Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index is associated with the risk of osteoporosis in older fall-prone men: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence linking the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aCCI), an assessment tool for multimorbidity, to fragility fracture and fracture-related postoperative complications. However, the role of multimorbidity in osteoporosis has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. We aimed to investigate the association between aCCI and the risk of osteoporosis in older adults at moderate to high risk of falling. METHODS: A total of 947 men were included from January 2015 to August 2022 in a hospital in Beijing, China. The aCCI was calculated by counting age and each comorbidity according to their weighted scores, and the participants were stratified into two groups by aCCI: low (aCCI < 5), and high (aCCI ≥5). The Kaplan Meier method was used to assess the cumulative incidence of osteoporosis by different levels of aCCI. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the association of aCCI with the risk of osteoporosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was adapted to assess the performance for aCCI in osteoporosis screening. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean age of all patients was 75.7 years, the mean BMI was 24.8 kg/m2, and 531 (56.1%) patients had high aCCI while 416 (43.9%) were having low aCCI. During a median follow-up of 6.6 years, 296 participants developed osteoporosis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that participants with high aCCI had significantly higher cumulative incidence of osteoporosis compared with those had low aCCI (log-rank test: P < 0.001). When aCCI was examined as a continuous variable, the multivariable-adjusted model showed that the osteoporosis risk increased by 12.1% (HR = 1.121, 95% CI 1.041-1.206, P = 0.002) as aCCI increased by one unit. When aCCI was changed to a categorical variable, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios associated with different levels of aCCI [low (reference group) and high] were 1.00 and 1.557 (95% CI 1.223-1.983) for osteoporosis (P <  0.001), respectively. The aCCI (cutoff ≥5) revealed an area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.566 (95%CI 0.527-0.605, P = 0.001) in identifying osteoporosis in older fall-prone men, with sensitivity of 64.9% and specificity of 47.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicated an association of higher aCCI with an increased risk of osteoporosis among older fall-prone men, supporting the possibility of aCCI as a marker of long-term skeletal-related adverse clinical outcomes.

Identification, expression, and artificial selection of silkworm epigenetic modification enzymes.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the genetic basis of phenotype variations during domestication and breeding is of great interest. Epigenetics and epigenetic modification enzymes (EMEs) may play a role in phenotypic variations; however, no comprehensive study has been performed to date. Domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori) may be utilized as a model in determining how EMEs influence domestication traits. RESULTS: We identified 44 EMEs in the genome of silkworm (Bombyx mori) using homology searching. Phylogenetic analysis showed that genes in a subfamily among different animals were well clustered, and the expression pattern of EMEs is constant among Bombyx mori, Drosophila melanogaster, and Mus musculus. These are most highly expressed in brain, early embryo, and internal genitalia. By gene-related selective sweeping, we identified five BmEMEs under artificial selection during the domestication and breeding of silkworm. Among these selected genes, BmSuv4-20 and BmDNMT2 harbor selective mutations in their upstream regions that alter transcription factor-binding sites. Furthermore, these two genes are expressed higher in the testis and ovary of domesticated silkworm compared to wild silkworms, and correlations between their expression pattern and meiosis of the sperm and ova were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The domestication of silkworm has induced artificial selection on epigenetic modification markers that may have led to phenotypic changes during domestication. We present a novel perspective to understand the genetic basis underlying animal domestication and breeding.

Downregulation of MiR-218 can alleviate high-glucose-induced renal proximal tubule injury by targeting GPRC5A.

The purpose of this study was to explore the functional implication of microRNA-218 (miR-218) in diabetic nephropathy (DN) through high-glucose-stimulated renal proximal tubule impairment. Biological function experiments showed that miR-218 and inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1ß were highly expressed in renal proximal tubule under high-glucose conditions. Inhibiting miR-218 alleviated renal tubular cell injury, which was represented by miR-218 inhibitor facilitating renal tubular cell vitality whilst reducing its apoptosis and levels of inflammation factors. In addition, we confirmed that miR-218 directly targeted GPRC5A and negatively regulated its expression. Co-transfection assay showed that overexpression of GPRC5A accentuated the mitigated action of miR-218 inhibitor on renal proximal tubule cell injury induced by high-glucose. Accordingly, these data indicated that downregulation of miR-218 can assuage high-glucose-resulted renal tubular cell damage, and its ameliorative effect was achieved by negative regulation of GPRC5A, which provides a novel direction for unearthing the pathogenesis and even further biological treatment of DN.

