Cumulative exposure to AHA Life's Essential 8 is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a large cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We aimed to explore the associations of baseline and cumulative cardiovascular health with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development and regression using the new Life's Essential 8 score. METHODS: From a health screening database, participants who underwent at least 4 health examinations between 2012 and 2022 were recruited and categorized into two cohorts: (a) the NAFLD development cohort with no history of NAFLD prior to Exam 4 and (b) the NAFLD regression cohort with diagnosed NAFLD prior to Exam 4. The LE8 score was calculated from each component. The outcomes were defined as newly incident NAFLD or regression of existing NAFLD from Exam 4 to the end of follow-up. RESULTS: In the NAFLD development cohort, of 21,844 participants, 3,510 experienced incident NAFLD over a median follow-up of 2.3 years. Compared with the lowest quartile of cumulative LE8, individuals in the highest quartile conferred statistically significant 76% lower odds (hazard ratio [HR] 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-0.28) of NAFLD incidence, and corresponding values for baseline LE8 were 42% (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.53-0.65). In the NAFLD regression cohort, of 6,566 participants, 469 experienced NAFLD regression over a median follow-up of 2.4 years. Subjects with the highest quartile of cumulative LE8 had 2.03-fold (95% CI, 1.51-2.74) higher odds of NAFLD regression, and corresponding values for baseline LE8 were 1.61-fold (95% CI, 1.24-2.10). CONCLUSION: Cumulative ideal cardiovascular health exposure is associated with reduced NAFLD development and increased NAFLD regression. Improving and preserving health behaviors and factors should be emphasized as an important part of NAFLD prevention and intervention strategies.

Metabolically healthy transition and its association with body size change patterns among different adult age groups.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the metabolically healthy (MH) to metabolically unhealthy (MU) transition and its association with body size change patterns according to age. METHODS: In total, 12,910 MH subjects were evaluated in 2013 and reevaluated in 2020. A MH state was defined as a score ≤ 1, and a MU state was defined as a score > 1 on the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. RESULTS: Approximately 27.0% of MH individuals converted to MU status over the follow-up. Compared with young adults, middle adulthood individuals had a 1.33-fold (95% CI: 1.21-1.46) and late adulthood individuals had a 1.55-fold (95% CI: 1.41-1.70) risk of transition. The body mass index (BMI)/waist circumference (WC)-value change was positively associated with metabolic deterioration; the association weakened with age. With stable normal body size (defined by BMI) as a reference, changing phenotype categories of maximum overweight [hazard ratio (HR): 1.75; 95% CI: 1.56-1.95], non-obesity to general obesity (HR: 2.96; 95% CI: 2.47-3.54) and stable general obesity (HR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.92-3.10) conferred a higher risk of metabolic deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: MH status is a transient state, especially in late and middle adulthood. Individuals transitioning to an obese phenotype should receive attention for concomitant metabolic deterioration.

Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolically healthy deterioration across different body shape phenotypes at baseline and change patterns.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and the relationship between NAFLD and metabolic deterioration remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate dynamic changes in metabolically healthy phenotypes and to assess the impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on the conversion from metabolically healthy (MH) to metabolically unhealthy (MU) phenotypes across body shape phenotypes and phenotypic change patterns. We defined body shape phenotypes using both the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and defined metabolic health as individuals scoring ≤ 1 on the NCEP-ATP III criteria, excluding WC. A total of 12,910 Chinese participants who were MH at baseline were enrolled in 2013 and followed-up in 2019 or 2020. During a median follow-up of 6.9 years, 27.0% (n = 3,486) of the MH individuals developed an MU phenotype. According to the multivariate Cox analyses, NAFLD was a significant predictor of conversion from the MH to MU phenotype, independent of potential confounders (HR: 1.12; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.22). For the MH-normal weight group, the relative risk of NAFLD in phenotypic conversion was 1.21 (95% CI 1.03-1.41, P = 0.017), which was relatively higher than that of MH-overweight/obesity group (HR: 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.26, P = 0.013). Interestingly, the effect of NAFLD at baseline on MH deterioration was stronger in the "lean" phenotype group than in the "non-lean" phenotype group at baseline and in the "fluctuating non-lean" phenotype change pattern group than in the "stable non-lean" phenotype change pattern group during follow-up. In conclusion, lean NAFLD is not as benign as currently considered and requires more attention during metabolic status screening.

Not only baseline but cumulative exposure of remnant cholesterol predicts the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIM@#Remnant cholesterol (remnant-C) mediates the progression of major adverse cardiovascular events. It is unclear whether remnant-C, and particularly cumulative exposure to remnant-C, is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to explore whether remnant-C, not only baseline but cumulative exposure, can be used to independently evaluate the risk of NAFLD.@*METHODS@#This study included 1 cohort totaling 21,958 subjects without NAFLD at baseline who underwent at least 2 repeated health checkups and 1 sub-cohort totaling 2,649 subjects restricted to those individuals with at least 4 examinations and no history of NAFLD until Exam 3. Cumulative remnant-C was calculated as a timeweighted model for each examination multiplied by the time between the 2 examinations divided the whole duration. Cox regression models were performed to estimate the association between baseline and cumulative exposure to remnant-C and incident NAFLD.@*RESULTS@#After multivariable adjustment, compared with the quintile 1 of baseline remnant-C, individuals with higher quintiles demonstrated significantly higher risks for NAFLD (hazard ratio [HR] 1.48, 95%CI 1.31-1.67 for quintile 2; HR 2.07, 95%CI 1.85-2.33 for quintile 3; HR 2.55, 95%CI 2.27-2.88 for quintile 4). Similarly, high cumulative remnant-C quintiles were significantly associated with higher risks for NAFLD (HR 3.43, 95%CI 1.95-6.05 for quintile 2; HR 4.25, 95%CI 2.44-7.40 for quintile 3; HR 6.29, 95%CI 3.59-10.99 for quintile 4), compared with the quintile 1.@*CONCLUSION@#Elevated levels of baseline and cumulative remnant-C were independently associated with incident NAFLD. Monitoring immediate levels and longitudinal trends of remnant-C may need to be emphasized in adults as part of NAFLD prevention strategy.

