Association of AST/ALT (De Ritis) ratio with sarcopenia in a Chinese population of community-dwelling elderly

The Sub-Acute Potential Risk of Oxamyl in Male Albino Rats

The current study aimed to investigate the sub-acute effects of oxamyl on male Albino rats following oral administration of either 0.031 or 0.31 mg/kg/day for 14 consecutive days. The findings demonstrated that oxamyl produced a significant impact on most of the examined blood profile and biomarkers, along with a significant progressive and discernible alterations in the histology of organs. According to the results obtained, the potential mechanisms by which oxamyl causes its toxic effects on rats are identified as the inflammation indices, the inhibition of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and antioxidant enzymes, as well as the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) in organs following oxamyl treatment based on histopathological examinations. Due to the substantial genetic similarities between rats and humans, it is therefore anticipated that oxamyl will have comparable detrimental effects on humans.

Association between De-Ritis ratio (AST/ALT) and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease: a retrospective cohort study

The De-Ritis ratio, also known as the aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio (AST/ALT ratio), has been associated with poor outcomes in critically ill patients. However, data on chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are lacking. Herein, we aimed to assess the association between De-Ritis ratio and mortality among American CKD patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 2728 individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2016). Participants were stratified based on the tertiles of De-Ritis ratios. The association was investigated employing the multivariate cox proportional hazard regression model. The all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality were 24.2% (659/2728) and 5.8% (157/2728), respectively. The risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality increased with higher De-Ritis ratio levels in both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Compared to participants with a De-Ritis ratio ≤ 0.98, those with a De-Ritis ratio ≥ 1.32 showed a higher risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality in the multivariable-adjusted model [HR (95% CI), 1.50 (1.18-1.90) and 2.02 (1.17-3.50), respectively]. In the CKD population, a higher De-Ritis ratio was significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality and CVD mortality. This ratio may serve as a straightforward and cost-effective indicator for mortality in CKD patients.

Early detection of Parkinson's disease through multiplex blood and urine biomarkers prior to clinical diagnosis

Blood and urine biomarkers are commonly used to diagnose and monitor chronic diseases. We initially screened 67 biomarkers, including 4 urine biomarkers and 63 blood biomarkers, and identified 13 blood biomarkers significantly associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Among these, we discovered three novel markers demonstrating strong associations: phosphate (P = 1.81 × 10-3), AST/ALT ratio (P = 8.53 × 10-6), and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) (P = 3.49 × 10-20). We also substantiated eight well-studied biomarkers and elucidated the roles of two previously ambiguous biomarkers. Our analyses confirmed IGF-1 (P = 7.46 × 10-29) as a risk factor, and C-reactive protein (CRP) (P = 1.43 × 10-3) as protective against PD. Genetic analysis highlighted that IRF, CRP, and IGF-1 share significant genetic loci with PD, notably at MAPT, SETD1A, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DQA1. Furthermore, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis suggested potential causal associations between IGF-1, CRP, and PD. We identified several blood biomarkers that may be associated with the risk of developing PD, providing valuable insights for further exploration of PD-related biomarkers.

A framework of biomarkers for skeletal muscle aging: a consensus statement by the Aging Biomarker Consortium

The skeletal muscle is an important organ for movement and metabolism in human body, and its physiological aging underlies the occurrence of muscle atrophy and sarcopenia. China has the largest aging population in the world and is facing a grand challenge with how to prevent and treat skeletal muscle aging-related diseases. To address this difficult problem, the Aging Biomarker Consortium (ABC) of China has reached an expert consensus on biomarkers of skeletal muscle aging by synthesizing literatures and insights from scientists and clinicians. This consensus attempts to provide a comprehensive assessment of biomarkers associated with skeletal muscle aging, and proposes a systematic framework to classify them into three dimensions: functional, structural, and humoral. Within each dimension, the experts recommend clinically relevant biomarkers for skeletal muscle aging. This consensus aims to lay the foundation for future research on skeletal muscle aging, facilitating precise prediction, diagnosis, and treatment of skeletal muscle aging and sarcopenia. It is anticipated to make significant contributions to healthy aging of skeletal muscle in the elderly population in China and around the world as well.

Effectiveness of sarcopenia screening markers in predicting out-of-hospital death in the oldest (≥80 years) older

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this investigation was to elucidate the correlation between sarcopenia screening indicators (aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase (AST/ALT) and creatinine/cystatin C*100 (Cr/CysC*100)) and the risk of out-of-hospital (OFH) death among the very advanced age (≥80 years) population.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort investigation, involving internal medicine inpatients aged ≥80 years of age, who sought treatment at a teaching hospital in western China. We obtained OFH mortality information from telephonic interviews. Subsequently, we employed Cox proportional hazards models to analyze the links between AST/ALT and Cr/CysC*100 and OFH all-cause mortality among the very advanced age (≥80 years old) population.

RESULTS

In all, we recruited 398 subjects, among which 51.51% were male. The median age of OFH deceased male patients was 85 years, and the same for female patients was 87 years. The total quantity of OFH deaths was 164 (41.21%). Among the oldest male population, those who died OFH exhibited enhanced AST/ALT, relative to those who survived (death vs. survival: 1.5 vs 1.3, P=0.008). However, among the oldest female, there was no difference in AST/ALT between patients who expired OFH, and those who survived. Among the oldest elders (male and female), Cr/CysC*100 did not significantly differ between surviving and OFH deceased patients. Additional analysis involving the Cox proportional hazards model revealed that among the oldest male population, an enhanced AST/ALT denoted an augmented risk of OFH death (hazard ratios (HRs) =1.797, 95%CI: 1.2-2.691). However, Cr/CysC*100 was not correlated with OFH mortality risk. Among the oldest female population, neither AST/ALT nor Cr/CysC*100 was correlated with OFH mortality risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced AST/ALT was correlated with an augmented OFH mortality risk among the oldest male, but not female population. Alternately, Cr/CysC*100 was not linked to OFH mortality risk among any population.

De Ritis ratio in elderly glioblastoma patients treated with chemoradiation: A comprehensive analysis of serum biomarkers

Background

We aimed to comprehensively investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment laboratory parameters in elderly patients with glioblastoma treated with temozolomide (TMZ)-based chemoradiation.

Methods

Patients aged ≥ 65 years from 4 institutions with newly diagnosed IDH-wild-type glioblastoma who received radiotherapy (RT) with concurrent TMZ between 2006 and 2021 were included. Patient factors (age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), temporalis muscle thickness), molecular factors (MGMT promoter methylation, EGFR amplification, TERT promoter mutation, and TP53 mutation status), treatment factors (extent of resection, and RT dose), and pretreatment laboratory parameters (serum De Ritis ratio, glucose level, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet count, and systemic immune-inflammation index) were included in the analysis. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

Results

In total, 490 patients were included in the analysis. The median follow-up period was 12.3 months (range, 1.6-149.9 months). Median OS was significantly prolonged in patients with De Ritis ratio < 1.2 (18.2 vs 15.3 months, P = .022) and in patients with glucose level < 150 mg/dL (18.7 vs 16.5 months, P = .034) per univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, KPS ≥ 70, MGMT promoter methylation, extent of resection greater than partial resection, De Ritis ratio < 1.2, and glucose level < 150 mg/dL were significant prognostic factors for improved OS.

Conclusions

Along with well-known prognostic factors, pre-RT serum biomarkers, including the De Ritis ratio and glucose level, also had prognostic value in elderly patients with glioblastoma treated with TMZ-based chemoradiation.