Isolation and culture of rat aortic endothelial cells in vitro: A novel approach without collagenase digestion.

To study cardiovascular diseases, the isolation and culture of functional endothelial cells are very important. This study uncovered a novel approach to isolate and culture endothelial cells. The thoracic aorta was collected from Wistar rats with the attached tissue clearly removed. These aorta segments were seeded onto a six-welled plate with the endothelium facing down and removed 2 days after endothelial sprouting started. The endothelial cells were harvested until 80% uneven confluence and cultured for another two passages for use in the following assays: immunofluorescence and flow cytometry assays for endothelial marker expression (CD31 and von Willebrand factor [vWF]), the Dil-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL) uptake assay, the tube formation assay, the Hoechst staining apoptosis assay, the ß-galactosidase staining assay for cell senescence, and the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for cell viability. Morphologically, the endothelial cells started to migrate away from the aorta after 50 to 72 hours of culture, showing a cobblestone-like structure. The cultured cells expressed high levels of CD31 and vWF, 94.65% of the cells were positive for CD31, and most of the cells showed low-density lipoprotein uptake. They were able to form tube-like structures in vitro and were negatively stained for ß-galactosidase or Hoechst staining. Importantly, the cells at passages 3 and 10 showed similar levels of CCK-8, ß-galactosidase, Hoechst staining, uptake of Dil-Ac-LDL, and capillary tube formation. This novel technique is useful to isolate and culture rat aortic endothelial cells for future studies of endothelial functions and biology. In addition, primary vascular endothelial cells at passages 3 to 10 are suitable for experiments.

Design, synthesis, and antitumor activity of oleanolic acid derivatives.

Using the techniques of computer-aided drug design, the docking of survivin and known active small molecules was simulated and then the key amino acid residue fragments of the target protein were analyzed. It led to the discovery of active groups capable of binding to the critical sites. Through the use of the natural product, oleanolic acid, as a lead compound, the introduction of the active groups onto the A-ring, and the modification of the carboxyl group at the C-28 position using esterification or amidation, 20 new oleanolic acid derivatives had been designed and synthesized. HepG2 and SGC-7901 cells were used to screen the antitumor activity through the standard MTT method. The compounds, II3, III5 and IV4, exhibited more potent cytotoxicity than positive drugs. Western blot experiment demonstrated that compound II3 can effectively inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells.

Intra-arterial ethanol embolization augments response to TACE for treatment of HCC with portal venous tumor thrombus.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus remains extremely poor. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility, effectiveness and safety of transcatheter chemoembolization for tumors in the liver parenchyma plus intra-arterial ethanol embolization for portal vein tumor thrombus. METHODS: A pilot study was carried out on 31 patients in the treatment group (transcatheter chemoembolization plus intra-arterial ethanol embolization) and 57 patients in the control group (transcatheter chemoembolization alone). Enhanced computed tomography/magnetic resonance images were repeated 4 weeks after the procedure to assess the response. Overall survival and complications were assessed until the patient died or was lost to follow-up. RESULTS: Median survival was 10.5 months in the treatment group (2.4 ± 1.7 courses) and 3.9 months in the control group (1.9 ± 1 courses) (P = 0.001). Patients in the treatment group had better overall survival (at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively), compared to patients in the control group (90.3% vs. 59.6%, 64.5% vs. 29.8%, and 41.9% vs. 10.6%; p = 0.001). Furthermore, the rate of portal vein tumor thrombus regression was higher in the treatment group (93.1%) than in the control group (32.1%) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, transcatheter chemoembolization combined with intra-arterial ethanol embolization may be more effective than transcatheter chemoembolization alone for treating hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus. Intra-arterial ethanol embolization for treating portal vein tumor thrombus is safe, feasible and prolongs overall survival.

