Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background The effects of visceral adiposity on decreased lung function have drawn much attention. Recently, the visceral adiposity index (VAI) has been proposed as a visceral fat distribution and dysfunction marker. However, the relationship between the VAI and lung function has not been investigated. The objective of the study was to analyze the association between the VAI and lung function and evaluate the potential of VAI as a predictor of lung function. Methods We collected data from a population-based study of 1786 subjects aged 40 years or older. All subjects completed a questionnaire and underwent anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests. Linear and logistic regression models were developed to assess the association between the VAI and lung function. Results The VAI was inversely related to FVC%predicted in men and negatively associated with both FVC%predicted and FEV1%predicted in women. In the linear regression analysis, the decrease in FVC%predicted associated with each 10% increase in the VAI was 1.127% in men and 1.943% in women; the decrease in FEV1%predicted associated with each 10%increase in the VAI was 0.663% in men and 1.738% in women. Further regression analysis revealed that the VAI was positively correlated with FVC and FEV1 impairment in women. Conclusions We were the first to show a clear correlation between the VAI and lung function impairment in the Chinese population. The VAI could be a simple and reliable approach in daily practice, and individuals, especially women with a high VAI, should receive additional screening and preventive interventions for respiratory disease.

Background An association between hemoglobin and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been reported. However, the relationships between hemoglobin and individual MetS components remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated these associations at baseline and at the 3-year follow-up. Methods We enrolled 9960 middle-aged and elderly subjects (6726 women and 3234 men) and performed a 3-year follow-up cohort study. All subjects completed a questionnaire and underwent anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests. Logistic regression models were developed to assess the association between hemoglobin and MetS and its components. Results MetS was present in 45.1% of women and 41.4% of men at baseline. The hemoglobin concentration was positively correlated with SBP, DBP, TGs, WC, FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, BMI and uric acid ( p  < 0.05). The mean hemoglobin concentration was higher in subjects with hypertension, high TGs, abdominal obesity or elevated FPG ( p  < 0.01). At follow-up, elevated hemoglobin correlated with an increased incidence and ORs for MetS, high TGs, low HDL-c, hyperuricemia and NAFLD but not abdominal obesity, BP or FPG in women. Increased hemoglobin corresponded with an increased incidence and ORs for MetS, abdominal obesity, low HDL-c, hyperuricemia and NAFLD but not BP, high TGs or FPG in men. Conclusions Hemoglobin may play a role in predicting new-onset MetS in both women and men. Hemoglobin was notably correlated with future risk of high TGs, low HDL-c, hyperuricemia, and NAFLD among women and abdominal obesity, low HDL-c, hyperuricemia, and NAFLD among men.

The soluble dietary fiber polydextrose (PDX) is a randomly linked glucose oligomer containing small amounts of sorbitol and citric acid and is widely used in the food industry. However, whether PDX can prevent and treat obesity in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice has not been directly investigated, and further studies are needed to better understand the complex interactions among PDX, adipose tissue inflammation and the gut microbiota. In the present study, PDX reduced body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), adipose tissue accumulation, adipocyte hypertrophy, serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, PDX alleviated serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels and macrophage infiltration in epididymal adipose tissue and resulted in macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that PDX promoted the growth of beneficial microbes such as Bacteroides , Parabacteroides , Alloprevotella , Muribaculum , Akkermansia , Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 and UBA1819 in obese mice, which were negatively correlated with subcutaneous fat, epididymal fat, body weight, FBG, serum TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and LPS levels. Our results indicates that PDX can prevent and treat obesity in HFD-fed mice, specifically in alleviating glucolipid metabolism disorders and adipose tissue inflammation, which may be mediated by modulating the structure of the gut microbiota. Therefore, PDX may become a promising nondrug therapy for obesity.

species have attracted more and more attention as a potential antibiotic substitute for human health and animal production due to their remarkable antibacterial effects. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. This experiment's goal was to investigate the impacts of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, immune function of broiler chickens and their mechanism. One hundred and eighty 1-day-old AA broilers were used and randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups with 6 replicates of 10 chickens per replicate. The 3 treatment groups were control group (CK), added group (LAB-E, 1.0 × 108 CFU/kg) for the first 7 days; added group (LAB-A, 1.0 × 108 CFU/kg) for the whole experimental period. Broilers had free access to water and feed. The results showed that addition of L. acidophilus for the whole experimental period significantly decreased ADFI, FCR and the abdominal fat percentage of broilers (  < 0.05), tended to increase the levels of IgG in broiler serum (  = 0.093). The LAB-A group had higher HDL-C content and IL-2, IL-4 content, and lower level of LPS in broiler serum compared to the controls (  < 0.05). In conclusion, improved feed efficiency and immune function of broilers by controlling nutrient metabolism and inflammation responses of broilers. can be used as a potential substitute for antibiotics in broiler production.

HIGHLIGHTS Candida krusei improves the average daily gain and average daily feed intake of broilers during early phase. Supplementation with Candida krusei leads to an increase in the eviscerated carcase weight rate and a reduction in the abdominal fat percentage of broilers. Candida krusei supplementation results in a notable decrease in the ammonia nitrogen emission from broilers’ excreta.

