Association between malnutrition and cognitive frailty in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To systematically assess the association between cognitive frailty (CF) and malnutrition in older adults. METHODS: 8 databases were retrieved up until April 2023 by two reviewers in dependently, and meta-analysis was performed by Stata 16.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies were meta-analyzed to assess the relationship between CF and malnutrition in older adults. The pooled prevalence of CF from 17 studies was 23 %, and the pooled prevalence of malnutrition among patients with CF from 12 studies was 57 %. Data from 13 studies on the association between CF and malnutrition unveiled a high risk of CF in older adults with malnutrition (OR = 3.77, 95 % CI: 2.49-5.69). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of malnutrition is high in older adults with CF, and there is a significant delve into targeted treatment and preventive measures to ameliorate the quality of life of older adults.

Brain functional connectivity patterns associated with symptoms of vestibular migraine.

Background: Several functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigations of patients with vestibular migraine (VM) have revealed abnormal functionality in different networks, indicating that VM is related to alterations in brain function. We sought to investigate the resting-state functional connectivity (FC) patterns during the interictal period in VM by combining data-driven voxel-wise degree centrality (DC) calculations and seed-based FC analyses, and thereby determine the associations between cerebral function and clinical symptoms. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with VM and 33 matched normal controls were recruited. DC was calculated and compared between the groups, and the FC of locations showing DC alterations was further tested using a seed-based technique. The participants' clinical indicators were correlated with the DC and FC values of the brain areas. Results: In contrast to the control group, the VM group showed considerably lower DC values in the bilateral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and significantly higher DC values in the right occipital lobe. In the seed-based FC analyses, patients with VM demonstrated fewer connections of the bilateral mPFC with the bilateral posterior cingulate cortex, right parahippocampus, right cerebellar posterior lobe, bilateral cuneus, and left precuneus. In addition, clinical data from patients, such as pain intensity, episode frequency, and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory score, were negatively related to these FC and DC impairments. Conclusion: Our findings showed changes in the default mode network and visual cortex in patients with VM, providing further insights into the complexity of the mechanisms underlying VM.

The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety, depression, stress, and mindfulness in menopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are psychological interventions widely used in menopausal women. Currently, there is no evidence summary on the effectiveness of MBIs on anxiety, depression, stress, and mindfulness in menopausal women. This meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of MBIs in improving anxiety, depression, stress, and mindfulness scores in menopausal women. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and Wanfang, using relevant terms such as MBIs as keywords and covering all studies published before March 13, 2022. The outcomes were anxiety, depression, stress, and mindfulness. The screening and extraction of data were conducted by two independent reviewers. Results: A total of 1,138 menopausal women participated in 13 studies. Meta-analysis results showed that MBIs significantly reduced stress in menopausal women (SMD = -0.84, 95% CI: -1.64 to -0.05, p = 0.04), but no statistical differences were found in reducing anxiety (SMD = -0.40, 95% CI: -0.81 to 0.01, p = 0.06) and depression (SMD = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.45 to 0.07, p = 0.16) and in raising the scores of mindfulness (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.81, p = 0.09) in menopausal women. Conclusion: MBIs may reduce stress in menopausal women, but their effect on improving anxiety, depression, and mindfulness needs further validation. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails.

The mutation landscape of multiple cancer predisposition genes in Chinese familial/hereditary breast cancer families.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 5%-10% of breast cancer (BC) patients display familial traits that are genetically inherited among the members of a family. The purpose of this study was to profile the germline mutations in 43 genes with different penetration rates and their correlations with phenotypic traits in Chinese familial BC families. METHODS: Ion Torrent S5™-based next generation sequencing was conducted on 116 subjects from 27 Chinese familial BC families. RESULTS: Eighty-one germline mutations in 27 BC predisposition genes were identified in 82.8% (96/116) of the cases. Among these, 80.8% of the mutated genes were related to DNA damage repair. Fourteen possible disease-causing variants were identified in 13 of 27 BC families. Only 25.9% (7/27) of the BC families exhibited hereditary deficiency in BRCA1/2 genes, while 22.2% of the BC families exhibited defects in non-BRCA genes. In all, 41.7% (40/96) of the mutation carriers had BRCA mutations, 88.5% (85/96) had non-BRCA mutations, and 30.2% (29/96) had both BRCA and non-BRCA mutations. The BC patients with BRCA mutations had a higher risk of axillary lymph node metastases than those without mutations (P < 0.05). However, the BC patients with non-BRCA mutations frequently had a higher occurrence of benign breast diseases than those without mutations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to BRCA1/2, genetic variants in non-BRCA DNA repair genes might play significant roles in the development of familial/hereditary BC. Therefore, profiling of multiple BC predisposition genes should be more valuable for screening potential pathogenic germline mutations in Chinese familial/hereditary BC.

