[Distribution characteristics of body mass index among Chinese oldest-old aged 80 years and above].

Objective: To investigate body mass index (BMI) level, identify the main type of nutritional problem, and describe the population distribution characteristics of BMI among Chinese people aged 80 years or above. Methods: The data of 9 481 oldest-old individuals were obtained from the 2017-2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The Lambda-Mu-Sigma method, weighted estimates of BMI, and comparisons by BMI quintiles were used to describe the BMI level and distribution characteristics among the oldest-old. Results: The average age of the participants was (91.9±7.7) years, with P50 of the weighted BMI at 21.9 (95%CI: 21.8-22.0) kg/m2. The result of BMI level showed a decreasing trend with age, with a rapid decline before age 100, and then the trend became slower. There are about 30% of the oldest-old classified as undernutrition, but the prevalence of overnutrition is only about 10%. The population distribution characteristics by BMI quintiles showed the oldest-old with lower BMI levels were likely to have the following characteristics: sociodemographically, to be older, female, ethnic minority, unmarried/divorced/widowed, rural residents, illiterate, with inadequate living expenses, located in Central, South, or Southwest China; regarding lifestyles, lower BMI levels were observed for participants who were smoking, not exercising, lack of leisure activities, or with poor dietary diversity; considering functional status, participants with lower BMI levels were those who have poor chewing ability, disability in activities of daily living, cognitive impairment, hearing loss, visual impairment, or poor self-rated health status. The oldest-old with higher BMI levels were likely to have heart disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes. Conclusions: The overall BMI level was low among the Chinese oldest-old and it showed a downward trend with age. Currently, the main nutritional problem among the Chinese oldest-old was undernutrition rather than overweight or obesity. Management of healthy lifestyles, functional status, and diseases would be helpful to reduce the risk of undernutrition among the oldest-old.

[Association of greenness, nitrogen dioxide with the prevalence of hypertension among the elderly over 65 years old in China].

Objective: To investigate the association of mixed exposure to greenness and nitrogen dioxide(NO2) and hypertension among the older adults aged 65 years and over in China. Methods: The study subjects were from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2017 to 2018. A total of 15 423 older adults aged 65 years and over meeting the criteria were finally included in the study. A questionnaire survey was used to collect information on demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits and self-reported prevalence of hypertension. Blood pressure values were obtained through physical examination. The level of normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI) was measured by the Medium-resolution Imaging Spectral Radiator(MODIS) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA). The concentration of NO2 was from China's surface air pollutant data set. Meteorological data was from NASA MERRA-2. The exposure to NDVI and NO2 for each study subject was calculated based on the area within a 1 km radius around their residence. The association between mixed exposure of NDVI and NO2 as well as their interaction and hypertension in older adults was analyzed by using the multivariate logistic regression model. The restrictive cubic spline(RCS) function was used to explore the exposure-response relationship between greenness and NO2 and the risk of hypertension in study subjects. Results: The mean age of 15 423 older adults were (85.6±11.6). Women accounted for 56.3%(8 685/15 423) and 55.6%(8 578/15 423) lived in urban areas. The mean time of residence was (60.9±28.5) years. 59.8% of participants were with hypertension. The mean NDVI level was 0.41±0.13, and the mean NO2 concentration was (32.18±10.36) µg/cm3. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NDVI was inversely and linearly associated with the hypertension in older adults, with the OR(95%CI) value of 0.959(0.928-0.992). Compared with the T1 group of NDVI, the risk of hypertension was lower in the T3 group, with the OR(95%CI) value of 0.852(0.769-0.944), and the trend test was statistically significant(P<0.05). Compared with the T1 group of NO2, the risk of hypertension was higher in the T2 and T3 groups, with OR(95%CI) values of 1.160(1.055-1.275) and 1.244(1.111-1.393), and the trend test was statistically significant (P<0.05). The result of the RCS showed that NDVI was inversely and linearly associated with hypertension in older adults. NO2 was nonlinearly associated with hypertension in older adults. The interaction analysis showed that NDVI and NO2 had a negative multiplicative interaction on the risk of hypertension, with OR(95%CI) value of 0.995(0.992-0.997). Conclusion: Exposure to greenness and NO2 are associated with hypertension in older adults.

[Genomic epidemiology of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from acute diarrheal patients in Shenzhen City from 2013 to 2021].

