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Journal of the American Heart... Jun 2024The association between soy isoflavones intake and cardiometabolic health remains inconclusive. We investigated the associations of urinary biomarkers of isoflavones...
BACKGROUND
The association between soy isoflavones intake and cardiometabolic health remains inconclusive. We investigated the associations of urinary biomarkers of isoflavones including daidzein, glycitein, genistein, equol (a gut microbial metabolite of daidzein), and equol-predicting microbial species with cardiometabolic risk markers.
METHODS AND RESULTS
In a 1-year study of 305 Chinese community-dwelling adults aged ≥18 years, urinary isoflavones, fecal microbiota, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipids, and anthropometric data were measured twice, 1 year apart. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was also measured after 1 year. A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze repeated measurements. Logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% CI for the associations for arterial stiffness. Each 1 μg/g creatinine increase in urinary equol concentrations was associated with 1.47%, 0.96%, and 3.32% decrease in triglycerides, plasma atherogenic index, and metabolic syndrome score, respectively (all <0.05), and 0.61% increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (=0.025). Urinary equol was also associated with lower risk of arterial stiffness (aOR, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.09-0.90]; =0.036). We identified 21 bacterial genera whose relative abundance was positively associated with urinary equol (false discovery rate-corrected <0.05) and constructed a microbial species score to reflect the overall equol-predicting capacity. This score (per 1-point increase) was inversely associated with triglycerides (percentage difference=-1.48%), plasma atherogenic index (percentage difference=-0.85%), and the risk of arterial stiffness (aOR, 0.27 [95% CI, 0.08-0.88]; all <0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that urinary equol and equol-predicting microbial species may improve cardiometabolic risk parameters in Chinese adults.
PubMed: 38934874
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.034126 -
MSystems Jun 2024Gut microbiota of the bumblebee is critical as it modulates the health and fitness of the host. However, the mechanisms underlying the formation and maintenance of the...
UNLABELLED
Gut microbiota of the bumblebee is critical as it modulates the health and fitness of the host. However, the mechanisms underlying the formation and maintenance of the diversity of bumblebee gut bacteria over a long period of evolution have yet to be elucidated. In particular, the gut bacterial diversity and community assembly processes of across the Chinese border remain unclear. In this study, we systematically carried out unprecedented sampling of 513 workers of the species across the Chinese landscape and used full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing to examine their gut microbiota diversity and biogeography. The gut microbiota composition and community structure of from different geographical locations were diverse. On the whole, the gut bacteria and are dominant in bumblebees, but opportunistic pathogens and are dominant in some sampling sites such as Hb15, Gs1, Gs45, Qhs15, and Ssx35. All or part of environmental factors such as latitude, annual mean temperature, elevation, human footprint, population density, and annual precipitation can affect the alpha diversity and community structure of gut bacteria. Further analysis showed that the assembly and shift of bumblebee gut bacterial communities under geographical variation were mainly driven by the stochastic drift of the neutral process rather than by variable selection of niche differentiation. In conclusion, our unprecedented sampling uncovers bumblebee gut microbiome diversity and shifts over evolutionary time.
IMPORTANCE
The microbiotas associated with organisms facilitates host health and fitness, and the homeostasis status of gut microbiota also reflects the habitat security faced by the host. In addition, managing gut microbiota is important to improve bumblebee health by understanding the ecological process of the gut microbiome. Thus, we first carried out an runprecedented sampling of 513 workers of the species across the Chinese landscape and used full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing to uncover their gut microbiota diversity and biogeography. Our study provides new insights into the understanding of gut microbiome diversity and shifts for Chinese Bumblebee over evolutionary time.
PubMed: 38934544
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00459-24 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Despite the fact that China amounts to one-fifth of the world's population, has a higher proportion of the elderly, and has a higher prevalence of osteoporosis and...
OBJECTIVE
Despite the fact that China amounts to one-fifth of the world's population, has a higher proportion of the elderly, and has a higher prevalence of osteoporosis and fracture, limited studies have investigated the association between dietary patterns and bone mineral density (BMD) as well as fracture risk among the elderly Chinese population. We aimed to investigate the association between different dietary patterns and BMD as well as the risk of fractures, and this association may vary between elderly women and men.
