The Effect of Sn-2 Palmitate on Blood Glucose, Lipids and Body Composition in Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Controlled Trial.

Sn-2 palmitate is widely used in infant formula. However, little is known about its effects on metabolism and body composition in middle-aged and elderly adults. In a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, we enrolled Chinese adults aged 45-75 years with self-reported constipation. Individuals were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl-glycerol (OPO)-enriched oil (66% palmitic acid in the sn-2 position) or a control vegetable oil (24% palmitic acid in the sn-2 position) daily for 24 weeks. Skim milk powder was used as the carrier for both fats. Interviews and body composition were performed at baseline, week 4, week 12 and week 24. A fasting blood draw was taken except at week 4. This study was a secondary analysis and considered exploratory. A total of 111 adults (83 women and 28 men, mean age 64.2 ± 7.0 years) were enrolled, of whom 53 were assigned to the OPO group and 57 to the control group. During the intervention, blood glucose, triglyceride, the triglyceride-glucose index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and remnant cholesterol remained stable, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased in both groups (p = 0.003). No differences in change were observed between the groups (all p > 0.05). From baseline to week 24, the level of visceral fat increased slightly (p = 0.017), while body weight, total body water, protein, soft lean mass, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) decreased in two groups (p < 0.01). At weeks 4, 12 and 24, the SMI decreased less in the OPO group than in the control group, with a trend towards significance (p = 0.090). A 24-week daily intake of sn-2-palmitate-enriched oil had no adverse impact on fasting blood glucose, lipids and body composition compared with the control vegetable oil in Chinese adults (funded by Chinese Nutrition Society National Nutrition Science Research Grant, National Key Research and Development Program of China and Wilmar (Shanghai) Biotechnology Research & Development Center Co., Ltd.; ChiCTR1900026480).

Sarcopenic obesity is part of obesity paradox in dementia development: evidence from a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenic obesity, a clinical and functional condition characterized by the coexistence of obesity and sarcopenia, has not been investigated in relation to dementia risk and its onset. METHODS: We included 208,867 participants from UK biobank, who aged 60 to 69 years at baseline. Dementia diagnoses were identified using hospital records and death register data. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the associations of obesity, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity with dementia risk, stratified by sex. Stratified analyses were performed across dementia-related polygenic risk score (PRS). Restricted mean survival time models were established to estimate the difference and 95%CIs of dementia onset across different status. Additionally, linear regression models were employed to estimate associations of different status with brain imaging parameters. The mediation effects of chronic diseases were also examined. RESULTS: Obese women with high PRS had a decreased risk (HR = 0.855 [0.761-0.961]), but obese men with low PRS had an increased risk (HR = 1.223 [1.045-1.431]). Additionally, sarcopenia was associated with elevated dementia risk (HRwomen = 1.323 [1.064-1.644]; HRmen = 2.144 [1.753-2.621]) in those with low PRS. Among those with high PRS, however, the association was only significant in early-life (HRwomen = 1.679 [1.355-2.081]; HRmen = 2.069 [1.656-2.585]). Of note, sarcopenic obesity was associated with higher dementia risk (HRwomen = 1.424 [1.227-1.653]; HRmen = 1.989 [1.702-2.323]), and results remained similar stratified by PRS. Considering dementia onset, obesity was associated with dementia by 1.114 years delayed in women, however, 0.170 years advanced in men. Sarcopenia (women: 0.080 years; men: 0.192 years) and sarcopenic obesity (women: 0.109 years; men: 0.511 years) respectively advanced dementia onset. Obesity, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity were respectively related to alterations in different brain regions. Association between sarcopenic obesity and dementia was mediated by chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenic obesity and sarcopenia were respectively associated with increased dementia risk and advanced dementia onset to vary degree. The role of obesity in dementia may differ by sex and genetic background.

Short-chain fatty acids in breast milk and their relationship with the infant gut microbiota.

