bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review on the Properties and Applications of WO3 Nanostructure−Based Optical and Electronic Devices
Authors: Yao Yu , Sang Dandan , Zou Liangrui , Wang Qinglin , Liu Cailong
Published: August 2021

Tungsten oxide (WO3) is a wide band gap semiconductor with unintentionally n−doping performance, excellent conductivity, and high electron hall mobility, which is considered as a candidate material for application in optoelectronics. Several reviews on WO3 and its derivatives for various applications dealing with electrochemical, photoelectrochemical, hybrid photocatalysts, electrochemical energy storage, and gas sensors have appeared recently. Moreover, the nanostructured transition metal oxides have attracted considerable attention in the past decade because of their unique chemical, photochromic, and physical properties leading to numerous other potential applications. Owing to their distinctive photoluminescence (PL), electrochromic and electrical properties, WO3 nanostructure−based optical and electronic devices application have attracted a wide range of research interests. This review mainly focuses on the up−to−date progress in different advanced strategies from fundamental analysis to improve WO3 optoelectric, electrochromic, and photochromic properties in the development of tungsten oxide−based advanced devices for optical and electronic applications including photodetectors, light−emitting diodes (LED), PL properties, electrical properties, and optical information storage. This review on the prior findings of WO3−related optical and electrical devices, as well as concluding remarks and forecasts will help researchers to advance the field of optoelectric applications of nanostructured transition metal oxides.
Dichroic Circular Polarizers Based on Plasmonics for Polarization Imaging Applications
Authors: Zheng Junyan , He Xin , Beckett Paul , Sun Xinjie , Cai Zixin , Zhang Wenyi , Liu Xu , Hao Xiang
Published: August 2021

Dichroic circular polarizers (DCP) represent an important group of optical filters that transfer only that part of the incident light with the desired polarization state and absorb the remainder. However, DCPs are usually bulky and exhibit significant optical loss. Moreover, the integration of these kinds of DCP devices can be difficult and costly as different compositions of chemicals are needed to achieve the desired polarization status. Circular polarizers based on metasurfaces require only thin films in the order of hundreds of nanometers but are limited by their sensitivity to angle of incidence. Furthermore, few existing solutions offer broadband operation in the visible range. By using computational simulations, this paper proposes and analyses a plasmonic DCP structure operating in the visible, from 400 nm to 700 nm which overcomes these drawbacks. The resulting circular dichroism transmission (CDT) is more than 0.9, and the maximum transmission efficiency is greater than 78% at visible wavelengths. These CDT characteristics are largely independent of angle of incidence up to angles of 80 degrees.
Recent Progress on ZnO Nanowires Cold Cathode and Its Applications
Authors: Chen Yicong , Deng Shaozhi , Xu Ningsheng , Chen Jun
Published: August 2021

A cold cathode has many applications in high frequency and high power electronic devices, X-ray source, vacuum microelectronic devices and vacuum nanoelectronic devices. After decades of exploration on the cold cathode materials, ZnO nanowire has been regarded as one of the most promising candidates, in particular for large area field emitter arrays (FEAs). Numerous works on the fundamental field emission properties of ZnO nanowire, as well as demonstrations of varieties of large area vacuum microelectronic applications, have been reported. Moreover, techniques such as modifying the geometrical structure, surface decoration and element doping were also proposed for optimizing the field emissions. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review on recent progress on the ZnO nanowire cold cathode and its applications. We will begin with a brief introduction on the synthesis methods and discuss their advantages/disadvantages for cold cathode applications. After that, the field emission properties, mechanism and optimization will be introduced in detail. Then, the development for applications of large-area ZnO nanowire FEAs will also be covered. Finally, some future perspectives are provided.
Prevalence and Determinants of Sex-Specific Dietary Supplement Use in a Greek Cohort
Authors: Rontogianni Marina O. , Kanellopoulou Afroditi , Markozannes Georgios , Bouras Emmanouil , Derdemezis Christos , Doumas Michail T. , Sigounas Dimitrios E. , Tzovaras Vasilios T. , Vakalis Konstantinos , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B. , Aretouli Eleni , Tzoulaki Ioanna , Evangelou Evangelos , Rizos Evangelos C. , Ntzani Evangelia , Tsilidis Konstantinos K.
Published: August 2021

We describe the profile of dietary supplement use and its correlates in the Epirus Health Study cohort, which consists of 1237 adults (60.5% women) residing in urban north-west Greece. The association between dietary supplement use and demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, personal medical history and clinical measurements was assessed using logistic regression models, separately for women and men. The overall prevalence of dietary supplement use was 31.4%, and it was higher in women (37.3%) compared to men (22.4%; p-value = 4.2−08). Based on multivariable logistic regression models, dietary supplement use in women was associated with age (positively until middle-age and slightly negatively afterwards), the presence of a chronic health condition (OR = 1.71; 95% CI, 1.18–2.46), lost/removed teeth (OR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.35–0.78) and diastolic blood pressure (OR per 5 mmHg increase =0.84; 95% CI, 0.73–0.96); body mass index and worse general health status were borderline inversely associated. In men, dietary supplement use was positively associated with being employed (OR = 2.53; 95% CI, 1.21–5.29). A considerable proportion of our sample used dietary supplements, and the associated factors differed between women and men.
Lactobacillus plantarum GKM3 Promotes Longevity, Memory Retention, and Reduces Brain Oxidation Stress in SAMP8 Mice
Authors: Lin Shih-Wei , Tsai You-Shan , Chen Yen-Lien , Wang Ming-Fu , Chen Chin-Chu , Lin Wen-Hsin , Fang Tony J.
Published: August 2021

