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Nitrogen and phosphorus play essential roles in ecosystems and organisms. However, with the development of industry and agriculture in recent years, excessive N and P have flowed into water bodies, leading to eutrophication, algal proliferation, and red tides, which are harmful to aquatic organisms. Biochar has a high specific surface area, abundant functional groups, and porous structure, which can effectively adsorb nitrogen and phosphorus in water, thus reducing environmental pollution, achieving the reusability of elements. This article provides an overview of the preparation of biochar, modification methods of biochar, advancements in the adsorption of nitrogen and phosphorus by biochar, factors influencing the adsorption of nitrogen and phosphorus in water by biochar, as well as reusability and adsorption mechanisms. Furthermore, the difficulties encountered and future research directions regarding the adsorption of nitrogen and phosphorus by biochar were proposed, providing references for the future application of biochar in nitrogen and phosphorus adsorption.

Duck circovirus (DuCV) is a small, nonenveloped, single-stranded DNA virus with immunosuppressive effects on ducks that leads to slow growth and elevated mortality following mixed infections. Its infection manifests as feather loss, slow growth, swelling of respiratory tissue, and damage to immune organs in ducks. Although single infections with DuCV do not cause noticeable clinical symptoms, its ability to compromise the immune system and facilitate infections caused by other pathogens poses a serious threat to duck farming. Given the prevalence of this disease and the increasing infection rates in recent years, which have resulted in significant economic losses in duck farming and related sectors, research and control of DuCV infection have become especially important. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the current understanding of DuCV, serving as a reference for subsequent research and effective control of the virus. We focus mainly on the genetics and molecular biology, epidemiology, clinical symptoms, and pathology of DuCV. Additionally, topics such as the isolation and culture of the virus, vaccines and antiviral therapies, diagnostics, and preventative measures are discussed.

The hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) was developed to quantify glucose metabolism and individual differences and proved to be a robust measure of individual glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) bias. Here, we aimed to explore the relationship between different HGIs and the risk of 5-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) by performing a large multicenter cohort study in China. A total of 9791 subjects from the Risk Evaluation of Cancers in Chinese Diabetic Individuals: a Longitudinal Study (the REACTION study) were divided into five subgroups (Q1-Q5) with the HGI quantiles (≤5th, >5th and ≤33.3th, >33.3th and ≤66.7th, >66.7th and ≤95th, and >95th percentile). A multivariate logistic regression model constructed by the restricted cubic spline method was used to evaluate the relationship between the HGI and the 5-year MACE risk. Subgroup analysis between the HGI and covariates were explored to detect differences among the five subgroups. The total 5-year MACE rate in the nationwide cohort was 6.87% (673/9791). Restricted cubic spline analysis suggested a U-shaped correlation between the HGI values and MACE risk after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors ( χ2 = 29.5, P <0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders, subjects with HGIs ≤-0.75 or >0.82 showed odds ratios (ORs) for MACE of 1.471 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.027-2.069) and 2.222 (95% CI, 1.641-3.026) compared to subjects with HGIs of >-0.75 and ≤-0.20. In the subgroup with non-coronary heart disease, the risk of MACE was significantly higher in subjects with HGIs ≤-0.75 (OR, 1.540 [1.039-2.234]; P = 0.027) and >0.82 (OR, 2.022 [1.392-2.890]; P <0.001) compared to those with HGIs of ≤-0.75 or >0.82 after adjustment for potential confounders. We found a U-shaped correlation between the HGI values and the risk of 5-year MACE. Both low and high HGIs were associated with an increased risk of MACE. Therefore, the HGI may predict the 5-year MACE risk.

