ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence to support the hypothesis that malnutrition may promote cognitive decline. This study aimed to explore the available literature on this topic. METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken of studies investigating the effect of nutritional status on cognitive function in adults of any age, using Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and Global Health via OvidSP from earliest available dates to January 2024. Studies were excluded if they were conducted in animal or paediatric populations, or if they did not include measurements of baseline nutritional status or follow-up assessment of cognitive function. Selected studies were assessed for quality, and data extracted. A meta-analysis was not conducted due to the heterogeneity of the data. RESULTS: A total of nine studies (three randomised and six observational) was retrieved, including total 8697 subjects who were all in older age groups. Study quality was generally poor. Seven of the nine studies supported the hypothesis that baseline nutritional status is predictive of change in cognitive function at later assessment, but all studies failed to control for significant confounders and six of the nine had large amounts of missing data at follow-up, so that it remains unclear whether nutrition is independently associated with later cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition may be associated with subsequent development of cognitive dysfunction in older adults. Higher quality studies in a wider range of age groups are needed to investigate whether nutritional status has an independent impact on cognitive function, and whether this is related to specific nutrient deficiencies.
ABSTRACT
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is one of the primary pathogenic contaminants of foods, contributing to several foodborne outbreaks in recent years. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of two non-O157 STEC strains isolated from an outbreak of diarrhea in the city of Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
ABSTRACT
Understanding the effects of increasing temperature is central in explaining the effects of climate change on vegetation. Here, we investigate how warming affects vegetation regeneration and root biomass and if there is an interactive effect of warming with other environmental variables. We also examine if geothermal warming effects on vegetation regeneration and root biomass can be used in climate change experiments. Monitoring plots were arranged in a grid across the study area to cover a range of soil temperatures. The plots were cleared of vegetation and root-free ingrowth cores were installed to assess above and below-ground regeneration rates. Temperature sensors were buried in the plots for continued soil temperature monitoring. Soil moisture, pH, and soil chemistry of the plots were also recorded. Data were analyzed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and linear regression to identify the environmental variable with the greatest influence on vegetation regeneration and root biomass. There was lower root biomass and slower vegetation regeneration in high temperature plots. Soil temperature was positively correlated with soil moisture and negatively correlated with soil pH. Iron and sulfate were present in the soil in the highest quantities compared to other measured soil chemicals and had a strong positive relationship with soil temperature. Our findings suggest that soil temperature had a major impact on root biomass and vegetation regeneration. In geothermal fields, vegetation establishment and growth can be restricted by low soil moisture, low soil pH, and an imbalance in soil chemistry. The correlation between soil moisture, pH, chemistry, and plant regeneration was chiefly driven by soil temperature. Soil temperature was negatively correlated to the distance from the geothermal features. Apart from characterizing plant regeneration on geothermal soils, this study further demonstrates a novel approach to global warming experiments, which could be particularly useful in low heat flow geothermal systems that more realistically mimic soil warming.
