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Understanding the spatial differentiation of ecosystem service (ES) interactions and their underlying driving mechanisms is crucial for effective ecosystem management and enhancing regional landscape sustainability. However, comprehensive analyses of the effects of key influencing factors on ES interactions remains limited, especially regarding the nonlinear driving mechanisms of factors and their regional heterogeneity. We assessed and validated five key ES in the National Key Ecological Function Zones (NKEFZs) of China—net primary productivity (NPP), soil conservation (SC), sandstorm prevention (SP), water retention (WR), and biodiversity maintenance (BM). By integrating the optimal parameter geographical detector with constraint line methods, we further explored the complex responses of ES interactions to driving factors across different functional zones. The results showed that most ES exhibited significant spatial synergistic clustering. In contrast, widespread spatial trade-off clustering was detected in ES pairs related to WR, mainly distributed in the Tibetan Plateau, northeast China, and the Southern Hills region. Due to the improvement in ES, the overall synergies of ES enhanced from 2000 to 2020. The dominant factors in different functional zones influenced ES interactions in a non-stationary manner, with the same factors potentially showing diverse effect types in different sub-regions. Additionally, we detected the dominant role of landscape configuration factors in sub-regions for specific interaction types (e.g., WR-NPP interaction in the SP zones), suggesting the potential for achieving multi-ES synergies through landscape planning without altering landscape composition. This research provides valuable insights into understanding ES interactions and offers a scientific foundation for the implementation of ecological protection and restoration plans.

BackgroundSynthetic antioxidants and antimicrobials are losing ground to their natural counterparts and therefore, the food industry has motivated to seek other natural alternatives. Apple pomace, a by-product in the processing of apples, is rich in polyphenols, and plant polyphenols have been used as food additives owing to their strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The goal of this study was to screen the individual polyphenols with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities from the extracts (methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and chloroform) of Golden Delicious pomace.ResultsFirst, the polyphenolic compounds (total phenol content, TPC; total flavonoids, TFD; total flavanols, TFL) and antioxidant activities (AAs) with four assays (ferric reducing antioxidant power, FRAP; 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity assay, DRSC; hydroxyl radical averting capacity assay, HORAC; oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, ORAC) were analyzed. The results showed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) between AAs and TFD. Ethyl acetate extract (EAE) exhibited the highest TFD with a concentration of 1.85 mg RE/g powder (expressed as rutin equivalents), and the highest AAs (expressed as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) equivalents) with 2.07 mg BHT/g powder for FRAP, 3.05 mg BHT/g powder for DRSC, 5.42 mg BHT/g powder for HORAC, and 8.89 mg BHT/g powder for ORAC. Composition and AA assays of individual polyphenols from the EAE were then performed. Phloridzin and phloretin accounted for 46.70 and 41.94 % of TFD, respectively. Phloretin displayed the highest AA, followed by phloridzin. Finally, the antimicrobial activities of the EAE, phloridzin, and phloretin were evaluated. EAE displayed good inhibitory activities against Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 1.25 mg/ml and against Escherichia coli with a MIC of 2.50 mg/ml. Phloridzin and phloretin showed better inhibitory activities than the EAE, which were MICs of 0.50 and 0.10 mg/ml, respectively, against S. aureus and MICs of 1.50 and 0.75 mg/ml, respectively, against E. coli.ConclusionsEthyl acetate was the best solvent of choice to extract natural products to obtain the maximum antioxidant and antibacterial benefits. Phloridzin and phloretin have the potential to be used as natural alternatives to synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobials.

Recent epidemiological evidence shows that there is an association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this meta-analysis is to summarize all available evidence and assess the associations between SUA levels and NAFLD. Using two databases, Web of Science and PubMed, observational studies were applied from the establishment of the databases to June 2022. We used a random effect model to construct the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to appraise the association between SUA levels and NAFLD. The Begg's test was conducted to appraise publication bias. A total of 50 studies were included, involving 2,079,710 participants (719,013 NAFLD patients). The prevalence and incidence rates (95% CIs) of NAFLD in the patients with hyperuricemia were 65% (57-73%) and 31% (20-41%), respectively. Compared to participants with lower levels of SUA, the pooled OR (95% CI) of NAFLD in those with higher levels of SUA was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.76-2.00). In the subgroup analyses, we found that SUA levels were positively associated with NAFLD in all subgroups, according to study design, study quality, sample size, sex, comparison, age, or country. This meta-analysis shows that increased SUA levels are positively associated with NAFLD. The results suggested that reducing SUA levels can be a potential strategy for the prevention of NAFLD. PROSPERO-CRD42022358431.