METHODS
Building upon the China Osteoporosis Prevalence Study, we included 17,489 subjects aged ≥40 years old randomly sampled across 44 counties/districts of 11 provinces or municipalities in China who completed a food frequency questionnaire. BMD was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Vertebral fracture was defined based on lateral spine radiographs using the semi-quantitative technique of Genant.
RESULTS
A diet rich in "carnivorous", "vegetarian", "dairy, fruit, and egg" was significantly associated with higher BMD at total hip (TH), femoral neck (FN), and lumbar spine 1-4 (L1-4). Yet, a diet rich in "beverage and fried food" was associated with a lower BMD at the FN and L1-4. High quartiles of the carnivorous diet were associated with 34%-39% reduced risk of clinical fracture in the past 5 years and vertebral fracture. Stronger associations were observed among women. Sensitivity analysis among postmenopausal women presented even stronger positive associations between carnivorous and vegetarian diets and high BMD, as well as between carnivorous diet and reduced risk of fractures.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggested that a diet rich in meat, vegetables, and dairy, fruit, and eggs might be associated with greater BMD and a lower fracture risk, while beverage and fried foods may be associated with a lower BMD at L1-4, especially among elderly women. These findings are relevant to provide recommendations on dietary nutrition regarding the elderly population at high risk of osteoporosis and fractures, especially postmenopausal women.
Topics: Humans; Bone Density; Female; China; Aged; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Osteoporosis; Diet; Male; Risk Factors; Osteoporotic Fractures; Absorptiometry, Photon; Fractures, Bone; Feeding Behavior; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dietary Patterns
PubMed: 38933818
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1378158 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Stripe rust, caused by f. sp. (), is a serious disease that affects wheat worldwide. There is a great need to develop cultivars with combinations of all-stage...
Stripe rust, caused by f. sp. (), is a serious disease that affects wheat worldwide. There is a great need to develop cultivars with combinations of all-stage resistance (ASR) and adult-plant resistance (APR) genes for sustainable control of the disease. in the Italian durum wheat ( ssp. ) cultivar Svevo is effective against races in China and Israel, and the gene has been previously mapped to the long arm of chromosome 1B. The gene is flanked by SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers and (0.75 cM). In the present study, we used high-density 660K SNP array genotyping and the phenotypes of 137 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) to fine map the locus within a 1.066 Mb region in durum wheat Svevo (RefSeq Rel. 1.0) on chromosome arm 1BL. The identified 1.066 Mb region overlaps with a previously described map of , a stripe rust APR gene. Twenty-five candidate genes for were identified through comparing polymorphic genes within the 1.066 Mb region in the resistant cultivar. SNP markers were selected and converted to Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) markers. Five KASP markers based on SNP were validated in a F and F breeding population, providing further compelling evidence for the significant effects of . These markers should be useful in marker-assisted selection for incorporating into new durum and common wheat cultivars for resistance to stripe rust.
PubMed: 38933466
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1395223 -
Ecology and Evolution Jun 2024Within carnivore guilds, dominant competitors (e.g., lions, ) are limited primarily by the density of prey, while subordinate competitors (e.g., African wild dogs, )...
Within carnivore guilds, dominant competitors (e.g., lions, ) are limited primarily by the density of prey, while subordinate competitors (e.g., African wild dogs, ) have been limited by the density of dominant competitors. Historically, the fitness and population density of subordinate competitors have not been tightly linked to prey density. However, populations of large herbivores have declined substantially across sub-Saharan Africa due to human impacts, and where prey depletion is severe, fitness costs for competitive subordinates may begin to outweigh the benefits of competitive release. Using long-term intensive monitoring of African wild dogs in Zambia's Luangwa Valley Ecosystem (LVE), we tested the effects of prey depletion on survival and reproduction. We hypothesized that African wild dog fitness would be lower in prey-depleted areas, despite lower lion densities. Our study area included four contiguous regions that varied in protection level, prey density, and lion density. We fit Bayesian Cormack-Jolly-Seber and closed-capture models to estimate effects on survival and population density, and generalized linear models to estimate effects on reproductive success. We found that the LVE is a stronghold for African wild dogs, with an estimated median density of 4.0 individuals/100 km. Despite this high density, survival and reproduction differed among regions, and both components of fitness were substantially reduced in the region with the lowest prey density. Anthropogenic prey depletion is becoming an important limiting factor for African wild dogs. If prey depletion (or any other form of habitat degradation) becomes severe enough that its fitness costs outweigh the benefits of competitive release, such changes can fundamentally alter the balance between limiting factors for competitively subordinate species.
