Higher serum chromium level may be associated with the presentation of depression in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: evidence from NHANES survey

BackgroundDepressive symptoms are frequently observed in patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), a prevalent metabolic disorder that affects many individuals. It is not yet clear whether there is an association between serum chromium levels and depression.ObjectiveThe purpose of this research was to explore the association between serum chromium level and the manifestation of depression among patients with MAFLD.MethodsThe selection of 1837 patients diagnosed with MAFLD was based on data obtained from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database in this research. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was employed to evaluate the severity of depression. The researchers utilized logistic regression models that were weighted for multiple variables to investigate the association between depression and serum chromium levels.ResultsIn our study, we found that 8.98% of US adults with MAFLD were suffering from depression at the time of evaluation. In the logistic regression model, serum chromium levels showed an inverse association with depression (OR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.69-0.96; p=0.016), this relationship remained after adjusting for fully confounding factors (OR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.71-0.97; p=0.021), subgroup analyses showed that the association between serum chromium levels and depression existed in relatively high-prevalence of depression groups.ConclusionPatients diagnosed with MAFLD have a greater likelihood of experiencing depression, whereas individuals with higher levels of serum chromium are less likely to suffer from depression, and this association persists even after adjusting for other factors. These findings indicate supplementing chromium may be a viable treatment for their depressive symptoms

Correlation and combining ability analysis of physiological traits and some agronomic traits in maize

Combining ability information on the physiological traits in maize (Zea mays L) and the relationship between physi¬ological traits and biomass, grain yield (GY) and yield components (YC) can help maize breeders design experi¬ments for improving inbred lines and/or developing hybrids with improved GY or YC (GYYC). A six-parent diallel experiment (Griffing method 3) was conducted for combining ability and correlation analyses. The objectives of this study were to 1) study the correlation between physiological traits and biomass at seedling stage; 2) study which physiological traits at seedling stage have significant correlation with biomasses at both seedling and later growth stages and GYYCs; 3) evaluate combining ability of the physiological traits that are significantly correlated with either GY or one of the YCs. Results showed plant heights at 20 day, 40 day, and leaf area were highly corre¬lated with both dry weights of shoots and roots. All chlorophyll-related organelles were significantly correlated with only dry weights of shoots. However, dry matter at seedling stage seemed not to be related to dry matter in later growth stages. Five physiological traits (stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, net photosynthetic rate, two quantum yield related traits) at seedling stage were identified to greatly impact dry matter at later growth stages. Results also showed that 13 out of 35 physiological traits studied were significantly correlated with GYYCs. Differ¬ent germplasms for improving GYYCs could be used based on both correlation between the 13 traits and GYYCs and combining ability effects of each line for the 13 selected traits

Maternal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during lactation improves exercise performance, enhances intestinal glucose absorption and modulates gut microbiota in weaning offspring mice

IntroductionIntestinal dysfunction induced by weaning stress is common during breastfeeding period. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is well known for promoting visual and brain development, but its effects on early intestinal development remain unknown. This study investigated the impact of maternal DHA supplementation during lactation on intestinal glucose absorption and gut microbiota in weaning offspring mice.Materials and methodsDams were supplemented with vehicle (control), 150 mg/(kg body weight · day) DHA (L-DHA), or 450 mg/(kg body weight · day) DHA (H-DHA) throughout lactation by oral administration. After weaning, pups were randomly divided into three groups for athletic analysis, microbial and proteomic analysis, biochemical analysis, 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-D-glucose (4-FDG) absorption test, and gene expression quantitation of glucose transport-associated proteins and mTOR signaling components.ResultsThe H-DHA group exhibited enhanced grip strength and prolonged swimming duration compared to the control group. Additionally, there were significant increases in jejunal and ileal villus height, and expanded surface area of jejunal villi in the H-DHA group. Microbial analyses revealed that maternal DHA intake increased the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria and promoted metabolic pathways linked to carbohydrate and energy metabolism. Proteomic studies indicated an increased abundance of nutrient transport proteins and enrichment of pathways involved in absorption and digestion in the H-DHA group. This group also showed higher concentrations of glucose in the jejunum and ileum, as well as elevated glycogen levels in the liver and muscles, in contrast to lower glucose levels in the intestinal contents and feces compared to the control group. The 4-FDG absorption test showed more efficient absorption after oral 4-FDG gavage in the H-DHA group. Moreover, the expressions of glucose transport-associated proteins, GLUT2 and SGLT1, and the activation of mTOR pathway were enhanced in the H-DHA group compared to the control group. The L-DHA group also showed similar but less pronounced improvements in these aspects relative to the H-DHA group.ConclusionOur findings suggested that maternal DHA supplementation during lactation improves the exercise performance, enhances the intestinal glucose absorption by increasing the expressions of glucose transporters, and beneficially alters the structure of gut microbiome in weaning offspring mice

Emulsification properties of polysaccharides from Dioscorea opposita Thunb.

Peer reviewe

Chemical components and emulsification properties of mucilage from Dioscorea opposita Thunb

The properties of mucilage obtained from Dioscorea opposita, generated during industrial manufacturing were investigated in this study. Characteristics such as monosaccharide content, amino acid content, molecular weight, and structural features were measured, whereas morphology was observed using a scanning/transmission electron microscope. Additionally, emulsification properties at different concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%) and under acidic and basic pH (5.0 and 9.0) conditions were studied. The results showed that emulsions prepared from mucilage and medium-chain triglycerides presented more effective emulsifying functions and higher stability, especially at low concentrations. Both, acidic and basic conditions improved the overall emulsification properties, which suggested that the isoelectric point of amino acids may be involved in the emulsification properties. The results of this study show that mucilage from Dioscorea opposita can be considered as a sustainable resource of a natural emulsifier obtained from industrial waste. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century