Effects of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice on people with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with dyslipidaemia.

Objective: This study aimed to observe the effects of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice on blood lipid levels, blood glucose levels and lipid metabolism-related enzymes in T2DM patients with dyslipidaemia and to study their effects on the gut microbiome and short-chain fatty acids. Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 68 subjects were randomly divided into a germinated brown rice group, a germinated black rice group and a white rice group. At the end of the intervention, relevant anthropometric indices, blood biochemistry, and levels of adipokines and lipid metabolism-related enzymes were measured. Faecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing and for an analysis of short-chain fatty acids. Results: After 3 months of intervention with germinated brown rice, germinated black rice or white rice, 21 people in each group completed the intervention as required. At the end of the intervention, the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the germinated brown rice group and germinated black rice group were significantly lower than those in the white rice group. The levels of adiponectin (ADPN) and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in the germinated brown rice group were significantly higher than those in the white rice group (P < 0.05). At the genus level, interventions with germinated brown rice and germinated black rice significantly increased the relative abundance of Megamonas, Muribaculaceae and Alloprevotella and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Veillonella (P < 0.05). After 3 months of intervention, a significant decrease in waist circumference was observed within the germinated brown rice group compared to that at baseline (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Compared with the consumption of white rice, the consumption of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice can effectively regulate the glucose and lipid metabolism of this population. In addition, interventions involving the use of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice may further improve intestinal diversity and abundance, increase the relative abundance of Megamonas and decrease the relative abundance of Veillonella.

Evaluating the clinical utility of semi-quantitative luciferase immunosorbent assay using Treponema pallidum antigens in syphilis diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

To assess the clinical applicability of a semi-quantitative luciferase immunosorbent assay (LISA) for detecting antibodies against Treponema pallidum antigens TP0171 (TP15), TP0435 (TP17), and TP0574 (TP47) in diagnosing and monitoring syphilis. LISA for detection of anti-TP15, TP17, and TP47 antibodies were developed and evaluated for syphilis diagnosis using 261 serum samples (161 syphilis, 100 non-syphilis). Ninety serial serum samples from 6 syphilis rabbit models (3 treated, 3 untreated) and 110 paired serum samples from 55 syphilis patients were used to assess treatment effects by utilizing TRUST as a reference. Compared to TPPA, LISA-TP15, LISA-TP17, and LISA-TP47 showed a sensitivity of 91.9%, 96.9%, and 98.8%, specificity of 99%, 99%, and 98%, and AUC of 0.971, 0.992, and 0.995, respectively, in diagnosing syphilis. Strong correlations (rs = 0.89-0.93) with TPPA were observed. In serial serum samples from rabbit models, significant differences in the relative light unit (RLU) were observed between the treatment and control group for LISA-TP17 (days 31-51) and LISA-TP47 (day 41). In paired serum samples from syphilis patients, TRUST titres and the RLU of LISA-TP15, LISA-TP17, and LISA-TP47 decreased post-treatment (P < .001). When TRUST titres decreased by 0, 2, 4, or ≥8-folds, the RLU decreased by 17.53%, 31.34%, 48.62%, and 72.79% for LISA-TP15; 8.84%, 17.00%, 28.37%, and 50.57% for LISA-TP17; 22.25%, 29.79%, 51.75%, and 70.28% for LISA-TP47, respectively. Semi-quantitative LISA performs well for syphilis diagnosis while LISA-TP17 is more effective for monitoring syphilis treatment in rabbit models and clinical patients.

