[The baseline characteristics of School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program in Beijing]

Objective: To describe the baseline characteristics of School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program(SCVBH) in Beijing. Methods: Children and adolescents were selected in 30 schools (8 primary schools, 21 middle schools and one 12-year education school) from Dongcheng, Tongzhou, Fangshan and Miyun districts of Beijing by using a stratified cluster sampling method. 15 391 students in grade 1 to 4 from primary schools, grade 1 from junior and senior high schools were enrolled in the investigation with an exclusion of students who were not able to participate due to trauma or other uncomfortable physical conditions. The baseline survey including a questionnaire survey, physical examination and blood biochemical test was conducted from September 2017 to January 2018. Obesity, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipid, bone density and grip were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia (impaired fasting glucose and diabetes), dyslipidemia, lower bone density were 22.3%(3 394), 14.8%(2 248), 10.4%(1 490), 20.3%(2 919) and 2.1%(316) in total respectively, and 27.2%(2 081), 16.3%(1 244), 12.8%(922), 22.2%(1 595) and 1.2%(94) for boys, 17.3%(1 313), 13.3% (1 004), 7.9%(568), 18.4%(1 324) and 2.9%(229) for girls. Boys had higher prevalence of obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia and lower prevalence of low bone density than girls (all P values <0.05) The mean of body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and grip of boys were significantly higher than that of girls (all P values <0.05).The mean of body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and grip of boys were significantly higher than that of girls (all P values <0.05), the mean of fat mass percentage, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol of boys were significantly lower than those of girls (all P values <0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of risk factors of chronic cardiovascular disease was high and the low bone density was appearing in children and adolescents in this study. The promotion of cardiovascular and bone health should be implemented in children and adolescents.

[Association between rs10938397 polymorphism in GNPDA2 and obesity in children at different stages of development]

Objective: To examine the association between rs10938397 polymorphism in glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase 2 (GNPDA2) and risk of obesity in children at different stages of development and analyze the differences in the association. Methods: A total of 3 503 school-aged children were selected from the Beijing Child and Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome (BCAMS) study in Beijing and their complete anthropometry weight, height, fat mass percentage (FMP), fat mass index (FMI) and free fat mass index (FFMI) and sexual maturation (SM) data were used. The developmental stages were evaluated using male testicular volume and female breast Tanner staging. FMP, FM and FFM were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. General obesity and adiposity were respectively defined according to Chinese sex-age-specific body mass index (BMI) cutoffs and sex-age-specific FMP cutoffs. The SNP rs10938397 were genotyped by the TaqMan Allelic Discrimination Assay with the GeneAmp 7900 sequence detection system (Applied Biosystems, Foster city, CA, USA). Relationships between rs10938397 polymorphism and BMI, FMP, FMI and FFMI and different types of obesity were tested using multivariate linear regression and logistic regression models. Results: After age adjustment and correction for multiple testing, the rs10938397-G was associated with BMI and risk of general obesity in boys in early puberty (β=0.328, P=0.001; OR=1.420, 95%CI: 1.126-1.790), and the rs10938397-G was associated with BMI in girls in late puberty (β=0.266, P=0.001). The associations of GNPDA2 rs10938397-G with FFMI and FMI were observed in boys in early puberty (β=0.137, P=0.016; β=0.202, P=0.007) and the associations of rs10938397-G with FMP and FMI were observed in girls in late puberty (β=0.153, P=0.002; β=0.168, P=0.001). The rs10938397-G was also associated with adiposity in girls in late puberty (OR=1.339, 95%CI: 1.093-1.637). Conclusion: The rs10938397 polymorphism in GNPDA2 is associated with adiposity in girls, and it is important to use an accurate indicator of obesity in exposing the genuine association between genes and obesity.

