From the early scars to the vicissitudes of old age: A bibliometric analysis revealing childhood adversity and aging.

BACKGROUND: Adversity suffered in childhood may profoundly affect aging over the subsequent life cycle. The field of childhood adversity and aging has amassed a certain number of publications, but there are no bibliometric studies in this field. METHODS: Publications in 10 years on childhood adversity and aging were searched in the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric tools were used to analyze and visualize these publications by country, institution, journal, author, keyword, research area, and co-citation. RESULTS: Four hundred thirty-five publications were retrieved from 2014 to September 21, 2023, with a 4.9% annual growth rate. The United States (251), University of California, San Francisco (59), Elissa S. Epel (11), and Psychoneuroendocrinology (29) were the countries, institutions, authors, and journals contributing the highest number of publications in this field, respectively. "Early-life stress" (87), "depression" (82), "childhood trauma" (69), and "aging" (60) were the keywords that appeared more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first bibliometric study on childhood adversity and aging. The United States dominates the field regarding publication numbers, research institutions, and researchers. Publications in this field are interdisciplinary, covering several critical subject areas and having far-reaching impacts, with gerontology, neurosciences, psychology, and psychiatry at the core.

Insight into telomere regulation: road to discovery and intervention in plasma drug-protein targets.

BACKGROUND: Telomere length is a critical metric linked to aging, health, and disease. Currently, the exploration of target proteins related to telomere length is usually limited to the context of aging and specific diseases, which limits the discovery of more relevant drug targets. This study integrated large-scale plasma cis-pQTLs data and telomere length GWAS datasets. We used Mendelian randomization(MR) to identify drug target proteins for telomere length, providing essential clues for future precision therapy and targeted drug development. METHODS: Using plasma cis-pQTLs data from a previous GWAS study (3,606 Pqtls associated with 2,656 proteins) and a GWAS dataset of telomere length (sample size: 472,174; GWAS ID: ieu-b-4879) from UK Biobank, using MR, external validation, and reverse causality testing, we identified essential drug target proteins for telomere length. We also performed co-localization, Phenome-wide association studies and enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction network construction, search for existing intervening drugs, and potential drug/compound prediction for these critical targets to strengthen and expand our findings. RESULTS: After Bonferron correction (p < 0.05/734), RPN1 (OR: 0.96; 95%CI: (0.95, 0.97)), GDI2 (OR: 0.94; 95%CI: (0.92, 0.96)), NT5C (OR: 0.97; 95%CI: (0.95, 0.98)) had a significant negative causal association with telomere length; TYRO3 (OR: 1.11; 95%CI: (1.09, 1.15)) had a significant positive causal association with telomere length. GDI2 shared the same genetic variants with telomere length (coloc.abf-PPH 4 > 0.8). CONCLUSION: Genetically determined plasma RPN1, GDI2, NT5C, and TYRO3 have significant causal effects on telomere length and can potentially be drug targets. Further exploration of the role and mechanism of these proteins/genes in regulating telomere length is needed.

The Effect of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Features Associated with Sarcopenia: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Previous epidemiological evidence suggests rheumatoid arthritis is associated with sarcopenia-related features. However, most of the current evidence is from cross-sectional studies, and the causal link of this association is still to be determined. Therefore, this study was committed to a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to assess the causal effect of rheumatoid arthritis on sarcopenia-related features. In this two-sample Mendelian randomization study, instrumental variables for rheumatoid arthritis were obtained from the Non-Cancer Disease Study, and data for the five relevant characteristics of sarcopenia were pooled from UKBiobank. Inverse variance weighting is the primary analysis method for assessing causal effects. MR-Egger regression and weighted median are complementary analysis methods for causal effects. Leave-one-out analysis, horizontal pleiotropy test, and Heterogeneity test are applied as a sensitivity analysis to assess the robustness of causal effect estimates. The inverse variance weighted results for the five characteristics associated with sarcopenia and rheumatoid arthritis were: hand grip strength (right) (beta = - 2.309, se = 0.206, p = 3.340E-29), hand grip strength (left) (beta = - 2.046, se = 0.205, p = 2.166E-23), whole body lean mass (beta = - 0.843, se = 0.135, p = 4.67E-10), appendicular lean mass (beta = - 2.444, se = 0.208, p = 6.069E-32), Usual walking pace (OR 0.340, 95% CI (0.238, 0.484), p = 2.471E-09). The sensitivity analyses did not support that horizontal pleiotropy distorted causal effect estimates. The beta coefficient quantifies the number of standard deviations of the continuous outcome variables (hand grip strength, whole body lean mass, and appendicular lean mass) that change on average with each increase in the standard deviation of the binary exposure variable (rheumatoid arthritis). The odds ratios indicate the increased risk of the binary outcome variable (usual walking pace) per rheumatoid arthritis standard deviation increase. This study has demonstrated a negative causal effect of rheumatoid arthritis with five major sarcopenia-related features in a European population.