PubMed: 38932965
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11402 -
Ecology and Evolution Jun 2024Aquatic ecosystems globally have been invaded by molluscs. is a highly successful invader, often becoming the dominant aquatic invertebrate species in an invaded...
Aquatic ecosystems globally have been invaded by molluscs. is a highly successful invader, often becoming the dominant aquatic invertebrate species in an invaded ecosystem. Resultingly, it has been suggested that may have severe negative impacts on these invaded ecosystems. Limited information is available regarding the population structures and densities of , particularly in invaded countries such as South Africa, and information on this could assist in developing management and control strategies for this invasive species. The present study aimed to assess the current distribution, densities, and population structures of in invaded habitats on the Limpopo and Phongolo River systems in South Africa. This was accomplished by collecting aquatic molluscs from sites across these systems. Water quality parameters were measured at each site and water samples were collected for chemical nutrient analyses. The density of snails was determined for each site and the population size and structure as well as birth rate was calculated for was found to be the dominant molluscan species in habitats where it was present and all size classes from newborn to mature adults were found throughout at some of the highest densities globally. Worryingly, native molluscan species, were often absent or in much lower densities than reported in literature at sites where was present, suggesting a negative effect on the native molluscan density and diversity. Contrary to most previous studies, there were no significant correlations between and the selected water quality parameters. Higher densities and newborn recruitment of were observed in the spring than in autumn, likely in response to shifts in environmental conditions. This study provides crucial insights into the population structure, densities, and impacts of in invaded habitats, particularly for relatively newly invaded regions such as southern Africa.
PubMed: 38932941
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11544 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024The Chinese government proposes to establish a hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system, and attaches great importance to community health services. Under the...
BACKGROUND
The Chinese government proposes to establish a hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system, and attaches great importance to community health services. Under the background of population aging and the increase of older adults with disability, this study aimed to analyze the effect of spatial accessibility of community health services on the activities of daily living (ADL) among older adults in China.
METHODS
A research sample of 7,922 older adults from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) data in 2018 was adopted. There were 2,806 participants in the treatment group and 5,116 participants in the control group. The propensity score matching method was adopted to match the treatment and control groups to calculate the values of average treatment effects on treated (ATT).
RESULTS
The results of kernel density matching method showed that the factual ADL score of the treatment group was 10.912, the counterfactual ADL score of the control group was 10.694, and the ATT value was 0.218 ( < 0.01). The spatial accessibility of community health services could significantly improve the activities of daily living among older adults in China. Meanwhile, there was urban-rural heterogeneity in the impact of spatial accessibility of community health services on the activities of daily living of older adults in China. The effect value in urban samples (ATT = 0.371, < 0.01) was higher than that in rural samples (ATT = 0.180, < 0.01).
CONCLUSION
Spatial accessibility of community health services could improve the activities of daily living among older adults in China. The Chinese government should take actions to improve the distribution of community health service resources.
Topics: Humans; Activities of Daily Living; China; Aged; Propensity Score; Male; Female; Health Services Accessibility; Community Health Services; Aged, 80 and over; Longitudinal Studies; Rural Population
PubMed: 38932781
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1335712 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Aging, as a global demographic issue, is characterized by its rapid growth, which drives an increase in people's healthcare awareness. The emergence of wellness bases...
BACKGROUND
Aging, as a global demographic issue, is characterized by its rapid growth, which drives an increase in people's healthcare awareness. The emergence of wellness bases caters to this market demand. Therefore, the identification of potential areas suitable for wellness activities and the construction of wellness bases, referred to as Wellness Target Areas (WTAs), becomes a crucial first step. Currently, commonly used identification methods are mostly based on traditional statistical approaches, which are often complex, cumbersome, and subject to potential risks of subjective assumptions, affecting the reliability of WTAs identification results. Longevity level serves as a comprehensive indicator reflecting the natural and socio-economic environment of a region, making it the most indicative of the regional wellness environment status.
METHODS
This study proposes using longevity level as the benchmark for WTAs identification to simplify the identification process and reduce the impact of subjective bias on the results. The study focuses on 129 county-level units in Yunnan Province. Firstly, the Geodetector (GD) is utilized to explore the complex interaction between the longevity level and the geographical environment to determine regional wellness factors. Secondly, using ArcGIS and geographical weighted regression (GWR), the study investigates the role of different wellness factors, ultimately classifying and grading the WTAs.
