Association between dietary carotenoid intakes and abdominal aortic calcification in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is an important marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular disease. This study aims to explore the association between carotenoid intakes and AAC. METHODS: We included 2889 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Dietary carotenoid intakes were obtained through 24-h dietary recall interviews. Severe AAC was defined as a Kauppila score > 5. The main analysis utilizes logistic and restricted cubic spline models. RESULT: Severe AAC was detected in 378 (13.08%) participants. In fully adjusted models, the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of α-carotene, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein with zeaxanthin and total carotenoid intakes for individuals with severe AAC were 0.53 (0.23-0.77), 0.39 (0.19-0.80), 0.18 (0.05-0.62), 0.40 (0.20-0.78), 0.53 (0.32-0.88) and 0.38 (0.18-0.77) in the highest versus lowest quartile intake, respectively. Dose-response analyses revealed that all of the carotenoids were associated with decreased risk of severe AAC in a nonlinear trend. Total carotenoid intakes of at least 100ug/kg/day were associated with decreased odds for severe AAC. CONCLUSION: α-carotene, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein with zeaxanthin and total carotenoids were inversely associated with the risk of severe AAC in adults.

Genome-wide characterization of the cytosolic sulfotransferase 1B member 1 (SULT1B1) family and its expression responses to sulfide stress in the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta.

The razor clam (Sinonovacula constricta), a typical burrowing organism in the intertidal zones, is often exposed to sulfide environment and shows strong sulfide tolerance. Located downstream of the sulfur metabolism pathway, cytosolic sulfotransferase family 1B member 1 (SULT1B1) is a key enzyme catalysing the sulfonation reaction, and plays an important role in the biotransformation of endogenous substances such as thyroid hormones (THs). To investigate their roles in sulfide resistance, a systematic analysis of S. constricta SULT1B1s (ScSULT1B1s), including genomic distribution, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, conserved motifs, and expression profiles under sulfide stress, was performed. A total of 10 ScSULT1B1 genes were found in the S. constricta genome. Sequence analysis showed that ScSULT1B1 gene family encoded 155-425 amino acids, containing four catalytic active sites (K, N, H, and S), one PAPS binding domain at the N-terminus, and one PAPS binding and dimerization domain at the C-terminus. The spatial-temporal expression patterns of ScSULT1B1s were further estimated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Among them, partial ScSULT1B1s showed significantly high expression in the gill, hepatopancreas, and siphon. Furthermore, the response expression of certain ScSULT1B1s significantly fluctuated under sulfide stress. Together, our results suggest that ScSULT1B1s, by mediating the sulfonation reaction, may regulate THs levels to maintain basic metabolic and immune functions, making S. constricta highly sulfide tolerant.

Defense responses of sulfur dioxygenase to sulfide stress in the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta.

BACKGROUND: Sulfide is a well-known toxicant widely distributed in the culture environment. As a representative burrowing benthic bivalve, the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta is highly sulfide tolerant. Mitochondrial sulfide oxidation is an important way for sulfide detoxification, where sulfur dioxygenase (SDO) is the second key enzyme. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of sulfide tolerance in S. constricta, the molecular characterization of its SDO (designated as ScSDO) was studied. METHODS: The cDNA sequence of ScSDO was cloned by RACE technique. The response of ScSDO in gills and livers of S. constricta was investigated during sulfide exposure (50, 150, and 300 µM sulfide) for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h by qRT-PCR. Moreover, the temporal expression of ScSDO protein in S. constricta gills after exposure to 150 µM sulfide was detected by Western blot. The subcellular location of ScSDO was identified by TargetP 1.1 prediction and Western Blot analysis. RESULTS: The full-length cDNA of ScSDO was 2914 bp, encoding a protein of 304 amino acids. The deduced ScSDO protein was highly conserved, containing the signature HXHXDH motif of the metallo-ß-lactamase superfamily and two metal-binding sites, of which metal-binding site I is known to be the catalytically active center. Subcellular localization confirmed that ScSDO was located only in the mitochondria. Responding to the sulfide exposure, distinct time-dependent increases in ScSDO expression were detected at both mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, the gills exhibited a higher ScSDO expression level than the livers. CONCLUSIONS: All of our results suggest that ScSDO plays an important role in mitochondrial sulfide oxidation during sulfide stress, making S. constricta highly sulfide tolerant. In addition, as a respiratory tissue, the gills play a more critical role in sulfide detoxification.

Comparative efficacy of social media delivered health education on glycemic control: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes associated with patient education about glycemic control via group chat versus patient education as usual among individuals with diabetes in China. METHODS: We searched the following databases both in English and in Chinese languages: PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database, and CBM for articles published up to Jan 1, 2018. The studies were screened by two independent reviewers. Using criteria from the risk of bias assessment tool developed by Cochrane Collaboration to assess the risk of bias of eligible studies. A meta-analysis of studies was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis version 3.0. RESULTS: Twenty-five unique randomized clinical trials, including 2,838 patients, were identified. The education delivered via group chat had large overall pooled effect sizes in improving glucose control measured by hemoglobin A1c [Hedges' g = -0.81, 95% CI: (-0.98, -0.64)], fasting blood glucose [Hedges' g = -1.11, 95% CI: (-1.37, -0.85)], and 2 h postprandial blood glucose [Hedges' g = -0.98, 95% CI: (-1.20, -0.76)]. Additionally, patient education delivered via group chat has shown consistently superior outcomes in glucose control in short-term (0-3 months), mid-term (3-6 months) and longer-term (6-12 months). CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions via group chat had a superior outcome in blood glucose control compared to education as usual in China. Educational interventions via group chat had superior short-term, mid-term, and longer-term outcomes in blood glucose control compared to education as usual in China.