Background Several previous studies have shown that dietary patterns are associated with the incidence of depressive symptoms. However, the results have been inconsistent. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the association between dietary patterns and the risk of depressive symptoms in two large cohort studies. Methods The Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIH) cohort study included a total of 7,094 participants living in Tianjin, China from 2013 to 2019, and the UK Biobank cohort study includes 96,810 participants who were recruited from 22 assessment centers across the UK taken between 2006 and 2010. All participants were free of a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and depressive symptoms at baseline. Dietary patterns at baseline were identified with factor analysis based on responses to a validated food frequency questionnaire in TCLSIH or Oxford WebQ in UK Biobank. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Chinese version of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) in TCLSIH or hospital inpatient records in UK Biobank. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association between dietary patterns and depressive symptoms. Results A total of 989, and 1,303 participants developed depressive symptoms during 17,410 and 709,931 person-years of follow-up. After adjusting for several potential confounders, the multivariable HRs (95% CIs) of the depressive symptoms were 0.71 (0.57, 0.88) for traditional Chinese dietary pattern, 1.29 (1.07, 1.55) for processed animal offal included animal food dietary pattern, and 1.22 (1.02, 1.46) for sugar rich dietary pattern in TCLSIH (all Q4 vs Q1). In the UK Biobank, the HRs (95% CIs) of depressive symptoms were 1.39 (1.16, 1.68) for processed food dietary pattern (Q4 vs Q1), 0.90 (0.77, 1.00) for healthy dietary pattern (Q3 vs Q1), and 0.89 (0.75, 1.05) for meat dietary pattern (Q4 vs Q1) in the final adjusted model. Conclusion Dietary patterns rich in processed foods were associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms, and following a traditional Chinese dietary pattern or healthy dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms, whereas meat dietary pattern was not associated.

This study evaluated the efficacy of a blended teaching model integrating real-life scenarios into nutrition education for nursing students. The study adhered to the CONSORT guidelines. Participants ( N = 283) were cluster-randomized into two groups: a blended teaching group ( n = 76) receiving self-management activities via WeChat Moments alongside teachers, and a traditional teaching group ( n = 207) receiving teacher-based instruction. A battery of survey items was meticulously analyzed, including demographics, educational quality, self-directed learning ability, and the willingness to further study in the nutrition course. Additionally, chapter test scores, final examination grades, nutritional counseling capabilities, and final course grades were evaluate. Blended teaching significantly improved the chapter test average ( P = 0.018), willingness to continue learning ( P = 0.018), students’ evaluation of teaching quality ( P = 0.027), and nutritional counseling capabilities ( P < 0.001); however, no differences were observed in final exam grades ( P = 0.620) or final course grades ( P = 0.951). Our research findings clearly show that combining blended teaching with real-life scenarios significantly benefits educational quality. It boosts students’ willingness to keep learning, their evaluation of teaching quality, and their self-directed learning awareness, and also favorably impacts the development of their nutritional counseling capabilities.

Purpose Previous studies have shown that many nutrients play an essential role in maintaining skeletal muscle strength. Hand grip strength (HGS) is frequently used as an objective and reliable method to evaluate overall body muscle strength and physical function. Some studies have demonstrated that some specific single nutrients such as PUFA, fiber, vitamin C, fruits and vegetables are associated with muscle strength. However, few studies have explored the relationship between dietary patterns and HGS in the adult population. The aim of this study was to investigate how dietary patterns are related to HGS in a large-scale Chinese population. Methods A cross-sectional study ( n  = 35,175) was performed in Tianjin, China. Adherence to dietary patterns was measured by a valid self-administered food frequency questionnaire with 81 food items. Principal-components analysis was used to derive three major dietary patterns: “sweet”, “healthy” and “animal food”. HGS was measured using a handheld digital dynamometer. Analysis of covariance and multiple logistic regression were employed to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and HGS. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, the means (95% confidence interval) of HGS for increasing quartile of dietary patterns were as follows: “sweet”, 0.50 (0.49–0.51), 0.50 (0.49–0.51), 0.50 (0.49–0.51), 0.50 (0.48–0.51) ( P value = 0.07); “healthy” 0.50 (0.49–0.51), 0.50 (0.49–0.51), 0.50 (0.49–0.51), 0.50 (0.49–0.51) ( P value < 0.0001); “animal food” 0.51(0.50–0.52), 0.50 (0.49–0.51), 0.50 (0.49–0.51), 0.49 (0.48–0.51) ( P value < 0.0001), respectively. Conclusions The present study demonstrated a slight improvement between healthy dietary pattern and HGS across the quartiles. On the contrary, this study also showed higher adherence to the animal food dietary pattern (i.e., higher quartile) had lower grip strength. A long-term prospective study or randomized trials are required to clarify this association.

