The Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and its Association with Lifestyle/dietary Habits among University Faculty and Staff in Chengdu

Objective To investigate the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） in different university categories and its association with lifestyle/dietary habits. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 9 378 faculty members and staff who participated in an annual health checkup at three universities selected by random cluster sampling. Demographic, anthropometric, biochemical indices and abdominal ultrasound measurements were collected. A nested case-control study was conducted with 200 NAFLD cases and 200 controls matched by gender, age （±3 years）, and university. Results The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 10.3% （13.7% in males and 6.8% in females）. The prevalence was significantly higher in the science and engineering university {22.1%） than in the comprehensive universities with （6.4%） and without （10.9%） medical colleges. Obesity/overweight, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and family history of NAFLD were independently associated with higher risk of NAFLD, as were frequent consumption of desserts and salty/spicy foods. Using nutritional supplements was a protective factor against NAFLD. Intake of coarse cereals, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and milk was significantly lower, and intake of red meat, viscera, candies and pastries, cooking oil, and total energy was significantly higher in participants with NAFLD than in controls. Conclusion Science and engineering university faculty and staff are key targets for NAFLD prevention. NAFLD is closely associated with age, gender, university type, metabolic diseases, and lifestyle/dietary habits.

Construction and Secretory Expression of β-Galactosidase Gene from Lactobacillus Bulgaricus in Lactococcus Lactis

Objective This study is to examine the secretion effects of β-galactosidase in Lactococcus lactis.Methods The usp45 and β-galactosidase genes were cloned and inserted into plasmid pMG36e to obtain the recombinant plasmid pMG36e-usp-lacZ.This recombinant plasmid was transformed into both Escherichia coli DH5α and L.lactis MG1363.The enzyme activity,gene sequencing,SDS-PAGE and hereditary stability were assessed and studied.Results The lacZ gene inserted into plasmids pMG36e-usp-lacZ was 99.37% similar to the GenBank sequence,and SDS-PAGE revealed an evident idio-strap at 116 KDa between L.lactis MG1363/pMG36eusp-lacZ in both supernatant and cell samples.β-Galactosidase activity measured 0.225 U/mL in L.lactis pMG36e-usp-lacZ transformants,and its secretion rate was 10%.The plasmid pMG36e-usp-lacZ appeared more stable in MG1363.Conclusion The authors concluded that these new recombinant bacteria well expressed and secreted β-galactosidase,indicating that the β-galactosidase expression system was successfully constructed,and this might provide a new solution for management of lactose intolerance specifically and promote the use of gene-modified organisms as part of the food-grade plasmid in general.

Assessment of Iron Bioavailability in Ten Kinds of Chinese Wheat Flours Using an in vitro Digestion/Caco-2 cell Model

Abstract Objective To compare iron bioavailability （Fe BV） from ten selected kinds of Chinese wheat flours in order to provide scientific basis for further human trials and enable plant breeding programs to screen biofortified wheat cultivars. Methods An in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model was used to assess Fe BV of ten flour samples from six leading Chinese wheat cultivars and the stability of Fe BV in one cultivar was studied across three growing environments. Results Significant differences were observed in both Fe BV and Fe bioavailability per gram of food （Fe BVPG） among cultivars （P〈0.01） grown at the same location with the same flour extraction rate. Zhongyou 9507 and Jingdong 8 had Fe BV 37%-54% and Fe BVP（3 103%-154% higher than the reference control. In the Anyang environment, Zhongyou 9507 had a higher wheat flour-Fe level and Fe BVPG. Differences in Fe BV were detected in cultivars with different flour extraction rates. Conclusion Zhongyou 9507 and Jingdong 8 were identified as the most promising cultivars for further evaluation of efficacy by using human subjects. The growing environments had no effect on Fe BV, but did have a significant effect on Fe BVPG. Fe bioavailabilities in low-extraction （40%） flours were higher than those in high-extraction （78%） flours.

Basal Energy Expenditure of Chinese Healthy Adults:Comparison of Measured and Predicted Values

Objective This study aimed to measure the basal energy expenditure(BEE)of Chinese healthy adults and establish an accurate predictive equation for this population.Methods In total,470 Chinese healthy adults had their BEE measured using the Cosmed K4b2 portable metabolic system.Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to develop new optimal equations for predicting BEE.The bias,accuracy rate,concordance correlation coefficient(CCC),and root mean square error(RMSE)were used to evaluate the accuracy of the predictive equations.Results There was a significant difference in BEE between males and females,with 5,954 kJ/d and 5,089 kJ/d,respectively.People living in rural areas expended significantly higher BEE(5,885 kJ/d)than those in urban areas(5,279 kJ/d).Previous equations developed by Henry,Schofield,Harris-Benedict(HB),and Liu overestimated the BEE of Chinese healthy adults.The new equations derived from the present study displayed the smallest average bias and RMSE from the measured basal energy expenditure(mBEE).The CCC of the new equations was higher than other predictive equations,but it was lower than 0.8.There was no significant difference in the accuracy rate among all predictive equations.Conclusions Sex and regional differences in BEE were observed in Chinese healthy adults.Neither the widely used previous predictive equations nor the one derived in the present study were accurate enough for estimating the BEE of Chinese healthy adults.Further study is required to develop more accurate equations for predicting the BEE of Chinese healthy adults aged between 20–45 years.