Acid Concentration Research Articles

Association of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with Sarcopenia in Liver Cirrhosis Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Sarcopenia is associated with the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Given their diverse physiological activities, we hypothesized that plasma fatty acids might influence the progression of sarcopenia. This study aimed to clarify the association between fatty acids and sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients with HCC. In this single-center retrospective study, we registered 516 cases and analyzed 414 cases of liver cirrhosis and HCC. The skeletal muscle mass index was measured using a transverse computed tomography scan image at the third lumbar vertebra. The cutoff value for sarcopenia followed the criteria set by the Japan Society of Hepatology. Fatty acid concentrations were measured by gas chromatography. Fatty acid levels, particularly omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), were lower in patients with poor liver function (Child-Pugh grade B/C) and were negatively correlated with the albumin-bilirubin score (p<0.0001). The prognosis of HCC patients with low PUFA levels was significantly worse. Among the different fatty acid fractions, only n-3 PUFAs significantly correlated with skeletal muscle mass index (p=0.0026). In the multivariate analysis, the n-3 PUFA level was an independent variable associated with sarcopenia (p=0.0006). A low level of n-3 PUFAs was associated with sarcopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC.

Lazy neutrophils - a lack of DGAT1 reduces the chemotactic activity of mouse neutrophils.

Neutrophils are key players in the innate immune system, actively migrating to sites of inflammation in the highly energetic process of chemotaxis. In this study, we focus on the role of acyl-CoA: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of triglycerides, the major form of stored energy, in neutrophil chemotaxis. Using a mouse model of psoriasis, we show that DGAT1-deficiency reduces energy-demanding neutrophil infiltration to the site of inflammation, but this inhibition is not caused by decreased glycolysis and reduced ATP production by neutrophils lacking DGAT1. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrate that DGAT1 also does not influence lipid accumulation in lipid droplets during inflammation. Interestingly, as has been shown previously, a lack of DGAT1 leads to an increase in the concentration of retinoic acid, and here, using real-time PCR and publicly-available next-generation RNA sequencing datasets, we show the upregulation of retinoic acid-responsive genes in Dgat1KO neutrophils. Furthermore, supplementation of WT neutrophils with exogenous retinoic acid mimics DGAT1-deficiency in the inhibition of neutrophil chemotaxis in in vitro transwell assay. These results suggest that impaired skin infiltration by neutrophils in Dgat1KO mice is a result of the inhibitory action of an increased concentration of retinoic acid, rather than impaired lipid metabolism in DGAT1-deficient mice.

Monitoring the Ripening Process of Rainbow Trout Marinade Prepared in Different Acid and Salt Concentrations by Following the Changes in Physicochemical and Sensory Parameters

ABSTRACT Physicochemical and sensory changes of fish were investigated during marination of rainbow trout. Equilibration in the acidity of A (2% acid, 8% salt), B (4%, 8%), C (2%, 12%), and D (4%, 12%) groups took place at the 24, 24, 30, and 30th hours, respectively; in salt, it occurred at 36, 42, 42, and 36th hours, respectively. With ripening, a* value decreased, and b* value and hardness increased. Salt concentration affected acid taste; acid affected salt taste. This study revealed the effects of the ratio of acid and salt used in rainbow trout marinade on ripening and the resulting changes in sensory properties.

Medicinal cannabis tea contains variable doses of cannabinoids and no terpenes.

Tea is a recommended way of administration of prescribed cannabis plant products in Denmark. We aimed to investigate the cannabinoid and terpene doses contained in different teas. We analysed tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and terpene concentrations in three repeated preparations of each type of tea, and in plant material. In standard tea, concentrations of THC were [median (min-max)] 9.5 (2.3-15), 19 (13-34), and 36 (26-57) μg/mL for products with a labelled content of 6.3%, 14%, and 22% total THC (THC + THCA), respectively. The CBD concentration in tea from a product labelled with 8% total CBD (CBD + CBDA) was 7.5 (1.9-10) μg/mL. Based on this, the recommended starting amount of 0.2L of the different teas would contain between 0.46 and 11.3mg THC, and 0.38 to 2.0mg CBD. Adding creamer before, but not after boiling, increased the THC and CBD concentration 2.3-4.4 and 2.1-fold, respectively. Terpenes were detected in plant material, but not in tea. The study elucidates THC and CBD doses in different teas, which may assist the clinician's choice of cannabis product. Moreover, it underscores the need for caution as administration as tea can result in exposure to different doses, even when the same cannabis product is used.

