Basal Energy Expenditure of Chinese Healthy Adults: Comparison of Measured and Predicted Values.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure the basal energy expenditure (BEE) of Chinese healthy adults and establish an accurate predictive equation for this population. METHODS: In total, 470 Chinese healthy adults had their BEE measured using the Cosmed K4b 2 portable metabolic system. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to develop new optimal equations for predicting BEE. The bias, accuracy rate, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the accuracy of the predictive equations. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in BEE between males and females, with 5,954 kJ/d and 5,089 kJ/d, respectively. People living in rural areas expended significantly higher BEE (5,885 kJ/d) than those in urban areas (5,279 kJ/d). Previous equations developed by Henry, Schofield, Harris-Benedict (H-B), and Liu overestimated the BEE of Chinese healthy adults. The new equations derived from the present study displayed the smallest average bias and RMSE from the measured basal energy expenditure (mBEE). The CCC of the new equations was higher than other predictive equations, but it was lower than 0.8. There was no significant difference in the accuracy rate among all predictive equations. CONCLUSIONS: Sex and regional differences in BEE were observed in Chinese healthy adults. Neither the widely used previous predictive equations nor the one derived in the present study were accurate enough for estimating the BEE of Chinese healthy adults. Further study is required to develop more accurate equations for predicting the BEE of Chinese healthy adults aged between 20-45 years.

Extract of Cycas revoluta Thunb. enhances the inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil on gastric cancer cells through the AKT-mTOR pathway.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is one of the most common and deadly malignancies worldwide. Despite recent medical progress, the 5-year survival rate of gastric cancer is still unsatisfactory. 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) is one of the first-line antineoplastic treatments for gastric cancer, as it can effectively induce cancer cell apoptosis. However, the effect of 5-Fu is limited due to drug resistance of the malignant tumor. Previous studies have reported that Sotetsuflavone from Cycas revoluta Thunb. can markedly suppress lung cancer cell proliferation by apoptosis, though its effect on gastric cancer remains unknown. AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Cycas revoluta Thunb. and to determine whether it can overcome gastric cancer cell drug resistance to 5-Fu. METHODS: Cell viability was examined to determine whether the natural extract of Cycas revoluta Thunb. induced gastric cancer cell death. The half-maximal effective concentration and the half-maximal lethal concentration were calculatede. Wound-healing and transwell assays were performed to examine gastric cancer cell motility. Clonogenic assays were performed to investigate the synergistic effects of Cycas revoluta Thunb. with 5-Fu, and apoptotic bodies were detected by Hoechst staining. Western blotting was performed to examine the expression of related proteins and to investigate the molecular mechanism of Cycas revoluta Thunb.-induced cancer cell apoptosis. The expressions of proteins, including mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-AKT, were detected in different combinations of treatments for 48 h, then analyzed by ECL detection. RESULTS: Gastric cancer cells were more sensitive to the natural extract of Cycas revoluta Thunb. compared to normal gastric epithelial cells, and the extract effectively inhibited gastric cancer cell migration and invasion. The extract improved the anti-cancer effect of 5-Fu by enhancing the chemosensitization of gastric cancer cells. Extract plus 5-Fu further reduced the expression of the drug-resistance-related proteins p-AKT and mTOR after 48 h compared to 5-Fu alone. Compared to 5-Fu treatment alone, mTOR and p-AKT expression was significantly reduced by about 50% and 75%, respectively. We also found that the natural extract of Cycas revoluta Thunb. further increased 5-Fu-induced gastric cancer cell apoptosis. Expression of apoptosis-related protein X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein and apoptosis inducing factor were significantly reduced and increased, respectively, in the 5-Fu-resistant gastric cancer line SGC-7901/R treated with extract plus 5-Fu, while the expression of survivin did not change. CONCLUSION: The natural extract of Cycas revoluta Thunb. effectively inhibited gastric cancer cell growth and enhanced the anti-cancer effect of 5-Fu through the AKT-mTOR pathway.

