Insights into Nano-and Micro-Structured Scaffolds for Advanced Electrochemical Energy Storage

Adopting a nano-and micro-structuring approach to fully unleashing the genuine potential of electrode active material benefits in-depth understandings and research progress toward higher energy density electrochemical energy stor-age devices at all technology readiness levels.Due to various challenging issues,especially limited stability,nano-and micro-structured(NMS)electrodes undergo fast electrochemical performance degradation.The emerging NMS scaffold design is a pivotal aspect of many electrodes as it endows them with both robustness and electrochemical performance enhancement,even though it only occupies comple-mentary and facilitating components for the main mechanism.However,extensive efforts are urgently needed toward optimizing the stereoscopic geometrical design of NMS scaffolds to minimize the volume ratio and maximize their functionality to fulfill the ever-increasing dependency and desire for energy power source supplies.This review will aim at highlighting these NMS scaffold design strategies,summariz-ing their corresponding strengths and challenges,and thereby outlining the potential solutions to resolve these challenges,design principles,and key perspectives for future research in this field.Therefore,this review will be one of the earliest reviews from this viewpoint.

Adipsin inhibits Irak2 mitochondrial translocation and improves fatty acid β-oxidation to alleviate diabetic cardiomyopathy

Background Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) causes the myocardium to rely on fatty acid β-oxidation for energy. The accumulation of intracellular lipids and fatty acids in the myocardium usually results in lipotoxicity, which impairs myocardial function. Adipsin may play an important protective role in the pathogenesis of DCM. The aim of this study is to investigate the regulatory effect of Adipsin on DCM lipotoxicity and its molecular mechanism.MethodsA high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus model was constructed in mice with adipose tissue-specific overexpression of Adipsin (Adipsin-Tg). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down technique, Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunofluorescence colocalization analyses were used to investigate the molecules which can directly interact with Adipsin. The immunocolloidal gold method was also used to detect the interaction between Adipsin and its downstream modulator.ResultsThe expression of Adipsin was significantly downregulated in the HFD-induced DCM model (P < 0.05). Adipose tissue-specific overexpression of Adipsin significantly improved cardiac function and alleviated cardiac remodeling in DCM (P < 0.05). Adipsin overexpression also alleviated mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation function in diabetic stress (P < 0.05). LC–MS/MS analysis, GST pull-down technique and Co-IP studies revealed that interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-like 2 (Irak2) was a downstream regulator of Adipsin. Immunofluorescence analysis also revealed that Adipsin was co-localized with Irak2 in cardiomyocytes. Immunocolloidal gold electron microscopy and Western blotting analysis indicated that Adipsin inhibited the mitochondrial translocation of Irak2 in DCM, thus dampening the interaction between Irak2 and prohibitin (Phb)-optic atrophy protein 1 (Opa1) on mitochondria and improving the structural integrity and function of mitochondria (P < 0.05). Interestingly, in the presence of Irak2 knockdown, Adipsin overexpression did not further alleviate myocardial mitochondrial destruction and cardiac dysfunction, suggesting a downstream role of Irak2 in Adipsin-induced responses (P < 0.05). Consistent with these findings, overexpression of Adipsin after Irak2 knockdown did not further reduce the accumulation of lipids and their metabolites in the cardiac myocardium, nor did it enhance the oxidation capacity of cardiomyocytes expose to palmitate (PA) (P < 0.05). These results indicated that Irak2 may be a downstream regulator of Adipsin.ConclusionsAdipsin improves fatty acid β-oxidation and alleviates mitochondrial injury in DCM. The mechanism is related to Irak2 interaction and inhibition of Irak2 mitochondrial translocation.

