Negative wealth shocks in later life and subsequent cognitive function in older adults in China, England, Mexico, and the USA, 2012-18: a population-based, cross-nationally harmonised, longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Household wealth is positively related to cognitive health outcomes in later life. However, the association between negative wealth shocks and cognitive function in later life, and whether this association might differ across countries at different levels of economic development, is unclear. We aimed to investigate whether negative wealth shocks in later life are associated with cognitive function in older adults in China, England, Mexico, and the USA, and whether this association is modified by country income level. METHODS: For this population-based, cross-nationally harmonised, longitudinal study, data were analysed from core interviews of the population-based US Health and Retirement Study (2012 and 2016) and its partner studies in China (the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study; 2015 and 2018), England (the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing; 2012 and 2016), and Mexico (Mexican Health and Aging Study; 2012 and 2015-16), and their respective Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocols (HCAPs). Negative wealth shocks over the follow-up periods of the respective cohorts were defined in two ways: an extreme loss of 75% or greater from the baseline amount of wealth, and a decline in within-population wealth quintile rank. The primary outcome was the harmonised general cognitive function (GCF) factor score, which was constructed with factor analysis on the HCAP neuropsychological assessments of memory, orientation, attention, executive function, and verbal fluency performance (mean 0; SD 1). We used sampling-weighted, multivariable-adjusted linear models to examine associations. FINDINGS: Data from 9465 participants were included in this analysis: 3796 from China, 1184 from England, 1193 from Mexico, and 3292 from the USA. The mean baseline age of participants was 68·5 (SD 5·4) years in China (49·8% women), 72·0 (7·0) years in England (54·6% women), 70·6 (6·8) years in Mexico (55·1% women), and 72·7 (7·5) years in the USA (60·4% women). A wealth loss of 75% or greater was negatively associated with subsequent cognitive function in the USA (ß -0·16 SD units; 95% CI -0·29 to -0·04) and China (-0·14; -0·21 to -0·07), but not in England (-0·01; -0·24 to 0·22) or Mexico (-0·11; -0·24 to 0·03). Similarly, within-population wealth quintile rank declines were negatively associated with subsequent cognitive function in the USA (ß -0·07 per quintile rank decline; 95% CI -0·11 to -0·03) and China (ß -0·07; -0·09 to -0·04), but not in England (-0·05; -0·11 to 0·01) or Mexico (-0·03; -0·07 to 0·01). INTERPRETATION: The impact of wealth shocks in later life on subsequent lower level of cognitive function of older adults in China, England, Mexico, and the USA differed across macro-level socioeconomic structures. These findings suggest that government policies and social safety nets in countries with different levels of economic development might have a role in protecting older adults from adverse health effects of wealth losses in later life. FUNDING: US National Institute on Aging, US National Institutes of Health.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Infancy

ABSTRACT Objective: To report comprehensively the clinical features and the management strategies of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in infancy. Methods: Comprehensively retrieved studies published from 2000 to present constituted the study materials for this article. Results: Signs of myocardial ischaemia and cardiomegaly are the predominate manifestations of this lesion. The spectrum of the aetiology and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in infancy have been updated in the past several decades. Long-term small-dose digoxin combined with prednisone, supplemented by the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor capto-pril, is an accepted therapy for endocardial fibroelastosis in infancy. The treatment with recombinant human α-glucosidase enzyme replacement therapy can reverse the electrocardiographic changes of infantile Pompe 's disease. Conclusion: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in infants of diabetic mothers is usually benign and transient, and the treatment is not needed unless heart failure occurs. Differential diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from congenital heart defects is important for subsequent management.

Household use of polluting cooking fuels and late-life cognitive function: A harmonized analysis of India, Mexico, and China.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to high levels of air pollution is associated with poor health, including worse cognitive function. Whereas many studies of cognition have assessed outdoor air pollution, we evaluate how exposure to air pollution from combustion of polluting household fuels relates with cognitive function using harmonized data from India, Mexico, and China. MATERIALS & METHODS: We analyze adults age 50+ in three nationally representative studies of aging with common data collection methods: the 2017-2019 Longitudinal Aging Study in India (n = 50,532), 2015 Mexican Health and Aging Study (n = 12,883), and 2013 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (n = 12,913). Use of polluting fuels was assessed by self-report of wood, coal, kerosene, crop residue, or dung for cooking. Cognitive function was measured by performance across several cognitive domains and summarized into a total cognition score. We used linear regression, by country, to test how polluting cooking fuel use relates with cognition adjusting for key demographic and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: Approximately 47%, 12%, and 48% of respondents in India, Mexico, and China, respectively, relied primarily on polluting cooking fuel, which was more common in rural areas. Using polluting cooking fuels was consistently associated with poorer cognitive function in all countries, independent of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Adjusted differences in cognitive function between individuals using polluting and clean cooking fuel were equivalent to differences observed between individuals who were 3 years of age apart in Mexico and China and 6 years of age apart in India. Across countries, associations between polluting cooking fuel use and poorer cognition were larger for women. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that household air pollution from the use of polluting cooking fuel may play an important role in shaping cognitive outcomes of older adults in countries where reliance on polluting fuels for domestic energy needs still prevails. As these countries continue to age, public health efforts should seek to reduce reliance on these fuels.