Optimal probiotic combinations for treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Probiotic administration is a promising therapy for improving conditions in NAFLD patients. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare and estimate the relative effects of probiotic interventions and identify the optimal probiotic species for the treatment of NAFLD (Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) patients. METHODS: The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to 29 January 2024 to identify RCTs that were published in English. The GRADE framework was used to assess the quality of evidence contributing to each network estimate. RESULTS: A total of 35 RCTs involving 2212 NAFLD patients were included in the analysis. For primary outcomes, Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus exhibited the highest probability of being the finest probiotic combination in terms of enhancing acceptability as well as reducing AST (SMD: -1.95 95% CI: -2.90, -0.99), ALT (SMD = -1.67, 95% CI: -2.48, -0.85), and GGT levels (SMD = -2.17, 95% CI: -3.27, -1.06). In terms of the secondary outcomes, Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus was also the best probiotic combination for reducing BMI (SMD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.86, -0.04), LDL levels (SMD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.02), TC levels (SMD = -1.09, 95% CI: -1.89, -0.29), and TNF-α levels (SMD = -1.73, 95% CI: -2.72, -0.74). CONCLUSION: This network meta-analysis revealed that Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus may be the most effective probiotic combination for the treatment of liver enzymes, lipid profiles, and inflammation factors. These findings can be used to guide the development of a probiotics-based treatment guideline for NAFLD since there are few direct comparisons between different therapies.

Assessment of optimal combinations of therapeutic probiotics for depression, anxiety, and stress.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating data show that probiotics may be beneficial for reducing depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms. However, the best combinations and species of probiotics have not been identified. The objective of our study was to assess the most effective combinations and components of different probiotics through network meta-analysis. METHOD: A systematic search of four databases, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase, was conducted from inception to 11 January 2024. The GRADE framework was used to assess the quality of evidence contributing to each network estimate. RESULTS: We deemed 45 trials eligible, these included 4053 participants and 10 types of interventions. The quality of evidence was rated as high or moderate. The NMA revealed that Bifidobacterium exhibited a greater probability of being the optimal probiotic species for improving anxiety symptoms (SMD = -0.80; 95% CI -1.49 to -0.11), followed by Lactobacillus (SMD = -0.49; 95% CI -0.85 to -0.12). In addition, for multiple strains, compared with the other interventions, Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium (SMD = -0.41; 95% CI -0.73 to -0.10) had a positive effect on depression. CONCLUSION: The NMA revealed that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium had prominent efficacy in the treatment of individuals with anxiety, depression, and combination of Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium had a similar effect. With few direct comparisons available between probiotic species, this NMA may be instrumental in shaping the guidelines for probiotic treatment of psychological disorders.

Potential nutritional strategies to prevent and reverse sarcopenia in aging process: Role of fish oil-derived ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, wheat oligopeptide and their combined intervention.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional support is potentially considered an essential step to prevent muscle loss and enhance physical function in older adults. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the role of potential nutritional strategies, i.e., fish oil-derived ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), wheat oligopeptide and their combined intervention, in preventing and reversing sarcopenia in aging process. METHODS: One hundred 25-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, and 10 newly purchased 6-month-old rats were included in young control group (n = 10). Fish oil (200, 400 or 800 mg/kg body weight), wheat oligopeptide (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg body weight), fish oil + wheat oligopeptide (800 + 100, 400 + 200 or 200 + 400 mg/kg body weight) or the equal volume of solvent were administered daily by gavage for 10 weeks. The effects of these interventions on natural aging rats were evaluated. RESULTS: All intervention groups had a significant increase in muscle mass and grip strength and reduction in perirenal fat weight when compared to the aged control group (P < 0.05). The results of biochemical parameters, magnetic resonance imaging, proteomics and western blot suggested that the combination of wheat oligopeptide and fish oil-derived ω-3 PUFA, especially group WFM 2 (400 + 200 mg/kg body weight fish oil + wheat oligopeptide), was found to be more effective against aging-associated muscle loss than single intervention. Additionally, the interventions ameliorated fatty infiltration, muscle atrophy, and congestion in the intercellular matrix, and inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle tissue. The interventions also improved oxidative stress, anabolism, hormone levels, and inflammatory levels of skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of fish oil-derived ω-3 PUFA and wheat oligopeptide was found to be a promising nutritional support to prevent and reverse sarcopenia. The potential mechanism involved the promotion of protein synthesis and muscle regeneration, as well as the enhancement of muscle strength.

Effects of green tea catechin on the blood pressure and lipids in overweight and obese population-a meta-analysis.