Habitual dietary calcium intakes and calcium metabolism in healthy adults Chinese: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To investigate the metabolic differences of calcium requirements between Chinese and Westerners, we examined systematically the characteristics of calcium metabolism in Chinese adults with habitual dietary calcium intakes. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, and National Index to Chinese Newspapers & Periodicals, from inception to March 17, 2015, as well as the bibliographies of any relevant papers and journals, for trials assessing calcium metabolism in healthy Chinese adults within 18-60 years of age on the typical Chinese diet. We extracted a standardized dataset from metabolic studies that reported intake, retention, urinary excretion, faecal excretion and/or fractional absorption of calcium. We pooled data with a random effects meta-analysis. Of 2,046 citations identified by the search strategy, 12 studies (comprising 137 participants, 13 aggregate data deriving from 257 individual data) met the inclusion criteria. Metabolic data with self-chosen or typical Chinese diets were analyzed. Mean daily intakes of calcium ranged between 288 and 948 mg. Mean calcium retentions of each study were between 13 and 294 mg/d. The overall pooled value for dietary intake, urinary excretion, faecal excretion, retention and fractional absorption of calcium were 583 mg/d, 117 mg/d, 381 mg/d, 72 mg/d and 33.3%. Dietary calcium intake and faecal calcium excretion explained almost 85% of the heterogeneity of calcium retention. Chinese adults could maintain a positive calcium balance with plant-based diets at calcium intakes as low as 300 mg/d through increasing fractional calcium absorption and decreasing calcium excretion in urine and faeces.

miR-630 functions as a tumor oncogene in renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate multiple cell processes during cancer progression. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignancy with a poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of miR-630 in RCC progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Expression of miR-630 was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in four renal cancer cell lines (786-O, ACHN, Caki-1, and Caki-2) and one normal human proximal tubule epithelial cell line (HK-2). Next, miR-630 inhibitor was used to inhibit miR-630 expression in 786-O cells. Finally, its effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were evaluated. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-630 was higher in renal cancer cell lines 786-O, ACHN, Caki-1, and Caki-2 than that in the normal renal cell line HK-2 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a proliferation assay, apoptosis assay, migration assay and invasion assay were performed, and the results showed that down-regulation of miR-630 expression by miR-630 inhibitor significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, which meanwhile induced cell apoptosis of the renal cancer cell line 786-O. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that miR-630 expression has been shown to be associated with renal cancer progression, and down-regulation of miR-630 can inhibit tumor progression, which provides a potential therapeutic target for renal cancer treatment.

Up-regulation of miR-630 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma is associated with lower overall survival.

INTRODUCTION: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that regulate multiple cellular processes during cancer progression. MiR-630 has recently been identified to be involved in tumorigenesis of several cancers such as lung cancer and gastric cancer. However, the regulation of miR-630 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has not yet been reported before. METHODS: Expression of miR-630 was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR in tumour and their normal matched tissues in n = 92 ccRCC patients, and its association with overall survival of patients was analyzed by statistical analysis. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-630 was significantly higher in renal cancer in comparison to normal matched tissue (P < 0.05). It is also proved that miR-630 expression was to be associated with renal cancer histologic grade, lymphnode metastasis, distant metastasis (P < 0.05). In addition, the Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that high miR-630 expression was associated with poor prognosis in ccRCC patients. miR-630 expression was an independent prognostic marker of overall ccRCC patient survival in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The study proves for the first time that miR-630 is upregulated in a majority of ccRCC patients. It also shows that miR-630 expression is an independent prognostic factor for patients with renal cancer, which might be a potential valuable biomarker for ccRCC.

The use of copper(II) isonicotinate-based micro-solid-phase extraction for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soils.

A micro-solid-phase extraction (µ-SPE) device was developed by filling copper(II) isonicotinate coordination polymer (Cu(4-C(5)H(4)N-COO)(2)(H(2)O)(4)) into a porous polypropylene envelope, and the µ-SPE, coupling with gas chromatography (GC) with a micro-cell electron capture detector (µ-ECD), was used for extraction and determination of PBDEs in soils. Variables affecting extraction procedures, including temperature, water volume, extraction time, and desorption time, were investigated in a spiked soil, and the parameters were optimized. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the method detection limits for seven PBDEs (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183) were in the range of 0.026-0.066 ng g(-1), and the reproducibility was satisfactory with the relative standard deviation in range of 1.3-10.1%. Good linear relationship between PBDEs concentrations and GC signals (defined as peak area) was obtained in the range between 0.1 and 200 ng g(-1). The recovery of the seven PBDEs by µ-SPE varied from 70 to 90%, which was comparable to that determined by accelerated solvent extraction method. Finally, the proposed method was used to determine PBDEs in several field-contaminated soils, and it was suggested that the µ-SPE is a promising alternative microextraction technique for the detection of PBDEs in soils.

