Summary
Sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) are the single largest source of added sugar and the top source of energy intake in the U.S. diet. In this review, we evaluate whether there is sufficient ...scientific evidence that decreasing SSB consumption will reduce the prevalence of obesity and its related diseases. Because prospective cohort studies address dietary determinants of long‐term weight gain and chronic diseases, whereas randomized clinical trials (RCTs) typically evaluate short‐term effects of specific interventions on weight change, both types of evidence are critical in evaluating causality. Findings from well‐powered prospective cohorts have consistently shown a significant association, established temporality and demonstrated a direct dose–response relationship between SSB consumption and long‐term weight gain and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). A recently published meta‐analysis of RCTs commissioned by the World Health Organization found that decreased intake of added sugars significantly reduced body weight (0.80 kg, 95% confidence interval CI 0.39–1.21; P < 0.001), whereas increased sugar intake led to a comparable weight increase (0.75 kg, 0.30–1.19; P = 0.001). A parallel meta‐analysis of cohort studies also found that higher intake of SSBs among children was associated with 55% (95% CI 32–82%) higher risk of being overweight or obese compared with those with lower intake. Another meta‐analysis of eight prospective cohort studies found that one to two servings per day of SSB intake was associated with a 26% (95% CI 12–41%) greater risk of developing T2D compared with occasional intake (less than one serving per month). Recently, two large RCTs with a high degree of compliance provided convincing data that reducing consumption of SSBs significantly decreases weight gain and adiposity in children and adolescents. Taken together, the evidence that decreasing SSBs will decrease the risk of obesity and related diseases such as T2D is compelling. Several additional issues warrant further discussion. First, prevention of long‐term weight gain through dietary changes such as limiting consumption of SSBs is more important than short‐term weight loss in reducing the prevalence of obesity in the population. This is due to the fact that once an individual becomes obese, it is difficult to lose weight and keep it off. Second, we should consider the totality of evidence rather than selective pieces of evidence (e.g. from short‐term RCTs only). Finally, while recognizing that the evidence of harm on health against SSBs is strong, we should avoid the trap of waiting for absolute proof before allowing public health action to be taken.
With the aim of gathering temporal trends on bacterial epidemiology and resistance from multiple laboratories in China, the CHINET surveillance system was organized in 2005. Antimicrobial ...susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using the Kirby-Bauer method or automated systems. Results were analyzed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2014 definitions. Between 2005 and 2014, the number of bacterial isolates ranged between 22 774 and 84 572 annually. Rates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase production among Escherichia coli isolates were stable, between 51.7 and 55.8%. Resistance of E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, piperacillin/tazobactam and cefoperazone/sulbactam decreased with time. Carbapenem resistance among K. pneumoniae isolates increased from 2.4 to 13.4%. Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains against all of antimicrobial agents tested including imipenem and meropenem decreased with time. On the contrary, resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii strains to carbapenems increased from 31 to 66.7%. A marked decrease of methicillin resistance from 69% in 2005 to 44.6% in 2014 was observed for Staphylococcus aureus. Carbapenem resistance rates in K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii in China are high. Our results indicate the importance of bacterial surveillance studies.
Background and purpose
The aim was to analyse the clinical profiles and outcomes of patients with anti‐ N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (anti‐NMDAR) encephalitis in China.
Methods
A retrospective study ...of anti‐NMDAR encephalitis in China was performed between June 2011 and June 2014. The clinical characteristics and predictors of poor outcome were determined.
Results
A total of 51 patients with a definitive diagnosis of anti‐NMDAR encephalitis were included in this study. Four of them were surgically confirmed to have a neoplasm. Thirty‐two patients, amongst whom 24 were female, presented with psychiatric disorder as the initial symptom, whereas 14 patients, of whom nine were male, presented with seizure as the initial symptom (P = 0.011). Twenty‐nine patients (56.86%) were initially misdiagnosed with psychosis, viral encephalitis or other diseases, and 58.8% of the patients experienced at least one type of complication. It typically took 3 weeks before these patients were admitted to our hospital and another 2 weeks before the correct diagnosis was made. Forty‐one patients (80%) reached a good outcome; 10 patients (20%) had a poor outcome. Older age, extended hospital stay, memory deficits, decreased consciousness, central hypoventilation, complications and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid results were associated with poor outcome (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Female patients more frequently initially present with psychiatric disorder but male patients more frequently initially present with seizure. Patients with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis in China have a lower incidence of neoplasm. Nevertheless, this study reveals several challenges in treating anti‐NMDAR encephalitis in China that may contribute to poor outcome.
Podcast: http://player.polyv.net/videos/player.swf?vid=f6ee5715d91c5369b239824ce112c909_f
Summary
To identify the critical genes and pathways that related to OP development in male AS patients, bioinformatic gene analysis and qRT-PCR validation were performed. SBNO2 and VPS13B were ...identified as the potential target for OP development, which may be valuable for the prevention of OP in male AS patients.