稻菜轮作下不同施氮处理对土壤微生物多样性的影响

【目的】分析稻菜轮作模式下不同施氮处理对土壤微生物多样性的影响,为氮肥减量施用提供理论支撑。【方法】设置氮肥全量施用(T1)、氮肥减施(T2)、氮肥配施有机肥(T3)、不施氮肥(CK)4个处理,利用高通量测序技术和生物信息学手段,研究其对土壤真菌和细菌群落结构和多样性的影响。【结果】土壤细菌和真菌群落Alpha多样性分析表明,T1处理的细菌群落Chao1指数和Observed指数低于CK处理,T2、T3处理高于CK,但处理间差异不显著;T1、T2、T3处理的细菌Shannon指数和Simpson指数均高于CK处理,差异不显著。T1、T2、T3处理的真菌Chao1指数和Observed指数均高于CK处理,而Shannon指数和Simpson指数均低于CK处理,差异不显著。微生物群落Beta多样性分析表明4个处理的土壤细菌群落组成基本相似,处理间差异不显著;T3处理的真菌群落组成与CK、T1、T2处理有一定的差异。土壤细菌群落组成基本相似,4个处理的细菌优势菌群均为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、绿弯菌门(Chloronexi)和酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria),T2处理的绿弯菌门相对丰度最高,T3处理的变形菌门相对丰度最高,施氮处理均降低了酸杆菌门、放线菌门和硝化螺旋菌门相对丰度。真菌群落组成有一定的差异性,真菌优势菌群均为子囊菌门(Ascomycota)、被孢霉门(Mortierellomycota)和担子菌门(Basidiomycota),T1处理增加担子菌门的相对丰度,T2处理增加被孢霉门的相对丰度,T3处理子囊菌门相对丰度最高。T2处理显著降低了大理石雕菌属(Marmoricola)相对丰度,T3处理显著增加腐质霉属(Humicola)和青霉菌属(Penicillium)相对丰度,施氮处理均显著降低链格孢属(Alternaria)相对丰度。【结论】在水稻-茎瘤芥轮作模式下,与氮肥全量施用相比,减氮施肥和氮肥配施有机肥均提高了土壤细菌群落的丰富度,降低了真菌群落的丰富度。处理间土壤微生物的群落结构差异不明显,其微生物群落多样性的差异主要体现在大理石雕菌属、腐质霉属、青霉菌属和链格孢属相对丰度的显著变化。

Single-cell transcriptome profiling of sepsis identifies HLA-DR^(low)S100A^(high)monocytes with immunosuppressive function

Background Sustained yet intractable immunosuppression is commonly observed in septic patients,resulting in aggravated clinical outcomes.However,due to the substantial heterogeneity within septic patients,precise indicators in deciphering clinical trajectories and immunological alterations for septic patients remain largely lacking.Methods We adopted cross-species,single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)analysis based on two published datasets containing circulating immune cell profile of septic patients as well as immune cell atlas of murine model of sepsis.Flow cytometry,laser scanning confocal microscopy(LSCM)imaging and Western blotting were applied to identify the presence of S100A9^(+)monocytes at protein level.To interrogate the immunosuppressive function of this subset,splenic monocytes isolated from septic wild-type or S100a9^(–/–)mice were co-cultured with naive CD4^(+)T cells,followed by proliferative assay.Pharmacological inhibition of S100A9 was implemented using Paquinimod via oral gavage.Results scRNA-seq analysis of human sepsis revealed substantial heterogeneity in monocyte compartments following the onset of sepsis,for which distinct monocyte subsets were enriched in disparate subclusters of septic patients.We identified a unique monocyte subset characterized by high expression of S100A family genes and low expression of human leukocyte antigen DR(HLA-DR),which were prominently enriched in septic patients and might exert immunosuppressive function.By combining single-cell transcriptomics of murine model of sepsis with in vivo experiments,we uncovered a similar subtype of monocyte significantly associated with late sepsis and immunocompromised status of septic mice,corresponding to HLA-DR^(low)S100A^(high)monocytes in human sepsis.Moreover,we found that S100A9^(+)monocytes exhibited profound immunosuppressive function on CD4^(+)T cell immune response and blockade of S100A9 using Paquinimod could partially reverse sepsis-induced immunosuppression.Conclusions This study identifies HLA-DR^(low)S100A^(high)monocytes correlated with immunosuppressive state upon septic challenge,inhibition of which can markedly mitigate sepsis-induced immune depression,thereby providing a novel therapeutic strategy for the management of sepsis.