(1) Background: An age-related cognitive decline is commonly affecting the life of elderly with symptoms involved in progressive impairments to memory and learning. It has been proposed that probiotics could modulate age-related neurological disorders via the gut–brain axis. (2) Methods: To investigate the anti-aging effect of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum GKM3, both survival tests and cognitive experiments were conducted in the SAMP8 mice model. The six-month-old SAMP8 (n = 20 in each gender) were fed with probiotic GKM3 at a dosage of 5.1 × 109 and 1.0 × 109 cfu/ kg B.W./day until their natural death. Then, the life span was investigated. Three-month-old SAMP8 (n = 10 in each gender) were administered GKM3 for 14 weeks. Then, the behavior tests and oxidation parameters were recorded. (3) Results: GKM3 groups showed significantly increased latency in the passive avoidance test and time of successful avoidance in the active avoidance test. The TBARS and 8-OHdG from mice brains also showed a significant reduction in the groups treated with GKM3. In addition, lower accumulation of the amyloid-β protein was found in SAMP8 mice brains with the supplement of GKM3. (4) Conclusions: These results indicated that L. plantarum GKM3 delayed the process of aging, alleviated age-related cognitive impairment, and reduced oxidative stress.
Sodium and Potassium Excretion of Schoolchildren and Relationship with Their Family Excretion in China
Authors: Li Yuan , Sun Yuewen , Li Xian , Dong Le , Cheng Fengzhuo , Luo Rong , Wang Changqiong , Song Jing , He Feng J. , MacGregor Graham A. , Zhang Puhong
Published: August 2021

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretion in children and the relationships with their family excretion. Using the baseline data of a randomized trial conducted in three cities of China in 2018, a total of 590 children (mean age 8.6 ± 0.4 years) and 1180 adults (mean age 45.8 ± 12.9 years) from 592 families had one or two complete 24-h urine collections. The average sodium, potassium excretion and sodium-to-potassium molar ratio of children were 2180.9 ± 787.1 mg/d (equivalent to 5.5 ± 2.0 g/d of salt), 955.6 ± 310.1 mg/d and 4.2 ± 1.7 respectively, with 77.1% of the participants exceeding the sodium recommendation and 100% below the proposed potassium intake. In mixed models adjusting for confounders, every 1 mg/d increase in sodium excretion of adult family members was associated with a 0.11 mg/d (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.16, p < 0.0001) increase in sodium excretion of children. The family-child regression coefficient corresponds to 0.20 mg/d (95% CI: 0.15 to 0.26, p < 0.0001) per 1 mg/d in potassium and to 0.36 (95% CI: 0.26 to 0.45, p < 0.0001) in sodium-to-potassium molar ratio. Children in China are consuming too much sodium and significantly inadequate potassium. The sodium, potassium excretion and sodium-to-potassium ratio of children are associated with their family excretions in small to moderate extent. Efforts are warranted to support salt reduction and potassium enhancement in children through comprehensive strategies engaging with families, schools and food environments.
The Double Burden of Malnutrition and Associated Factors among South Asian Adolescents: Findings from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey
Authors: Estecha Querol Sara , Iqbal Romaina , Kudrna Laura , Al-Khudairy Lena , Gill Paramijit
Published: August 2021

The health and nutrition of the global adolescent population have been under-researched, in spite of its significant size (1.2 billion). This study investigates the prevalence and associated factors of malnutrition (stunting, thinness and overweight) among adolescents living in South Asia. The sample analysed was 24,053 South Asian schooled adolescents aged 12–15 years that participated in the cross-sectional Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) between 2009 and 2016. The prevalence of stunting, thinness and overweight was calculated using the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Reference 2007. Associations between the three forms of malnutrition and their possible associated factors were assessed with binary logistic regression analysis using bootstrapping as a resampling method. The overall prevalence of stunting in South Asia was 13%, thinness was 10.8% and overweight was 10.8%. In the logistic regression model of the overall pooled sample, the factors associated with adolescent malnutrition were: age, hygiene behaviours, social support, sedentary behaviour, and tobacco use. A substantial proportion of stunting, thinness and overweight was found among school-going South Asian adolescents, indicating that the double burden of malnutrition is present in this population. Future research should seek to further understand the relationship between all forms of malnutrition and its associated factors in the adolescent population.
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Leaves Extract and Its Modified Arginine Preparation for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome—Chemical Analysis and Bioactivity in Rat Model
Authors: Koshovyi Oleh , Granica Sebastian , Piwowarski Jakub P. , Stremoukhov Oleksandr , Kostenko Yuliia , Kravchenko Ganna , Krasilnikova Oksana , Zagayko Andriy
Published: August 2021