The potential of traditional herbal active ingredients in the treatment of sarcopenia animal models: focus on therapeutic effects and mechanisms.

Sarcopenia is a major global public health problem that harms individual physical function. In 2018, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in the Elderly 2 classified sarcopenia into primary and secondary sarcopenia. However, information on the pathogenesis and effective treatment of primary and secondary sarcopenia is limited. Traditional herbal active ingredients have biological activities that promote skeletal muscle health, showing potential preventive and therapeutic effects on sarcopenia. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of global traditional herbal active ingredients' beneficial therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms on sarcopenia-related animal models. For this purpose, we conducted a literature search in three databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase, consistent with the review objectives. After the screening, 12 animal studies met the review themes. The review results showed that the pathological mechanisms in sarcopenia-related animal models include imbalanced protein metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, insulin resistance, endoplasmic reticulum stress, impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, and autophagy-lysosome system aggravation. Eleven traditional herbal active ingredients exerted positive anti-sarcopenic effects by ameliorating these pathological mechanisms. This narrative review will provide meaningful insight into future studies regarding traditional herbal active ingredients for treating sarcopenia.

The therapeutic potential of quercetin for cigarette smoking-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review.

Quercetin is a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Quercetin has potentially beneficial therapeutic effects for several diseases, including cigarette smoking-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CS-COPD). Many studies have shown that quercetin's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have positive therapeutic potential for CS-COPD. In addition, quercetin's immunomodulatory, anti-cellular senescence, mitochondrial autophagy-modulating, and gut microbiota-modulating effects may also have therapeutic value for CS-COPD. However, there appears to be no review of the possible mechanisms of quercetin for treating CS-COPD. Moreover, the combination of quercetin with common therapeutic drugs for CS-COPD needs further refinement. Therefore, in this article, after introducing the definition and metabolism of quercetin, and its safety, we comprehensively presented the pathogenesis of CS-COPD related to oxidative stress, inflammation, immunity, cellular senescence, mitochondrial autophagy, and gut microbiota. We then reviewed quercetin's anti-CS-COPD effects, performed by influencing these mechanisms. Finally, we explored the possibility of using quercetin with commonly used drugs for treating CS-COPD, providing a basis for future screening of excellent drug combinations for treating CS-COPD. This review has provided meaningful information on quercetin's mechanisms and clinical use in treating CS-COPD.

Bibliometric Analysis of Geriatric Sarcopenia Therapies: Highlighting Publication Trends and Leading-Edge Research Directions.

The bibliometric analysis assesses the productivity of scholarship in a given field and provides information on the frontiers of relevant developments. However, no bibliometric analysis study has quantitatively analyzed publications in geriatric sarcopenia therapies. This study investigates the scholarly productivity and frontiers of publications in geriatric sarcopenia therapies. The bibliometric data came from English-language Web of Science Core Collection articles published between 1995 and October 19, 2022. Three software programs, R version 3.5.6, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace, were applied for this bibliometric analysis. In twenty-eight years, the annual publications in geriatric sarcopenia therapies have increased yearly, with an annual growth rate of 21.23 %. A total of 1379 publications have been published. The United States was the country with the highest number of publication signatures (n=1,537) (including joint publication releases), followed by Japan (n=1099). Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia, and Muscle contributed the best journal publications (n=80). The newest hot subjects in the study about geriatric sarcopenia therapy include malnutrition, obesity, insulin resistance, and cancer. This bibliometric study presents a comprehensive overview of the current and future research directions in geriatric sarcopenia therapies over the past 28 years. Overall, this study has complemented the gaps in bibliometric analysis in geriatric sarcopenia therapies. This paper will provide a valuable reference for future research in geriatric sarcopenia therapies.