Molecular characterization of a novel sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase from the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta and its expression response to sulfide stress.

The razor clam Sinonovacula constricta is a commercial benthic bivalve, and burrows the deeper cave than the other buried benthic bivalves. Due to the little exchange of seawater and to anoxic conditions, S. constricta is exposed to considerable amounts of sulfide during low tide, but exhibits strong sulfide tolerance. Mitochondrial sulfide oxidation is a particular defense strategy against sulfide toxicity of sulfide-tolerant organisms, for which sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) is the first key enzyme. In order to investigate the mechanism of sulfide tolerance in S. constricta, its SQR (designated as ScSQR), was cloned and characterized. The full-length cDNA of ScSQR was 3698 bp and encoded 443 amino acids. The deduced ScSQR protein contained conserved FAD-binding domains, two cysteine residues, two histidines, and one glutamic acid, which are the essential elements for the catalytic mechanism of SQR. Subcellular localization analysis by the TargetP 1.1 prediction and the Western blot confirmed that ScSQR was only located in the mitochondria. The response of ScSQR in the gill and liver of S. constricta were investigated during sulfide exposure (50, 150, and 300 µM sulfide) for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h by qRT-PCR. Moreover, the time-course expressions of ScSQR protein in the S. constricta gill were detected when exposed to 150 µM sulfide by Western blot. The expression level of ScSQR increased significantly and showed a time-dependent pattern. In addition, under sulfide stress, the expression level of the gill was higher than that of liver. Together, our results suggest that ScSQR may perform important roles in protecting cells from sulfide stress by participating in mitochondrial sulfide detoxification and providing high sulfide tolerance to S. constricta.

[Causes and management for male urethral stricture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the etiology of male urethral stricture, analyze the therapeutic strategies of urethral stricture, and summarize the complicated cases.
 Methods: The data of 183 patients with urethral stricture were retrospectively analyzed, including etiology, obstruction site, stricture length, therapeutic strategy, and related complications.
 Results: The mean age was 49.7 years, the average course was 64.7 months, and the constituent ratio of 51 to 65 years old patients was 38.8% (71/183). The traumatic injury of patients accounted for 52.4% (96/183), in which the pelvic fracture accounted for 35.5% (65/183) and the straddle injury accounted for 16.9% (31/183). There were 54 cases of iatrogenic injury (29.5%). The posterior urethral stricture accounted for 45.9% (84/183), followed by the anterior urethral stricture (44.8%, 82/183) and the stenosis (6.6%, 12/183). A total of 99 patients (54.1%) received the end to end anastomosis, and 40 (21.9%) were treated with intracavitary surgery, such as endoscopic holmium laser, cold knife incision, endoscopic electroknife scar removal, balloon dilation, and urethral dilation. In the patients over 65-years old, the urethral stricture rate was 14.8% and the complication rate (70.4%) for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was significantly higher than that of all samples (P<0.01).
 Conclusion: Both the etiology of male urethral stricture and the treatment strategy have changed and the incidence of traumatic and iatrogenic urethral stricture has increased in recent 3 years. The main treatment of urethral stricture has been transformed from endoscopic surgery into urethroplasty.

Factors Associated with Knowledge of and Willingness for Adult Male Circumcision in Changsha, China.

BACKGROUND: Male circumcision (MC) has been shown to reduce the risk of male genital diseases. MC is not commonly practiced among Chinese males and little is known about the factors associated with their knowledge of and willingness for MC. This study was to explore the knowledge regarding the foreskin among Chinese males and to identify factors associated with their willingness to undergo circumcision. METHODS: A total of 237 patients with redundant prepuce/phimosis were interviewed through face-to-face interviews. The items on the questionnaire included: demographics, an objective scale assessing knowledge about the foreskin, willingness to have MC, the attitudes of sexual partners and doctors toward redundant prepuce/phimosis, and the approaches that patients used to acquire knowledge regarding the prepuce. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors that are associated with willingness to be circumcised (WTC). RESULTS: A total of 212 patients completed the interview. Multivariable logistic regression showed that three factors were significantly associated with WTC: being married (OR = 0.43), perceiving redundant prepuce/phimosis as a disease (OR = 1.93), and if a patient's partner supported MC (OR = 1.39). 58% (n = 122) had received information about the foreskin from another party: 18% (n = 37) from school, 8% (n = 17) from family, 17% (n = 36) from friends, 27% (n = 57) from health care providers. About 4% (n = 8) believed that their partners disliked their redundant prepuce/phimosis. 20% (n = 42) had received doctors' advice to undergo circumcision. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about the foreskin was low among Chinese males. Our study elucidates the factors associated with WTC and suggests that more education of the population about the foreskin can help improve the recognition of a correctible abnormality and help patients assess the potential role of MC in their health.