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Simple Summary: Semi-intensive and extensive captive rearing systems for cashmere goats have been gradually adopted due to the limited availability of pasture and the seasonal imbalance of nutrients in grazing pastures in China. However, intensive rearing increases cashmere goat oxidative stress risk while improving lamb productivity and economic efficiency. Crude polysaccharide from Artemisia ordosica has excellent hydrophilicity and various biological activities. It can alleviate oxidative stress with its antioxidant, antitumor, and immunity-enhancing effects. In this laboratory, the addition of 0.3% Artemisia ordosica crude polysaccharide (AOCP) improved rumen fermentation in cashmere goats, as confirmed by in vitro rumen fermentation analysis. This experiment investigated the effect of AOCP supplementation in the ration on the antioxidant and immune functions of the cashmere goat. The results of the study indicated that the addition of 0.3% AOCP to the ration improved rumen fermentation, antioxidant and immune functions, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance of cashmere goats by altering rumen flora distribution, promoting beneficial bacterial colonization, and decreasing the colonization of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, AOCP may be a viable source of antioxidants for cashmere goats. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Artemisia ordosica crude polysaccharide (AOCP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant and immunity capacity, rumen fermentation parameters, and the microbiota of cashmere goats. A total of 12 cashmere goats (2 years old) with similar weight (38.03 ± 2.42 kg of BW ± SD) were randomly divided into two dietary treatments with six replicates. The treatments were as follows: (1) control (CON, basal diet); and (2) AOCP treatment (AOCP, basal diet with 0.3% AOCP). Pre-feeding was conducted for 7 days, followed by an experimental period of 21 days. The results showed that the ADG; feed/gain (F/G); and the digestibility of DM, CP, and ADF of cashmere goats in the AOCP group were greater than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Still, there was no significant effect on the digestibility of EE, NDF, Ca, and P (p > 0.05). Compared to the CON group, AOCP increased BCP, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate, and TVFA concentrations (p < 0.05), but it reduced the protozoa numbers of acetate and A/P (p < 0.05). The serum CAT, GSH-Px, T-SOD, 1L-6, and NO levels were higher in AOCP than in the CON group (p < 0.05). The addition of AOCP increased the Sobs and Ace estimators (p < 0.05) and reduced the Simpson estimator in the ruminal fluid compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the AOCP group increased the colonization of beneficial bacteria by positively influencing GSH-Px and IL-6 (norank_f__F082, unclassified_p__Firmicutes), as well as bacteria negatively associated with F/G (norank_f__norank_o__Bacteroidales, unclassified_p__Firmicutes, and norank_f__F082). It decreased the colonization of potential pathogenic bacteria (Aeromonas and Escherichia-Shigella) (p < 0.05) compared to the CON group. In conclusion, 0.3% AOCP improves the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, immune function, rumen fermentation, and microflora of cashmere goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to explore the factors that affect insured's perceptions of convenience of the basic medical insurance (PCBMI) in Harbin, China and to diagnose the key problems to further propose corresponding measures. The findings provide evidence-based support for the reform of convenience of the basic medical insurance system (BMIS) and the cultivation of public literacy. Methods: We adopted a mixed methods design composing a multivariate regression model using the data from a cross-sectional questionnaire survey (n = 1045) of residents who were enrolled for BMIS in Harbin to identify the factors influencing the PCBMI. A quota sampling method was further adopted. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with 30 important information providers selected by convenience sampling. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to summarize and analyze the key problems. Results: Overall, approximately 51% of respondents reported poor PCBMI. The logistic regression model showed that insured without outpatient experience within two weeks (OR = 2.522, 95% CI = 1.267–5.024), had poorer levels of understanding of basic medical insurance information (OR = 2.336, 95% CI = 1.612–3.386), lived in rural areas (OR = 1.819, 95% CI = 1.036–3.195), had low levels of annual out-of-pocket medical expenses (OR = 1.488, 95% CI = 1.129–1.961), and were more likely to give the PCBMI a worse evaluation than their counterparts. The results of the qualitative analysis showed that the key problem areas of the PCBMI were the design of the BMIS, the cognitive biases of the insured, publicity