Associations of psychological wellbeing with COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality in adults aged 50 years or older from 25 European countries and Israel

BackgroundLower psychological wellbeing is associated with poor outcomes in a variety of diseases and healthy populations. However, no study has investigated whether psychological wellbeing is associated with the outcomes of COVID-19. This study aimed to determine whether individuals with lower psychological wellbeing are more at risk for poor outcomes of COVID-19.MethodsData were from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) in 2017 and SHARE's two COVID-19 surveys in June–September 2020 and June–August 2021. Psychological wellbeing was measured using the CASP-12 scale in 2017. The associations of the CASP-12 score with COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality were assessed using logistic models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, physical activity, household income, education level, and chronic conditions. Sensitivity analyses were performed by imputing missing data or excluding cases whose diagnosis of COVID-19 was solely based on symptoms. A confirmatory analysis was conducted using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA). Data analysis took place in October 2022.ResultsIn total, 3,886 individuals of 50 years of age or older with COVID-19 were included from 25 European countries and Israel, with 580 hospitalized (14.9%) and 100 deaths (2.6%). Compared with individuals in tertile 3 (highest) of the CASP-12 score, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of COVID-19 hospitalization were 1.81 (95% CI, 1.41–2.31) for those in tertile 1 (lowest) and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.07–1.75) for those in tertile 2. As for COVID-19 mortality, the adjusted ORs were 2.05 (95% CI, 1.12–3.77) for tertile 1 and 1.78 (95% CI, 0.98–3.23) for tertile 2, compared with tertile 3. The results were relatively robust to missing data or the exclusion of cases solely based on symptoms. This inverse association of the CASP-12 score with COVID-19 hospitalization risk was also observed in ELSA.ConclusionThis study shows that lower psychological wellbeing is independently associated with increased risks of COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality in European adults aged 50 years or older. Further study is needed to validate these associations in recent and future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and other populations

Comparison and Analysis of Hydrogen Production Capacity of 8 strains of marine green algae

In this study, four strains of Chlorella genus and four strains of Tetraselmis genus were investigated to research their in vitro hydrogenase activities and hydrogen productions. C.sp.-3 showed the second highest in vitro hydrogenase activity with 297.48 nmol H-2/(mu g Chla h) and the highest volume of H-2 production with 10.246 mu l/L among all the strains. Although T. sp.-3 exhibited a much low H-2 production of 0.298 mu l/L, its in vitro hydrogenase activity was the highest with 315.92 nmol H-2/(mu g Chla h). During the continuous culture of five weeks, the hydrogen production of C. sp.-3 reached the peak at 3rd weeks with 12.46 mu l H-2 per liter culture, and decreased subsequently. In contrast, that of T. sp.-3 increased slowly and gradually with the culturing time, and was much lower than that of C. sp.-3 at each culture phases. These results showed that hydrogen production was a complex process that was determined not only by strain types but also by other factors, and that both C.sp.-3 and T. sp.-3 in the 8 strains were the most promising ones in hydrogen production and were worthy of further research

The moisture absorption and retention abilities of quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan

Different types of quaternized carboxymethyl chitosans (QCMCs) were prepared in this study. The moisture absorption abilities of each QCMCs were measured at 81% and 43% relative humidity (RH), and the moisture retention abilities were done at 81% RH, at 43% RH and in silica gel. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was used as control in each condition. Results showed that, both at 81% and 43% RH, each QCMCs had better properties both in moisture absorption and retention than HA. And in silica gel, the moisture retention ability of each QCMCs was better than or close to that of HA. Therefore, it is hopeful that certain of the QCMCs would replace HA as the moisture absorption and retention ingredient in cosmetics in the future. ©2009 IEEE

Responses of marine-derived Trichoderma fungi to seawater and their potential antagonistic behaviour

To explore the metabolic responses of marine-derived Trichoderma fungi to environmental stresses, the survivability, metabolism, and antagonism of ten marine isolates have been examined. Their survival in both freshwater and seawater indicates them to be facultative marine fungi, but they are more adaptable to marine environment. Most of them feature strain-specific and positive metabolic responses to seawater, which also usually result in the higher proportions of heteroatom-bearing and unsaturated units in mycelial constituents. Seawater factors can promote many strains to produce bioactive metabolites, including plant pathogen- and marine phytoplankton-inhibitory and marine animal-toxic ones, but the effects of NaCl are often weak or negative. The inhibition of marine phytoplankton corresponds to the intracellular accumulation of heteroatom-bearing and unsaturated units under seawater condition, and the varied toxicities to marine animals further signify the divergences of lipophilic exudates under different conditions. The results may contribute to further understanding and mining the structural diversity and biological activity of secondary metabolites from marine-derived Trichoderma fungi

