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TMAO is elevated in individuals with cardiometabolic diseases, but it is unknown whether the metabolite is a biomarker of concern in healthy individuals. We conducted a cross-sectional study in metabolically healthy adults aged 18-66 years with BMI 18-44 kg/m2 and assessed the relationship between TMAO and diet, the fecal microbiome, and cardiometabolic risk factors. TMAO was measured in fasted plasma samples by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The fecal microbiome was assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and recent food intake was captured by multiple ASA24 dietary recalls. Endothelial function was assessed via EndoPAT. Descriptive statistics were computed by fasting plasma TMAO tertiles and evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between plasma TMAO and dietary food intake and metabolic health parameters. TMAO concentrations were not associated with average intake of animal protein foods, fruits, vegetables, dairy, or grains. TMAO was related to the fecal microbiome and the genera Butyribrio, Roseburia, Coprobaciullus, and Catenibacterium were enriched in individuals in the lowest versus the highest TMAO tertile. TMAO was positively associated with α-diversity and compositional differences were identified between groups. TMAO was not associated with classic cardiovascular risk factors in the healthy cohort. Similarly, endothelial function was not related to fasting TMAO, whereas the inflammatory marker TNF-α was significantly associated. Fasting plasma TMAO may not be a metabolite of concern in generally healthy adults unmedicated for chronic disease. Prospective studies in healthy individuals are necessary.

BackgroundAutomated dietary assessment tools such as ASA24® are useful for collecting 24-hour recall data in large-scale studies. Modifications made during manual data cleaning may affect nutrient intakes.ObjectivesWe evaluated the effects of modifications made during manual data cleaning on nutrient intakes of interest: energy, carbohydrate, total fat, protein, and fiber.MethodsDifferences in mean intake before and after data cleaning modifications for all recalls and average intakes per subject were analyzed by paired t-tests. The Chi-squared test was used to determine whether unsupervised recalls had more open-ended text responses that required modification than supervised recalls. We characterized food types of text response modifications. Correlations between predictive energy requirements, measured total energy expenditure (TEE), and mean energy intake from raw and modified data were examined.ResultsAfter excluding 11 recalls with invalidating technical errors, 1499 valid recalls completed by 393 subjects were included in this analysis. We found significant differences before and after modifications for energy, carbohydrate, total fat, and protein intakes for all recalls (P < 0.05). Limiting to modified recalls, there were significant differences for all nutrients of interest, including fiber (P < 0.02). There was not a significantly greater proportion of text responses requiring modification for home compared with supervised recalls (P = 0.271). Predicted energy requirements correlated highly with TEE. There was no significant difference in correlation of mean energy intake with TEE for modified compared with raw data. Mean intake for individual subjects was significantly different for energy, protein, and fat intakes following cleaning modifications (P < 0.001).ConclusionsManual modifications can change mean nutrient intakes for an entire cohort and individuals. However, modifications did not significantly affect the correlation of energy intake with predictive requirements and measured expenditure. Investigators can consider their research question and nutrients of interest when deciding to make cleaning modifications.

Ionic liquid trimethylsulfonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (M3STFSI) was synthesized to obtain solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membranes by mixing it with polyethylene oxide and sodium perchlorate (NaClO4). Nine membranes were prepared with varying concentrations of high, medium, and low polymer content. X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize both the products and the raw materials. Ionic conductivity was determined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and redox phenomena were studied by cyclic voltammetry. To calculate the total ion transference number and Na+ ion transference number, chronoamperometry (CA) with EIS was employed. Additionally, the electrochemical stability in SPE (M1) was measured through linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The NaFe(SO4)2 compound, known as Eldfellite, was utilized as a cathode in Na-ion battery tests. A Na||M1||NaFe(SO4)2 cell was prepared to determine the battery performance via galvanostatic charge/discharge profiles. Thus, the theoretical specific capacity of Eldfellite for Na+ insertion is 99 mAh g−1, and after 70 cycles at a C/10 rate vs. Na0 metallic as an anode, the specific discharge capacity was 75 mAh g−1, with a coulombic efficiency above 99%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnesium oxalate (MgC2O4) cathode material was synthesized via a dissolution route. This material exhibited higher electrochemical performance in Mg2+/Li+ hybrid ion batteries (MLIBs) compared with magnesium ion rechargeable batteries (MIBs) that were prepared. In MLIBs, this material showed a discharge capacity of 292, 226, 186, 134, 99, 71, and 32 mAh g−1 after 65 cycles at 2, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mA g−1, respectively. Then, the MgC2O4 material has the potential to be applied as a cathode in energy storage and conversion devices, such as MLIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutral pH PVA/glycerol/Na2SO4 hydrogels were made by aging at room temperature, the effect of Na2SO4 concentration was evaluated, and the hydrogel with the best properties was tested as a neutral pH polymeric hydrogel electrolyte in a supercapacitor device with activated carbon electrodes. PVA/glycerol/Na2SO4 hydrogels were chemically and structurally studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Hydrogel with 0.40 mol L−1 of Na2SO4 has the most presence of hydrogen bonds and a lesser presence of crystalline regions in its polymeric matrix. By impedance spectroscopy, the ionic conductivity of the hydrogels was calculated. Hydrogel with 0.40 mol L−1 of Na2SO4 has the highest value of ionic conductivity 17.4 mS cm−1. This hydrogel was used as a polymer hydrogel electrolyte in a supercapacitor with Printex XE2B activated carbon electrodes by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles. The supercapacitor device with 0.40 mol L−1 Na2SO4 hydrogel reached a working potential window of 2.0 V in the cyclic voltammograms. Charge/discharge plots of the supercapacitor device with 0.40 mol L−1 Na2SO4 hydrogel exhibit a triangle behavior at different current densities. Supercapacitor device with 0.40 mol L−1 Na2SO4 hydrogel presents an equivalent series resistance of 14.7 ohms cm−2, a specific capacitance of 54.7 F g−1, and a specific energy of 7.6 Wh kg−1 at 0.5 A g−1. Obtained results were compared with a supercapacitor device with Na2SO4 1.0 mol L−1 and previously works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]