Novel DNA methylation signatures of tobacco smoking with trans-ethnic effects

BACKGROUND

Smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of death. Smoking leaves a strong signature on the blood methylome as shown in multiple studies using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Here, we explore novel blood methylation smoking signals on the Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip (EPIC) array, which also targets novel CpG-sites in enhancers.

METHOD

A smoking-methylation meta-analysis was carried out using EPIC DNA methylation profiles in 1407 blood samples from four UK population-based cohorts, including the MRC National Survey for Health and Development (NSHD) or 1946 British birth cohort, the National Child Development Study (NCDS) or 1958 birth cohort, the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70), and the TwinsUK cohort (TwinsUK). The overall discovery sample included 269 current, 497 former, and 643 never smokers. Replication was pursued in 3425 trans-ethnic samples, including 2325 American Indian individuals participating in the Strong Heart Study (SHS) in 1989-1991 and 1100 African-American participants in the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy Study (GENOA).

RESULTS

Altogether 952 CpG-sites in 500 genes were differentially methylated between smokers and never smokers after Bonferroni correction. There were 526 novel smoking-associated CpG-sites only profiled by the EPIC array, of which 486 (92%) replicated in a meta-analysis of the American Indian and African-American samples. Novel CpG sites mapped both to genes containing previously identified smoking-methylation signals and to 80 novel genes not previously linked to smoking, with the strongest novel signal in SLAMF7. Comparison of former versus never smokers identified that 37 of these sites were persistently differentially methylated after cessation, where 16 represented novel signals only profiled by the EPIC array. We observed a depletion of smoking-associated signals in CpG islands and an enrichment in enhancer regions, consistent with previous results.

CONCLUSION

This study identified novel smoking-associated signals as possible biomarkers of exposure to smoking and may help improve our understanding of smoking-related disease risk.

Tunable interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in symmetrical Au/[Fe/Au]n multilayers

The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (i-DMI) has been exploited in as-made symmetrical Au/[Fe/Au]n structures. By tailoring the chirality of the i-DMI at the Au/Fe interface, an overall enhancement of the i-DMI can be obtained in such a symmetrical structure. Furthermore, the tunability of the i-DMI was realized by changing the stacking number n. Compared to the top of Fe, a large tensile stress at the bottom of Fe due to lattice mismatch was responsible for the chirality change in the sub/Au/Fe system. Layer-resolved DMI calculations revealed that the sign of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) energy was changed for Au near the interface of Au/Fe under tensile stress, subsequently reversing the chirality of the i-DMI from left-handed to right-handed. Our findings provide a simplest way to tune the i-DMI in a multilayer system, further benefiting the application of skyrmion-based devices.

[Determination of mifepristone in workplace air by ultra-performance liquid chromatography]

Objective: To establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of mifepristone in the air of workplaces. Methods: From January to July 2018, glass fiber filter membrane was used to collect mifepristone in the workplace air, eluted with acetonitrile/water solution, and determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-UV method. Results: The detection limit of mifepristone determination method was 0.005 μg/ml, the lower limit of quantification was 0.015 μg/ml, and the lowest detection concentration was 0.14 μg/m(3) (calculated by collecting 75 L air samples) . The concentration of mifepristone has a good linear relationship between 0.015-40.24 μg/ml, r=0.9999. The accuracy and elution efficiency of the method were calculated based on the recovery rate, ranging from 92.7% to 100.0%. The average sampling efficiency was 99.6%-100.0%. The intra-assay precision of the method was 0.92% to 5.41%, and the inter-assay precision was 0.89% to 6.25%. The sample could be stored stably for 3 days at 4°C. Conclusion: The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method for determination of mifepristone is easy to operate, and its indicators meet the requirements of GBZ/T 201.4-2008 "Guidelines for the Establishment of Occupational Hygiene Standards Part 4: Methods for Determination of Chemical Substances in Workplace Air", which is suitable for the detection of mifepristone in the air of the workplace.

