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The effect of periodic resistance training on obese patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
Li, S, Yuan, S, Zhang, J, Xu, F, Zhu, F
Scientific reports. 2024;(1):2761
Abstract
Resistance training is an exercise against resistance designed to train the endurance and strength of muscle. To observe the effect of intervention of periodic resistance training on obese patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy. A total of 60 obese patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy were randomized into resistance training group and aerobic exercise group (30 patients each group) for observing the changes of blood glucose, body weight, blood lipid, insulin resistance, serum creatinine (Scr), urinary microalbumin, urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) calculated by urinary creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after 12 weeks of intervention, and relevant significance as well. The number of patients with hypoglycemia during the intervention was also recorded. After 12 weeks of intervention, the weight, Body mass index (BMI), Waist, Triglyceride (TG), Cholesterol (TC), Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), Fasting glucose (FBG), Fasting insulin (FINS), Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and urine Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (uACR) were decreased and GFR was increased in both groups (P < 0.05), but the effect was more significant in the resistance training group. GFR was increased from 92.21 ± 10.67 mL/(min·1.73 m2) to 100.13 ± 12.99 mL/(min·1.73 m2) in resistance training group (P < 0.05). In the aerobic exercise group, GFR was increased from 89.98 ± 9.48 mL/(min·1.73 m2) to 92.51 ± 11.35 mL/(min·1.73 m2) (P > 0.05). Periodic resistance training can not only control the weight, blood sugar and blood lipid of obese patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy, but also improve the urinary albumin excretion rate and glomerular filtration rate of early obese patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy, and delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy. It is an effective non-drug intervention.
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Proteomic insights into modifiable risk of venous thromboembolism and cardiovascular comorbidities.
Yuan, S, Xu, F, Zhang, H, Chen, J, Ruan, X, Li, Y, Burgess, S, Åkesson, A, Li, X, Gill, D, et al
Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH. 2024;(3):738-748
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been associated with several modifiable factors (MFs) and cardiovascular comorbidities. However, the mechanisms are largely unknown. OBJECTIVES We aimed to decipher proteomic pathways underlying the associations of VTE with MFs and cardiovascular comorbidities. METHODS A 2-stage network Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted to explore the associations between 15 MFs, 1151 blood proteins, and VTE using data from a genome-wide meta-analysis including 81 190 cases of VTE. We used protein data from 35 559 individuals as the discovery analysis, and from 2 independent studies including 10 708 and 54 219 participants as the replication analyses. Based on the identified proteins, we assessed the druggability and examined the cardiovascular pleiotropy. RESULTS The network Mendelian randomization analyses identified 10 MF-VTE, 86 MF-protein, and 34 protein-VTE associations. These associations were overall consistent in the replication analyses. Thirty-eight pathways with directionally consistent direct and indirect effects in the MF-protein-VTE pathway were identified. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 12 (LRP12: 34.3%-58.1%) and coagulation factor (F)XI (20.6%-39.6%) mediated most of the associations between 3 obesity indicators and VTE. Likewise, coagulation FXI mediated most of the smoking-VTE association (40%; 95% CI, 20%-60%) and insomnia-VTE association (27%; 95% CI, 5%-49%). Many VTE-associated proteins were highly druggable for thrombotic conditions. Five proteins (interleukin-6 receptor subunit alpha, LRP12, prothrombin, angiopoietin-1, and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4) were associated with VTE and its cardiovascular comorbidities. CONCLUSION This study suggests that coagulation FXI, a druggable target, is an important mediator of the associations of obesity, smoking, and insomnia with VTE risk.
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The Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Tailing Recycled Aggregate Concrete.
Xu, F, Li, Z, Li, T, Wang, S
Materials (Basel, Switzerland). 2024;(5)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop sustainable concrete by recycling concrete aggregates from steel waste and construction waste (iron ore tailings (IOTs) and recycled coarse aggregates (RCAs)) to replace silica sand and natural coarse aggregates. In experimental testing, the compressive strength, peak strain, elastic modulus, energy dissipated under compression, and compressive stress-strain curve were analyzed. Microscopically, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectrometry were employed to investigate the microstructural characteristics of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ), and the results were compared with the ITZs of natural aggregate concrete and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). In addition, the pore structure of concrete was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance. The results revealed that an appropriate IOT content can improve the ITZ and compactness of RAC, as well as optimize the mechanical and deformation properties of RAC. However, due to the presence of a smaller number of microcracks on the surface of IOT particles, excessive IOTs could reduce the integrity of the matrix structure and weaken the strength of concrete. According to the research, replacing silica sand with 30% IOTs led to a reduction in the porosity and microcracking which resulted in a much denser microstructure.
