The association between circulating fatty acids and stroke in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is prevalent in hypertensive population. It has been suggested that unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) have protective effect on stroke. The effect of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) on stroke is still unclear. Therefore, we studied the relationship between circulating fatty acids and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Eighty-nine pairs including 100 men and 78 women matched by sex and age were recruited. Each pair included a hypertensive patient within 48h of AIS onset and a hypertensive patient without stroke. Six circulating fatty acids were methylated before concentration determination which was repeated twice with percent recovery estimated. RESULTS: There were differences in educational level (P = 0.002) and occupation (P < 0.001) between stroke and non-stroke participants. All the 6 fatty acid levels were higher in non-stroke participants (P = 0.017 for palmitoleic acid, 0.001 for palmitic acid, <0.001 for linoleic acid, <0.001 for behenic acid, <0.001 for nervonic acid and 0.002 for lignoceric acid). In logistic regression analysis, AIS was inversely associated with fatty acid levels except for lignoceric acid. After adjustment for education and occupation, the palmitoleic acid and palmitic acid levels were no longer inversely associated with AIS. After further adjustment for systolic blood pressure, smoking, drinking, total cholesterol and triglyceride, the inverse associations of linoleic acid (OR = 0.965, 95%CI = 0.942-0.990, P = 0.005), behenic acid (OR = 0.778, 95%CI = 0.664-0.939, P = 0.009), nervonic acid (OR = 0.323, 95%CI = 0.121-0.860, P = 0.024) with AIS remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating fatty acids except lignoceric acid were inversely associated with AIS. Both USFAs and SFAs may have beneficial effect on stroke prevention in hypertensive population.

The association between serum cystatin C and residual renal function in peritoneal dialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the association between serum cystatin C and residual renal function (RRF) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: The ability of cystatin C to predict RRF was assessed. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to measure the impact of particular factors on serum cystatin C levels. RESULTS: The study included 141 PD patients. Serum creatinine and cystatin C were negatively correlated with RRF (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that serum creatinine and cystatin C could both predict RRF status (p < 0.05), but serum cystatin C had a larger area AUC than creatinine (0.893 vs. 0.757, respectively), p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that RRF Kt/V and Ccr were independent factors affecting serum cystatin C levels (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Serum cystatin C levels were closely associated with RRF in PD patients and could reliably predict RRF status. Serum cystatin C levels were determined by RRF, not by PD.

Serum zinc concentrations and prediabetes and diabetes in the general population.

The association between serum zinc and diabetes development remains uncertain. We examined the associations between serum zinc and prediabetes and diabetes, and adult participants (≥ 20 years) from the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Serum zinc concentrations were measured with inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry. Prediabetes and diabetes were defined through questionnaires and fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels. Weighted logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were adopted to explore the dose-response relationships between serum zinc concentrations and prediabetes and diabetes. Comparing the highest to lowest quartile of serum zinc concentrations, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of prediabetes and diabetes was 3.24 (2.33-4.52, Pfor trend < 0.01) and 1.64 (1.27-2.11, Pfor trend < 0.01), respectively. In stratified analysis by sex, the association between serum zinc concentrations and prediabetes was found in both men (3.83 (2.60-5.66), Pfor trend < 0.01) and women (2.41 (1.51-3.87), Pfor trend < 0.01), and the association between serum zinc concentrations and diabetes was also found in both men (2.05 (1.34-3.13), Pfor trend < 0.01) and women (1.65 (1.07-2.56), Pfor trend = 0.15). The association between serum zinc and prediabetes was consistent in stratified analyses by body mass index and hypertension, and the association with diabetes was also found in subjects with hypertension. Restricted cubic splines showed that the relationships between serum zinc concentrations and prediabetes and diabetes were linear, respectively. In conclusion, serum zinc concentrations were positively associated with prediabetes and diabetes in the general population, and the associations were linear. The findings need to be confirmed by prospective cohort studies.

