Association between Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and sarcopenia in ischemic heart disease: an 1999-2004 NHANES study of 1088 US individuals.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between DII and sarcopenia in individuals with ischemic heart disease (IHD). METHODS: This was a retrospective study utilizing data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999-2004. Adults aged ≥50 years diagnosed with IHD, having complete 24-hour dietary recall data, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)-measured muscle mass were eligible for inclusion. Association between DII and sarcopenia, defined by reduced appendicular skeletal muscle mass, was determined by the logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Data of 1088 individuals were analyzed, with the mean age of 68.1±0.5 years. Significantly higher DII was observed in the sarcopenic group compared to the non-sarcopenic group (0.24 vs. -0.17, P=0.020). After adjusting for relevant confounders in the multivariable analysis, each unit increase in DII was significantly associated with higher odds of sarcopenia (adjusted odd ratio [aOR]=1.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.14, P value = 0.040). In stratified analyses, among patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2, both DII tertile 2 and tertile 3 were significantly associated with greater odds of sarcopenia (tertile 2 vs. tertile 1: aOR=2.85, 95% CI: 1.56-5.23, P=0.001; tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: aOR=3.11, 95% CI: 1.53-6.31, P=0.002), whereas no significant associations was observed among patients with a BMI<30 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: This study has established a significant independent association between a higher DII and an increased risk of sarcopenia in US adults with IHD regardless of type of IHD. BMI appears as a moderating factor in this association.

[A Retrospective Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Idarubicin Combined with High-Dose Cytarabine Consolidation in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia over 60 Years of Age in First Remission].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of idarubicin combined with high-dose cytarabine as a post-remission therapy for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: From November 2017 to June 2021, 24 AML patients aged ≥60 years who were in complete remission for the first time were enrolled in consolidation chemotherapy with idarubicin (10 mg/m2 intravenously once for day 1) combined with high-dose cytarabine (1.5 g/m2 intravenously over 3 hours every 12 hours for day 1-3), and the efficacy and safety were observed. RESULTS: Among the 24 patients, there were 12 males and 12 females, the median age was 65 (60-78) years old, and the median follow-up time was 23.3 (2-42.7) months. By the end of the follow-up, 15 patients relapsed and 11 patients died. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 9 months and there were 3 cases of 2-year DFS. The median overall survival (OS) was 16.2 months, and there were 4 cases of 2-year OS. In terms of safety, 6 patients had grade 1-2 non-hematological adverse reactions, 12 patients had grade 3-4 hematological adverse reactions, and a total of 6 patients developed infection after consolidation chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis showed that two induction cycles and high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities were the adverse factors of DFS and OS in elderly patients with AML in this study. CONCLUSION: For AML patients ≥60 years old in first complete remission, idarubicin combined with high-dose cytarabine as post-remission therapy has a better safety, but compared with other regimens does not improve the prognosis of elderly patients, which needs further exploration.

Racial differences and factors associated with low femoral neck bone mineral density: an analysis of NHANES 2005-2014 data.

Using national representative data, we found the prevalence of and risk factors associated with low BMD differed by race and ethnicity. PURPOSE: Race/ethnicity is an important determinant of osteoporosis risk. The study aims were to (1) estimate the racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of low BMD, (2) identify factors associated with low BMD by race and ethnic group, and (3) evaluate if the association between sleep duration and low BMD is modified by age, sex, gender, and/or race/ethnicity. METHODS: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2005 to 2014, totally, 7992 participants aged ≥ 50 years were included as the primary cohort. Three race/ethnic groups were included: non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic Blacks. Low BMD was defined by femoral neck BMD T-scores less than - 1, as measured by DXA scan. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine associations between participants' demographics, comorbidities, lifestyle characteristics, and prevalent low BMD. RESULTS: Prevalence of low BMD was 50.8% among non-Hispanic Whites, 23.7% among non-Hispanic Blacks, and 44.0% among Hispanics. After adjusting for confounders, advanced age, female gender, and fracture history were significantly associated with increased odds of low BMD in all three race/ethnic groups. Family history of osteoporosis, ever used glucocorticoids daily, and vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were associated with increased odds of low BMD only among non-Hispanic Whites. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) history and diabetes were associated with low BMD only among non-Hispanic Blacks. Short sleep duration was not associated with low BMD in all ethnic groups, but was significantly associated with low BMD in older adults (> 65 years) and females. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of low BMD among three race/ethnic groups in the USA is determined, with race/ethnic disparities in several risk factors associated with low BMD identified. By contrast, advanced age, female gender, and fracture history are associated with increased odds of low BMD across all race/ethnic groups. The association between sleep duration and low BMD is modified by age and sex. Together, these findings may help clinicians and healthcare providers formulate better care for individual's bone health.