[Interference of Lumican Regulates the Invasion and Migration of Liver Cancer Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of silencing lumican on the invasion and migration of liver cancer cells. METHODS: Lumican was silenced by shRNA in liver cancer cells (HepG2 and MHCC97H). The mRNA levels of lumican were detected by qRT-PCR. Cell invasion was measured by Transwell. Cell migration was tested via wound healing. The protein levels of lumican,MMP-9,VEGF,ERK1,JNK,p-ERK1 and p-JNK were measured by Western blot. RESULTS: Liver cancer cells (HepG2 and MHCC97H) had higher levels of mRNA and protein of lumican compared with normal hepatocyte L02 (P<0.01). shRNA lowered the levels of mRNA and protein of lumican (P<0.01),and weakened the invasion and migration of cancer cells (P<0.01). The expressions of MMP-9 and VEGF decreased with the shRNA silence (P<0.01). shRNA also reduced the protein level of p-ERK1 and p-JNK (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Silencing lumican by shRNA attenuates the invasion and migration of liver cancer cells via inhibiting the activation of ERK1/JNK pathway.

Tim3/galectin-9 alleviates the inflammation of TAO patients via suppressing Akt/NF-kB signaling pathway.

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an autoimmune disease. Studies showed that T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, and Th17 cells play important roles in the pathology of TAO. Tim-3 and its only known ligand Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is related to the suppression of Th1 and Th17 cytokine secretion. This study aims to investigate the role of Tim3/Gal-9 in the inflammatory response of TAO. In this study, the levels of Tim3, Gal-9, and cytokines of Th1 (TNF-α and IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-4), and Th17 (IL-17) cells were analyzed in the blood samples of TAO patients and healthy controls as well as in orbital fibroblasts. Tim3 overexpression and Gal-9 neutralizing antibody were used in TAO and LPS-stimulated control orbital fibroblasts to further investigate the role and mechanism of Tim3/Gal-9 on the inflammation of TAO. We found Tim3 and Gal-9 expression was significantly downregulated in TAO patients and further lower in active TAO than inactive TAO or controls. Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines were all increased in TAO patients. Th1 and Th17 cytokines were higher in active TAO patients than in inactive TAO patients, while Th2 cytokines were enhanced in inactive TAO. Tim3 overexpression decreased the levels of Th1 and Th17 cytokines, but not Th2 cytokine in TAO or LPS-stimulated control orbital fibroblasts. These effects were abrogated by Gal-9 neutralizing antibody. Moreover, Tim3 reduced the levels of p-Akt and p-p65 in TAO or LPS-induced control orbital fibroblasts that were reversed by Gal-9 blocking. In conclusion, Tim3/Gal-9 alleviates the inflammation of TAO patients via suppressing Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

N-acetylcysteine attenuates cigaret smoke-induced pulmonary exacerbation in a mouse model of emphysema.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cigaret smoke (CS) on a mouse model of emphysema and examine the protective role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the CS-induced exacerbation of pulmonary damage in the mice. METHOD: Particulate matter (PM) in sidestream cigaret smoke aerosol was analyzed by a scanning mobility particle sizer spectrometer. A mouse model of emphysema was established by an injection of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) into the trachea. Mice with emphysema were then exposed to filtered air, or sidestream CS with intragastric administration of NAC or normal saline. Mouse body weight, survival, pulmonary tissue histology, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and malonaldehyde (MDA) contents in lung tissue, and inflammatory responses were examined. RESULTS: Particles with a size of ≤346 nm constituted 99.06% of CS PM. Mice exhibited ruptured alveolar septal, alveolar fusion, significantly increased mean lining interval, and reduced mean alveolar number (all p < 0.05), 21 d after PPE injection. Exposure of mice with emphysema to CS exacerbated the pulmonary tissue damage, caused weight loss, significantly increased mortality, decreased T-AOC, elevated MDA contents in lung tissue, and increased interleukin (IL)-1ß levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids (all p < 0.05). Administration of NAC attenuated those CS-induced adverse effects in the mice and increased anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 levels in BAL fluids significantly (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of mice with emphysema to CS exacerbated the pulmonary damage, and NAC reduced the CS-mediated pulmonary damage by preventing oxidative damage and reducing inflammatory responses.