Potential effects of bisphenol A on diabetes mellitus and its chronic complications: A narrative review.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease caused by multiple factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle. Bisphenol A (BPA), as one of the most common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), has been strongly implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). BPA exposure is associated with target organ damage in DM and may exacerbate the progression of some chronic complications of DM. This paper reviews relevant epidemiological, in vivo, and in vitro studies to better understand BPA's potential risk associations and pathological mechanisms in several chronic diabetic complications.

Therapeutic effects of icariin and icariside II on diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health issue in the twenty-first century, and there are numerous challenges in preventing and alleviating its chronic complications. The herb Epimedium has beneficial therapeutic effects on various human diseases, including DM. Its major flavonoid component, icariin, has significant anti-DM activity and may help improve pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Furthermore, preclinical evidence has shown that icariin and its in vivo bioactive form, icariside II, have preventive and therapeutic effects on several diabetic complications, including diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic vascular endothelial disorder, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic erectile dysfunction. In this review, we present the general and toxicological information concerning icariin and icariside II and review the anti-DM effects of icariin from a molecular perspective. Additionally, we discuss the potential benefits of icariin and icariside II on the important pathological mechanisms of various diabetic complications. Despite positive preclinical evidence, additional investigations are needed before relevant clinical studies can be conducted. Therefore, we conclude with suggestions for future research. Hopefully, this review will provide a comprehensive molecular perspective for future research and product development related to icariin and icariside II in treating DM and diabetic complications.

Synergistically Anti-Multiple Myeloma Effects: Flavonoid, Non-Flavonoid Polyphenols, and Bortezomib.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell tumor originating from a post-mitotic lymphoid B-cell lineage. Bortezomib(BTZ), a first-generation protease inhibitor, has increased overall survival, progression-free survival, and remission rates in patients with MM since its clinical approval in 2003. However, the use of BTZ is challenged by the malignant features of MM and drug resistance. Polyphenols, classified into flavonoid and non-flavonoid polyphenols, have potential health-promoting activities, including anti-cancer. Previous preclinical studies have demonstrated the anti-MM potential of some dietary polyphenols. Therefore, these dietary polyphenols have the potential to be alternative therapies in anti-MM treatment regimens. This systematic review examines the synergistic effects of flavonoids and non-flavonoid polyphenols on the anti-MM impacts of BTZ. Preclinical studies on flavonoids and non-flavonoid polyphenols-BTZ synergism in MM were collected from PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase published between 2008 and 2020. 19 valid preclinical studies (Published from 2008 to 2020) were included in this systematic review. These studies demonstrated that eight flavonoids (icariin, icariside II, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, scutellarein, wogonin, morin, formononetin, daidzin), one plant extract rich in flavonoids (Punica granatum juice) and four non-flavonoid polyphenols (silibinin, resveratrol, curcumin, caffeic acid) synergistically enhanced the anti-MM effect of BTZ. These synergistic effects are mediated through the regulation of cellular signaling pathways associated with proliferation, apoptosis, and drug resistance. Given the above, flavonoids and non-flavonoid polyphenols can benefit MM patients by overcoming the challenges faced in BTZ treatment. Despite the positive nature of this preclinical evidence, some additional investigations are still needed before proceeding with clinical studies. For this purpose, we conclude by providing some suggestions for future research directions.