DT-13 inhibits breast cancer cell migration via non-muscle myosin II-A regulation in tumor microenvironment synchronized adaptations.

BACKGROUND: Tumor metastasis is a terrifying characteristic of cancer. Numerous studies have been conducted to overcome metastasis by targeting tumor microenvironment (TME). However, due to complexity of tumor microenvironment, it remained difficult for accurate targeting. Dwarf-lillytruf tuber monomer-13 (DT-13) possess good potential against TME. OBJECTIVE: As TME is supportive for tumor metastasis, alternatively it is a challenging for therapeutic intervention. In our present study, we explored molecular mechanism through which TME induced cell migration and how DT-13 interferes in this mechanism. METHODS: We used a novel model of co-culture system which is eventually developed in our lab. Tumor cells were co-cultured with hypoxia induced cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) or with chemically induced cancer-associated adipocytes (CAA). The effect of hypoxia in conditioned medium for CAF was assessed through expression of α-SMA and HIF by western blotting while oil red staining was done to assess the successful chemical induction for adipocytes (CAA), the effect of TME through conditioned medium on cell migration was analyzed by trans-well cell migration, and cell motility (wound healing) analyses. The expression changes in cellular proteins were assessed through western blotting and immunofluorescent studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Our results showed that tumor microenvironment has a direct role in promoting breast cancer cell migration by stromal cells; moreover, we found that DT-13 restricts this TME regulated cell migration via targeting stromal cells in vitro. Additionally we also found that DT-13 targets NMII-A for its effect on breast cancer cell migration for the regulation of stromal cells in TME.

Root and Rhizosphere Bacterial Phosphatase Activity Varies with Tree Species and Soil Phosphorus Availability in Puerto Rico Tropical Forest.

Tropical forests generally occur on highly weathered soils that, in combination with the immobility of phosphorus (P), often result in soils lacking orthophosphate, the form of P most easily metabolized by plants and microbes. In these soils, mineralization of organic P can be the major source for orthophosphate. Both plants and microbes encode for phosphatases capable of mineralizing a range of organic P compounds. However, the activity of these enzymes depends on several edaphic factors including P availability, tree species, and microbial communities. Thus, phosphatase activity in both roots and the root microbial community constitute an important role in P mineralization and P nutrient dynamics that are not well studied in tropical forests. To relate phosphatase activity of roots and bacteria in tropical forests, we measured phosphatase activity in roots and bacterial isolates as well as bacterial community composition from the rhizosphere. Three forests in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico were selected to represent a range of soil P availability as measured using the resin P method. Within each site, a minimum of three tree species were chosen to sample. Root and bacterial phosphatase activity were both measured using a colorimetric assay with para-nitrophenyl phosphate as a substrate for the phosphomonoesterase enzyme. Both root and bacterial phosphatase were chiefly influenced by tree species. Though tree species was the only significant factor in root phosphatase activity, there was a negative trend between soil P availability and phosphatase activity in linear regressions of average root phosphatase and resin P. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance of bacterial community composition based on 16S amplicon sequencing indicated that bacterial composition was strongly controlled by soil P availability (p-value < 0.05). These results indicate that although root and bacterial phosphatase activity were influenced by tree species; bacterial community composition was chiefly influenced by P availability. Although the sample size is limited given the tremendous diversity of tropical forests, our study indicates the importance of roots and bacterial function to understanding phosphatase activity. Future work will broaden the diversity of tree species and microbial members sampled to provide insight into P mineralization and model representation of tropical forests.

Antidepressant effects of Kai-Xin-San in fluoxetine-resistant depression rats.