Introduction
Osteoporosis (OP) is common in men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The specific pathogenesis of OP in AS, however, is still unclear. The present study attempted to identify potential genes associated with the development of OP in males with AS.
Methods
Gene expression profiles were downloaded from the GSE73754 and GSE35959 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Data from OsteoporosAtlas were downloaded as a supplement. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined with the
limma
package. The overlapping DEGs between male AS-related genes and OP-related genes were determined. The DEGs were validated by qRT-PCR in the blood samples of males with AS. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was utilized to establish a co-expression network to identify the hub genes.
Results
A total of 17 overlapping DEGs were identified; 6 genes in 17 overlapping DEGs were verified as the essential genes in the pathogenesis of OP in male AS by qRT-PCR analysis. After WGCNA, the modules of MEblue (> 0.6) and MEred (> 0.8) were screened out by the correlation analysis and were determined to function mainly in MAPK signaling pathway and osteoclast differentiation. Analysis of the two modules revealed VPS13B and SBNO2 as key genes due to the high degree of correlation. Both genes play an important role in bone metabolism regulation in male AS. Two hub genes MYD88 in MEblue and NCK1 in MEred with high degree of connectivity were selected.
Conclusions
Gender-specific SBNO2 and VPS13B may be key genes involved in OP in male AS.
Manipulation of tumor microRNAs (miRNAs) may offer novel avenues for treatment of cancer. However, development of safe, robust, non-viral delivery methods remains a main challenge to obtain the ...promise of gene therapy. The miR-145 is dysregulated in many cancers, including colon carcer, and further in vitro investigation established antiproliferative and proapoptotic roles of miR-145. Herein, we study a PLGA/PEI (poly (d, l-lactide-co-glycolide)/polyethylenimine)-mediated miRNA vector delivery system; the validation of the method was carried out using a colon cancer xenograft model with miR-145 vector encoding for the expression of miR-145 (pDNA). First, high-molecular-weight PEI (25000 Da) was conjugated with cetyl to formulate reducible cetylated PEI (PEI-cet), and then PEI-cet was introduced to PLGA suspension. Next, PLGA/PEI-cet was crosslinked with hyaluronic acid (HA) to facilitate cellular uptake of miRNA plasmid vector via HA receptor-mediated endocytosis. After local administration of PLGA/PEI/HA complexes, intact miRNA plasmid vectors were delivered into HCT-116 colon cancer cells and xenograft tumor-bearing mice, and significant antitumor effects were achieved. The results show that the HA-based miR-145 nanocarrier could efficiently facilitate cellular uptake and significantly enhance miR-145 expression in HCT-116 cells. Consequently, the increased miR-145 induced G1 cell cycle arrest, reduced tumor proliferation and increased apoptosis, inhibited HCT-116 cell migration and suppressed c-MYC expressions, a regulatory target of miR-145. Of particular importance is the significant decrease in tumor growth in the mice model of colon cancer with the targeting miR-145 delivery system. The results in this work show that miR-145 has been effectively delivered to colon carcinomas through a PLGA/PEI/HA vehicle, indicating a promising miRNA replacement therapy strategy.
To assess the association between the elevation of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level and long‐term levodopa (L‐dopa) therapy in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). We performed a systematic literature ...review to recruit original studies published up to May 14, 2012. Studies enrolled should be controlled, with specific information of long‐term L‐dopa application and plasma Hcy in patients with PD. Effects were summarized using standardized mean differences (SMDs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs). Our search enrolled 22 eligible studies. Plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in L‐dopa‐treated patients than those in healthy controls SMD 0.97; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80–1.14, P < 0.001, L‐dopa‐naïve patients with PD (SMD 0.99; 95% CI 0.54–1.44, P < 0.001), and untreated patients (SMD 0.52; 95% CI 0.18–0.86, P < 0.01). However, its levels in untreated patients with PD were not significantly higher than in healthy controls (SMD 0.24; 95% CI −0.03 to 0.51, P > 0.05). Patients with PD treated with L‐dopa plus catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibitor (COMT‐I) showed lower plasma Hcy concentrations compared with L‐dopa‐treated patients (WMD 4.62; 95% CI 2.89–6.35, P < 0.001). L‐dopa treatment is associated with the increase in plasma Hcy level in patients with PD. COMT‐I may attenuate L‐dopa‐induced elevation of Hcy level.
This study aimed at evaluating the predictive ability of the Physical Resilience Instrument for Older Adults (PRIFOR) for the recovery of frailty, activity of daily living (ADL), and quality of life ...in older adults suffering from acute health stressors. The longitudinal study was adopted and patients aged 65 and older with Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) scores between 4 and 6 were included. The PRIFOR was used to assess physical resilience at baseline. Katz ADL, CFS and EuroQoL 5-dimension Questionnaire (EQ 5D) scores were all assessed at baseline and one month after discharge. The mean age of the 192 participants was 76.29 ± 6.53 years, and 50.5% were female. After adjusting for the baseline condition, the PRIFOR was only significantly associated with the CFS (β=−0.183, p<0.001) at one month after discharge. Our study results provide evidence of the predictive capacity of the PRIFOR for recovery from frailty.