Background: Overweight and obesity as main health problems harm human beings worldwide. The number of people diagnosed with overweight and obese is gradually increasing. Green tea catechin has been reported to effectively help control body weight in overweight and obese population, and is protectively against the blood pressure and lipids in people with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Methods: We retrieved 4 English databases (PubMed, Web of science, Cochrane, Scoups) from inception to April 20, 2023. Two reviewers independently determined eligibility, assessed the reporting quality of included studies, and extracted the data. Data were extracted from eleven studies. The results were presented with the weighted mean differences (WMDs), and the confidence intervals (CIs) was 95 %. The random-effects or fixed-effects model was applied according to the heterogeneity. The subgroup analysis was used to identify the source of heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots, Egger's test, and Begg's test. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) inclusion studies were screened from 3072 literature articles, involving 613 overweight and obese patients. After combining all studies, it was found that in overweight and obese people green tea catechin could reduce waist circumference (WC) (pooled WMD = -1.37 cm, 95 % CI: -2.52 to -0.22 cm, p = 0.019), and triglyceride (TG) (pooled WMD = -0.18 mmol/L, 95 % CI: -0.35 to -0.02 mmol/L, p = 0.032), and increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (pooled WMD = 0.07 mmol/L, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.14 mmol/L, p = 0.031). Conclusion: Green tea catechin supplement effectively reduced WC and TG levels and improved HDL-c levels. However, it did not show the significant effect on the blood pressure in overweight and obese people. The present meta-analysis showed a moderate benefit of green tea catechin supplementation on lipid profiles in overweight and obese people.

Early syphilis in Guangzhou, China: presentation, molecular detection of Treponema pallidum , and genomic sequences in clinical specimens and isolates obtained by rabbit infectivity testing.

Background: The global resurgence of syphilis requires novel prevention strategies. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of Treponema pallidum ( TPA ) using different specimen types is essential for vaccine development. Methods: Patients with primary (PS) and secondary (SS) syphilis were recruited in Guangzhou, China. We collected ulcer exudates and blood from PS participants, and skin biopsies and blood from SS participants for TPA polA polymerase chain reaction (PCR); ulcer exudates and blood were also used to isolate TPA strains by rabbit infectivity testing (RIT). TPA WGS was performed on 52 ulcer exudates and biopsy specimens and 25 matched rabbit isolates. Results: We enrolled 18 PS and 51 SS participants from December 2019 to March 2022. Among PS participants, TPA DNA was detected in 16 (89%) ulcer exudates and three (17%) blood specimens. Among SS participants, TPA DNA was detected in 50 (98%) skin biopsies and 27 (53%) blood specimens. TP A was isolated from 48 rabbits, with a 71% (12/17) success rate from ulcer exudates and 69% (36/52) from SS bloods. Twenty-three matched SS14 clade genomes were virtually identical, while two Nichols clade pairs had discordant tprK sequences. Forty-two of 52 unique TPA genomes clustered in an SS14 East Asia subgroup, while ten fell into two East Asian Nichols subgroups. Conclusions: Our TPA detection rate was high from PS ulcer exudates and SS skin biopsies and over 50% from SS whole blood, with RIT isolation in over two-thirds of samples. Our results support the use of WGS from rabbit isolates to inform vaccine development. Summary: We performed Treponema pallidum molecular detection and genome sequencing from multiple specimens collected from early syphilis patients and isolates obtained by rabbit inoculation. Our results support the use of whole genome sequencing from rabbit isolates to inform syphilis vaccine development.

An Incognito Standardized Patient Approach for Measuring and Reducing Intersectional Healthcare Stigma.

