A cross-sectional study of the association between breastfeeding history and overweight/obesity in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: This study endeavors to augment comprehension of the association between breastfeeding and maternal weight within Asian populations. METHODS: Data were obtained from the comprehensive 2011 research titled "Risk Evaluation of Cancers in Chinese Diabetic Individuals (REACTION): a longitudinal analysis," focusing specifically on postmenopausal women residing in the metropolitan precincts of Guiyang. It presents a cross-sectional study involving 5,987 parous postmenopausal women, aged 60.1 ± 6.9 years, who underwent assessments of body mass index and waist-to-height ratio. The probability of excessive weight or obesity was evaluated in relation to the aggregate duration of breastfeeding, using single-factor and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Following multiple adjustments for different confounders, the odds ratios (ORs) demonstrated that women who had borne a single child and breastfed for more than 12 months exhibited an increased prevalence of excessive weight (body mass index ≥24 kg/m 2 ) in contrast to those who abstained from breastfeeding (model I: OR, 1.481; 95% confidence interval, 1.124-1.952; P = 0.005; model II: OR, 1.471; 95% confidence interval, 1.113-1.944; P = 0.007). Conversely, among the subset of women who had given birth to two or more children, no noteworthy associations emerged between breastfeeding duration and the propensity for excessive weight or obesity (all models). CONCLUSION: In the Asian population, the duration of breastfeeding does not appear to be necessarily linked to the prevalence of overweight or obesity in postmenopausal women.

The Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in People Over 40 Years Old with Normal Fasting Plasma Glucose and the Predictive Cutoff Value of Effective Fasting Plasma Glucose for Metabolic Syndrome in Guiyang.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in people over 40 years of age with normal blood glucose levels in Guiyang's urban areas and determine the effective glycemic cutoff value for predicting MS. Methods: The analysis was based on anthropometric and biochemical indicators of residents aged 40 years or older in urban areas of Guiyang City who participated in the "Epidemiological Study of Tumor Risk in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes" in 2011. This study included 3509 patients (2567 females and 942 males) with normal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and no MS. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between FPG and MS ROC was used to analyze the effective cutoff value of FPG for the incidence of MS. Results: After 3-year follow-up, 675 patients had MS (567 females and 108 males). MS incidence in the total population was 19.24%, 11.46% in males, and 22.09% in females, and it increased with FPG. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk of MS corresponding to FPG in females and males was OR=4.607,95% CI (3.477-6.105) and OR=2.944, 95% CI (1.785-4.855), respectively. ROC results demonstrated that FPG could predict the onset of MS (AUC: 0.720 in males and 0.666 in females). Conclusion: Increased FPG correlated with the incidence of metabolic syndrome. Subjects with FPG in the normal range still had a high incidence of MS. The population cutoff value for predicting effective FPG for metabolic syndrome was 5.545 mmol/L in men and 5.605 mmol/L in women. Epidemiological investigations are needed to determine whether a lower FPG cutoff value is required to diagnose MS. FPG not only diagnoses diabetes but also serves as a cost-effective and convenient screening method for developing of MS in the general Chinese population.

Gitelman syndrome with Graves' disease leading to rhabdomyolysis: a case report and literature review.

A 14-year-old male patient who suffered from limb numbness, fatigue, and hypokalemia was considered Graves' disease (GD) complicated with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) at the first diagnosis. Although with the treatment of antithyroid drugs, he developed severe hypokalemia and rhabdomyolysis (RM). Further laboratory tests revealed hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria, metabolic alkalosis, hyperrenin, and hyperaldosteronemia. Genetic testing revealed compound heterozygous mutations in the SLC12A3 gene (c.506-1G > A, c.1456G > A) encoding the thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride cotransporter, which presented a definitive diagnosis of Gitelman syndrome (GS). Moreover, gene analysis revealed his mother diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis carried the c.506-1G > A heterozygous mutation in the SLC12A3 gene and his father carried the c.1456G > A heterozygous mutation in the SLC12A3 gene. His younger sister who had hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia carried the same compound heterozygous mutations as the proband and was diagnosed with GS as well, but with a much milder clinical presentation and better treatment outcome. This case suggested the potential relationship between GS and GD, clinicians should strengthen the differential diagnosis to avoid missed diagnosis.