The magnetic refrigeration technique based on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) has attracted increasing interest because of its high efficiency and environment friendliness. In this article, our ...recent progress in exploring effective MCE materials is reviewed with emphasis on the MCE in the LaFe13−xSixbased alloys discovered by us. These alloys show large entropy changes over a wide temperature range near room temperature. The effects of magnetic rare‐earth doping, interstitial atoms and high pressure on the MCE have been systematically studied. Special issues, such as appropriate approaches to determining the MCE associated with the first‐order magnetic transition, the depression of magnetic and thermal hysteresis, and the key factors determining the magnetic exchange in alloys of this kind, are discussed. The applicability of giant MCE materials to magnetic refrigeration near ambient temperature is evaluated. A brief review of other materials with significant MCE is also presented.
Recent progress in the study of the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects (MCEs) of the LaFe13−xSix‐based compounds, which have large MCEs over a wide temperature range near room temperature, is reviewed. The effects of magnetic rare‐earth doping, interstitial atoms and high pressure on the magnetic exchange, entropy change, and magnetic hysteresis are discussed. The applicability of the giant MCE materials to the magnetic refrigeration near ambient temperature is evaluated.
Both bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals for which there is widespread general population exposure. Human exposure occurs through dietary and non-dietary routes. ...Although animal studies have suggested a potential role of these chemicals in obesity, evidence from human studies is sparse and inconsistent, and prospective evidence is lacking. This study evaluated urinary concentrations of BPA and major phthalate metabolites in relation to prospective weight change.
The study population was from the controls in a prospective case-control study of type 2 diabetes in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and NHSII. A total of 977 participants provided first-morning-void urine samples in 1996-2002. Urinary concentrations of BPA and nine phthalate metabolites were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Body weights were self-reported at baseline and updated biennially thereafter for 10 years.
On average, the women gained 2.09 kg (95% confidence interval (CI), -2.27 to 6.80 kg) during the 10-year follow-up. In multivariate analysis with adjustment of lifestyle and dietary factors, in comparison with women in the lowest quartile of BPA concentration, those in the highest quartile had 0.23 kg per year (95% CI, 0.07-0.38 kg per year) greater weight gain during the 10-year follow-up (P-trend=0.02). Several phthalate metabolites, including phthalic acid, MBzP and monobutyl phthalate, were also associated with faster prospective weight gain in a dose-response fashion (P-trend<0.01), whereas other phthalates metabolites, including MEP and monoethylhexyl phthalate, were not monotonically associated with body weight change.
These data suggest urinary concentrations of BPA and certain individual phthalate metabolites that were associated with modestly greater weight gain in a dose-response fashion. These data are consistent with a potential role of BPA and phthalates in obesity, although more prospective data are needed to corroborate these observations.
Accurate segmentation of the jaw (i.e., mandible and maxilla) and the teeth in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans is essential for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Although ...various (semi)automated methods have been proposed to segment the jaw or the teeth, there is still a lack of fully automated segmentation methods that can simultaneously segment both anatomic structures in CBCT scans (i.e., multiclass segmentation). In this study, we aimed to train and validate a mixed-scale dense (MS-D) convolutional neural network for multiclass segmentation of the jaw, the teeth, and the background in CBCT scans. Thirty CBCT scans were obtained from patients who had undergone orthodontic treatment. Gold standard segmentation labels were manually created by 4 dentists. As a benchmark, we also evaluated MS-D networks that segmented the jaw or the teeth (i.e., binary segmentation). All segmented CBCT scans were converted to virtual 3-dimensional (3D) models. The segmentation performance of all trained MS-D networks was assessed by the Dice similarity coefficient and surface deviation. The CBCT scans segmented by the MS-D network demonstrated a large overlap with the gold standard segmentations (Dice similarity coefficient: 0.934 ± 0.019, jaw; 0.945 ± 0.021, teeth). The MS-D network–based 3D models of the jaw and the teeth showed minor surface deviations when compared with the corresponding gold standard 3D models (0.390 ± 0.093 mm, jaw; 0.204 ± 0.061 mm, teeth). The MS-D network took approximately 25 s to segment 1 CBCT scan, whereas manual segmentation took about 5 h. This study showed that multiclass segmentation of jaw and teeth was accurate and its performance was comparable to binary segmentation. The MS-D network trained for multiclass segmentation would therefore make patient-specific orthodontic treatment more feasible by strongly reducing the time required to segment multiple anatomic structures in CBCT scans.
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