Drug resistance gene expression and chemotherapy sensitivity detection in Chinese women with different molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify specific chemosensitivity drugs for various molecular subtypes of breast tumors in Chinese women, by detecting the expression of drug resistance genes and by using the drug sensitivity test on different molecular subtypes of breast cancers. Methods: The expression of drug resistance genes including Topo II, GST-π, P-gp, LRP, and CD133 were detected with immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray. Drug sensitivity tests included those for paclitaxel, epirubicin, carboplatin, vinorelbine, and fluorouracil and were conducted on primary cancer tissue cells and cell lines, including the T47D, BT-474, and MDA-MB-231 cells and human breast cancer xenografts in nude mice. Results: The different drug resistant genes Topo II, GST-π, P-gp, and LRP were differentially expressed among different molecular subtypes of breast cancers (P < 0.05). Positive expression of CD133 was highest in basal-like breast cancer (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that positive expressions of Topo II and CD133 both correlated with shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (P < 0.05) and overall survival (P < 0.05), and positive expression of LRP correlated only with shorter DFS (P < 0.05). BT-474 showed chemosensitivity to paclitaxel and epirubicin, while MDA-MB-231 showed chemosensitivities to paclitaxel, epirubicin, carboplatin, and fluorouracil (T/C ≤ 50%). The basal-like and HER2+ breast cancer primary cells showed chemosensitivities to paclitaxel and epirubicin with significant differences compared with luminal breast cancer primary cells (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The differential expression of drug resistance genes and the differential chemosensitivities of drugs in different molecular subtype of breast cancers suggested that individual treatment should be given for each type of breast cancer.

ANGPTL4 overexpression is associated with progression and poor prognosis in breast cancer.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression levels of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) in breast cancer to investigate the association between ANGPTL4 and breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, including 205 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of no special type, 40 normal breast, 40 atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and 40 ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) tissues. The non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate the differential expression of ANGPTL4 and clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between the expression levels of ANGPTL4 and the prognosis of breast cancer. The results revealed that ANGPTL4 expression was higher in IDC (63.4%; 130/205) compared with in normal breast tissues (17.5%; 7/40), ADH (30%; 12/40) and DCIS (37.5%; 15/40). The clinical significance of ANGPTL4 expression was analyzed in a total of 205 IDC tissues, and high expression levels of ANGPTL4 were positively associated with pathological stage (P<0.001), tumor size (P<0.001), histological grade (P<0.001), lymph node metastasis (P<0.001), distant metastasis (P<0.001) and local recurrence (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with high ANGPTL4 expression had a shorter overall survival (OS; P<0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS; P<0.001) compared with patients with low ANGPTL4 expression. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that ANGPTL4 was an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer OS (P=0.034) and DFS (P=0.011). The results of the present study demonstrated that ANGPLT4 was associated with malignant progression and poor prognosis of breast cancer, suggesting that ANGPLT4 may be a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 4Al Alumina-Forming Austenitic Steel after Cold-Rolling Deformation and Annealing.

Microstructural evolutions of the 4Al alumina-forming austenitic steel after cold rolling with different reductions from 5% to 30% and then annealing were investigated using electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Tensile properties and hardness were also measured. The results show that the average grain size gradually decreases with an increase in the cold-rolling reduction. The low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) are dominant in the cold-rolled samples, but high angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) form in the annealed samples, indicating that the grains are refined under the action of dislocations. During cold rolling, high-density dislocations are initially introduced in the samples, which contributes to a large number of dislocations remaining after annealing. With the sustaining increase in cold-rolled deformation, the samples exhibit more excellent tensile strength and hardness due to the decrease in grain size and increase in dislocation density, especially for the samples subjected to 30% cold-rolling reduction. The contribution of dislocations on yield strength is more than 60%.

Porous covalent organic frameworks for high transference number polymer-based electrolytes.

While solid polymer electrolytes are poised to be the key component of next-generation solid-state batteries, the low Li+ transference number of the polymer electrolytes limits their practical applications. Here, porous boron-containing covalent organic frameworks with different surface areas were synthesized and employed as functional additives for enhancing the Li+ transference number of the polymer electrolytes. The boron-containing frameworks enable strong adsorption of the anions of the lithium salt, leading to a significantly enhanced Li+ transference number of the polymer electrolyte containing COF additives. It is observed that solid-state cells assembled with the COF-containing polymer electrolytes exhibited remarkably decreased overpotentials and enhanced rate performances, which opens up new ways to apply porous organics in next-generation solid-state batteries.

Precipitates and Particles Coarsening of 9Cr-1.7W-0.4Mo-Co Ferritic Heat-Resistant Steel after Isothermal Aging.