Dietary protein re-alimentation following restriction improves protein deposition via changing amino acid metabolism and transcriptional profiling of muscle tissue in growing beef bulls

This study aimed to develop a compensatory growth model using growing beef cattle by changing dietary protein and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of compensatory protein deposition in muscle tissue. Twelve Charolais bulls were randomly assigned to one of two groups with two periods: 1) a control group (CON) fed a 13% crude protein (CP) diet for 6 weeks; 2) a treatment group (REC) fed a 7% CP diet for 4 weeks (restriction period) and fed a 13% CP diet in the following 2 weeks (re-alimentation period). Growth performance, digestibility, nitrogen balance, targeted metabolomics of amino acids (AA) in plasma, and transcriptional profiling in muscle tissue were analyzed. Protein restriction decreased average daily gain (ADG; P < 0.05), while protein re-alimentation increased ADG relative to the CON (P < 0.05). Compared to the CON, REC reduced retained N (P < 0.05), and protein re-alimentation increased retained N and N utilization efficiency (P < 0.05), due to reduced urinary urea, hippuric acid, and creatinine excretions (P < 0.05). Ruminal NH3-N in the REC was lower than that in the CON in the protein re-alimentation period (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in microbial protein and plasma urea nitrogen concentrations. Dietary protein restriction decreased plasma valine and aspartic acid concentrations relative to the CON (P < 0.05), and increased proline and 3-methyl-L-histidine concentrations (P < 0.05). After dietary protein re-alimentation, REC increased plasma citrulline concentrations (P < 0.05). The transcriptional profiling revealed that REC upregulated the AA transporter SLC3A1, and protein re-alimentation downregulated SLC7A8 in the muscle cell membrane. Within the muscle cell, upregulated cytosolic arginine sensor for mTORC1 subunit 2 (CASTOR2) inhibited protein synthesis by inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 phosphorylation in the protein restriction period, while DNA-damage-inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4) activated the mTOR signaling pathway and promoted protein synthesis in the protein re-alimentation period. In summary, the targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses demonstrated that protein re-alimentation following restriction can promote protein synthesis and reduce muscle breakdown by regulating AA metabolism and functional transcripts related to AA transporters and the mTOR signaling pathway.

Stable isotope and fatty acid variation of a planktivorous fish among and within large lakes.

Aquatic food webs are spatially complex, potentially contributing to intraspecific variability in production pathway reliance of intermediate trophic level consumers. Variation in trophic reliance may be described by well-established trophic indicators, like stable isotope ratios (δ13C, δ15N), along with emerging trophic indicators, such as fatty acid composition. We evaluated stable isotope ratios and fatty acid profiles of European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) among and within distinct regions of three large Swedish lakes (Hjälmaren, Mälaren, Vättern) which differed in trophic status. We expected that smelts in more oligotrophic lakes and regions would be characterized by distinct stable isotope signatures and fatty acid profiles, with particularly high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) relative levels. However, we acknowledge that frequent movement of smelts among regions may serve to spatially integrate their diet and lead to limited within-lake variation in stable isotope ratios and fatty acid composition. As expected, in comparison with more productive lakes (i.e., Hjälmaren and Mälaren), smelts from ultra-oligotrophic Vättern were characterized by low δ15N, high δ13C and high percent of a dominant PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Smelts from different regions of the morphometrically complex Mälaren displayed differential stable isotope ratios and fatty acid relative concentrations, which were consistent with within-lake differences in productivity and water residence times, suggesting that smelts in this lake forage locally within distinct regions. Finally, at the individual smelt level there were particularly strong and consistent associations between a well-established trophic indicator (δ13C) and percent DHA, suggesting that the relative concentration of this fatty acid may be a useful additional trophic indicator for smelt.

Brown Algae as a Valuable Substrate for the Cost-Effective Production of Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid for Applications in Cream Formulations

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is a carboxylic-acid-rich, bio-derived, water-soluble, edible, hydrating, non-immunogenic polymer produced naturally by several microorganisms. Here, we re-emphasise the ability of Bacillus subtilis natto to naturally produce γ-PGA on whole seaweed, as well as for the yields and chemical properties of the material to be affected by the presence of Mn(2+). Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an extracellular glycosaminoglycan which presents a high concentration of carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups, being key in fulfilling numerous applications. Currently, there are strong environmental (solvent use), social (non-vegan extraction), and economic factors pushing for the biosynthesis of this material through prokaryotic microorganisms, which is not yet scalable or sustainable. Our study aimed to investigate an innovative raw material which can combine both superior hygroscopicity and UV protection to the cosmetic industry. Comparable hydration effect of commercially available γ-PGA to conventional moisturising agents (HA and glycerol) was observed; however, greater hydration capacity was observed from seaweed-derived γ-PGA. Herewith, successful incorporation of seaweed-derived γ-PGA (0.2–2 w/v%) was achieved for several model cream systems with absorbances reported at 300 and 400 nm. All γ-PGA-based creams displayed shear thinning behaviour as the viscosity decreased, following increasing shear rates. Although the use of commercial γ-PGA within creams did not suggest a significant effect in rheological behaviour, this was confirmed to be a result of the similar molecular weight. Seaweed-derived γ-PGA cream systems did not display any negative effect on model HaCaT keratinocytes by means of in vitro MTT analysis.

Oligosaccharide Profile of Milk from 60 Mothers Breastfeeding of Infants Aged 45 Days in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Introduction: Breast milk contains essential macro and micronutrients for infant maturation. Among these macronutrients are oligosaccharides, considered prebiotics. They are the third most abundant component of breast milk after lipids and lactose, and their concentrations are influenced by various factors, including maternal dietary habits. This study aims to evaluate the effect of two dietary habits on the variation of the oligosaccharide profile in breast milk. Methods: The study involved 60 mothers of full-term, exclusively breastfed infants. Five (5) ml milk samples were collected from mothers of 45-day-old infants, and a questionnaire on the frequency of consumption of staple foods and fruits was administered. The correlation between the concentrations of N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FSL) and the dietary habits of breastfeeding mothers was analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: The average concentrations of Neu5Ac and 2’-FSL in mature breast milk were 2.20 ± 0.83 and 1.19 ± 0.56 g/L for mothers consuming rice with peanut sauce (R-PS) and 2.45 ± 0.65 and 1.76 ± 0.66 g/L for those consuming attiéké with fried fish (A-FF). Statistical analyses revealed no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) in oligosaccharide content between the milk of mothers who consumed R-PS and A-FF. However, there was a positive correlation between the frequency of fruit consumption and the occurrence of gastroenteritis in infants (r = 0.504) and a significant decrease in the 2’-fucosyllactose content in the milk of A-FF mothers who consumed oranges 3 to 5 times a week (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The consumption of R-PS and A-FF, along with moderate fruit consumption, positively influences the oligosaccharide profile of breast milk. Particular attention should be given to nutritional education during lactation due to its potential impact on infant health through microbiota development.

Plum protein isolate‐caffeic acid conjugate as bioactive emulsifier: functional properties and bioavailability

SummaryPlum protein isolate obtained from plum cake after oil extraction had protein content over 90% and amino acid composition of 36% which about 13% were essential amino acids. Evaluation of functional properties of conjugates obtained by interaction between plum protein isolate and caffeic acid, in three different concentrations, was carried out in this study. The conjugation of proteins with phenols forms complexes of higher molecular weights as a result of cross‐linking. The solubility of obtained conjugates was increased with the increase a concentration of caffeic acid at alkaline pH (8–10) for about 50%. Moreover, emulsion properties also were improved by conjugation with caffeic acid. In vitro digestion is considered to characterise and understand ‘fate’ of food components after passing gastrointestinal conditions. The obtained conjugates were digestible and have a good bioavailability of bioactive compounds.

The neurochemistry of learning-driven sensory eye dominance plasticity

Abstract Sensory eye dominance (SED) refers to a functional asymmetry of the two eyes that is thought to result from the visual cortex assigning uneven weighting to the two eyes’ data. Dichoptic perceptual training has been shown to improve (reduce) SED in visually normal individuals, with behavioral improvements accompanied by alterations of neural responses in the primary visual cortex. The mechanisms underlying these learning-driven neural changes are not well understood. Here, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we determined how inhibitory mechanisms in the early visual cortex (EVC) govern SED plasticity by measuring γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration changes before and after perceptual training. Fifty normal-sighted observers were trained on a dichoptic or binocular variant of a signal-in-noise (left–right) motion discrimination task. We observed significant shifts in SED following dichoptic (but not binocular) training. Before training, both groups exhibited lower GABA concentrations in the EVC when signals were presented to the dominant eye. Only after dichoptic training, GABA concentrations in the EVC increased during presentations of signals to the dominant eye and decreased during presentations of signals to the non-dominant eye. Our data suggest that dichoptic training drives changes in SED by promoting a rebalancing of interocular inhibition in the EVC.

Enhancing the photostability and mechanical properties of poly‐lactic acid (PLA) composites with glutaric acid functionalized titanium dioxide (TiO2)

AbstractThe performance of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites reinforced with functionalized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in rutile and anatase crystalline phases were systematically investigated. The results underline that the incorporation of TiO2, regardless of its crystalline structure, significantly enhances PLA's crystallinity by 85%. Notably, rutile TiO2, when functionalized with higher glutaric acid concentrations, was an effective crystallinity booster by 95%, passing from 20.39% to 39.58% crystallinity for the PLA/TiO2 R20 + 10% system. Furthermore, this research elucidates that the selection between anatase and rutile phases plays a vital role in the photostabilization. Functionalized Rutile TiO2 exhibited exceptional UV resistance, effectively inhibiting photodegradation; for example, after 15 days of exposure, the functionalized systems exhibited a 497.6% improvement for PLA/TiO2 R10 + 5% (22.1 ± 2.5 MPa), while the PLA/TiO2 R10 + 5% showed an 85.1% increase in composite stiffness (35.5 ± 3.5 MPa) after 7 days of degradation, in comparison with pristine PLA (19.2 ± 2.9 MPa). Anatase, conversely, displayed varying effects depending on concentration, acting as a stabilizer at lower levels and a promoter of degradation at higher concentrations. This knowledge enables the precise modifying of PLA composites for specific applications, balancing crystallinity, mechanical properties, and UV resistance for a diverse array of applications.Highlights TiO2 enhances photostability in PLA confirming its potential as a UV stabilizer. Comparing anatase and rutile phase: Unveiling PLA composite dynamics. Glutaric acid on TiO2 enhances PLA composite strength significantly. Optimal acid concentration key to composite performance. Tailored PLA composites balance crystallinity, mechanics, and UV resistance.

Impact of Lactic Acid Fermentation on the Organic Acids and Sugars of Developed Oat and Buckwheat Beverages

In recent years, new plant-based foods and drinks have been developed to meet the growing demand for animal-derived alternatives, particularly dairy products. This study investigates the impact of lactic acid fermentation on the organic acids and sugars in oat and buckwheat beverages developed using Lactobacillus johnsonii K4 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus K3, which are potential probiotics. The fermented samples were analyzed for pH changes, bacterial viability, and the concentration of organic acids and sugars over 15 days. The results indicated significant variations in bacterial colony counts, with L. johnsonii K4 showing the highest initial growth. Over 15 days, pH levels decreased, with the most acidic conditions observed in buckwheat beverages. Notably, fermentation led to a significant increase in acetic acid concentration and a reduction in malic acid levels, particularly in buckwheat samples. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of fermentation in enhancing the nutritional profile and shelf-life of plant-based beverages.

Optimizing Oxygen Exposure during Kombucha Brewing Using Air-Permeable Silicone Bags

As the commercial and home brewing of kombucha expands to accommodate its increased popularity, novel brewing practices that generate non-alcoholic kombucha in an efficient manner become valuable. The research presented in this work compares kombucha brewed in a glass jar brewing vessel to that brewed in an air-permeable silicone bag. Identical kombucha ferments with various sugar food sources were prepared and placed in each vessel, and variables such as titratable acidity, pH, alcohol by volume, gluconic acid concentration, acetic acid concentration, and sugar content were studied as a function of time. The results indicated that, regardless of the food source, kombucha brewed in an air-permeable bag exhibited more efficient acid production, lower ethanol concentration, and greater sugar utilization relative to equivalent kombucha brewed in a jar.

Acid-mediated strategies designed for stretchable and durable polyacrylamide/sodium alginate dual-network hydrogels toward flexible capacitors and wearable sensors

The utilization of acid as a synthesis assistant provides an effective means to regulate the structure of hydrogels, thereby simplifying the design and preparation process of multifunctional hydrogels. However, there remains a dearth of discourse concerning the utilization of this convenient acid-mediated strategy, which possesses the potential to directly govern molecular interactions within gel networks for rational structure and property design. Herein, we describe the preparation of flexible dual-network conductive hydrogels using polyacrylamide (PAM) and sodium alginate (SA) as substrates, driven by the strategy of acid-mediated (HCI, H2SO4, and H2C2O4) in detail for the first time. Especially, the structure-activity relationship of hydrogels was elucidated through a comparative analysis of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and empirical properties, thereby enhancing the understanding of this field. Furthermore, extensive investigations have been conducted to explore the distinct impacts of acid ions and concentrations. The acid-mediated method exhibits superior versatility and operability compared to the filler modification method, thereby enabling a more convenient acquisition of conductive and robust hydrogels suitable for flexible capacitors and wearable sensors. Consequently, this study presents a straightforward, efficient, and cost-effective universal strategy for targeted functional hydrogel design.

Saliva Versus Plasma Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Valproic Acid in Jordanian Patients.

Therapeutic drug monitoring is used to ensure that medications are prescribed and administered according to safe doseage advice and for the purpose of achieving the desired therapeutic effects in patients. Several methods are used to perform therapeutic drug monitoring. However, there is insufficient evidence to currently support therapeutic drug monitoring of Valproic acid using salivary samples. The aim of this paper is to determine the feasibility of using salivary samples as a substitute for plasma samples for therapeutic drug monitoring of Valproic acid. In this study a total of 23 patients participated, with the mean age of 33.39. Salivary and plasma samples were collected and analysed to determine the peak and trough concentrations of Valproic acid for comparison between the two methods. Calibrated LC- MS/ MS was used to measure Valproic acid levels. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA test and ethical approval was obtained prior to sample collection. The results showed that saliva Valproic acid levels were less than that of plasma levels. There was no significant correlation between saliva and plasma level of Valproic acid (P>0.05). However, there was a significant correlation between the area under the curve for both saliva and plasma Valproic acid (P<0.05). Creatinine clearance was significantly correlated with peak plasma levels of Valproic acid (P<0.05). Albumin was significantly correlated with plasma levels of Valproic acid. There was also a significantly positive and moderate relationship between Log Saliva Cmax and Log plasma free Valproic acid concentration (r=0.76, p<0.018). In conclusion, saliva samples can be used as a substitute for plasma samples in the therapeutic drug monitoring of Valproic acid.

Phytochemicals as eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in sulfuric acid solutions: a review

Abstract Plant extracts represent abundant sources of biomolecules distributed throughout various plant parts. These biomolecules are extracted using diverse solvents and methods. Within these plant extracts lie bioactive compounds, known for their antioxidant properties and anticorrosive capabilities. Detecting and isolating these active biomolecules from plant extracts necessitates analytical techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The active biomolecules within plant extracts contain heteroatoms within their structures, facilitating their adsorption on steel surfaces and conferring corrosion inhibition properties. The advantages of plant extracts as green corrosion inhibitors include ready availability, ease of application, eco-friendly characteristics, and cost-effectiveness. These extracts adhere to steel surfaces, blocking their active sites and effectively reducing the corrosion rate. This review consolidates the findings on the corrosion inhibition potential of plant extracts from various plant parts, elucidating their performance in different concentrations of sulfuric acid.

Microwave-assisted acid treatment for the mineral transformation of chrysotile as an alternative for asbestos waste management

In this work, the effect of microwave-assisted acid treatments on the morphological and crystallochemical characteristics of chrysotile fibers is investigated. A low concentration of nitric acid (0.2 N) is used to remove Mg2+-species located in the octahedral sheet of its structure, thereby causing a crystallo-chemical change forming a skeleton of non-crystalline amorphous silica. This skeleton maintains an elongated morphology but characterized by rounded -not sharp-edges and porous surfaces whose physical resistance under stress is reduced when compared with the initial fibers of chrysotile, favoring a lower pathogenicity of the fibers. Thus, microwave-assisted acid treatment rise as a low-cost, fast and effective option in avoiding the dangerousness associated with asbestos waste management.

Polymer and micellar catalysis in d-fructose oxidation by imidazolium fluorochromate: A kinetic and mechanistic study

This work investigated the oxidation of d-fructose using imidazolium fluorochromate (IFC) as an oxidant and analyzed how sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) affected the reaction kinetics. The process exhibited a unit-order dependence on IFC, d-fructose, and perchloric acid concentration. Perchloric acid was the primary source of hydrogen ions in the reaction mixture. The stoichiometry of the reaction indicated that 3 mol of d-fructose requires 4 mol of IFC. Acrylonitrile, a radical-generating species, did not impact the reaction rate, indicating the absence of a free radical intermediate. The reaction rate decreases as the Mn (II) ions concentration increases, suggesting the involvement of Cr (IV) species in the reaction. The dielectric value of the reaction medium (D) had an inverse effect on the rate, and the outcomes were consistent with the Amis (log k1 and 1/D) and Kirkwood plots (log k1 and (D-1/2D+1)), indicating the presence of dipole-dipole interactions in the process. SDS and PEG-400 catalyzed the reaction. The reaction showed significant catalysis before reaching the critical micelle concentration (CMC). However, the observed rate constants stabilized at higher SDS concentrations exceeding the CMC. Piszkiewicz's cooperativity model was employed to describe the surfactant catalysis, while the Benesi-Hildebrand equation was utilized to explain polymer catalysis. The activation parameters are ΔH† = 44.3 ± 1.3 kJ mol−1, and ΔS† = −133.4 ± 4.3 J K−1 mol−1. The products of the reaction have been identified by spectral analysis as d-arabinoniclactone and formic acid. The formation of an ester complex followed by its decomposition was proposed as the rate-limiting step in the proposed mechanistic reaction pathway.

Relationships of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids with esophageal diseases: a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis

IntroductionOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been widely studied and used as nutritional supplements because of their anti-inflammatory effects. Previous studies have shown an association between polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs with the development of malignant tumors. However, the relationships of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs with esophageal diseases have not been characterized.MethodsMendelian randomization (MR) is a statistical method for identifying instrumental variables (IVs) from genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, and is associated with little confounding by environmental or other disease-related factors. We used genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from previously published studies on circulating concentrations of omega-3, omega-6, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and linoleic acid (LA), as well as esophageal cancer and other esophageal diseases, which were downloaded from the IEU OpenGwas database (https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk/) and the GWAS Catalog database (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/). The inverse variance-weighted approach was used as the principal analysis, and the MR–Egger and weighted median methods were used alongside. A series of sensitivity analyses were used to ensure the robustness of the causality estimates.ResultsWe found that the circulating omega-3 PUFAs concentration was positively associated with esophageal cancer (p = 8 × 10−4), and circulating DHA concentration (the main component of omega-3 in food), was also positively associated with esophageal cancer (p = 2 × 10−2), but no significant association was found between circulating omega-6 PUFAs and esophageal cancer (p = 0.17), and circulating LA concentration (the main component of omega-6 in food), was also no significant associated with esophageal cancer (p = 0.32). We found no significant relationships of circulating omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs concentration with four other esophageal diseases.ConclusionThis study indicates that higher levels of circulating omega-3 PUFAs and DHA concentrations may be a risk factor for the development of esophageal cancer. Conversely, an increased omega-6/omega-3 ratio may serve as a protective factor against esophageal cancer. These findings have significant implications for the clinical application of omega-3 PUFAs and the prevention and treatment of esophageal cancer.

Oxidative stress and type 2 diabetes: the development and the pathogenesis, Jordanian cross-sectional study

Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can disrupt the antioxidant defense system, leading to oxidative stress that leads to pathological damage to vital human organs, including hormone-producing glands. Normal physiological function is subsequently disrupted and disorders such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) may develop. The critical role of the antioxidant defense system in counteracting ROS and mitigating oxidative stress is fundamental to understanding the pathogenesis of T2DM. In our study, we monitored the oxidant/antioxidant status in a selected Jordanian population to further elucidate this relationship. Our results show higher serum levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA); 0.230 ± 0.05 and 0.207 ± 0.06 μmol/l for the diabetic and the obese groups, respectively, relative to 0.135 ± 0.04 μmol/l for the non-obese healthy group. Lower activity of Catalase (CAT) was recorded among the diabetic (9.2 ± 3.2) and obese groups (11.0 ± 2.8), compared to the non-obese healthy group (12.1 ± 3.5). Significant elevations (P < 0.05) were observed in uric acid concentrations in diabetic and obese subjects: 451 ± 57 mg/dl and 430 ± 51, respectively, versus 342 ± 57 mg/dl in the non-obese healthy group. Moreover, no significant differences were obtained between all the studied groups for the serum albumin and total protein concentrations. Our findings demonstrate the potential role of oxidative stress in the development and occurrence of T2DM.