Growing blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L., Highbush blueberry) as a berry crop is developing dynamically, especially in warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of the world. When blueberry is cultivated on plantations, the bushes are pruned annually, and tons of leaves become waste. Thus, the aim of the present study was to create a preparation from blueberry leaves, study their chemical composition and determine their potential as a dietary supplement for the prophylactic and correction of the metabolic syndrome. Several schemes for obtaining extracts from blueberry leaves have been developed, including one with addition of arginine. A total of 18 phenolic substances were identified and quantified in the extracts by TLC and HPLC methods. Chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and rutin were shown to be dominating constituents. Quantitative determination of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids and other phenolics in the extracts was performed by spectrophotometric method. The extracts administration led to a significant decrease in the level of glucose, insulin and triacylglycerols in blood serum of adult mature inbred rats with insulin resistance induced by the fructose-enriched diet. The most promising one was the extract modified with arginine. The determined hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of chemically standardized extracts from highbush blueberry leaves indicate the potential of this crop residue in utilization as a dietary supplement recommended in prevention of ailments associated with metabolic syndrome.
Clinical Evaluation of 16-Week Supplementation with 5HMO-Mix in Healthy-Term Human Infants to Determine Tolerability, Safety, and Effect on Growth
Authors: Parschat Katja , Melsaether Cathrine , Jäpelt Kristina Rasch , Jennewein Stefan
Published: August 2021

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex sugars that occur naturally in human breast milk and provide many beneficial functions. Most formula products lack HMOs or contain only the most abundant HMO, 2′-fucosyllactose; however, benefits of HMOs come from multiple sugars. We therefore developed a mixture of five HMOs (5HMO-Mix) mimicking the natural concentrations of the top five HMOs (5.75 g/L total, comprising 52% 2′-fucosyllactose, 13% 3-fucosyllactose, 26% lacto-N-tetraose, 4% 3′-sialyllactose, and 5% 6′-sialyllactose) representing the groups of neutral, neutral-fucosylated, and sialylated HMOs. We conducted the first multicenter, randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical study assessing the safety, tolerability, and effect on growth of formula containing the 5HMO-Mix in healthy infants. We enrolled 341 subjects aged ≤14 days; 225 were randomized into groups fed either with infant formula containing 5HMO-Mix (5HMO-Mix) or infant formula without HMOs (IF) for 4 months, with the others exclusively breastfed. There were no differences in weight, length, or head circumference gain between the two formula groups. The 5HMO-Mix was well tolerated, with 5HMO-Mix and breastfed infants producing softer stools at a higher stool frequency than the control formula group. Adverse events were equivalent in all groups. We conclude that the 5HMO-Mix at 5.75 g/L in infant formula is safe and well tolerated by healthy term infants during the first months of life.
Fat–Fit Patterns, Drug Consumption, and Polypharmacy in Older Adults: The EXERNET Multi-Center Study
Authors: Navarrete-Villanueva David , Gesteiro Eva , Gómez-Cabello Alba , Mañas Asier , Olivares Rufino Pedro , Villa-Vicente José-Gerardo , Gusi Narcís , González-Gross Marcela , Ara Ignacio , Vicente-Rodríguez Germán , Casajús José Antonio
Published: August 2021

Background: Physical fitness levels and the amount of accumulated adipose tissue (fatness) relate to current and future individuals’ heath status. Nevertheless, the interrelationships of their combined patterns with polypharmacy and the types of medications consumed have not been sufficiently investigated. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in six Spanish regions between 2008 and 2009 with a sample of older community-dwelling adults (≥65 years old) without dementia or cancer. Fitness was measured with one-leg balance and senior fitness tests, as well as by measuring weight and fat mass with a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of five or more medications. An analysis of variance was performed for comparisons between the physical fitness and fatness patterns and the medication consumed. Results: A total of 1709 elders were included in the study (72.1 ± 5.2 years). The two unfit patterns were those with the highest drug consumption. The High-Fat–Unfit pattern was the one that had the most significant consumption and had the highest percentage of polymedicated subjects. The Low-Fat–Fit pattern had a significantly lower percentage of people that did not consume any medications. The highest percentages of drug consumption in 7 of the 10 groups that were included were concentrated in the two unfit patterns. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of fitness in older adults, as it is at least as important as the avoidance of accumulation of excess fat with respect to the consumption of a smaller number of medicines.
Potential Benefits of Probiotics and Prebiotics for Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke
Authors: Wu Haicui , Chiou Jiachi
Published: August 2021