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Introducing π-HelixNovo for practical large-scale de novo peptide sequencing.
Yang, T, Ling, T, Sun, B, Liang, Z, Xu, F, Huang, X, Xie, L, He, Y, Li, L, He, F, et al
Briefings in bioinformatics. 2024;(2)
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Abstract
De novo peptide sequencing is a promising approach for novel peptide discovery, highlighting the performance improvements for the state-of-the-art models. The quality of mass spectra often varies due to unexpected missing of certain ions, presenting a significant challenge in de novo peptide sequencing. Here, we use a novel concept of complementary spectra to enhance ion information of the experimental spectrum and demonstrate it through conceptual and practical analyses. Afterward, we design suitable encoders to encode the experimental spectrum and the corresponding complementary spectrum and propose a de novo sequencing model $\pi$-HelixNovo based on the Transformer architecture. We first demonstrated that $\pi$-HelixNovo outperforms other state-of-the-art models using a series of comparative experiments. Then, we utilized $\pi$-HelixNovo to de novo gut metaproteome peptides for the first time. The results show $\pi$-HelixNovo increases the identification coverage and accuracy of gut metaproteome and enhances the taxonomic resolution of gut metaproteome. We finally trained a powerful $\pi$-HelixNovo utilizing a larger training dataset, and as expected, $\pi$-HelixNovo achieves unprecedented performance, even for peptide-spectrum matches with never-before-seen peptide sequences. We also use the powerful $\pi$-HelixNovo to identify antibody peptides and multi-enzyme cleavage peptides, and $\pi$-HelixNovo is highly robust in these applications. Our results demonstrate the effectivity of the complementary spectrum and take a significant step forward in de novo peptide sequencing.
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Erythritol as a Saccharide Multifunctional Electrolyte Additive for Highly Reversible Zinc Anode.
Li, L, Guo, Z, Li, S, Cao, P, Du, W, Feng, D, Wei, W, Xu, F, Ye, C, Yang, M, et al
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland). 2024;(7)
Abstract
Dendrite formation and water-triggered side reactions on the surface of Zn metal anodes severely restrict the commercial viability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). In this work, we introduce erythritol (Et) as an electrolyte additive to enhance the reversibility of zinc anodes, given its cost-effectiveness, mature technology, and extensive utilization in various domains such as food, medicine, and other industries. By combining multiscale theoretical simulation and experimental characterization, it was demonstrated that Et molecules can partially replace the coordination H2O molecules to reshape the Zn2+ solvation sheath and destroy the hydrogen bond network of the aqueous electrolyte. More importantly, Et molecules tend to adsorb on the zinc anode surface, simultaneously inhibit water-triggered side reactions by isolating water and promote uniform and dense deposition by accelerating the Zn2+ diffusion and regulating the nucleation size of the Zn grain. Thanks to this synergistic mechanism, the Zn anode can achieve a cycle life of more than 3900 h at 1 mA cm-2 and an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.77%. Coupling with δ-MnO2 cathodes, the full battery delivers a high specific capacity of 228.1 mAh g-1 with a capacity retention of 76% over 1000 cycles at 1 A g-1.
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Comparison of two single-pill dual combination antihypertensive therapies in Chinese patients: a randomized, controlled trial.