Introduction: The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) contained in breast milk play a key role in infant growth, affecting metabolism and enhancing intestinal immunity by regulating inflammation. Methods: In order to examine the associations between the microbiota and SCFA levels in breast milk, and explore the roles of SCFAs in regulating the infant gut microbiota, we enrolled 50 paired mothers and infants and collected both breast milk and infant fecal samples. Breast milk SCFA contents were determined by UPLC-MS, and whole genome shotgun sequencing was applied to determine the microbial composition of breast milk and infant feces. The SCFA levels in breast milk were grouped into tertiles as high, medium, or low, and the differences of intestinal microbiota and KEGG pathways were compared among groups. Results: The results demonstrated that breast milk butyric acid (C4) is significantly associated with Clostridium leptum richness in breastmilk. Additionally, the specific Bifidobacterium may have an interactive symbiosis with the main species of C4-producing bacteria in human milk. Women with a low breast milk C4 tertile are associated with a high abundance of Salmonella and Salmonella enterica in their infants' feces. KEGG pathway analysis further showed that the content of C4 in breast milk is significantly correlated with the infants' metabolic pathways of lysine and arginine biosynthesis. Discussion: This study suggests that interactive symbiosis of the microbiota exists in breast milk. Certain breast milk microbes could be beneficial by producing C4 and further influence the abundance of certain gut microbes in infants, playing an important role in early immune and metabolic development.

Influence of Dietary Triacylglycerol Structure on the Accumulation of Docosahexaenoic Acid [22:6(n-3)] in Organs in a Short-Term Feeding Trial with Mildly Omega-3 Deficient Rats.

SCOPE: To study the effect of positional distribution of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in dietary triacylglycerols (TAG) on the tissue fatty acid content and composition of mildly (n-3) deficient rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a 5-day feeding trial, mildly (n-3) deficient rats received 360 mg daily structured TAGs: sn-22:6(n-3)-18:0-18:0, sn-18:0-18:0-22:6(n-3), sn-18:0-22:6(n-3)-18:0, or tristearin. A fifth group receives standard (n-3) adequate feed AIN-93G from birth till the end of the trial. The DHA-fed groups show significantly higher DHA levels in the liver and visceral fat compared to the tristearin or normal feed groups showing that the dose and the short feeding period of DHA were sufficient to restore the DHA content in the organs of (n-3) deficient rats. Feeding sn-1 DHA resulted in higher levels of DHA in the liver TAG compared to sn-3 DHA feeding, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated a possible difference in the tissue accumulation and/or metabolic fate of DHA from the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of TAG.

Ethnicity-specific blood pressure thresholds based on cardiovascular and renal complications: a prospective study in the UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND: The appropriateness of hypertension thresholds for triggering action to prevent cardiovascular and renal complications among non-White populations in the UK is subject to question. Our objective was to establish ethnicity-specific systolic blood pressure (SBP) cutoffs for ethnic minority populations and assess the efficacy of these ethnicity-specific cutoffs in predicting adverse outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed data from UK Biobank, which included 444,418 participants from White, South Asian, Black Caribbean, and Black African populations with no history of cardiorenal complications. We fitted Poisson regression models with continuous SBP and ethnic groups, using Whites as the referent category, for the composite outcome of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. We determined ethnicity-specific thresholds equivalent to the risks observed in Whites at SBP levels of 120, 130, and 140 mm Hg. We adjusted models for clinical characteristics, sociodemographic factors, and behavioral factors. The performance of ethnicity-specific thresholds for predicting adverse outcomes and associated population-attributable fraction (PAF) was assessed in ethnic minority groups. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 12.5 years (interquartile range, 11.7-13.2), 32,662 (7.4%) participants had incident composite outcomes. At any given SBP, the predicted incidence rate of the composite outcome was the highest for South Asians, followed by White, Black Caribbean, and Black African. For an equivalent risk of outcomes observed in the White population at an SBP level of 140 mm Hg, the SBP threshold was lower for South Asians (123 mm Hg) and higher for Black Caribbean (156 mm Hg) and Black African (165 mm Hg). Furthermore, hypertension defined by ethnicity-specific thresholds was a stronger predictor and resulted in a larger PAF for composite outcomes in South Asians (21.5% [95% CI, 2.4,36.9] vs. 11.3% [95% CI, 2.6,19.1]) and Black Africans (7.1% [95% CI, 0.2,14.0] vs. 5.7 [95% CI, -16.2,23.5]) compared to hypertension defined by guideline-recommended thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: Guideline-recommended blood pressure thresholds may overestimate risks for the Black population and underestimate risks for South Asians. Using ethnicity-specific SBP thresholds may improve risk estimation and optimize hypertension management toward the goal of eliminating ethnic disparities in cardiorenal complications.

Safety and feasibility of anti-CD19 CAR T cells expressing inducible IL-7 and CCL19 in patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma.