This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect and the mechanism of action of Kai-Xin-San (KXS) in fluoxetine-resistant depressive (FRD) rats. Two hundred male Wistar rats weighing 200±10 g were exposed to chronic and unpredictable mild stresses (CUMS) for 4 weeks and given fluoxetine treatment simultaneously. The rats that did not show significant improvement in behavioral indexes were chosen as the FRD model rats. These rats were randomly divided into four groups: FRD model control; oral fluoxetine and aspirin; oral KXS at a dose of 338 mg·kg-1·day-1; and oral KXS at a dose of 676 mg·kg-1·day-1. Rats continued to be exposed to CUMS and underwent treatment once a day for 3 weeks, then cytokine (COX-2, IFN-γ, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-ß, and TNF-α) levels in the hippocampus and serum, and organ coefficients were measured. Both doses of KXS improved the crossing and rearing frequencies, sucrose-preference index, and body weight in FRD rats. KXS at a dose of 338 mg·kg-1·day-1reduced COX-2, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α levels, increased IL-10 level in the hippocampus, and reduced IL-2 and TNF-α levels in serum. KXS at a dose of 676 mg·kg-1·day-1reduced TNF-α level in the hippocampus, reduced IL-2 and TNF-α levels in serum, and increased IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in the hippocampus and serum. There were no significant differences in organ-coefficients of the spleen among and between groups. The results suggested that oral administration of KXS in FRD rats was effective in improving behavior disorders by influencing various inflammatory pathways.

Antidepressant effects of Kai-Xin-San in fluoxetine-resistant depression rats

This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect and the mechanism of action of Kai-Xin-San (KXS) in fluoxetine-resistant depressive (FRD) rats. Two hundred male Wistar rats weighing 200±10 g were exposed to chronic and unpredictable mild stresses (CUMS) for 4 weeks and given fluoxetine treatment simultaneously. The rats that did not show significant improvement in behavioral indexes were chosen as the FRD model rats. These rats were randomly divided into four groups: FRD model control; oral fluoxetine and aspirin; oral KXS at a dose of 338 mg·kg-1·day-1; and oral KXS at a dose of 676 mg·kg-1·day-1. Rats continued to be exposed to CUMS and underwent treatment once a day for 3 weeks, then cytokine (COX-2, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β, and TNF-α) levels in the hippocampus and serum, and organ coefficients were measured. Both doses of KXS improved the crossing and rearing frequencies, sucrose-preference index, and body weight in FRD rats. KXS at a dose of 338 mg·kg-1·day-1reduced COX-2, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α levels, increased IL-10 level in the hippocampus, and reduced IL-2 and TNF-α levels in serum. KXS at a dose of 676 mg·kg-1·day-1reduced TNF-α level in the hippocampus, reduced IL-2 and TNF-α levels in serum, and increased IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in the hippocampus and serum. There were no significant differences in organ-coefficients of the spleen among and between groups. The results suggested that oral administration of KXS in FRD rats was effective in improving behavior disorders by influencing various inflammatory pathways.

Immunological function and antibacterial activity of two ferritin proteins from the freshwater pearl mussel Hyriopsis schlegelii.

Ferritin is a conserved iron-binding protein involved in host defense and cellular iron metabolism in most organisms. We investigated the expression profiles of two ferritin genes (designated HsFer-1 and HsFer-2) in the hemocytes, gonad, and hepatopancreas of Hyriopsis schlegelii, when challenged with bacteria and metal ions. HsFer gene transcription increased 1.8-7.7- and 1.9-6.1-fold in these tissues after stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio anguillarum, respectively. In addition, following exposure to Fe3+, expression of HsFer-1 and HsFer-2 was elevated by 1.5-6.1- and 3.6-10.1-fold, respectively. Levels of HsFer-1 and -2 mRNA also increased significantly after treatment with Cu2+ and Pb2+ at certain concentrations. Moreover, recombinant HsFer-1 and -2 were able to inhibit the growth of two strains of bacteria, and the former efficiently chelated Fe3+. From these results, we conclude that HsFer-1 and -2 may be involved in iron metabolism and immune defense by inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Overexpression of NaKR3 enhances salt tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Salinity is a major abiotic stress in agriculture. Here, we report that SODIUM POTASSIUM ROOT DEFECTIVE3 (NaKR3), which encodes a heavy metal-associated domain protein, is involved in salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. The results of quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that NaKR3 was induced by high salinity and osmotic stresses, but not by Cu(2+) stress. Transient expression of NaKR3-GFP in Arabidopsis protoplasts showed that the NaKR3 protein was localized in the cytosol. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants constitutively expressing NaKR3 under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter exhibited increased tolerance to salt treatment. Furthermore, overexpression of NaKR3 increased the expression of SOS1 and SOS3, but decreased the accumulation of salt-induced proline. Taken together, our results indicate that NaKR3 is involved in the salt stress response in Arabidopsis.