Associations of total blood mercury and blood methylmercury concentrations with diabetes in adults: An exposure-response analysis of 2005-2018 NHANES.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the exposure-response relationship between mercury exposure and diabetes in adults, and to explore the possible effect modifications by selenium and omega-3 fatty acids. METHODS: Biomarker data (total blood mercury and blood methylmercury) from individuals ≥20 years of age were obtained from the 2005-2018 NHANES. Diabetes was defined through questionnaires, fasting plasma glucose, 2 -h plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels. The exposure-response relationship between mercury exposure and diabetes was assessed with logistic regression and restricted cubic splines. RESULTS: Comparing the highest to lowest quartile of exposure, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (95 % CI) of diabetes was 0.76 (0.63-0.92) with total blood mercury and 0.82 (0.66-1.00) with blood methylmercury. The inverse associations between total blood mercury [0.55 (0.40-0.77)] and blood methylmercury [0.61 (0.38-0.97)] and diabetes were observed among individuals having higher intakes of selenium (Pfor interaction<0.05). Trends toward lower odds of diabetes with mercury exposure were mainly confined to individuals having higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acid, but the interactions were not significant. The inverse associations between total blood mercury and blood methylmercury and diabetes remained in sensitivity analyses after excluding patients with hypertension that may change their dietary intake of fish. Exposure-response analyses showed an initial decrease in odds of diabetes followed by a platform or a weaker decrease beyond 3 µg/L of total blood mercury and methylmercury concentrations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Total blood mercury and blood methylmercury concentrations were inversely associated with diabetes in adults, and the associations were modified by selenium.

Effect of holistic rehabilitation nursing on postoperative neurological function recovery and limb function improvement in patients with intraintracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of holistic rehabilitation nursing on postoperative neurological functional recovery and limb function improvement in patients with intraintracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: One hundred and twelve patients with ICH treated in our hospital were divided into the observation group (n=56) for holistic rehabilitation nursing and the control group (n=56) for routine nursing by a random number table. The neurological function [the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)], limb function (Fugl Meyer Assessment, FMA), psychological state (Hamilton Anxiety/Depression Scale, HAMA/HAMD), activities of daily living (ADL score) and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After two weeks of intervention, NIHSS, HAMA, HAMD and ADL scores all decreased in the two groups, and were even lower in the observation group (all P<0.05); the scores of FMA and Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function (STEF) increased, and the scores were higher in the observation group as compared to the control group (both P<0.05). The nursing satisfaction of patients in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Holistic rehabilitation nursing intervention is more conducive to the recovery of postoperative neurological function and limb function improvement in patients with ICH, and meanwhile, it can alleviate the adverse psychological mood of patients and significantly improve their activities of daily living after operation.

Associations Between Serum Zinc Levels and Alanine Aminotransferase Elevation in Adults.

Recent findings showed that zinc might be linked to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. This analysis aimed to explore the association between serum zinc levels and ALT elevation in adults. Data on serum zinc and ALT levels from adults aged 20 years and older who participated in the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were analyzed (N = 4138). Individuals with excessive alcohol consumption and hepatitis B or C infection were excluded. ALT elevation was defined as any value above normal of ALT (> 33 IU/L for males and > 25 IU/L for females). The multivariate logistic model and restricted cubic splines were adopted to assess the non-linear relationship. In a fully adjusted model, the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of ALT elevation for quartile 4 (Q4) vs. quartile 1 (Q1) of serum zinc levels were 1.68 and 1.29-2.20 (per quartile: 1.20 (1.10-1.31)). In subgroup analysis, the association between serum zinc levels and ALT elevation was found in females (Q4 vs Q1: 1.95 (1.20-3.15)), obese individuals (Q4 vs Q1: 1.80 (1.19-2.74)), and young adults (Q4 vs Q1: 1.72 (1.09-2.72)), while the association was not evident in males, non-obese individuals, and adults older than 50 years old. A linear dose-response relationship between serum zinc levels and ALT elevation was found (Pfor non-linearity = 0.77). In conclusion, serum zinc was positively associated with ALT elevation in adults, and the association was mainly observed in females, obese individuals, and young adults.

Prognostic value of TTF-1 expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies on the prognostic role of thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are controversial. METHODS: To clarify the impact of TTF-1 in NSCLC survival, we performed this meta-analysis that included eligible studies. The combined hazard ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated in terms of overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies with 2235 patients were evaluable for this meta-analysis. The studies were categorized by histology, disease stage and patient race. Our results suggested that TTF-1 overexpression had a favorable impact on survival of patients with NSCLC, the HR (95% CI) was 0.49 (0.42 to 0.55) overall, 0.46 (0.38-0.54) in Asian patients, 0.52 (0.42-0.63) in non-Asian patients, 0.45 (0.38-0.52) in adenocarcinoma, 0.63 (0.39-0.86) in stage I NSCLC, and 0.43 (0.33-0.53) in stage IIIb-IV NSCLC. The data collected were not sufficient to determine the prognostic value of VEGF in patients with squamous cell lung carcinomas. But there was a high heterogeneity between the studies. CONCLUSION: TTF-1 overexpression indicates a favorable prognosis for patients with NSCLC, this effect appears also significant when the analysis is restricted in lung AC patients, stage I and stage IIIb-IV NSCLC.

Association Between High Serum Soluble Corin and Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study in a General Population of China.