[The study of growth differentiation factor-15 in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension following acute pulmonary thromboembolism]

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) secondary to acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and the serum level of growth differentiation factor-15(GDF-15). Methods: Ninety-six acute PTE patients were recruited in the study. Clinical data, Wells score, blood gas analysis, D-dimmer level, GDF-15 level, atrial and ventricular sizes, pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and pulmonary artery CT (CTPA) data were collected. Patients were followed up to evaluate the cardiac function (WHO class), ultrasonic cardiogram and CTPA to confirm the incidence of CTEPH. Results: Eighty-fivepatients were followed for 5 months to 58 months (average 26.5±14.7 months). The incidence of CTEPH was 12.9% (11/85). Between CTEPH patients and non-CTEPH patients, PASP, right atrial and ventricular sizes, and GDF-15in the acute stage were significantly different(P<0.05). According to binary logistic regression analysis, the incidence of CTEPH was correlated positively with acute PASP and the serum level of GDF-15. Conclusions: The incidence of CTEPH in acute PTE patients was 12.9% in this study. Acute PASP and higher level of GDF-15 are predictive factors for CTEPH secondary to acute PTE.

FGF21 deficiency is associated with childhood obesity, insulin resistance and hypoadiponectinaemia: The BCAMS Study

OBJECTIVE

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) exerts beneficial effects on metabolic homoeostasis and has been reported to be regulated by adiponectin, leptin and resistin. However, while an association between increased circulating FGF21 and metabolic disorders has been reported in adults, paediatric-specific data are lacking.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This study investigated the relationship between FGF21 levels and obesity, insulin resistance (IR), the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and adipokines (adiponectin, leptin and resistin) in a cohort of 3231 Chinese youngsters aged 6-18.

RESULTS

There were gender- and puberty-related differences in FGF21 levels. Unexpectedly, FGF21 levels were decreased in children with obesity, and negatively correlated with insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin levels after adjusting for age, gender, puberty and lifestyle factors. Moreover, multiple regression analyses showed that serum FGF21 positively predicted adiponectin levels while resistin positively predicted FGF21 levels independent of BMI (P<0.05). Children in the lowest FGF21 quintile were more likely to have IR (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.41-2.42; P=0.002) and MetS (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.14-2.28; P=0.007) than those in the highest quintile. Further adjusting for BMI and/or the three adipokines modified the association of FGF21 with MetS (P>0.10) but not with IR (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Although the associations between adiponectin, leptin, resistin and metabolic abnormalities in our paediatric population were similar to those in adults, correlations of FGF21 levels with obesity, IR and MetS were the inverse of those found in adults. Our present findings suggest that FGF21 deficiency, rather than resistance, contribute to IR and hypoadiponectinaemia independently of obesity in young people.

Design and Characterisation of Metallic Glassy Alloys of High Neutron Shielding Capability

This paper reports the design, making and characterisation of a series of Fe-based bulk metallic glass alloys with the aim of achieving the combined properties of high neutron absorption capability and sufficient glass forming ability. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and pair distribution function methods were used to characterise the crystalline or amorphous states of the samples. Neutron transmission and macroscopic attenuation coefficients of the designed alloys were measured using energy resolved neutron imaging method and the very recently developed microchannel plate detector. The study found that the newly designed alloy (Fe₄₈Cr₁₅Mo₁₄C₁₅B₆Gd₂ with a glass forming ability of Ø5.8 mm) has the highest neutron absorption capability among all Fe-based bulk metallic glasses so far reported. It is a promising material for neutron shielding applications.

[Association between SEC16B polymorphisms and body mass index variation or risk of obesity: a Meta-analysis]

Objective: To systematically evaluate the associations between SEC16B polymorphisms and body mass index (BMI) or risk of obesity in different ethnic populations. Methods: A literature retrieval was carried out by using Wanfangdata, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP databases), PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, NIH GWAS catalog databases to collect the research papers published between 2009 and 2015 on the associations between SEC16B polymorphisms and BMI or risk of obesity. Summary beta estimates (βs), odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the strength for the BMI analyses and obesity status. Meta-analysis was performed with Stata 12.0 software. Results: Totally 15 papers for rs10913469 and 13 papers for rs543874 were included in this Meta-analysis. Under additive genetic model, rs10913469 and rs543874 in SEC16B gene were positively associated with BMI, and the combined β was 0.04 (95%CI: 0.03-0.05) and 0.03 (95%CI: 0.02-0.04), respectively, and rs10913469 and rs543874 were also associated with the risk of obesity, and the combined OR was 1.11 (95%CI: 1.08-1.15) and 1.28 (95%CI: 1.20-1.36), respectively. There were no significant differences among subgroups of ethnicity, different age groups and literatures with different quality. Conclusion: rs10913469 and rs543874 in SEC16B gene are significantly associated with BMI and the risk of obesity, and C allele of rs10913469 and G allele of rs543874 increase the risk for obesity in different ethnic populations.

