Association of triglyceride-glucose index and its combination with adiposity-related indices with the incidence of myocardial infarction: a cohort study from the UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index performs better at reflecting insulin resistance when combined with waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) than when used alone. This study aimed to prospectively examine the relationships between TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR with the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) and its subtypes. METHODS: This cohort study included 370,390 participants from the UK Biobank. The Cox proportional hazards model and restricted cubic spline regression model were used to assess the associations of TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR with MI, ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were employed to examine the predictive value of four indicators. RESULTS: The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of MI in the highest quartiles for TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR were 1.36 (1.28-1.44), 1.47 (1.39-1.56), 1.53 (1.43-1.64), and 1.58 (1.48-1.68) in the fully-adjusted model. Comparable findings were observed when the outcomes were reclassified as STEMI or NSTEMI. However, the associations of TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR with the risk of STEMI were weaker than MI and NSTEMI. A linear dose-response association between TyG and the risk of MI and NSTEMI were demonstrated. TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR all showed nonlinear patterns in their associations with the risk of MI, STEMI, and NSTEMI. TyG-WC was most effective in diagnosing MI (AUC: 0.648, 95% CI: 0.644-0.653), STEMI (AUC: 0.631, 95% CI: 0.622-0.639), and NSTEMI (AUC: 0.647, 95% CI: 0.641-0.654). CONCLUSION: The TyG index was linearly associated with increased risk of MI and NSTEMI, whereas TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR were nonlinearly associated with increased risk of MI and NSTEMI. There were distinct patterns in the relationships between these indicators with STEMI. TyG-WC provided the best diagnostic effectiveness for MI, STEMI, and NSTEMI.

Converting "cold" to "hot": epigenetics strategies to improve immune therapy effect by regulating tumor-associated immune suppressive cells.

Significant developments in cancer treatment have been made since the advent of immune therapies. However, there are still some patients with malignant tumors who do not benefit from immunotherapy. Tumors without immunogenicity are called "cold" tumors which are unresponsive to immunotherapy, and the opposite are "hot" tumors. Immune suppressive cells (ISCs) refer to cells which can inhibit the immune response such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T (Treg) cells and so on. The more ISCs infiltrated, the weaker the immunogenicity of the tumor, showing the characteristics of "cold" tumor. The dysfunction of ISCs in the tumor microenvironment (TME) may play essential roles in insensitive therapeutic reaction. Previous studies have found that epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in the regulation of ISCs. Regulating ISCs may be a new approach to transforming "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors. Here, we focused on the function of ISCs in the TME and discussed how epigenetics is involved in regulating ISCs. In addition, we summarized the mechanisms by which the epigenetic drugs convert immunotherapy-insensitive tumors into immunotherapy-sensitive tumors which would be an innovative tendency for future immunotherapy in "cold" tumor.

Detection of maize stem diameter by using RGB-D cameras' depth information under selected field condition.

Stem diameter is a critical phenotypic parameter for maize, integral to yield prediction and lodging resistance assessment. Traditionally, the quantification of this parameter through manual measurement has been the norm, notwithstanding its tedious and laborious nature. To address these challenges, this study introduces a non-invasive field-based system utilizing depth information from RGB-D cameras to measure maize stem diameter. This technology offers a practical solution for conducting rapid and non-destructive phenotyping. Firstly, RGB images, depth images, and 3D point clouds of maize stems were captured using an RGB-D camera, and precise alignment between the RGB and depth images was achieved. Subsequently, the contours of maize stems were delineated using 2D image processing techniques, followed by the extraction of the stem's skeletal structure employing a thinning-based skeletonization algorithm. Furthermore, within the areas of interest on the maize stems, horizontal lines were constructed using points on the skeletal structure, resulting in 2D pixel coordinates at the intersections of these horizontal lines with the maize stem contours. Subsequently, a back-projection transformation from 2D pixel coordinates to 3D world coordinates was achieved by combining the depth data with the camera's intrinsic parameters. The 3D world coordinates were then precisely mapped onto the 3D point cloud using rigid transformation techniques. Finally, the maize stem diameter was sensed and determined by calculating the Euclidean distance between pairs of 3D world coordinate points. The method demonstrated a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 3.01%, a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.75 mm, a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 1.07 mm, and a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.96, ensuring accurate measurement of maize stem diameter. This research not only provides a new method of precise and efficient crop phenotypic analysis but also offers theoretical knowledge for the advancement of precision agriculture.

The time sensitive and dose-responsive association between parental corporal punishment and sleep disturbances in preschoolers: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To examine whether parental corporal punishment is associated with increased risk of concurrent and later sleep disturbances among preschoolers, and whether the association is time-sensitive or dose-responsive. METHODS: This 3-year prospective cohort study used data from the Shanghai Children's Health, Education and Lifestyle Evaluation, Preschool(SCHEDULE-P). Participants were newly enrolled preschoolers in November 2016(wave 1) and followed up in April 2018(wave 2) and April 2019(wave 3). Parents reported the children's corporal punishment experiences and sleep disturbances at each wave survey. Children's risk of sleep disturbances in relation to corporal punishment was examined using logistic regression, adjusting for children's age, gender, emotional/behavioral problems, family annual income, and maternal educational level. RESULTS: The participants of 19,668 children included 9436(47.98 %) females, with a mean age of 3.73(SD = 0.29) years at wave 1. Exposure to corporal punishment was associated with increased odds of concurrent sleep disturbances at wave 1, 2, and 3 (aOR,1.57; 95 % CI, 1.40-1.75; P < .001; aOR,1.60; 95 % CI, 1.43-1.80; P < .001; aOR,1.74; 95 % CI, 1.54-1.95; P < .001), respectively. Exposure to corporal punishment at any wave of preschool was associated with increased odds of sleep disturbances at wave 3, and the risks were greater for proximal and accumulative corporal punishment exposure. CONCLUSION: There is a time-sensitive and dose-responsive association between corporal punishment and sleep disturbance among preschoolers, with greater risk of sleep disturbances for proximal and accumulative exposure of corporal punishment. Promoting positive parenting strategies and avoiding corporal punishment can be a promising strategy to prevent and intervene sleep disturbances in preschoolers.