Background: Consistent evidence highlights the role of stigma in impairing healthcare access in people living with HIV (PLWH), men who have sex with men (MSM), and people with both identities. We developed an incognito standardized patient (SP) approach to obtain observations of providers to inform a tailored, relevant, and culturally appropriate stigma reduction training. Our pilot cluster randomized control trial assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of an intervention to reduce HIV stigma, anti-gay stigma, and intersectional stigma. Methods: Design of the intervention was informed by the results of a baseline round of incognito visits in which SPs presented standardized cases to consenting doctors. The HIV status and sexual orientation of each case was randomly varied, and stigma was quantified as differences in care across scenarios. Care quality was measured in terms of diagnostic testing, diagnostic effort, and patient-centered care. Impact of the training, which consisted of didactic, experiential, and discussion-based modules, was assessed by analyzing results of a follow-up round of SP visits using linear fixed effects regression models. Results: Feasibility and acceptability among the 55 provider participants was high. We had a 87.3% recruitment rate and 74.5% completion rate of planned visits (N=238) with no adverse events. Every participant found the training content "highly useful" or "useful." Preliminary effects suggest that, relative to the referent case (HIV negative straight man), the intervention positively impacted testing for HIV negative MSM (0.05 percentage points [PP], 95% CI,-0.24, 0.33) and diagnostic effort in HIV positive MSM (0.23 standard deviation [SD] improvement, 95% CI, -0.92, 1.37). Patient-centered care only improved for HIV positive straight cases post-training relative to the referent group (SD, 0.57; 95% CI, -0.39, 1.53). All estimates lacked statistical precision, an expected outcome of a pilot RCT. Conclusions: Our pilot RCT demonstrated high feasibility, acceptability, and several areas of impact for an intervention to reduce enacted healthcare stigma in a low-/middle-income country setting. The relatively lower impact of our intervention on care outcomes for PLWH suggests that future trainings should include more clinical content to boost provider confidence in the safe and respectful management of patients with HIV.

Diagnosis of neurosyphilis in HIV-negative patients with syphilis: development, validation, and clinical utility of a suite of machine learning models.

Background: The ability to accurately identify the absolute risk of neurosyphilis diagnosis for patients with syphilis would allow preventative and therapeutic interventions to be delivered to patients at high-risk, sparing patients at low-risk from unnecessary care. We aimed to develop, validate, and evaluate the clinical utility of simplified clinical diagnostic models for neurosyphilis diagnosis in HIV-negative patients with syphilis. Methods: We searched PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and UpToDate for publications about neurosyphilis diagnostic guidelines in English or Chinese from database inception until March 15, 2023. We developed and validated machine learning models with a uniform set of predictors based on six authoritative diagnostic guidelines across four continents to predict neurosyphilis using routinely collected data from real-world clinical practice in China and the United States (through the Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University in Guangzhou [659 recruited between August 2012 and March 2022, treated as Development cohort], the Beijing Youan Hospital of Capital Medical University in Beijng [480 recruited between December 2013 and April 2021, treated as External cohort 1], the Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University in Xiamen [493 recruited between November 2005 and November 2021, treated as External cohort 2] from China, and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle [16 recruited between September 2002 and April 2014, treated as External cohort 3] from United States). We included all these patients with syphilis into our analysis, and no patients were further excluded. We trained eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) models to predict the diagnostic outcome of neurosyphilis according to each diagnostic guideline in two scenarios, respectively. Model performance was measured through both internal and external validation in terms of discrimination and calibration, and clinical utility was evaluated using decision curve analysis. Findings: The final simplified clinical diagnostic models included neurological symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein, CSF white blood cell, and CSF venereal disease research laboratory test/rapid plasma reagin. The models showed good calibration with rescaled Brier score of 0.99 (95% CI 0.98-1.00) and excellent discrimination (the minimum value of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.84; 95% CI 0.81-0.88) when externally validated. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the models were useful across a range of neurosyphilis probability thresholds between 0.33 and 0.66 compared to the alternatives of managing all patients with syphilis as if they do or do not have neurosyphilis. Interpretation: The simplified clinical diagnostic models comprised of readily available data show good performance, are generalisable across clinical settings, and have clinical utility over a broad range of probability thresholds. The models with a uniform set of predictors can simplify the sophisticated clinical diagnosis of neurosyphilis, and guide decisions on delivery of neurosyphilis health-care, ultimately, support accurate diagnosis and necessary treatment. Funding: The Natural Science Foundation of China General Program, Health Appropriate Technology Promotion Project of Guangdong Medical Research Foundation, Department of Science and technology of Guangdong Province Xinjiang Rural Science and Technology（Special Commissioner）Project, Southern Medical University Clinical Research Nursery Garden Project, Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals Incubating Program.

Clinical and genomic diversity of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum: A global, multi-center study of early syphilis to inform vaccine research.