CEOP/IVE/GDP alternating regimen compared with CEOP as the first-line therapy for newly diagnosed patients with peripheral T cell lymphoma: results from a phase 2, multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP)/CHOP-like chemotherapy is widely used in peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL). Here we conducted a phase 2, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, comparing the efficacy and safety of CEOP/IVE/GDP alternating regimen with CEOP in newly diagnosed PTCL. METHODS: PTCL patients, except for anaplastic large cell lymphoma-anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive, were 1:1 randomly assigned to receive CEOP/IVE/GDP (CEOP, cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2, epirubicin 70 mg/m2, vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 [maximum 2 mg] on day 1, and prednisone 60 mg/m2 [maximum 100 mg] on days 1-5 every 21 days, at the first and fourth cycle; IVE, ifosfamide 2000 mg/m2 on days 1-3, epirubicin 70 mg/m2 on day 1, and etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1-3 every 21 days, at the second and fifth cycle; and GDP, gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, cisplatin 25 mg/m2 on days 1-3, and dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1-4 every 21 days, at the third and sixth cycle) and CEOP (every 21 days for 6 cycles). Analysis of efficacy and safety was of the intent-to-treatment population. The primary endpoint was a complete response rate at the end of treatment. Meanwhile, whole exome sequencing and targeted sequencing were performed in 62 patients with available tumor samples to explore prognostic biomarkers in this cohort as an exploratory post hoc analysis. RESULTS: Among 106 patients, 53 each were enrolled to CEOP/IVE/GDP and CEOP. With 51 evaluable patients each in two groups, a complete response rate of the CEOP/IVE/GDP group was similar to that of the CEOP group (37.3% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.532). There was no difference in median progression-free survival (PFS; 15.4 months vs. 9.2 months, p = 0.122) or overall survival (OS; 24.3 months vs. 21.9 months, p = 0.178). Grade 3-4 hematological and non-hematological adverse events were comparable. Histone modification genes were most frequently mutated (25/62, 40.3%), namely KMT2D, KMT2A, SETD2, EP300, and CREBBP. Multivariate analysis indicated that CREBBP and IDH2 mutations were independent factors predicting poor PFS and OS (all p < 0.001), while KMT2D predicting poor PFS (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: CEOP/IVE/GDP alternating regimen showed no remission or survival advantage to standard chemotherapy. Future clinical trials should aim to develop alternative regimen targeting disease biology as demonstrated by recurrent mutations in epigenetic factors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT02533700) on August 27, 2015.

Pseudoguaianelactones A-C: three unusual sesquiterpenoids from Lindera glauca with anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the LPS-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2.

The pseudoguaianelactones A (1) and B (2), two novel sesquiterpene lactones with an unprecedented [5,7,7] ring system featuring an α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety, together with a new pseudoguaianelactone C (3) were isolated from the roots of Lindera glauca. Pseudoguaianelactones A-C (1-3) inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production, with IC50 values ranging from 1.38 to 4.00 µM. Moreover, all compounds significantly suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß and PGE2) and the protein expression of the enzymes iNOS and COX-2.

The effectiveness of intra-aortic balloon pump for myocardial infarction in patients with or without cardiogenic shock: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting reports on the efficacy of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) incited us to evaluate the utility of IABP in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Randomized clinical trials comparing patients, who received IABP vs. control (no IABP) during PCI, were hand-searched from MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases using the terms "intra-aortic balloon pump, percutaneous coronary intervention, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome". Mortality rate (30-day and 6-month mortality) was the primary outcome, while the secondary outcomes included 30-day bleeding rate, reinfarction rate, revascularization rate and stroke rate. RESULTS: Pooled results of the seven trials identified indicated that the 30-day and 6-month mortality rate were not significantly different between the IABP and control groups. However, in patients with MI, but without cardiogenic shock (CS), IABP was associated with lower odds of 30-day mortality (OR = 0.35, p = 0.015) and 6-month mortality (OR = 0.41, p = 0.020). The pooled results of 30-day bleeding rate was not significantly higher in patients with IABP than the control group, but for the patients with high risk PCI without CS, it was higher in patients with IABP than the control group (OR = 1.58, p = 0.009). The re-infarction, revascularization, and the stroke rate at 30 days of follow-up were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present results do not favor the clinical utility of IABP in patients suffering high-risk PCI without CS and AMI complicated with CS. However, in patients with AMI, but without CS, IABP may reduce the 30-day and 6-month mortality rate.