MiR-100-5p inhibits osteogenic differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stromal cells by targeting TMEM135.

Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by reduced bone mass, disruption of bone microarchitecture, and a propensity to fracture. The osteogenic differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs) exerts a critical effect on preventing bone loss during osteoporosis. Herein, the study recognized miR-100-5p as a deregulated miRNA during osteoporosis (upregulated) and BMSC osteogenic differentiation (downregulated). miR-100-5p was upregulated in osteoporosis patients-isolated BMSCs compared to non-osteoporosis trauma patients-isolated BMSCs. hBMSCs, overexpression inhibited hBMSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, whereas miR-100-5p inhibition exerted opposite effects. TMEM135 was downregulated in osteoporosis and upregulated in differentiated osteoblasts, as well as downregulated upon the overexpression of miR-100-5p. MiR-100-5p directly targeted and inhibited TMEM135. In hBMSCs, TMEM135 silencing also inhibited hBMSC osteogenic differentiation. When co-transfected to hBMSCs, antagomir-100-5p promoted, whereas TMEM135 silencing inhibited hBMSC osteogenic differentiation; TMEM135 knockdown dramatically attenuated the effects of miR-100-5p inhibition. Taken together, miR-100-5p forms a regulatory axis with TMEM135 by direct binding. The miR-100-5p/TMEM135 axis modulates hBMSC differentiation into osteoblast. Considering the critical effect of BMSC osteogenesis on osteoporosis, this axis might play a role in osteoporosis, and further in vivo and clinical investigations are required.

Interaction between smoking and diabetes in relation to subsequent risk of cardiovascular events.

BACKGROUND: Whether smoking modifies the associations of diabetes and risk factor management with subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and whether the smoking related CVD risk differs among people with and without diabetes are unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations and interactions of smoking, diabetes, and risk factor management in relation to incident CVD. METHODS: This nationwide, population-based, prospective cohort study of 20 communities from various geographic regions recruited adults aged 40 years or older during 2011-2012. The follow-up survey was conducted between 2014 and 2016. This study included 126,181 participants who were free from CVD at baseline. RESULTS: Study participants included 19,397 current smokers (15.4%), 6,049 former smokers (4.8%), and 100,735 never smokers (79.8%). Mean (SD) age ranged from 55.8 (8.6) years to 60.7 (9.1) years. Compared with never smokers, heavy smokers exhibited a greater risk of CVD events among participants with diabetes (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.45; 95% CI, 1.17-1.78) than among participants without diabetes (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01-1.42; P for interaction = 0.006). Compared with participants without diabetes, participants with diabetes who were never smokers and had 5 or more controlled risk factors showed no significantly excess CVD risk (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.71-1.22), but the cardiovascular benefits from risk factor management were counteracted among participants with diabetes who were current smokers (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.77-2.14) or former smokers (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.66-2.28). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and diabetes interacted with each other in relation to increased risk of CVD events, and the beneficial effect of risk factor management on CVD risk among participants with diabetes was attenuated by current or former smoking.

Inverse correlation between serum irisin and cardiovascular risk factors among Chinese overweight/obese population.