Huang, QF, Zhang, D, Luo, Y, Hu, K, Wu, Q, Qiu, H, Xu, F, Wang, ML, Chen, X, Li, Y, et al
BMC medicine. 2024;(1):28
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current hypertension guidelines recommend combination of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker with a calcium-channel blocker or thiazide diuretic as initial antihypertensive therapy in patients with monotherapy uncontrolled hypertension. However, to what extent these two different combinations are comparable in blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy and safety remains under investigation, especially in the Chinese population. We investigated the BP-lowering efficacy and safety of the amlodipine/benazepril and benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide dual therapies in Chinese patients. METHODS In a multi-center, randomized, actively controlled, parallel-group trial, we enrolled patients with stage 1 or 2 hypertension from July 2018 to June 2021 in 20 hospitals and community health centers across China. Of the 894 screened patients, 560 eligible patients were randomly assigned to amlodipine/benazepril 5/10 mg (n = 282) or benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide 10/12.5 mg (n = 278), with 213 and 212 patients, respectively, who completed the study and had a valid repeat ambulatory BP recording during follow-up and were included in the efficacy analysis. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to 24 weeks of treatment in 24-h ambulatory systolic BP. Adverse events including symptoms and clinically significant changes in physical examinations and laboratory findings were recorded for safety analysis. RESULTS In the efficacy analysis (n = 425), the primary outcome, 24-h ambulatory systolic BP reduction, was - 13.8 ± 1.2 mmHg in the amlodipine/benazepril group and - 12.3 ± 1.2 mmHg in the benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide group, with a between-group difference of - 1.51 (p = 0.36) mmHg. The between-group differences for major secondary outcomes were - 1.47 (p = 0.18) in 24-h diastolic BP, - 2.86 (p = 0.13) and - 2.74 (p = 0.03) in daytime systolic and diastolic BP, and - 0.45 (p = 0.82) and - 0.93 (p = 0.44) in nighttime systolic and diastolic BP. In the safety analysis (n = 560), the incidence rate of dry cough was significantly lower in the amlodipine/benazepril group than in the benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide group (5.3% vs 10.1%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS The amlodipine/benazepril and benazepril/hydrochlorothiazide dual therapies were comparable in ambulatory systolic BP lowering. The former combination, compared with the latter, had a greater BP-lowering effect in the daytime and a lower incidence rate of dry cough. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03682692. Registered on 18 September 2018.
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Efficacy and safety of anticoagulant for treatment and prophylaxis of VTE patients with renal insufficiency: a systemic review and meta-analysis.
Ma, S, Fan, G, Xu, F, Zhang, X, Chen, Y, Tao, Y, Li, Y, Lyu, Y, Yang, P, Wang, D, et al
Thrombosis journal. 2024;(1):17
Abstract
Patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) comorbid renal insufficiency (RI) are at higher risk of bleeding and thrombosis. Recommendations in guidelines on anticoagulation therapy for those patients remain ambiguous. The goal of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety between different anticoagulant regimens in VTE patients comorbid RI at different stages of treatment and prophylaxis. We performed English-language searches of Pubmed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (inception to Nov 2022). RCTs evaluated anticoagulants for VTE treatment at the acute phase, extension phase, and prophylaxis in patients with RI and reported efficacy and safety outcomes were selected. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed at the outcome level using the risk-of-bias assessment tool developed by the Cochrane Bias Methods Group. A meta-analysis of twenty-five RCTs was conducted, comprising data from twenty-three articles, encompassing a total of 9,680 participants with RI. In the acute phase, the risk of bleeding was increased with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared to LMWH (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04-1.60). For the prophylaxis of VTE, NOACs were associated with an elevated risk of bleeding compared with placebo (RR 1.31, 95%CI 1.02-1.68). In comparison to non-RI patients, both NOACs and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) could increase the risk of bleeding among RI patients (RR 1.45, 95%CI 1.14-1.84 and RR 1.53, 95%CI 1.25-1.88, respectively) during acute phase, while NOACs may increase the incidence of VTE in RI population (RR 1.74, 95%CI 1.29-2.34). RI patients who are under routine anticoagulation have a significantly higher risk of adverse outcomes. LMWH is the most effective and safe option for VTE treatment or prophylaxis in patients with RI.
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Association of LDL-C/HDL-C ratio with coronary heart disease: A meta-analysis.