[Efficacy of CALLG2008 protocol in treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a single center analysis].

CALLG2008 Protocol is sequential chemotherapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) established by Collaborative Group of adults acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is emphasized that comprehensive treatment of adult ALL according to risk stratification is rather important. This study was purposed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of CALLG2008 for adult ALL. The clinical data of adult ALL patients of ≥ 14 years old diagnosed and treated by CALLG2008 Protocol were collected from May 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, and the efficacy was analyzed. The results showed that 31 out of 33 cases of ALL achieved CR, the CR rate was up to 93.9%, the PR rate was 3.1%, and the total response rate was 97%. There were no uncontrolled severe toxicities, and no early deaths were observed. The overall survival (OS) at 1 year was only 66.7%,the relapse rate was 43.8% and the 1-year mortality was 33.3 %. This may be related with no-enough compliance, no-enough economical support and short follow-up time of the patients. The risk factor analysis showed that WBC level in newly diagnosed patients may influence the OS and relapse-free survival (RFS) of ALL. It is concluded that CALLG2008 protocol applied to adult ALL has a high remission quality and low mortality rate during the induction. The disease free survival (DFS) needs to be observed longer. It is essential to carry out MRD monitoring to determine the early recurrence and improving the long-term efficacy.

Adverse drug interactions as a high-risk factor for lethal post-transplant complications in Chinese population.

Metabolism of triazole antifungal agents is highly competitive to conventional post-transplant immunosuppressants like cyclosporine A (CsA) via the cytochrome P450-dependent pathway. We present the first report on lethal complications that may arise due to this type of drug interaction. A retrospective survey identified 10 of 104 cases (9.62%) that suffered life-threatening complications associated with the interaction between CsA and itraconazole or voriconazole following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) at our center. According to the close drug monitoring, all 10 patients experienced supratherapeutic levels of CsA even with a preemptive CsA dosage reduction and prompt dose adjustment. Six patients developed grade I to III acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and eventually died from either idiopathic pneumonia syndrome or diffuse alveolar hemorrhage; another four patients died from CSA-associated neurological complications. Impaired hepatic and renal function was noted in only one of these 10 cases. The high frequency as well as the unpredictability of severe complications lead us to suggest that triazole should always be replaced by another antifungal medication (e.g., amphotericin B or Echincandins) while patients receive CsA after HSCT, especially in the Chinese population.

[Efficacy of remission induction chemotherapy and prognostic analysis in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the outcome of remission induction chemotherapy (IC) and prognostic in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: The clinical data of 156 AML patients older than 60 years in the Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2003 to July 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. 104 patients received cytarabine-based regimens, including protocol DA,IA or CAG,while 52 patients received palliative treatment. The median survival time was compared between patients with and without IC. The prognostic factors were evaluated by using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: 145 (93%) cases were followed-up. The median survival time was 316 days in 96 IC patients, compared with 37 days in 49 PT patients (P < 0.01). Not receiving induction chemotherapy,high-risk karyotype,hyperleukocytosis (> or = 100 x 10(9)/L), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) > or = 2 were adverse prognostic factors of the survival time with univariate analysis, and all were independent poor factors affecting the survival time with multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: IC can improve outcomes in elderly AML patients. The patients with hyperleukocytosis (> or = 100 x 10(9)/L) , high-risk karyotype, CCI > or = 2 and without receiving IC have poorer prognosis.