Among cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, coronary heart disease and stroke are the most well-known and extensively studied. The onset and progression of CVD is associated with multiple risk factors, among which, gut microbiota has received much attention in the past two decades. Gut microbiota, the microbial community colonizing in the gut, plays a prominent role in human health. In particular, gut dysbiosis is directly related to many acute or chronic dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system (CVS) in the host. Earlier studies have demonstrated that the pathogenesis of CVD is strongly linked to intestinal microbiota imbalance and inflammatory responses. Probiotics and prebiotics conferring various health benefits on the host are emerging as promising therapeutic interventions for many diseases. These two types of food supplements have the potential to alleviate the risks of CVD through improving the levels of several cardiovascular markers, such as total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and certain cytokines involved in the inflammatory response. In this review, we focus mainly on the preventive effects of probiotics and prebiotics on CVD via rebalancing the structural and functional changes in gut microbiota and maintaining immune homeostasis.
Extensive Study of Breast Milk and Infant Growth: Protocol of the Cambridge Baby Growth and Breastfeeding Study (CBGS-BF)
Authors: Olga Laurentya , Petry Clive J. , van Diepen Janna A. , Prentice Philippa M. , Hughes Ieuan A. , Vervoort Jacques , Boekhorst Jos , Chichlowski Maciej , Gross Gabriele , Dunger David B. , Ong Ken K.
Published: August 2021

Growth and nutrition during early life have been strongly linked to future health and metabolic risks. The Cambridge Baby Growth Study (CBGS), a longitudinal birth cohort of 2229 mother–infant pairs, was set up in 2001 to investigate early life determinant factors of infant growth and body composition in the UK setting. To carry out extensive profiling of breastmilk intakes and composition in relation to infancy growth, the Cambridge Baby Growth and Breastfeeding Study (CBGS-BF) was established upon the original CBGS. The strict inclusion criteria were applied, focusing on a normal birth weight vaginally delivered infant cohort born of healthy and non-obese mothers. Crucially, only infants who were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 weeks of life were retained in the analysed study sample. At each visit from birth, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and then at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, longitudinal anthropometric measurements and blood spot collections were conducted. Infant body composition was assessed using air displacement plethysmography (ADP) at 6 weeks and 3 months of age. Breast milk was collected for macronutrients and human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) measurements. Breast milk intake volume was also estimated, as well as sterile breastmilk and infant stool collection for microbiome study.
Breastfeeding and Overweight in European Preschoolers: The ToyBox Study
Authors: Usheva Natalya , Lateva Mina , Galcheva Sonya , Koletzko Berthold V. , Cardon Greet , De Craemer Marieke , Androutsos Odysseas , Kotowska Aneta , Socha Piotr , Moreno Luis A. , Manios Yannis , Iotova Violeta ,   on behalf of the ToyBox-Study Group
Published: August 2021

The benefits of breastfeeding (BF) include risk reduction of later overweight and obesity. We aimed to analyse the association between breastfeeding practices and overweight/obesity among preschool children participating in the ToyBox study. Data from children in the six countries, participating in the ToyBox-study (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland, and Spain) 7554 children/families and their age is 3.5–5.5 years, 51.9% were boys collected cross-sectionally in 2012. The questionnaires included parents’ self-reported data on their weight, height, socio-demographic status, and infant feeding practices. Measurements of preschool children’s weight and height were done by trained researchers using standard protocols and equipment. The ever breastfeeding rate in the total sample was 85.0% (n = 5777). Only 6.3% (n = 428) of the children from the general sample were exclusively breastfed (EBF) for the duration of the first six months. EBF for four to six months was significantly (p < 0.001) less likely among mothers with formal education < 12 years (adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.61; 95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.44–0.85), smoking throughout pregnancy (adjusted OR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.24–0.62), overweight before pregnancy (adjusted OR = 0.67; 95%CI 0.47–0.95) and ≤25 years old. The median duration of any breastfeeding was five months. The prevalence of exclusive formula feeding during the first five months in the general sample was about 12% (n = 830). The prevalence of overweight and obesity at preschool age was 8.0% (n = 542) and 2.8% (n = 190), respectively. The study did not identify any significant association between breastfeeding practices and obesity in childhood when adjusted for relevant confounding factors (p > 0.05). It is likely that sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with breastfeeding practices may have an impact on childhood obesity. The identified lower than desirable rates and duration of breastfeeding practices should prompt enhanced efforts for effective promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding across Europe, and in particular in regions with low BF rates.
Urinary Tartaric Acid, a Biomarker of Wine Intake, Correlates with Lower Total and LDL Cholesterol
Authors: Domínguez-López Inés , Parilli-Moser Isabella , Arancibia-Riveros Camila , Tresserra-Rimbau Anna , Martínez-González Miguel Angel , Ortega-Azorín Carolina , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Castañer Olga , Lapetra José , Arós Fernando , Fiol Miquel , Serra-Majem Lluis , Pintó Xavier , Gómez-Gracia Enrique , Ros Emilio , Lamuela-Raventós Rosa M. , Estruch Ramon
Published: August 2021