OsTHA8 encodes a pentatricopeptide repeat protein required for RNA editing and splicing during rice chloroplast development

In higher plants, the chloroplast is the most important organelle for photosynthesis and for numerous essential metabolic processes in the cell. Although many genes involved in chloroplast development have been identified, the mechanisms underlying such development are not fully understood. In this study, a rice(Oryza sativa) mutant exhibiting pale green color and seedling lethality was isolated from a mutant library. The mutated gene was identified as an ortholog of THA8(thylakoid assembly 8) in Arabidopsis and maize. This gene is designated as OsTHA8 hereafter. OsTHA8 showed a typical pentatricopeptide repeat(PPR) characteristic of only four PPR motifs. Inactivation of OsTHA8 led to a deficiency in chloroplast development in the rice seedling stage. OsTHA8 was expressed mainly in young leaves and leaf sheaths.The OsTHA8 protein was localized to the chloroplast. Loss of function of OsTHA8 weakened the editing efficiency of ndhB-611/737 and rps8-182 transcripts under normal conditions. Y2H and BiFC indicated that OsTHA8 facilitates RNA editing by forming an editosome with multiple organellar RNA editing factor(OsMORF8) and thioredoxin z(OsTRXz), which function in RNA editing in rice chloroplasts. Defective OsTHA8 impaired chloroplast ribosome assembly and resulted in reduced expression of PEP-dependent genes and photosynthesis-related genes. Abnormal splicing of the chloroplast gene ycf3 was detected in ostha8. These findings reveal a synergistic regulatory mechanism of chloroplast biogenesis mediated by RNA, broaden the function of the PPR family, and shed light on the RNA editing complex in rice.

Metachronous urothelial carcinoma in the renal pelvis,bladder,and urethra:A case report

BACKGROUND Urothelial carcinoma(UC)is a common malignancy of the urinary system that can occur anywhere from the renal pelvis to the proximal urethra.Most UCs are in the bladder and have multifocal growth.Upper urinary tract UC(UTUC),which occurs in the renal pelvis or ureter,accounts for only 5%to 10%of UCs.CASE SUMMARY In March 2015,a 70-year-old male who initially presented to a local hospital with a complaint of painless hematuria was diagnosed with UTUC of the right renal pelvis.The doctors administered radical nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision.Although the doctors recommended intravesical chemotherapy and regular follow-up,he rejected this advice.In December 2016,the patient presented at our hospital with dysuria.We identified UC in the residual bladder and administered radical cystectomy and left cutaneous ureterostomy.In November 2021,he presented again with urethral bleeding.We detected urethral UC as the cause of urethral orifice bleeding and administered radical urethrectomy.Since then,he has visited regularly for 6-mo follow-ups,and was in stable condition as of December 2022.CONCLUSION UTUC is prone to seeding and recurrence.Adjuvant instillation therapy and intense surveillance are crucial for these patients.

Genome-wide characterization and identification of candidate CsRAV genes involved in JA pathway responses to cold stress in tea plant(Camellia sinensis)

The APETALA2/ethylene response factor(AP2/ERF)transcription factor(TF)superfamily plays an important regulatory role in the signal transduction of plant responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses,including low temperature.RAV is a subfamily of the AP2/ERF TF family,and its members contain B3 DNA binding and AP2 DNA binding domains.RAV gene family members have been studied in many species,but little is known about their function in tea plants(Camellia sinensis).In this study,seven RAV genes were identified from the tea plant genome database and named CsRAV1-7.Based on phylogenetic analysis,the CsRAV genes were classified into three groups,with genes in the same subgroup exhibiting similar structures and conserved motifs.Out of the seven genes,CsRAV7 was the most distinct and contained a large number of motifs and the longest coding region.Moreover,analysis of cis-acting elements indicated that CsRAVs are likely responsive to both abiotic stress and phytohormones.In addition,quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that most CsRAV genes were differentially expressed under cold stress and exogenous MeJA application as both individual and combined treatments.Only CsRAV7 was induced in all six different treatments,suggesting that it may play a key role in JA-mediated cold stress responses in tea plants.

The effects of overexpressing UDP-Glycosyltransferases genes on the plant response to abiotic stress:a meta-analysis

Uridine diphosphate(UDP)-Glycosyltransferases(UGT)play essential roles in modifying secondary metabolites during the plant life cycle and are also involved in the response to abiotic stresses.However,the plant UGT family is vast and the available data describing their role in abiotic stress responses is varied and intricate,so that their potential roles are often obscured.To address this,a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of overexpression of UGT on various plant physiological indicators under abiotic stress.Out of the 15 plant characteristics examined in UGT overexpressing plants,10 showed an increase of over 30%,while two plant characteristics decreased by more than 30%,while only three indices were significantly affected under non-stressed conditions.Notably,UGT had a significant and positive effect in salt-stressed plants.This study sheds light on the complex role of UGT in abiotic stress and can provide valuable guidance for future research on UGT functions and their genetic manipulation in crop breeding programs for improved abiotic stress tolerances.

