B Vitamins Supplementation Can Improve Cognitive Functions and May Relate to the Enhancement of Transketolase Activity in A Rat Model of Cognitive Impairment Associated with High-fat Diets.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether B vitamin treatment was sufficient to reduce cognitive impairment associated with high-fat diets in rats and to modulate transketolase (TK) expression and activity. METHODS: To test this, we separated 50 rats into five groups that were either fed a standard chow diet (controls) or a high-fat diet (experimental groups H0, H1, H2, and H3). H0 group animals received no additional dietary supplementation, while H1 group animals were administered 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) thiamine, 100 mg/kg BW riboflavin, and 250 mg/kg BW niacin each day, and group H2 animals received daily doses of 100 mg/kg BW pyridoxine, 100 mg/kg BW cobalamin, and 5 mg/kg BW folate. Animals in the H3 group received the B vitamin regimens administered to both H1 and H2 each day. RESULTS: Over time, group H0 exhibited greater increases in BW and fat mass relative to other groups. When spatial and memory capabilities in these animals were evaluated via conditioned taste aversion (CTA) and Morris Water Maze (MWM), we found B vitamin treatment was associated with significant improvements relative to untreated H0 controls. Similarly, B vitamin supplementation was associated with elevated TK expression in erythrocytes and hypothalamus of treated animals relative to those in H0 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Together, these findings suggest B vitamin can modulate hypothalamic TK activity to reduce the severity of cognitive deficits in a rat model of obesity. As such, B vitamin supplementation may be a beneficial method for reducing cognitive dysfunction in clinical settings associated with high-fat diets.

Quantifying the Effect of Supplementation with Algae and Its Extracts on Glycolipid Metabolism: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

AIMS: The effect of algae and its extract supplementation on glycolipid metabolism has not been finalized. Therefore, the purpose of the meta-analyses was to assess the effects of its supplementation on glycolipid metabolism concentration. METHODS: We have systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and Embase to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the impact of algae and its extracts supplementation on glycolipid metabolism. Effect size analysis was performed using weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CI between the methods of the experiment group and the control group. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore the possible influences of study characteristics. Publication bias and sensitivity analysis were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 27 RCTs (31 trials) with 1221 participants were finally selected for the meta-analysis. The algae and its extract intervention significantly decreased glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c, WMD = -0.18%; 95% CI: -0.27 to -0.10; p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, WMD = -0.22 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.06; p = 0.008), and triglycerides (TC, WMD = -0.31 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.37 to -0.25; p < 0.001) levels and increased insulin (WMD = 6.05 pmol/mL; 95% CI: 4.01 to 8.09; p < 0.001) levels. It did not significantly change the blood glucose, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), 2-h post-meal blood glucose (2hPBG) and other lipid profiles. Subgroup analyses based on the duration of intervention and subjects demonstrated that the intervention of algae and its extracts for 10 weeks or fewer and more than 40 subjects decreased TC levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, the intervention reduced TC and 2hPBG concentrations for East Asians (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provided evidence that algae and its extract interventions were beneficial for the regulation of human glycolipid metabolism. More precise RCTs on subjects are recommended to further clarify the effect of algae, seaweed polysaccharide, seaweed polypeptide, algae polyphenol and its products intervention on glycolipid metabolism.

PSMD4 regulates the malignancy of esophageal cancer cells by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Proteasome 26S subunit non-ATPase 4 (PSMD4) is an important proteasome ubiquitin receptor and plays a key role in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). However, the study of PSMD4 in esophageal cancer (EC) is relatively rare. Here, we found that the expression of PSMD4 was markedly enhanced in EC tissues and cell lines. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay showed that overexpression of PSMD4 significantly enhanced Eca109 cell viability, while inhibition of PSMD4 reduced Eca109 cell viability. Knockdown of PSMD4 induced Eca109 cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. More importantly, knockdown of PSMD4 significantly enhanced the expression of glucose regulated protein 78, activating transcription factor 6, and p-protein kinase R-like ER kinase, indicating an enhanced ERS response in esophageal cancer cells. Compared with the control cells, brefeldin A significantly inhibited the expression of PSMD4 and increased the expression of p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis. However, such effects were largely reversed after overexpressing PSMD4 in Eca109 cells, suggesting that silencing PSMD4 could enhance ERS-induced cell apoptosis. In summary, upregulation of PSMD4 promoted the progression of esophageal cancer mainly by reducing ERS-induced cell apoptosis.