Although CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are curative for patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (R/R LBCL), disease relapse with tumor antigen-positive remains a challenge. Cytokine/chemokine-expressing CAR-T cells could overcome a suppressive milieu, but the clinical safety and efficacy of this CAR-T therapy remain unclear. Here we report the preclinical development of CD19-specific CAR-T cells capable of expressing interleukin (IL)-7 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)-19 upon CD19 engagement (referred to as 7 × 19 CAR-T cells) and results from a phase 1 and expansion phase trial of 7 × 19 CAR-T cell therapy in patients with R/R LBCL (NCT03258047). In dose-escalation phase, there were no dose-limiting toxicities observed. 39 patients with R/R LBCL received 7 × 19 CAR-T with doses ranged from 0.5 × 106-4.0 × 106 cells per kg body weight. Grade 3 cytokine release syndrome occurred in 5 (12.8%) patients and ≥ grade 3 neurotoxicity in 4 (10.3%) patients. The overall response rate at 3 months post-single infusion was 79.5% (complete remission, 56.4%; partial response, 23.1%). With a median follow-up of 32 months, the median progression-free survival was 13 months, and median overall survival was not reached, with an estimated rate of 53.8% (95% CI, 40.3% to 72.0%) at two years. Together, these long-term follow-up data from the multicenter clinical study suggest that 7 × 19 CAR-T cells can induce durable responses with a median overall survival of greater than 2 years, and have a manageable safety profile in patients with R/R LBCL.

Relationship between metabolic status, physical activity and cardiovascular disease in participants with obesity.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the independent and joint associations between metabolic status, PA (physical activity) and risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease) in participants with obesity. METHODS: We included 109,301 adults with obesity free of baseline CVD enrolled from 2006 to 2010 in the UK Biobank cohort (aged 56 ± 7.9 years). Based on metabolic status, obesity was grouped into metabolically healthy obesity (MHO; free of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes; n = 26,989; BMI 33 ± 3.3 kg/m2) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO; n = 82,312; BMI 34 ± 4.0 kg/m2). PA was categorized into four groups according to moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA): none, low, medium, and high. Multivariable Cox regression models were used for the main analyses adjusting for sociodemographic factors, lifestyles and comorbidities. RESULTS: There were 8,059 CVD events during a median follow-up of 8.1 years. MHO was associated with a 42% reduced risk of CVD compared with MUO (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.53-0.63). A significant interaction effect between PA and metabolic status on CVD risk was found. Among MUO participants, individuals with PA had significantly decreased CVD risk when compared with no MVPA (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.81-0.94 for low PA; HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.78-0.93 for medium PA; and HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.80-0.92 for high PA). The lowest CVD risk was observed in MHO & medium PA group when compared with MUO & no MVPA (HR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.37-0.56). CONCLUSIONS: Both MHO and any MVPA were associated with reduced risk of CVD in adults with obesity, while PA could modify the relationship between metabolic status and CVD risk.

General anesthesia with endotracheal intubation ensures the quick removal of magnetic foreign bodies: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of ingestion of magnetic foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract has been increasing year by year. Due to their strong magnetic attraction, if multiple gastrointestinal foreign bodies enter the small intestine, it can lead to serious complications such as intestinal perforation, necrosis, torsion, and bleeding. Severe cases require surgical intervention. CASE SUMMARY: We report a 6-year-old child who accidentally swallowed multiple magnetic balls. Under timely and safe anesthesia, the magnetic balls were quickly removed through gastroscopy before entering the small intestine. CONCLUSION: General anesthesia with endotracheal intubation can ensure full anesthesia under the condition of fasting for less than 6 h. In order to prevent magnetic foreign bodies from entering the small intestine, timely and effective measures must be taken to remove the foreign bodies.

The effects of organic food on human health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies.