Postmenopausal women are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to changes in lipid profile and body fat, among others. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of urinary tartaric acid, a biomarker of wine consumption, with anthropometric (weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio), blood pressure, and biochemical variables (blood glucose and lipid profile) that may be affected during the menopausal transition. This sub-study of the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) trial included a sample of 230 women aged 60–80 years with high cardiovascular risk at baseline. Urine samples were diluted and filtered, and tartaric acid was analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Correlations between tartaric acid and the study variables were adjusted for age, education level, smoking status, physical activity, BMI, cholesterol-lowering, antihypertensive, and insulin treatment, total energy intake, and consumption of fruits, vegetables, and raisins. A strong association was observed between wine consumption and urinary tartaric acid (0.01 μg/mg (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01, 0.01), p-value < 0.001). Total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were inversely correlated with urinary tartaric acid (−3.13 μg/mg (−5.54, −0.71), p-value = 0.016 and −3.03 μg/mg (−5.62, −0.42), p-value = 0.027, respectively), whereas other biochemical and anthropometric variables were unrelated. The results suggest that wine consumption may have a positive effect on cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women, underpinning its nutraceutical properties.
Chronic Nutrition Impact Symptoms Are Associated with Decreased Functional Status, Quality of Life, and Diet Quality in a Pilot Study of Long-Term Post-Radiation Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
Authors: Crowder Sylvia L. , Li Zonggui , Sarma Kalika P. , Arthur Anna E.
Published: August 2021

Background: As a result of tumor location and treatment that is aggressive, head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors experience an array of symptoms impacting the ability and desire to eat termed nutrition impact symptoms (NISs). Despite increasing cancer survival time, the majority of research studies examining the impact of NISs have been based on clinical samples of HNC patients during the acute phase of treatment. NISs are often chronic and persist beyond the completion of treatment or may develop as late side effects. Therefore, our research team examined chronic NIS complications on HNC survivors’ functional status, quality of life, and diet quality. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 42 HNC survivors who were at least 6 months post-radiation. Self-reported data on demographics, NISs, quality of life, and usual diet over the past year were obtained. Objective measures of functional status included the short physical performance battery and InBody© 270 body composition testing. NISs were coded so a lower score indicated lower symptom burden, (range 4–17) and dichotomized as ≤10 vs. >10, the median in the dataset. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were performed between the dichotomized NIS summary score and continuous quality of life and functional status outcomes. Diet quality for HNC survivors was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015). Wilcoxon rank sum tests examined the difference between the HNC HEI-2015 as compared to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data calculated using the population ratio method. Results: A lower NIS score was statistically associated with higher posttreatment lean muscle mass (p = 0.002). A lower NIS score was associated with higher functional (p = 0.0006), physical (p = 0.0007), emotional (p = 0.007), and total (p < 0.0001) quality of life. Compared to NHANES controls, HNC survivors reported a significantly lower HEI-2015 diet quality score (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Lower NIS burden was associated with higher lean muscle mass and functional, physical, emotional, and total quality of life in post-radiation HNC survivors. HNC survivors reported a significantly lower total HEI-2015 as compared to healthy NHANES controls, providing support for the hypothesis that chronic NIS burden impacts the desire and ability to eat. The effects of this pilot study were strong enough to be detected by straight forward statistical approaches and warrant a larger longitudinal study. For survivors most impacted by NIS burden, multidisciplinary post-radiation exercise and nutrition-based interventions to manage NISs and improve functional status, quality of life, and diet quality in this survivor population are needed.
Sargassum fusiforme Alginate Relieves Hyperglycemia and Modulates Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolites in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Liu Jian , Wu Siya , Cheng Yang , Liu Qiuhui , Su Laijin , Yang Yue , Zhang Xu , Wu Mingjiang , Choi Jong-il , Tong Haibin
Published: August 2021

Sargassum fusiforme alginate (SF-Alg) possess many pharmacological activities, including hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic. However, the hypoglycemic mechanisms of SF-Alg remain unclear due to its low bioavailability. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of SF-Alg on high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes (T2D) mice. SF-Alg intervention was found to significantly reduce fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC), while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and improving glucose tolerance. In addition, administrating SF-Alg to diabetic mice moderately attenuated pathological changes in adipose, hepatic, and heart tissues as well as skeletal muscle, and diminished oxidative stress. To probe the underlying mechanisms, we further analyzed the gut microbiota using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, as well as metabolites by non-targeted metabolomics. Here, SF-Alg significantly increased some benign bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Akkermansia Alloprevotella, Weissella and Enterorhabdus), and significantly decreased harmful bacteria (Turicibacter and Helicobacter). Meanwhile, SF-Alg dramatically decreased branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids (AAAs) in the colon of T2D mice, suggesting a positive benefit of SF-Alg as an adjvant agent for T2D.
Allium hookeri Extracts Improve Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment via Activation of the Cholinergic System and Anti-Neuroinflammation in Mice
Authors: Choi Ji-Hye , Lee Eun-Byeol , Jang Hwan-Hee , Cha Youn-Soo , Park Yong-Soon , Lee Sung-Hyen
Published: August 2021