施用中药渣堆肥对土地整治区新改土土壤细菌多样性及群落结构的影响

【目的】探讨施用中药渣堆肥对土地整治区新改土土壤细菌多样性及群落结构的影响,为土地整治区新改土的培肥及中药渣的资源化利用提供科学依据。【方法】采用Illumina MiSeq平台高通量测序技术,在高粱—油菜轮作模式下,设4种中药渣堆肥用量处理,分别为复合肥900 kg/ha(CK)、中药渣堆肥30 t/ha+复合肥900 kg/ha(ZYZ1)、中药渣堆肥60 t/ha(ZYZ2)和中药渣堆肥90 t/ha(ZYZ3),高粱收获后采集0~20 cm土层样品,测定土壤基本理化性质,进行土壤细菌16S rRNA测序,并分析土壤细菌多样性、群落构成及相对丰度,并进行土壤理化性质与细菌群落多样性的相关分析。【结果】与CK相比,随着中药渣堆肥用量的增加,土壤pH和有机质含量逐渐升高,土壤全钾含量先降低后升高,土壤全磷和速效钾含量先升高后降低;各中药渣堆肥处理的土壤铵态氮、硝态氮和水溶性磷酸根含量均显著低于CK(P<0.05)。基于16S rRNA的高通量测序共获得119108个有效序列,得到7759个OTUs。施用中药渣堆肥会改变新改土土壤细菌群落组成,增加了5~6个土壤细菌菌门数量;提高了绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)和酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)的相对丰度,增幅分别为7.1%~16.7%和5.4%~10.6%;降低了变形菌门(Proteobacteria)的相对丰度,降幅为8.4%~21.2%。多样性分析结果表明,随着中药渣堆肥用量的增加,土壤细菌多样性表现出先增加后减少的变化趋势。聚类分析结果表明,4个处理归为2类,即CK和ZYZ3、ZYZ1和ZYZ2。冗余分析结果表明,土壤细菌群落主要受pH、NO3--N和有效钾含量的影响,同时有机质、全钾、P3O43-和NH4+-N也对其有一定影响。【结论】施用中药渣堆肥能提升土地整治区土壤肥力,改善其细菌群落组成,但要合理控制其施用量,以施用30 t/ha中药渣堆肥+复合肥900 kg/ha与施用60 t/ha中药渣堆肥为佳。

西南地区发展气候智慧型农业的对策建议

目前,全球气候变化形势严峻,而农业生产与气候变化相互影响。探索气候变化条件下的新型农业生产模式,既可以提高农民收入、保障区域粮食安全,又可以减少温室气体排放、缓解气候变化。在系统梳理气候变化对农业生产的影响、农业生产对气候变化的推动作用和适应气候变化下的农业生产方式相关研究的基础上,全面分析了气候变化下农业生产面临的严峻考验和转变农业生产方式的重要意义。传统农业生产方式在人口持续增长和气候变化的双重影响下已不能满足需求,为应对气候变化提出的气候智慧型农业可以促使农业可持续发展,增强农业生产适应性,减少温室气体排放,缓解全球气候变化。依据西南地区的自然条件和国内外应对气候变化的先进农业生产经验,提出了我国西南地区发展气候智慧型农业的建议对策,制定区域气候智慧型农业的政策制度,完善区域气候智慧型农业的技术措施,综合开发和因地制宜选择气候智慧型农业的发展模式。

一株产红色素细菌的分离鉴定及色素性质研究

本研究对分离自重庆垫江稻田土壤的一株产红色色素细菌进行了形态学和16S rRNA序列鉴定,测定红色素最大紫外吸收波长,并对其稳定性进行研究。结果显示,该菌与多株粘质沙雷氏菌(Serratia marcescens)16S rRNA序列一致;产生的色素在541 nm处有最大紫外吸收峰,与灵菌红素最大吸收峰接近,初步推测其为灵菌红素或其衍生物;该红色素在pH 6～11性质稳定;紫外光照射稳定性差,耐氧化能力较强,与还原剂产生沉淀;金属阳离子对该色素有不同程度的消色作用,Cu^(2+)消色作用最明显,遇SO_4^(2-)离子产生沉淀。