BACKGROUND: Irisin is a novel myokine associated with obesity, which is a traditional cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF). The present study aimed to investigate the association between serum irisin and a single CVRF as well as the clustering of CVRFs among Chinese overweight/obese population. METHODS: A total of 98 overweight and 93 obese subjects without clinical treatments were enrolled in this study. Subjects were then divided into two groups, based on the serum irisin level: a low irisin group (1.10-13.44 ng/ml) and a high irisin group (13.49-29.9 ng/ml). The clustering of CVRFs, smoking, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension, was classified as 0, 1, 2 and ≥ 3 CVRFs. The demographic and baseline clinical characteristics of all participants were collected and serum irisin was measured. RESULTS: The high serum irisin group had significantly higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol but lower fasting plasma glucose than the low serum irisin group. Additionally, the high serum irisin group had a significantly lower prevalence of smoking, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia than the low serum irisin group. Increased serum irisin was significantly associated with a reduced risk of smoking and dyslipidemia in both the unadjusted and adjusted models. Furthermore, high serum irisin significantly reduced the risk of the prevalence of 1, 2 and ≥ 3 CVRFs. CONCLUSIONS: among the Chinese overweight/obese populations, high serum irisin is negatively associated with smoking, dyslipidemia and the clustering of CVRFs. Thus, high serum irisin is potentially associated with a low risk of cardiovascular diseases in the Chinese overweight/obese population.

The Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome and the Valid Blood Pressure Cutoff Value for Predicting Metabolic Syndrome Within the Normal Blood Pressure Range in the Population Over 40 Years Old in Guiyang, China.

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to investigate metabolic syndrome (MS) incidence within the normal blood pressure (BP) range in a population over 40 years old in an urban area of Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China, and to identify a valid BP cutoff value for predicting MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from this study are based on the Risk Evaluation of cAncers in Chinese diabeTic Individuals: a lONgitudinal (REACTION) study. In total, 2935 subjects in the normal BP range and without MS (795 males, 2140 females) aged 40-80 years were included in this study. Follow-up subjects were classified by baseline BP and grouped by age. After the 3-year follow-up, the MS incidence and valid BP cutoff value for predicting MS were calculated for subjects within the normal BP range. RESULTS: After the 3-year follow-up study, the crude and standardized MS incidences in the cohort were 19.83% and 16.89% for follow-up subjects, respectively, with incidences of 10.94% and 10.50% for males and 23.13% and 20.66% for females. The incidence of MS in normotensive subjects (15.53%) was lower than that in subjects with high-normal BP (29.08%). After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking, and drinking, the risk of having MS in the high-normal BP group was 1.823-fold [HR 1.823 95% CI (1.538-2.162)] higher than that in the normotensive group. The ROC curve showed that the BP cutoff values were more than 117/74 mmHg in males and 112/74 mmHg in females. CONCLUSION: When BP was within the normal range, the incidence of MS in participants was very high. The MS incidence was higher among high-normal BP subjects than among normotensive subjects, as was the risk of having MS. The valid BP cutoff value for predicting MS in the population was 117/74 mmHg in males and 112/74 mmHg in females. Currently, epidemiological investigations are needed to determine whether a lower BP cutoff value is needed in diagnosing MS.

Association of serum irisin concentration with thyroid autoantibody positivity and subclinical hypothyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the association of serum irisin level with thyroid autoantibody (TAA) positivity and subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 334 participants were assigned to one of the following four age- and sex-matched groups: TAA plus SH (84 patients), isolated TAA (83 patients), isolated SH (83 patients), or healthy controls (84 individuals). Irisin and creatine kinase (CK) were measured in serum samples. RESULTS: Patients with TAA plus SH, isolated TAA, and isolated SH had higher irisin levels compared with the controls. There was a significant increase in the irisin level in the TAA plus SH group compared with the control group. Among all participants, the irisin levels were positively associated with thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibody titers and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, but negatively associated with waist circumference, glycated hemoglobin levels, and fasting plasma glucose levels. The irisin level was not associated with the thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, or CK levels. Irisin levels were independently associated with TAA, with or without SH, but they were not associated with SH alone. CONCLUSIONS: Irisin level may help to predict the risk of developing TAA with or without SH.

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is associated with the risk of osteoporosis: a cross-sectional evidence from a Chinese community-based cohort.