[Isolation and Identification of Rat Kidney Stem Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and steadily culture kidney stem cells (KSCs) from rat renal papilla, and to identify the biological characteristics of KSCs. METHODS: KSCs were isolated from the tips of renal papilla in 4 weeks-old Sprague-Dawley rats. The morphology of KSCs was observed under inversion microscope, and the phenotye characteristics of kSCs were identified through flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The abilities of KSCs in adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated. The differences of gene expression between KSCs and rat renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs)were compared using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: KSCs showed a spindle-shaped and arborization-like growth pattern. Immunofluorescence indicated that KSCs staining with alpha-sooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Vimentin, N-Cadherin, Nestin, CD133 marker, and without E-cadherin, cytokeratin-18 (CK-18), zona occludens protein-1 (ZO-1). The positive staining of CD29, CD90, CD73 were 99. 0%, 95. 8%, 99. 9% respectively, the positive staining of CD45 was 3. 4%. The positive stainings of stem cell marker CD133 and Nestin were 33. 2% and 70. 2% respectively, while the double staining rate was 31. 4%., KSCs showed positive staining by oil red 0 after adipogenic differentiation, and orange calcium deposition by alizarin red staining after osteogenic differentiation. qRT-PCR showed that the expressions of embryonic stem cell marker Nanog, Oct4/pou5f1,Sox2/sry-box-2 in KSCs were higher than those in RTECs (P< 0.01), and the expressions of mesenchymal marker c-SMA, Vimentin were also higher in KSCs (P<0. 01). Compared with RTECs, the expressions of mature epithelium marker E-Cadherin, CK18 in KSCs were lower (P< 0. 01). CONCLUSION: KSCs were isolated successfully and steadily cultured from the rat renal papilla, which were identified with featured biological characteristics.

MiR-199a is overexpressed in plasma of type 2 diabetes patients which contributes to type 2 diabetes by targeting GLUT4.

Decreased GLUT4 expression and impaired GLUT4 cell membrane translocation are involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) pathogenesis so the factors impacting GLUT4 expression may be associated with T2DM. In this study, we identified four miRNAs: miR-31, miR-93, miR-146a, and miR-199a which suppress GLUT4 expression in HEK293T cells. Subsequently, we determined expression of these four miRNAs in plasma samples of T2DM patients, T2DM susceptible individuals, and healthy controls and found miR-199a was overexpressed in patients' plasma compared with healthy control. Because the miR-199a binding site in GLUT4 3'UTR is highly conserved among vertebrates, we detected the glucose uptake in rat L6 myoblast cells through gain- and loss-of-function of miR-199a. We found that miR-199a can repress glucose uptake in L6 cells, which was rescued by GLUT4 overexpression. These results indicate that T2DM patients may have a high level miR-199a that reduce GLUT4 expression and contribute to the insulin resistance. Hence, miR-199a may be a novel biomarker for risk estimation and classification in T2DM patients.

Parsimonious model for blood glucose level monitoring in type 2 diabetes patients.