Cohort Profile: West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT)

OBJECTIVES

The West China Health and Aging Trends study (WCHAT) is intended to focus on the research that will guide efforts to reduce disability, maximize health and independent functioning, and enhance quality of life at older ages in different ethnicities. And provide the basis for understanding trends and dynamics in late-life functioning, how these differ in various ethnic subgroups, and the economic or social consequences of aging and disability in western China.

PARTICIPANTS

The cohort enrolled 7536 participants and 7439 participants aged 50 years and older in the baseline in 2018 and every year would be followed up. Finding to date: The data in WCHAT were prospectively collected from Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and Xinjiang by 7 medical institutions. A number of age-related outcome measures were collected though corresponding geriatric assessments. Blood testing, saliva, urine and feces testing are available for all cohort participants. Future plans: The data in WCHAT can be used for various types of epidemiological research, particularly for examining how the culture specific life styles and diet influences geriatrics related outcomes. We are initially planning cohort studies and established a sample biobank in relation to the risk and prognosis of frailty, sarcopenia and other geriatric syndromes. Strengths and limitations of this study: It is a first multi-ethnic cohort study in West China that aimed to investigate the influence of culture specific life styles, diet and living environment on the prevalence of geriatric syndromes like frailty, sarcopenia and so on. This is a prospective multi-center observational study, which will be conducted in various ethnic groups gathering places. This study collected information that related to fatigue, falls, and cognition were obtained through self-reports, which might have recall bias and grouping errors. This study has problems such as the interviewees' refusal to visit, death, going out, and large population mobility may lead to high loss of visit rates. This study collected information from a comparatively healthier elderly population in which external validity was limited.

The Combined Effect of Hearing Impairment and Cognitive Impairment with Health-Related Outcomes in Chinese Older People

OBJECTIVES

To determine the risk of poor health-related outcomes in older adults with cooccurring hearing impairment and cognitive impairment, and to compare the risk of hearing impairment only, cognitive impairment only, and multiple morbidities.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and older were included.

PARTICIPANTS

The data of missing hearing and cognitive status were excluded, and 3770 older people participated in the study.

MEASUREMENTS

The hearing function evaluation was conducted by questionnaire survey. Assessment of cognitive function was completed using the SPMSQ scale. The subjects were divided into hearing impairment and cognitive impairment group, hearing impairment only group, cognitive impairment only group and neither group. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the risks of hearing and cognitive impairment and health-related condition.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hearing impairment and cognitive impairment, hearing impairment only, cognitive impairment only, and neither were 9.4%, 8.3%, 29.9% and 52.4%, respectively. Compared with the control group, the individuals with hearing impairment and cognitive impairment were associated with depression (OR=3.48, 95% CI=2.66, 4.56), anxiety (OR=2.35, 95% CI=1.92, 3.33), frailty (OR=4.30, 95% CI=2.89, 6.40), and ADL impairment (OR=2.77, 95% CI=2.03, 3.77).

CONCLUSION

The studies shows that hearing impairment combined with cognitive impairment is significantly associated with anxiety, depression, frailty, and ADL impairment. Comprehensive management and intervention should be provided for older people to reduce the occurrence of adverse health consequences.

A supramolecular complex based on a Gd-containing polyoxometalate and food-borne peptide for MRI/CT imaging and NIR-triggered photothermal therapy

A multifunctional supramolecular complex is reported for the integrated multiple magnetic resonance imaging/computed X-ray tomography (MRI/CT) imaging and photothermal therapy, wherein a gadolinium-substituted paramagnetic polyoxometalate cluster and food-borne antioxidant peptides identified from the trepang protein hydrolysates are introduced. The as-prepared complex maintained an uniform particle size and much better biocompatibility, and is an ideal candidate for the in vivo applications. The complex allows for T1-weighted MR imaging and a high Hounsfield unit value for enhanced CT imaging. Interestingly, we demonstrate that the complex possesses outstanding photothermal cancer-killing effects due to its high photothermal conversion efficiency under the exposure of an NIR laser and enhanced antibacterial activity to avoid bacterial infection from the thermal therapeutic process. These results indicate that the supramolecular complex platform exhibit potential for accurate medical diagnosis at an early stage and effective eradication of the tumor cells.