CONTEXT: Although the nutritional composition of organic food has been thoroughly researched, there is a dearth of published data relating to its impact on human health. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to examine the association between organic food intake and health effects, including changes in in vivo biomarkers, disease prevalence, and functional changes. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception through Nov 13, 2022. DATA EXTRACTION: Both observational and interventional studies conducted in human populations were included, and association between level of organic food intake and each outcome was quantified as "no association," "inconsistent," "beneficial correlation/harmful correlation," or "insufficient". For outcomes with sufficient data reported by at least 3 studies, meta-analyses were conducted, using random-effects models to calculate standardized mean differences. DATA ANALYSIS: Based on the included 23 observational and 27 interventional studies, the association between levels of organic food intake and (i) pesticide exposure biomarker was assessed as "beneficial correlation," (ii) toxic metals and carotenoids in the plasma was assessed as "no association," (iii) fatty acids in human milk was assessed as "insufficient," (iv) phenolics was assessed as "beneficial", and serum parameters and antioxidant status was assessed as "inconsistent". For diseases and functional changes, there was an overall "beneficial" association with organic food intake, and there were similar findings for obesity and body mass index. However, evidence for association of organic food intake with other single diseases was assessed as "insufficient" due to the limited number and extent of studies. CONCLUSION: Organic food intake was found to have a beneficial impact in terms of reducing pesticide exposure, and the general effect on disease and functional changes (body mass index, male sperm quality) was appreciable. More long-term studies are required, especially for single diseases. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022350175.

Correction: Kulkarni et al. Tissue-Specific Content of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in (n-3) Deficiency State of Rats. Foods 2021, 11, 208.

The authors would like to make the following corrections to a published paper [...].

Comparative study of lidars for measuring atmospheric temperature and wind.

The uncertainty of lidar measured atmospheric temperature T or line-of-sight (LOS) wind V is inversely proportional to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received photocounts. We term the proportionality constant, which depicts the efficacy of the measurement method, the single-photon (or unity SNR) measurement uncertainty for T and/or V measurement. In this study, we use the single-photon measurement uncertainty as the figure of merit to compare and understand the practical differences between Cabannes scattering (CS), Rayleigh inversion (RI), rotational Raman (RR), and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) lidars for atmospheric temperature and wind measurements, and to optimize the choice and receiver design of a lidar system for a potential application.

Functional proteins in breast milk and their correlation with the development of the infant gut microbiota: a study of mother-infant pairs.

Introduction: Proteins in breast milk play an important role in the growth and development of infants. This study aims to explore the correlation between functional proteins in breast milk and the infant gut microbiota. Methods: Twenty-three mothers and their infants were enrolled and breast milk samples and infant fecal samples were collected. Breast milk protein content was determined by UPLC-MS/MS, and 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to analyze the gut microbiota of infant. Results: The results indicated that the secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) content in breast milk was positively correlated with the abundance of Veillonella parvula. The κ-casein content was positively correlated with the abundance of Clostridium butyricum. The osteopontin (OPN) and lactalbumin contents were positively correlated with the abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis at 42 days. Functional pathway analysis showed that the OPN and κ-casein contents in breast milk were significantly correlated with amino acid, pyruvate, propionic acid, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolic pathways in early life. Discussion: The results of this study suggest that specific proteins in breast milk can influence the abundance of certain gut microbes in infants, playing an important role in early immune and metabolic development.

Alisol B blocks the development of HFD-induced obesity by triggering the LKB1-AMPK signaling in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

As a global epidemic disease, obesity causes dysfunction of glucose and lipid metabolism leading to persistently high morbidity and mortality. Given the difficulty to achieve and maintain weight loss through controlling diet and physical exercise, pharmacotherapy is considered an effective treatment for obesity. This investigation revealed that alisol B, a triterpene monomer isolated from the classical Chinese medicine Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep, functioned in suppressing adipogenesis and reducing the mass of subcutaneous adipose tissue, resulting in the reduction of weight gain, and improvements of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance in HFD-induced obese mice. In consistent to the results, alisol B also significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation and maturation in vitro. Furthermore, our data revealed that the effects of alisol B on adipogenesis were mediated by LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway. In total, alisol B could be a potential lead compound which contributes to the improvement of obesity-related metabolic disorders.

