Establishment of a Virus-Induced Gene Silencing System in L.

L. (Jinhuakui, JHK) is widely cultivated for its pharmacological properties owing to its high flavonoid content and is commonly used as a garden landscape plant. However, the absence of an efficient genetic transformation system poses significant challenges for functional gene studies in this species.

Effect of Hydrolysate Derived from Subcritical Seawater Treatment of Buckwheat Waste on the Growth of Lettuce ( L.).

This study explores the effects of a subcritical seawater treatment (SST) on buckwheat waste (BW), and the use of the hydrolysate as a liquid fertilizer to improve the growth of lettuce ( L.). Three temperature treatments (110 °C, 170 °C, 230 °C) were used for the SST, and the ionic composition in the seawater achieved the depolymerization and degradation of BW.

Natural Enemies Acquire More Prey Aphids from Hormone-Treated Insect-Attracting Plants.

Exogenous plant hormones regulate the agronomic and physiological performance of plants and thus can influence the abundance of insect groups. We surveyed the arthropods on flowering plants and found that the abundance of natural enemies and in the plots treated with salicylic acid (SA) and indole acetic acid (IAA) was significantly increased compared with those in the clean water (control) plots. Then, we investigated the effects of spraying SA, IAA, and clean water on the population parameters of reared on Our results from the age-stage, two-sex life table analysis revealed a significantly shorter pre-adult duration for aphids reared on SA-treated compared to those reared on the other two treatments.

The Genetics and Breeding of Heat Stress Tolerance in Wheat: Advances and Prospects.

Heat stress is one of the major concerns for wheat production worldwide. Morphological parameters such as germination, leaf area, shoot, and root growth are affected by heat stress, with affected physiological parameters including photosynthesis, respiration, and water relation. Heat stress also leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species that disrupt the membrane systems of thylakoids, chloroplasts, and the plasma membrane.

Trade-Off Between Enzymatic Antioxidant Defense and Accumulation of Organic Metabolite Affects Salt Tolerance of White Clover Associated with Redox, Water, and Metabolic Homeostases.

White clover () is an excellent perennial cold-season ground-cover plant for municipal landscaping and urban greening. It is, therefore, widely distributed and utilized throughout the world. However, poor salt tolerance greatly limits its promotion and application.

Brussels Chicory Enhances Exhaustive Aerobic Exercise Performance and Post-Exercise Recovery, Possibly Through Promotion of Lactate Oxidation: A Pilot Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Two-Way Crossover Study.

Background: Brussels chicory affluent in phenolic acids could inhibit atherosclerosis; however, its effects on exercise performance and post-exercise recovery are unknown. We hypothesized that Brussels chicory could enhance exhaustive aerobic exercise performance and post-exercise recovery by promoting lactate oxidation.

Methods: This is a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled two-way cross-over trial involving 32 untrained college students (men 18) who consumed either Brussels chicory juice (100 g of Brussels chicory containing ~130 mg phenolic acids and 180 mL fresh milk) or placebo (180 mL fresh milk) for 7 days with a 2-week washout period.

Overweight and Obese Children Aged 6-17 Years in China Had Lower Level of Hydration Status: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to explore the differences in total body water and hydration status among Chinese children aged 6-17 years.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was implemented among children aged 6-17 years in China. The total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), and extracellular water (ECW) were determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Association Between Protein-Rich Foods, Nutritional Supplements, and Age of Natural Menopause and Its Symptoms.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between protein-rich foods, various nutritional supplements, and age of natural menopause and its symptoms.

Methods: This study was a large-scale cross-sectional survey. A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select a sample of 52,347 residents aged 35-60 years from 26 districts/counties across 13 cities in 12 provinces in China.

Spirulina Supplementation Alleviates Intense Exercise-Induced Damage and Modulates Gut Microbiota in Mice.

Background: , which are filamentous cyanobacteria, have gained significant popularity in the food industry, medicine, and aquaculture.

Methods: In this study, our objective was to explore the influence of on the gut microbiota and exercise capacity of mice undergoing high-intensity exercise. Twenty-four male BALB/c mice were divided into four groups, with six mice in each group.

Effects of Caffeine Intake Combined with Self-Selected Music During Warm-Up on Anaerobic Performance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study.

Background: Both listening to music during warm-up and consuming caffeine before exercise have been independently shown to enhance athletic performance. However, the potential synergistic effects of combining these strategies remain largely unexplored. To date, only two studies have reported additional benefits to combining music during warm-up with a caffeine dose of 3 mg/kg on taekwondo-specific performance tasks.

Trajectories of Nutritional Quality, Diet-Related Environmental Impact, and Diet Cost in China: How Much Does Ultra-Processed Food and Drink Consumption Matter?

Background: Rapid socio-economic developments confront China with a rising consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and ultra-processed drinks (UPDs). This study aims to evaluate their potential impact on diet transformation towards sustainability including nutrition, environmental sustainability, and diet-related cost.

Methods: Dietary intake was assessed by 24 h recalls in 27,311 participants (age: 40.

The Association Between Egg and Egg-Derived Cholesterol Consumption, and Their Change Trajectories, with Obesity Among Chinese Adults: Results from the China Health and Nutrition Survey.

As a widely consumed, nutritious, and affordable food, eggs and their derivatives' impacts on obesity remain inconclusive. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between egg and egg-derived cholesterol consumption, and their change trajectories, with obesity among Chinese adults. : Longitudinal data collected by the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1997 to 2015 were analyzed.