[The correlation between tissue oxygen saturation and postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients with one lung ventilation]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between tissue oxygen saturation during one lung ventilation and postoperative neuro cognitive dysfunction (PND) in elderly patients in thoracic surgery. Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight elderly patients who underwent selective lobectomy from August 2017 to September 2018 in the Forth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were enrolled. The patients were divided into PND group (n=34) and non-PND group (n=94) according to whether PND occurred 3 days after surgery. Tissue oxygenation was monitored at bilateral forebrain, brachioradialis muscle and quadriceps. Cognitive function was assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at baseline and the third day after the operation. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction was diagnosed if postoperative MoCA decreased at least 2 scores compared with preoperative baseline value. Outcomes included the incidence of PND, the incidence of tissue oxygen desaturation during one lung ventilation, postoperative complications within 30 days and length of postoperative in-hospital stay. Logistic regression was used to screen independent risk factors of PND. Results: The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction was 26.6% (34/128). The two groups had no significant difference in the incidence of non-neurogenic complications (new occurred arrhythmia, pulmonary infection, pulmonary embolism, acute renal insufficiency, sepsis, deep vein thrombosis, all P>0.05). However, the length of postoperative in-hospital stay of PND group was 7.0 (6.0, 8.5) d, which was longer than that of non-PND group [6.0 (5.0, 8.0) d]. There was significant difference (U=2.394, P=0.017) . There was no correlation between the two groups within the minimum of SmtO(2) in upper limbs (OR=0.988, 95%CI: 0.954-1.024, P=0.519) and the range of desaturation (OR=1.010, 95%CI: 0.979-1.042, P=0.514) , as well as the minimum of SmtO(2) in legs (OR=0.996, 95%CI: 0.961-1.032, P=0.832) and the range of desaturation (OR=0.997, 95%CI: 0.971-1.025, P=0.851) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the high ASA grade (OR=2.617, 95%CI: 1.112-6.157, P=0.029) and the minimum of cerebral oxygen saturation during one lung ventilation (OR=0.931, 95%CI: 0.880-0.986, P=0.014) were independent risk factors of PND. There was no statistical correlation between muscle oxygen saturation and PND. Conclusion: Cerebral desaturation during one lung ventilation increased the risk of PND in elderly patients, while the muscle desaturation has no statistical correlation with PND.

[Analysis of the clinical value of ultrasound attenuation parameters in evaluating liver steatosis degree in patients with chronic liver disease]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of ultrasound attenuation parameters (UAP) in diagnosing the liver steatosis degree in patients with chronic liver disease, and to explore the relevant factors that affect UAP detection values. Methods: 130 cases with chronic liver disease diagnosed as liver steatosis by liver biopsy during January 2014 to May 2019 were selected from the Hepatology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University. UAP and liver stiffness (LSM) were detected by iLivTouch, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Simultaneously, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TBil), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and peripheral platelet (PLT) counts were measured. The correlation between UAP and liver steatosis was analyzed based on the liver histopathological results. SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the accuracy and specificity of UAP in the diagnosis of liver steatosis in patients with chronic liver disease. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to study the relevant factors affecting UAP value. Results: The histopathological changes of liver biopsy showed that there were 43 cases of grade F1, 47 cases of F2, 32 cases of F3 and 8 cases of F4. UAP and BMI (r = 0.363, P < 0.001), and UAP and liver steatosis degree (r = 0.380, P < 0.001) were positively correlated. BMI and the liver steatosis degree were independent predictors of UAP value. The cut-off points for UAP to diagnose liver steatosis degree were 276 dB/m for F≥2, 288 dB/m for F≥2, 293 dB/m for F≥3, and F = 4, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity was 0.379, 0.500, 0.750, and 0.930, 0.922, 0.836, respectively. Conclusion: Ultrasonic attenuation parameters cannot only determine the presence or absence of liver steatosis in patients with chronic liver disease, but also can better assess the liver steatosis degree.