BACKGROUND: Corin has been suggested to be associated with hypertension by cell- and animal-based studies. However, the association still lacks population-based evidence which critically promotes translation from basic research to clinical and preventive practice. Here, we aimed to explore the association in a general population of China. METHODS: From January to May 2010, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 2,498 participants aged above 30 years, residing in Gusu district of Suzhou. Serum soluble corin and blood pressure were measured. RESULTS: Hypertensive participants had a higher level of serum corin than nonhypertensive participants (median (interquartile range): 1,836.83 (1,497.85-2,327.87) pg/ml vs. 1,579.14 (1,322.18-1,956.82) pg/ml, P < 0.001). Higher serum corin was positively associated with prevalent hypertension (odds ratio (OR) = 2.01, P < 0.001). In the multiple analysis, participants in the third (OR = 1.43, P = 0.007) and fourth (OR = 1.96, P < 0.001) quartiles had significantly increased odds of hypertension compared to those in the lowest quartile of serum corin. ORs of hypertension positively and significantly increased with serum corin levels (P for trend <0.001). Further subgroup analysis showed that ORs of hypertension associated with high corin (over the median level of serum corin: 1,689.20 pg/ml) were still significant in subgroups by age, body mass index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that hypertensive participants had an increased serum corin level compared to those without hypertension. This finding suggests that corin may play a role in the pathology of hypertension.

Association between serum soluble corin and obesity in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Corin has been suggested to be associated with obesity by cell- and animal-based studies. However, the association has not yet been studied in populations. Here, the aim was to explore the association in a general population of China. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Data on demographic information, lifestyle risk factors, and personal medical history were collected; body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressures were measured; and serum corin, blood lipids, and blood glucose were determined in 2498 participants aged above 30 years. RESULTS: Log-transformed corin correlated to body mass index (r = 0.197, P < 0.001) and waist circumference (r = 0.289, P < 0.001). In the risk factor-adjusted analysis, compared with participants in the lowest quartile of serum corin, participants in the 4th quartile had significantly increased risk of prevalent overweight or obesity (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.67-3.04) and central obesity (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.30-2.34). ORs of overweight or obesity and central obesity positively and significantly increased with serum corin levels (P for trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum soluble corin was significantly and positively associated with obesity. Our findings suggested that serum soluble corin may be a marker or risk factor for obesity.

Association between human urotensin II and essential hypertension--a 1:1 matched case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the controversial association between human urotensin II and essential hypertension in untreated hypertensive cases and normotensive controls. METHODS: 197 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and 197 age- and sex-matched normotensive controls were studied. Plasma urotensin II, nitric oxide metabolites, and other traditional biomarkers were examined. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients had higher urotensin ii [median (interquartile rang): 9.32 (7.86-11.52) ng/mL vs 8.52 (7.07-10.41) ng/mL] and lower nitric oxide metabolites [19.19 (2.55-38.48) µmol/L vs 23.83 (11.97-43.40) µmol/L] than normotensive controls. Urotensin II was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.169, P<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.113, P = 0.024) while negatively correlated with nitric oxide metabolites (r = -0.112, P = 0.027). In multivariate regression analysis, subjects in the highest quartile of urotensin II were more likely to have hypertension than those in the lowest quartile (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.21-5.49). Sub-group analyses in 106 pairs of cases and controls with either both normal or both abnormal nitric oxide metabolites levels showed that the association between urotensin II levels and hypertension persisted (P value for trend = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Human urotensin II is markedly associated with essential hypertension, and the association is independent of nitric oxide metabolites. Our results indicated that urotensin II might be an independent risk factor for essential hypertension.

Sesquiterpenoids from Curcuma wenyujin with anti-influenza viral activities.

Five sesquiterpenoids, 1α,8α-epidioxy-4α-hydroxy- 5αH-guai-7(11),9-dien- 12,8-olide. (1), 8,9-seco-4ß-hydroxy-1α,5ßH-7(11)-guaen-8,10-olide (2), 8α-hydroxy-1α, 4ß,7ßH-guai-10(15)-en- 5ß,8ß-endoxide(3), 7ß,8α-dihydroxy-1α,4αH-guai-10(15)-en-5ß,8ß-endoxide(4) and 7-hydroxy-5(10),6,8-cadinatriene-4-one(5), together with seven known analogs were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin. Their structures and relative configurations were determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR techniques, and the structures of 1 and 2 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment. Compounds 1-10 and 12 showed significant in vitro antiviral activity against the influenza virus A with IC50 values ranged from 6.80 to 39.97 µM, and SI values ranged from 6.35 to 37.25.