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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024Iodine intake can affect thyroid and breast cells, and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is an effective biomarker for iodine intake.
UNLABELLED
Iodine intake can affect thyroid and breast cells, and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is an effective biomarker for iodine intake.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to analyze the correlation between urinary iodine concentration in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and breast cancer (BC) subjects.
METHODS
The study consisted of 80 subjects divided into case (20 DTC and 20 BC subjects) and control (40 subjects). Morning urine or spot urine was used for UIC measurement.
RESULTS
In thyroid cancer, UIC median patients and controls were 195.45 ± 133.61 µg/L and 145 ± 39.64 µg/L, respectively, with p =0.33. The UIC median of PTC subjects was significantly higher compared to FTC subjects, 227.12±130.98 μg/L versus 68.75±22.95 μg/L, p=0.00, and papillary thyroid cancer is closely related to a high iodine excretion in urine with contingency coefficient (c)=0.722. In BC patients, regardless of subtypes, breast cancer subjects showed a significantly lower iodine excretion level. The median of UIC patients and controls were 80.05 ± 38.24 µg/L and 144.25 ± 36.79 µg/L, respectively, p=0.000.
CONCLUSIONS
Iodine urine concentrations strongly correlate with the type of DTC histopathology, and in BC subjects, IUC was significantly lower compared to the control.
Topics: Humans; Female; Iodine; Thyroid Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Case-Control Studies; Middle Aged; Adult; Prognosis; Male; Follow-Up Studies; Carcinoma, Papillary; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary
PubMed: 38918646
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.1869 -
PloS One 2024Malnutrition is one of the most serious community health issues in developing countries. This study estimated total energy intake, Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se),...
INTRODUCTION
Malnutrition is one of the most serious community health issues in developing countries. This study estimated total energy intake, Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Calcium (Ca), and Phosphate (PO4) levels among school-going children (aged 13-17 years) of the underprivileged area in Sindh, Pakistan.
METHODS
Children from Mithi City, District Tharparkar, were selected for this cross-sectional investigation. Students from various schools from both genders who fulfilled the selection criteria were selected. A questionnaire was filled, and five ml blood samples were taken to analyze blood parameters. Each participant's estimated nutrient intake (ENI) per day was assessed and matched to the recommended daily allowance (RDA) to determine their micro and macronutrient intake.
RESULTS
A total of 300 school-going children [150(50%) boys (mean age 15± 0.8 years) and 150(50%) girls (mean age 14±1.3years)] were included in this study. Total calories (1449±949 Kcal vs. 1245±215 Kcal; p < .001), carbohydrates (138±27 gm vs. 126 ±25 gm; p < .001) protein (47±9.1 gm vs. 44±6 gm; p < .001) was significantly higher among boys compared to girls. In contrast, calcium (1094±105 mg vs. 1144±100; 0.004), phosphate 1050±125 vs. 1148±147; p<0.001), iron (9.2±1.7 mg vs. 10±1.3 mg; p<0.001), and Zinc (7.4±1.8 mg vs. 9.9±1.7 mg; p<0.001) intake was significantly higher among girls than boys. Gender-wise comparison of serum metals in school-going children showed that serum iron was significantly lower among girls than boys (100.86±25.65 μg/dl vs. 78.48±28.66 μg/dl; p<0.001), and no difference was found in serum Zn, Se, and Ca levels. Total proteins were also significantly lower among girls than boys (6.48±1.01g/dl vs. 4.87±1.4301g/dl; p<0.001). Serum iron, Ca, and total proteins were significantly lower among girls with normal ranges compared to boys with normal ranges. Total protein was significantly lower among girls below normal ranges than boys with normal ranges (p < .001). The correlation of carbohydrates, protein, and fat with some serum biochemical parameters in school-going children showed that serum Fe was significantly linked with proteins (r = 0.255; p < .0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our findings showed a concurrent shortage of macro and micronutrients. The current study also revealed that total energy intake was lower than the RDA and significant Fe, Zn, and Se deficiencies. The findings highlight the importance of measures aimed at improving children's nutritional status.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Pakistan; Adolescent; Zinc; Selenium; Energy Intake; Iron; Cross-Sectional Studies; Nutritional Status
PubMed: 38917170
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304277 -
PloS One 2024Geochemical proxies of sea surface temperature (SST) and seawater pH (pHsw) in scleractinian coral skeletons are valuable tools for reconstructing tropical climate...
