Search

Background: At present, no studies explored whether dietary fiber intake was associated with the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in hypertensive patients. This study assessed the association between dietary fiber intake and PAD in hypertensive patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected the data of 4628 participants with the measurement of ankle-brachial pressure index in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys database. Univariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify variables associated with PAD as confounding factors. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between dietary fiber intake and PAD in hypertensive patients. Subgroup analysis was stratified by age, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and physical activity. Results: After adjusting for confounding factors, decreased risk of PAD was observed in hypertensive patients with dietary fiber intake > 21 g [odds ratio (OR) = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46–0.99]. Compared with people with dietary fiber intake ≤ 21 g, those with dietary fiber intake > 21 g were associated with decreased risk of PAD in hypertensive patients < 60 years (OR = 0.23, 95%CI 0.08–0.66). In hypertensive patients without dyslipidemia, dietary fiber intake > 21 g were associated with reduced risk of PAD (OR = 0.33, 95%CI 0.12–0.95). Decreased risk of PAD was also found in hypertensive patients without diabetes in dietary fiber intake > 21 g group (OR = 0.50, 95%CI 0.31–0.78). Dietary fiber intake > 21 g was linked with reduced risk of PAD in hypertensive patients in never smoke group (OR = 0.46, 95%CI 0.24–0.86). Conclusion: Higher dietary fiber intake was associated with reduced risk of PAD in hypertensive patients, suggesting the importance of increase the daily dietary quality especially fiber intake in hypertensive people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Circular RNA circ-3626 was identified as a pivotal osteogenesis-related circRNA via RNA sequencing. • Over-expressing circ-3626 increases the expression of Runx2 by sponging miR-338-3p, thereby promoting the osteogenesis of BMSCs. • The bone repair capability of aging mice could be significantly improved by circ-3626 AAV treatment. Disorders of bone homeostasis are the key factors leading to metabolic bone disease, such as senile osteoporosis, which is characterized by age-related bone loss. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) possess high osteogenic capacity which has been regarded as a practical approach to preventing bone loss. Previous studies have shown that the osteogenic differentiation ability of BMSCs is significantly decreased in senile osteoporosis. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been regarded as critical regulators in controlling the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by sponging microRNAs (miRNAs). Our study aimed to discover new and critical osteogenesis-related circRNAs that can promote bone formation in senile osteoporosis. We detected the dysregulated circRNAs of BMSCs upon osteogenic differentiation induction and identified the critical osteogenic circRNA (circ-3626). The relationship between circ-3626 and osteoporosis was further verified in clinical bone samples and aged mice by qPCR. Moreover, circ-3626 AAV was constructed to examine the osteogenic effect of circ-3626 on bone formation via using Micro-CT, double calcein labeling, and the three-point bending tests. Bioinformatics analysis, Luciferase report gene assays, FISH, RNA pull-down, qPCR, Western Blots, and alizarin red staining assay explore the effects and mechanisms of circ-3626 on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Circ-3626 was identified as a pivotal osteogenesis-related circRNA via RNA sequencing. The results of alizarin red staining, Western blots, and qPCR assays suggest that overexpressing circ-3626 dramatically accelerates the osteogenic capability of BMSCs. Furthermore, the bone repair capability of aging mice could be significantly improved by circ-3626 AAV treatment. Micro RNA miR-338-3p was identified as the downstream target of circ-3626. Overexpression of circ-3626 increases the expression of Runx2 by sponging miR-338-3p, thereby promoting the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by upregulating the expression of osteogenic genes. In addition, Western blots, and qPCR assays suggest circ-3626 AAV treatment promote the expression of Runx2 and osteogenic marker genes. Thus, we demonstrate that circ-3626 plays a pivotal role in promoting bone formation through the miR-338-3p/Runx2 axis and may provide new strategies for preventing and treating the bone loss of senile osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Urotensin II (UII) is a potent vasoconstrictive peptide; however, its significance in vascular adventitia has not been clearly elucidated. In this study, rat aortic adventitia showed mRNA expression and immunoreactivity of UII and its receptor (UT). Moreover, radioligand-binding assay showed that maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of [125I]-UII was higher in adventitia than in media (28.60±1.94 vs. 20.21±1.11 fmol/mg, P <0.01), with no difference in binding affinity (dissociation constant [Kd] 4.27±0.49 vs. 4.60±0.40 nM, P>0.05). Furthermore, in cultured adventitial fibroblasts, UII stimulated DNA synthesis, collagen synthesis and secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. These effects were inhibited by the UII receptor antagonist urantide (10−6 mol/l), Ca2+ channel blocker nicardipine (10−5 mol/l), protein kinase C inhibitor H7 (10−6 mol/l), and mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor PD98059 (10−6 mol/l) but not the phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase inhibitor wortmannin (10−7 mol/l). UII may act as an autocrine/paracrine