Adeno-associated virus-mediated BMP-7 and SOX9 in vitro co-transfection of human degenerative intervertebral disc cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and SOX9 are important transcription factors in chondrogenesis. In this study, we examined the biological function of the adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated BMP-7 and SOX9 double gene in vitro co-transfection of nucleus pulposus cells of human degenerative intervertebral disc. Human intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells were cultured in vitro and subcultured for 5 generations. Using rAAV-BMP-7 and rAAV-SOX9 AAV2-type AAV viruses, the cells were divided into 4 groups: blank normal, BMP-7 transfection, SOX9 transfection, and BMP-7 and SOX9 co-transfection. After 48 h, expression of type II collagen and its mRNA in nucleus pulposus cells was determined. The expression of type II collagen in BMP-7 transfection, SOX9 transfection, and co-transfection groups was up-regulated to varying degrees compared to the blank control group. The type II collagen mRNA level expression in the co-transfection group was significantly higher than in other groups (P < 0.05). AAV-mediated BMP-7 and SOX9 in vitro co-transfection can promote the synthesis of type II collagen in nucleus pulposus cells in the human degenerative intervertebral disc. Double-gene therapy has a synergistic effect in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Postural control and balance self-efficacy in women with fibromyalgia: are there differences?

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a rheumatic disease characterized by chronic widespread pain and symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties, and depression. Postural instability is a debilitating disorder increasingly recognized as part of FM. OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare postural control and balance self-efficacy in women with and without FM and verify the association of these variables with pain, symptom severity, and strength. DESIGN: Case-control study SETTING: Physiotherapeutic Clinical Research and Electromyography Laboratory Department of Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. POPULATION: Case-control study of 117 women ranging from age 35 to 60 years. Of these, 67 had FM. METHODS: Posture control was assessed with the modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance with patients in forceplates, balance self-efficacy with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, pain severity with the Visual Analog Scale, tender point pain threshold with digital algometry, symptom severity with the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, and lower limb strength with a dynamometer. RESULTS: Individuals with FM had impaired postural control showing increased speed of oscillation of the center of gravity (P=0.004) and decreased balance self-efficacy (P<0.001). They had moderate to excellent correlations of balance self-efficacy with pain (r=0.7, P<0.01), muscle strength (r=0.52, P<0.01), and symptom severity (r=0.78, P<0.10) compared with the control group. Correlation of postural control with the same variables was weak. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with FM have impaired postural control and low balance self-efficacy that are associated with pain, muscle strength, and symptom severity. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Postural control and balance self-efficacy needs to be assessed in patients with FM and the treatment goals should be the improvement of postural control and balance self-efficacy.

Use of bone mesenchymal stem cells to treat rats with acute liver failure.

This study aimed to isolate mesenchymal stem cells from bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), determine their therapeutic potential for treating rats with acute liver failure (ALF), further explore the factors that induce liver failure mechanisms, and elucidate the role of bone marrow stem cell therapy and BMSCs on liver homing. We found that differentiation potential was present in BMSCs expressing high levels of CD29 and CD90. These cells improved liver functioning in vivo after transplantation into rat livers with D-galactosamine damage, as evidenced by the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase returning to normal (low levels) in recipient ALF rats. A significant improvement in the liver functional test and histological findings was observed in the transplantation group after 120 and 168 h of transplantation (P < 0.05). Histological data revealed that hepatocyte cell apoptosis was lower in the transplantation group compared to the control groups (P < 0.05), and that the transplantation of BMSCs reduced liver inflammation, decreased hepatic denaturation and necrosis, and promoted liver regeneration. These ameliorations were not recorded in the control groups. The results of in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence staining, and Western blot confirmed the presence of transplanted BMSCs in recipient rat livers. Stromal cell derived factor-1 alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly upregulated after the intraportal transplantation of BMSCs, with significantly higher levels being found in the portal vein and the tail vein groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BMSCs have a therapeutic effect against ALF rats, evoke endogenous repair mechanisms in the liver, and may represent a novel form of therapeutic intervention for the disease. Furthermore, intraportal transplantation serves as a more effective pathway compared to tail vein transplantation.

