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Mixed tree nuts (MTNs) are an excellent source of protein and healthy fat contributing to satiety. However, their relatively high caloric content might not be beneficial in a weight loss diet. The present study was designed to test whether including MTNs in a weight loss and maintenance program interferes with weight management compared to a refined carbohydrate pretzel snack (PS). We performed a randomized, controlled, two-arm study in 95 overweight individuals consuming 1.5 oz of MTNs or PS daily as part of a hypocaloric weight loss diet (-500 kcal) over 12 weeks followed by an isocaloric weight maintenance program for 12 weeks. Participants in both groups experienced significant weight loss (12 weeks: -1.6 and -1.9 and 24 weeks: -1.5 and -1.4 kg) compared to baseline in the MTN and PS groups, respectively. However, there was no difference in weight loss and other outcome parameters between the MTN and PS groups. The MTN group showed a significant increase in satiety at 24 weeks. Both groups had a decrease in diastolic blood pressure at 12 weeks. Participants in the MTN group showed significant decreases in heart rate at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Plasma oleic acid was significantly increased at 12 and 24 weeks in the MTN group but only at 12 weeks in the PS group. Plasma MCP-1 was decreased significantly in the MTN group at 4 weeks. In summary, participants in both groups lost weight, but only the MTN intervention increased satiety at 24 weeks, enhanced retention, decreased heart rate, and increased serum oleic acid at 24 weeks.

Patients exposed to pollutants are more likely to suffer from allergic rhinitis and may benefit from antioxidant treatment. Our study determined if patients diagnosed with grass-induced allergic rhinitis could benefit from broccoli sprout extract (BSE) supplementation. In total, 47 patients were confirmed with grass-induced allergic rhinitis and randomized to one of four groups: group 1 (nasal steroid spray + BSE), group 2 (nasal steroid spray + placebo tablet), group 3 (saline nasal spray + BSE) and group 4 (saline nasal spray + placebo tablet). Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF), Total Nasal Symptoms Scores (TNSS) and nasal mucus cytokine levels were analyzed in samples collected before and after the 3-week intervention. Comparing before and after the intervention, PNIF improved significantly when comparing Groups 1 and 2, vs. placebo, at various time points (p ≤ 0.05 at 5, 15, 60 and 240 min) following nasal challenge, while TNSS was only statistically significant at 5 (p = 0.03), 15 (p = 0.057) and 30 (p = 0.05) minutes. There were no statistically significant differences in various cytokine markers before and after the intervention. Combining nasal corticosteroid with BSE led to the most significant improvement in objective measures.

This study examined the role of intermittent illumination/dark conditions coupled with MnO2-ammendments to regulate the mobility of As and Fe in flooded arsenic-enriched soils. Addition of MnO2 particles with intermittent illumination led to a pronounced increase in the reductive-dissolution of Fe(III) and As(V) from flooded soils compared to a corresponding dark treatments. A higher MnO2 dosage (0.10 vs 0.02 g) demonstrated a greater effect. Over a 49-day incubation, maximum Fe concentrations mobilized from the flooded soils amended with 0.10 and 0.02 g MnO2 particles were 2.39 and 1.85-fold higher than for non-amended soils under dark conditions. The corresponding maximum amounts of mobilized As were at least 92 % and 65 % higher than for non-amended soils under dark conditions, respectively. Scavenging of excited holes by soil humic/fulvic compounds increased mineral photoelectron production and boosted Fe(III)/As(V) reduction in MnO2-amended, illuminated soils. Additionally, MnO2 amendments shifted soil microbial community structure by enriching metal-reducing bacteria (e.g., Anaeromyxobacter, Bacillus and Geobacter) and increasing c-type cytochrome production. This microbial diversity response to MnO2 amendment facilitated direct contact extracellular electron transfer processes, which further enhanced Fe/As reduction. Subsequently, the mobility of released Fe(II) and As(III) was partially attenuated by adsorption, oxidation, complexation and/or coprecipitation on active sites generated on MnO2 surfaces during MnO2 dissolution. These results illustrated the impact of a semiconducting MnO2 mineral in regulating the biogeochemical cycles of As/Fe in soil and demonstrated the potential for MnO2-based bioremediation strategies for arsenic-polluted soils.

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is common among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and is associated with a poor prognosis. We assessed the prevalence and associated factors of CI in patients with CKD. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by searching PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science through December 1, 2023. Random effects models were performed with subgroup analyses to further explore the heterogeneity. Results: 50 studies involving 25,289 CKD patients were included. The overall prevalence of CI was 40% (95% confidence interval 33–46). The pooled prevalence of CI was relatively higher in CKD patients from Africa (58%), Asia (44%) and America (37%). Attention and executive dysfunction appeared to be the most common manifestations. The prevalence of CI was higher among patients with hemodialysis (53%) and peritoneal dialysis (39%) than those without dialysis (32%) and post-kidney transplanted (26%). In addition, advanced age, the presence of diabetes and hypertension might increase the risk of CI in CKD patients. Conclusions: People with CKD have a high prevalence of CI, especially in patients with hemodialysis. An early and comprehensive screening for CI in CKD patients is needed to improve clinical outcomes. Trial registration: Registration number: PROSPERO (CRD42023412864) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microspheres and injectable hydrogels derived from natural biopolymers have been extensively investigated as drug carriers and cell scaffolds. In this study, we report a preparation of composite scaffolds basing microspheres and hydrogel via the Schiff's base reaction. Hybrid gelatin/heparin microspheres loading insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) with a diameter of 5–10 µm were fabricated using an emulsion cross-linking method. Synchronously, water-soluble carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and oxidized chondroitin sulfate (OCS) were prepared for cross-linking of hydrogels, which were embedded with microspheres to produce a composite microspheres/gel scaffold. The mechanism of scaffold cross-linking is attributed to the Schiff's base reaction between amino and aldehyde groups of biopolymers. Currently, gelation rate, morphology, mechanical properties, swelling ratio, weight loss, and IGF-1 release of the composite scaffolds were examined in vitro. The results show that mechanical and bioactive properties of CMC-OCS hydrogel can be significantly improved by embedding gelatin/heparin microspheres containing IGF-1. Compressive modulus of composite gel scaffolds containing 3 wt% of microspheres was 16 kPa, which was higher than the control hydrogel without microspheres. Cumulative release of IGF-1 during 7 days from microspheres embedded hydrogel was 70%, which was significantly lower than those of microspheres and hydrogels. Moreover, the composite microspheres/gel scaffolds exhibited higher swelling ratio and slower degradation rate than the control. Potential of the composite scaffolds was demonstrated by encapsulation of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in vitro. Cell culture showed that this composite hydrogel could support survival and proliferation of ASCs. These results demonstrate the potential of gelatin/heparin microspheres embedded CMC-OCS hydrogels as an injectable scaffold in soft tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]