Allium hookeri (AH) is a medicinal food that has been used in Southeast Asia for various physiological activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the activation of the cholinergic system and the anti-neuroinflammation effects of AH on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) impaired the performance of the mice on the Y-maze test, passive avoidance test, and water maze test. However, the number of error actions was reduced in the AH groups supplemented with leaf and root extracts from AH. AH treatment improved working memory and avoidance times against electronic shock, increased step-through latency, and reduced the time to reach the escape zone in the water maze test. AH significantly improved the cholinergic system by decreasing acetylcholinesterase activity, and increasing acetylcholine concentration. The serum inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ) increased by scopolamine treatment were regulated by the administration of AH extracts. Overexpression of NF-κB signaling and cytokines in liver tissue due to scopolamine were controlled by administration of AH extracts. AH also significantly decreased Aβ and caspase-3 expression but increased NeuN and ChAT. The results suggest that AH extracts improve cognitive effects, and the root extracts are more effective in relieving the scopolamine-induced memory impairment. They have neuroprotective effects and reduce the development of neuroinflammation.
No Correlation between Positive Fructose Hydrogen Breath Test and Clinical Symptoms in Children with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Retrospective Single-Centre Study
Authors: Kwiecień Jarosław , Hajzler Weronika , Kosek Klaudia , Balcerowicz Sylwia , Grzanka Dominika , Gościniak Weronika , Górowska-Kowolik Katarzyna
Published: August 2021

Fructose malabsorption is regarded as one of the most common types of sugar intolerance. However, the correlation between gastrointestinal symptoms and positive results in fructose hydrogen breath tests (HBTs) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical importance of positive fructose HBT by correlating the HBT results with clinical features in children with various gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical features and fructose HBT results were obtained from 323 consecutive children (2–18 years old, mean 10.7 ± 4.3 years) that were referred to the Tertiary Paediatric Gastroenterology Centre and diagnosed as having functional gastrointestinal disorders. A total of 114 out of 323 children (35.3%) had positive HBT results, of which 61 patients were females (53.5%) and 53 were males (46.5%). Children with positive HBT were significantly younger than children with negative HBT (9.0 vs. 11.6 years old; p < 0.001). The most frequent symptom among children with fructose malabsorption was recurrent abdominal pain (89.5%). Other important symptoms were diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and flatulence. However, no correlation between positive fructose HBT results and any of the reported symptoms or general clinical features was found. In conclusion, positive fructose HBT in children with functional gastrointestinal disorders can be attributed to their younger age but not to some peculiar clinical feature of the disease.
The Effect of a Ketogenic Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diet on Aerobic Capacity and Exercise Performance in Endurance Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cao Jingguo , Lei Siman , Wang Xiuqiang , Cheng Sulin
Published: August 2021

A low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet has been proposed to enhance the fat utilization of muscle and the aerobic capacity of endurance athletes, thereby improving their exercise performance. However, it remains uncertain how the macronutrient intake shift from carbohydrate to fat affects endurance exercise training and performance. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effects of a ketogenic low-carbohydrate, high-fat (K-LCHF) diet on aerobic capacity and exercise performance among endurance athletes. Searches were carried out in five electronic databases, and we followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search included studies using an LCHF diet as an intervention protocol and compared data on factors such as maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) from the graded exercise test. In this case, 10 studies met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. We did not find a significant effect of K-LCHF diet interventions on VO2max, time to exhaustion, HRmax or RPE. However, a significant overall effect in the substrate oxidation response to respiratory exchange rate was observed. The meta-analysis showed that K-LCHF diets did not affect aerobic capacity and exercise performance. Therefore, high-quality interventions of a K-LCHF diet are needed to illustrate its effect on various endurance training programs.
Oxygen Sparing Effect of Bacteriotherapy in COVID-19
Authors: Ceccarelli Giancarlo , Marazzato Massimiliano , Celani Luigi , Lombardi Francesca , Piccirilli Alessandra , Mancone Massimo , Trinchieri Vito , Pugliese Francesco , Mastroianni Claudio M. , d’Ettorre Gabriella
Published: August 2021

Background: We previously reported that severe COVID-19 patients had higher chances of survival and a reduced risk of developing respiratory failure when administered with the probiotic formulation SLAB51. This study aimed to investigate further bacteriotherapy mechanisms and how early they are activated. Methods: We performed an analysis on the blood oxygenation parameters collected in sixty-nine severe COVID-19 patients requiring non-invasive oxygen therapy and presenting a CT lung involvement ≥50%. Twenty-nine patients received low-molecular-weight heparin, azithromycin and Remdesivir. In addition, forty subjects received SLAB51. Blood gas analyses were performed before the beginning of treatments and at 24 h. Results: The patients receiving only standard therapy needed significantly increased oxygen amounts during the 24 h observation period. Furthermore, they presented lower blood levels of pO2, O2Hb and SaO2 than the group also supplemented with oral bacteriotherapy. In vitro data suggest that SLAB51 can reduce nitric oxide synthesis in intestinal cells. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infected patients may present lesions in the lungs compromising their gas exchange capability. The functionality of the organs essential for these patients’ survival depends mainly on the levels of pO2, O2Hb and SaO2. SLAB51 contains enzymes that could reduce oxygen consumption in the intestine, making it available for the other organs.
Cost and Affordability of Healthy, Equitable and Sustainable Diets in Low Socioeconomic Groups in Australia
Authors: Lewis Meron , McNaughton Sarah A. , Rychetnik Lucie , Lee Amanda J.
Published: August 2021

