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Dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) might exert adverse effects on cognition. The associations between dietary AGEs and long-term risk of dementia are yet to be assessed in large population studies. We aimed to explore whether elevated dietary AGEs intake is associated with increased risk of dementia, and whether this association might be affected by genetic risk. A prospective cohort study, which included a total of 93,830 participants (aged≥ 50 years) free from dementia at baseline of the UK Biobank study (2006–2010) and had at least two 24-h dietary assessments and were followed up until 2021. Dietary AGEs, including Nε-(1-Carboxyethyl)- l -lysine (CEL), Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), and Nδ-(5-hydro-5-methyl-4-imidazolon-2-yl)-ornithine (MG-H1) were estimated via averaged data from the multiple 24-h food assessments according to the ultra-performance LC–tandem MS based dAGEs database. Incidence of all-cause dementia was ascertained through hospital inpatient and mortality records. Multivariable Cox regression models were utilized to estimate hazards ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of dementia risk associated with dietary AGEs. During a median follow-up of 11.9 years, 728 participants developed dementia. In multivariable adjusted model, when comparing the highest with the lowest tertile of intake level, HRs (95% CI) of dementia were 1.43 (1.16, 1.76) for total AGEs Z score, 1.53 (1.25, 1.89) for CEL, 1.27 (1.03, 1.56) for CML and 1.24 (1.02, 1.52) for MG-H1 (all P trend<0.01). There was no significant interaction between dietary AGEs intake, genetic risk and APOE ε4 carrier status for dementia. Higher intakes of dietary AGEs including CEL, CML and MG-H1 were associated with a higher risk of dementia, independent from genetic risk, highlighting the significance of dietary AGEs restriction for dementia prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis remains a major global health challenge, particularly in low-to-middle income countries such as China. At the same time, the country is facing a rapidly increasing diabetes incidence over the last 10 years. Diabetes aggravates the tuberculosis epidemic which poses a serious challenge in public health. In recent years, the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency represents a global health problem, which is also associated with the risk of diabetes, and tuberculosis. Therefore, this review aims to provide an overall and updated understanding of the epidemiology of co-occurrence of tuberculosis and diabetes in China, and to elucidate the possible role of vitamin D deficiency. In conclusion, significant aggravation of the tuberculosis epidemic due to diabetes may exist in China for a relatively long period of time to come. Further, the double burden and its implications to public health in this country may be significantly influenced by the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Bidirectional screening for tuberculosis and diabetes is recommended, and extra vitamin D may benefit especially in a situation of a heavy tuberculosis burden combined with prevalent vitamin D deficiency. Longitudinal studies to verify the role of vitamin D deficiency in the double burden, and trials on the effect of vitamin D supplementation are needed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Elderly people are subject to higher levels of oxidative stress than are young people. Vitamin E, as a powerful antioxidant residing mainly in biomembranes, may provide effective protection against oxidative membrane damage and resultant age-related deterioration, especially in the elderly. We hypothesized that appropriate levels of vitamin E supplementation would protect erythrocyte membranes from oxidative stress and thus improve membrane fluidity in healthy middle-aged and elderly people. To test this, we conducted a 4-month double-blind, randomized trial in which 180 healthy subjects (55-70 years old) were randomly divided into 4 groups: group C (control), and 3 treatment groups in which daily doses of 100 mg (VE1), 200 mg (VE2), and 300 mg (VE3) dl-α-tocopheryl acetate were administered. We measured plasma α-tocopherol concentration, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase levels, erythrocyte hemolysis, and erythrocyte membrane fluidity at the beginning and end of the trial. After 4 months supplementation, plasma α-tocopherol concentrations in the 3 treatment groups had increased by 71%, 78%, and 95%, respectively (all P < .01), and significant decreases in plasma malondialdehyde concentrations were observed in these groups (all P < .05). Erythrocyte hemolysis was decreased by 20% to 38% after vitamin E supplementation (all P < .05), and in addition, groups VE2 and VE3 showed dramatic improvements in erythrocyte membrane fluidity (P < .01). Surprisingly, superoxide dismutase activity also decreased significantly in the treatment groups (all P < .05). In summary, vitamin E supplementation apparently