Geochemical proxies of sea surface temperature (SST) and seawater pH (pHsw) in scleractinian coral skeletons are valuable tools for reconstructing tropical climate variability. However, most coral skeletal SST and pHsw proxies are univariate methods that are limited in their capacity to circumvent non-climate-related variability. Here we present a novel multivariate method for reconstructing SST and pHsw from the geochemistry of coral skeletons. Our Scleractinian Multivariate Isotope and Trace Element (SMITE) method optimizes reconstruction skill by leveraging the covariance across an array of coral elemental and isotopic data with SST and pHsw. First, using a synthetic proxy experiment, we find that SMITE SST reconstruction statistics (correlation, accuracy, and precision) are insensitive to noise and variable calibration period lengths relative to Sr/Ca. While SMITE pHsw reconstruction statistics remain relative to δ11B throughout the same synthetic experiment, the magnitude of the long-term trend in pHsw is progressively lost under conditions of moderate-to-high analytical uncertainty. Next, we apply the SMITE method to an array of seven coral-based geochemical variables (B/Ca, δ11B, Li/Ca, Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, U/Ca & Li/Mg) measured from two Bermudan Porites astreoides corals. Despite a <3.5 year calibration period, SMITE SST and pHsw estimates exhibit significantly better accuracy, precision, and correlation with their respective climate targets than the best single- and dual-proxy estimators. Furthermore, SMITE model parameters are highly reproducible between the two coral cores, indicating great potential for fossil applications (when preservation is high). The results shown here indicate that the SMITE method can outperform the most common coral-based SST and pHsw reconstructions methods to date, particularly in datasets with a large variety of geochemical variables. We therefore provide a list of recommendations and procedures for users to begin implementing the SMITE method as well as an open-source software package to facilitate dissemination of the SMITE method.
Topics: Seawater; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Anthozoa; Animals; Temperature; Trace Elements
PubMed: 38917168
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305607 -
BMC Ophthalmology Jun 2024This study aimed to explore differences in vitreous humour metabolites and metabolic pathways between patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and identify...
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to explore differences in vitreous humour metabolites and metabolic pathways between patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and identify potential metabolite biomarkers.
METHODS
Clinical data and vitreous fluid samples were collected from 125 patients (40 without diabetes, 85 with DR). The metabolite profiles of the vitreous fluid samples were analysed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, Q-Exactive mass spectrometry, and multivariate statistical analysis. A machine learning model based on Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator Regularized logistic regression was used to build a risk scoring model based on selected metabolite levels. Candidate metabolites were regressed to glycated haemoglobin levels by a logistic regression model.
RESULTS
Twenty differential metabolites were identified between the DR and control groups and were significantly enriched in five Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways (arginine biosynthesis; tricarboxylic acid cycle; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; tyrosine metabolism; and D-glutamate metabolism). Ferrous ascorbate significantly contributes to poorer glycaemic control outcomes, offering insights into potential new pathogenic pathways in DR.
CONCLUSIONS
Disorders in the metabolic pathways of arginine biosynthesis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, alanine, aspartate, glutamate metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and D-glutamate metabolism were associated with DR. Risk scores based on vitreous fluid metabolites can be used for the diagnosis and management of DR. Ferrous ascorbate can provide insights into potential new pathogenic pathways for DR.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Retinopathy; Vitreous Body; Biomarkers; Male; Metabolomics; Female; Middle Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Aged; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
PubMed: 38914965
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03530-6 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... Jun 2024VD is a crucial vitamin for human health, as it enhances calcium absorption in the intestines and prevent rickets. Calcifediol (25(OH)VD) and calcitriol (1α,25(OH)VD)... (Review)
Review
VD is a crucial vitamin for human health, as it enhances calcium absorption in the intestines and prevent rickets. Calcifediol (25(OH)VD) and calcitriol (1α,25(OH)VD) are two derivatives of vitamin D that play an important role in preventing and treating osteoporosis, as well as regulating human physiological functions. Currently, the production of calcifediol, and calcitriol primarily relies on chemical synthesis, which has disadvantages such as low product yield, numerous by-products, and environmental unfriendliness. Therefore, developing a green, safe, and environmentally friendly biocatalytic synthesis pathway is of utmost importance. This article mainly reviews the biocatalytic synthesis pathways of calcifediol, and calcitriol. The P450 enzymes, including P450 monooxygenases (cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, CYPs) and P450 peroxygenases (unspecific peroxygenases, UPOs), are crucial for the production of calcifediol and calcitriol. The catalytic mechanism of the extensively studied P450 monooxygenases, the selection of suitable redox partners, and the key residues involved in the enzyme's catalytic activity are analyzed. In addition, the review explores HO-driven UPOs, including their catalytic mechanism, strategies for high heterologous expression, and regeneration of HO. UPOs are regarded as highly promising biocatalysts because they can facilitate reactions without the need for expensive cofactors and redox partners. This review offers insights into the engineering of P450 for the efficient production of vitamin D derivatives.