B Vitamins Can Reduce Body Weight Gain by Increasing Metabolism-related Enzyme Activities in Rats Fed on a High-Fat Diet.

B vitamins are enzyme cofactors that play an important role in energy metabolism. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether B vitamin administration can reduce body weight (BW) gain by improving energy metabolism-related enzyme activities in rats fed on a highfat diet. Fifty rats were randomly assigned to one of the following five groups: control group (C), including rats fed on standard rat chow; four treatment groups (HO, HI, H2, and H3), in which rats were fed on a high-fat diet. Rats in the HI group were treated daily with 100 mg/kg BW thiamine (VB1), 100 mg/kg BW riboflavin (VB2), and 250 mg/kg BW niacin (VPP); rats in the H2 group were treated daily with 100 mg/kg BW pyridoxine (VB6), 100 mg/kg BW cobalamin (VB12), and 5 mg/kg BW folate (FA); and rats in the H3 group were treated daily with all of the B vitamins administered to the HI and H2 groups. After 12 weeks, the BW gains from the initial value were 154.5±58.4 g and 159.1±53.0 g in the HI and C groups, respectively, which were significantly less than the changes in the HO group (285.2±14.8 g, P<0.05). In the HO group, the plasma total cholesterol (CHO) and triglyceride (TG) levels were 1.59±0.30 mmol/L and 1,55±0.40 mmol/L, respectively, which were significantly greater than those in the HI group (1.19±0.18 mmol/L and 0.76±0.34 mmol/L, respectively, P<0.05). The activities of transketolase (TK), glutathione reductase, and Na+/K+ adenosine triphosphatase were significantly increased in the B vitamin-treated groups and were significantly greater than those in the HO group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvic acid kinase, and succinate dehydrogenase activities also were increased after treatment with B vitamins. Supplementation with B vitamins could effectively reduce BW gain and plasma levels of lipids by improving energy metabolism-related enzyme activities in rats, thus possibly providing potential benefits to humans.

Circulating long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and incidence of stroke: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Circulating long-chain (LC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) can provide objective measures that reflect both dietary consumption and relevant biological processes. Nevertheless, prospective cohort studies on circulating LC n-3 PUFA in relation to incidence of stroke have yielded inconsistent results. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the association. RESULTS: A total of 2,836 stroke events occurred among 20,460 individuals aged 35-79 yr from 10 prospective cohort studies. Circulating LC n-3 PUFA was significantly associated with reduced risk of stroke (RR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76, 0.98; I2 = 0.00%), especially 22:5n-3 (RR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.92) and 22:6n-3 (RR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.94). The associations were more pronounced with ischemic stroke (RR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.96), but not with hemorrhagic stroke (RR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.60, 1.49). A 1% increment of 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 proportions in circulating blood was associated with 25% (RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.87) and 11% (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.95) reduced risk of stroke, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pertinent studies were identified from Cochrane Library, PubMed and EMBASE database through June 2017. Multivariate-adjusted risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for incident stroke when comparing the top with the bottom tertiles of baseline LC n-3 PUFA proportions in blood were pooled using a random-effect model. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating LC n-3 PUFAs were linearly associated with reduced risk of stroke, especially 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3. Such findings highlight the importance of circulating LC n-3 PUFA in the development of ischemic stroke.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and its interaction with T2DM on pulmonary tuberculosis in Chinese Uygur population.

