Dietary fiber intake and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: The mediating role of obesity

Background and aimsDietary pattern rich in fiber is negatively associated with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Meanwhile, obesity is a known predisposing factor for NAFLD. Nutrient-focused research can enhance the mechanistic understanding of dietary effects. We thus hypothesized that higher dietary fiber intake was associated with lower risk of NAFLD through the mediating role of obesity.MethodsIn this nationwide cross-sectional study, dietary fiber was surveyed using two 24-h recalls. NAFLD and clinically significant fibrosis (CSF) were determined by vibration-controlled transient elastography. Multivariable logistic and linear regression were applied to investigate the association of dietary fiber with NAFLD, CSF, and liver function parameters. We used counterfactual-based mediation analysis to estimate the direct and indirect effect of dietary fiber on NAFLD.ResultsOf the 3,974 participants, ~36.86% and 7.78% of participants were diagnosed with NAFLD and CSF. Compared with participants among the lowest tertile, the highest tertile of dietary fiber consumption was associated with lower odds of NAFLD (OR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.66–0.98; Poverall = 0.019). Dietary fiber intake appeared to be linked with lower odds of CSF (ORTertile3vs.Tertile1 = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.58–1.14; Poverall = 0.107). Mediation analysis showed that obesity fully mediated the association of dietary fiber with NAFLD. Dietary fiber was associated with improved hepatic parameters.ConclusionsThe findings indicated that increasing dietary fiber intake could confer a greater benefit to protect against NAFLD. Translating these findings regarding dietary fiber into dietary advice might be an attractive strategy for NAFLD prevention

Calcium Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer According to Tumor-infiltrating T Cells

Calcium intake has been associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Calcium signaling may enhance T-cell proliferation and differentiation, and contribute to T-cell–mediated antitumor immunity. In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the association between calcium intake and colorectal cancer risk according to tumor immunity status to provide additional insights into the role of calcium in colorectal carcinogenesis. The densities of tumor-infiltrating T-cell subsets [CD3+, CD8+, CD45RO (PTPRC)+, or FOXP3+ cell] were assessed using IHC and computer-assisted image analysis in 736 cancer cases that developed among 136,249 individuals in two cohorts. HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Total calcium intake was associated with a multivariable HR of 0.55 (comparing ≥1,200 vs. <600 mg/day; 95% CI, 0.36–0.84; Ptrend = 0.002) for CD8+ T-cell–low but not for CD8+ T-cell–high tumors (HR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.67–1.55; Ptrend = 0.47). Similarly, the corresponding HRs (95% CIs) for calcium for low versus high T-cell–infiltrated tumors were 0.63 (0.42–0.94; Ptrend = 0.01) and 0.89 (0.58–1.35; Ptrend = 0.20) for CD3+; 0.58 (0.39–0.87; Ptrend = 0.006) and 1.04 (0.69–1.58; Ptrend = 0.54) for CD45RO+; and 0.56 (0.36–0.85; Ptrend = 0.006) and 1.10 (0.72–1.67; Ptrend = 0.47) for FOXP3+, although the differences by subtypes defined by T-cell density were not statistically significant. These potential differential associations generally appeared consistent regardless of sex, source of calcium intake, tumor location, and tumor microsatellite instability status. Our findings suggest a possible role of calcium in cancer immunoprevention via modulation of T-cell function

Ultrasound-assisted multilayer Pickering emulsion fabricated by WPI-EGCG covalent conjugates for encapsulating probiotics in colon-targeted release

This study demonstrated the influences of ultrasound-assisted multilayer Pickering double emulsion capsules on the pasteurization and gastrointestinal digestive viability of probiotic (L. plantarum) strain liquid. Firstly, the role of ultrasonic homogenization on the morphology of W1/O/W2 double emulsions were studied. The double emulsion formed by ultrasonic intensity at 285 W had a single and narrow distribution with smallest droplet size. The double emulsion particles were then coated with chitosan(Chi), alginate (Alg), and CaCl2(Ca). The multilayer emulsion after pasteurization and gastrointestinal digestion both had the highest viability at 5 coating layers, but its particle size (108.65 μm) exceeded the limit of human oral sensory (80 μm). It could be noted that the deposition of 3–4 layers of coating had similar activity after pasteurization/GIT digestion. And droplets with 3 layers of coating were the minimum and most available formulation for encapsulated probiotics (L. plantarum). Hence, the results suggest that the use of ultrasound-assisted multilayer emulsions encapsulated with probiotics in granular food and pharmaceutical applications is a promising strategy

Wind-vehicle-bridge coupled vibration analysis based on random traffic flow simulation

A wind-vehicle-bridge system can be regarded as an interaction resuit of wind-bridge interaction, wind-vehicle interaction and vehicle-bridge interaction, which is determined by nature wind, dynamic characteristics of vehicle and bridge structures, interrelationship between bridge and vehicle dynamic properties and so on. Firstly, based on the traffic loading investigation on the expressway bridge within 24 hours a day, and the critical parameters of traffic flow, such as the vehicle type, weight, separation space and speed are and recorded and analyzed to extract its statistical characteristics, which are used to work out random traffic flow simulation program RTF. This RTF program can be embedded with the other general HEM software. Secondly, a dynamic analysis module RTFWVB of the wind-vehicle-bridge coupling vibration under random traffic flow is presented, which can consider arbitrary number of vehicles, multi-lanes and traffic flow direction. Finally, Hangzhou Bay Bridge in China is selected as a numerical example to demonstrate dynamic interaction of the RTFWVB system. The results indicate that the traffic flow direction has just a little influence on bridge dynamic response, that the mean responses are mainly determined by the moving vehicle loads, and that the fluctuating components will increase with the increase of wind speed