The Improvement Effects of BC99 on Liver Function and Gut Microbiota of Long-Term Alcohol Drinkers: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Background/objectives: With the improvement of living standards, alcoholic liver disease caused by long-term drinking has been a common multiple disease. Probiotic interventions may help mitigate liver damage caused by alcohol intake, but the mechanisms need more investigation.

Methods: This study involved 70 long-term alcohol drinkers (18-65 years old, alcohol consumption ≥20 g/day, lasting for more than one year) who were randomly assigned to either the BC99 group or the placebo group.

Fucoidan Oligosaccharide Supplementation Relieved Kidney Injury and Modulated Intestinal Homeostasis in D-Galactose-Exposed Rats.

A fucoidan oligosaccharide (FOS), a potent compound derived from algae, is known for its diverse biological activities, including prebiotic activity, anticancer activity, and antioxidative properties, and has demonstrated supportive therapeutic effects in treating kidney ailments. This study was conducted to explore the protective influence of FOS on kidney damage due to aging induced by D-galactose in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The low-dose FOS group was administered FOS (100 mg/kg) by gavage, and the high-FOS group received FOS (200 mg/kg) by gavage.

The Inhibitory Effects of NCT503 and Exogenous Serine on High-Selenium Induced Insulin Resistance in Mice.

Objective: This study aims to identify whether the development of insulin resistance (IR) induced by high selenium (Se) is related to serine deficiency via the inhibition of the de novo serine synthesis pathway (SSP) by the administrations of 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) inhibitor (NCT503) or exogenous serine in mice.

Method: forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: adequate-Se (0.1 mgSe/kg), high-Se (0.

Ethnic Differences in Facilitators and Barriers to Lifestyle Management After Childbirth: A Multi-Methods Study Using the TDF and COM-B Model.

: Understanding ethnic differences in factors influencing healthy lifestyles postpartum is vital for informing effective lifestyle engagement strategies for women from specific ethnic groups. We aimed to explore ethnic differences in facilitators and barriers to lifestyle management among women after childbirth. : In this multi-methods study, women within 5 years of childbirth in Australia were recruited in a cross-sectional survey (n = 478) and semi-structured interviews (n = 17).

Vitamin D: Evidence-Based Health Benefits and Recommendations for Population Guidelines.

Vitamin D offers numerous under-recognized health benefits beyond its well-known role in musculoskeletal health. It is vital for extra-renal tissues, prenatal health, brain function, immunity, pregnancy, cancer prevention, and cardiovascular health. Existing guidelines issued by governmental and health organizations are bone-centric and largely overlook the abovementioned extra-skeletal benefits and optimal thresholds for vitamin D.

Effects of Protein Intake on Cognitive Function in Chinese Older Adults: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study.

Background: As the global population ages, there is an increasing prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Protecting and preserving cognitive function in older adults has become a critical public health concern.

Methods: This study utilized data from four phases of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey conducted from 2008 to 2018, encompassing a total of 2454 participants.

Weight Status and Myopia in Children and Adolescents: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study of China.

Background/objectives: The prevalence of both myopia and obesity is increasing among children and adolescents around the world. We aimed to examine the association between weight status and myopia in Chinese children and adolescents.

Methods: The analysis included 35,108 participants aged 6-17 from a nationwide cross-sectional survey.

Relationship Between Depression and Epigallocatechin Gallate from the Perspective of Gut Microbiota: A Systematic Review.

Depression, a serious mental illness, is characterized by high risk, high incidence, persistence, and tendency to relapse, posing a significant burden on global health. The connection between depression and gut microbiota is an emerging field of study in psychiatry and neuroscience. Understanding the gut-brain axis is pivotal for understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of depression.

Neonatal Circulating Amino Acids and Lipid Metabolites Mediate the Association of Maternal Gestational Diabetes Mellitus with Offspring Neurodevelopment at 1 Year.

: We aimed to identify neonatal circulating metabolic alterations associated with maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to explore whether these altered metabolites could mediate the association of GDM with offspring neurodevelopment. Additionally, we investigated whether neonatal circulating metabolites could improve the prediction of offspring neurodevelopmental disorders over traditional risk factors. : The retrospective cohort study enrolled 1228 mother-child dyads in South China.

Maternal Glycemia and Its Pattern Associated with Offspring Neurobehavioral Development: A Chinese Birth Cohort Study.

Background/objectives: This study investigates the impact of maternal glycemic levels during early and late pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment in China.

Methods: Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured in maternal blood during pregnancy, and the TyG index was calculated to assess insulin resistance. Hyperglycemia was defined as FPG > 5.

Integrating 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and Metabolomics Analysis to Reveal the Mechanism of L-Proline in Preventing Autism-like Behavior in Mice.

Background/objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social interaction and repetitive stereotyped behavior. Effective interventions for the core autistic symptoms are currently limited.

Methods: This study employed a valproic acid (VPA)-induced mouse model of ASD to assess the preventative effects of L-proline supplementation on ASD-like behaviors.

Sex Disparity in the Nutrition-Related Determinants of Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Case-Control Study.

Background/objectives: Sex differences in nutrition-related determinants of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) exist among the elderly. This study aimed to explore sex-specific influencing factors of MCI.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 2020 involving 1086 elderly people aged 55 years and above from four sites in Zhejiang Province, China.

The Association Between Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults in the United States.

Background: Although several studies have demonstrated a link between obesity and cognitive function, the majority have primarily utilized body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, ignoring the distribution of body fat. Evidence regarding the association of metabolic score for visceral fat (METS-VF), a proposed measurement for visceral adipose tissue (VAT), with cognitive function remains limited. We mainly aimed to investigate this association in older adults in the United States.