不同减氮施肥模式对水稻土壤养分及可培养微生物数量的影响

为了研究不同减氮施肥对水稻土壤养分及可培养微生物数量的影响,设置4个处理,对不同处理土壤养分和可培养微生物数量进行分析,比较不同施肥处理对土壤养分及可培养微生物数量的影响。结果表明:与不施肥(CK)相比,施肥处理土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量都有显著性提高。20%氮肥减施(T2)后有机质、pH、全钾、有效磷、速效钾含量都有所上升,30%氮肥+50%有机氮(T3)施肥土壤中全氮、全磷、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量都显著性升高,各处理间土壤全钾含量无显著性差异。在水稻苗期,30%氮肥+50%有机氮(T3)施肥土壤中可培养细菌、真菌、放线菌,芽孢杆菌数量明显提升。在水稻分蘖期,100%氮肥施肥(T1)土壤可培养真菌数量显著性升高。在水稻成熟期,各处理间差异不明显,水稻生长期间可培养木霉菌数量差异都不显著。说明在稻菜轮作土壤中实施合理减氮施肥是减少养分累积、保持土壤养分稳定的重要措施。

撂荒地生物除草效果及其对土壤肥力的影响

作为一种有效的除草方式,生物除草具有众多优势,研究生物除草后杂草的变化规律和土壤肥力变化特征,为生态农业的发展提供技术支撑。采取小区试验,通过设置不同生物组合模式在不同季节进行撂荒地的过渡放牧试验,分析除草前后杂草种类、杂草生物量、土壤性质的变化,从而筛选出简便高效的撂荒地除草模式。结果表明:鸡春季旱地除草效果和鹅冬季水田除草效果受到放养密度的影响,且鹅+鸡组合模式的除草效果好于其单一投放模式。鸡、鹅分别对旱地和水田除草后,土壤中有机质、铵态氮和有效磷含量均有所增加,但在不同季节增幅含量有所不同,p H值都有所下降;鹅+鸡组合模式在旱地和水田除草后,除pH值有所下降外,其余养分含量都有所增加。利用家禽对撂荒地进行除草不仅能够达到除草目的,且在一定程度上提升了土壤肥力水平,但需注意其粪便腐熟引起的土壤pH降低问题。

秸秆生物炭对小白菜生长发育及土壤性质的影响

通过盆栽对比试验研究了不同生物炭添加量对小白菜生长发育及土壤理化性质的影响。结果初步表明:1)适量的秸秆生物炭添加量(4%~8%)有助于小白菜生长发育,而较高的添加量(12%~16%)反而有抑制作用;2)随着生物炭含量水平的提高,小白菜对氮、磷、钾的吸收呈现先增加后减少的趋势;3)添加秸秆生物炭可以使土壤容重降低,同时增加土壤孔隙度,使土壤具有较好的持水能力;4)生物炭本身含有丰富的有机碳、氮、磷、钾元素,能使土壤中相应的元素含量上升。

不同土壤改良剂在榨菜上的应用效果研究

本文采用大田试验,研究生石灰、石灰氮、百解酸、田师傅土壤调理剂对榨菜产量、病害、土壤理化性状的影响。结果表明,各土壤改良剂都能提高土壤p H值,增加榨菜产量,减轻病害的发生。施用石灰氮1 500 kg/hm^2处理产量最高,根肿病发病株数最少、发病最轻,改酸效果最好、时间最长,产量达到了63 151.69 kg/hm^2,较对照常规施肥处理增加47.81%;其次是施用生石灰1 500 kg/hm^2处理,产量达到了61 483.15 kg/hm^2,较对照常规施肥处理增产43.91%,根肿病发病率也明显降低。

The Dependence of the Miscibility, Stability and Compressibility of L-<i>α</i>Dioleoylphosphatidylcholine/Rutin Laurate Monolayer at the Air/Water on Temperature

The miscibility, stability and compressibility of L-α dioleoylphosphatidylcholine/rutin laurate mixed monolayer at the air/water were investigated by Langmuir film balance to reveal the characteristic of the molecular interaction. The two components of DOPC/RL mixed monolayer were miscible throughout the mixture composition range and at three experimental temperatures of 10°C, 25°C and 37°C. At all experimental conditions, RL increased the compressibility and elasticity of the DOPC monolayer. Both the temperature and the composition of the membrane affected the form of intermolecular forces in the mixed monolayer.