AIMS: To investigate the association of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22) gene and additional gene- gene and gene- type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) interaction with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) risk in Chinese Uygur population. METHODS: A total of 722 participants (186 males, 536 females) were selected, including 360 PTB patients and 362 control participants. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to screen the best interaction combination among SNPs and T2DM. Logistic regression was performed to investigate association between 3 SNPs within PTPN22 gene, additional gene- gene and gene- T2DM interaction on PTB risk. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that PTB risk was significantly lower in carriers with rs2476601- CT genotype than those with CC genotype (CT versus CC), adjusted OR (95%CI) =0.42 (0.17-0.83), and higher in carriers with the rs33996649- GA genotype than those with GG genotype (GA versus GG), adjusted OR (95%CI) = 5.66 (2.24-9.47). We found a significant two-locus model (p=0.0010) involving rs33996649 and T2DM. Overall, the cross-validation consistency of this two- locus model was 10/ 10, and the testing accuracy was 60.11%. We also conducted stratified analysis for rs33996649 and T2DM using logistic regression. We found that T2DM patients with rs33996649 - GA genotype have the highest PTB risk, compared to non- T2DM patients with rs33996649- GG genotype, OR (95%CI) = 4.52 (2.71 -6.43), after covariates adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the T allele of rs2476601 and the A allele of rs33996649within PTPN22 gene, interaction between rs2476601 and T2DM were all associated with increased PTB risk.

Genotypic Characterization of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Pigs and Retail Foods in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genotypic diversity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from pigs and retail foods from different geographical areas in China and further to study the routes and rates of transmission of this pathogen from animals to food. METHODS: Seventy-one MRSA isolates were obtained from pigs and retail foods and then characterized by multi-locus sequencing typing (MLST), spa typing, multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. RESULTS: All isolated MRSA exhibited multi-drug resistance (MDR). Greater diversity was found in food-associated MRSA (7 STs, 8 spa types, and 10 MLVA patterns) compared to pig-associated MRSA (3 STs, 1 spa type, and 6 MLVA patterns). PFGE patterns were more diverse for pig-associated MRSA than those of food-associated isolates (40 vs. 11 pulse types). Among the pig-associated isolates, CC9-ST9-t899-MC2236 was the most prevalent clone (96.4%), and CC9-ST9-t437-MC621 (20.0%) was the predominant clone among the food-associated isolates. The CC9-ST9 isolates showed significantly higher antimicrobial resistance than other clones. Interestingly, CC398-ST398-t034 clone was identified from both pig- and food-associated isolates. Of note, some community- and hospital-associated MRSA strains (t030, t172, t1244, and t4549) were also identified as food-associated isolates. CONCLUSION: CC9-ST9-t899-MC2236-MDR was the most predominant clone in pigs, but significant genetic diversity was observed in food-associated MRSA. Our results demonstrate the great need for improved surveillance of MRSA in livestock and food and effective prevention strategies to limit MDR-MRSA infections in China.

Vitamin D deficiency and the risk of tuberculosis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To conduct meta-analyses of all published studies on various aspects of association between vitamin D and tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: PubMed and Web of Knowledge were searched for all properly controlled studies on vitamin D and TB. Pooled odds ratio, mean difference or standardized mean difference, and its corresponding 95% confidence interval were calculated with the Cochrane Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: A significantly lower vitamin D level was found in TB patients vs controls; vitamin D deficiency (VDD) was associated with an increased risk of TB, although such an association was lacking in the African population and in the human immunodeficiency virus-infected African population. A significantly lower vitamin D level was found in human immunodeficiency virus-TB-coinfected African patients receiving antiretroviral treatment who developed TB-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome vs those who did not develop TB-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. VDD was associated with an increased risk of developing active TB in those subjects with latent TB infection and with an increased risk of tuberculin skin test conversion/TB infection conversion, and the trend toward a lower vitamin D level in active TB patients vs latent TB infection subjects did not reach statistical significance, indicating that VDD was more likely a risk factor than a consequence of TB. This concept was further strengthened by our result that anti-TB treatment did not affect vitamin D level in TB patients receiving the treatment. CONCLUSION: Our analyses revealed an association between vitamin D and TB. VDD is more likely a risk factor for TB than its consequence. More studies are needed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation is beneficial to TB prevention and treatment.