To establish the parsimonious model for blood glucose monitoring in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving oral hypoglycemic agent treatment. One hundred and fifty-nine adult Chinese type 2 diabetes patients were randomized to receive rapid-acting or sustained-release gliclazide therapy for 12 weeks. Their blood glucose levels were measured at 10 time points in a 24 h period before and after treatment, and the 24 h mean blood glucose levels were measured. Contribution of blood glucose levels to the mean blood glucose level and HbA1c was assessed by multiple regression analysis. The correlation coefficients of blood glucose level measured at 10 time points to the daily MBG were 0.58-0.74 and 0.59-0.79, respectively, before and after treatment (P<0.0001). The multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the blood glucose levels measured at 6 of the 10 time points could explain 95% and 97% of the changes in MBG before and after treatment. The three blood glucose levels, which were measured at fasting, 2 h after breakfast and before dinner, of the 10 time points could explain 84% and 86% of the changes in MBG before and after treatment, but could only explain 36% and 26% of the changes in HbA1c before and after treatment, and they had a poorer correlation with the HbA1c than with the 24 h MBG. The blood glucose levels measured at fasting, 2 h after breakfast and before dinner truly reflected the change 24 h blood glucose level, suggesting that they are appropriate for the self-monitoring of blood glucose levels in diabetes patients receiving oral anti-diabetes therapy.

[Correlation of sex hormones and parathyroid hormone with biochemical markers of bone turnover in aged men].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of serum sex hormones and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with the biochemical markers of bone turnover in aged men. METHODS: We collected the laboratory data of 465 men aged 60- 93 (73. 1 +/- 8. 3) years old, who came for routine physical examinations in our hospital. We obtained the levels of serum follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), PTH, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25(OH) D3), and bone turnover markers C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), osteocalcin (OC) and amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP). We also determined free testosterone (FT) , bioactive testosterone (BT) , testosterone secretion index (TSI) and FT index (FTI), and analyzed the correlation of each index with the biochemical markers of bone turnover. RESULTS: The concentrations of serum FSH, LH, and SHBG increased, while the levels of FT, BT, TSI, FTI, PTH, CTX, OC and PINP decreased with age, especially in those over 80 years old (P <0.05). PTH was positively correlated with CTX, OC and PINP (r =0. 227, 0. 269 and 0. 162, P <0. 01), even after the adjustment for age, while SHBG negatively correlated with OC (r = -0. 100, P <0.05). The bone turnover markers increased with the elevation of the PTH quartiles, with significant differences between the first and the fourth quartile (P <0. 01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that age was correlated inversely with CTX, OC and PINP ( beta = -0. 126, -0. 141 and -0. 122, P <0.05) , PTH positively with the three markers (beta = 0. 196, 0.279 and 0.189; P <0. 001), and SHBG negatively with OC ( beta = -0. 100, P <0.05) . CONCLUSION: Aging is the fundamental cause of reduced bone turnover in aged men. The levels serum PTH and SHBG are significantly associated with the biochemical markers of bone turnover.

A systematic review of the genus Bolbelasmus Boucomont (Coleoptera, Geotrupidae, Bolboceratinae) from Indochina and surrounding areas.

Indochinese species of the genus Bolbelasmus (Coleoptera, Geotrupidae, Bolboceratinae) are reviewed. Three new species, Bolbelasmuschifengi Wang & Li, sp. nov., Bolbelasmusconcavisuturalis Li & Wang, sp. nov. and Bolbelasmusyutangi Li & Wang, sp. nov., are described and illustrated. An annotated checklist and modified key to species of the genus are provided. Information for each species in the checklist includes literature review, synonymy, distribution and type locality.

Patterns and drivers of avian taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity in China vary across geographical backgrounds and dispersal abilities.

Geographical background and dispersal ability may strongly influence assemblage dissimilarity; however, these aspects have generally been overlooked in previous large-scale beta diversity studies. Here, we examined whether the patterns and drivers of taxonomic beta diversity (TBD) and phylogenetic beta diversity (PBD) of breeding birds in China vary across (1) regions on both sides of the Hu Line, which demarcates China's topographical, climatic, economic, and social patterns, and (2) species with different dispersal ability. TBD and PBD were calculated and partitioned into turnover and nestedness components using a moving window approach. Variables representing climate, habitat heterogeneity, and habitat quality were employed to evaluate the effects of environmental filtering. Spatial distance was considered to assess the impact of dispersal limitation. Variance partitioning analysis was applied to assess the relative roles of these variables. In general, the values of TBD and PBD were high in mountainous areas and were largely determined by environmental filtering. However, different dominant environmental filters on either side of the Hu Line led to divergent beta diversity patterns. Specifically, climate-driven species turnover and habitat heterogeneity-related species nestedness dominated the regions east and west of the line, respectively. Additionally, bird species with stronger dispersal ability were more susceptible to environmental filtering, resulting in more homogeneous assemblages. Our results indicated that regions with distinctive geographical backgrounds may present different ecological factors that lead to divergent assemblage dissimilarity patterns, and dispersal ability determines the response of assemblages to these ecological factors. Identifying a single universal explanation for the observed pattern without considering these aspects may lead to simplistic or incomplete conclusions. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of large-scale beta diversity patterns and effective planning of conservation strategies necessitate the consideration of both geographical background and species dispersal ability.