The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of chitosan, hyaluronan, starch and their O-carboxymethylated derivatives

In order to study the effect of active hydroxyl and amino groups on scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals of polysaccharides, three kinds of carboxymethylated polysaccharides (carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CM-chitosan), carboxymethyl hyaluronan (CMHA), and carboxymethyl starch (CMS)) were prepared and their antioxidant activities against hydroxyl radicals were assessed, respectively. Results showed that O-CM-chitosan had lower scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals than chitosan. CMHA and CMS had the same tendency. For the three kinds of polysaccharides, scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals was found to be in the order of chitosan > HA > starch. The scavenging ability of carboxymethylated polysaccharides had the same order as related to its corresponding polysaccharides at higher concentrations (>= 0.8mg/ml). There were not only hydroxyl groups but also amino or acetamino (CH3CONH-) groups in the molecules of chitosan and HA, but only hydroxyl group for starch. It was suggested that the sequence influence the scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals might be amino group > acetamide group > hydroxyl group. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.In order to study the effect of active hydroxyl and amino groups on scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals of polysaccharides, three kinds of carboxymethylated polysaccharides (carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CM-chitosan), carboxymethyl hyaluronan (CMHA), and carboxymethyl starch (CMS)) were prepared and their antioxidant activities against hydroxyl radicals were assessed, respectively. Results showed that O-CM-chitosan had lower scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals than chitosan. CMHA and CMS had the same tendency. For the three kinds of polysaccharides, scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals was found to be in the order of chitosan > HA > starch. The scavenging ability of carboxymethylated polysaccharides had the same order as related to its corresponding polysaccharides at higher concentrations (>= 0.8mg/ml). There were not only hydroxyl groups but also amino or acetamino (CH(3)CONH-) groups in the molecules of chitosan and HA, but only hydroxyl group for starch. It was suggested that the sequence influence the scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals might be amino group > acetamide group > hydroxyl group. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Stability and changes in astaxanthin ester composition from Haematococcus pluvialis during storage

In this paper, we investigated the effects of temperature, oxygen, antioxidants, and corn germ oil on the stability of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis under different storage conditions, and changes in the composition of astaxanthin esters during storage using high performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometry. Oxygen and high temperatures (22-25 degrees C) significantly reduced the stability of astaxanthin esters. Corn germ oil and antioxidants (ascorbic acid and vitamin E) failed to protect astaxanthin from oxidation, and actually significantly increased the instability of astaxanthin. A change in the relative composition of astaxanthin esters was observed after 96 weeks of long-term storage. During storage, the relative amounts of free astaxanthin and astaxanthin monoesters declined, while the relative amount of astaxanthin diesters increased. Thus, the ratio of astaxanthin diester to monoester increased, and this ratio could be used to indicate if astaxanthin esters have been properly preserved. If the ratio is greater than 0.2, it suggests that the decrease in astaxanthin content could be higher than 20%. Our results show that storing algal powder from H. pluvialis or other natural astaxanthin products under vacuum and in the dark below 4 degrees C is the most economical and applicable storage method for the large-scale production of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis. This storage method can produce an astaxanthin preservation rate of at least 80% after 96 weeks of storage

The moisture absorption and retention abilities of hyaluronan, chitosan, starch and their quaternary derivatives

Quaternary ammonium salt of hyaluronan (QHA), quaternary ammonium salt of starch (QS), and quaternary ammonium salt of chitosan (QCTS) were successfully prepared. Infrared spectroscopy (IR), 1H NMR and 13C NMR techniques were used to characterize the molecular structure of QHA. Results showed that QHA had better moisture absorption abilities than HA both at 43% and 81% RH. QS and QCTS had the same tendency. In addition, the three quaternized polysaccharides had better moisture retention abilities than their corresponding polysaccharides under three humidity conditions: 81% RH, 43% RH and dry condition. The -N+ (CH3)3 group played a very important role in moisture-absorption and retention ability of the quaternized polysaccharides. QCTS and QHA showed parallel or better Ra and R h than that of HA, and had potential to use as moisture-retention ingredient, e. g., in cosmetics

Accurate quantification of astaxanthin from Haematococcus crude extract spectrophotometrically