Combined chromium and magnesium decreases insulin resistance more effectively than either alone.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peroral supplementation with trivalent-chromium (Cr) or magnesium (Mg) has been shown to improve insulin resistance (IR). The objective of this study was to determine whether combined peroral supplementation with Cr and Mg improves IR more effectively than Cr or Mg alone. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Subjects (n=120, age range 45-59 years old) and diagnosed with IR were randomly divided into four groups and monitored for a period of 3 months: group 1 (the placebo control group), group 2 (160 µg/d Cr), group 3 (200 mg/d Mg), and group 4 (160 µg/d Cr plus 200 mg/d Mg). Fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FIns), erythrocyte Cr and Mg content, and glucose-transporter-4 (GLUT4) and glycogen-synthase-kinase-3ß (GSK3ß) mRNA levels in activated T-lymphocytes were measured, and insulin resistant index (IRI) was calculated. RESULTS: Significant decreases between the baseline and study conclusion values of FBG (0.37 mmol/L, p<0.01), FIns (2.91 µIU/mL, p<0.01) and IRI (0.60, p<0.01) were observed in group 4, but not groups 1-3. Similarly, compared with baseline, significant changes in GLUT4 (2.9-fold increase, p<0.05) and GSK3ß (2.2-fold decrease, p<0.05) mRNA levels in activated T-lymphocyte were observed at the study's conclusion in group 4, but not in groups 1-3. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that combining peroral supplementation with Cr and Mg improves IR more effectively than Cr or Mg alone, and this may be attributable to increased induction and repression, respectively, of GLUT4 and GSK3ß expression.

The Chinese Mental Resilience Scale and its psychometric properties.

This study aimed to develop a Chinese Mental Resilience Scale. A total of 2500 healthy participants, in two representative samples of the Chinese population, were administered the scale. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and correlation analysis were used to obtain the relevant coefficients and verify the reliability and validity of the scale. Five factors were extracted: willpower, family support, optimism and self-confidence, problem solving, and interpersonal interaction, plus a lying subscale, which together accounted for 54 percent of the total variance. The Chinese Mental Resilience Scale demonstrated good psychometric properties. It can be used to evaluate the mental resilience level of general Chinese population.

Correlations between drug resistance of Beijing/W lineage clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and sublineages: a 2009-2013 prospective study in Xinjiang province, China.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Xinjiang is higher than in other regions of China, and Beijing/W lineage Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is the dominant strain of MTB in Xinjiang. However, information on multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB, particularly the correlation between MDR and the Beijing/W lineage and the correlation between drug resistance and the Beijing/W sublineage strains, is limited. MATERIAL/METHODS: We conducted a prospective study to describe the prevalence of MDR/XDR TB, Beijing/W lineage and sublineage strains in Xinjiang in China from 2009 to 2013. All MTB underwent drug susceptibility testing to the first- and second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. The Beijing/W lineages and sublineages were detected by large-sequence polymorphisms with polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: A total of 410 clinical isolates were identified. The overall percentage of MDR and XDR cases in Xinjiang was 13.2% (54/410) and 13.0% (7/54), respectively. Overall, 9.8% (14/143) of the Beijing lineage MTB were MDR patients, and 15.6% (40/257) of the Non-Beijing lineage MTB were MDR patients. In the 143 Beijing MTB lineages, 11.2% isolates were in sublineage 105, 15.4% isolates were in sublineage 207, 69.2% isolates were in sublineage 181, and 4.2% isolates were in sublineage 150. None of the isolates were detected in sublineage 142. Significant differences between the Beijing/W and non-Beijing/W strains were observed regarding INH and EMB resistance, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the MDR TB in Xinjiang remains high and imposes challenges for TB control. Four Beijing/W sublineage isolates were observed in Xinjiang. There was no correlation between MDR and the Beijing/W lineage and no correlation between drug resistance and the Beijing/W sublineage strains. Surveillance of the clinical isolates of MTB is recommended to strengthen the identification of MDR/XDR TB and sublineages of the Beijing/W strains.