Self-Assembly 3D Porous Crumpled MXene Spheres as Efficient Gas and Pressure Sensing Material for Transient All-MXene Sensors

Environmentally friendly degradable sensors with both hazardous gases and pressure efficient sensing capabilities are highly desired for various promising applications,including environmental pollution monitoring/prevention,wisdom medical,wearable smart devices,and artificial intelligence.However,the transient gas and pressure sensors based on only identical sensing material that concurrently meets the above detection needs have not been reported.Here,we present transient all-MXene NO_(2) and pressure sensors employing three-dimensional porous crumpled MXene spheres prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technology as the sensing layer,accompanied with water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol substrates embedded with patterned MXene electrodes.The gas sensor achieves a ppb-level of highly selective NO_(2) sensing,with a response of up to 12.11%at 5 ppm NO_(2) and a detection range of 50 ppb-5 ppm,while the pressure sensor has an extremely wide linear pressure detection range of 0.14-22.22 kPa and fast response time of 34 ms.In parallel,all-MXene NO_(2) and pressure sensors can be rapidly degraded in medical H_(2)O_(2) within 6 h.This work provides a new avenue toward environmental monitoring,human physiological signal monitoring,and recyclable transient electronics.

关于推进三星堆文化研究的思考--《三星堆文化》修订本前言

《三星堆文化》在三星堆新一轮考古发掘(2020年10月—2022年5月)大体完成、发掘报告尚待出来之际推出修订本,适逢其会。在此,我们对八个坑的一些具有神秘性或迷惑性的问题(包括丝绸、陶三足炊器、面具、货币、青铜文化、三星堆文明等问题),形成了自己的看法。对三星堆文化今后的研究方向,我们认为可以从六个方面着手进行:一、继续建构三星堆学;二、深入研究青铜器、金器和丝绸文化;三、坚持比较史学、比较考古学的路径;四、让三星堆文化走进大众。

Bionic Quadruped Robot Dynamic Gait Control Strategy Based on Twenty Degrees of Freedom

Quadruped robot dynamic gaits have much more advantages than static gaits on speed and efficiency, however high speed and efficiency calls for more complex mechanical structure and complicated control algorithm. It becomes even more challenging when the robot has more degrees of freedom.As a result, most of the present researches focused on simple robot, while the researches on dynamic gaits for complex robot with more degrees of freedom are relatively limited. The paper is focusing on the dynamic gaits control for complex robot with twenty degrees of freedom for the first time. Firstly, we build a relatively complete 3 D model for quadruped robot based on spring loaded inverted pendulum(SLIP) model, analyze the inverse kinematics of the model, plan the trajectory of the swing foot and analyze the hydraulic drive. Secondly, we promote the control algorithm of one-legged to the quadruped robot based on the virtual leg and plan the state variables of pace gait and bound gait. Lastly, we realize the above two kinds of dynamic gaits in ADAMS-MATLAB joint simulation platform which testify the validity of above method.

Elevated thyroid stimulating hormone levels are associated with metabolic syndrome in a Chinese community-based population of euthyroid people aged 40 years and older

This study investigated whether high-normal thyrotropin（TSH） levels are associated with metabolic syndrome in euthyroid Chinese people≥40 years old.Clinical and metabolic factors were assessed in 2,356 subjects（40-77 years old） with TSH levels in the normal range（0.35-5.00 mU/L）.Using 2.50 mU/L as the cut-off point of TSH level within the normal range,we divided subjects into the high-TSH（2.50-5.00 mU/L;n= 1,064） and low-TSH（0.35-2.50mU/L;n= 1,292） group.The results showed that the mean levels of body mass index（BMI）,total cholesterol（TC）,low density lipoprotein cholesterol（LDL-C）,and fasting plasma glucose（FPG） were higher in the high-TSH group and TSH levels were significantly positively con-elated with BMI,LDL-C,TC,and FPG.The prevalence of central obesity,hypertriglyceridemia,low high density lipoprotein cholesterol（HDL-C）,and high FPG（〉5.60 mmol/L） was significantly higher in females and subjects with high-TSH levels.Metabolic syndrome was also more prevalent in the high-TSH group.People over the age of 40 years with high-normal TSH levels had a 1.2-fold increased risk of metabolic syndrome,compared with those with low-normal TSII levels,after adjusting for age and gender.In conclusion,high normal TSH is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome in people ≥40 years old.