Development of FAP-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor NK-92 Cells for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Over the past two decades, great progress has been made in advancing the early detection and multimodal treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, overall cure rates and survival rates of NSCLC are still not satisfactory, and research into new therapies is needed. This study attempted to construct human Fibroblast Activation Protein-Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural killer (NK)-92 cells (hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells) and explore their potential therapeutic effects in NSCLC. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry analysis was carried out to examine fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and Gasdermin E (GSDME) expression in clinical specimens of lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma tissue. Then the engineered hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells efficiency was determined in vitro with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay and the cell morphology of A549, H226, and cancer-related fibroblast (CAF) was observed by electron microscopy. After the co-culture of target cells and effect cells, flow cytometry was employed for examining the CD107a expression in the effect cells, and western blotting was conducted for the cleavage levels of Caspase 3 and GSDME proteins in the target cells. The safety and efficacy of hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells adoptive transfer immunotherapy in a tumor-bearing mouse were evaluated. RESULTS: Clinical studies have shown FAP positivity in patients with NSCLC. Compared with A549 or H226 cells alone, FAP expression was notably raised in A549+CAF cells or H226+CAF cells in nude mice, respectively (p < 0.05). The killing efficiency of K562 cells was not significantly different between hFAP-CAR-NK-92 and NK-92 cells (p > 0.05). The hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells presented a higher killing efficiency against the hFAP-target (A549-hFAP, H226-hFAP and CAF-hFAP) cells than the NK-92 cells (p < 0.05). The degranulation of CD107a and cleavage levels of GSDME and Caspase 3 protein in the hFAP-CAR-NK-92 group were higher than those in the NK-92 group (p < 0.05). The 300 nM Granzyme B also induced pyroptosis in hFAP- or GSDME-positive cells (p < 0.05). In vivo experiments revealed that hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells inhibited tumor progression of hFAP-positive NSCLC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we successfully constructed hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells and confirmed that hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells could target hFAP-positive NSCLC to inhibit the progression of NSCLC by activating the Caspase-3/GSDME pyroptosis pathway.

[Factors Affecting Nitrate Concentrations and Nitrogen and Oxygen Isotope Values of Effluents from Waste Water Treatment Plant].

Urban domestic sewage is one of the important nitrate (NO-3) sources for surface water; however, their NO-3 concentrations and nitrogen and oxygen isotope values (δ15N-NO-3 and δ18O-NO-3) remain unclear, and the factors affecting NO-3 concentrations and δ15N-NO-3 and δ18O-NO-3 values of effluents in the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) are still unknown. Water samples in the Jiaozuo WWTP were collected to illustrate this question. Influents, clarified water in the secondary sedimentation tank (SST), and effluents of the WWTP were sampled every 8 h. The ammonia (NH+4) concentrations, NO-3 concentrations, and δ15N-NO-3 and δ18O-NO-3 values were analyzed to elucidate the nitrogen transfers through different treatment sections and illustrate the factors affecting the effluent NO-3 concentrations and isotope ratios. The results indicated that ① the mean NH+4 concentration was (22.86±2.16) mg·L-1 in the influent and decreased to (3.78±1.98) mg·L-1 in the SST and continuously reduced to (2.70±1.98) mg·L-1 in the effluent of the WWTP. The median NO-3 concentration was 0.62 mg·L-1 in the influent, and the average NO-3 concentration increased to (33.48±3.10) mg·L-1 in the SST and gradually increased to (37.20±4.34) mg·L-1 in the effluent of the WWTP. ② The mean values of δ15N-NO-3 and δ18O-NO-3 were (17.1±10.7)‰ and (19.2±2.2)‰ in the influent of the WWTP, the median values of δ15N-NO-3 and δ18O-NO-3 were 11.9‰ and 6.4‰ in the SST, and the average values were (12.6±1.9)‰ and (5.7±0.8)‰ in the effluent of the WWTP. ③ The NH+4 concentrations of influent had significant differences compared to those in the SST and the effluent (P<0.05). The reduction of NH+4 concentrations in the SST was due to the above nitrification during the aerobic treatment process, which transferred NH+4 to NO-3. The NH+4 concentrations in the SST had no significant differences with that in the effluent of the WWTP (P>0.05). ④ The NO-3 concentrations in the influent had significant differences with those in the SST and the effluent (P<0.05), and minor NO-3 concentrations but relatively high δ15N-NO-3 and δ18O-NO-3 values in the influent were probably due to denitrification during the pipe sewage transportation. The obviously increased NO-3 concentrations (P<0.05) but decreased δ18O-NO-3 values (P<0.05) in the SST and the effluent resulted from water oxygen incorporation during the nitrification. The above results confirmed the impacts of aerobic and anaerobic treatment processes on NO-3 concentrations and isotope ratios of effluent from the WWTP and provided scientific basis for the identification of sewage contributions to surface water nitrate via average δ15N-NO-3 and δ18O-NO-3 values.