Childhood Adiposity and Risk of Major Clinical Heart Diseases in Adulthood: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

BACKGROUND: The causal relationship between childhood adiposity and adult risk of heart diseases has not been clearly demonstrated. This study aims to ascertain whether genetically predicted childhood body mass index (BMI) and childhood obesity are causally associated with adult coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: To investigate the causative relationships and underlying mechanisms between childhood adiposity and adult heart diseases, 3 main methods of Mendelian randomization were used: 2-sample Mendelian randomization, multivariable Mendelian randomization with controlling for several cardiometabolic risk variables, and mediation analysis. Every 1-SD rise in genetically predicted childhood body mass index was associated with 24% (odds ratio [OR], 1.24 [95% CI, 1.12-1.37]), 28% (OR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.14-1.42]), 28% (OR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.14-1.42]), and 27% (OR, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.04-1.49]) higher risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, respectively. Every 1-unit increase in log-odds in childhood obesity was associated with 11% (OR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.06-1.16]), 14% (OR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.04-1.23]), 10% (OR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.03-1.18]), and 20% (OR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.08-1.32]) higher risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, respectively. The link between childhood adiposity and adult heart diseases was found to be mediated by high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the causal relationships between childhood adiposity and risk of adult coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Blood lipids, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes are factors that mediate the aforementioned associations.

Insufficient Sleep is Associated With Increasing Trends in Adolescent Suicidal Behaviors.

PURPOSE: Youth suicide has been increasing and became a public health concern worldwide. Identifying insufficient sleep as the potential risk factor is critical to reducing suicide risk and increasing trends. This study aimed to determine whether insufficient sleep is associated with increasing trends in suicidal behaviors and disparities by sex, age, and race/ethnicity among school adolescents. METHODS: The present study used biennial data from the US nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Survey from 2007 to 2019. Joinpoint regression models were used to estimate biennial percent changes (BPCs) and average BPCs (ABPCs) of suicidal behaviors by sleep duration. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between insufficient sleep and suicidal behaviors. RESULTS: Of 73,356 adolescent students included (mean [standard deviation] age, 16.11 [1.23] years), 50.03% were female. Suicidal ideation and suicide plan among insufficient sleep group increased from 2007 to 2019 (BPC = 2.88% [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.65%, 4.13%]; BPC = 3.42% [95% CI: 2.09%, 4.77%]), but were nonsignificant among sufficient sleep group. Trends in suicidal ideation (ABPC = 3.03% [95% CI: 1.35%, 4.73%]) and suicide plan (ABPC = 4.03% [95% CI: 2.47%, 5.62%]) among female adolescents with insufficient sleep increased, but nonsignificant among male adolescents with insufficient sleep. Suicidal ideation (ABPC = 1.73% [95% CI: 0.51%, 2.97%]) and suicide plan (ABPC = 2.31% [95% CI: 0.70%, 3.95%]) increased among younger adolescents only with insufficient sleep, whereas suicide trends by sleep duration were similar among older adolescents. Suicide plan among insufficient sleep group increased across the four racial groups, with BPC highest for the White (BPC = 3.48% [95% CI: 1.31%, 5.69%]), and lowest for the Hispanic/Latino (BPC = 1.18% [95% CI: 0.15%, 2.23%]), but were nonsignificant among sufficient sleep group except for the White (BPC = 2.83% [95% CI: 0.62%, 5.09%]). DISCUSSION: Insufficient sleep was disproportionately associated with increasing trends in suicidal behaviors among female, younger, and non-White adolescent students. Ensuring sufficient sleep can potentially reduce suicide among school adolescents.

Nitrifying niche in estuaries is expanded by the plastisphere.

The estuarine plastisphere, a novel ecological habitat in the Anthropocene, has garnered global concerns. Recent geochemical evidence has pointed out its potential role in influencing nitrogen biogeochemistry. However, the biogeochemical significance of the plastisphere and its mechanisms regulating nitrogen cycling remain elusive. Using 15N- and 13C-labelling coupled with metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, here we unveil that the plastisphere likely acts as an underappreciated nitrifying niche in estuarine ecosystems, exhibiting a 0.9 ~ 12-fold higher activity of bacteria-mediated nitrification compared to surrounding seawater and other biofilms (stone, wood and glass biofilms). The shift of active nitrifiers from O2-sensitive nitrifiers in the seawater to nitrifiers with versatile metabolisms in the plastisphere, combined with the potential interspecific cooperation of nitrifying substrate exchange observed among the plastisphere nitrifiers, collectively results in the unique nitrifying niche. Our findings highlight the plastisphere as an emerging nitrifying niche in estuarine environment, and deepen the mechanistic understanding of its contribution to marine biogeochemistry.