Background: The continuing increase in syphilis rates worldwide necessitates development of a vaccine with global efficacy. We conducted a multi-center, observational study to explore Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum ( TPA ) molecular epidemiology essential for vaccine research by analyzing clinical data and specimens from early syphilis patients using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and publicly available WGS data. Methods: We enrolled patients with primary (PS), secondary (SS) or early latent (ELS) syphilis from clinics in China, Colombia, Malawi and the United States between November 2019 - May 2022. Inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years, and syphilis confirmation by direct detection methods and/or serological testing. TPA detection and WGS were conducted on lesion swabs, skin biopsies/scrapings, whole blood, and/or rabbit-passaged isolates. We compared our WGS data to publicly available genomes, and analysed TPA populations to identify mutations associated with lineage and geography. Findings: We screened 2,820 patients and enrolled 233 participants - 77 (33%) with PS, 154 (66%) with SS, and two (1%) with ELS. Median age of participants was 28; 66% were cis -gender male, of which 43% reported identifying as "gay", "bisexual", or "other sexuality". Among all participants, 56 (24%) had HIV co-infection. WGS data from 113 participants demonstrated a predominance of SS14-lineage strains with geographic clustering. Phylogenomic analysis confirmed that Nichols-lineage strains are more genetically diverse than SS14-lineage strains and cluster into more distinct subclades. Differences in single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were evident by TPA lineage and geography. Mapping of highly differentiated SNVs to three-dimensional protein models demonstrated population-specific substitutions, some in outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of interest. Interpretation: Our study involving participants from four countries substantiates the global diversity of TPA strains. Additional analyses to explore TPA OMP variability within strains will be vital for vaccine development and improved understanding of syphilis pathogenesis on a population level. Funding: National Institutes of Health, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Pay-it-forward gonorrhea and chlamydia testing among men who have sex with men and male STD patients in China: the PIONEER pragmatic, cluster randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Previous studies have shown pay-it-forward (PIF) interventions to be associated with a substantial increase in gonorrhea and chlamydia test uptake compared to standard-of-care. We propose a 'pay-it-forward' gonorrhea and chlamydia testing randomized controlled trial (PIONEER). The trial would evaluate the effectiveness of two pay-it-forward strategies in promoting testing uptake compared to the standard of care (in which men pay for their tests out-of-pocket) among MSM and male STD patients in China. METHODS: PIONEER will be a three-armed, pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT), conducted across 12 clinics (six MSM-led and six public STD clinics) to compare the effectiveness of three implementation strategies. Each facility will be randomized to a standard pay-it-forward intervention of gonorrhea/ chlamydia testing with minimal encouragement for testing, a community-engaged pay-it-forward arm, or a control arm where men pay for their tests out-of-pockets. The primary outcome will be dual gonorrhea/chlamydia test uptake. Secondary outcomes will include syphilis testing, amount donated in pay-it-forward, number of positive gonorrhea and chlamydia tests, and measures of antimicrobial resistance. A sequential transformative mixed methods design will be used to evaluate the implementation process in type 2 effectiveness-implementation hybrid design. Data sources will include survey on acceptability, and feelings and attitudes towards the interventions among participants; testing and treatment uptake data from clinic records, WeChat records, and qualitative data to gain insights into men's perceptions and attitudes towards the pay-it-forward, mechanisms driving uptake, and donating behaviors. Implementers and organizers will be interviewed about fidelity and adherence to protocol, sustainability of pay-it-forward intervention, and barriers and facilitators of implementing the intervention. DISCUSSION: PIONEER will substantially increase gonorrhea/chlamydia testing among MSM in China, providing an innovative and new financial mechanism to sustain STD screening among sexual minorities in low- and middle-income countries. This study will answer compelling scientific questions about how best to implement pay-it-forward and the individual and organizational characteristics that moderate it. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study with identification number NCT05723263 has been registered on clinicaltrials.gov/.