[The compliance in elderly male with osteoporosis treated with oral alendronate].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the compliance in elderly male with osteoporosis treated with oral alendronate and analyze the factors which affect the therapeutic compliance. METHODS: A total of 145 elderly male patients diagnosed with osteoporosis who had been initiated the treatment of oral alendronate in our clinic during January to June in 2011 were enrolled in the study. The medication compliance of one year was investigated. According to the different medication possession ratio (MPR), MPR ≥ 80% was considered as adherent and MPR < 80% was considered as non-adherent. The difference in the two groups was compared and the factors which affect the therapeutic compliance were analyzed. RESULT: A total of 139 patients had been followed up with 32 adherent cases (23.02%) and 107 non-adherent cases (76.98%). Logistic regression analysis showed the factors which affected the therapeutic compliance as the following: ostealgia (OR = 0.69, P = 0.043), no-reminder (OR = 1.37, P = 0.025), concern about drug related side effect (OR = 1.49, P = 0.018), more than 7 kinds of drugs (OR = 1.30, P = 0.036) and uncertain long-term effect (OR = 1.39, P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Compliance of oral alendronate to treat osteoporosis in elderly male patients is poor. Ostealgia can promote the drug compliance. The factors which could decrease the drug compliance are no-reminder, concern about drug related side effect, more than 7 kinds of drugs and uncertain long-term efficacy.

[Influencing factors of glycemic variability in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors of glycemic variability in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 337 elderly patients received continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) from January 2007 to January 2011. The evaluation variables of glycemic variability included standard deviation of blood glucose (SDBG), mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE), absolute means of daily differences (MODD) and postprandial glucose excursion (PPGE). The normal reference value of glycemic variability was defined according to the diagnostic criteria of Chinese Diabetes Society guideline. RESULTS: The difference of glycemic variability was compared by gender, age and diabetic duration. The values of SDBG, MAGE, MODD and PPGE in females were all higher than those in males (P < 0.05) and no difference existed between various age groups. The level of glycemic variability increased gradually with the extension of diabetic duration (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that gender (MAGE: OR = 0.44, P = 0.023; SDBG: OR = 0.39, P = 0.023), diabetic duration (MAGE: OR = 1.58, P = 0.006; SDBG: OR = 2.42, P < 0.001) and HbA1c (MAGE: OR = 2.44, P < 0.001; SDBG: OR = 2.68, P < 0.001) were significant influencing factors of glycemic variability (MAGE/SDBG) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (P < 0.05), but not age, body mass index (BMI) or diabetic neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Gender, diabetic duration and HbA1c are significant influencing factors of glycemic variability while age, BMI or diabetic neuropathy has no association with glycemic variability in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Taxonomy of the Oriental genus Bolbochromus: a generic overview and descriptions of four new species (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Bolboceratinae).