Background Both lipid and glucose abnormalities are associated with hypertension (HTN). However, it is unclear whether the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is associated with HTN. Therefore the aim of this study is to investigate the association of the TyG index and HTN and to compare the discriminative power of the TyG index, lipid, glycemic parameters for the risk of HTN in elderly individuals. Methods The present study was nested in a longitudinal (REACTION) study from May 2011 to December 2011, which was designed to demonstrate the association of abnormal glucose metabolism with the risk of cancer in the Chinese population. In total, 47,808 participants were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The TyG index was divided into five groups: the < 20% group, the 20–39% group, the 40–59% group, the 60–79% group and the ≥ 80% group, according to quintile division of the subjects. Three multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between the TyG vs. lipid parameters, glycemic parameters and HTN. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that compared with lipid and glycemic parameters, the TyG index remains significantly associated with HTN in either total subjects or subjects separated into men and women (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18–1.51, p < 0.0001 in total subjects; OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.11–1.74, p = 0.0042 in men; OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11–1.49, p = 0.0010 in women). In a stratified analysis, an elevated TyG index is significantly associated with HTN in the subgroup of the oldest age (≥ 65) (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.30–2.14, p < 0.0001), as well as with obesity (Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 kg/m 2 ) (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.29–2.66, p = 0.0009) or lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (< 90 mL/(min·1.73 m 2 )) (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.33–2.21, p < 0.0001). Conclusion The TyG index is significantly associated with HTN and shows the superior discriminative ability for HTN compared with lipid and glycemic parameters in the Chinese elderly population.

Pinus trees are widely distributed worldwide, and pine needles, pine bark, pinecones, etc., have potential medicinal value. This paper reviews the medicinal potential of extracts from different organs of three trees of the genus Pinus in East Asia. Studies have shown that pine trees are rich in bioactive compounds, and these compounds have a variety of pharmacological activities, including antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, and hypolipidemic effects. The wide range of pharmacological activities of these bioactive components is helpful for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases, tumors, and other diseases. These findings can help promote research on the medicinal potential of Pinus and its organs to realize the efficient utilization of byproducts of pine resources.

This study prepared sulfonated Camellia oleifera shell biochar using Camellia oleifera shell agricultural waste as a carbon source, and evaluated its performance as a catalyst for preparing biodiesel. The biochar obtained from carbonizing Camellia oleifera shells at 500 °C for 2 h serves as the carbon skeleton, and then the biochar is sulfonated with chlorosulfonic acid. The sulfonic acid groups are mainly grafted onto the surface of Camellia oleifera shell biochar through covalent bonding to obtain sulfonic acid type biochar catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Nitrogen adsorption-desorption Brunel-Emmett-Taylor Theory (BET), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The acid density of the sulfonated Camellia oleifera fruit shell biochar catalyst is 2.86 mmol/g, and the specific surface area is 2.67 m2/g, indicating high catalytic activity. The optimal reaction conditions are 4 wt% catalyst with a 6:1 alcohol to oil ratio. After esterification at 70 °C for 2 h, the yield of biodiesel was 91.4%. Under the optimal reaction conditions, after four repeated uses of the catalyst, the yield of biodiesel still reached 90%. Therefore, sulfonated Camellia oleifera shell biochar is a low-cost, green, non-homogeneous catalyst with great potential for biodiesel production by esterification reaction in future development.

In the present study, an acid catalyst (UiO-66-SO3H) with Brønsted and Lewis acid sites was synthesised for the preparation of highly efficient biodiesel from oleic acid and methanol using chlorosulphonic acid sulfonated metal–organic frameworks (UiO-66) prepared with acetic acid as a moderator. The prepared catalysts were characterised using XRD, SEM, FT-IR and BET. The catalytic efficiency of the sulfonated catalysts was significantly improved and successful sulfonation was demonstrated by characterisation techniques. Biodiesel was synthesised by the one-pot method and an 85.0% biodiesel yield was achieved under optimum conditions of the reaction. The esterification reaction was determined to be consistent with a proposed primary reaction and the kinetics of the reaction was investigated. A reusability study of the catalyst (UiO-66-SO3H) was also carried out with good reproducibility. In conclusion, the present study provides some ideas for the synthesis of catalysts with high catalytic activity for the application in the catalytic preparation of biodiesel.

