1-[4-(Iodo­meth­yl)cyclo­hex­yl]-4-methyl­benzene

In the title compound, C14H19I, the cyclo­hexane ring adopts a chair conformation and the substituents are in equatorial sites. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the cyclo­hexane and benzene rings is 67.23 (13)°

Hybrid-space reconstruction with add-on distortion correction for simultaneous multi-slab diffusion MRI

Purpose: This study aims to propose a model-based reconstruction algorithm for simultaneous multi-slab diffusion MRI acquired with blipped-CAIPI gradients (blipped-SMSlab), which can also incorporate distortion correction. Methods: We formulate blipped-SMSlab in a 4D k-space with kz gradients for the intra-slab slice encoding and km (blipped-CAIPI) gradients for the inter-slab encoding. Because kz and km gradients share the same physical axis, the blipped-CAIPI gradients introduce phase interference in the z-km domain while motion induces phase variations in the kz-m domain. Thus, our previous k-space-based reconstruction would need multiple steps to transform data back and forth between k-space and image space for phase correction. Here we propose a model-based hybrid-space reconstruction algorithm to correct the phase errors simultaneously. Moreover, the proposed algorithm is combined with distortion correction, and jointly reconstructs data acquired with the blip-up/down acquisition to reduce the g-factor penalty. Results: The blipped-CAIPI-induced phase interference is corrected by the hybrid-space reconstruction. Blipped-CAIPI can reduce the g-factor penalty compared to the non-blipped acquisition in the basic reconstruction. Additionally, the joint reconstruction simultaneously corrects the image distortions and improves the 1/g-factors by around 50%. Furthermore, through the joint reconstruction, SMSlab acquisitions without the blipped-CAIPI gradients also show comparable correction performance with blipped-SMSlab. Conclusion: The proposed model-based hybrid-space reconstruction can reconstruct blipped-SMSlab diffusion MRI successfully. Its extension to a joint reconstruction of the blip-up/down acquisition can correct EPI distortions and further reduce the g-factor penalty compared with the separate reconstruction.Comment: 10 figures+tables, 8 supplementary figure

The association between reproductive history and the multidimensional health of older adults in rural China and its gender differences: Evidence from the Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey

BackgroundFew studies have examined the association between reproductive history and the multidimensional health of older adults with more diverse reproductive histories and poorer health status in rural China. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of parity, sex ratio of children and late childbearing on multidimensional health and its gender differences.MethodsThe analytical sample consisted of 3,377 older adults in rural China who participated in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) in 2018. Linear regression models were applied to estimate the relationship between reproductive history and multidimensional health, with separate models for each indicator of health outcomes.ResultsOlder adults in rural areas with greater parity were more likely to have better cognitive function (β = 0.409, 95% CI: 0.255–0.563), fewer Activities of Daily Living (ADL) limitations (β = −0.085, 95% CI: −0.137 to −0.034) and symptoms of depression (β = −0.396, 95% CI: −0.577 to −0.216). The social mechanism of intergenerational support from children later in life partly explained the positive effect of parity. Late childbearing had negative effects on cognitive function (β = −1.220, 95% CI: −1.895 to −0.545), ADL (β = 0.253, 95% CI: 0.028–0.478) and symptoms of depression (β = 1.025, 95% CI: 0.237–1.812). Women were more likely to be influenced by the positive effect of parity; the association between late childbearing and health was only significant in the male group.ConclusionsParity and late childbearing are associated with cognitive function, activities of daily living, and symptoms of depression in the older adults in rural China. Older adults with more children might be in better health, and this finding is especially significant in women. However, late childbearing had a negative effect on multidimensional health, especially for men. The social mechanism and gender differences between reproductive history and health need to be further explored

Safety and effectiveness of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging-guided laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatic tumor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionPrevious clinical investigations have reported inconsistent findings regarding the feasibility of utilizing indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (ICGFI) in laparoscopic liver tumor removal. This meta-analysis aims to comprehensively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ICGFI in laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH).MethodsA systematic search of pertinent clinical studies published before January 30th, 2023 was conducted in databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science. The search strategy encompassed key terms such as “indocyanine green fluorescence,” “ICG fluorescence,” “laparoscopic hepatectomy,” “hepatectomies,” “liver Neoplasms,” “hepatic cancer,” and “liver tumor.” Additionally, we scrutinized the reference lists of included articles to identify supplementary studies. we assessed the quality of the incorporated studies and extracted clinical data. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA v.17.0 software. Either a fixed-effects or a random-effects model was employed to compute combined effect sizes, accompanied by 95% confidence intervals (CIs), based on varying levels of heterogeneity.ResultsThis meta-analysis encompassed eleven retrospective cohort studies, involving 959 patients in total. Our findings revealed that, in comparison to conventional laparoscopic hepatectomy, patients receiving ICGFI-guided LH exhibited a higher R0 resection rate (OR: 3.96, 95% CI: 1.28, 12.25, I2 = 0.00%, P = 0.778) and a diminished incidence of intraoperative blood transfusion (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.81, I2 = 51.1%, P = 0.056). Additionally, they experienced shorter postoperative hospital stays (WMD: −1.07, 95% CI: −2.00, −0.14, I2 = 85.1%, P = 0.000). No statistically significant differences emerged between patients receiving ICGFI-guided LH vs. those undergoing conventional LH in terms of minimal margin width and postoperative complications.ConclusionICGFI-guided LH demonstrates marked superiority over conventional laparoscopic liver tumor resection in achieving R0 resection and reducing intraoperative blood transfusion rates. This technique appears to hold substantial promise. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to explore potential long-term benefits associated with patients undergoing ICGFI-guided LH.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD 42023398195

