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ObjectCarotenoids represent a class of bioactive compounds with potential implications for gut health. However, the relationship between dietary carotenoid intake (DCI) and fecal incontinence (FI) remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the association between DCI and the risk of FI.MethodsParticipants aged 20 and above from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005–2010) were included in the study. Data on FI were derived from the bowel health questionnaire, while DCI information was obtained from dietary interviews. Survey-weighted logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were employed to evaluate the relationship between DCI, its subtypes, and FI. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression was utilized to assess the overall effect of DCI and its predominant subtypes. Finally, subgroup analyses were conducted.ResultThe study included a total of 11,915 participants, of whom 1,023 (7.0%) experienced FI. Logistic regression analysis revealed that, after adjusting for all covariates, there was a significant inverse association between DCI and the risk of FI (Model 2: Q4 vs. Q1, OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.52–0.86, p = 0.003). However, among the DCI subtypes, only β-carotene was found to have a significant inverse relationship with FI (Model 2: Q4 vs. Q1, OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.52–0.88, p = 0.005). The RCS curves indicated no non-linear relationship between DCI, its subtypes, and FI (all p-non-linear >0.05). WQS analysis identified β-carotene (weight 38.2%) and lutein/zeaxanthin (weight 27.8%) as the primary contributors.ConclusionHigh levels of carotenoid intake, particularly β-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin, are associated with a reduced risk of fecal incontinence. This discovery provides dietary recommendations for patients suffering from FI.

PurposeSome clinicians use endografts to cover half the left subclavian artery (LSA) ostium to cure some cases with insufficient proximal landing zone (PLZ) in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) treatment. We used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to study the hemodynamic changes in the LSA because they may cause acute thrombosis or arteriosclerosis.MethodsThe digital model of the aortic arch was established and named model A, which only included the supraarch branch of the LSA. By directly covering half of the LSA ostium, which was named as model B. All established models were imported into the Gambit grid division software for grid division and were subsequently imported into the Fluent software for hemodynamic numerical simulation and calculation to analyze the related changes in LSA hemodynamic parameters after stent implantation.ResultsUnder the same aortic inlet flow, in model B, the local blood flow velocity of the LSA ostium increased and the whole blood flow velocity at the distal end decreased. The average wall shear stress (WSS) of the LSA was significantly decreased. Meanwhile there was an obvious turbulent flow in the LSA lumen, and the related blood flow state was disordered.ConclusionCFD research confirmed that the implantation of an endograft covering half the LSA ostium can cause obvious hemodynamic changes, which is likely to cause a long-term arteriosclerosis or acute thrombosis of the LSA, finally increasing the risk of stroke. Once this operation is performed in some specific clinical cases for simplicity and economy, it seems that we should actively antiplatelet and follow up regularly.

Introduction: Post-stroke spasticity (PSS) is among the prevalent complications of stroke, greatly affecting motor function recovery and reducing patients' quality of life without timely treatment. Sangdantongluo granule, a modern traditional Chinese patent medicine, has significant clinical efficacy in treating PSS. However, the mechanism of Sangdantongluo granule in treating PSS is still unknown. We designed this study to explore the mechanism of Sangdantongluo granule in treating PSS through multimodal functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Methods and analysis: In a single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel placebo-controlled study, 60 PSS patients will be recruited in China and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups at a ratio of 1:1. For eight weeks, Sangdantongluo granule or placebo will be utilized for intervention. The main outcome is the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), the secondary outcome includes the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale-upper Extremity (FMA-UE), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), the mechanism measure is the changes in cortical excitability and multimodal fMRI at baseline and after eight weeks. Ethics and dissemination: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval number: [202364]). Clinical trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier: ChiCTR2300074793. Registered on 16 August 2023.