Nasal endoscopic findings and nasal symptoms in patients with asthma: a clinical study from a rhinological perspective

OBJECTIVE

Allergic rhinitis (AR), non-allergic rhinitis (NAR), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) occur frequently in asthmatic patients. We evaluated nasal symptoms and nasal endoscopic findings in patients with asthma and correlated them to asthma severity.

METHODS

Subjects (n=150) with asthma completed questionnaires designed to provide information related to asthma and nasal disease. Patients were divided into four groups based on asthma severity. Pulmonary function tests, skin-prick tests (SPTs) and nasal endoscopy were performed on every patient. Clinical findings were compared in asthma patients by rhinologists.

RESULTS

The total incidence of AR, NAR, CRSwNP and CRSsNP in these patients with asthma was 76%. By using Fisher's Exact Test, there was no statistical significance between asthma severity and the incidence of AR, NAR, CRSwNP and CRSsNP (P=0.311). There was a significant difference in the total nasal symptoms score among subjects with different grades of asthma (P=0.002). However, there were no significant differences in the total Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score (LKS) (P=0.736). The nasal endoscopic scores were significantly correlated at a high degree with the nasal symptoms score (P=0.000). A significant correlation was found between the nasal endoscopic score and the duration of asthma in the patients with different grades of asthma (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between rhinitis and asthma is complex. Nasal airways should become part of standard clinical assessment and follow-up in patients with asthma.

Association of common variants in/near six genes (ATP2B1, CSK, MTHFR, CYP17A1, STK39 and FGF5) with blood pressure/hypertension risk in Chinese children

Recent genome-wide association studies have identified several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with blood pressure (BP)/hypertension. In this study, we aimed to examine the established associations amongst Chinese children. We genotyped six SNPs (ATP2B1 rs17249754, CSK rs1378942, MTHFR rs1801133, CYP17A1 rs1004467, STK39 rs3754777 and FGF5 rs16998073) in Chinese children (N=3077, age range, 6-18 years). Based on the Chinese age- and sex-specific BP standards, 619 hypertensive cases and 2458 controls with normal BP were identified. Of the six SNPs, only ATP2B1 rs17249754 SNP was significantly associated with the risk of hypertension (allelic odds ratio (OR)=1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.44, P=0.003). Although all other SNPs showed a trend towards increasing the BP values and risk of hypertension, there was no statistically significant association after false discovery rate analysis. We calculated the weighted risk score using six SNPs, for systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and hypertension. Each additional weighted risk score was associated with SBP by 1.18 mm Hg (95% CI=0.62-1.73, P<0.001), but not with the DBP (β=0.28, 95% CI=(-0.15)-0.74), and overall increased the risk of hypertension by 1.19-fold (95% CI=1.04-1.35, P=0.01). The present study confirmed the significant association of ATP2B1 rs17249754 with risk of hypertension among Chinese children, but failed to replicate the association of CSK rs1378942, MTHFR rs1801133, CYP17A1 rs1004467, STK39 rs3754777 and FGF5 rs16998073 with BP/risk of hypertension.

Valosin-containing protein regulates the proteasome-mediated degradation of DNA-PKcs in glioma cells

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) has an important role in the repair of DNA damage and regulates the radiation sensitivity of glioblastoma cells. The VCP (valosine-containing protein), a chaperone protein that regulates ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation, is phosphorylated by DNA-PK and recruited to DNA double-strand break sites to regulate DNA damage repair. However, it is not clear whether VCP is involved in DNA-PKcs (DNA-PK catalytic subunit) degradation or whether it regulates the radiosensitivity of glioblastoma. Our data demonstrated that DNA-PKcs was ubiquitinated and bound to VCP. VCP knockdown resulted in the accumulation of the DNA-PKcs protein in glioblastoma cells, and the proteasome inhibitor MG132 synergised this increase. As expected, this increase promoted the efficiency of DNA repair in several glioblastoma cell lines; in turn, this enhanced activity decreased the radiation sensitivity and prolonged the survival fraction of glioblastoma cells in vitro. Moreover, the VCP knockdown in glioblastoma cells reduced the survival time of the xenografted mice with radiation treatment relative to the control xenografted glioblastoma mice. In addition, the VCP protein was also downregulated in ∼25% of GBM tissues from patients (WHO, grade IV astrocytoma), and the VCP protein level was correlated with patient survival (R²=0.5222, P<0.05). These findings demonstrated that VCP regulates DNA-PKcs degradation and increases the sensitivity of GBM cells to radiation.