Research progress on intelligent operation and maintenance of bridges

In the context of the increasing scale of bridges and the increasing service life of bridges, it is very important to carry out efficient, accurate and intelligent bridge operation and maintenance. In recent years, advanced equipment, technology and intelligent algorithms have developed rapidly. It is necessary to apply advanced equipment and algorithms to bridge operation and maintenance business to facilitate the digitalization and intelligence of bridge operation and maintenance. To grasp the research progress on the bridge intelligent operation and maintenance, this paper summarizes the research progress in recent years from the aspects of intelligent detection equipment and technology, intelligent monitoring equipment and technology, intelligent data analysis, intelligent evaluation and early warning, and intelligent repair and maintenance. According to the review, more and more smart devices have been used to replace human beings to detect dangerous and hidden bridge components. At the same time, image processing, radar and other technologies have been used to analyze component damage more objectively and quantitatively. To solve the shortcomings of traditional sensors such as short life and low robustness, more non-contact measurement methods have been proposed. Scholars have proposed various intelligent algorithms to process the massive amount of bridge health monitoring data to improve the quality of the data. To achieve the rapid perception of bridge status and timely early warning of structural abnormalities, different from traditional theoretical calculations, scholars have tried to use data-driven methods to intelligently evaluate and early warning of bridge structural status. In terms of intelligent repair and maintenance, more intelligent algorithms have been used to optimize structural maintenance strategies and determine the best maintenance time by integrating multi-source heterogeneous data. All these provide strong support for the automation, digitization and intelligence of bridge operation and maintenance

Higher Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle Score Is Associated with Lower Odds of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Growing evidence supports that individual lifestyle factors contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) without considering the coexistence and synergistic effect of lifestyle factors. Our aim is to derive a healthy lifestyle score (HLS) and estimate its association with NAFLD. In this nationwide cross-sectional study, we derived a five-item HLS including dietary pattern, body mass index, physical activity, cigarette smoking, and sleep duration. NAFLD and clinically significant fibrosis (CSF) were assessed based on vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE). Liver function parameters were also tested. Multivariable logistic and linear regressions were applied to investigate the association between HLS and liver diseases. Of the 3893 participants with VCTE examination, approximately 14.1% of participants possessed zero or one healthy lifestyle, 62.5% possessed two or three healthy lifestyles, and 23.4% possessed four or five healthy lifestyles. Compared with participants with a low HLS (0&ndash;1 score), the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for those with a high HLS (4&ndash;5 score) were 0.25 (0.19~0.33, Ptrend &lt; 0.001) for NAFLD and 0.30 (0.18~0.50, Ptrend &lt; 0.001) for CSF. HLS was positively associated with albumin, total protein, and total bilirubin (all Ptrend &le; 0.001), and was inversely associated with globulin, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transaminase (all Ptrend &le; 0.003). Higher adherence to HLS is associated with lower odds of NAFLD and CSF and may improve liver function. Strategies for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle should be considered as part of NAFLD prevention

A Prospective Study of Fruit Juice Consumption and the Risk of Overall and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality

There is little evidence for the association between fruit juice, especially 100% fruit juice, and mortality risk. In addition, whether 100% fruit juice can be a healthy alternative to whole fruit remains uncertain. This prospective study utilized the data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2014. After a median follow-up of 7.8 years, 4904 deaths among 40,074 participants aged 18 years or older were documented. Compared to non-consumption, daily consumption of 250 g or more of 100% fruit juice was associated with higher overall mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.52) and mortality from heart disease (HR = 1.49, 95 CI: 1.01–2.21). A similar pattern was observed for total fruit juice, with HRs of 1.28 (95% CI: 1.09–1.49) for overall mortality and 1.48 (95% CI: 1.01–2.17) for heart disease mortality. Replacing 5% of energy from whole fruit with 100% or total fruit juice was associated with a 9% (95% CI: 2–16%) and 8% (95% CI: 1–15%) increased mortality risk, respectively. Our findings suggest that both total and 100% fruit juice could be associated with high mortality risk, and need to be validated in well-designed studies given the potential misclassification of diet and death reasons

Dietary inflammatory potential is associated with higher odds of hepatic steatosis in US adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective: Inflammation plays a critical role in the progression of chronic liver diseases, and diet can modulate inflammation. Whether an inflammatory dietary pattern is associated with higher risk of hepatic steatosis or fibrosis remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the associations between inflammatory dietary pattern and the odds of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Design: In this nationwide cross-sectional study, diet was measured using two 24-h dietary recalls. Empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) score was derived to assess the inflammatory potential of usual diet, which has been validated to highly predict inflammation markers in the study population. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) were derived from FibroScan to define steatosis and fibrosis, respectively. Setting: US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants: 4171 participants aged ≥18 years. Results: A total of 1436 participants were diagnosed with S1 steatosis (CAP ≥ 274 dB/m), 255 with advanced fibrosis (LSM ≥ 9·7 kPa). Compared with those in the lowest tertile of EDIP-adherence scores, participants in the highest tertile had 74 % higher odds of steatosis (OR: 1·74, 95 % CI (1·26, 2·41)). Such positive association persisted among never drinkers, or participants who were free of hepatitis B and/or C. Similarly, EDIP was positively associated with CAP in multivariate linear model (P < 0·001). We found a non-significant association of EDIP score with advanced fibrosis or LSM (P = 0·837). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a diet score that is associated with inflammatory markers is associated with hepatic steatosis. Reducing or avoiding pro-inflammatory diets intake might be an attractive strategy for fatty liver disease prevention