Lack of effects of dietary folate intake on risk of breast cancer: an updated meta-analysis of prospective studies.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological findings are controversial relating to the relationship between dietary folate intake and the risk of breast cancer. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to clarify this association. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PUPMED, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases were searched for all relevant literature published in English from January 1, 1966 to August 2013. Summary relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a fixed or random effects model. RESULTS: Dietary folate intake was not significantly associated with the risk of breast cancer. The combined PR with 95% CI for the highest vs. lowest category dietary intake of folate [fifteen studies; 1,836,566 participants and 24,083 patients with breast cancer] was 0.98 (0.90-1.05). Among subgroup analysis by menstrual status, hormonal status and the consumption of alcohol, methionine and vitamin B12, no significant association was observed for the dietary intake of folate and the risk of breast cancer. Dose-response analysis showed that a 220 µg/day increment in dietary folate intake was not associated with the risk of breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that dietary folate intake has no significant effect on the risk of breast cancer.

Enhancement of vitamin A combined vitamin D supplementation on immune response to Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine revaccinated in Chinese infants.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is an association between diameter of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) scars and effect of purified protein derivative (PPD) reaction and to determine whether vitamin A (VA) combined vitamin D (VD) supplementation influences the immune response to BCG revaccinated in Chinese infants. METHODS: A cross-section and 3-month community-randomised trial was conducted. A total of 5 629 infants at 3, 6 and 12 months of age in Junan County of China were examined for BCG scar formation. Then, 597 revaccinated infants were randomly assigned to supplementation (n=307) and control (n=290) groups. The supplementation group were daily assigned to 1 500 IU VA and 500 IU VD for 3 months. Then all infants were subjected to skin test with PPD. RESULTS: The diameter of BCG scars was positively correlated with diameter of skin indurations of PPD (r=0.17, P<0.05) in the 5 629 infants. The rate of positive response to PPD was higher in the supplementation group than in the control group (96.1% versus 89.7%, P<0.05, prevalence ratio 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.12). The prevalence ratio of PPD response for the supplementation group compared with that for the control group was 1.07 (95% CI 1.01-1.13) for the males and 1.08 (95% CI 1.00-1.17) for the females. For the supplementation group, the males got larger tuberculin induration than the females [(0.73±0.21) cm versus (0.67±0.20) cm, P<0.05) after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The diameter of BCG scars was effectively correlated with PPD response, which indicates BCG scar formation may be an useful tool to evaluate the effect of tuberculosis prevention. VA combined VD supplementation may play an immuno-regulatory role in BCG revaccination. This may contribute to the prevention of childhood tuberculosis.

Protective effect of Aplysin on hepatic injury in ethanol-treated rats.

This study evaluated the protective effects of Aplysin against ethanol-induced hepatic injury in rats and analyzed the associated mechanisms. Rats were administered orally with ethanol 8-12 ml/kg bw excluding the rats in the control group at 1h after rats were administered by gavage doses of Aplysin (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg bw) every day. After 6 weeks, rats were sacrificed, and liver injury was evaluated by biochemical and pathological examination. Hepatocyte apoptosis was analyzed by annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Ethanol metabolic enzymes, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3 expressions were evaluated by western blot analysis. These results demonstrated that Aplysin exhibited a significant hepatoprotective effect. In the ethanol-treated group, cytochrome P4502E1 and alcohol dehydrogenase were increased significantly in liver tissue. Moreover, Aplysin not only significantly reversed the ratio of NAD(+)/NADH and mitochondrial glutathione depletion, but also reversed the decreased activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III and IV. Overexpression of cytoplasmic cytochrome c and caspase-3 activation was suppressed by Aplysin. These results suggest that Aplysin alleviates hepatocyte apoptosis by modulating the ethanol-metabolizing pathway, attenuating oxidative stress, ameliorating mitochondrial function, inhibiting mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis, which ultimately prevent and repair alcoholic liver injury.