IGF-1R/β-catenin signaling axis is implicated in streptozotocin exacerbating bone impairment in ovariectomized rats

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R)/β-catenin signaling axis in bone impairment induced by hyperglycemia in ovariectomized rats.

METHODS

Rats were divided into four groups. The sham group received sham operation and a single intraperitoneal administration of vehicle. The ovariectomy (OVX) group was subjected to bilateral OVX and vehicle injection. The streptozotocin (STZ) group received sham operation and a single STZ injection to induce hyperglycemia. The OVX + STZ group received bilateral OVX and a single STZ injection. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurement, bone biomechanics test, micro-computed tomography scan, and hematoxylin-eosin staining were performed to evaluate bone alteration in this model. The expression of relevant signals including IGF-1R, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and β-catenin were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot.

RESULTS

The OVX, STZ, and OVX + STZ groups induced bone loss, attenuated bone strength, and impaired microarchitecture compared with the sham group, respectively. Compared with OVX, more serious bone damage was found in the OVX + STZ group, which showed enhanced phosphorylation of IGF-1R, GSK-3β, and β-catenin.

CONCLUSION

OVX plus STZ induced more serious bone impairment than OVX alone, which involves the IGF-1R/β-catenin signaling axis in the pathogenesis. This may provide a potential target for treatment of postmenopausal diabetic osteoporosis.

PLCE1 inhibits apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer via promoting PTEN methylation

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCE1) in regulating cell apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The mRNA and protein levels of PLCE1 in NSCLC tissues, adjacent normal tissues and NSCLC cell lines (A549 and H1299) were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Methylation status in the promoter region of PTEN in NSCLC cells was accessed using the relative commercial kit. Cell apoptosis after transfection of PLCE1 siRNA in NSCLC cells was detected by flow cytometry. Protein expressions of apoptosis-related genes in NSCLC cells after altering PLCE1 expression were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

PLCE1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines than that of controls. PLCE1 knockdown promoted PTEN expression and inhibited methylation in H1299 cells. Transfection of PLCE1 siRNA in NSCLC cells remarkably induced cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

PLCE1 inhibits cell apoptosis of NSCLC by promoting PTEN methylation.

Airborne phthalates in indoor environment: Partition state and influential built environmental conditions

Exposure to phthalates has recently become a major public health concern. The information of indoor airborne phthalates and their air-particle partition in real indoor environmental condition is still limited. In this study, the gas- and PM_2.5-concentrations of 7 phthalates in 40 residences were concurrently measured in summer and winter. The major phthalates (median concentration in the summer and winter, respectively) in indoor air were DMP (2442.3 and 2403.4 ng/m³), DiBP (801.0 and 640.0 ng/m³) and DnBP (5173.2 and 1379.6 ng/m³), whereas the major phthalates in PM_2.5 were DiBP (1055.1 and 585.9 ng/m³) and DnBP (1658.5 and 1517.0 ng/m³) and DEHP (215.1 and 344.9 ng/m³). Air-PM_2.5 partition coefficients (K_p) of DiBP, DnBP and DEHP were calculated: the summer and winter median values (m³/μg) were 0.053 and 0.011 for DiBP, 0.010 and 0.004 for DnBP, 0.021 and 0.025 for DEHP, respectively. Air-PM_2.5 partition of DiBP and DnBP approached equilibrium, while that of DEHP did not reach equilibrium in either season. The impacts of built environmental conditions on phthalate concentrations were characterized. Elevated temperature resulted in accumulation of airborne phthalates. Higher air humidity led to more water absorption of aerosols in summer, facilitated mass transfer of phthalates from air to PM_2.5, and resulted in greater K_p of DiBP and DnBP in the summer. Any factors such as proximity to local traffic highway and indoor smoking activities, which can increase indoor PM_2.5 concentrations, resulted in significantly higher airborne phthalate concentrations. Improving ventilation was not an effective measure to reduce indoor airborne phthalate concentrations.