Topics: Calcitriol; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Calcifediol; Humans; Biocatalysis
PubMed: 38914482
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.230664 -
Journal of Applied Biomedicine Jun 2024Myo-inositol (MI), present in a variety of foods, is essential in several important processes of cell physiology. In this study, we explored the protective effects of MI...
Myo-inositol (MI), present in a variety of foods, is essential in several important processes of cell physiology. In this study, we explored the protective effects of MI against hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in db/db mice, a typical animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MI supplement effectively suppressed the high plasma glucose and insulin levels and markedly relieved the insulin resistance (IR) in the db/db mice, comparable to metformin's effects. In MIN6 pancreatic β cells, MI also restrained the upsurge of insulin secretion stimulated by high-concentration glucose but had no impact on the promoted cell proliferation. Moreover, MI abated the enhanced plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in the db/db mice. Notably, the lipid droplet formation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from db/db mice was significantly diminished after the treatment of MI, indicating that MI could effectively inhibit the differentiation of db/db mouse MSCs into adipocytes. However, MI regretfully failed to control obesity in db/db mice. This work proved that MI significantly helped db/db mice's metabolic disorders, indicating that MI has potential as an effective adjunctive treatment for hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in T2DM patients.
Topics: Animals; Insulin Resistance; Dyslipidemias; Inositol; Mice; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Male; Insulin; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Blood Glucose; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Adipocytes; Hyperglycemia
PubMed: 38912862
DOI: 10.32725/jab.2024.009 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Chickpea ( L.) is a vital grain legume, offering an excellent balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, essential micronutrients, and vitamins that can contribute... (Review)
Review
Chickpea ( L.) is a vital grain legume, offering an excellent balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, essential micronutrients, and vitamins that can contribute to addressing the global population's increasing food and nutritional demands. Chickpea protein offers a balanced source of amino acids with high bioavailability. Moreover, due to its balanced nutrients and affordable price, chickpea is an excellent alternative to animal protein, offering a formidable tool for combating hidden hunger and malnutrition, particularly prevalent in low-income countries. This review examines chickpea's nutritional profile, encompassing protein, amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, micronutrients, vitamins, antioxidant properties, and bioactive compounds of significance in health and pharmaceutical domains. Emphasis is placed on incorporating chickpeas into diets for their myriad health benefits and nutritional richness, aimed at enhancing human protein and micronutrient nutrition. We discuss advances in plant breeding and genomics that have facilitated the discovery of diverse genotypes and key genomic variants/regions/quantitative trait loci contributing to enhanced macro- and micronutrient contents and other quality parameters. Furthermore, we explore the potential of innovative breeding tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 in enhancing chickpea's nutritional profile. Envisioning chickpea as a nutritionally smart crop, we endeavor to safeguard food security, combat hunger and malnutrition, and promote dietary diversity within sustainable agrifood systems.
PubMed: 38911976
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1391496 -
Wellcome Open Research 2024Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, with 1.9 million new cases in 2020 and a predicted rise to 3.2 million in 2040. Screening programmes...
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, with 1.9 million new cases in 2020 and a predicted rise to 3.2 million in 2040. Screening programmes are already in place to aid early detection and secondary prevention of CRC, but the rising prevalence means additional approaches are required in both primary and secondary prevention settings. Preventive therapy, whereby natural or synthetic agents are used to prevent, reverse or delay disease development, could be an effective strategy to further reduce cancer risk and potential agents have already been identified in conventional observational studies. However, as such studies are vulnerable to confounding and reverse causation, we aim to evaluate these observed relationships using Mendelian randomization (MR), an alternative causal inference approach which should be less susceptible to these biases.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
We will use two-sample MR, which uses two independent samples for the exposure and outcome data, to investigate previously reported observational associations of multiple potential preventive agents with CRC risk. We define preventive agents as any synthetic (e.g. approved medication) or natural (e.g. micronutrient, endogenous hormone) molecule used to reduce the risk of cancer. We will first extract potential preventive agents that have been previously linked to CRC risk in observational studies from reviews of the literature. We will then evaluate whether we can develop a genetic instrument for each preventive agent from previously published genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of direct measures of molecular traits (e.g. circulating levels of protein drug targets, blood-based biomarkers of dietary vitamins). The summary statistics from these GWASs, and a large GWAS of CRC, will be used in two-sample MR analyses to investigate the causal effect of putative preventive therapy agents on CRC risk. Sensitivity analyses will be conducted to evaluate the robustness of findings to potential violations of MR assumptions.