Background The association between adiponectin and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been studied before, but most of the studies are cross‐sectional and cannot prove a causal link. Objective To prospectively investigate the relationship between serum adiponectin levels and the incidence of NAFLD in 3 years. Subjects and methods. A total of 1325 subjects aged 40 to 70 from the Chongming District of Shanghai, China, were included. All of them did not have fatty liver according to the liver ultrasound examination at entry; alcohol abuse and hepatitis were also excluded. Serum adiponectin levels and other indices were measured at baseline. After 3 years of follow‐up, hepatic ultrasound examination was performed on each participant again to detect fatty liver. Results The serum adiponectin levels at entry were significantly lower in subjects who developed NAFLD compared with those who did not develop NAFLD after 3 years (1.75 ± 0.89 ug/mL vs 2.37 ± 1.01 ug/mL, P < 0.001). After multiple adjustments, the highest odds ratios for NAFLD were in the second adiponectin quartile, the adjusted ORs were 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25 to 2.86) compared with those in the highest quartile. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showing variables at entry independently associated with NAFLD after 3 years was adiponectin (P < 0.01), sex (P < 0.01), BMI (P < 0.001), insulin (P < 0.001), HOMA‐IR (P < 0.01), GGT (P = 0.001), TG (P < 0.001), and WBC (P < 0.001). Conclusions Lower serum adiponectin level is a predictor of NAFLD among middle‐aged and elderly subjects.

Background Corrected QT (QTc) interval has been reported to be associated with type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to explore the relationship between different glucose tolerance and QTc intervals among middle-aged and older Chinese individuals. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis that included 9898 subjects (3194 men and 6704 women) in a Chinese population. Glucose tolerance was studied during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum lipids, hepatic transaminases and waist-to-hip ratio were assessed. The QTc interval was derived from ECG recordings, and the subjects were stratified based on different glucose tolerance. Results QTc interval levels were increased significantly in the subjects with abnormal glucose metabolism compared with the normal glucose regulation group. Multiple regression analyses showed that the QTc interval was significantly associated with fasting plasma glucose, 2-h OGTT plasma glucose and HbA1c. The odds ratio of prolonged QTc was 1.396 for impaired glucose regulation (IFG)/impaired fasting glucose (IGT) (95% CI 0.126–1.730), and 1.342 for type 2 diabetes (95% CI 0.142–1.577) after all potential confounders were adjusted. Conclusions Impaired glucose tolerance (IGR) and diabetes are associated with prolonged QTc intervals among middle-aged and older Chinese individuals. Abnormal glucose regulation can be used to monitor the QTc interval in the population.

Background The mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is a proxy for subcutaneous fat in the upper body and is a reliable screening measure for identifying individuals with abnormal regional fat distribution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between MUAC and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Methods We measured the MUAC in a cross-sectional sample with a total of 9787 subjects aged 40 years and older. The measurement of MUAC is performed on the right arm using a non-elastic tape held midway between the acromion and the olecranon processes in duplicate, with the arm hanging loosely at the side of the body. The MetS was defined according to the Joint Statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention. Results MUAC was positively correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.437, P  < 0.001), BMI (r = 0.334, P < 0.001), fasting insulin (r = 0.348, P  < 0.001), HOMA-IR (r = 0.134, P  < 0.001), triglycerides (r = 0.138, P < 0.001), SBP (r = 0.124, P < 0.001), and DBP (r = 0.123, P < 0.001), and inversely correlated with adiponectin (r = − 0.147, P < 0.001) and HDL-cholesterol (r = − 0.176, P < 0.001) after adjusting for age and gender. Compared with the lowest quartile group, the odds ratios were substantially higher for MetS (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.51–2.09, P for trend< 0.001) in the highest MUAC quartile group after adjustment for potential cofounder. Conclusion Large mid-upper arm circumference is significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

A novel thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration membrane was prepared through interfacial polymerization on surface hydrophilic-modified polypropylene (PP) membrane. Firstly, PP membranes were hydrophilized to ensure the formation of separation layer on it by interfacial polymerization. In this work, the UV-induced grafting of acrylic acid (AAc) was applied to modify the surface of PP membranes. Secondly, the TFC membranes were fabricated on PP membranes with different grafting degrees of AAc via interfacial polymerization. Effects of the UV-induced graft polymerization conditions, such as benzophenone concentration, monomer concentration and UV irradiation time, were systematically investigated. The surface-modified PP membranes and the TFC membranes were characterized with water contact angle measurement, attenuated total reflectance infrared and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the permeation experiments were employed to evaluate the membranes’ nanofiltration performance.

The association between white blood cell (WBC) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been studied before, but whether different WBC subtypes were related to NAFLD was not detailed. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between WBC subtypes and NAFLD cross-sectionally and prospectively. The detailed research design has been described previously. At baseline, there were 9930 participants who had complete information, in the end a total of 8079 participants (2588 men and 5491 women) were eventually included in this study. Hepatic ultrasound examination was performed on each participant at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Alcohol abuse and hepatitis were excluded. WBC subtypes and other serum indices were measured at baseline. We found that the total WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts were independently associated with the prevalence and incidence of NAFLD. After multiple adjustments for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), insulin, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, LDL, and HDL, increased odds ratios (ORs) for new onset NAFLD were observed from the 1st to the 4th quartiles of WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte (all P < 0.001 for trend). In conclusion, total WBC counts, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were all independent risk factors for NAFLD in the rural Chinese population. The association was independent of insulin resistance.