Visceral fat area, waist circumference and metabolic risk factors in abdominally obese Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of visceral adiposity as measured by VFA and WC with lipid and glucose metabolic biomarkers in abdominally obese Chinese adults, and to assess whether WC could be an indicator of visceral fat. METHODS: WC and VFA were measured in 155 overweight and obese adults. A fasting blood sample was collected from participant (n = 118) whose VFA > or = 100 cm2 for analyses of lipid and glucose profile. The relationship between VFA and WC and biomarkers was investigated. RESULTS: WC and VFA were significantly interrelated. The coincidence rate of abdominal obesity determined by Japanese VFA and Chinese WC criteria increased across age quartiles in women from 51.7% to 96.2%. A large WC was associated significantly with low HDL-cholesterol concentration (P < 0.01) and the association was weakened by additional control of VFA. WC and VFA were positively associated with glucose, hemoglobin A1c and insulin concentrations (P < 0.05 except for the association of VFA with insulin: P < 0.01), and all the associations were not significant by additional control of either WC or VFA. As WC quartiles increased, significant stepwise increments in triglyceride, glucose, hemoglobin A1c and insulin and descent in HDL-cholesterol were observed. However, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol were not significantly different when compared across VFA quartiles. CONCLUSION: Higher visceral fat was associated with an adverse lipid and glucose profile. WC can be a moderate predictor for visceral fat and provides a feasible measurement to estimate glucose metabolic risks. Further studies are warranted to establish age-specific WC cutoffs.

Television news coverage of obesity in China, 1982-2009.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore how obesity was covered in television news in China, including the trends over time and the characteristics of obesity-related news. METHODS: The frame analysis was adopted to assess the content of obesity-related news broadcasted in China Central Television (CCTV) from 1982 to 2009. To investigate the characteristics of the news, the obesity-related news was divided into subgroups according to populations concerned, as well as the period in which the news was broadcasted. The differences between subgroups were examined. RESULTS: A total of 1 599 pieces of news reported obesity, in which 1 278 pieces (79.92%) aired in "wealthy" period (2006-2009). More news was concerned with adults (1 134, 70.92%). "Individual behavior" dominated most of the cause frames (389, 24.33%), solution frames (522, 32.65%), and responsibility frames (860, 53.78%). There was more news mentioning individual factors in news aired in "wealthy" period and news concerning children. The coverage of social-structure causes was higher in news concerning children, while the coverage of social-structure solutions was higher in news concerning children and news aired in "wealthy" period. CONCLUSION: Although the coverage of obesity was modest, it showed an incremental trend as the economy grew. Obesity was mostly depicted as an individual problem in terms of responsibility, causes and solutions.

Postprandial glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to GM-resistant starch-enriched rice and the production of fermentation-related H2 in healthy Chinese adults.

Consumption of resistant starch (RS)-enriched foods is associated with decrease in the postprandial glycaemic and insulinaemic responses, accompanied by the production of fermentation-related gases in the large bowel. The present study aimed to determine the postprandial glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to the GM RS-enriched rice and the fermentation-related production of H2 in young and healthy Chinese adults. A total of sixteen young adults (nine men and seven women) were recruited and divided into three groups. Their postprandial glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to 40 g glucose, carbohydrates of RS or wild-type (WT) rice were tested by a crossover model with a washout period of 7 d. The concentrations of blood glucose and insulin as well as breath H2 were measured before and after food intake. Although the mean concentrations of fasting blood glucose, insulin and breath H2 were similar, consumption of the RS rice significantly decreased the values of glycaemic index (GI) and insulin index (II), as compared with the intake of WT rice (48.4 (sem 21.8) v. 77.4 (sem 34.9) for GI, 34.2 (sem 18.9) v. 54.4 (sem 22.4) for II, P < 0.05), respectively. Conversely, intake of the RS rice meal significantly elevated the concentrations of breath H2, as compared with WT rice (38.9 (sem 17.6) v. 10.5 (sem 3.7) parts per million for peak levels of breath H2, P < 0.05) through a period of 16-h tests. Consumption of the GM RS-enriched rice meal decreased the postprandial glycaemic and insulinaemic responses and promoted RS fermentation-related production of H2 in the large bowel of young and healthy Chinese adults.

[Association of genetic polymorphisms in selenoprotein GPX1 and TXNRD2 with genetic susceptibility of gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether the two polymorphisms of GPX1 (198Pro--> Leu) and TXNRD2 (370Lys-->Arg) contributed alone or in combination, to the risk of gastric cancer development. METHODS: A total of 361 patients with gastric cancer and 363 cancer-free controls were recruited and their genotypes of the two polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-based restrictive fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed using unconditional logistic regression model. RESULTS: GPX1 and TXNRD2 polymorphisms individually were not associated with the risk of gastric cancer. Gene-gene interaction of GPX1 and TXNRD2 polymorphisms decreased the risk of gastric cancer. Carrying the protective genotype might decrease the risk at 62% (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.26-0.55, P < 0.001) as compared with the risk genotype. CONCLUSION: The GPX1 198 Pro/Pro and TXNRD2 370Arg/Arg genotypes might be associated with the genetic susceptibility of gastric cancer.

