Preoperative Serum Triglyceride to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio Can Predict Prognosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Previously, research has reported associations of lipid and lipoprotein imbalances with carcinogenesis and cancer progression, so they have been considered as promising prognostic biomarkers for cancer in recent years. However, the correlation of preoperative serum triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) prognosis remains under exploration. Here, the study investigated the prognostic function of TG/HDL-C for NSCLC. Methods: The total combined group of this retrospective study enrolled 479 NSCLC patients from two tertiary referral hospitals, of which 223 patients were defined as the training group (Nanchang) and the remaining 256 were defined as the validation group (Wuhan). The cut-off of preoperative TG/HDL-C was determined through ROC curve in the training group and verified in the validation and combined groups subsequently. With one Cox proportional hazards model and K-M survival curves, a survival analysis was conducted. Results: In the training group, the optimal cut-off of TG/HDL-C was 1.02. Furthermore, the data based on the training group revealed a greater, shorter, overall survival (OS) in patients having a high TG/HDL-C (>1.02) than those having low TG/HDL-C (≤1.02). Meanwhile, in univariate and multivariate analysis, for prognostic OS among NSCLC patients, TG/HDL-C acted as one independent factor. All the results above were confirmed in the validation and combined groups. Conclusion: NSCLC patients with a comparatively low preoperative serum TG/HDL-C level had a correlation with well OS. TG/HDL-C possibly acted as one novel, effective prognostic biomarker for NSCLC patients.     

The Relationship between Dietary Pattern and Bone Mass in School-Age Children

Early bone accrual significantly influences adult bone health and osteoporosis incidence. We aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns (DPs), bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in school-age children in China. Children aged six–nine years (n = 465) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. DPs were identified by principal component factor analysis. Total body (TB) and total body less head (TBLH) BMC and BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Five DPs were identified. After adjustment for covariates, multiple linear regression analysis showed that the “fruit-milk-eggs” dietary pattern was positively associated with TB (β = 10.480; 95% CI: 2.190, 18.770) and TBLH (β = 5.577; 95% CI: 0.214, 10.941) BMC, the “animal organs-refined cereals” pattern was associated with low TB BMC (β = −10.305; 95% CI: −18.433, −2.176), TBLH BMC (β = −6.346; 95% CI: −11.596, −1.096), TB BMD (β = −0.006; 95% CI: −0.011, −0.001) and TBLH BMD (β = −0.004; 95% CI: −0.007, −0.001). In conclusion, our study recommends home or school meals should be rich in fruit, milk, eggs with a moderate amount of vegetables, coarse grains and meat to promote bone development for school-age children.     

The Effect of Resveratrol on Blood Lipid Profile: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

(1) Background: The effects of resveratrol on blood lipids are controversial. Whether there is a dose-response of the lipid profile upon resveratrol supplementation is unknown. (2) Methods: This dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to explore the effects of resveratrol supplementation on lipid profile. A systematical and comprehensive search of several databases was conducted by 30 June 2022. (3) Results: The results indicated that the intake of resveratrol could significantly decrease the total cholesterol (TC) (mean difference = −10.28; 95%CI: −13.79, −6.76, p < 0.001), triglyceride (TG) (Mean difference = −856; 95%CI: −12.37, −4.75, p < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (mean difference = −5.69; 95%CI: −11.07, −0.31, p = 0.038) level, but did not alter the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In the non-linear dose–response analysis, we observed a significant effect of the supplementation dosage on the level of LDL-C (p-nonlinearity = 0.002). Results from the sub-group analysis showed that the reduction of LDL-C was more significant in the trials with a duration of ≥12 weeks and in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (4) Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that resveratrol may be beneficial to reduce TC, TG, and LDL-C levels in the blood. The dosage of the resveratrol intervention is an essential factor that affects the level of LDL-C.     

Association between Branched-Chain Amino Acid Intake and Physical Function among Chinese Community-Dwelling Elderly Residents

This study aimed to evaluate the potential associations of dietary BCAAs (isoleucine, leucine, and valine) with physical function in the elderly Chinese population. A validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and anthropometric and physical function measurements were used to collect data. We modeled trends in physical function indicators for BCAA quartiles using multivariate linear regression models. Among 4336 (43.97% men) participants aged 72.73 ± 5.48 years, a higher dietary intake of BCAAs was positively associated with increased handgrip strength (all p trends < 0.001), shorter times for 4-m fast walking (all p trends < 0.001) and repeated chair rises (all p trends < 0.001). No linear association was found between subtypes of amino acids and any physical functions (all p trends > 0.05). Individuals in the highest quartiles of BCAA intake had a reduced risk of developing low muscle strength, and the multiadjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for women and men were 0.50 (0.38–0.65) and 0.67 (0.50–0.91), respectively. Similarly, higher BCAA consumption was associated with a lower risk of developing low physical performance (4-m walking speed: OR = 0.68 [0.50–0.93]; repeated chair rises: OR = 0.66 [0.54–0.81]). Higher dietary BCAA intake might be beneficial for physical function in the elderly population.     