Aflatoxin B1 disrupts testicular development via the cell cycle-related Ras/PI3K/Akt signaling in mice and pig.

Aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), a type I carcinogen widely present in the environment, not only poses a danger to animal husbandry, but also poses a potential threat to human reproductive health, but its mechanism is still unclear. To address this question, multi-omics were performed on porcine Sertoli cells and mice testis. The data suggest that AFB1 induced testicular damage manifested as decreased expression of GJA1, ZO1 and OCCLUDIN in mice (p < 0.01) and inhibition of porcine Sertoli cell proliferation. Transcriptomic analysis suggested changes in noncoding RNA expression profiles that affect the cell cycle-related Ras/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway after AFB1 exposure both in mice and pigs. Specifically, AFB1 caused abnormal cell cycle of testis with the characterization of decreased expressions of CCNA1, CCNB1 and CDK1 (p < 0.01). Flow cytometry revealed that the G2/M phase was significantly increased after AFB1 exposure. Meanwhile, AFB1 downregulated the expressions of Ras, PI3K and AKT both in porcine Sertoli cell (p < 0.01) and mice testis (p < 0.01). Metabolome analysis verified the alterations in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway (p < 0.05). Moreover, the joint analysis of metabolome and microbiome found that the changes of metabolites were correlated with the expression of flora. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that AFB1 impairs testicular development via the cell cycle-related Ras/PI3K/Akt signaling.

A comprehensive review of polyphenol oxidase in tea (Camellia sinensis): Physiological characteristics, oxidation manufacturing, and biosynthesis of functional constituents.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is a metalloenzyme with a type III copper core that is abundant in nature. As one of the most essential enzymes in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), the further regulation of PPO is critical for enhancing defensive responses, cultivating high-quality germplasm resources of tea plants, and producing tea products that are both functional and sensory qualities. Due to their physiological and pharmacological values, the constituents from the oxidative polymerization of PPO in tea manufacturing may serve as functional foods to prevent and treat chronic non-communicable diseases. However, current knowledge of the utilization of PPO in the tea industry is only available from scattered sources, and a more comprehensive study is required to reveal the relationship between PPO and tea obviously. A more comprehensive review of the role of PPO in tea was reported for the first time, as its classification, catalytic mechanism, and utilization in modulating tea flavors, compositions, and nutrition, along with the relationships between PPO-mediated enzymatic reactions and the formation of functional constituents in tea, and the techniques for the modification and application of PPO based on modern enzymology and synthetic biology are summarized and suggested in this article.

Predictors of female sexual problems in Shanxi, China: a population-based cross-sectional epidemiologic survey.

Background: Large studies on female sexual function have been conducted globally. Nonetheless, whether the state of female sexual function in China is significantly different from that in the rest of the world is largely unknown. Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the associated risk factors for sexual problems in women in Shanxi, China, by conducting a population-based cross-sectional epidemiological survey. Methods: Using the Chinese version of the Female Sexual Function Index (CV-FSFI), we surveyed women aged 20-70 years to diagnose the sexual problems. We used multiple linear regression models to estimate the risk factors for sexual problems. Outcomes: We used the CV-FSFI for investigating the female sexual function. Results: Our results included 6720 women, of whom 1205 were the sexually inactive and 5515 were sexually active. The mean FSFI score for sexually active women was 25.38 ± 4.20 (99% CI 25.27-25.49). Negative numerical coefficients were found for model predictors of age (B = -0.134, P < 0.001), postmenopausal status (B = -2.250, P < 0.001), chronic diseases (B = -0.512, P < 0.001), and gynecologic diseases (B = -0.767, P < 0.001). In contrast, positive numerical coefficients were found for education (B = 0.466, P < 0.001) and cesarean section (B = 0.312, P = 0.009). Clinical Implications: It is important to pay attention to the sexual health of women and explore the factors influencing the sexual problems of women in China. Strengths and Limitations: The present study is to our knowledge the first to evaluate the sexual function of women in Shanxi, China. Answers to questions asked in the CV-FSFI survey may be somewhat subjective, and thus additional tools and documentation are probably needed for accurate assessment. Conclusion: Similarly to other worldwide studies, our study found that increasing age, postmenopausal status, chronic diseases, and gynecological diseases were risk factors for sexual problems, whereas high education levels and cesarean section childbirth were protective factors for sexual problems.