Impact of feeding dried distillers’ grains with solubles diet on microbiome and metabolome of ruminal and cecal contents in Guanling yellow cattle

Dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) are rich in nutrients, and partially alternative feeding of DDGS effectively reduces cost of feed and improves animals’ growth. We used 16S rDNA gene sequencing and LC/MS-based metabolomics to explore the effect of feeding cattle with a basal diet (BD) and a Jiang-flavor DDGS diet (replaces 25% concentrate of the diet) on microbiome and metabolome of ruminal and cecal contents in Guanling yellow cattle. The results showed that the ruminal and cecal contents shared the same dominance of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in two groups. The ruminal dominant genera were Prevotella_1, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010; and the cecal dominant genera were Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group. Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis (LDA > 2, P < 0.05) revealed the significantly differential bacteria enriched in the DDGS group, including Ruminococcaceae_UCG_012, Prevotellaceae_UCG_004 and Anaerococcus in the ruminal contents, which was associated with degradation of plant polysaccharides. Besides, Anaerosporobacter, Anaerovibrio, and Caproiciproducens in the cecal contents were involved in fatty acid metabolism. Compared with the BD group, 20 significantly different metabolites obtained in the ruminal contents of DDGS group were down-regulated (P < 0.05), and based on them, 4 significantly different metabolic pathways (P < 0.05) were enriched including “Linoleic acid metabolism,” “Biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids,” “Taste transduction,” and “Carbohydrate digestion and absorption.” There were 65 significantly different metabolites (47 were upregulated, 18 were downregulated) in the cecal contents of DDGS group when compared with the BD group, and 4 significantly different metabolic pathways (P < 0.05) were enriched including “Longevity regulating pathway,” “Bile secretion,” “Choline metabolism in cancer,” and “HIF-1 signaling pathway.” Spearman analysis revealed close negative relationships between the top 20 significantly differential metabolites and Anaerococcus in the ruminal contents. Bacteria with high relevance to cecal differential metabolites were Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-003, Dielma, and Solobacterium that affect specific metabolic pathways in cattle. Collectively, our results suggest that feeding cattle with a DDGS diet improves the microbial structure and the metabolic patterns of lipids and carbohydrates, thus contributing to the utilization efficiency of nutrients and physical health to some extent. Our findings will provide scientific reference for the utilization of DDGS as feed in cattle industry

Overexpression of Sterol Carrier Protein 2 in Patients with Hereditary Cholesterol Gallstones

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lithogenic bile is the major cause of cholesterol gallstone, but its pathogenesis is not well understood. The hypersecretion of biliary cholesterol is believed to be an important cause of lithogenic bile. Sterol Carrier Protein 2 (SCP2) participates in cholesterol trafficking and lipid metabolism in hepatocytes and may play a key role in cholesterol gallstone formation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>21 cholesterol gallstone genealogies were studied to investigate the expression of SCP2 gene in liver tissue of hereditary and non-hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients as well as non-gallstone patients. The mRNA expression of liver SCP2 in 28 hereditary patients, 30 non-hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients and 32 non-gallstone patients was measured by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression of liver SCP2 was also detected in all the patients by Western blotting. At the same time, the bile was also analyzed with biochemical techniques and the Cholesterol Saturation Index (CSI) was calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mRNA and protein expression of SCP2 was significantly increased in cholesterol gallstone patients compared to those of non-gallstone patients. Moreover, SCP2 was expressed at higher levels in hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients than that of non-hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients. There was significant difference observed in CSI between cholesterol gallstone patients and non-gallstone patients, but not in CSI between hereditary and non-hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>SCP2 was overexpressed in hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients compared to non-hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients. This finding indicated that SCP2 might be one of the genetic factors contributing to cholesterol gallstone formation, which was always accompanied by the increase of bile lithogenicity.</p

Revitalize Traditional Agriculture: Chinese Consumer Perception and Preference of “Modern” Organic and Sustainable Traditional Rice Products

Many smallholder farmers in developing countries have used sustainable traditional agricultural techniques to ensure food safety and sustainability over the centuries. However, the value of sustainable traditional agricultural products, especially as an inexpensive substitution for “modern” organic products in developing countries, is rarely studied. Using the contingent valuation method, we compared Chinese consumers’ perceptions of and preferences for sustainable traditional agricultural products and “modern” organic products. Our results show that sustainable traditional agriculture can signal environment-friendly practices and food safety, and consumer willingness to pay for sustainable traditional agricultural products is higher than those of “modern” organic products. Considering the high demand for sustainable traditional agricultural products, revitalizing sustainable traditional agriculture may be a good way to balance sustainability and feasibility in developing countries

The Impact of COVID-19 on Food Stockpiling Behavior over Time in China

Studying the impact of COVID-19 on consumer food stockpiling behavior is timely and imperative. It can provide important information and help to understand whether consumers permanently change their behavior or return to their old habits in the long run. This study analyzed Chinese consumers&rsquo; food stockpiling behavior using six rounds of nationwide surveys in China from December 2020 to July 2021. The results show that the scale of food reserves extended from 3.03 to 10.01 days after the outbreak of COVID-19, then dropped to a &ldquo;new normal&rdquo; plateau and kept fluctuating with the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers who stockpile food for &ldquo;Avoiding shortage&rdquo; and &ldquo;Pursuing ease&rdquo; are going to stockpile food on a larger scale, implying a supply shock may affect the demand side. Those who perceive a higher level of severity of the pandemic are less likely to return to their old habits. Finally, although consumers&rsquo; food stockpiling behavior fluctuates with the tide of COVID-19 pandemic, it gradually returns to old habits over time