Independent and combined associations of upper and lower limb strength with all-cause mortality in community-based older adults: findings from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

OBJECTIVE

With the acceleration of aging progress, China is projected to have the largest older population globally. This study aimed to examine the association of upper limb strength (ULS) and lower limb strength (LLS) with all-cause mortality based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2012-2018).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Participants were 2442 older adults (aged 84.98 ± 11.94 years) recruited from eight longevity areas in China. Limb muscle strength was evaluated using handgrip strength and objective physical examinations. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyze the association of limb muscle strength with all-cause mortality. Demographic characteristics, health status, and biological markers were included as confounders.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up period of 42.2 months, 993 older people died. After adjusting for all covariates, low ULS was associated with higher mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25-1.84), and the association of low LLS with all-cause mortality was only significant in women (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.04-1.79). Participants with combined low ULS and low LLS had the highest risk of mortality than those with normal limb muscle strength (hazard ratio = 2.06, 95% confidence interval = 1.61-2.63). The combined association of ULS and LLS with mortality was robust in subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

Low ULS and low LLS were independently and synergistically associated with higher all-cause mortality risk. Considering the high prevalence of limb muscle weakness among Chinese older adults, especially the oldest-old, limb strength could be considered as a potential doable mortality predictor for community health care.

Long non-coding RNA FOXD2-AS1 plays an oncogenic role in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting miR‑206

Recently, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) FOXD2 adjacent opposite strand RNA 1 (FOXD2-AS1) has been recognized to function as an oncogene in several human tumors, and FOXD2‑AS1 dysregulation has been closely associated with carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Nevertheless, the correlation between the aberrant expression of FOXD2‑AS1 and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, FOXD2‑AS1 was found to be overexpressed in HCC tissues, and FOXD2‑AS1 overexpression resulted in significantly shortened patient survival. FOXD2‑AS1 overexpression enhanced the viability and metastasis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo, as revealed by MTT, wound healing and cell migration assays. In addition, mechanistic studies revealed that FOXD2‑AS1 upregulated the expression of the miR‑206 target gene annexin A2 (ANXA2) by acting as a miR‑206 sponge. In summary, FOXD2‑AS1 was concluded to function as an oncogene in HCC and to upregulate ANXA2 expression in part by 'sponging' miR‑206.

Upregulation of microRNA‑300 induces the proliferation of liver cancer by downregulating transcription factor FOXO1

In the present study, we investigated whether miRNA‑300 (miR‑300) is an oncogene in human liver cancer and sought to determine the mechanism underlying its activity. We also investigated the effect of miRNA‑300 on the growth in liver cancer. To identify its target molecule, we performed luciferase assays. The downstream signaling pathway was detected by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis in human HCC tissues, and the protein levels of AKT, 4E‑BP1, S6K1, SNAIL and MMP2 were determined using western blotting. miR‑300 levels were higher in patients with high‑stage HCC, and miR‑300 promoted cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. miRNA‑300 inhibited the luciferase activity of FOXO1 by targeting its 3'‑untranslated region (UTR), and overexpression of miR‑300 upregulated the protein levels of phospho‑AKT, phospho‑4E‑BP1, phospho‑S6K1, SNAIL and MMP2. These data revealed that miRNA‑300 functions as an oncogene in liver cancer by inhibiting FOXO1 and interacting with the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Activation of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 aggravates dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis in mice by promoting M1 macrophage polarization

The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family is involved in modulating gastrointestinal motility, sensitivity and inflammation. CRF signalling exerts an important role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), predominantly by activating CRF receptors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the function of CRF receptor 1 (CRF-R1) in the development of mucosal inflammation induced by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) and the underlying mechanism. Consecutive administration of CRF or CP154526 was used to activate or block the CRF-R1 in DSS-treated mice. Colonic inflammation was evaluated by determining the Disease Activity Index (DAI) and histology score. CRF-R1 expression was proportional to the DAI, the histology score and the number of macrophages. Activation of CRF-R1 aggravated mucosal inflammation by activating nuclear factor (NF)-κB and subsequently increasing the expression levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6. Inhibition of CRF-R1 decreased the expression level of CRF-R1, macrophage infiltration, NF-κB activation, and TNF-α and IL-6 expression levels, ultimately alleviating the mucosal inflammation. Thus, CRF-R1 expression was proportional to the severity of DSS-induced colitis. Activation of CRF-R1 increased the DAI and histological scores of the colons from DSS-treated mice by promoting M1 macrophage polarization, demonstrated as increased NF-κB activation, and TNF-α and IL-6 release. These results provide evidence of the pro-inflammatory role of CRF-R1 in a DSS-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) model and a possible underlying mechanism, which may facilitate the elucidation of potential treatment approaches for UC.