information about the BMIS, and the health system environment. Conclusions: This study found that in addition to the design of BMIS, the cognition of the insured, the BMIS information publicity and the health system environment are also the key problems hindering PCBMI. While optimizing system design and implementation, Chinese policymakers need to focus on the insured with low PCBMI characteristics. Moreover, it is necessary to focus on exploring effective BMIS information publicity methods, supporting public policy literacy and improving the health system environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown rice, an important material of whole-grain food, is increasingly popular for its health benefits. Thus, seven varieties of brown rice from southern China were analyzed in this study, concerning the free and bound phenolic compounds in the extract. The phenolic profiles of different brown rice were obtained and compared by the combination of HPLC and LC-MS analysis, in which eleven phenolic acids were identified. It was indicated that the total phenolic contents of different brown rice varied from 92.32 to 196.54 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g DW. Ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid, free and bound, dominated within the phenolic acids. To be mentioned, the total phenols of Luotiangongmi (a kind of red rice) were significantly higher than the other six varieties. The high phenolic content of brown rice can further guide us to explore the functional properties of the crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study aimed to explore the relationship of thyroid function and resistance indices with subsequent risk of gestational diabetes (GDM). Design: This was a longitudinal study embedded in the Huizhou Birth Cohort. Methods: A total of 2,927 women of singleton pregnancy were recruited from January to October of 2019. Thyroid central resistance indices were evaluated by Thyroid Feedback Quartile-Based index (TFQI), Thyrotrophy T4 Resistance Index (TT4RI), and TSH Index (TSHI) based on plasma-free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels during the first half of pregnancy. Thyroid peripheral sensitivity was assessed by free triiodothyronine (FT3) to FT4 ratio (FT3/FT4), a proxy of deiodinase activity. GDM was diagnosed between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation by a standardized 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Multivariable linear and logistic regression was applied to examine the associations of thyroid markers with GDM risk. Results: FT3 and FT3/FT4 were positively associated with both fasting and post-load glucose levels, while TSH, TSHI, TT4RI, and TFQI were negatively associated with 1 and 2 h post-load glucose levels. Compared with the lowest quartile, GDM risk in the highest quartile increased by 44% [odds ratio (OR) = 1.44; 95%CI, 1.08–1.92; ptrend = 0.027] for FT3 and 81% (OR = 1.81; 95%CI, 1.33–2.46; ptrend < 0.001) for FT3/FT4, while it lowered by 37% (OR = 0.63; 95%CI, 0.47–0.86; ptrend = 0.002] for TSHI, 28% for TT4RI (OR = 0.72; 95%CI, 0.54–0.97; ptrend = 0.06), and 37% for TFQI (OR = 0.63; 95%CI, 0.46–0.85; ptrend < 0.001). Conclusions: This longitudinal study indicated that higher FT3 and FT3/FT4 and lower central thyroid resistance indices were associated with increased risk of GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mining, smelting, manufacturing, and disposal of vanadium (V) and associated products have caused serious environmental problems. Although the microbial ecology in V-contaminated soils has been intensively studied, the impacted watershed ecosystems have not been systematically investigated. In this study, geochemistry and microbial structure were analyzed along ~30 km of the Jinsha River and its two tributaries across the industrial areas in Panzhihua, one of the primary V mining and production cities in China. Geochemical analyses showed different levels of contamination by metals and metalloids in the sediments, with high degrees of contamination observed in one of the tributaries close to the industrial park. Analyses of the V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA genes of the microbial communities in the sediments showed significant decrease in microbial diversity and microbial structure in response to the environmental gradient (e.g., heavy metals, total sulfur, and total nitrogen). Strong association of the taxa (e.g., Thauera, Algoriphagus, Denitromonas, and Fontibacter species) with the metals suggested selection for these potential metal-resistant and/or metabolizing populations. Further co-occurrence network analysis showed that many identified potential metal-mediating species were among the keystone taxa that were closely associated in the same module, suggesting their strong inter-species interactions but relative independence from other microorganisms in the hydrodynamic ecosystems. This study provided new insight into the microbe-environment interactions in watershed ecosystems differently impacted by the V industries. Some of the phylotypes identified in the highly contaminated samples exhibited potential for bioremediation of toxic metals (e.g., V and Cr). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: High sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake has been shown to correlate with a higher risk for CVD and metabolic disorders, while the association between SSB intake and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore the association between SSB intake and MetS among children and adolescents in urban China.Design: A cross-sectional study involving 7143 children and adolescents was conducted in urban China. MetS definition proposed by the International Diabetes Federation was adopted. Data on SSB intake, diet, physical activity and family environment factors were obtained through questionnaires. Logistic regression models with multivariable adjustment were adopted to analyse the association between SSB intake and the risk of MetS and its components.Setting: Primary and secondary schools in three urban cities of China.Participants: Children and adolescents (n 5258) aged 7-18 years.Results: Among the participants, 29·9 % of them had high SSB intake (at least 0·3 servings/d) and the overall MetS prevalence was 2·7 %. Participants with high SSB intake were at higher risk for MetS (OR = 1·60; 95 % CI 1·03, 2·54) and abdominal obesity (OR = 1·55; 95 % CI 1·28, 1·83) compared with their counterparts with no SSB intake (0 servings/d).Conclusions: High SSB intake is significantly associated with increased MetS and abdominal obesity risk among children and adolescents in urban China. These results suggest that strong policies focusing on controlling SSB intake might be effective in preventing MetS and abdominal obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial was performed to examine the effects of whole soy and isoflavone daidzein on serum androgenic hormones in Chinese equol-producing post-menopausal women. A total of 270 eligible women aged 45-70 years were randomised to either one of the three iso-caloric supplements: 40 g soy flour (whole soy group), 40 g low-fat milk powder +63 mg daidzein (daidzein group) or 40 g low-fat milk powder (placebo group) daily for 6 months. Fasting venous samples were tested for serum androstenedione (AD), testosterone (T), prolactin, sex hormone binding globulin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Intention-to-treat analysis indicated that serum T (p = .022) and AD (p = .05) levels modestly but significantly decreased after 6-month daidzein treatment in comparison with placebo, with a mean difference of -0.057 nmol/L (95%CI: -0.185 to 0.070, p = .018) and -0.118 ng/mL (95%CI: -0.240-0.004, p = .045), respectively. This 6-month trial suggested that purified daidzein may exhibit less androgenic effect.Trial registration: The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with identifier of NCT01270737. (URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01270737.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Henoch–Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) is the principal cause of morbidity and mortality in Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP). However, there is no absolute consensus for the best management of severe HSPN till now. Qingzixiaoban Granule (QZXB GR), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been applied to treat HSP in clinical in China. However, the therapeutic effects and potential mechanism of QZXB GR on HSPN is still unknown. Methods. A Gliadin plus Indian Ink-induced HSPN mice model was established. Renal histopathologic changes and the subcutaneous hemorrhage on left legs were assessed. Hematuria and proteinuria were determined using hemocytometer and bicinchoninic acid assay, respectively. The serum circular immune complex and interleukin-6 were quantified by ELISA. Using blood biochemical analyzer, the renal biochemical parameters, including serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen, were measured. The deposition of immune complex in renal tissues and the lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and spleen was investigated by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Results. QZXB GR treatment significantly ameliorated renal injury in HSPN mice, by attenuating renal histopathological changes, reducing subcutaneous hemorrhage, decreasing proteinuria/hematuria, regulating renal biochemical parameters, and inhibiting the release of serum interleukin-6. Furthermore, QZXB GR treatment significantly decreased the level of serum circular immune complex, decreased immune complex IgA and IgG deposition in renal tissue, and suppressed Th2 immunodeviation. Conclusion. QZXB GR could prevent renal injury in HSPN mice, and its renoprotective mechanism might be exerted partly through suppressing immune complexes deposition and Th2 immune deviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the phosphorus (P) leaching risk caused by applying manure fertilizer, six different manure fertilizers, namely, 0 (CK), 3,000 (F200), 4,500 (F300), 7,500 (F500), 10,500 (F700), and 15,000 kg ha (F1000), were applied to the surface soil (0-20 cm) prior to vegetable planting. The maximum Olsen P decreased with increasing amounts of the manure fertilizer. Total P did not change with treatments below 7,500, but decreased in the higher manure treatments. Water dissolved P (WDP) was highest in the upper (0-20 cm soil) layer, intermediate in the middle (20-40 cm soil) layer, and lowest in the lower (40-60 cm soil) layer. The 7,500, 10,500, and 15,000 treatments increased the WDPs in both the middle and lower soil layers and enhanced the degree of P saturation in the lower layer. This indicates that vertical leachate movement of P accumulation in the middle soil layer may be underestimated and the P leaching risk is enhanced using manure fertilizer levels >7,500 kg ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerating urbanization has created tremendous pressure on the global environment and energy supply, making accurate estimates of energy use of great importance. Most current models for estimating electric power consumption (EPC) from nighttime light (NTL) imagery are oversimplified, ignoring influential social and economic factors. Here we propose first classifying cities by economic focus and then separately estimating each category's EPC using NTL data. We tested this approach using statistical employment data for 198 Chinese cities, 2015 NTL data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), and annual electricity consumption statistics. We used cluster analysis of employment by sector to divide the cities into three types (industrial, service, and technology and education), then established a linear regression model for each city's NTL and EPC. Compared with the estimation results before city classification (R2: 0.785), the R2 of the separately modeled service cities and technology and education cities increased to 0.866 and 0.830, respectively. However, the results for industrial cities were less consistent due to their more complex energy consumption structure. In general, using classification before modeling helps reflect factors affecting the relationship between EPC and NTL, making the estimation process more reasonable and improving the accuracy of the results. • Electric power consumption can be estimated from nighttime light imagery. • Pre-classifying cities by economic function can improve the estimation accuracy. • Different regression formulas were established for different city types in China. • Estimation accuracy improved for service cities and technology & education cities. • Results were more complex for industrial cities' complex energy structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More than one-fifth of the world's population consumes Chinese cuisines regularly, but no evidence-based healthy diets fitting the Chinese food culture are available for implementation.Methods: A multicenter, patient- and outcome assessor-blind, randomized feeding trial was conducted among 265 participants with 130 to 159 mm Hg baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) for 4 major Chinese cuisines (Shangdong, Huaiyang, Cantonese, Szechuan). After a 7-day run-in period on a control diet matching the usual local diets, participants were randomized to continue with the control diet or the cuisine-based Chinese heart-healthy diet for another 28 days. The primary outcome was SBP, and secondary outcomes included diastolic blood pressure and food preference score. Linear regression models were used to estimate the intervention effects and adjustments for the center. The incremental cost per 1 mm Hg reduction in SBP was also calculated.Results: A total of 265 participants were randomized (135 on the Chinese heart-healthy diet and 130 on the control diet), with 52% women, mean age of 56.5±9.8 years, and mean SBP and diastolic blood pressure of 139.4±8.3 and 88.1±8.0 mm Hg, respectively, at baseline. The change in SBP and diastolic blood pressure from baseline to the end of the study in the control group was -5.0 (95% CI, -6.5 to -3.5) mm Hg and -2.8 (95% CI, -3.7 to -1.9) mm Hg, respectively. The net difference of change between the 2 groups in SBP and diastolic blood pressure were -10.0 (95% CI, -12.1 to -7.9) mm Hg and -3.8 (95% CI, -5.0 to -2.5) mm Hg, respectively. The effect size did not differ among cuisines (P for interaction=0.173). The mean food preference score was 9.5 (with 10 the best preferred) at baseline, and the net change during intervention was 0.1 (95% CI, -0.1 to 0.2; P=0.558). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per 1 mm Hg SBP reduction was CNY 0.4 (USD 0.06) per day. No difference in the number of adverse events was found between the 2 groups (P=0.259), and none of the adverse events was associated with the intervention.Conclusions: The Chinese heart-healthy diet is effective, palatable, and cost-effective in reducing blood pressure in Chinese adults with high blood pressure, with a clinically significant effect applicable across major Chinese cuisine cultures.Registration: URL: https://www.Clinicaltrials: gov; Unique identifier: NCT03882645. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solar energy potential of urban buildings is important for China's sustainable economic development. Previous studies have focused on creating regional solar maps or estimating the irradiation of building roofs. This study estimates the practical potential of solar energy in cities with a novel roof-facade framework. Improvements have been made to make it more practical by integrating roofs and facades, considering view shading effects, and correcting weather impacts. The developed framework was applied to calculate the solar energy potential for 10 cities in China on a microscopic scale. The annual solar irradiation ranges from 41.39 to 772.94 TWh, with an electric capacity of 6.21–115.94 TWh. A dataset of the annual solar irradiation for more than 1.44 million buildings of the 10 cities is now available as a free download (https://gis.nju.edu.cn/rs%5f01.asp?ID=74&type%5f1=425). The results can support decision-making related to reducing reliance on conventional energy sources and reducing carbon emissions. • Solar irradiance can be calculated on not only building rooftops but also side walls. • Point cloud is generated from 3D building models. • The influences of shadows and view-sky factors caused by surrounding buildings are considered. • Solar irradiation affected by real-world weather conditions are corrected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollution of farmland by heavy metals threatens food security and human health. In addition, heavy metals in soil could infiltrate into groundwater to influence the water quality and safety of drinking water. However, the relationship between heavy metal pollution in soil and groundwater is still not clear. In this study, we investigated the soil and groundwater in the Guanzhong Plain region, which is a significant grain production base in China, and determined the spatial distributions, ecological risk, sources, and migration fates of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The results showed that the mean values (0-20 cm) in the soil were 19.57 mg kg -1 for As, 0.71 mg kg -1 for Cd, 69.65 mg kg -1 for Cr, 21.97 mg kg -1 for Cu, 28.67 mg kg -1 for Ni, 17.54 mg kg -1 for Pb, and 73.77 mg kg -1 for Zn, and the corresponding mean values in groundwater were 1.2, 0.04, 4.69, 0.15, 0.07, 0.3, and 3.6 μg L -1 , respectively. The mean values for As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn in soil exceeded the background values, and the mean values for As, Cd and Pb exceeded those in groundwater. Positive matrix factorization models identified five sources (fertilizers and organic fertilizers, natural sources, pesticides and herbicides, industrial activities, and sedimentation caused by transportation) for heavy metal pollution in soil and four sources (industry activity, atmospheric sedimentation caused by transportation, natural sources, and agriculture) for heavy metal pollution in groundwater. The soil particle composition and soil organic carbon content were important factors that affected the vertical distribution of heavy metals in the soil. The migration modes (convection and diffusion) were not found for all heavy metals. These results help to understand the relationships between heavy metals in soil and groundwater in farmland ecosystems regionally., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Background: Healthy diet is essential for cardiovascular disease risk management, but its effects among Chinese patients, whose diets differ from Western diets, remain largely unknown., Methods: In this multicenter, patient- and outcome assessor-blind, randomized controlled feeding trial, 265 Chinese adults with baseline systolic blood pressure 130 to 159 mmHg were randomly assigned into Chinese heart-healthy (CHH) diet or usual diet for a 28-d intervention after a 7-d run-in period on usual diet. Blood lipids and glucose were measured from overnight fasting blood samples before and after the intervention. Ten-year cardiovascular disease risk was estimated using models previously developed and validated in Chinese. The changes in secondary outcomes of serum total cholesterol (TC), blood glucose, and 10-y cardiovascular disease risk over the intervention period were compared between intervention groups, adjusting for center, among participants with baseline and follow-up blood samples available. Sensitivity analyses were done with further adjustment for baseline values and covariables; missing data imputed; and among per-protocol population., Results: Among 256 eligible participants (130 on CHH diet, 126 on control diet), 42% had hypercholesterolemia and 15% had diabetes at baseline. In the control group, TC and 10-y cardiovascular disease risk decreased