alleviates oxidative stress in healthy middle-aged to elderly people, at least in part by improving erythrocyte membrane fluidity and reducing erythrocyte hemolysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: The merging epidemics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) have been raised concerns by many experts but no large scale screening and intervention have been launched yet, especially in low-income areas. The current study aims to understand the prevalence of DM in active PTB patients and evaluate the outcomes of diet and living habit intervention in poverty zones in China. Methods/design: A cross-sectional investigation and intervention study will be carried out. At least 7000 active PTB patients will be recruited, together with 7000 nonTB persons from the same community. The project will be divided into two stages. The first stage is to train TB workers on DM screening and regular treatment. Screening and related investigation will be carried out afterwards. The second stage is focussed on intervention. A comprehensive strategy will be utilized to conduct health promotion among the patients, the health providers and the lay public. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first and largest study which focuses on the prevalence of DM in PTB in China. We hypothesize that the current prevalence of DM in PTB in China will be understood and the results of our study will provide important evidence for preventing and controlling DM and PTB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Structure of konjac glucomannan - recrystallized resistant starch (KRS3) was studied. • KRS3 samples kept peak temperature values above 110 °C. • KRS3 slowed gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion rate. • KRS3, with 0.5% konjac glucomannan, reduced food intaking and improved satiety. The effects of the structure and digestibility of konjac glucomannan (KGM)-recrystallized resistant starch complex (KRS3) on the glycemic response and short-term satiety in mice were investigated. KRS3 samples were prepared by recrystallized debranched starch (RS3) at 50 °C, and then combined with KGM. The RS3 and KRS3 samples displayed an A-type pattern and maintained peak temperature values above 110 °C. With an increase in KGM, the swelling power and apparent viscosity of KRS3 increased. The results of in vitro and in vivo digestion revealed that KRS3 with a resistant starch content ranging from 69.4 % to 78.8 % could effectively maintain postprandial blood glucose levels. KRS3, particularly with 0.5 % KGM, slowed gastric emptying of mice from 82.7 % to 36.6 % and intestinal propulsion rate from 60.9 % to 35.3 %, resulting in strong satiety. RS3 combined with KGM could serve as a new approach to develop RS3 based foods with low glycemic responses and high-satiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional food ingredients can improve human health. However, the bioavailability of many functional food ingredients after oral administration is low because of their instability in the human gastrointestinal tract and low solubility in water. Food-grade pH-sensitive nanoparticles can efficiently deliver functional food ingredients into the human intestine, improve their solubility, and enhance absorption through enteric epithelial cells. In addition, these nanoparticles are biocompatible and non-toxic. Thus, food-grade pH-sensitive nanoparticles are promising carriers for delivering functional food ingredients. This review first introduces a few important functional food ingredients, their benefits for human health, and challenges regarding human intake. Then the existing food-grade pH-sensitive nanoparticles from the literature are categorized into three groups for review: polysaccharide-based, protein-based and lipid-based pH-sensitive nanoparticles. Examples are provided to illustrate the preparation methods and working principles of food-grade pH-sensitive nanoparticles. Food-grade pH-sensitive nanoparticles can increase the bioavailability of functional food ingredients by improving their stability in the human stomach and by controlling their release into the intestine. Further investigations are needed to examine the effects of other factors in the human gastrointestinal tract (e.g. ions and digestive enzymes) on the stability of food-grade pH-sensitive nanoparticles. The non-toxicity of food-grade pH-sensitive nanoparticles needs to be confirmed. Combinations of in vivo and in vitro experiments could provide helpful information that would accelerate the commercialization of food-grade pH-sensitive nanoparticles. Food-grade pH-sensitive nanoparticles can protect functional food ingredients from harsh conditions in human stomach, and deliver them to human intestine. Image 1 • PH-sensitive nanoparticles were prepared from polysaccharides, proteins or lipids. • These nanoparticles can deliver functional food ingredients into human intestine. • Future research should address their stability and non-toxicity in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]