[Prevalence of thyroid nodules and influencing factors among employees of a company in Qingdao].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules and influencing factors among employees of a company in Qingdao. METHODS: Through questionnaires, physical examination, thyroid ultrasonography and urinary iodine test, personal health information and examinations of thyroid nodules of 9612 serving and retired employees in a company in 2010 who had lived in Qingdao for more than 5 years were collected to investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules and its influencing factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of thyroid nodules was 36.56% (3514/9612). The prevalence rates of single nodules and multiple nodules were 18.39% (1768/9612) and 18.16% (1746/9612) respectively. With increasing urinary iodine level, the prevalence of multiple thyroid nodules decreased from 25.51% (366/14350)(urinary iodine < or = 100 microg/L) to 12.99% (214/1648) (urinary iodine > 300 microg/L) showing a clear downward trend (chi2 = 67.11, P < 0.01). The prevalence rates of thyroid nodules among males and females were 31.28% (2283/7299) and 53.22% (1231/2313) (P < 0.01) respectively. With increasing age, the prevalence of thyroid nodules gradually increased from 7.95% (67/843) (19 - 29 years old) to 58.81% (267/454) ( >70 years old) among males and increased from 23.74% (33/139) (19 - 29 years old) to 80.38% (127/158) ( >70 years old) among females. The prevalence of thyroid nodules among males and females showed an increasing trend with age (male: chi2 = 434.12, P < 0.01; female: chi2 = 40.74, P < 0.01). The results of logistic regression showed that compared with males, females were more susceptible to thyroid nodules (OR = 2.809, 95% CI: 2.444 - 3.228). Smoking (OR = 1.394, 95% CI: 1.249 - 1.556), hypertension (OR = 1.155, 95% CI: 1.040 - 1.282), diabetes ( OR = 1.228, 95% CI: 1.039 - 1.452) and overweight (OR = 1.199, 95% CI: 1.078 - 1.333) might be risk factors for thyroid nodules after adjusting for age and gender. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of thyroid nodules was high among the employees. In order to reduce the thyroid nodules, smoking cessation and weight control should be promoted. Blood pressure and glucose level should be actively controlled for patients with hypertension and (or) diabetes.

Antioxidant micronutrient supplementation increases erythrocyte membrane fluidity in adults from a rural Chinese community.

The objective of the present study was to investigate age-related differences in erythrocyte membrane fluidity (EMF) and changes in antioxidant capacity following supplementation. A total of seventy-four children were randomly divided into two groups: group A1 was the placebo-controlled group and group A2 was supplemented daily with 600 µg retinol, 1·0 mg ß-carotene, 100 mg tocopherol, 300 mg ascorbic acid and 200 µg Se. A total of ninety young people were randomly divided into B1 and B2 groups, and ninety-one elderly subjects were divided into C1 and C2 groups. Groups B1 and C1 were placebo-controlled groups, and groups B2 and C2 were daily supplemented with 900 µg retinol, 1·5 mg ß-carotene, 200 mg tocopherol, 500 mg ascorbic acid and 400 µg Se. Results showed that plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) was 5·35 µmol/l in children, which was lower than in young and elderly people. The MDA levels of the young and elderly individuals in the treated groups were significantly lower compared with the control groups, but the supplementation did not alter MDA levels in children. At baseline, there was a lower value of polarisation (ρ) and microviscosity (η) in children, indicating a higher EMF, than in both the young and elderly subjects. After the 2-month trial, the ρ and η values of young and elderly subjects in the treated groups decreased significantly in comparison with the placebo groups, indicating an increase in EMF. In conclusion, there was a background of higher MDA levels and lower EMF in young and elderly people than in children, which could be improved by antioxidant supplementation.

Supplementation of iron alone and combined with vitamins improves haematological status, erythrocyte membrane fluidity and oxidative stress in anaemic pregnant women.