Expression profile of long non-coding RNA in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods:lncRNA-mRNA microarray was conducted on the liver tissue samples from 10 patients with simple gallbladder stone (5 NAFLD liver samples and 5 normal liver samples),and the differentially expressed lncRNA was analyzed by bioinformatics technology.Results:Compared with the normal liver samples,there were abnormal expression of 1 735 lncRNAs and 1 485 mRNAs in NAFLD liver samples.Among them,535 lncRNAs and 760 mRNAs were up-regulated,1 200 lncRNAs and 725 mRNAs were down-regulated.Conclusion:Compared with normal liver,the expression oflncRNA in NAFLD tissues is obviously abnormal.These lncRNAs may play an important role in the occurrence and development of NAFLD.

Activity and quality comparison of the engineered protein Staphylococcus aureus alpha-hemolysin purified with gel filtration chromatography and Ni-NTA / 生物工程学报

The alpha-hemolysin protein of Staphylococcus aureus, which was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) with recombinant pET32a(+)-alpha-HL plasmid, was purified with gel filtration chromatography (GFC) and Ni-NTA spin columns. The quality and biological characteristic were compared. First, the purified products were analyzed with SDS-PAGE, and the expected protein band was with a molecular mass of 53 kD. Second, protein concentration was determined by the method of Bradford, and the median hemolytic dose potency (HD50) was finally analyzed with rabbit erythrocyte. The protein purified with GFC was 0.337 mg/mL, its hemolysis activity was 1519 HU/mg, and hemolysin yield was 14.04%. Meanwhile, the protein purified with the Ni-NTA Spin Columns was 0.35 mg/mL, its hemolysis activity was 1463 HU/mg, and hemolysin yield was 17.5%, respectively. The results showed that there is no significant difference in the quality, hemolysis activity and yield of the recombinant proteins purified with Ni-NTA spin columns and GFC.

Characterization and Investigation of Staphylococcus aureus zfb Isolates from Bovine Mastitis / 微生物学通报

A Staphylococcus aureus strain, designated zfb, was isolated from a clinical bovine mastitis case of a dairy cow. Staphylococcus aureus zfb can have resistance to methicillin and no lipase contrast by ATCC 25923. The production of the capsule was assessed by the diffuse colonial morphology in serumsoft agar. A mouse infection model was used to determine the LD50 and the invasiveness of SA zfb. The LD50 of SA 25923 to experimental mice was 10-2.5/mL, and the LD50 of SA zfb to experimental mice was 10-4.33/mL. The purpose to detect characteristics of SA zfb makes it an interesting candidate for the preparation and assay of an avirulent mutants against staphylococcal infections and further investigate on pathogenic mechanism.

Evaluation of the Immunity Effectiveness on the Engineered Subunit Vaccine of Staphylococcus aureus ?-Hemolysin / 中国生物工程杂志

Objective:? -Hemolysin of Staphylococcus aureus,which was expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3) with recombinant pET32a+-?-HL plasmid,was purified with gel filtration chromatography(GFC),and then the engineered subunit vaccine was developed. The immunity effectiveness of this vaccine was evaluated on mouse models.Method:The purified fusion protein was analyzed in SDS-PAGE,and subjected to the evaluation of its median hemolytic dose potency(HD50) was finally analyzed with rabbit erythrocyte. Protein concentration was determined by the method of Bradford. Antibody titers were evaluated on ELISA,and then challenged to gain the immunity protect index.Results:There is an expected protein band with molecular mass of 53kDa in SDS-PAGE,and the concentration is 0.1278mg/ml. The hemolysis activity is 8012.5 HU/mg. There are specific antibodies acquired in blood-serum from mice after vaccined and the antibody titers rising until it has arrive the max,then following down.Conclusion:The purified fusion protein has good fineness and hemolysis activity,the antibody titers initiated by the protein vaccine go with regulation and the immunoprotection is satisfied.

Application Study on Teaching and Training Approaches to Electrocardiogram Monitoring / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore the highly effective teaching and training approaches to electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring. Methods Using computer simulation and digital programming, ECG data-gathering platform was set up. Results Not only ECG data were gathered and stored automatically in real time, but its dynamic databases including examination database were established as well. Therefore the teaching and training approaches to ECG monitoring achieved digitization with network and multimedia. Conclusion On the basis of new computer techniques, the application study on teaching and training approaches to ECG monitoring helps to the organic integration of teaching, scientific research and clinical practice, and also helps to the improvement in the training level or quality.

Study on Information Resource Platform for Education of Medical Non-commissioned Officers / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To set up an information platform applicable to medical non-commissioned officers (NCOs) so as to integrate,multiply and share teaching resources,and optimize and improve training abilities.Methods The downstage application and backstage management were realized by ASP and WEB database program,as well as by dynamic renewal of web pages via backstage adjustment.Results Based on local area network,an information platform applicable to medical NCOs' education was set up,on which the goals,including digitization of textbooks,integration of courseware,standardization of picture and word materials,automatic formation of teaching plans,and upload,download and broadcast of courses,were reached.Conclusion The educative digitization can be realized for medical NCOs by means of computerized network,database and multimedia techniques,which helps to push forward the innovation of educative modes and approaches.