BACKGROUND: Association of arterial stiffness and osteoporosis has been well documented in elderly population. However, it is not clear whether they co-progress from the early stages through common mechanisms. The object of this study was to evaluate possible associations between arterial stiffness and osteoporosis by measuring brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asia (OSTA) index among a healthy population of Chinese aged 40 years and older. Whether baPWV can be used as a predictor of osteoporosis on OSTA was further assessed. METHODS: This study was cross-sectional in design. Of 3984 adults aged 40 years and older in the Yunyan district of Guiyang (Guizhou, China) who underwent both OSTA and baPWV measurements within 1 month, 1407 were deemed eligible for inclusion (women, 1088; men, 319). RESULTS: The mean baPWV was 1475 ± 302 cm/s (range,766-3459 cm/s). baPWV in 110 individuals with high risk of osteoporosis (OSTA index < - 4) was higher than that of individuals with non-high risk (1733 ± 461 cm/s vs. 1447 ± 304 cm/s, P < 0.001). OSTA index was negatively correlated with baPWV(ρ = - 0.296, P < 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, and creatinine clearance rate. baPWV was an independent predictor for the presence of high risk of osteoporosis (ß = - 0.001, P < 0.001) and was consistent across age and sex subgroups, and the optimal baPWV cutoff value for predicting the presence of high risk of osteoporosis and fracture was 1693 cm/s. The AUC was 0.722 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.667-0.777; P < 0.001, sensitivity of 52.8% and specificity of 83.6%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that arterial stiffness measured by baPWV is well correlated with the severity of osteoporosis evaluated by OSTA. baPWV index may be a valuable tool for identifying individuals with risk of developing osteoporosis.

Irisin plays an important role in the outcomes of newly diagnosed prediabetes in adults in Guiyang, China.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: To explore the potential role of irisin in the outcomes of newly diagnosed prediabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the Guiyang subcenter of the Risk Evaluation of cAncers in Chinese diabeTic Individuals: a lONgitudinal (REACTION) study. A total of 2,530 participants had newly diagnosed prediabetes at baseline and completed follow up. The nested 1:1 case-control study included 161 participants who developed diabetes mellitus at follow up, and 161 age- and sex-matched controls. The follow-up study included 86 matched case-control pairs. Fasting serum irisin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Baseline serum irisin levels were higher in the cases than in the controls (P = 0.002); high baseline serum irisin levels were an independent risk factor for the development of diabetes (odds ratio 1.235, 95% confidence interval 1.025-1.488). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), smoking, exercise, and family history of diabetes, subjects in the highest quartile of irisin levels had a higher risk of diabetes than those in the lowest quartile (odds ratio 3.065, 95% confidence interval 1.511-6.218). The extent of decrease in irisin levels during follow-up was greater in the cases than in the controls (P < 0.001). Baseline serum irisin levels were positively correlated with the extent of decrease in irisin during follow-up (r = 0.773, P < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, subjects with a decrease of irisin above the median had much higher risk for diabetes (odds ratio 5.077, 95% confidence interval 2.112-12.206). CONCLUSIONS: Irisin might play an important role in the outcomes of newly diagnosed prediabetes in adults in Guiyang, and can predict the risk for developing diabetes in these individuals.

Epidemiology of metabolic syndrome and its components in Chinese patients with a range of thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration and the risks of developing metabolic syndrome and its components. METHODS: A total of 10,140 residents of the Yunyan district of Guiyang (Guizhou, China) who were ≥40 years old were selected by cluster random sampling between May and August 2011, of whom 5692 were eligible. TSH concentration and indices of metabolic syndrome were documented at baseline and 3 years later. Participants were allocated to a euthyroid (TSH 0.55-4.78 mIU/L) or high TSH concentration (TSH >4.78 mIU/L) group. Patients with overt hypothyroidism or were undergoing treatment for hypothyroidism were excluded. RESULTS: The crude and adjusted prevalences of metabolic syndrome were 39.9% and 33.9% in the euthyroid group and 44.3% and 37.5% in the high TSH group, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between a high TSH concentration at baseline and the cumulative incidence of metabolic syndrome during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: High TSH is associated with a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome or one of its components; therefore, people with a high TSH concentration should be screened regularly to permit the early identification of metabolic syndrome and followed up thoroughly.

The association between cigarette smoking and serum thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies levels in Chinese residents: A cross-sectional study in 10 cities.