Hu, S, Fan, H, Zhang, S, Chen, C, You, Y, Wang, C, Li, J, Luo, L, Cheng, Y, Zhou, M, et al
Indian heart journal. 2024
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a common heart disease and a leading cause of death in developed countries and some developing countries such as China. It is recognized as a multifactorial disease, with dyslipidemia being closely associated with the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have confirmed the relationship between a single indicator of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and CHD. However, the association between LDL-C to HDL-C ratio (LHR) and CHD remains unclear. This study aimed to comprehensively explore the association between LHR and CHD. METHODS This meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were comprehensively searched up to June 15, 2023, to find the studies that indicated the connection between LHR and CHD. A total of 12 published studies were selected. The random-effects model was used to pool the data and mean difference (MD), and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) were taken as the overall outcome. No language restrictions existed in the study selection. The Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 12 were used to analyze the data. RESULTS Twelve high-quality clinical studies involving 5544 participants, including 3009 patients with CHD, were enrolled in the meta-analysis. The findings revealed that the LHR was higher by 0.65 in patients with CHD than in those without CHD (MD, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.50-0.80). CONCLUSION The LHR was found to be positively correlated with CHD, suggesting that it may serve as a potential indicator of CHD.
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Effects of active vitamin D analogues on muscle strength and falls in elderly people: an updated meta-analysis.
Xiong, A, Li, H, Lin, M, Xu, F, Xia, X, Dai, D, Sun, R, Ling, Y, Qiu, L, Wang, R, et al
Frontiers in endocrinology. 2024;:1327623
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elderly people are at high risk of falls due to decreased muscle strength. So far, there is currently no officially approved medication for treating muscle strength loss. The active vitamin D analogues are promising but inconsistent results have been reported in previous studies. The present study was to meta-analyze the effect of active vitamin D analogues on muscle strength and falls in elderly people. METHODS The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (record number: CRD42021266978). We searched two databases including PubMed and Cochrane Library up until August 2023. Risk ratio (RR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to assess the effects of active vitamin D analogues on muscle strength or falls. RESULTS Regarding the effects of calcitriol (n= 1), alfacalcidol (n= 1) and eldecalcitol (n= 1) on falls, all included randomized controlled trials (RCT) recruited 771 participants. Regarding the effects of the effects of calcitriol (n= 4), alfacalcidol (n= 3) and eldecalcitol (n= 3) on muscle strength, all included RCTs recruited 2431 participants. The results showed that in the pooled analysis of three active vitamin D analogues, active vitamin D analogues reduced the risk of fall by 19%. Due to a lack of sufficient data, no separate subgroup analysis was conducted on the effect of each active vitamin D analogue on falls. In the pooled and separate analysis of active vitamin D analogues, no significant effects were found on global muscle, hand grip, and back extensor strength. However, a significant enhancement of quadriceps strength was observed in the pooled analysis and separate analysis of alfacalcidol and eldecalcitol. The separate subgroup analysis on the impact of calcitriol on the quadriceps strength was not performed due to the lack to sufficient data. The results of pooled and separate subgroup analysis of active vitamin D analogues with or without calcium supplementation showed that calcium supplementation did not affect the effect of vitamin D on muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS The use of active vitamin D analogues does not improve global muscle, hand grip, and back extensor strength but improves quadriceps strength and reduces risk of falls in elderly population.
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Phytochromes mediate germination inhibition under red, far-red, and white light in Aethionema arabicum.
Mérai, Z, Xu, F, Musilek, A, Ackerl, F, Khalil, S, Soto-Jiménez, LM, Lalatović, K, Klose, C, Tarkowská, D, Turečková, V, et al
Plant physiology. 2023;(2):1584-1602
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Abstract
The view on the role of light during seed germination stems mainly from studies with Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), where light is required to initiate this process. In contrast, white light is a strong inhibitor of germination in other plants, exemplified by accessions of Aethionema arabicum, another member of Brassicaceae. Their seeds respond to light with gene expression changes of key regulators converse to that of Arabidopsis, resulting in opposite hormone regulation and prevention of germination. However, the photoreceptors involved in this process in A. arabicum remain unknown. Here, we screened a mutant collection of A. arabicum and identified koy-1, a mutant that lost light inhibition of germination due to a deletion in the promoter of HEME OXYGENASE 1, the gene for a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of the phytochrome chromophore. koy-1 seeds were unresponsive to red- and far-red light and hyposensitive under white light. Comparison of hormone and gene expression between wild type and koy-1 revealed that very low light fluence stimulates germination, while high irradiance of red and far-red light is inhibitory, indicating a dual role of phytochromes in light-regulated seed germination. The mutation also affects the ratio between the 2 fruit morphs of A. arabicum, suggesting that light reception via phytochromes can fine-tune several parameters of propagation in adaptation to conditions in the habitat.