Few Australians consume a healthy, equitable and more sustainable diet consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADGs). Low socioeconomic groups (SEGs) suffer particularly poor diet-related health problems. However, granular information on dietary intakes and affordability of recommended diets was lacking for low SEGs. The Healthy Diets Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing protocol was modified for low SEGs to align with relevant dietary intakes reported in the National Nutrition Survey 2011–2012(which included less healthy and more discretionary options than the broader population), household structures, food purchasing habits, and incomes. Cost and affordability of habitual and recommended diets of low SEGs were calculated using prices of ‘standard brands’ and ‘cheapest options’. With ‘standard brands’, recommended diets cost less than habitual diets, but were unaffordable for low SEGs. With ‘cheapest options’, both diets were more affordable, but recommended diets cost more than habitual diets for some low SEGs, potentially contributing to perceptions that healthy food is unaffordable. The study confirms the need for an equity lens to better target dietary guidelines for low SEGs. It also highlights urgent policy action is needed to help improve affordability of recommended diets.
Weight Change in Post-Menopausal Women with Breast Cancer during Chemotherapy—Perspectives on Nutrition, Activity and Bone Metabolism: An Interim Analysis of a 5-Year Prospective Cohort
Authors: Buch-Larsen Kristian , Lund-Jacobsen Trine , Andersson Michael , Schwarz Peter
Published: August 2021

Women with breast cancer are a growing population due to improved screening and treatment. It has been described that chemotherapy can negatively affect patients’ metabolism. The aim of this study is to assess weight gain during chemotherapy treatment in an interim analysis on an ongoing prospective cohort of women with early breast cancer. To help untangle the many possible reasons for weight change, we examine blood tests, Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs), and bone mineral density (BMD). We find that the 38 women that have measurements taken after chemotherapy have an average weight gain of 1.2 kg although not significant. Together with this, there is a significant drop in HDL cholesterol, an increase in triglycerides, and a non-significant tendency towards decreased insulin sensitivity. PROs show that although the women experience more pain and fatigue, they have higher activity levels. BMD is at an expected level according to age. All in all, we see an increased focus on physical activity and nutrition, leading to less severe metabolic changes as previously reported. However, even though more measures are taken, we still see an overall negative metabolic impact with unknown long-term implications.
Gut Microbiota in Military International Travelers with Doxycycline Malaria Prophylaxis: Towards the Risk of a Simpson Paradox in the Human Microbiome Field
Authors: Javelle Emilie , Mayet Aurélie , Million Matthieu , Levasseur Anthony , Allodji Rodrigue S. , Marimoutou Catherine , Lavagna Chrystel , Desplans Jérôme , Fournier Pierre Edouard , Raoult Didier , Texier Gaëtan
Published: August 2021

Dysbiosis, developed upon antibiotic administration, results in loss of diversity and shifts in the abundance of gut microbes. Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic widely used for malaria prophylaxis in travelers. We prospectively studied changes in the fecal microbiota of 15 French soldiers after a 4-month mission to Mali with doxycycline malaria prophylaxis, compared to changes in the microbiota of 28 soldiers deployed to Iraq and Lebanon without doxycycline. Stool samples were collected with clinical data before and after missions, and 16S rRNA sequenced on MiSeq targeting the V3-V4 region. Doxycycline exposure resulted in increased alpha-biodiversity and no significant beta-dissimilarities. It led to expansion in Bacteroides, with a reduction in Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, as in the group deployed without doxycycline. Doxycycline did not alter the community structure and was specifically associated with a reduction in Escherichia and expression of Rothia. Differences in the microbiota existed at baseline between military units but not within the studied groups. This group-effect highlighted the risk of a Simpson paradox in microbiome studies.
Labelling via [Al18F]2+ Using Precomplexed Al-NODA Moieties
Authors: Kang Daniel , Simon Ulrich , Mottaghy Felix M. , Vogg Andreas T. J.
Published: August 2021