Visceral fat, arterial stiffness, and endothelial function in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between overweight or obesity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients remains controversial. Both pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and endothelial dysfunction are related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the association between PWV, endothelial dysfunction, and visceral adipose tissue in PD patients is not well-understood. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen PD patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The overall fat ratio and visceral-fat level of PD patients were measured by multiple-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (C-F PWV) was measured as an indicator of aortic stiffness. Endothelial function was evaluated by brachial-artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). The association between these monitored parameters was assessed by statistical analyses. RESULTS: Bivariate correlation analysis showed that C-F PWV was positively correlated with visceral-fat level (r = 0.343, P < .001), whereas FMD was negatively correlated with visceral-fat level (r = -0.354, P < .01). Multiple regression analysis indicated that age, diabetic status, visceral-fat level, and duration of dialysis were determinants of PWV (adjusted R(2) = 0.316, P < .001), whereas visceral-fat level and glucose load were the determinants of FMD (adjusted R(2) = 0.130, P < .01). CONCLUSION: Visceral-fat level was an independent predictor of PWV and FMD in PD patients, and could be considered one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease in PD patients.

[Pilot study on total energy expenditure by accelerometer and physical activity logs].

OBJECTIVE: Using accelerometer and physical activity logs to evaluate daily energy expenditure, as to providing a simple and convenient method to survey the total energy expenditure (TEE). METHODS: The different activity intensities recorded by accelerometer were distinguished into a certain different energy expenditure value by gas metabolism method. Forty-one participants wore the accelerometer for 7 days continuously and completed physical activity logs everyday at the same time. The total energy expenditure was evaluated by these methods. RESULTS: Total energy expenditure evaluated by accelerometer was (9761 +/- 866) kJ/d [(2332 +/- 207) kcal/d, PAL 1.46 +/- 0.11] for male and (7526 +/- 879) kJ/d [ (1798 +/- 210) kcal/d,P AL 1.43 +/- 0.09 for female; whereas combining accelerometer and physical activity logs data showed that the total energy expenditure was (10 573 +/- 804) kJ/d [(2526 +/- 192) kcal d, PAL 1.58 +/- 0.10] for male, and 8191 +/- 737 kJ/d [(1957 +/- 176) kcal/d, PAL 1.56 +/- 0.08] for female. CONCLUSIONS: Using accelerometer and physical activity logs to evaluate the total energy expenditure might be consistent with the existing data, so this method might be used to survey the individual energy expenditure and physical activity levels.

[Study on the reliability and validity of international physical activity questionnaire (Chinese Vision, IPAQ)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the reliability and validity of Chinese version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and to provide an instrument for physical activity measurement in Chinese-spoken population. METHODS: Test-retest reliability was systemically assessed in 94 participants sampled from college students. Questionnaires were completed twice with a three-day interval. The validity was established in 39 volunteers by Caltrac accelerometer monitoring and 24-hour activity recording for seven consecutive days. RESULTS: Both long vision (LV) and short vision (SV) had intraclass correlation coefficients above 0.7 for physical activity. The total energy expenditure measured by LV, SV and PA records were 264.5 +/- 260.9, 185.4 +/- 128.9 (compared with activity records, P < 0.05) and 250.5 +/- 141.2 MET-min/d respectively. Energy expenditure of moderate physical activity were 81.7 +/- 165.4, 32.0 +/- 42.5 (compared with activity record, P < 0.05) and 61.3 +/- 72.0 MET-min/d. Caltrac accelerometer was moderately correlated with LV (r = 0.50) and SV (r = 0.63) while SV measured total daily energy expenditure was lower than activity records. When participants were categorized into two groups according to their time spent in physical activity above or below the target level, proportions of agreement of questionnaires and 24-hour activity records were high, including vigorous physical activity above 90% and moderate physical activity above 70%. LV, SV and activity records were measured during sedentary condition at an approximate level. CONCLUSIONS: Both LV and SV of IPAQ appeared to have acceptable reliability and validity, compared to other physical activity instruments that were used in various large epidemiological studies. The total or physical energy expenditures were similar between LV and activity records. For activity levels, the proportion of agreement were similar between activity records and LV or SV. However, SV underestimated the energy expenditure of total and moderate physical activity.