The influence of alkali on astaxanthin and the optimal working wave length for measurement of astaxanthin from Haematococcus crude extract were investigated, and a spectrophotometric method for precise quantification of the astaxanthin based on the method of Boussiba et al. was established. According to Boussiba's method, alkali treatment destroys chlorophyll. However, we found that: 1) carotenoid content declined for about 25% in Haematococcus fresh cysts and up to 30% in dry powder of Haematococcus broken cysts after alkali treatment; and 2) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-extracted chlorophyll of green Haematococcus bares little absorption at 520-550 nm. Interestingly, a good linear relationship existed between absorbance at 530 nm and astaxanthin content, while an unknown interference at 540-550 nm was detected in our study. Therefore, with 530 nm as working wavelength, the alkali treatment to destroy chlorophyll was not necessary and the influence of chlorophyll, other carotenoids, and the unknown interference could be avoided. The astaxanthin contents of two samples were measured at 492 nm and 530 nm; the measured values at 530 nm were 2.617 g/100 g and 1.811 g/100 g. When compared with the measured values at 492 nm, the measured values at 530 nm decreased by 6.93% and 11.96%, respectively. The measured values at 530 nm are closer to the true astaxanthin contents in the samples. The data show that 530 nm is the most suitable wave length for spectrophotometric determination to the astaxanthin in Haematococcus crude extract.The influence of alkali on astaxanthin and the optimal working wave length for measurement of astaxanthin from Haematococcus crude extract were investigated, and a spectrophotometric method for precise quantification of the astaxanthin based on the method of Boussiba et al. was established. According to Boussiba's method, alkali treatment destroys chlorophyll. However, we found that: 1) carotenoid content declined for about 25% in Haematococcus fresh cysts and up to 30% in dry powder of Haematococcus broken cysts after alkali treatment; and 2) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-extracted chlorophyll of green Haematococcus bares little absorption at 520-550 nm. Interestingly, a good linear relationship existed between absorbance at 530 nm and astaxanthin content, while an unknown interference at 540-550 nm was detected in our study. Therefore, with 530 nm as working wavelength, the alkali treatment to destroy chlorophyll was not necessary and the influence of chlorophyll, other carotenoids, and the unknown interference could be avoided. The astaxanthin contents of two samples were measured at 492 nm and 530 nm; the measured values at 530 nm were 2.617 g/100 g and 1.811 g/100 g. When compared with the measured values at 492 nm, the measured values at 530 nm decreased by 6.93% and 11.96%, respectively. The measured values at 530 nm are closer to the true astaxanthin contents in the samples. The data show that 530 nm is the most suitable wave length for spectrophotometric determination to the astaxanthin in Haematococcus crude extract

Synthesis and moisture absorption and retention activities of a carboxymethyl and a quaternary ammonium derivative of alpha,alpha-trehalose

Carboxymethyl alpha,alpha-trehalose (CMT) and a quaternary ammonium derivative of alpha,alpha-trehalose (QT) were successfully prepared, and their moisture absorption and retention activities were assessed. Results showed that both CMT and QT had better moisture absorption abilities at 43% and 81% relative humidity (RH) than alpha,alpha-trehalose. In addition, the two alpha,alpha-trehalose derivatives had better moisture retention abilities than alpha,alpha-trehalose under three humidity conditions: 81% RH, 43% RH, and under dry conditions. Therefore, carboxymethylation and quaternarization could improve the moisture absorption and retention abilities of alpha,alpha-trehalose. CMT and QT showed better moisture absorption ability and moisture retention ability than that of hyaluronan (HA), and could potentially find a use as moisture retention ingredient, for example, in cosmetics. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Carboxymethyl alpha,alpha-trehalose (CMT) and a quaternary ammonium derivative of alpha,alpha-trehalose (QT) were successfully prepared, and their moisture absorption and retention activities were assessed. Results showed that both CMT and QT had better moisture absorption abilities at 43% and 81% relative humidity (RH) than alpha,alpha-trehalose. In addition, the two alpha,alpha-trehalose derivatives had better moisture retention abilities than alpha,alpha-trehalose under three humidity conditions: 81% RH, 43% RH, and under dry conditions. Therefore, carboxymethylation and quaternarization could improve the moisture absorption and retention abilities of alpha,alpha-trehalose. CMT and QT showed better moisture absorption ability and moisture retention ability than that of hyaluronan (HA), and could potentially find a use as moisture retention ingredient, for example, in cosmetics. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved