Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lyazzat Kaldygulova, Talshyn Ukybassova, Gulzhanat Aimagambetova, Andrey Gaiday, Akylbek Tussupkaliyev
Summary: The rationale and importance of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy for preventing fetal congenital defects are widely accepted. Adequate folate levels can reduce the risk of spontaneous abortions and support normal placental blood flow, promoting appropriate fetal growth. Additionally, there is emerging evidence that long-term folic acid supplementation can effectively prevent preeclampsia, a complication unique to humans during pregnancy that contributes to worldwide maternal and perinatal mortality. Folate supplementation helps to decrease elevated levels of homocysteine, which is associated with the risk of preeclampsia.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Igor Pravst, Ziva Lavrisa, Masa Hribar, Hristo Hristov, Naska Kvarantan, Barbara Korousic Seljak, Matej Gregoric, Urska Blaznik, Nadan Gregoric, Katja Zaletel, Adrijana Oblak, Josko Osredkar, Katja Zmitek, Anita Kusar
Summary: Folate deficiency is common in Slovenia, with low folate intake observed in various age groups. Public health strategies are needed to promote the consumption of folate-rich foods and supplementation with folic acid may be necessary in specific vulnerable populations.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Rihwa Choi, Wonseo Park, Gayoung Chun, Sang Gon Lee, Eun Hee Lee
Summary: We investigated the prevalence of folate deficiency and associated factors in a large population of Korean women of reproductive age during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study highlights the importance of understanding the prevalence and factors related to folate deficiency for planning nutritional support programs in Korea.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wanqin Feng, Yan Zhang, Yuan Pan, Yi Zhang, Minjuan Liu, Yuxin Huang, Yuanling Xiao, Wenyu Mo, Junjie Jiao, Xiaoyang Wang, Dan Tian, Lixia Yang, Ying Ma
Summary: The study found a significant dose-dependent association between MTHFR A1298C and PCOS, with MTRR A66G showing nominal association. Mutations in both MTHFR A1298C and MTRR A66G were significantly associated with the homocysteine level. Mediation analysis suggested that the effect of MTHFR A1298C on PCOS is mediated by homocysteine.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Derrick A. Bennett, Sarah Parish, Iona Y. Millwood, Yu Guo, Yiping Chen, Iain Turnbull, Ling Yang, Jun Lv, Canqing Yu, George Davey Smith, Yongjun Wang, Yilong Wang, Richard Peto, Rory Collins, Robin G. Walters, Liming Li, Zhengming Chen, Robert Clarke
Summary: In Chinese adults, the MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of stroke, highlighting the importance of further trials involving folic acid and mandatory folic acid fortification programs for stroke prevention in low-folate populations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sofia Aguilar-Lacasana, Inmaculada Lopez-Flores, Beatriz Gonzalez-Alzaga, Maria Jose Gimenez-Asensio, F. David Carmona, Antonio F. Hernandez, Maria Felicidad Lopez Gallego, Desiree Romero-Molina, Marina Lacasana
Summary: The maternal MTHFR(677)C>T genotype was found to be associated with newborn anthropometry. Genotypes CT or CT/TT showed statistically significant associations with increased or decreased risk of large-for-gestational-age or small-for-gestational-age based on weight and height, depending on the newborn's sex, as well as with SGA in premature neonates. The relationships between this maternal genotype and anthropometry at birth remained despite an adequate maternal folate intake.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuanyuan Wu, A. David Smith, Nasser E. Bastani, Helga Refsum, Timothy Kwok
Summary: The study revealed that the DHFR genotype plays a crucial role in the effects of folic acid treatment on cognitive decline and brain atrophy, with significant benefits observed only in subjects with ins/ins genotype. The cognitive function was significantly improved only in the 'ins/ins' group among MCI patients using folic acid.
HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Keiji Kuroda, Takashi Horikawa, Yoko Gekka, Azusa Moriyama, Kazuki Nakao, Hiroyasu Juen, Satoru Takamizawa, Yuko Ojiro, Koji Nakagawa, Rikikazu Sugiyama
Summary: This study found that the effectiveness of periconceptional folic acid supplementation for decreasing NTDs risk varies depending on MTHFR genotypes. However, multivitamin supplementation containing folic acid and vitamin D can effectively control folate and homocysteine levels, reducing the risk of NTDs in all women.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Marisa A. Patti, Joseph M. Braun, Tye E. Arbuckle, Amanda J. MacFarlane
Summary: Maintaining optimal folate levels during early gestation helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects. While inadequate folate intake remains a concern, consuming higher than recommended doses of folic acid does not offer much additional benefit. In the context of mandatory fortification, factors such as socioeconomic status, maternal age, parity, and pre-pregnancy BMI are associated with adequate folate intake and reduced risk of neural tube defects.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Melissa Roufael, Tania Bitar, Yonna Sacre, Christian Andres, Walid Hleihel
Summary: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has seen a rapid increase in incidence and disturbances in folate or methionine metabolism have been found in individuals with ASD. Changes in metabolite concentrations associated with this cycle could be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ASD. High levels of homocysteine and low levels of vitamins B12 and folate, influenced by poor diet and genetic predispositions, have been linked to ASD. Nutritional supplements have shown potential benefits for treating ASD, but more research is needed.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jacob Selhub, Joshua W. Miller, Aron M. Troen, Joel B. Mason, Paul F. Jacques
Summary: This article proposes a hypothesis that excessive intake of folic acid depletes serum holotranscobalamin, decreasing active vitamin B-12 in the circulation and limiting its availability for tissues. The study provides evidence from observational and intervention studies, and suggests that further research is needed to elucidate the biochemical and physiological mechanisms underlying this interaction.
ADVANCES IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Rhowell N. Tiozon, Drexel H. Camacho, Aldrin P. Bonto, Glenn G. Oyong, Nese Sreenivasulu
Summary: The study demonstrated an efficient process of rice fortification through ultrasonic treatment and absorption of folic acid, which significantly increased the folate intake in rice. The fortified brown rice showed improved textural properties that are favorable for consumers.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Malia S. Q. Murphy, Katherine A. Muldoon, Hauna Sheyholislami, Nathalie Behan, Yvonne Lamers, Natalie Rybak, Ruth Rennicks White, Alysha L. J. Harvey, Laura M. Gaudet, Graeme N. Smith, Mark C. Walker, Shi Wu Wen, Amanda J. MacFarlane
Summary: The study found that high-dose folic acid supplementation in early pregnancy can increase maternal serum folate concentrations but does not increase red blood cell folate concentrations, suggesting tissue saturation. Higher UMFA concentrations in women receiving high-dose folic acid supplements suggest that these doses may be supraphysiological, but there is no evidence of altered 1-carbon metabolism.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jeffry S. Tang, Alissa Cait, Reuben M. White, Homayon J. Arabshahi, David O'Sullivan, Olivier Gasser
Summary: Fortification with folic acid is widely mandated for preventing neural tube defects, but excessive intake of folic acid may lead to adverse health effects. This study hypothesizes that the inconsistent detection and elusive etiology of these effects are related to the in vivo generation of an immunosuppressive folic acid metabolite. The researchers predict that substituting folic acid with a bioequivalent folate vitamer can eliminate these adverse health outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Omer F. Celik, Daniel J. O'Sullivan
Summary: Five different bifidobacterial cultures were tested for their de novo folate production ability based on their folate biosynthetic gene content. A new medium (YNB+) was developed as the previous folate-free media could not support their growth. The presence of certain genes or the absence of others in the genome annotations cannot accurately predict their folate dependency.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James M. Roe, Didac Vidal-Pineiro, Oystein Sorensen, Andreas M. Brandmaier, Sandra Duzel, Hector A. Gonzalez, Rogier A. Kievit, Ethan Knights, Simone Kuhn, Ulman Lindenberger, Athanasia M. Mowinckel, Lars Nyberg, Denise C. Park, Sara Pudas, Melissa M. Rundle, Kristine B. Walhovd, Anders M. Fjell, Rene Westerhausen
Summary: Aging and Alzheimer's disease lead to progressive disorganization of the brain, causing a loss of cortical asymmetry that becomes accelerated with age. This study shows that the adaptive asymmetric organization of the heteromodal cortex is dedifferentiated in aging and AD, emphasizing a system-wide impact on brain structure.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinpeng Qi, Ying Zhu, Fang Pu, Ping Zhang
Summary: The study introduces a framework for MCPs detection based on RSW and TST methods, utilizing a random strategy for selecting window size and assembling MCPs vector. Experimental results show that this framework is more efficient and effective compared to existing methods such as BST, KS statistics, and T-test.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James M. Roe, Didac Vidal-Pineiro, Oystein Sorensen, Andreas M. Brandmaier, Sandra Duzel, Hector A. Gonzalez, Rogier A. Kievit, Ethan Knights, Simone Kuhn, Ulman Lindenberger, Athanasia M. Mowinckel, Lars Nyberg, Denise C. Park, Sara Pudas, Melissa M. Rundle, Kristine B. Walhovd, Anders M. Fjell, Rene Westerhausen
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Guoying Ni, Xiaosong Liu, Hejie Li, Conor E. Fogarty, Shu Chen, Pingping Zhang, Ying Liu, Xiaolian Wu, Ming Q. Wei, Guoqiang Chen, Ping Zhang, Tianfang Wang
Summary: The study shows that the topical application of a temperature-sensitive gel containing caerin 1.1 and 1.9 peptides can reduce tumor weight, improve immune activation levels, and stimulate pro-inflammatory activity. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed expansion of populations with high immune activation and increased pro-inflammatory activity of NK and dendritic cells with caerin gel treatment. Proteomic quantification demonstrated activation of interferon-alpha/beta secretion and response to cytokine stimulus, as well as elevated protein contents of key regulators like Cd5l, Gzma, Ifit1, Irf9, and Stat1.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Annabelle M. Watts, Nicholas P. West, Peter K. Smith, Ping Zhang, Allan W. Cripps, Amanda J. Cox
Summary: The study compared the effects of different drug treatments on immune gene expression profiles, and found that the combination spray AZE/FP was significantly more effective in reducing allergic rhinitis symptoms and did not lead to extensive local immune suppression.
IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Ka Ming Fan, Samuel Sprague, Ping Zhang, Anura Ariyawardana, Newell W. Johnson
Summary: This study analyzed the trends in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancers (OPC) in Australia from 1982 to 2017. The results showed a significant increase in the age-standardized incidence rate of OPC, particularly in men. The rise in incidence was attributed to increased oral sex practices and continued alcohol and tobacco exposure. The most common subsites affected were the base of the tongue and oropharynx.
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Jin Peng Qi, Fang Pu, Ying Zhu, Ping Zhang
Summary: Change-point detection is a method to identify abrupt changes in time-series data. This paper proposes a novel weighted error distance metrics (WEDM) for evaluating the overall performance of change-point detection models. The proposed method introduces the concept of normalized error distance and performs tests on both single and multiple change-points detection. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the WEDM method.
COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Julia Crilly, Katie East, Josea Brown, Ping Zhang, Josh Byrnes, Jeremy Furyk, Jill Duncan, Leonie Jones, Nathan J. Brown, David Green, Sean Rothwell, David Rosengren
Summary: This study aims to compare the characteristics and outcomes between alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related emergency department presentations. The results show significant differences between the two groups, with alcohol-related presentations having a longer length of stay and higher cost of care.
AUSTRALIAN HEALTH REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Medical Informatics
Jing Xiang, Hanbing Xu, Suresh Pokharel, Jiqing Li, Fuzhong Xue, Ping Zhang
Summary: This paper describes how to build a knowledge base using formal concept analysis (FCA) to achieve personalized medical treatment through patient similarity and clustering analysis. By calculating similarity scores, the knowledge base can provide references for treatment plans, assisting clinicians in making faster and more effective decisions.
BMC MEDICAL INFORMATICS AND DECISION MAKING
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Amy L. Sweeny, Gerben Keijzers, Andrea Marshall, Emma J. Hall, Jamie Ranse, Ping Zhang, Gary Grant, Ya-Ling Huang, Dinesh Palipana, Yang D. Teng, Benjamin Gerhardy, Jaimi H. Greenslade, Philip Jones, Julia L. Crilly
Summary: This study assessed the number of emergency department (ED) presentations in Queensland during the low COVID-19 case period of 2020-2021. The analysis showed a 19.4% decrease in ED presentations during the lockdown period compared to the pre-pandemic period. The decline varied across different triage categories and diagnostic groups, with presentations for less urgent conditions and mental health problems remaining below predicted levels in the post-lockdown period.
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
K. M. Fan, J. Rimal, P. Zhang, N. W. Johnson
Summary: GLOBOCAN 2020 and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 are two widely recognized global online cancer databases. This study examines the differences between these two platforms and provides an explanation for the discrepancies found in lip and oral cancer (LOC) data. The analysis focuses on ten countries with extreme differences and evaluates the quality of the data.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Iresha Udayamalee, Hemantha Amarasinghe, Ping Zhang, Newell Johnson
Summary: This study developed and validated a simple questionnaire index to assess the impact of sports-related oro-dental trauma on Sri Lankan adolescents, both untreated and treated. The index proved to be reliable and valid, and can be used to evaluate the level of impact and adolescents' perception of it.
Correction
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Iresha Udayamalee, Hemantha Amarasinghe, Ping Zhang, Newell Johnson
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Anna V. Galkin, Francesca Mercuri, Nicholas West, Ping Zhang, Weiguang Zeng, Grant McLachlan, Michael Bettess, Ian Holmes, David Jackson, Chris Smith, Christophe Demaison, Tobias Bald, Phil Kearney
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Donna Marynowski-Traczyk, Marianne Wallis, Marc Broadbent, Paul Scuffham, Jesse T. Young, Amy N. B. Johnston, Gerard FitzGerald, Ed Heffernan, Stuart A. Kinner, Ping Zhang, Gerben Keijzers, Emma Bosley, Melinda Martin-Khan, Laurie Shevlin, Julia Crilly
Summary: This study identified potential model of care approaches and systems processes for individuals presenting to acute healthcare settings with mental health problems, including mental illnesses. Through consensus nominal group technique sessions, themes such as skilled collaborative care, consumer-focused service, knowledge improvement, and early assessment were identified for emergency department care, and formal care, enhancing informal care options, improving information sharing, and enhancing training and education were found for the broader acute care setting. The study suggests that coherent and multifaceted approaches, such as linking and sharing systems and information, changing the built environment, and exploring new service delivery models, are needed to better provide care for individuals with mental health problems in emergency care settings.
AUSTRALIAN HEALTH REVIEW
(2022)