GG genotype of cyclin D1 G870A polymorphism is associated with non-cardiac gastric cancer in a high-risk region of China

OBJECTIVE

Cyclin D1 (CCND1) is a regulatory protein involved in the cell cycle of both normal and neoplastic cells. Polymorphism of this gene at codon 242 in exon 4 (A870G) has an impact on the risk of several human cancers. The purpose of this study was to study the relation between the CCND1 A870G gene polymorphism and the risk of non-cardiac gastric cancer in a Chinese population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study population consisted of 159 patients with non-cardiac gastric cancer and 162 cancer-free controls. CCND1 870A/G polymorphism was genotyped by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay and sequencing.

RESULTS

CCND1 genotype distribution among the patients was significantly different from that among controls; AA (odds ratio (OR)=0.348, 95% CI: 0.163-0.742) and GA (OR=0.715, 95% CI: 0.506-1.012) genotypes were significantly lower in the gastric cancer patients than in the controls when subjects with the GG genotype served as the reference category. In other words, the risk of gastric cancer for subjects with the GG genotype was 2.8 times that of subjects with the AA genotype, and 1.4 times that of subjects with the GA genotype. Furthermore, in the stratification analyses, the risk of GG genotype was more evident in subjects >or=60 years of age and those positive for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

CONCLUSIONS

The CCND1870 GG genotype is associated with an increased risk for non-cardiac gastric cancer in patients in a high-risk area of China. Larger studies with multiple polymorphisms are needed to verify this finding and the function of this polymorphism needs to be further investigated.

Effect of Mexican tea herb and pilular adina herb on concrescence of gastric mucosa in experimental gastric ulcer rats

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect and mechanism of mexican tea herb and pilular adina herb (abbreviated to MP) on concrescence of gastric mucosa in experimental gastric ulcer rats by observing the changes of epidermal growth factor (EGF), nitrogen monoxidum (NO) and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

METHODS

The rat ulcer model was established by 100% glacial acetic injection into the subserosa. The ulcer index (UI) was measured by sliding caliper. The levels of NO and EGF in tissue and serum were measured by the nitrate reductase method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The expression of EGFR in the mucosa around the ulcer was detected by the immunohistochemical assay and microimage analysis system.

RESULTS

(1) Compared with the model group, UI of MP groups (10, 15 and 20 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) and ranitidine group was lower (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the levels of NO and EGF in the tissue and serum were higher (P<0.05), the thickness of regenerated mucous membrane increased, and the width loss of lamina muscularis mucosa decreased (all P<0.05). (2) The expression of EGFR is weakly positive in gastric mucosa cells in the normal group, mainly in the cytoplasm and cytomembrane. In the model group, the expression of EGFR was mainly in epithelial cells in cervical part and basilar part of gastric gland around the ulcer margin, and the number of cells with EGFR weakly positive expression was more than that in the normal group. Compared with that in the normal and model groups, the number of cells with EGFR positive in MP groups and ranitidine group increased (all P<0.05), with weakly positive expression.

CONCLUSION

MP can protect gastric mucosa, cure gastric ulcer, restrain the secretion of gastric acid, and boost multiplication, differentiation, migration and repair of the endothelial cell by promoting the secretion of NO and EGF, and increasing the expression of EGFR of gastric mucosa epithelial cells.

[Preparation of tetrandrine solid lipid nanoparticles]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) loaded tetrandrine (TET) extracted from traditional Chinese medicine with ultrasonication and high pressure homogenization, and to compare the physicochemical characteristics of the particles produced by the two methods.

METHODS

TET was incorporated into SLN by ultrasonication and high pressure homogenization separately. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to study the shape. Particle characterization system and Zeta potential analyzer were used to study the diameter and Zeta potential of SLN in suspension. The entrapment efficiency was determined with the high-performance liquid chromatography. The stability of SLN was also studied.