The precipitates obtained by EPE technology from the 9Cr-1.7W-0.4Mo-Co ferritic heat-resistant steel subject to isothermal aging were investigated using SEM, TEM and XRD. The particle size distribution and the coarsening kinetics of M23C6 with duration of isothermal aging were also analyzed with or without consideration of Laves phase. The results show that the isolated dislocations were detected in delta ferrite interior, and the precipitates on delta ferrite and martensite boundaries are obviously larger than other locations. Fe2W-Laves phase can only be found as duration of aging time to 2000 h, and is preferential to form adjacent to M23C6 particles. The small M23C6 particles firstly coarsen, but the large M23C6 are relatively stable during short aging. The total coarsening rate of M23C6 precipitates is 9.75 × 10-28m3s-1, and the coarsening of M23C6 depends on the formation of Laves phase.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract prevents DDP-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

Oxidative stress has been proven to be involved in cisplatin (DDP)-induced toxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible protective role of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) in DDP-induced spermiotoxicity. GSPE at 200 mg kg(-1) d(-1) and 400 mg kg(-1) d(-1) was orally administered for 15 consecutive days, starting 10 days before a single intraperitoneal dose of DDP (7 mg kg(-1)). Results revealed that testicular and epididymal weight, epididymal sperm count, motility and morphology, the activities of GSH-Px and SOD, and GSH levels were significantly decreased whereas the level of MDA was significantly increased in the DDP group rats. GSPE treatment significantly attenuated the harmful effects of DDP-induced lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, loss of genital organ weight, as well as function of reproductive organs. These changes were restored to near normal levels by GSPE at 400 mg kg(-1) d(-1). In conclusion, GSPE has dose dependent protective effects against DDP-induced rat testicular toxicity.

The relationship between expectation regarding aging and functional health status among older adults in China.

PURPOSE: To examine the level of and factors influencing expectations regarding aging (ERA) among older Chinese adults, and to determine whether leisure-time exercise mediates the association between ERA and functional health status. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional design was utilized in this study. A total of 550 participants completed the face-to-face interview via a questionnaire addressing ERA, physical health conditions, personality and psychological factors, leisure-time exercise, and functional health status. RESULTS: More than four fifths of the older adults felt that having more aches and pains (88.0%), lower levels of energy (82.7%), and being forgetful (82.5%) were an accepted part of aging, and 74.7% of participants reported it to be true that "being depressed is normal for older adults." The regression model showed that depression and self-mastery were factors that influence ERA among older Chinese adults (ß = -0.26, p = .000; ß = 0.15, p = .000). The Instrument Activity of Daily Life and World Health Organization Disability Assessment scores were not associated with ERA. Leisure-time exercise mediated the relationship between ERA and functional health status. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults generally consider body function decline to be an expected part of aging. Personality and psychological factors, rather than physical health conditions, were the factors that were considered to be most influential on ERA among Chinese older adults. These findings suggest that community interventions taking into account leisure-time exercise could be influential in improving the ERA and functional health status of older adults. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For community nurses and other primary care providers, the findings of the present study may facilitate the subsequent design of community-based participatory intervention to improve ERA, as well as potentially improve the functional health status of older adults.

Steric hindrance colloidal microsphere approach to fabricate ordered and interconnected Pt or Pt/Ag hollow hemispheres.

A steric hindrance colloidal microspheres approach (SHCMA) has been developed for the fabrication of ordered Pt or Pt/Ag nanoparticles composite interconnected hollow hemispheres via colloidal lithography and physical vapor deposition. Monolayer ordered silica or silica/Ag nanoparticles composite microspheres partly embedded into the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were used as template, and Pt was sputtered on it. Due to the PDMS stamp functionalized as a steric hindrance substrate, which guaranteed that the ordered silica or silica/Ag nanoparticles composite microspheres were only coated with Pt film on the sides that exposed in air. After removing the template particles, large area ordered interconnected Pt or Pt/Ag nanoparticles composite hollow hemispheres were generated. The fabricated Pt hollow hemispheres have flat bottoms and are flexible and robust enough to be easily folded. In addition to successfully solving the challenge about ordered structure construction of the hollow Pt or Pt/Ag nanoparticles composite hemispheres here, we also could finely control the wall thickness of these hemispheres easily by changing the sputtering time or current.

Hydrolytic degradation study of biodegradable polyesteramide copolymers based on epsilon-caprolactone and 11-aminoundecanoic acid.

In this paper, a new kind of aliphatic biodegradable polyesteramide copolymers P(CL/AU)x/y based on epsilon-caprolactone and 11-aminoundecanoic acid were synthesized by the melt polycondensation method. Hydrolytic degradation behavior of P(CL/AU) copolymers were studied by using FTIR, 1H-NMR and DSC. Chemical compositions, macromolecular weight, thickness of the test sample, and pH of the degradation medium have great effect on degradation rate. The degradation rate decreased with increase in aminoundecanoic acid content, macromolecular weight, and thickness of the test samples, but increased with incubation temperature and pH of the degradation medium. The degradation mechanism was studied according to the mathematical model developed by professor Göpferich.