OBJECTIVES: Although several studies have shown that cigarette smoking is associated with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), the exact relationship between smoking and thyroid function is controversial. As little is known about the effects of smoking on TSH, TPOAb and TgAb in Chinese residents. This study aimed to evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and TSH, TPOAb and TgAb in ten-city residents of China. STUDY DESIGN: This was a population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 15,181 subjects from ten major cities of China were investigated. Data regarding demographic characteristics, smoking status and consumption of iodine status were collected using in-person interviews based on a self-designed structured questionnaire. Serum concentrations of TSH, TPOAb and TgAb were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassays. Univariate analysis and multivariate linear stepwise regression analyses were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The regular smokers had lower concentrations of TSH, TPOAb and TgAb than occasional smokers, former smokers and never smokers. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that regular smoking was associated with the decreased concentrations of TSH (ß = -0.178), TPOAb (ß = -0.287) and TGAb (ß = -0.453) after adjusting other factors. Furthermore, daily smoking number was significantly associated with the decreased level of TSH (ß = -0.045) and TPOAb(ß = -0.080), and smoking duration was associated with the decreased TSH level (ß = -0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that cigarette smoking is related to a significant decline in the concentrations of TSH, TPOAb and TgAb. In addition, daily smoking number and long-term smoking decrease serum TSH and TPOAb levels. Cigarette smoking plays a significant role in the development of thyroid dysfunction.

Increased Risk of Chronic Kidney Diseases in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A 3-year Prospective Cohort Study.

The relationship of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components with incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) and rapid decline of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was investigated. A total of 10 140 patients participating in the epidemiological study (Risk Evaluation of Cancers in Chinese Diabetic Individuals, REACTION) of risk factors of type 2 diabetes in China were followed up for 3 years, with MS being diagnosed by adult treatment panel III (ATPIII) combined with waist circumference in Asian population and renal function being evaluated by eGFR <60 mL·min-1(1.73 m2)-1 and rapid decline of eGFR ≤30%. The results showed that as compared with the non-MS group, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of CKD and rapid decline of eGFR were 1.64 (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.20-2.25, P<0.05) and 1.23 (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.05-1.43, P<0.05) respectively in MS group. With the increase in the number (0, 1, 2, 3 and ≥4) of MS components, the prevalence of CKD was 1.42%, 1.44%, 2.80%, 3.42%, and 4.03% (P<0.001), respectively. The ORs of incident CKD were 1.67 (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.22-2.27, P<0.05) for high TG, 1.50 (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.10-2.05, P<0.05) for low HDL-C, and 1.39 (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.02-1.91, P<0.05) for hyperglycemia. The risk for developing incident CKD was higher in the group with the highest HOMA-IR than in the group with the lowest HOMA-IR (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.16-2.89, P<0.05). It is suggested that MS is an independent risk factor for incident CKD. The occurrence and development of CKD is closely related to insulin resistance.

Higher Baseline Serum Irisin Decreases Risk for Body Mass Index Increment in Chinese Populations: A 3.2-Year Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Irisin, a newly discovered myokine, exerts beneficial effects on energy metabolism. However, published results from studies examining the relationship between irisin concentration and obesity have been conflicting. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between serum irisin level and obese individuals with different body mass index (BMI) values and to explore the question of whether serum irisin can predict the risk of increases in the BMI. METHODS: This study based on the data collected in the Risk Evaluation of cAncers in Chinese diabeTic Individuals: a lONgitudinal (REACTION). The cross-sectional cohort study was carried out from May 2011 to August 2011, and a longitudinal cohort study was conducted from July 2014 to October 2014 to complete the first 3.2-year follow-up. We enrolled 93 low-weight subjects (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), 94 normal-weight subjects (BMI 18.5-23.9 kg/m2), 98 overweight subjects (BMI 24.0-27.9 kg/m2) and 93 obese subjects (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2). Subjects in the normal-weight, overweight and obese groups were selected to match low-weight subjects by age and sex. Serum samples were obtained from all subjects to determine the irisin level. RESULTS: Subjects with a higher serum irisin level tended to have significantly lower changes in BMI and body fat percentage and higher baseline high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between serum irisin level and the baseline obesity index. Serum irisin level was positively correlated to an active lifestyle (i.e. physical activity; ß = 1.138, p = 0.032) and negatively correlated to fasting plasma glucose level (ß = - 0.996, p = 0.023), changes in BMI (ß = - 0.533, p = 0.002), waist circumference (ß = - 0.102, p = 0.018), body fat percentage (ß = - 0.457, p = 0.001) and Chinese visceral adiposity index (ß = - 0.280, p = 0.028). After adjustment for cofactors, higher baseline serum irisin was an independent factor for a decreased BMI increment (baseline serum irisin: odds ratio 0.747, 95% confidence interval 0.652-0.949, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum irisin at baseline independently predicted a lower BMI increment in Chinese populations.