Effects of external intermittency and mean shear on the spectral inertial-range exponent in a turbulent square jet

This study investigates by experiment the dependence of the inertial-range exponent m of the streamwise velocity spectrum on the external intermittency factor γ (≡ the fraction of time the flow is fully turbulent) and the mean shear S in a turbulent square jet. Velocity measurements were made using hot-wire anemometry in the jet at 15 < x/D(e) < 40, where D(e) denotes the exit equivalent diameter, and for an exit Reynolds number of Re = 50,000. The Taylor microscale Reynolds number R(λ) varies from about 70 to 450 in the present study. The TERA (turbulent energy recognition algorithm) method proposed by Falco and Gendrich [in Near-Wall Turbulence: 1988 Zoran Zariç Memorial Conference, edited by S. J. Kline and N. H. Afgan (Hemisphere Publishing Corp., Washington, DC, 1990), pp. 911-931] is discussed and applied to estimate the intermittency factor from velocity signals. It is shown that m depends strongly on γ but negligibly on S. More specifically, m varies with γ following m=m(t)+(lnγ(-0.0173))(1/2), where m(t) denotes the spectral exponent found in fully turbulent regions.

Common polymorphism near the MC4R gene is associated with type 2 diabetes: data from a meta-analysis of 123,373 individuals

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Genome-wide association studies have shown that variants near the melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R) (rs17782313 and rs12970134) are associated with risk of obesity in Europeans. As obesity is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, many studies have investigated the association between polymorphisms near the MC4R gene and type 2 diabetes risk across different ethnic populations, with inconsistent results. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the association of variants near MC4R with type 2 diabetes risk.

METHODS

Published literature from PubMed and Embase was retrieved. All studies that evaluated the association of at least one of the two MC4R polymorphism(s) with type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Pooled ORs with 95% CIs were calculated using the fixed-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies (comprising 34,195 cases and 89,178 controls) of the rs17782313 polymorphism (or its proxy rs12970134) were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that the rs17782313 polymorphism was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes risk among the overall study population (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.07, 1.13, p = 2.83 × 10(-12) [Z test], I(2) = 9.1%, p = 0.345 [heterogeneity]). The association remained significant even after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03, 1.09, p = 2.14 × 10(-5) [Z test], I(2) = 4.9%, p = 0.397 [heterogeneity]). Further sensitivity analysis confirmed the statistically significant association of rs17782313 polymorphism with type 2 diabetes, and no publication bias was detected.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The present meta-analysis confirmed the significant association of the rs17782313 polymorphism near the MC4R gene with type 2 diabetes risk, which was independent of BMI.

Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993-2009

The objective of this study is to examine the trends in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and prevalence of overweight (BMI 25-27.49 kg m(-2) ), general obesity (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg m(-2) ) and abdominal obesity (WC ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥80 cm for women) among Chinese adults from 1993 to 2009. Data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, which was conducted from 1993 to 2009 and included a total of 52,621 Chinese adults. During the period of 1993-2009, mean BMI values increased by 1.6 kg m(-2) among men and 0.8 kg m(-2) among women; mean WC values increased by 7.0 cm among men and 4.7 cm among women. The prevalence of overweight increased from 8.0 to 17.1% among men (P < 0.001) and from 10.7 to 14.4% among women (P < 0.001); the prevalence of general obesity increased from 2.9 to 11.4% among men (P < 0.001) and from 5.0 to 10.1% among women (P < 0.001); the prevalence of abdominal obesity increased from 8.5 to 27.8% among men (P < 0.001) and from 27.8 to 45.9% among women (P < 0.001). Similar significant trends were observed in nearly all age groups and regions for both men and women. The prevalence of overweight, general obesity and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults has increased greatly during the past 17 years.