Effectiveness of high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at tender points as adjuvant therapy for patients with fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome associated with sleep disorders, fatigue and psychological symptoms. Combinations therapies, such as electrotherapy and therapeutic exercises have been used in the clinical practice. AIM: To assess the efficacy of high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as an adjuvant therapy to aerobic and stretching exercises, for the treatment of fibromyalgia. DESIGN: Controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Unit of rehabilitation of a public hospital. POPULATION: Twenty-eight women aged 52.4±7.5 years, with fibromyalgia. METHODS: A visual analogue scale measured pain intensity; tender points pain threshold, by dolorimetry; and quality of life, by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. All subjects participated in an eight-week program consisting of aerobic exercises, followed by static stretching of muscle chains. In TENS group, high-frequency (150 Hz) was applied on bilateral tender points of trapezium and supraspinatus. RESULTS: TENS group had a greater pain reduction (mean change score=-2.0±2.9 cm) compared to Without TENS group (-0.7±3.7 cm). There was a difference between mean change scores of each group for pain threshold (right trapezium: 0.2±1 kg/cm² in TENS group and -0.2±1.2 kg/cm² in Without TENS group). In the evaluation of clinically important changes, patients receiving TENS had relevant improvement of pain, work performance, fatigue, stiffness, anxiety and depression compared to those not receiving TENS. CONCLUSION: It has suggested that high-frequency TENS as an adjuvant therapy is effective in relieving pain, anxiety, fatigue, stiffness, and in improving ability to work of patients with fibromyalgia. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: High-frequency TENS may be used as a short-term complementary treatment of fibromyalgia.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus BMP-4/7 fusion gene confers ossification activity in rabbit bone marrow stromal cells.

The biological effects of transfection of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector with bone morphogenetic proteins 4 and 7 (BMP-4/7) fusion gene (AAV-BMP-4/7) were determined in rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). BMP-4 and BMP-7 genes were obtained through one-step reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction from human placental cells. The BMP-4/7 fusion gene was then generated through recombination. Rabbit BMSCs were transfected with the recombinant AAV vectors carrying AAV-BMP-4/7 with multiplicity of infection values. Cell growth curves were drawn to evaluate the biological effects of AAV-BMP-4/7 on cell activity. The transfection efficiency was measured using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The ossification of cells was evaluated by observing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) activity after transfection for 7 and 14 days. The cells were then transfected with AAV-BMP-4/7 and AAV-enhanced green fluorescent protein. We successfully constructed the recombinant adeno-associated virus with the BMP-4/7 fusion gene. The transfection efficiency of AAV-BMP-4/7 was approximately 72% without significant biological effects on cell activity. Cell ossification was significant after transfection with AAV-BMP-4/7. The 1 x 10(5) vg/cell multiplicity of infection value of transfection efficiency was more than 5 x 10(4) vg/cell (59.38%). Significantly higher ALP and OC activity occurred in the AAV-BMP-4/7 transfection groups than in the AAV-enhanced green fluorescent protein groups (t(ALP) = 896.88, P < 0.001; t(OC) = 543.24, P < 0.01). The AAV-BMP-4/7 fusion gene can highly efficient transfect rabbit BMSCs cultured in vitro and it has significant ossification activity.

Regulation of cotton fiber elongation by xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase genes.

Ligon lintless mutant (li1li1) with super-short fibers (5-8 mm in length) and its wild type (Li1Li1) with normal fibers (30 mm in length) were used to study the function of xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase (XTH) genes during fiber elongation in cotton. Wild-type cotton attained the fiber elongation stage earlier (5 days post-anthesis, DPA), than the Ligon lintless mutant (12 DPA) with a higher fiber elongation velocity of about 1.76 mm/day. Xyloglucan contents in Ligon lintless mutant fibers were 5-fold higher than the wild type during 9-15 DPA. It was also observed that the activity of XTH in wild-type cotton fibers was about 2-fold higher than that of the Ligon lintless mutant with a peak at 12 DPA. DNA blot analysis indicated that the XTH gene in the Ligon lintless mutant and its wild type belonged to a multiple allelic series. However, RNA blot analysis and quantitative real-time PCR exhibited an earlier expression (10 DPA) of XTH in wild type as compared to delayed (15 DPA) expression in the Ligon lintless mutant. The study also revealed that 9-15 DPA might be a key phase for upregulation of fiber elongation via increasing XTH activity. Higher XTH activity can cleave down the xyloglucan-cellulose chains thus loosening fiber cell wall and promoting fiber cell elongation in wild type as compared to its mutant.