Cigarette smoke upregulates SPRR3 by favoring c-Jun/Fra1 heterodimerization in human bronchial epithelial cells.

AIM: The airway epithelium of smokers exhibits upregulated SPRR3, an indicator of pathogenic keratinization. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon require investigation. PATIENTS & METHODS: Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) SPRR3 expression was analyzed by smoking status. Primary HBE cells were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS). SPRR3 expression, SPRR3 promoter activity, AP-1 factor binding and AP-1 factors' effects were analyzed. RESULTS: Current smokers display SPRR3 upregulation relative to never smokers. CS upregulates SPRR3 transcription in an exposure-dependent manner. CS promotes c-Jun and Fra1 binding to the SPRR3-AP-1/TRE site. Wild-type c-Jun and Fra1 upregulate, whereas c-Jun and Fra1, dominant-negative mutants, suppress SPRR3 promoter activity. CONCLUSION: CS induces SPRR3 upregulation in HBE cells by promoting aberrant c-Jun/Fra1 dimerization.

Microarray profiling of circular RNAs in human papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Non-coding circular RNAs (circRNAs) have displayed dysregulated expression in several human cancers. Here, we profiled the circRNA expression of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors to improve our understanding of PTC pathogenesis. METHODS: Microarray profiling was performed on 18 thyroid samples, consisting of six PTC tumors, six matching contralateral normal samples, and six benign thyroid lesions. After low-intensity filtering, hierarchical clustering revealed the circRNA expression patterns. Statistical analysis followed by qRT-PCR validation identified the differential circRNAs. MicroRNA (miRNA) target prediction software identified putative miRNA response elements (MREs), which were used to construct a network map of circRNA-miRNA interactions for the differential circRNAs. Bioinformatics platforms predicted cancer-related circRNA-miRNA associations and putative downstream target genes, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 88 circRNAs and 10 circRNAs were significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in PTC tumors relative to normal thyroid tissue, while 129 circRNAs and 226 circRNAs were significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in PTC tumors relative to benign thyroid lesions. A total of 12 upregulated and four downregulated circRNAs were overlapping between the foregoing comparisons. One downregulated circRNA (hsa_circRNA_100395) showed interactive potential with two cancer-related miRNAs (miR-141-3p and miR-200a-3p). From this analysis, we identified several promising cancer-related genes that may be targets of the dysregulated hsa_circRNA_100395/miR-141-3p/miR-200a-3p axis in PTC tumors. CONCLUSIONS: circRNA dysregulation may play a role in PTC pathogenesis, and several key circRNAs show promise as candidate biomarkers for PTC. The hsa_circRNA_100395/miR-141-3p/ miR-200a-3p axis may be involved in the pathogenesis of PTC.

Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and its association with bone mineral density and serum parathyroid hormone levels during winter in urban males from Guiyang, Southwest China.

Serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD)) may influence serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and bone mineral density (BMD). In the present study, we assessed serum 25OHD concentration and its association with PTH and BMD in urban males from Guiyang (N26.57°), the capital city of Guizhou province, Southwest China. We recruited 634 males aged >20 years from the Guiyang Health Measures Survey, and stratified them into three groups according to age: young (20-39 years), middle aged (40-59 years) and older (60-79 years). We measured serum concentrations of 25OHD, PTH levels and BMD of the lumbar spine (L1-L4), femoral neck and total hip. In addition, we also explored the relationship between 25OHD and lifestyle, socio-economic characteristics and medical history by applying covariance analysis and locally weighted regression plots. The results showed that serum 25OHD was 75 nmol/l in 12·6 % of the subjects. Higher level of serum PTH was detected in relation to lower concentrations of serum 25OHD up to 50 nmol/l. A negative correlation between serum 25OHD and PTH concentrations was observed (r -0·207, P=0·003). Mean concentration of serum PTH increased gradually and plateaued while concentrations of serum 25OHD decreased to 50 nmol/l. Gradual increase in serum PTH was observed as 25OHD concentration was <25 nmol/l (P=0·004). BMD values at all sites were greater in the higher serum 25OHD concentration group. This study shows that low concentrations of serum 25OHD were common in males, and bone health was likely to be improved when serum 25OHD values were between 30 and 50 nmol/l.

[An epidemiological survey of the prevalence of thyroid diseases in mild iodine deficiency city after salt iodization].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current status of iodine nutrition and the prevalence of thyroid diseases in Guiyang, a mild iodine deficiency city practiced salt iodization for 25 years. METHODS: A representative sample of 1509 adults aged 20 years old or above in Guiyang, selected by a multistage stratified sampling method, participated in the study. After an overnight fasting, serum thyroid hormones, serum thyroid autoantibodies, and urine iodine were measured. B-mode ultrasonography of the thyroid was performed in the population. Meanwhile, urine iodine of 80 children aged 8 - 10 years old in the same community were measured after an overnight fasting. RESULTS: The median of 8-10 years old children's urinary iodine was 228.7 µg/L. The prevalence of overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hyperthyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 1.79%, 14.12%, 1.52% and 1.06% respectively. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly higher than overt hypothyroidism (P < 0.05) and was significantly higher in female than that in male (P < 0.05). The prevalence of positive thyroid peroxidase antibody, positive thyroglobulin antibody and autoimmune thyroiditis was 14.38%, 13.59% and 4.44% respectively, which were significantly higher in female than that in male (all P values < 0.05). The prevalence of diffuse goiter and nodular goiter was 0.86% and 0.20% respectively, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: After 25 years of salt iodization, the iodine nutrition in Guiyang is more than adequate with high prevalence of overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis.

[Survey of vitamin D status in 700 healthy adult males in Guiyang, China].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the vitamin D status of healthy adult males living in Guiyang. METHODS: A total of 700 healthy volunteers aged 20 - 79 years were selected randomly from a community in Guiyang by stratified sampling method. Questionnaires for living habits and fasting blood samples were collected in the morning from November 2009 to January 2010. The serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured by the DiaSorin radioimmunoassay kit. RESULTS: The mean levels of serum 25(OH)D was (21 ± 10) µg/L. And the percentages of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 20 µg/L), insufficiency (20 µg/L ≤ 25(OH)D < 30 µg/L) and sufficiency (25(OH)D ≥ 30.0 µg/L) were 315(50.2%), 202 (32.2%) and 110(17.6%)respectively. The concentrations of serum 25(OH)D in young, middle-aged and old adults were (18 ± 10) µg/L, (24 ± 10) µg/L and (22 ± 8)µg/L respectively. The serum level of 25(OH)D was lower in the smokers than that in the non-smokers (20 µg/L vs 22 µg/L, P = 0.003). The serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were (24 ± 10) µg/L, (23 ± 10) µg/L, (22 ± 9) µg/L and (18 ± 9) µg/L in education level (≤ 6, 7 - 9, 10 - 12 and ≥ 10 years in school) respectively. Significant inverse correlations existed between the concentrations of serum 25(OH)D and the education levels (r = -0.138, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is common in healthy adult males in Guiyang, especially among the youth, smokers and higher educated groups.