Effects of flaxseed powder in improving non-alcoholic fatty liver by regulating gut microbiota-bile acids metabolic pathway through FXR/TGR5 mediating.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is gradually becoming one of the most common and health-endangering diseases. Flaxseed powder (FLA) is rich in α-linolenic acid, dietary fiber, lignans, and other active ingredients, which have lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we investigated whether the FLA improves host metabolism by gut bacteria modulation and further bile acid modulation in mice fed a high-fat diet. At the end of the experiment, we found that FLA can significantly reduce the body weight, body fat content, and serum TG, LDL-C, and TNF-α levels of mice, and improve liver steatosis. FLA intervention has a significant effect on preventing and regulating the gut flora disturbance caused by HFD. FLA intervention affects bile acid metabolism in the intestine and causes significant changes in functional bile acids, which can play a lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory role by activating the intestinal Fxr- Fgfr4-Cyp7a1 and Tgr5-Tlr4-Tnfα pathways.

The effects of a low carbohydrate diet combined with partial meal replacement on obese individuals.

OBJECTIVE: We explored the dietary effects of replacing normal dietary staple foods with supplementary nutritional protein powder, dietary fiber, and fish oil on several metabolic parameters. We examined weight loss, glucose and lipid metabolism, and intestinal flora in obese individuals when compared with individuals on a reduced staple food low carbohydrate diet. METHODS: From inclusion and exclusion criteria, 99 participants (28 kg/m2 ≤ body mass index (BMI) ≤ 35 kg/m2) were recruited and randomly assigned to control and intervention 1 and 2 groups. Physical examinations and biochemical indices were performed/gathered before the intervention and at 4 and 13 weeks post intervention. After 13 weeks, feces was collected and 16s rDNA sequenced. RESULTS: After 13 weeks, when compared with controls, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure values in intervention group 1 were significantly reduced. In intervention group 2, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference were significantly reduced. Triglyceride (TG) levels in both intervention groups were significantly reduced. Fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, glycosylated albumin, total cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B levels in intervention group 1 were decreased, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) decreased slightly. Glycosylated albumin, TG, and total cholesterol levels in intervention group 2 decreased, while HDL-c decreased slightly, High sensitive C-reactive protein, MPO, Ox-LDL, LEP, TGF-ß1, IL-6, GPLD1, pro NT, GPC-4, and LPS levels in both intervention groups were lower when compared with controls. Adiponectin (ADPN) levels in intervention groups were higher when compared with controls. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in intervention group 1 were lower when compared with controls. There is no obvious difference in α diversity and ß diversity between intestinal flora of 3 groups. Among the first 10 species of Phylum, only the control group and the intervention group 2 had significantly higher Patescibacteria than the intervention group 1. Among the first 10 species of Genus, only the number of Agathobacter in intervention group 2 was significantly higher than that in control group and intervention group 1. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that an LCD, where nutritional protein powder replaced some staple foods and dietary fiber and fish oil were simultaneously supplemented, significantly reduced weight and improved carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in obese individuals when compared with an LCD which reduced staple food intake.

Analysis of Chemical Constituents of Chrysanthemum morifolium Extract and Its Effect on Postprandial Lipid Metabolism in Healthy Adults.

Chrysanthemum extract possesses antioxidant potential and carbohydrate and fat digestive enzyme inhibitory in vitro. However, no evidence supporting chrysanthemum in modulation of postprandial lipemia and antioxidant status in humans presently exists. This study was to analyze the composition of Imperial Chrysanthemum (IC) extract and determine the effect on changes in postprandial glycemic and lipemic response and antioxidant status in adults after consumption of a high-fat (HF) meal. UHPLC-MS method was used to analyze the components of two kinds of IC extracts (IC-P/IC-E) and in vitro antioxidant activities were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydraxyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and Hydroxyl radical (HR) radical scavenging assays. Following a randomized design, 37 healthy adults (age, 25.2 ± 2.6 years, and BMI, 20.9 ± 1.5 kg/m2) were assigned to two groups that consumed the HF meal, or HF meal supplemented by IC extract. Blood samples were collected at fasting state and then at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after the meal consumption. There were 12 compounds with relative content of more than 1% of the extracts, of which amino acid and derivatives, flavonoids, carboxylic acids and derivatives were the main components. Compared with IC-E, the contents of flavonoids in IC-P increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the cynaroside content exceeded 30%. In addition, IC-P showed strong free radical scavenging activity against DPPH, ABTS and HR radicals. Furthermore, according to repeated−measures ANOVA, significant differences were observed in the maximal changes for postprandial glucose, TG, T-AOC and MDA among the two groups. Postprandial glucose has significant difference between the two groups at 1 h after meal and the level in IC group was significantly lower than that in control group. No significant differences were observed in the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) among the two groups. IC significantly improved the serum antioxidant status, as characterized by increased postprandial serum T-AOC, SOD, GSH and decreased MDA. This finding suggests that IC can be used as a natural ingredient for reducing postprandial lipemia and improving the antioxidant status after consuming a HF meal.

