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Objective To explore the heterogenous subtypes and the associated factors of health literacy among patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 337 patients with metabolic syndrome were recruited from Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital in Zhejiang Province from December 2021 to February 2022. The Social Support Questionnaire, Short version of the Health Literacy Scale European Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16), and MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status were used for investigation. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to explore the heterogenous subtypes of health literacy among Metabolic syndrome patients. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to identify the predictors of the latent classes. Results The findings of LCA suggested that three heterogeneous subtypes of health literacy among individuals with metabolic syndrome were identified: high levels of health literacy, moderate levels of health literacy, and low levels of health literacy. The multinomial logistic regression results indicated that compared with low levels of health literacy class, the high levels of health literacy class were predicted by age (OR 0.932, 95%CI[0.900-0.966]), socio-economic status (OR 1.185, 95%CI[1.058–1.328]), and social support (OR 1.065, 95%CI[1.012–1.120]). Compared with low levels of health literacy class, the moderate levels of health literacy class were predicted by age (OR 0.964, 95%CI[0.934–0.995]), socio-economic status (OR 1.118, 95%CI[1.006–1.242]), male (OR 0.229, 95%CI[0.092–0.576]). Conclusion The levels of health literacy among patients with metabolic syndrome can be divided into three heterogenous subtypes. The results can inform policy-makers and care professionals to design targeted interventions for different subgroups among patients with metabolic syndrome who are male, at older age, have less social support, and with disadvantaged socio-economic status to improve health literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a serious public health issue. Dietary changes form the core of MetS treatment. The adherence to dietary recommendations is critical for reducing the severity of MetS components and preventing complications. However, the adherence to dietary recommendations was not adequate among adults with MetS. This study utilizes the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to develop an individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention aimed at strengthening adherence to dietary recommendations in people with MetS. The BCW theory was used to design an individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted to identify the determinants of adherence to dietary recommendations in individuals with MetS. The study was conducted at the health promotion centre of a prominent general university hospital in Zhejiang, China. Subsequently, the intervention functions (IFs) and policy categories were selected following the identified determinants. Afterwards, behaviour change techniques (BCTs) were chosen to translate into potential intervention strategies, and the delivery mode was determined. Our study identified fifteen barriers to improve the adherence to dietary recommendations in this population. These were linked with six IFs: education, training, persuasion, enablement, modelling, and environmental restructuring. Then, twelve BCTs were linked with the IFs and fifteen barriers. The delivery mode was a WeChat mini program. After these actions, an individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention was developed to enhance adherence to dietary recommendations for individuals with MetS. The BCW theory helped scientifically and systematically develop an individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention for individuals with MetS. In the future, our research team will refine and upgrade the WeChat mini program and then test the usability and effectiveness of the individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention program. This is the first paper to specify the content and active ingredients of an individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention using a systematic evidence- and theory-based method for individuals with MetS. The findings can be used to provide guidance to improve dietary adherence, and ultimately improve the lives of people with MetS. This methodology can serve as a reference for other researchers who are developing behavioural change interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonium ion-exchange performance of the natural zeolite was investigated in both batch and column studies. The effects of zeolite dosage, contact time, stirring speed and pH on ammonium removal were investigated in batch experiments. The result showed that ammonium removal efficiency increased with an increase in zeolite dosage from 25 to 150 g/L, and an increase in stirring speed from 200 to 250 r/min. But further increase in zeolite dosage and stirring speed would result in an unpronounced increase of ammonium removal. The optimal pH for the removal of ammonium was found as 7.1. In the column studies, the effect of flow rate was investigated, and the total ammonium removal percentage during 180 min operation time decreased with the flow rate though the ion-exchange capacity varied to a very small extent with the flow rate ranging from 4 to 9 mL/min. The spent zeolite was regenerated by sodium chloride solution and the ammonia removal capacity of zeolite changed little or even increased after three regeneration cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Six organic acids (oxalic, malonic, malic, citric, palmitic and linolenic acid) in two arsenic (As) hyperaccumulators (Pteris multifida and Pteris vittata) and a non-hyperaccumulator fern (Pteris semipinnata) exposed to different As concentrations (0, 5, 20 and 40 mg As L-1) under hydroponic conditions were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Three fern species were collected from an uncontaminated site, but two As-hyperaccumulators were also collected from an As-contaminated site. Furthermore, the time-course effect of organic acid production in P. multifida and P. semipinnata collected from the uncontaminated site were also studied under 0 and 20 mg As L-1 treatments with a sampling interval at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 36 h. After esterifying (H2SO4-CH3OH), extracting (CH2Cl2), washing (saturated NaCl) and drying (anhydrous Na2SO4), these organic acids were isolated (Column: HP Ultra 2, 50 m × 0.2 mM × 0.33 µM; Carrier gas: He). There was no significant increase in the concentrations of the six organic acids in the fronds and roots of the three fern species sampled from an uncontaminated site under 5 or 40 mg As L-1 treatments. In addition, there were also no significant differences in the concentrations of organic acids among the three fern species under the same As concentration treatments. Concentrations of malic, oxalic and linolenic acids in the fronds and roots of two As hyperaccumulators collected from an As-contaminated or uncontaminated site and the non-hyperaccumulator collected from an uncontaminated site followed the sequence of malic acid > oxalic acid > linolenic acid. As for time-course effect, compared to P. semipinnata, a significant increase was observed in concentrations of oxalic and linolenic acid in P. multifida over time under 20 mg As L-1 treatment. In general, the changes of organic acid concentrations in As hyperaccumulators did not directly contribute to As accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the contributions of mixed arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculum—i.e., mixed populations of indigenous mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices, Glomus geosporum, Glomus mosseae) (IM) isolated from arsenic (As) contaminated soil and non-indigenous mycorrhiza such as G. mosseae (GM), which possess metal tolerance characteristics—and the addition of phosphate rock (PR) towards the uptake and accumulation of As by Pteris vittata (As hyperaccumlator) grown in As-contaminated soil. Regardless of As levels added to soil, plant growth was substantially improved in amended treatments when compared with the control. In addition, root surface area (0 mg/kg As: 15.2 cm2; 150 mg/kg As: 16.9 cm2; 300 mg/kg As: 20.7 cm2), chlorophyll contents (0 mg/kg As: 1.16 mg/g; 150 mg/kg As: 1.46 mg/g; 300 mg/kg As: 1.81 mg/g) and As translocation factor (0 mg/kg As: 0; 150 mg/kg As: 4.29; 300 mg/kg As: 5.22) in P. vittata of PR+IM/GM were also increased. Such combination could further enhance plant growth (indicated by higher N, P and chlorophyll contents) and As uptake by P. vittata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]