PurposeUltra-processed foods make up more than 50% of daily energy consumed in Western countries and are rapidly increasing in China. However, little is known about the association between ultra-processed food intake and muscle strength, a predictor for physical disability in senior years. We aimed to investigate the association of ultra-processed food intake with longitudinal changes in grip strength among middle-aged and older Chinese adults.MethodsThis prospective cohort study included a total of 5409 adults aged 40 years and over (61.3% men). Ultra-processed food intake was obtained by means of a validated food frequency questionnaire and classified according to the NOVA classification system. Grip strength was measured annually using a handheld digital dynamometer. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association between ultra-processed food intake and annualized change in grip strength and weight-adjusted grip strength.ResultsIn the fully adjusted models, annualized changes in grip strength and weight-adjusted grip strength per 10% increment in the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet were − 0.3708 kg (95% confidence interval − 0.5687, − 0.1730; P < 0.001) and − 0.0057 kg/kg (95% confidence interval − 0.0086, − 0.0029; P < 0.0001), respectively. In analyses stratified by age, sex, body mass index, physical activity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and healthy diet score, such associations were largely consistent in most subgroups (all P for interaction > 0.05).ConclusionsOur data indicate that higher ultra-processed food intake was associated with faster grip strength decline in middle-aged and older Chinese adults.

Background: The incidence density of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and the effect of a healthy lifestyle on the risk of MAFLD remain unknown. We evaluated the prevalence and incidence density of MAFLD and investigated the association between healthy lifestyle and the risk of MAFLD.Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 37,422 participants to explore the prevalence of MAFLD. A cohort analysis of 18,964 individuals was conducted to identify the incidence of MAFLD, as well as the association between healthy lifestyle and MAFLD. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with adjustments for confounding factors.Results: The prevalence of MAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and their comorbidities were 30.38%, 28.09%, and 26.13%, respectively. After approximately 70 thousand person-years of follow-up, the incidence densities of the three conditions were 61.03, 55.49, and 51.64 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle was associated with a 19% decreased risk of MAFLD (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.92), and the effects were modified by baseline age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Subgroup analyses revealed that younger participants, men, and those with a lower BMI experienced more significant beneficial effects from healthy lifestyle.Conclusion: Our results highlight the beneficial effect of adherence to a healthy lifestyle on the prevention of MAFLD. Health management for improving dietary intake, physical activity, and smoking and drinking habits are critical to improving MAFLD.

BackgroundWholegrains contribute a range of beneficial nutrients, such as dietary fiber and several minerals and vitamins, that are beneficial to depressive symptoms. However, there are a few studies aimed at exploring whether a wholegrain diet is related to depressive symptoms. We conducted this study to investigate the relationship between wholegrains consumption and depressive symptoms.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included a total of 24,776 (mean age: 39.9 years, age range: 18.1–91.3 years; males, 54.1%) inhabitants living in Tianjin, China. Wholegrains consumption was assessed using a valid self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Chinese version of Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the cutoff point was set at 45. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship between wholegrains consumption and depressive symptoms.ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms was 19.1% and 22.4% in males and females, respectively. After adjustments for potential confounding factors, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of depressive symptoms across wholegrains consumption were 0.77 (0.65–0.91) for <1 time/week, 0.73 (0.62–0.86) for 1 time/week and 0.68 (0.59–0.79) for ≥2 time/week in males compared with the control group (almost never). In females, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.86 (0.71–1.04) for <1 time/week, 0.94 (0.78–1.13) for 1 time/week, and 0.76 (0.65–0.91) for ≥2 time/week. Similar results were observed when we use other cut-offs (SDS ≥ 40 and 50) to define depressive symptoms.ConclusionThis study first demonstrated that the higher consumption of wholegrains might have effects on the prevention and improvement of depressive symptoms. Prospective or intervention studies are needed to confirm these findings.