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Regulates the Lipid Metabolism and Alters Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet Induced Obese Mice.

Bioactive compounds provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of obesity. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a biological macromolecule extracted from Goji berry, has displayed potential for regulating lipid metabolism. However, the relationship between gut microbiota regulation and lipid metabolism is not entirely clear. In the present study, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg LBP were intragastrically administered to C57BL/6J male mice fed with a high-fat diet simultaneously lasting for twelve weeks. The results showed that 150 mg/kg LBP showed significant results and all doses of LBP feeding (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) remarkably decreased both serum and liver total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels. Treatment of 150 mg/kg LBP seems to be more effective in weight loss, lowering free fatty acid (FFA) levels in serum and liver tissues of mice. LBP feeding increased the gene expression of adiponectin and decreased the gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, Cluster of Differentiation 36, acetyl-coA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the 16s rDNA Sequencing analysis showed that 150 mg/kg LBP feeding may significantly increase the richness of gut microbiota by up-regulation of the ACE and Chao1 index and altered ß-diversity among groups. Treatment of 150 mg/kg LBP feeding significantly regulated the microbial distribution by decreasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes and increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Faecalibaculum, Pantoea, and uncultured_bacterium_f_Muribaculaceae at the genus level was significantly affected by LBP feeding. A significant correlation was observed between body weight, TC, TG, FFA and bile acid and phyla at the genus level. The above results indicate that LBP plays a vital role in preventing obesity by co-regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota, but its effects vary with the dose.

Improvement in cardiometabolic risk markers following an oatmeal diet is associated with gut microbiota in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals.

Cardiovascular diseases have been the leading cause of death worldwide for decades. Some animal studies have indicated that oatmeal could improve gut microbiota and cardiometabolic risk markers. However, vivo evidence remained limited, especially in individuals with mild hypercholesterolemia. Our purpose was to explore the beneficial effects of oatmeal on serum lipids, oxidative stress and inflammation levels, and their correlations with gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals. The study was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 62 qualified participants were randomly divided into control group and oatmeal group with a 45-day follow-up. 16S rDNA and Gas-Chromatography Mass Spectrometry were employed respectively to measure the changes in gut microbiota and SCFAs at the start and the end of the intervention period. Cardiometabolic risk markers were assayed via commercial kits. The results suggested that oatmeal could significantly decrease serum total cholesterol (TC) (-8.59 %, p = 0.013), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (-12.97 %, p = 0.004) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) (-10.98 %, p = 0.040) level. In terms of oxidative stress, oatmeal significantly increased serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (21.98 %, p < 0.001), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (15.53 %, p = 0.044) levels and decreased concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) (-19.11 %, p = 0.033) compared with control group. While no significant effect was observed in inflammatory factors. SCFAs results indicated that oatmeal could significantly increase serum acetic acid, propionic acid and valeric acid. The results of 16S rDNA showed that there was a significant difference in the alteration of ß-diversity between groups throughout the whole trial. Oatmeal resulted in the increases of Akkermansia, Dialister, Faecalibacterium, Barnesiella, Agathobacter, Lactobacillus and the decrease of Ruminococcaceae-MK4A214-group. Correlation analysis further suggested that the lipids regulation effect of oatmeal may be mainly mediated by Lactobacillus and Dialister, as well as some SCFAs (e.g., acetic acid and propionic acid), while Barnesiella and Akkermansia may play a crucial role in ameliorating oxidative stress level. In conclusion, despite of its small sample size, the present study is the first clinical trial performed in Chinese individuals with mild hypercholesterolemia to explore the effects of oatmeal on serum lipids, oxidative stress, inflammation levels, and gut microbiota. The results demonstrated that oatmeal could induce some beneficial changes in serum lipids, oxidative stress, gut microbiota composition and SCFAs. Correlation analysis further extended our understanding of the role of gut microbiota and SCFAs in improving cardiometabolic risk markers.