Thyroid nodules (TNs) have annual increasing trends worldwide, and large-scale investigations on the prevalence of TNs in Beijing communities have not been conducted since the introduction of salt iodization in 1995. We performed a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of TNs, their epidemiological characteristics, and their correlation with lifestyle factors. A total of 6324 permanent residents aged 18 years or older (mean age, 52.15 ± 11.58 years) from seven representative communities in Beijing were included in the analyses. Once informed consent was obtained, the subjects were asked to complete questionnaires, a physical examination, and thyroid ultrasound. A total of 3100 cases had TNs. The overall prevalence rate was 49.0%, and the age-standardized prevalence was 40.1%, which increased significantly as age increased (p < 0.001). The prevalence was significantly higher in females compared to males (p < 0.001), and it was significantly higher among female current smokers and former smokers compared to non-smokers (p = 0.007). There was no correlation between alcohol consumption and TNs, and there were no significant differences in the prevalence among different groups of taste preference. The prevalence decreased with an increased frequency of seafood intake (p = 0.015) and with higher literacy levels (p < 0.001). The Cochran–Armitage trend test showed that the prevalence significantly increased with decreased physical labor and exercise intensity (p < 0.001, p = 0.009). Logistic regression analysis showed that age (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.039 (1.034–1.044), p < 0.001), the female sex (OR = 1.789 (1.527–2.097)), Body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.019 (1.005–1.034)), and current smoking habits (OR = 1.246 (1.046–1.483)) were independent risk factors for TNs. Our findings indicate that there is a high prevalence of TNs in Beijing, with a higher prevalence in females than in males. Moreover, the prevalence increases as age increases. Smoking and BMI are independent risk factors for TNs. Therefore, intervention against smoking and weight loss might help reduce the risk of TN occurrence.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor plays an essential role in regulating glucose metabolism. GLP-1 receptor agonists have been widely used for treating diabetes and other insulin resistance-related diseases. However, mechanisms underlying the anti-diabetic effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of GLP-1 agonist exendin-4 on the expression of adiponectin, an insulin sensitizing hormone. We found that exendin-4 increased the expression and secretion of adiponectin both in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that exendin-4 upregulated adiponectin expression at both mRNA and protein levels in adipocytes and adipose tissues. The effects of exendin-4 on adiponectin expression were dependent on the GLP-1 receptor. We further demonstrated important roles of Sirt1 and transcriptional factor Foxo-1 in mediating the function of exendin-4 in regulating adiponectin expression. Suppression of Sirt1 or Foxo-1 expression significantly impaired exendin-4-induced adiponectin expression. Consistently, exendin-4 up-regulated Sirt1 and Foxo-1 expression in vivo. Our work is the first study demonstrating the role of Sirt1/Foxo-1 in regulating the regulatory function of a GLP-1 receptor agonist in adiponectin expression both in vitro and in vivo. The results provide important information for the mechanism underlying the function of GLP-1R on improving insulin resistance and related diseases.

Inadequate sleep duration is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and the relationship is nonlinear. We aim to assess the curve relationship between night sleep duration and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in China. A cohort of 11,539 participants from the REACTION study without diabetes at baseline (2011) were followed until 2014 for the development of type 2 diabetes. Average number of hours of sleep per night was grouped. Incidence rates and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the development of diabetes in each sleep duration category. Compared to people who sleep for 7 to 8 h/night, people with longer sleep duration (≥9 h/night) had a greater risk of type 2 diabetes (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.01-1.61), while shorter sleep (<6 h/night) had no significant difference. When the dataset was stratified based on selected covariates, the association between type 2 diabetes and long sleep duration became more evident among individuals <65 years of age, male, body mass index <24 kg/m2 or with hypertension or hyperlipidemia, no interaction effects were observed. Furthermore, compared to people persistently slept 7 to 9 h/night, those who persistently slept ≥9 h/night had a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. The optimal sleep duration was 6.3 to 7.5 h/night. Short or long sleep duration was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Persistently long sleep duration increased the risk.