ABSTRACT
Background: Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has shown associations with cognitive function in preschool children, but effects of other ultraprocessed foods consumption are rarely discussed in China. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ultraprocessed food consumption and cognitive function among preschool children in China. Methods: A total of 325 children aged 4-7 years were included from Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Face-to-face interviews with parents using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was conducted to investigate the status of seven ultraprocessed foods consumption (i.e., chocolate, biscuits, candy, fast-food, ice cream, SSBs, and sweet bakery products). The mandarin-language version of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI, Fourth Edition) was applied to assess the cognitive function of children. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between ultraprocessed food consumption and the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and different domains and risk of cognitive deficit, respectively. Results: We found that frequent consumption of candy (ß = -3.34, 95% CI: -5.62â¼-1.06; p = 0.004) and sweet bakery products (ß = -2.77, 95% CI: -5.58â¼0.04; p = 0.054) were significant associated with decreased FSIQ scores in the linear regression models. However, only frequent consumption of candy was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of cognitive deficit (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.11â¼3.79; p = 0.023) in the logistic regression models. For the different domains, we found frequent consumption of candy (ß = -3.85, 95% CI: -6.28â¼-1.43; p = 0.002) and sweet bakery products (ß = -3.48, 95% CI: -6.47â¼-0.49; p = 0.023) was also significantly associated with lower Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI). When combining the seven ultraprocessed foods, we found children who frequently consumed more than two kinds of ultraprocessed foods had a significant decrease of VCI scores (ß = -2.66; 95% CI: -5.12â¼-0.19; p = 0.035) too. Conclusion: Our results suggested that frequent consumption of individual (candy and sweet bakery products) and multiple ultraprocessed foods may decrease VCI scores and thereby impact cognitive function in children aged 4-7 years.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Skeletal muscle insulin resistance (IR) is an important etiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, its molecular mechanism is yet to be fully defined. This study attempted to identify the gene expression patterns and molecular disorders in T2DM patients' skeletal muscle samples. METHODS: First, the difference in genetic expression among GSE25462 data was analyzed. Next, PPI network analysis of differential genes was carried out, after which the maladjustment module was identified. Then, an enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were carried out. Finally, the transcription factors that regulate the modular genes by raid were predicted. RESULTS: Most differentially expressed genes were found to be able to form an interaction network and cluster into 9 modules. These modular genes were shown to possess a significant correlation with immune inflammation and metabolic response. Importantly, the top 15 genes of area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were identified, and the expression of 10 genes by GSE12643, GSE18732 and GSE29221 was confirmed. The expression and AUC value of ALDH6A1 were then verified according to three sets of data, where ALDH6A1 was found to be negatively correlated with follicular helper T cells. However, among the predicted transcription regulators, HDAC was shown to have a better regulatory effect. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight that the dysregulation of ALDH6A1 expression in IR of T2DM may serve as a potential therapeutic target. ALDH6A1 is involved in the immune inflammation and metabolic pathways.