Over the past 20 years, 68Ga-labelled radiopharmaceuticals have become an important part in clinical routine. However, the worldwide supply with 68Ge/68Ga generators is limited as well as the number of patient doses per batch of 68Ga radiopharmaceutical. In the recent years, a new technique appeared, making use of the ease of aqueous labelling via chelators as with 68Ga but using 18F instead. This technique takes advantage of the strong coordinative bond between aluminium and fluoride, realized in the aqueous cation [Al18F]2+. Most applications to date make use of one-pot syntheses with free Al(III) ions in the system. In contrast, we investigated the labelling approach split into two steps: generating the Al-bearing precursor in pure form and using this Al compound as a precursor in the labelling step with aqueous [18F]fluoride. Hence, no free Al3+ ions are present in the labelling step. We investigated the impact of parameters: temperature, pH, addition of organic solvent, and reaction time using the model chelator NH2-MPAA-NODA. With optimized parameters we could stably achieve a 80% radiochemical yield exerting a 30-min reaction time at 100 °C. This technique has the potential to become an important approach in radiopharmaceutical syntheses.
Pharmacological Interactions of Nintedanib and Pirfenidone in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Serra López-Matencio José M. , Gómez Manuel , Vicente-Rabaneda Esther F. , González-Gay Miguel A. , Ancochea Julio , Castañeda Santos
Published: August 2021

The discovery of antifibrotic agents have resulted in advances in the therapeutic management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Currently, nintedanib and pirfenidone have become the basis of IPF therapy based on the results of large randomized clinical trials showing their safety and efficacy in reducing disease advancement. However, the goal of completely halting disease progress has not been reached yet. Administering nintedanib with add-on pirfenidone is supposed to enhance the therapeutic benefit by simultaneously acting on two different pathogenic pathways. All this becomes more important in the context of the ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) because of the fibrotic consequences following SARS-CoV-2 infection in some patients. However, little information is available about their drug–drug interaction, which is important mainly in polymedicated patients. The aim of this review is to describe the current management of progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (PF-ILDs) in general and of IPF in particular, focusing on the pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions between these two drugs and their relationship with other medications in patients with IPF.
Gene Polymorphisms of the Renin-Angiotensin System and Bleeding Complications of Warfarin: Genetic-Based Machine Learning Models
Authors: Kim Joo-Hee , Yee Jeong , Chang Byung-Chul , Gwak Hye-Sun
Published: August 2021

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of genetic variants and haplotypes in the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) on the risk of warfarin-induced bleeding complications at therapeutic international normalized ratios (INRs). Methods: Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of AGT, two SNPs of REN, three SNPs of ACE, four SNPs of AGTR1, and one SNP of AGTR2, in addition to VKORC1 and CYP2C9 variants, were investigated. We utilized logistic regression and several machine learning methods for bleeding prediction. Results: The study included 142 patients, among whom 21 experienced bleeding complications. We identified a haplotype, H2 (TCG), carrying three SNPs of ACE (rs1800764, rs4341, and rs4353), which showed a significant relation with bleeding complications. After adjusting covariates, patients with H2/H2 experienced a 0.12-fold (95% CI 0.02–0.99) higher risk of bleeding complications than the others. In addition, G allele carriers of AGT rs5050 and A allele carriers of AGTR1 rs2640543 had 5.0- (95% CI 1.8–14.1) and 3.2-fold (95% CI 1.1–8.9) increased risk of bleeding complications compared with the TT genotype and GG genotype carriers, respectively. The AUROC values (mean, 95% CI) across 10 random iterations using five-fold cross-validated multivariate logistic regression, elastic net, random forest, support vector machine (SVM)–linear kernel, and SVM–radial kernel models were 0.732 (0.694–0.771), 0.741 (0.612–0.870), 0.723 (0.589–0.857), 0.673 (0.517–0.828), and 0.680 (0.528–0.832), respectively. The highest quartile group (≥75th percentile) of weighted risk score had approximately 12.0 times (95% CI 3.1–46.7) increased risk of bleeding, compared to the 25–75th percentile group, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that RAS-related polymorphisms, including the H2 haplotype of the ACE gene, could affect bleeding complications during warfarin treatment for patients with mechanical heart valves. Our results could be used to develop individually tailored intervention strategies to prevent warfarin-induced bleeding.
New Sulfanilamide Derivatives Incorporating Heterocyclic Carboxamide Moieties as Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Authors: Angeli Andrea , Kartsev Victor , Petrou Anthi , Pinteala Mariana , Vydzhak Roman M. , Panchishin Svitlana Y. , Brovarets Volodymyr , De Luca Viviana , Capasso Clemente , Geronikaki Athina , Supuran Claudiu T.
Published: August 2021

Carbonic Anhydrases (CAs) are ubiquitous metalloenzymes involved in several disease conditions. There are 15 human CA (hCA) isoforms and their high homology represents a challenge for the discovery of potential drugs devoid of off-target side effects. For this reason, many synthetic and pharmacologic research efforts are underway to achieve the full pharmacological potential of CA modulators of activity. We report here a novel series of sulfanilamide derivatives containing heterocyclic carboxamide moieties which were evaluated as CA inhibitors against the physiological relevant isoforms hCA I, II, IX, and XII. Some of them showed selectivity toward isoform hCA II and hCA XII. Molecular docking was performed for some of these compounds on isoforms hCA II and XII to understand the possible interaction with the active site amino acid residues, which rationalized the reported inhibitory activity.