Regulation of radiosensitivity by HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A in the human cervical carcinoma cell line Hela

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors play an important role in inducing growth arrest, differentiation, and/or apoptosis in cancer cells. Given their ability to disrupt critical biological processes in cancer cells, these agents are emerging as potential therapeutics for cancer. Recently, it has been identified that HDAC inhibitors can also efficiently enhance the radiation sensitivity of cells, both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we investigated whether the potent HDAC inhibitor, Trichostatin A, modulates the radiation sensitivity of the human cervical carcinoma cell line Hela under hypoxic conditions. We concluded that TSA could significantly inhibit the proliferation of Hela cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia resulted in the cervical carcinoma Hela cells resistant to TSA. The findings from clonogenic survival assays indicate that incubation with TSA for 24 hours prior to irradiation enhances the radiation sensitivity of Hela cells under hypoxic conditions. More generally, we found Hela cells under hypoxic conditions treated with TSA could significantly down-regulate the expressions of HIF-1alpha and VEGF proteins. Taken together, our results demonstrated that TSA acts as a powerful radiosensitizer in Hela cells under hypoxic conditions probably by down-regulated expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF proteins.

Serine/threonine protein phosphatase 6 modulates the radiation sensitivity of glioblastoma

Increasing the sensitivity of glioblastoma cells to radiation is a promising approach to improve survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). This study aims to determine if serine/threonine phosphatase (protein phosphatase 6 (PP6)) is a molecular target for GBM radiosensitization treatment. The GBM orthotopic xenograft mice model was used in this study. Our data demonstrated that the protein level of PP6 catalytic subunit (PP6c) was upregulated in the GBM tissue from about 50% patients compared with the surrounding tissue or control tissue. Both the in vitro survival fraction of GBM cells and the patient survival time were highly correlated or inversely correlated with PP6c expression (R²=0.755 and −0.707, respectively). We also found that siRNA knockdown of PP6c reduced DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity in three different GBM cell lines, increasing their sensitivity to radiation. In the orthotopic mice model, the overexpression of PP6c in GBM U87 cells attenuated the effect of radiation treatment, and reduced the survival time of mice compared with the control mice, while the PP6c knocking-down improved the effect of radiation treatment, and increased the survival time of mice. These findings demonstrate that PP6 regulates the sensitivity of GBM cells to radiation, and suggest small molecules disrupting or inhibiting PP6 association with DNA-PK is a potential radiosensitizer for GBM.

Intermittent chemotherapy (ICh) for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): Results of a prospective randomized phase II trial of the DoD Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium

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Background: Docetaxel remains the standard of care for patients (pts) with mCRPC. However, the optimal duration of chemotherapy (Ch) is not known. Providing Ch holidays is often undertaken, but is not well characterized. A randomized phase II trial was undertaken to test two ICh regimens.

Methods: Pts with Ch naive mCRPC and KPS > 60% were eligible. Pts were treated with “induction” docetaxel 75 mg/m2 q3 weeks, and prednisone 5 mg po bid. After 6 cycles, responding pts (PSAWG1 criteria) stopped Ch and were randomized to observation (Obs) or to GM-CSF, 250 mcg/m2 sq daily for 14 days out of every 28 day cycle. Pts were followed with monthly PSA and imaging every 2 cycles until progressive disease (PD) by PSAWG1 criteria, at which point they resumed treatment with Ch, again for 6 cycles, followed by the same “off Ch” regimen. The primary endpoint was the time to PD while on Ch (time to Ch resistance.)

Results: Of 97enrolled pts to date, 94 are evaluable (3 are still undergoing induction). 69 pts completed induction (25 did not due to PD, adverse events (AE), or MD choice), of which 27 had PD after 6 cycles. Thus, 42/94 evaluable pts (45%) were eligible for randomization. Of these, 21 pts underwent Obs and 21 received GM-CSF. To date, 23/42 (55%) pts who underwent a Ch holiday restarted Ch, all for PSA PD. 8/23 (35%) had a response to Ch re-initiation. (15 pts did not re-start Ch because of AE, other therapy being started, or patient choice, and 4 pts are still undergoing either Obs or GM-CSF.) Obs pts were “off Ch” for a median of 2 months (range 2-4), compared with 3 months (range 2-8) for GM-CSF pts.

Conclusions: While feasible, only 45% of pts met criteria for ICh. 35% of pts responded to Ch re-initiation. Insufficient data exist to assess the impact of GM-CSF on time off Ch or time to Ch resistance.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.