Pregnancy is a condition exhibiting increased susceptibility to oxidative stress, and Fe plays a central role in generating harmful oxygen species. The objective of the present study is to investigate the changes in haematological status, oxidative stress and erythrocyte membrane fluidity in anaemic pregnant women after Fe supplementation with and without combined vitamins. The study was a 2 months double-blind, randomised trial. Pregnant women (n 164) were allocated to four groups: group C was the placebo control group; group I was supplemented daily with 60 mg Fe (ferrous sulphate) daily; group IF was supplemented daily with Fe plus 400 µg folic acid; group IM was supplemented daily with Fe plus 2 mg retinol and 1 mg riboflavin, respectively. After the 2-month trial, Hb significantly increased by 15.8, 17.3 and 21.8 g/l, and ferritin by 2.8, 3.6 and 11.0 µg/l, in the I, IF and IM groups compared with placebo. Polarisation (ρ) and microviscosity (η) decreased significantly in other groups compared with placebo, indicating an increase in membrane fluidity. Significant decreases of ρ and η values compared with group C were 0.033 and 0.959 for group I, 0.037 and 1.074 for group IF and 0.064 and 1.865 for group IM, respectively. In addition, significant increases of glutathione peroxidase activities and decreases of malondialdehyde were shown in all treated groups, as well as increases of plasma retinol and urine riboflavin in group IM. The findings show that supplementation with Fe and particularly in combination with vitamins could improve the haematological status as well as oxidative stress and erythrocyte membrane fluidity.

Supplementation with magnesium and vitamin E were more effective than magnesium alone to decrease plasma lipids and blood viscosity in diabetic rats.

Although magnesium and vitamin E (VE) have differing effects on diabetes, both are beneficial. We hypothesized that preventive supplementation of magnesium combined with VE could improve the metabolism of lipids and blood viscosity more effectively than the use of magnesium or VE alone. Our objective was to detect the effects of preventive supplementation of magnesium combined with VE on lipid peroxidation, lipid metabolic parameters, and blood viscosity in diabetic rats. Six dietary groups, all fed with high-energy diets, were formed and studied for 8 weeks: control group (C); VE group (E); middle-dose magnesium group (MM); high-dose magnesium group (HM); VE plus middle-dose magnesium group (EMM); and VE plus high-dose magnesium group (EHM). Compared with C group, malondialdehyde was inhibited in the E, EMM, and EHM groups (all P < .05); total cholesterol decreased in all 5 treated groups, and significant differences were found in groups E (P = .004), MM (P = .017), EMM (P = .016), and EHM (P = .020). Compared with the C group, high-density lipoprotein levels were elevated in the HM (P = .027) and EHM (P = .021) groups, and low-density lipoprotein levels were lower in the E (P = .010), EMM (P = .025), and EHM (P = .015) groups. Differences between middle and high shear rates of blood viscosity were significant in all treated groups compared with the C group (all P

Micronutrient status in anemic and non-anemic Chinese women in the third trimester of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a major nutrition related problem in China. In addition to iron deficiency this may be due to deficiencies of other micronutrients. OBJECTIVE: To describe the micronutrient status of anemic and non-anemic pregnant women in China. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 734 clinically normal pregnant women in the third trimester aged 20-35, were randomly recruited from the population of pregnant women regularly receiving pregnant examination in community medical centers. Serum concentrations of vitamins A, B12 and C, iron and zinc status parameters, and vitamin B2 in urine were determined. Subjects were categorized according to the presence or absence of anemia and compared according to micronutrient status. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of iron and micronutrients were significantly lower in anemic women than non-anemic women: serum iron 909 microg/L versus 1109 microg/L, ferritin 13.8 microg/L versus 19.6 microg/L, vitamin C 308.9 microg/L versus 388.1 microg/dL, and retinol 50.0 microg/dL versus 59.3 microg/dL. Zinc concentrations were also lower in anemic women. Subnormal serum iron (<700 microg/L) and iron depletion (ferritin <12 microg/L) were 39.7% and 52.6%, significantly more frequent in anemic than 23.9% and 35.0% in non-anemic subjects, as were subnormal vitamin A and ascorbic acid. Subnormal vitamin B2 and B12 were frequent in both anemic and non-anemic groups. CONCLUSION: Subnormal concentrations of iron and micronutrients in combination may contribute to this situation. Further studies on food-based or supplement-based approaches trying to increase intake of iron and certain vitamins are warranted to decrease anemia in pregnant Chinese women in the third trimester.