Sesamum indicum is a major and important oilseed crop that is believed to promote human health in many countries, especially in China. Sesame seeds contain two types of lignans: lipid-soluble lignans and water-soluble glucosylated lignans. The major glucosylated lignans are sesaminol glucosides (SGs). So far, four sesaminol isomers and four SGs are identified. During the naturally occurring process of SGs production, sesaminol is generated first from two molecules of E-coniferyl alcohol, and then the sugar is added to the sesaminol one by one, leading to production of SGs. Sesaminol can be prepared from SGs, from sesamolin, and through artificial synthesis. SGs are metabolized in the liver and intestine and are then transported to other tissues. They exhibit several biological activities, most of which are based on their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this paper, we present an overview of the current status of research on sesaminol and SGs. We have also discussed their synthesis, preparation, metabolism, and biological activities. It has been suggested that sesaminol and SGs are important biological substances with strong antioxidant properties in vitro and in vivo and are widely used in the food industry, medicine, and cosmetic products. The recovery and utilization of SGs from sesame seed cake after oil processing will generate massive economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well-known that transition-metal-doping induces dramatic changes in the structures and bonding of small boron clusters, as demonstrated by the newly observed perfect inverse sandwich D8h [La(η8-B8)La] and D9h [La(η9-B9)La]−. Based on extensive global minimum searches and first-principles theory calculations, we predict herein the possibility of perfect endohedral trihedral metallo-borospherene D3h La@[La5&B30] (1, 3A′1) and its monoanion Cs La@[La5&B30]− (2, 2A′) and dianion D3h La@[La5&B30]2− (3, 1A′1). These La-doped boron clusters are composed of three inverse sandwich La(η8-B8)La on the waist and two inverse sandwich La(η9-B9)La on the top and bottom which share one apex La atom at the center and six periphery B2 units between neighboring η8-B8 and η9-B9 rings, with three octo-coordinate La atoms and two nona-coordinate La atoms as integrated parts of the cage surface. Detailed adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) and iso-chemical shielding surface (ICSS) analyses indicate that La@[La5&B30]0/−/2− (1/2/3) are spherically aromatic in nature. The one-dimensional nanowire La4B21 (4, P31m) constructed from D3h La@[La5&B30] (1) along the C3 axis of the system appears to be metallic. The IR and Raman spectra of La@[La5&B30] (1) and photoelectron spectroscopy of the slightly distorted Cs La@[La5&B30]− (2) are theoretically simulated to facilitate their spectroscopic characterizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron nanoclusters and few‐layer borophenes have received considerable attention in recent years due to their unique structural and bonding patterns. Based on extensive global searches and density‐functional theory calculations, we present herein the possibility of a new series of bilayer medium‐sized boron clusters including C2 B54 (I), C2h B60 (II), and C1 B62 (III) in a universal structural pattern, with one, two, and three B6 hexagonal windows on the waist around a B38 bilayer hexagonal prism at the center, respectively. Detailed orbital and bonding analyses indicate that these three‐dimensional aromatic bilayer clusters follow the σ + π double delocalization bonding pattern, with three or four effective interlayer B–B σ‐bonds formed to further stabilize the system. The IR, Raman, and UV/Vis spectra of the bilayer species are theoretically simulated to facilitate their future spectral characterizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the first all-boron fullerene observed in experiments, cage-like borospherene B40 has attracted considerable attention in recent years. However, B40 has been proved to be chemically reactive and tends to coalesce with one another via the formation of covalent bonds. We explore herein the possibility of low-dimensional functional networks of B40 with effective transition-metal intercalations. We find that the four equivalent B7 heptagons on the waist of each B40 can serve as effective ligands to coordinate various transition metal centers in exohedral motifs. The intercalated metal atoms entail these networks with a variety of intriguing properties. The two-dimensional (2D) Cr2B40 network is a ferromagnetic metal while the 2D Zn2B40 network becomes semiconducting. In contrast, other 2D M2B40 (M = Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) networks and 1D CrB40 belong to nonmagnetic metals. The 3D Cr3B40 network is a magnetic metal. This work presents the viable possibility of assembling Mn&B40 metalloborospherenes into stable functional nanomaterials via effective transition-metal intercalations with potential applications in electronic and spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition-metal doping leads to dramatic structural changes and results in novel bonding patterns in small boron clusters. Based on the experimentally derived mono-ring planar C9v Ta©B92− (1) and extensive first-principles theory calculations, we present herein the possibility of high-symmetry double-ring tubular D9d Ta@B183− (2) and C9v Ta2@B18 (3) and triple-ring tubular D9h Ta2@B27+ (4), which may serve as embryos of single-walled metalloboronanotube α-Ta3@B48(3,0) (5) wrapped up from the recently observed most stable free-standing boron α-sheet on a Ag(111) substrate with a transition-metal wire (–Ta–Ta–) coordinated inside. Detailed bonding analyses indicate that, with an effective dz2–dz2 overlap on the Ta–Ta dimer along the C9 molecular axis, both Ta2@B18 (3) and Ta2@B27+ (4) follow the universal bonding pattern of σ + π double delocalization with each Ta center conforming to the 18-electron rule, providing tubular aromaticity to these Ta-doped boron complexes with magnetically induced ring currents. The IR, Raman, and UV-vis spectra of 3 and 4 are computationally simulated to facilitate their future experimental characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the recent discovery of the metal-centered tubular molecular rotor Cs B2-Ta@B18− with the record coordination number of CN = 20 and based on extensive first-principles theory calculations, we present herein the possibility of the largest tubular molecular rotors Cs B3-Ta@B18 (1) and C3v B4-Ta@B18+ (2) and smallest axially chiral endohedral metalloborospherenes D2 Ta@B22− (3 and 3′), unveiling a tubular-to-cage-like structural transition in metal-centered boron clusters at Ta@B22−via effective spherical coordination interactions. The highly stable Ta@B22− (3) as an elegant superatom, which features two equivalent corner-sharing B10 boron double chains interconnected by two B2 units with four equivalent B7 heptagons evenly distributed on the cage surface, conforms to the 18-electron configuration with a bonding pattern of σ + π double delocalization and follows the 2(n + 1)2 electron counting rule for spherical aromaticity (n = 2). Its calculated adiabatic detachment energy of ADE = 3.88 eV represents the electron affinity of the cage-like neutral D2 Ta@B22 which can be viewed as a superhalogen. The infrared, Raman, VCD, and UV-vis spectra of the concerned species are computationally simulated to facilitate their spectral characterizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]