Objective: To characterize the prevalence and genomic epidemiology of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from acute diarrheal patients in Shenzhen City from 2013 to 2021. Methods: Based on the Shenzhen Infectious Diarrhea Surveillance System, acute diarrheal patients were actively monitored in sentinel hospitals from 2013 to 2021. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates was performed, and the genomic population structure, serotypes, virulence genes and multilocus sequence typing were analyzed. Outbreak clusters from 2019 to 2021 were explored based on single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Results: A total of 48 623 acute diarrhea cases were monitored in 15 sentinel hospitals from 2013 to 2021, and 1 135 Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains were isolated, with a positive isolation rate of 2.3%. Qualified whole-genome sequencing data of 852 isolates were obtained. Eighty-nine serotypes, 21 known ST types and 5 new ST types were identified by sequence analysis, and 93.2% of strains were detected with toxin profile of tdh+trh-. 8 clonal groups (CGs) were captured, with CG3 as the absolute predominance, followed by CG189. The CG3 group was dominated by O3:K6 serotype and ST3 sequence type, while CG189 group was mainly O4:KUT, O4:K8 serotypes and ST189a and ST189 type. A total of 13 clusters were identified, containing 154 cases. About 30 outbreak clusters with 29 outbreak clusters caused by CG3 strains from 2019 to 2021. Conclusion: Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a major pathogen of acute infectious diarrhea in Shenzhen City, with diverse population structures. CG3 and CG189 have been prevalent and predominant in Shenzhen City for a long time. Scattered outbreaks and persistent sources of contamination ignored by traditional methods could be captured by WGS analysis. Tracing the source of epidemic clone groups and taking precise prevention and control measures are expected to significantly reduce the burden of diarrhea diseases caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection in Shenzhen City.

[Diagnostic and predictive values of three criterias of acute kidney injury in children with chronic kidney disease].

Objective: To compare the consistency in diagnosing and staging acute kidney injury (AKI) in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) according to three criterias. Methods: Children with CKD hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat sen University from January 2013 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. These patients underwent serum creatinine examination more than twice during hospitalization. The AKI diagnosis and staging were performed for each patient according to the 2007 pRIFLE, 2012 KDIGO and 2018 pROCK criteria respectively. All the children were followed up for 1 year after discharge through outpatient visit, re-hospitalization or online consultation. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of CKD children with or without AKI that were diagnosed by 3 criteria were compared. Analysis of variance and chi-squared tests were used for the comparison among groups. Concordance between the different diagnostic criteria was evaluated using Cohen's kappa coefficient. Result: A total of 2 551 children with CKD were included in this study, with an age of (8±4) years. There were 1 628 boys and 923 girls. Nephrotic syndrome was the most prevalent primary disease (55.4%), followed by lupus nephritis (11.2%) and purpura nephritis (8.2%). Among all stages of CKD, CKD category G1 was the most common type (2 146 cases, 84.1%), followed by CKD category G2 (221 cases, 8.7%). AKI occurence rates according to pRIFLE, KDIGO and pROCK criteria were 33.9% (866/2 551), 26.2%(669/2 551) and 19.5% (498/2 551) respectively (χ²=136.3,P<0.01). The diagnostic consistency within three criteria for AKI was high in children with CKD (κ=0.702), but AKI staging consistency was low (κ=0.329). Both the diagnosis and staging consistency of three AKI criteria were poor in children with CKD category G5 (all κ<0.400). The length of hospital stay (LOS), hospitalization costs, the occurence of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in children with AKI diagnosed by different criteria (P<0.05). After 1-year follow-up, the repeated admission rate and CKD staging progress significantly increased in children with AKI (P<0.05). In children with baseline serum creatinine≥200 µmol/L, compared with children who did not experience AKI during hospitalization, the LOS and the hospitalization costs in children who were diagnosed AKI according to pRIFLE or pROCK criteria was significantly higher (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the LOS and hospitalization costs between children with or without AKI who were diagnosed according to KDIGO criteria (all P>0.05). Conclusions: AKI diagnosed by all of the three criteria (pRIFLE, KDIGO and pROCK criteria) was associated with the poor prognosis in children with CKD. However, in those whose baseline serum creatinine≥ 200 µmol/L, AKI diagnosed by pRIFLE and pROCK criteria could better reflect the poor outcomes than by KDIGO criteria.

