Tfh cell subset biomarkers and inflammatory markers are associated with frailty status and frailty subtypes in the community-dwelling older population: a cross-sectional study.

We conducted a cross-sectional study investigating community-dwelling older population to determine association between immunoscenescence marker, inflammatory cytokines and frailty. Frailty status was classified with 33-item modified frailty index and latent class analysis was applied to explore the latent classes (subtypes) of frailty. In multivariable analysis, higher Tfh2 cells were associated with a higher risk of frailty [1.13(1.03-1.25)] in females, but a lower risk of cognitive and functional frail [0.92(0.86-0.99)] and physiological frail [0.92(0.87-0.98)]. Additionally, a greater risk of multi-frail and physiological frail correlated with low Tfh1 [0.77(0.60-0.99); 0.87(0.79-0.96)] and Tfh17 cells [0.79(0.65-0.96); 0.86(0.78-0.94)], respectively. Higher B cells were associated with decreased frailty/pre-frailty both in females [0.89(0.81-0.98)] and males [0.82(0.71-0.96)], but did not correlate with frailty subtypes. Regarding inflammatory markers, participants in the TGF-ß 2nd quartile showed a decreased risk of pre-frailty/frailty in females [0.39(0.17-0.89)] and psychological frail [0.37(0.16-0.88)], compared with those in the top tertile. Moreover, we found participants in the 2nd tertile for IL-12 levels showed a decreased risk of physiological frail [0.40 (0.17-0.97)]. Our study highlights the importance of Tfh cell subsets and inflammatory markers in frailty in a sex-specific manner, particularly in terms of frailty subtype.

Development of frailty subtypes and their associated risk factors among the community-dwelling elderly population.

In order to explore frailty subtypes and find their associated risk factors, we conducted cross-sectional surveys of 5,341 seniors aged 60 and over in China using the Frailty Index (FI) scale. We identified four frailty subtypes, namely multi-frail, cognitive and functionally frail, psychologically frail and physiologically frail. Old age and low education level were the common risk factors among the four subtypes. Being widowed, divorced or unmarried was a risk factor for multi-frail, cognitive and functionally frail and psychologically frail, and male sex was a protective factor against cognitive and functionally frail and psychologically frail subtypes. Having a harmonious relationship with family was a protective factor against multi-frail, and fewer visits to the elderly by their children was a risk factor for psychologically frail. Dissatisfaction with their housing was a risk factor for cognitive and functionally frail, psychologically frail and physiologically frail, and a pension being the main source of income was a risk factor for cognitive and functionally frail and psychologically frail. Exercising every day was a protective factor against multi-frail and cognitive and functionally frail, and a lower level of physical activity was a risk factor for all four frailty subtypes. Our findings confirm the heterogeneity of frailty and suggest that different frail elderly individuals need more targeted care interventions.

[Effect of Acupuncture Combined with Rehabilitation on Immune and Neural Functions in Elderly Patients with Stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation and neuro-immune functional activities in elderly patients with stroke. METHODS: A total of 196 elderly stroke patients were randomly divided into control (rehabilitation exercise) and observation(acupuncture＋ rehabilitation exercise)groups (n＝98 in each). Patients of the control group were treated by general healing treatment including good limb placement, timely conversion of body position, joint-motor exercise, sitting balance exercise, sitting-standing-walking, walking up and down stairs, daily life ability exercise, etc. and those of the observation group were treated by using the same methods mentioned in the control group and manual acupuncture stimulation of Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Xuanli (GB 6), the midpoint of EX-HN 1 and GB 6, Baihui (GV 20), Qubin (GB 7), and the midpoint between GV 20 and GB 7 on the affected side (once a day for three 10-day courses). Serum interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) contents were assayed using ELISA, and serum CD 3＋， CD 4＋ and CD 8＋ contents assayed using flow cytometry. The disability severity was assessed by using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS, for dysneuria), modified Rankin Scale，(mRS, stroke severity), and Barthel Index (BI, performance in activities of daily living), separately. The therapeutic effect was determined according to NIHSS score, clinical symptoms and daily activity ability. RESULTS: On day 30 after the treatment, serum IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α and hs-CRP contents were significantly decreased in the observation group in comparison with its own pre-treatment and day 10 after the treatment, and on day 10 and 30 after the treatment, the above were lower than the control group (P<0.05). On day 30 after the treatment, serum CD 3＋， CD 4＋ and CD 4＋/CD 8＋ levels were significantly increased in both control and observation groups in comparison with their own pre-treatment and 10 days' treatment (P<0.05), while CD 8＋ levels obviously decreased in both groups relevant to their own pre-treatment and 10 days' treatment (P<0.05), and the increased CD 3＋， CD 4＋ and CD 4＋/CD 8＋ levels were significant higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the CD 8＋ level was obviously lower in the control group than in the observation group (P<0.05). On day 30 after the treatment, the NIHSS and mRS scores were significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.05), and significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05); the BI scores were evidently increased in both groups relevant to their own pre-treatment (P<0.05), and the BI level was considerably higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 72.4% (71/98) and 93.9% (92/98) respectively in the control and observation groups, being obviously higher in the latter group than in the former (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy is effective in promoting the recovery of neurological function and in regulating T lymphocyte subsets and the expression of inflammatory factors in elderly patients with stroke.

Glycosyltransferases: mechanisms and applications in natural product development.

Glycosylation reactions mainly catalyzed by glycosyltransferases (Gts) occur almost everywhere in the biosphere, and always play crucial roles in vital processes. In order to understand the full potential of Gts, the chemical and structural glycosylation mechanisms are systematically summarized in this review, including some new outlooks in inverting/retaining mechanisms and the overview of GT-C superfamily proteins as a novel Gt fold. Some special features of glycosylation and the evolutionary studies on Gts are also discussed to help us better understand the function and application potential of Gts. Natural product (NP) glycosylation and related Gts which play important roles in new drug development are emphasized in this paper. The recent advances in the glycosylation pattern (particularly the rare C- and S-glycosylation), reversibility, iterative catalysis and protein auxiliary of NP Gts are all summed up comprehensively. This review also presents the application of NP Gts and associated studies on synthetic biology, which may further broaden the mind and bring wider application prospects.

[Recent advances in the study of macrolide glycosyltransferases].

Catalyzed by a family of enzymes called glycosyltransferases (GTases), glycosylation reactions are essential for the bioactivities of macrolide antibiotics which have been widely applied. Additionally, glycosylation is also an important strategy of microbial to get macrolide antibiotic resistance. Studies on the structure, function and application areas of macrolide GTases will lay the stable groundwork for the combinatorial biology. This paper introduced in detail the biological functions of macrolide glycosylation, and then made an in-depth discussion on the families and discoveries of macrolide GTases. The resistance mechanism with macrolide glycosyltion and the correlative GTases MGT have been reviewed afterwards. According to the flexible substrate specificity of macrolide GTases, the combinatorial biological applications on them were also seriously summarized here. At the end, the authors made a developmental prospect of macrolide GTases based on the studies of the research group.