Association between air pollution and the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Chinese children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic inflammatory disease with bothersome symptoms. However, the effect of air pollution on the prevalence of AR in children is controversial. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between air pollution and the prevalence of AR in Chinese children. Methods: This study, in China, included 160,356 students ages 0-18 years who completed a questionnaire about the accuracy of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). The effect of different air pollutants on the prevalence rate were evaluated by meta-analysis. Also, it evaluated the effect of different air pollutants on the prevalence rate. Results: The differences in the effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure (combined odds ratio [ORcombined] 1.03 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.01-1.05]; p = 0.010) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure (ORcombined 1.11 [95% CI, 1.05-1.18]; p = 0.0006) on the risk of childhood AR was statistically significant. The effect of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of <10 µm (PM10) exposure on the risk of childhood AR was statistically significant (ORcombined 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.03]; p < 0.001), the effect of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 µm (PM2.5) exposure on the risk of childhood AR was statistically significant (ORcombined 1.15 [95% CI, 1.03-1.29]; p = 0.02), and the effect of ozone exposure on the risk of childhood AR was not statistically significant (ORcombined 0.98 [95% CI, 0.67-1.41]; p = 0.13). Conclusion: NO2, SO2, PM2.5, and PM10 were associated with the prevalence of AR in Chinese children. PM2.5 had the highest correlation with AR prevalence.

A cross-sectional study about coronavirus fear of Chinese college students in school lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To remove the phobic psychological situation of Chinese college students who were in school lockdowns during the COVID-19 outbreak, and to provide a theoretical basis for college student psychological intervention. Methods: Online survey conducted from December 9, 2021, to December 11, 2021. The seven-item Fcv-19s was employed to assess fear of COVID-19 on a Likert five-point scale. Categorical data were reported as number and percentage, whereas continuous data were reported as mean ± standard deviation. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between different factors and anxiety symptoms. Results: The study population consisted of 26.02% (268) male and 73.98% (762) female, of whom approximately 84% were undergraduates. The overall mean score of the questionnaire was 16.04 ± 5.28. Significantly more study populations reported high levels of fear (54.8%), while age, cost of life, professional category, education background (P < 0.05) revealed significant differences based on fear levels. Conclusions: More than half of the Chinese college students developed fear symptoms during the COVID-19 epidemic. Appropriate psychological interventions for college students should be implemented promptly to reduce the psychological harm induced by the COVID-19 epidemic.

Turning point: A new global COVID-19 wave or a signal of the beginning of the end of the global COVID-19 pandemic?

A new variant named Omicron (B.1.1.529), first identified in South Africa, has become of considerable interest to the World Health Organization. This variant differs from the other known major variants, as it carries a large number of unusual mutations, particularly in the spinous process protein and receptor binding domains. Some specific mutation sites make it vaccine resistant, highly infectious, and highly pathogenic. The world fears that the Omicron variant could be even more harmful than the previous major variant, given that it has emerged amid fierce competition to trigger a new global pandemic peak as infections in South Africa rise. However, some epidemiological evidence has emerged that the Omicron variant may produce milder patient symptoms. We speculate if the virulence of the Omicron variant will diminish as transmissibility increases, thereby signaling the beginning of the end for the global COVID-19 pandemic. Based on this view, we make recommendations for COVID-19 mitigation in the present and future. However, it will take a few weeks to determine the true threat posed by the Omicron variant and we need to be fully prepared for future outbreaks, regardless of their severity.

Microbiome Links Cigarette Smoke-Induced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Dietary Fiber via the Gut-Lung Axis: A Narrative Review.

Existing comprehensive management strategies for COPD effectively relieve the symptoms of patients, delay the deterioration of lung function, and prevent the progression of COPD through various means and multidisciplinary interventions. However, there has been limited progress in therapies that address the underlying causes of COPD pathogenesis. Recent studies have identified specific changes in the gut and pulmonary microbiota in response to exposure to smoke that can cause or exacerbate CS-COPD by regulating the inflammatory immune response in the lungs through the gut-lung axis. As a convenient and controllable intervention, modifying the diet to include more dietary fiber can effectively improve the prognosis of CS-COPD. Gut microbiota ferment dietary fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids, which connect the microbial communities in the lung and gut mucosa across the gut-lung axis, playing an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive role in the lungs. Given that the effect of dietary fiber on gut microbiota was highly similar to that of quitting smoking on gut microbiota, we assume that microbiota might be a potential therapeutic target for dietary fiber to alleviate and prevent CS-COPD. This study examines the similarities between pulmonary and gut microbiota changes in the presence of smoking and dietary fiber. It also highlights the mechanism by which SCFAs link pulmonary and gut microbiota in CS-COPD and analyzes the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of short-chain fatty acids on CS-COPD via the gut-lung axis.