Primary meningeal osteoblastic osteosarcoma containing fibroblast osteosarcoma: clinicopathological analysis and literature review.

Primary meningeal osteosarcoma is rare. The aim of this report is to investigate the symptoms, imaging data, pathological diagnosis, and treatment of primary meningeal osteosarcoma. A 54-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital because of numbness and weakness in the right limb, accompanied by dizziness and chest tightness. The CT and MRI examination of the patient showed multiple irregular mixed density mass signal shadows. After preliminary examinations and tests, meningioma was considered. After surgical resection, the mass was sent for pathological examination, and primary meningeal osteosarcoma was finally diagnosed. The patient did not receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy and died 7 months later. Primary meningeal osteosarcoma is a rare and easily misdiagnosed disease. There is no test that is specific enough up to now, so the correct diagnosis can only be determined by a histopathological examination. At present, there are no clear drug, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy guidelines for the treatment of this disease in addition to surgery, and the prognosis is poor.

LncRNA UCA1 regulates proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells by targeting miR-145.

OBJECTIVE: Finding a key target for the development of cervical cancer is conducive to the treatment of cervical cancer. LncRNA UCA1 plays a role in multiple tumors, such as the digestive tract and bladder. However, whether LncRNA UCA1 plays a role in cervical cancer is unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The tumor tissues (tumor group) and adjacent tissues (normal group) of cervical cancer patients were collected for analysis of expression of LncRNA UCA1 and miR-145 by Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Cervical cancer HeLa cell line was cultured and divided into NC group, si-UCA1 group, and si-UCA1+ miR-145 inhibitor group. It was followed by the analysis of LucRNA UCA1 expression by Real Time-PCR, cell proliferation by MTT assay, cell migration and invasion by respective cell scratch, transwell chamber assay, and targeted relationship between UCA1 and miR-145 by Dual-Luciferase activity. RESULTS: LncRNA UCA1 expression was significantly increased in cervical cancer and miR-145 expression was decreased compared with the normal group (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between them (p<0.05). The downregulation of UCA1 significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion compared with NC group (p<0.05). MiR-145 is the target miRNA of UCA1. The addition of miR-145 inhibitor reversed the effect of UCA1 siRNA on downregulating UCA1 expression, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the si-UCA1 group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA UCA1 expression is significantly increased in cervical cancer and miR-145 expression is decreased with a negative correlation between them. Lnc-RNA UCA1 regulates cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting miR-145.

Use of 4+5 extensor compartmental vascularized bone graft and K-wire fixation for treating stage II-IIIA Kienböck's disease.

Vascularized bone grafts have shown favorable outcomes in Kienböck's disease, preventing the progression of lunate collapse and avascular necrosis. Here we describe our experience using a 4+5 extensor compartmental artery (ECA) vascularized bone graft combined with K-wire fixation. Between September 2010 and June 2013, 9 patients with Lichtman stage II-IIIA disease underwent arthroscopy prior to 4+5 ECA graft placement combined with temporary fixation (scaphocapitate and triquetrum-capitate joints). The average follow-up was 69 months (range, 51-92 months). Changes in pain, range of motion, grip strength, and pinch strength were analyzed. All patients had satisfactory recovery, especially pain relief and grip strength improvement (both P<0.01). Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging follow-up was critical for monitoring lunate revascularization, especially in the early postoperative period.

Designing a 20 mm incision to protect the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve during arthroscopic repair of triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries: Cadaver study and preliminary clinical results.

The ulnar-sided approach for arthroscopic peripheral triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) repair may be associated with injury to the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve (DBUN). The goal of this study was to develop a small incision to help minimize DBUN injury. Ten cadaveric upper limbs were used to measure the anatomic parameters of the DBUN. Based on these measured anatomical relationships, a 20 mm longitudinal incision with the ulnar styloid process as the midpoint was designed to explore and protect the DBUN. Three additional cadaveric upper limbs were used to test the feasibility of this method. Then this method was applied in 15 patients with TFCC injury (IB type). In 10 cadavers, the DBUN was located volar to the ulnar styloid process. The mean linear distance between the DBUN and the ulnar styloid process was 8.04 mm (range: 7.02-8.82mm) in the transverse-volar direction and 13.78 mm (range: 11.06-16.02mm) in the longitudinal-distal volar direction. In three additional cadavers, the DBUN was successfully explored and retracted with this incision, creating a safer space for passing sutures and tying knots. This modified method was used successfully in 15 patients, and the DBUN was protected during surgery. There were no complications, and most importantly, no injuries to the DBUN at the 6-month follow-up visit. Therefore, we recommend that a 20 mm longitudinal incision with the ulnar styloid process as the midpoint be made prior to passing sutures during the arthroscopic repair of TFCC tears to avoid injuring the various branches of the DBUN.