RESULTS
The longevity level in Yunnan Province exhibits a pattern of multi-point clustering, forming three major longevity regions. Factors that significantly influence longevity level include annual average precipitation, sunshine duration, PM content, per capita disposable income, density of tourist attractions, and distance from residential areas to hospitals. Based on the degree of longevity and the contribution rate of influencing factors, Yunnan Province's WTAs are classified into three levels and two types (natural and comprehensive).
CONCLUSION
Our study aims to establish a connection between longevity level and the selection of wellness bases, exploring regional wellness factors through the relationship between longevity phenomena and geographical environment, identifying potential construction areas for wellness bases (i.e., WTAs), providing new insights for the precise selection of wellness bases, effectively enhancing the scientificity of site selection, promoting population health, and contributing to the global aging process with better health.
Topics: Humans; China; Longevity; Health Promotion; Aged
PubMed: 38932766
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1387850 -
Vaccines Jun 2024During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic healthcare workers (HCWs) acquired immunity by vaccination or exposure to multiple variants of severe acute...
During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic healthcare workers (HCWs) acquired immunity by vaccination or exposure to multiple variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Our study is a comparative analysis between subgroups of HCWs constructed based on the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, vaccination, and the dominant variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the population. We collected and analyzed data using the χ test and density incidence of reinfections in Microsoft Excel for Mac, Version 16.84, and MedCalc, 22.026. Of the 829 HCWs, 70.1% (581) had only one SARS-CoV-2 infection and 29.9% (248) had two infections. Of the subjects with two infections, 77.4% (192) worked in high-risk departments and 93.2% (231) of the second infections were registered during Omicron dominance. The density incidence of reinfections was higher in HCWs vaccinated with the primary schedule than those vaccinated with the first booster, and the incidence ratio was 2.8 (95% CI: 1.2; 6.7). The probability of reinfection was five times lower (95% CI: 2.9; 9.2) in HCWs vaccinated with the primary schedule if the first infection was acquired during Omicron dominance. The subjects vaccinated with the first booster had a density incidence of reinfection three times lower (95% CI: 1.9; 5.8) if the first infection was during Omicron. The incidence ratio in subgroups constructed based on characteristics such as gender, age group, job category, and department also registered significant differences in density incidence. The history of SARS-CoV-2 infection by variant is important when interpreting and understanding public health data and the results of studies related to vaccine efficacy for hybrid immunity subgroup populations.
PubMed: 38932411
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060682 -
Viruses Jun 2024Our study examines how dengue fever incidence is associated with spatial (demographic and socioeconomic) alongside temporal (environmental) factors at multiple scales in...
Our study examines how dengue fever incidence is associated with spatial (demographic and socioeconomic) alongside temporal (environmental) factors at multiple scales in the city of Ibagué, located in the Andean region of Colombia. We used the dengue incidence in Ibagué from 2013 to 2018 to examine the associations with climate, socioeconomic, and demographic factors from the national census and satellite imagery at four levels of local spatial aggregation. We used geographically weighted regression (GWR) to identify the relevant socioeconomic and demographic predictors, and we then integrated them with environmental variables into hierarchical models using integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) to analyze the spatio-temporal interactions. Our findings show a significant effect of spatial variables across the different levels of aggregation, including human population density, gas and sewage connection, percentage of woman and children, and percentage of population with a higher education degree. Lagged temporal variables displayed consistent patterns across all levels of spatial aggregation, with higher temperatures and lower precipitation at short lags showing an increase in the relative risk (RR). A comparative evaluation of the models at different levels of aggregation revealed that, while higher aggregation levels often yield a better overall model fit, finer levels offer more detailed insights into the localized impacts of socioeconomic and demographic variables on dengue incidence. Our results underscore the importance of considering macro and micro-level factors in epidemiological modeling, and they highlight the potential for targeted public health interventions based on localized risk factor analyses. Notably, the intermediate levels emerged as the most informative, thereby balancing spatial heterogeneity and case distribution density, as well as providing a robust framework for understanding the spatial determinants of dengue.
Topics: Colombia; Dengue; Humans; Spatio-Temporal Analysis; Incidence; Socioeconomic Factors; Climate; Female; Male
PubMed: 38932198
DOI: 10.3390/v16060906