Image_1_Mendelian randomization study on the causal relationship between food and cholelithiasis.TIF

BackgroundCholelithiasis, commonly referred to as gallstones, is a prevalent medical condition influenced by a combination of genetic factors, lifestyle choices, and dietary habits. Specific food items have been associated with an increased susceptibility to cholelithiasis, whereas others seem to offer a protective effect against its development.MethodsIn this study, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using a large-scale genetic dataset comprising individuals with European ancestry to explore the potential causal relationship between diet and cholelithiasis. The analysis incorporated 17 food-related variables, which were considered as potential factors influencing the occurrence of this condition.ResultsOur findings indicate that a higher consumption of cooked vegetables, dried fruit, and oily fish is associated with a reduced risk of cholelithiasis. Conversely, a higher consumption of lamb is associated with an increased risk of developing the condition. Importantly, these associations proved robust to sensitivity and heterogeneity tests, and the pleiotropic test results further supported the hypothesis of a causal relationship between diet and cholelithiasis.ConclusionThrough our study, we provide compelling evidence for the existence of a causal relationship between diet and cholelithiasis. Adopting a dietary pattern enriched with cooked vegetables, dried fruit, and oily fish, while minimizing lamb intake, may contribute to the prevention of cholelithiasis. Recognizing diet as a modifiable risk factor in the prevention and management of this condition is of paramount importance, and our study offers valuable insights in this regard.</p

Table_1_Mendelian randomization study on the causal relationship between food and cholelithiasis.XLSX

BackgroundCholelithiasis, commonly referred to as gallstones, is a prevalent medical condition influenced by a combination of genetic factors, lifestyle choices, and dietary habits. Specific food items have been associated with an increased susceptibility to cholelithiasis, whereas others seem to offer a protective effect against its development.MethodsIn this study, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using a large-scale genetic dataset comprising individuals with European ancestry to explore the potential causal relationship between diet and cholelithiasis. The analysis incorporated 17 food-related variables, which were considered as potential factors influencing the occurrence of this condition.ResultsOur findings indicate that a higher consumption of cooked vegetables, dried fruit, and oily fish is associated with a reduced risk of cholelithiasis. Conversely, a higher consumption of lamb is associated with an increased risk of developing the condition. Importantly, these associations proved robust to sensitivity and heterogeneity tests, and the pleiotropic test results further supported the hypothesis of a causal relationship between diet and cholelithiasis.ConclusionThrough our study, we provide compelling evidence for the existence of a causal relationship between diet and cholelithiasis. Adopting a dietary pattern enriched with cooked vegetables, dried fruit, and oily fish, while minimizing lamb intake, may contribute to the prevention of cholelithiasis. Recognizing diet as a modifiable risk factor in the prevention and management of this condition is of paramount importance, and our study offers valuable insights in this regard.</p

Engineering Hybrid Metallic Nanostructures Using a Single Domain of Block Copolymer Templates

Building complex nanostructures using a simple patterned template is challenging in material science and nanotechnology. In the present work, three different strategies have been exploited for the successful fabrication of hybrid dots-on-wire metallic nanostructures through combining an in-situ method with an ex-situ method. Basically, plasma etching was applied to generate a metallic wire-like nanostructure, and preformed nanoparticles could be placed through multiple means before or after the formation of the wire-like nanostructure. Various monometallic and bimetallic nanostructures have been obtained by utilizing only one functional domain of block copolymer templates. In these cases, full utilization of the functional domain or introduction of the molecular linker is critical to engineering hybrid metallic nanostructures. Other complex and multifunctional hybrid nanostructures can be developed via these strategies similarly, and these nanostructures are promising for useful applications such as optics and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)

Construction of 1‑Naphthols via Benzannulation Based on the Reaction of Aryl <i>tert</i>-Butyl Ynol Ethers with Ynamides or Ynol Ethers

A new version of benzannulation featuring the use of aromatic <i>tert</i>-butyl ynol ethers as the convenient precursors for arylketenes has been developed. Both ynamides and ynol ethers undergo this reaction smoothly, giving 3-amino and 3-alkoxy 1-naphthols in good to excellent yields under the heated reaction conditions. The high efficiency, excellent regioselectivity, good functional group compatibility, and broad substrate scope render this reaction particularly valuable for organic synthesis

Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Naphthoquinones via Copper-Catalyzed Cascade Trifluoromethylation/Cyclization of 2‑(3-Arylpropioloyl)benzaldehydes

A novel copper-catalyzed cascade trifluoromethylation/cyclization of 2-(3-arylpropioloyl)­benzaldehydes is described, allowing a direct access to structurally diverse trifluoromethylated naphthoquinones under mild reaction conditions. It represents the first <i>trans</i>-acyltrifluoromethylation of internal alkynes

Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Naphthoquinones via Copper-Catalyzed Cascade Trifluoromethylation/Cyclization of 2‑(3-Arylpropioloyl)benzaldehydes

A novel copper-catalyzed cascade trifluoromethylation/cyclization of 2-(3-arylpropioloyl)­benzaldehydes is described, allowing a direct access to structurally diverse trifluoromethylated naphthoquinones under mild reaction conditions. It represents the first <i>trans</i>-acyltrifluoromethylation of internal alkynes

Additional file 2 of Mechanobiological responses of astrocytes in optic nerve head due to biaxial stretch

Additional file 2

Additional file 3 of Mechanobiological responses of astrocytes in optic nerve head due to biaxial stretch

Additional file 3

Trajectory Optimization Algorithm for a 4-DOF Redundant Parallel Robot Based on 12-Phase Sine Jerk Motion Profile

To improve high motion accuracy and efficiency in the high-speed operation of a 4-DOF (4 degrees of freedom) redundant parallel robot, this paper introduces a trajectory planning of the parallel robot in joint space based on the twelve-phase sine jerk motion profile. The 12-phase sine jerk motion profile utilizes the characteristics of a sine function. Furthermore, the penalty function is used to optimize the trajectory energy consumption under the constraint condition. The simulation and experimental results show that the energy consumption of joint space is slightly higher than that of the three-phase sine jerk motion profile, but the overall operation is more accurate and stable. Specifically, the sudden change of force and velocity in each joint is eliminated, which is the cause of mechanism oscillation. Moreover, the force of each joint is more average. The results indicate that each movement is closer to the maximum allowable limit and the running efficiency is higher. </p

Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration under hypoxia and increased antioxidant activity after reoxygenation of <i>Tribolium castaneum</i>

<div><p>Regulating the air in low-oxygen environments protects hermetically stored grains from storage pests damage. However, pests that can tolerate hypoxic stress pose a huge challenge in terms of grain storage. We used various biological approaches to determine the fundamental mechanisms of <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> to cope with hypoxia. Our results indicated that limiting the available oxygen to <i>T</i>. <i>castaneum</i> increased glycolysis and inhibited the Krebs cycle, and that accumulated pyruvic acid was preferentially converted to lactic acid via anaerobic metabolism. Mitochondrial aerobic respiration was markedly suppressed for beetles under hypoxia, which also might have led to mitochondrial autophagy. The enzymatic activity of citrate synthase decreased in insects under hypoxia but recovered within 12 h, which suggested that the beetles recovered from the hypoxia. Moreover, hypoxia-reperfusion resulted in severe oxidative damage to insects, and antioxidant levels increased to defend against the high level of reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, our findings show that mitochondria were the main target in <i>T</i>. <i>castaneum</i> in response to low oxygen. The beetles under hypoxia inhibited mitochondrial respiration and increased antioxidant activity after reoxygenation. Our research advances the field of pest control and makes it possible to develop more efficient strategies for hermetic storage.</p></div