Hollow-Core-Photonic-Crystal-Fiber-Based Miniaturized Sensor for the Detection of Aggregation-Induced-Emission Molecules.

A miniature sensor for detection of aggregation-induced-emission (AIE) molecules is proposed in this work. The sensing head is fabricated by use of hollow-core photonic crystal fiber with a core diameter of about 4.8 µm. The cladding holes are sealed with a fusion splicing technique, and the central hole remains open to allow the filtration of solution with AIE molecules. When the solution is excited by an ultraviolet lamp, the fluorescence is received by a fiber-optic spectrometer. The fluorescence intensity is associated with the concentration of AIE molecules and the infiltrated-core length. In the whole process of the experiments, the output-peak wavelength is stable, which indicates that the existing forms of AIE particles are stable, and the fluorescence reabsorption can be neglected. The experimental results obtained are in accordance with traditional microplate-spectrophotometer methods. The most exciting result is that the amount of sample measured can be as low as 0.36 nL, which allows the detection of AIE molecules at only 0.02 pmol. In addition, the miniature sensor was successfully applied to the detection of an AIE-based bioprobe for evaluating the activity of the dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor sitagliptin with an IC50 of 59.80 ± 3.06 nM. The advantages of small device size and nanoliter-scale sample volumes suggest that the proposed sensor is promising for many biosensing applications.

A novel transdermal fomulation of 18ß-glycyrrhetic acid with lysine for improving bioavailability and efficacy.

The aim of this study was to develop a novel topical liposomal system entrapping 18ß-glycyrrhetic acid (GA) for the treatment of chronic allergic dermatitis. A novel liposomal system with molar ratios of GA to lysine from 1:1 to 1:3 was prepared by high-pressure homogenization. The liposomes at the optimized molar ratio of GA to lysine of 1:2 significantly improved GA loading (1.2%) and penetration in vitro. Liposomal gels containing GA 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9% were prepared to investigate the dosage effect on transdermal delivery and anti-inflammatory activity. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies were carried out by nonocclusive application of GA liposomal gels to ICR mouse ears. GA concentrations in skin and plasma increased proportionally with dose over the dose range of 0.3-0.9%. A 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced contact dermatitis mouse model was made up to evaluate the pharmacodynamics of GA liposomal gels. The liposomal gel with GA 0.9% showed a stronger anti-inflammatory activity than triamcinolone acetonide and econazole nitrate cream, while few side effects were observed in the present model. The topical administration of gel containing novel elastic liposomes of GA was safe and effective in the treatment of chronic allergic dermatitis.

Identifying differentially expressed pathways via a mixed integer linear programming model.

The identification of genes and pathways involved in biological processes is a central problem in systems biology. Recent microarray technologies and other high-throughput experiments provide information which sheds light on this problem. In this article, the authors propose a new computational method to detect active pathways, or identify differentially expressed pathways via integration of gene expression and interactomic data in a sophisticated and efficient manner. Specifically, by using signal-to-noise ratio to measure the differentially expressed level of networks, this problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming problem (MILP). The results on yeast and human data demonstrate that the proposed method is more accurate and robust than existing approaches.

[Nuclear matrix protein pattern in human hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To compare nuclear matrix proteins of normal liver with those of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to see whether there are HCC-specific proteins. METHODS: Using high resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the nuclear matrix proteins of 3 normal livers and 8 HCC were compared. RESULTS: There was a high degree of similarity between nuclear proteins of normal liver and those of HCC. Four HCC-specific nuclear matrix proteins were identified. Among them, one protein(Mr: 62,000; pI: 5.3) appeared in all tumor samples. The other three proteins appeared in most of the 8 HCC cases. These proteins were not detected in 3 normal livers. CONCLUSION: There are HCC-specific nuclear matrix proteins which may be related to the etiology and pathogenesis of HCC.