PubMed: 38911899
DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.20861.2 -
ACS Omega Jun 2024Geothermal resources are one of the most valuable resources in renewable energy because of their advantages of green environmental protection, stability, and...
Geothermal resources are one of the most valuable resources in renewable energy because of their advantages of green environmental protection, stability, and reliability. Carbonate rock type geothermal reservoirs have great research significance. Carbonate rock type geothermal resources are abundant in the Shandong area. In this paper, we take the carbonate-type geothermal reservoir in the Diaozhen area of Jinan City as the research object, analyze the regional geothermal geological conditions, and identify the geological structure. Through physical logging exploration, hydrochemical analysis, isotope testing, and drilling exploration, we reveal the geothermal genesis mechanism and construct the genetic model of the carbonate geothermal system. The results show that Diaozhen area belongs to a low-temperature geothermal field and weak open karst thermal reservoir and that the reservoir is mainly Ordovician Majiagou group limestone. The thermal insulation caprock is the overlying Quaternary and Neogene strata with a cumulative thickness of 1376 m. The results of geophysical exploration wells and drilling data verify that the Mingshui fracture is seen around 1630-1645m, and the diorite intrusion is seen at 1610m. The Mingshui fracture connects the deep and shallow aquifers and is a geothermal fluid migration channel. The geothermal water in the Diaozhen area is mainly from the recharge of atmospheric precipitation, with a rich ion content and easy enrichment of trace elements. The regional thermal reservoir is mainly recharged by the deep circulation lateral runoff of Ordovician karst water. After long-distance deep circulation migration, groundwater continuously absorbs heat from the surrounding rock and is heated to geothermal raw water in the deep part. Deep geothermal water rises along the water-conducting fracture and mixes with shallow cold water to form shallow, low-temperature geothermal water.
PubMed: 38911820
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c02678 -
Annals of Translational Medicine Jun 2024Several tissues contribute to the onset and advancement of knee osteoarthritis (OA). One tissue type that is worthy of closer evaluation, particularly in the context of...
BACKGROUND
Several tissues contribute to the onset and advancement of knee osteoarthritis (OA). One tissue type that is worthy of closer evaluation, particularly in the context of sex, is the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP). We previously demonstrated that removal of the IFP had short-term beneficial effects for a cohort of male Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs. The present project was designed to elucidate the influence of IFP removal in females of this OA-prone strain. It was hypothesized that resection of the IFP would reduce the development of OA in knees of a rodent model predisposed to the disease.
METHODS
Female guinea pigs (n=16) were acquired at an age of 2.5 months. Surgical removal of the IFP and associated synovium complex (IFP/SC) was executed at 3 months of age. One knee had the IFP/SC resected; a comparable sham surgery was performed on the contralateral knee. All animals were subjected to voluntary enclosure monitoring and dynamic weight-bearing, as well as compulsory treadmill-based gait analysis monthly; baseline data was collected prior to surgery. Guinea pigs were euthanized at 7 months. Knees from eight animals were evaluated via histology, mRNA expression, and immunohistochemistry (IHC); knees from the remaining eight animals were allocated to microcomputed tomography (microCT), biomechanical analyses (whole joint testing and indentation relaxation testing), and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).
RESULTS
Fibrous connective tissue (FCT) replaced the IFP/SC. Mobility/gait data indicated that unilateral IFP/SC removal did not affect bilateral hindlimb movement. MicroCT demonstrated that osteophytes were not a significant feature of OA in this sex; however, trabecular thickness (TbTh) in medial femorae decreased in knees containing the FCT. Histopathology scores were predominantly influenced by changes in the lateral tibia, which demonstrated that histologic signs of OA were increased in knees containing the native IFP/SC versus those with the FCT. Similarly, indentation testing demonstrated higher instantaneous and equilibrium moduli in the lateral tibial articular cartilage of control knees with native IFPs. AAS of multiple tissue types associated with the knee revealed that zinc was the major trace element influenced by removal of the IFP/SC.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that the IFP/SC is a significant component driving knee OA in female guinea pigs and that resection of this tissue prior to disease has short-term benefits. Specifically, the formation of the FCT in place of the native tissue resulted in decreased cartilage-related OA changes, as demonstrated by reduced Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) histology scores, as well as changes in transcript, protein, and cartilage indentation analyses. Importantly, this model provides evidence that sex needs to be considered when investigating responses and associated mechanisms seen with this intervention.
PubMed: 38911554
DOI: 10.21037/atm-23-1886