Biomechanical Evaluation of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Coflex‐F and Pedicle Screw Fixation: Finite Element Analysis of Static and Vibration Conditions

ObjectiveTo investigate the biomechanics of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with interspinous process device (IPD) or pedicle screw fixation under both static and vibration conditions by the finite element (FE) method.MethodA validated FE model of the L1‐5 lumbar spine was used in this study. This FE model derived from computed tomography images of a healthy female adult volunteer of appropriate age. Then the model was modified to simulate L3‐4 TLIF. Four conditions were compared: (i) intact; (ii) TLIF combined with bilateral pedicle screw fixation (BPSF); (iii) TLIF combined with U‐shaped IPD Coflex‐F (CF); and (iv) TLIF combined with unilateral pedicle screw fixation (UPSF). The intact and surgical FE models were analyzed under static and vibration loading conditions respectively. For static loading conditions, four motion modes (flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation) were simulated. For vibration loading conditions, the dynamic responses of lumbar spine under sinusoidal vertical load were simulated.ResultUnder static loading conditions, compared with intact case, BPSF decreased range of motion (ROM) by 92%, 95%, 89% and 92% in flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation, respectively. While CF decreased ROM by 87%, 90%, 69% and 80%, and UPSF decreased ROM by 84%, 89%, 66% and 82%, respectively. Compared with CF, UPSF increased the endplate stress by 5%–8% in flexion, 7%–10% in extension, 2%–4% in lateral bending, and decreased the endplate stress by 16%–19% in axial rotation. Compared with CF, UPSF increased the cage stress by 9% in flexion, 10% in extension, and decreased the cage stress by 3% in lateral bending, and 13% in axial rotation. BPSF decreased the stress responses of endplates and cage compared with CF and UPSF. Compared BPSF, CF decreased the facet joint force (FJF) by 6%–13%, and UPSF decreased the FJF by 4%–12%. During vibration loading conditions, compared with BPSF, CF reduced maximum values of the FJF by 16%–32%, and vibration amplitudes by 22%–35%, while UPSF reduced maximum values by 20%–40%, and vibration amplitudes by 31%–45%.ConclusionCompared with other surgical models, BPSF increased the stability of lumbar spine, and also showed advantages in cage stress and endplate stress. CF showed advantages in IDP and FJF especially during vertical vibration, which may lead to lower risk of adjacent segment degeneration. CF may be an effective alternative to pedicle screw fixation in TLIF procedures.     

Association between serum cystatin C and early impairment of cardiac function and structure in type 2 diabetes patients with normal renal function

BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients may have cardiac remodeling and dysfunction from the early stage of disease. This study aimed to determine the association between cystatin C (CysC) and early cardiac functional or structural impairment in T2DM patients without renal dysfunction.MethodsA total of 1135 T2DM patients without renal dysfunction and known heart diseases were included in our study. Cardiac function and structure were evaluated by echocardiography. Patients were diagnosed as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), impaired left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, and categorized into four different LV geometry patterns including normal, concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy, and eccentric hypertrophy.ResultsIn multivariate linear regression analyses, CysC was positively associated with interventricular septum, LV mass index, left atrial volume index, E/e'' ratio, and negatively associated with Tissue Doppler e'', E/A ratio (p < .05). As a continuous variable, increasing CysC levels were associated with prevalence of LVH (OR: 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–1.77), impaired LV diastolic function (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.33–1.87), concentric hypertrophy (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.23–1.93) and eccentric hypertrophy (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.00–1.80) according to multivariate logistic regression analyses. While as a categorical variable, the highest CysC quartile (CysC > 1.04 mg/L) was associated with LVH (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.74–5.00), impaired LV diastolic function (OR: 4.09, 95% CI: 2.54–6.60), and concentric hypertrophy (OR: 3.26, 95% CI: 2.05–5.18).ConclusionsCysC was significantly associated with early LV remodeling and cardiac functional impairment in T2DM patients with normal renal function. It could be a reliable and convenient biomarker detecting early impairment of cardiac function and structure in T2DM patients.     

酶处理急性分离技术用于研究果蝇成虫中枢神经细胞钾电流

目的 建立急性分离果蝇成虫中枢神经细胞技术,并记录分析其钾电流。方法 取S、R或H品系果蝇成虫3—5只,分离出果蝇脑组织。胶原酶消化处理后,加入10％的胎牛血清果蝇培养基终止酶反应。巴氏吸管吹打,细胞悬液静置1h后用于电生理实验。全细胞电压钳记录并分析其外向钾电流。结果 酶消化法成功急性分离出果蝇成虫中枢神经细胞。85％以上为Ⅱ型神经细胞,少部分为Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型神经细胞。记录到快失活与持续复合型、慢失活型、快失活和持续型四种全细胞钾电流。结论 本技术可成功急性分离三品系果蝇成虫中枢神经细胞,并记录到四种钾电流。     

残疾人士的健康、心理和生活状况调查分析

目的　了解残疾人现时的健康、心理和生活状况,为制订全面社区康复计划提供科学依据。方法　进行随机抽样的入户访谈式调查。结果　肢残者所占的比例最大,其次是听力语言残疾,视残居第三位;以疾病、先天遗传和意外伤害为三大致残原因,而车祸是意外伤害的第一致残原因;不同年龄阶段各类残疾的构成存在显著性差异;不同文化程度的残疾人心理状态评价存在显著性差异;大多数残疾人对福利政策感到不满意或不太满意。结论　普遍开展社区康复服务,增加残疾人的就业机会,完善我国的残疾人福利政策等。