in perioperative enteral nutrition: a systematic bibliometric analysis.

Background: This research aims to explore the intellectual landscape of studies in perioperative enteral nutrition (PEN) and identify trends and research frontiers in the field. Methods: Scientometric research was conducted through the analysis of bibliographic records from the Web of Science Core Collection Database for the period 2014-2023. Analyses performed using CiteSpace software included cooperation network analysis, reference co-citation analysis, and keywords co-occurrence analysis. Results: The analysis included 3,671 valid records in the final dataset. Findings indicate an upward trend in annual publications, with the United States leading in research output and Harvard University as the top publishing institution. The Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition was identified as the most productive journal. Notable research hotspots include enhanced recovery after surgery, early enteral nutrition, intestinal failure, short bowel syndrome, abdominal surgery. Evidence-based articles have emerged as the predominant literature type. Future research trends are anticipated to focus on gut microbiota and patients with congenital heart disease. Conclusion: Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the publication volume, contributions by country/region and institutions, journal outlets, and reference and keyword clusters in the field of PEN over the decade. The findings provide valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and clinicians, helping them comprehend the research landscape, identify gaps, and shape future research directions in this field.

Prognostic Impact of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Localized or Locoregionally Advanced Gallbladder Cancer: A Population-Based and Propensity Score Matched SEER Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in gallbladder cancer (GBC) patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of NACT on overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) in patients with localized or locoregionally advanced GBC, and to explore possible protective predictors for prognosis. METHODS: Data for patients with localized or locoregionally advanced GBC (i.e., categories cTx-cT4, cN0-2, and cM0) from 2004 to 2020 were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Patients in the NACT and non-NACT groups were propensity score matched (PSM) 1:3, and the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were performed to analyze the impact of NACT on OS and CSS. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were applied to identify the possible prognostic factors. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify patients who would benefit from NACT. RESULTS: Of the 2676 cases included, 78 NACT and 234 non-NACT patients remained after PSM. In localized or locoregionally advanced GBC patients, the median OS of the NACT and non-NACT was 31 and 16 months (log-rank P < 0.01), and the median CSS of NACT and non-NACT was 32 and 17 months (log-rank P < 0.01), respectively. Longer median OS (31 vs 17 months, log-rank P < 0.01) and CSS (32 vs 20 months, log-rank P < 0.01) was associated with NACT compared with surgery alone. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that NACT, stage, and surgery type were prognostic factors for OS and CSS in GBC patients. Subgroup analysis revealed that the survival hazard ratios (HRs) of NACT vs non-NACT for localized or locoregionally advanced GBC patients were significant in most subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: NACT may provide therapeutic benefits for localized or locoregionally advanced GBC patients, especially for those with advanced stage, node-positive, poorly differentiated or undifferentiated disease. NACT combined with radical surgery was associated with a survival advantage. Therefore, NACT combined with surgery may provide a better treatment option for resectable GBC patients.

Ulva lactuca polysaccharides combined with fecal microbiota transplantation ameliorated dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice.

BACKGROUND: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) of healthy donors improves ulcerative colitis (UC) patients by restoring the balance of the gut microbiota. However, donors vary in microbial diversity and composition, often resulting in weak or even ineffective FMT. Improving the efficacy of FMT through combination treatment has become a promising strategy. Ulva lactuca polysaccharides (ULP) have been found to benefit host health by regulating gut microbiota. The effect of the combination of ULP and FMT in ameliorating UC has not yet been evaluated. RESULTS: The present study found that supplementation with ULP combined with FMT showed better effects in ameliorating UC than supplementation with FMT alone. Results suggested that FMT or ULP combined with FMT alleviated the symptoms of UC in mice, as evidenced by prevention of body weight loss, improvement of disease activity index and protection of the intestinal mucus. Notably, ULP in combination with FMT was more effective than FMT in reducing levels of cytokines and related inflammatory enzymes. In addition, ULP combined with FMT effectively restored the dysbiosis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and further enriched probiotics (such as Bifidobacterium). The production of short-chain fatty acids, especially acetic acid, was also significantly enriched by ULP combined with FMT. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of ULP combined with FMT could significantly ameliorate DSS-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting inflammation and restoring dysbiosis of gut microbiota. These results suggested that ULP combined with FMT has potential application in ameliorating UC. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.