RESULTS

TET-SLNs prepared by these two methods were sheet-shaped and irregular, but the SLNs prepared by high pressure homogenization were smaller. The mean diameter of SLN prepared by ultrasonication was (92 +/- 6) nm with Zeta potential of (-21.11 +/- 2.12) mV in distilled water, and the mean entrapment efficiency was 95.27%. The mean diameter of TET-SLN prepared by high pressure homogenization was (47 +/- 3) nm with Zeta potential of (-32.99 +/- 2.54) mV, and up to 97.82% of TET was incorporated. The diameter of SLN prepared by high pressure homogenization and ultrasonication were (52 +/- 5) nm and (168 +/- 12) nm after 90 days of storage at room temperature.

CONCLUSION

Compared with ultrasonication, high pressure homogenization is a better method to prepare TET-SLN, which is smaller, steadier and highly incorporated.

Preparation and characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded traditional chinese medicine

Ultrasonication was employed to prepare solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN). The model traditional Chinese medicine, tetrandrine (TET), was incorporated into SLN. The TET-loaded SLN (TET-SLN) were spherical in the photograph of transmission electron microscope (TEM). The particle size measured by laser diffraction (LD) was found to be 157.3+/-8.2nm. Zeta potential analyzer suggested the zeta potential of TET-SLN was -29.36+/-3.68mV in distilled water. The entrapment efficiency (EE%) was determined with the sephadex gel chromatogram and high-performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC), and up to 90.59% of TET was incorporated. Stability evaluation showed relatively long-term stability with only slight particle growth (P>0.05) after storage at room temperature for 4 weeks. Therefore, ultrasonication is demonstrated to be a simple, available and effective method to prepare high quality SLN loaded traditional Chinese medicine.

Preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with traditional Chinese medicine by high-pressure homogenization

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) loaded with traditional Chinese medicines by high-pressure homogenization, and study the physicochemical characteristics of the particles produced by this method.

METHODS

The model traditional Chinese medicines, silibinin (SIL) and tetrandrine (TET), were incorporated into SLN separately by high-pressure homogenization. Transmission electron microscope was employed to study the shape of the particles. Particle characterization system and zeta potential analyzer were used to study the diameter and zeta potential of SLN in the suspension. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading were determined with the sephadex gel chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The stability of SLN was also studied.

RESULTS

The SIL-SLNs prepared by high-pressure homogenization were spherical and regular. The mean diameter and zeta potential of SIL-SLN in distilled water were 157+/-8 nm and -35.36+/-2.68 mV, respectively. The entrapment efficiency was 95.64%, and the drug loading was 4.63%. The TET-SLN was platelet-shaped, irregular and smaller. The mean diameter and zeta potential of TET-SLN were 47+/-3 nm and -32.99+/-2.54 mV, respectively, with drug loading of 4.76%, and up to 97.82% of TET was incorporated. SIL-SLN and TET-SLN had good stability.

CONCLUSION

High-pressure homogenization is feasible for preparing SLN loaded with traditional Chinese medicines.

Non-specific response of serum growth hormone to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in diabetics

It is well known that growth hormone (GE) secretion and regulation in diabetics are abnormal. In order to evaluate the response of GH to nonphysiological stimuli in diabetics, a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test (500 micrograms by IV bolus injection) was carried out in 12 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD, 6 males and 6 females). 11 noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDD, 5 males and 6 females), and 10 normal controls (6 males and 4 females). The results showed that the basal serum GH levels in diabetics were higher than that in normal controls and it was even higher in IDD than in NIDD. Following the TRH stimulus, the mean peak level of GH in IDD was the highest among the three groups, the differences being statistically significant (F = 9.323, P less than 0.01). It was concluded that a nonspecific response to TRH of GH did occur in IDD, and the peak values were even higher in female than in male subjects. A negative correlation existed between the GH peak values and the age of the patients as well as in the controls. This supported the view that GH responsiveness to TRH has a tendency of progressive decline with age. However, no significant correlation was found between the peak value of GH and the blood glucose level or the microangiopathic complications. The mechanism of TRH stimulation on GH release in diabetics is discussed.