after the intervention by 0.16 mmol/L and 0.91%, respectively, but blood glucose increased by 0.25 mmol/L. Compared with usual diet, the CHH diet lowered TC (-0.14 mmol/L, P = 0.017) and 10-y cardiovascular disease risk (-1.24%, P = 0.001) further. No effect on blood glucose was found. All sensitivity analyses confirmed the results on TC and 10-y cardiovascular disease risk, and analysis with multiple variables adjusted showed a borderline significant effect on blood glucose (-0.17 mmol/L, P = 0.051). The differences in intake of nutrients and food groups between intervention groups explained the results., Conclusions: The CHH diet reduced TC and 10-y cardiovascular disease risk and was likely to reduce blood glucose among Chinese adults with mild hypertension. Further studies with longer terms are warranted. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03882645., (Copyright © 2023 American Society for Nutrition. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Arsenic (As) is a notorious toxic contamination in marine environments, while the toxicity and health risk of As is highly dependent on As species in seafoods. In this study, we hypothesized that the species-specific As bioaccumulation and species resulted in species-specific healthy risk of As in seaweeds. To test the hypothesis, we collected 10 common edible seaweeds from the coast of Hainan Island in South China Sea. Then we comparatively quantified concentration of total As and 5 major As species [AsB, DMA, MMA, As(III), and As(V)] in seaweeds. The results revealed that the concentrations of total As varied significantly among 10 seaweed species. Specially, the highest total As concentration were found in brown seaweeds, followed by red seaweeds, and green seaweeds. Furthermore, the percentage of 5 As species to total As differed significantly among 10 seaweeds. The percentage of AsB was highest in Caulerpa lentillifera (53%) and lowest in Sargassum oligocystum (13%), while that of As(V) was lowest in Caulerpa lentillifera (21%) and highest in Sargassum oligocystum (81%). The iAs [As(III) + As(V)] exhibited highest value in brown seaweeds and least value in green seaweeds. The potential human health risk assessment indicated that the consumption of brown seaweeds of Sargassum oligocystum and Sargassum polycystum could cause a considerable carcinogenic risk and non-carcinogenic risk to residents. Overall, our findings here largely validated our hypothesis that the species-specific As bioaccumulation and As species had great significance to healthy risk of As in seaweeds., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Previous studies have explored associations between betaine and diabetes, but few have considered the effects of genes on them. We aimed to examine associations between serum betaine, methyl-metabolizing genetic polymorphisms and the risk of type 2 diabetes in Chinese adults. This prospective study comprised 1565 subjects aged 40-75 without type 2 diabetes at baseline. Serum betaine was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Genotyping of methyl-metabolizing genes was detected by Illumina ASA-750K arrays. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During a median of 8.9 years of follow-up, 213 participants developed type 2 diabetes. Compared with participants in the lowest quartile of serum betaine, those in the highest quartile had lower risk of type 2 diabetes, adjusted HRs (95%CIs) was 0.46 (0.31, 0.69). For methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) G1793A (rs2274976) and MTHFR A1298C (rs1801131), participants carrying 1793GA + AA and 1298AC + CC had lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Interactions of serum betaine and genotype of MTHFR G1793A and MTHFR A1298C could be found influencing type 2 diabetes risk. Our findings indicate that higher serum betaine, mutations of MTHFR G1793A and A1298C, as well as the joint effects of them, are associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of whole soy and purified daidzein on markers of thyroid function in Chinese postmenopausal women who were equol-producers. Total 270 eligible women were randomized to either one of the three isocaloric supplements: 40 g soy flour (whole soy group), 40 g low-fat milk powder +63 mg daidzein (daidzein group) or 40 g low-fat milk powder (placebo) daily for 6 months. Serum thyroid markers were tested at baseline and 6 months for thyroid stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, reverse triiodothyronine and free thyroxine (FT4). There was no significant difference in the 6-month changes of thyroid markers among the three groups. Subgroup analysis among women with lowered thyroid function suggested a modest decrease of FT4. This randomized controlled trial among Chinese equol-producing postmenopausal women indicates the consumption of whole soy and purified daidzein at the provided dosages are safe and have no detrimental effect on thyroid function., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)