The hypolipidemic mechanism of chrysanthemum flavonoids and its main components, luteolin and luteoloside, based on the gene expression profile.

In this study, the following four groups of mice with hyperlipidemia were involved: the model control group (MC), the Chrysanthemum flavonoids group (CF), the luteolin group, and the luteoloside group. The whole gene expression profile was detected in the liver tissues of each group. Differential genes significantly enriched in the biological process of gene ontology (GO) items and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were selected, and 4 differential genes related to lipid metabolism were selected for further real-time quantitative PCR verification. Compared with the MC, 41 differential genes such as Sqle, Gck, and Idi1 were screened in the CF intervention group; 68 differential genes such as Acsl3, Cyp7a1, and Lpin1 were screened in the luteolin intervention group (CF); and 51 differential genes such as Acaca, Cyp7a1, and Lpin1 were screened in the luteoloside group. The mechanism of CF to improve hyperlipidemia is very complex, mainly involving biological processes such as cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism and glycolysis, luteolin mainly involves the synthesis and transport of cholesterol, and luteoloside mainly involves fatty acid metabolism. The functional pathways of CF may not be completely the same as luteolin and luteoloside, and further study is needed on the mechanism of action of other components.

The perceptions of sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among adolescent STD patients: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: To explore the causes and outcomes of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the adolescent STD patients (ASPs) in relation to their access to and interpretation of sexual and STD knowledge, their attitudes towards premarital sex, and their feelings and thoughts after getting STDs. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted to interview 16 ASPs (12 males, 4 females) using convenience sampling. One-on-one, semi-structured, and confidential interviews were conducted in an outpatient clinic room at a dermatology hospital in Guangzhou, China. Data were analysed via thematic analysis with NVivo 12 software. RESULTS: Four main themes were derived from the data: sex education before getting STDs, cognition of the definition of STDs and their transmission, attitude towards premarital sex, and impact of infection with STDs. Most of the participants had very limited information about sexuality from their families or schools, lacked STD knowledge, and considered premarital sex as normal or common. Infection with STDs had a negative influence on all the participants, especially on female participants, as they felt ashamed and some even did not want to get married in the future. CONCLUSION: Limited sex education, lack of sexual knowledge, and an open attitude towards premarital sex led to STDs among adolescents. This study highlights the importance of providing effective sex education. In addition, specific and targeted health guidance and suggestions should be provided to ASPs to help them deal with STDs and the life experience with STDs objectively and correctly.

Beneficial effects of monounsaturated fatty acid-rich blended oils with an appropriate polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio and a low n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio on the health of rats.

BACKGROUND: The effects of dietary fat on health are influenced by its fatty acid profile. We aimed to determine the effects of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-rich blended oils (BO) containing a balance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and with a low n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio on the health of rats fed normal or high-fat diets. The BO was obtained by mixing red palm oil, rice bran oil (RO), tea seed oil and flaxseed oil in appropriate proportions. RESULTS: BO consumption reduced the serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), insulin (INS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid peroxide (LPO) and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) concentrations and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); it increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations, and the bone mineral density (BMD) versus control oil-containing normal and high-fat diets. BO also reduced the triglyceride (TG), hs-CRP, MDA, ox-LDL and reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations; and increased the serum HDL-C and SOD, and BMD versus RO-containing high-fat diets. Finally, BO reduced the glucose (GLU) and INS, and HOMA-IR; it increased HDL-C, SOD, femoral weight and BMD versus RO-containing normal diets. CONCLUSION: BOs with an appropriate fatty acid profile have beneficial effects on the glucolipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress and bone quality of rats when included in both normal and high-fat diets. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.