A taxonomic overview of the essentially Oriental genus Bolbochromus Boucomont, 1909 is given. Two new southeast Asian subgenera are proposed: Metabolbochromus (type species Scarabaeus sulcicollis Wiedemann, 1819), characterised by unique male genitalia (lacking separated parameres), and Bolbochromops (type species Bolboceras ludekingi Lansberge, 1886), with a distinctly two-horned head (but with separated parameres). The remaining known Bolbochromus, apparently all with a distinct pair of parameres and a distinct frontovertexal protrusion only, are left in the nominotypical subgenus, awaiting a reappraisal of the poorly sampled continental fauna. Four new species are described and compared with close relatives, all in the nominotypical subgenus: Bolbochromus (Bolbochromus) dumogensis (Sulawesi), B. (Bolbochromus) mindanaicus (Philippines), B. (Bolbochromus) pumilus (south India), and B. (Bolbochromus) sinensis (south China). Identity of type species of Bolbochromus to be established (type of Bolboceras laetus Westwood, 1852 not found, and type locality Ceylon doubtful). All named Bolbochromus taxa are listed and characterised (some of them tentatively) in a synoptic table. The southeast Asian island taxa are all keyed and diagnosed, along with notes on variation, range extensions, taxon ranking, and illustrations.

Cholesterol paradox in the community-living old adults: is higher better?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations of lipid indicators and mortality in Beijing Elderly Comprehensive Health Cohort Study. METHODS: A prospective cohort was conducted based on Beijing Elderly Comprehensive Health Cohort Study with 4499 community older adults. After the baseline survey, the last follow-up was March 31, 2021 with an average 8.13 years of follow-up. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI for cardiovascular disease (CVD) death and all-cause death in associations with baseline lipid indicators. RESULTS: A total of 4499 participants were recruited, and the mean levels of uric acid, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) showed an upward trend with the increasing remnant cholesterol (RC) quarters (Ptrend < 0.05), while the downward trend was found in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). During the total 36,596 person-years follow-up, the CVD mortality and all-cause mortality during an average 8.13 years of follow-up was 3.87% (95% CI: 3.30%-4.43%) and 14.83% (95% CI: 13.79%-15.86%) with 174 CVD death participants and 667 all-cause death participants. After adjusting for confounders, the higher level of TC (HR = 0.854, 95% CI: 0.730-0.997), LDL-C (HR = 0.817, 95% CI: 0.680-0.982) and HDL-C (HR = 0.443, 95% CI: 0.271-0.724) were associated with lower risk of CVD death, and the higher level of HDL-C (HR = 0.637, 95% CI: 0.501-0.810) were associated with lower risk of all-cause death. The higher level of RC (HR = 1.276, 95% CI: 1.010-1.613) increase the risk of CVD death. Compared with the normal lipid group, TC ≥ 6.20 mmol/L group and LDL-C ≥ 4.10 mmol/L group were no longer associated with lower risk of CVD death, while RC ≥ 0.80 mmol/L group was still associated with higher risk of CVD death. In normal lipid group, the higher levels of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C were related with lower CVD death. CONCLUSIONS: In community older adults, higher levels of TC and HDL-C were associated with lower CVD mortality in normal lipid reference range. Higher RC was associated with higher CVD mortality, which may be a better lipid indicator for estimating the CVD death risk in older adults.

[The effects and mechanisms of BTBD10 on the proliferation of islet beta cell].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of BTBD10 overexpression in the proliferation of insulinoma cell line INS-1 and its mechanism. METHODS: The recombined expression plasmid of pcDNA4.0-BTBD10 was constructed by gene cloning technique and was transfected into INS-1 cell by lipofectamine 2000. The stable overexpression BTBD10 of INS-1 cell was selected at 48(th) hour after transfection. INS-1 cell proliferation activity was measured by MTT method. The expression of BTBD10, protein kinase B (Akt), phospho-Akt (p-Akt), mammal target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phospho-mTOR (p-mTOR) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The stable overexpression BTBD10 of INS-1 cell was successfully constructed. Overproduction of BTBD10 promoted beta cell proliferation. The phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR was increased and the ratio of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR was enhanced in the INS-1 overexpressed by BTBD10. But the expression of total Akt and mTOR presented no obvious changes. CONCLUSION: The overexpression BTBD10 of INS-1 cell could activate of Akt/mTOR signalling pathway via stimulating phospho-mTOR and Akt, and enhance overall cell protein translation, so as to promote proliferation of INS-1 cell.