factor through its receptor and the Ca2+ channel, protein kinase C, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways, in the pathogenesis of vascular remodeling by activating vascular adventitia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims and objectives: To explore the role of resilience in anxiety and depression and to clarify their relationships among patients with mild symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in Wuhan, China. Background: The outbreak of COVID‐19 has negatively affected some individuals, but resilience plays a decisive role in the response of individuals under pressure and can help them deal with pressure more effectively. Design: The cross‐sectional descriptive correlational survey was reported in line with the STROBE guidelines. Subject and setting: In total, 296 patients from FangCang Hospital in Wuhan, Hubei, China, with mild symptoms of COVID‐19 were recruited. Methods: Participants were recruited through convenience sampling. The data collected included their demographic information, the Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: A small number of patients in this study had above threshold anxiety (subthreshold anxiety and major anxiety) and depression (subthreshold depression and major depression). The mean total resilience score of the participants was slightly below the normal level of ordinary Chinese adults. Resilience was inversely associated with and was a protective factor for both anxiety and depression in our samples. Risk factors for anxiety include being female and having colleagues with COVID‐19, while a risk factor for depression was having family members with COVID‐19. Conclusions: This study shows that after taking the general demographics into consideration, higher levels of resilience were associated with lower anxiety and depression among mild COVID‐19 patients in Wuhan, China. Relevance to clinical practice: Health professionals, especially clinical nurses, need to be aware of the psychological status of COVID‐19 patients and promote resilience to improve their mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor with activated carbon (AC)-nano manganese dioxide (MnO 2) added was employed for azo dye wastewater treatment to investigate its effectiveness at decolorizing of azo dyes and removing COD. The results showed that the treatment of azo dye wastewater with the AC-MnO 2 modified EGSB reactor gave an 83% average decolorization efficiency, which was more efficient than the pure AC modified EGSB reactor. Moreover, the COD removal and changes in the intermediate products were controlled by AC-MnO 2. Additionally, there was a sharp increase in the sludge conductivity, while there was a significant decrease in the coenzyme F 420 concentration with long-term operation. Moreover, electrochemical analysis showed that the addition of AC-MnO 2 can enhance electron transfer in anaerobic system. The AC-MnO 2 can act as redox mediator; in the presence of the Mn4+/Mn2+ cycle, accelerating the electron transfer between the microbial cells and dyes, thereby promoting the decolorization of azo dyes. This caused a decrease in the methanogenic activity. Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing showed that the relative abundances of Pseudomonas and Desulfovibrio were significantly high among the acidogenic bacteria community, while Methanobacterium and Methanosaeta had very low abundances from among the methanogenic archaea community. • An EGSB reactor was modified with AC-MnO 2 to evaluate the decolorization efficiency. • Adding AC-MnO 2 promoted electron transfer between the microbial cells and dyes. • A high decolorization efficiency was achieved with the assistance of MnO 2 nanoparticles. • Enriched electrochemically active bacteria contributed to the azo dyes decolorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ZVI enhances methane production in anaerobic treatment of domestic sewage. • Phosphate is responsible for reducing the effects of micro-sized or nano-sized ZVI. • The precipitations on the ZVI surface inhibit the dissolution of ZVI. • Core-shell ZVI@carbon reduces the inhibition of ZVI by phosphate. Inhibitory effects of phosphate on zero-valent iron (ZVI) dissolution have been studied mainly focusing on a single chemical system. Little is known about inhibitory effects and the mechanism of phosphate on ZVI dissolution within a bioreactor during long-term operation. This study demonstrates the feasibility of achieving energy recovery from phosphate-containing domestic sewage using an efficient anaerobic reactor with micro-sized or nano-sized ZVI addition. The results indicate that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and methane production are enhanced by ZVI addition. A maximum COD removal efficiency of 89% and methane content of 60% was achieved. However, the strengthening effect of ZVI on methane production is weakened by the presence of phosphate in domestic sewage. Analyzing the variations of Fe2+ ions and phosphate concentrations and characterizing the micro-morphology of corroded ZVI proved that the generated Fe2+ ions reacts with phosphate and forms a passivation layer on the ZVI surface, inhibiting further dissolution of ZVI. As an improved alternative, we chose the double layered core-shell structured ZVI@carbon composite as an excellent candidate to reduce the inhibitory effects of phosphate on ZVI dissolution. In this way, the direct formation of precipitates on the ZVI surface can be avoided due to the protective carbon layer which adjusts the ion transfer. Adding ZVI@carbon composites accelerate the methane content by 16%. To our knowledge, this is the first report on adding ZVI@carbon composites to promote the anaerobic metabolism in studies, which are focusing on reducing the inhibition of ZVI by phosphate. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]