[Value of quantitative tissue velocity imaging in the evaluation of cardiac function and diagnosis of left heart failure].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of quantitative tissue velocity imaging (QTVI) echocardiography in the evaluation of cardiac function and the diagnosis of left heart failure. METHODS: 30 heart failure (HF) patients, aged 66 +/- 12 (39 - 86), and 32 normal controls, 66 +/- 12 (40 - 82) underwent conventional echocardiography, and QTVI. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated by Simpson's formula. Mitral annulus peak systolic velocity (Vs) and systolic displacement (Ds) from posteroseptal, lateral, anteroseptal, posterior, anterior, and inferior segments were determined by QTVI, and the mean Vs and Ds were calculated. The values of mean Vs and Ds of the HF patients and those of the normal controls, and the values of mean Vs and Ds of the HF patients before and after treatment were compared. The correlation of the mean Vs and Ds with LVEF was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean Vs of the HF patients was 2.8 cm/s +/- 0.6 cm/s, significantly lower than that of the normal controls (6.4 cm/s +/- 0.9 cm/s, P < 0.01). The mean Vs of the HF patients after treatment was 3.5 cm/s +/- 1.1 cm/s, significantly higher than that before treatment (2.8 cm/s +/- 0.6 cm/s, P < 0.01). The mean Ds of the HF patients was 5.2 mm +/- 1.5 mm, significantly lower than that of the normal controls (11.6 mm +/- 1.5 mm, P < 0.01). The mean Ds of the HF patients after treatment was 6.5 mm +/- 2.0 mm, significantly higher than that before treatment (5.2 mm +/- 1.5 mm, P < 0.01). The mean Vs and mean Ds were positively correlated with LVEF (r = 0.87, P < 0.01, and r = 0.89, P < 0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) was 0.95 for the mean Vs to diagnose HF. The mean Vs < or = 4.42 cm/s was used as a cut-off point to diagnosis left HF with a sensitivity of 97.5% a specificity of 90.2%, and an accuracy rating of 95.1%. The AUC of ROC was 0.96 for the mean Ds to diagnose HF. The mean Ds < or = 8.49 mm was used as a cut-off point to diagnose left HF with a sensitivity of 97.5%, a specificity of 87.8%, and an accuracy rating was 95.1%. CONCLUSION: The mean systolic velocity and mean systolic displacement of mitral annulus determined by QTVI help evaluate the left ventricular systolic function. The value of the diagnosis is significant in left HF.

[Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against the adhesion protein 33 of Trichomonas vaginalis].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and characterize the monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) against recombinant adhesion protein 33 (AP33) of Trichomonas vaginalis. METHODS: The purified recombinant fusion protein AP33 was used as antigen to immunize BALB/c mice. Sp2/0 myeloma cells were fused with the splenocytes from immunized BALB/c mice. After ELISA screening and 4 times of limited dilution, 5 positive hybridoma cell lines were obtained, and the biological properties of the McAbs were identified by Western blotting. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was performed and the inhibition effect of McAbs on the cytoadherence of Trichomonas vaginalis to HeLa cell was assayed. RESULTS: Western blotting demonstrated that 5 McAbs, designated as 4A2, 4F11, 4F8, 4E7 and 4H11, specifically combined with the recombinant AP33 of T. vaginalis. The McAbs were IgG1 isotypes. Four of them (4F11, 4F8, 4E7 and 4H11) showed parasite recognition by IFAT. Parasite cytoadherence to a monolayer of HeLa cells was inhibited in vitro with a inhibition rate of 50.08%, 65.03%, 50.70% and 49.08% by the 4 McAbs under a concentration of 200, 200, 400 and 200 microg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prepared McAbs against the recombinant AP33 show a protective inhibition on cytoadherence of Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro.

Investigations on factors that influence the moving neutralization reaction boundary method for capillary electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing.

We investigated several factors, such as temperature, current intensity (i), time (t) and the product (mA min mm(-2), viz., C mm(-2)) of i and t, etc., that obviously affect the moving neutralization reaction boundary method (MNRBM). The results manifest that the temperature and the product ti have a strong influence on the movement rate of the boundary. The data prove that about 0.6 C mm(-2) (being equivalent to 10 mA min mm(-2)) is a critical point. If the product ti is lower than the critical point, a good quantitative agreement exists between the observed and theoretical values, but if it is higher than the critical point, the agreements are poor. The optimized experimental conditions are: (1) 18-20 degrees C room temperature, (2) 0.6-0.8 mA mm(-2), (3) less than 10 mA min mm(-2), (4) 1% agarose gel, (5) daily prepared solution and gel containing NaOH. The optimized MNRBM is of benefit for the studies on MNRB itself, isoelectric focusing and capillary zone electrophoresis as will be partially shown in this paper.