Association of body composition indicators with colorectal cancer: a hospital-based case-control study.

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy that affects adults worldwide, causing a high disease burden. Few studies have examined the relationship between body composition (BC) measures and the prevalence of CRC. Our purpose was to investigate the relationship between pertinent BC indicators and CRC. METHODS: Bioelectrical impedance analysis, laboratory test results, face-to-face questionnaire investigation, and nutritional risk assessment (Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment) were used in this case-control study. Bioelectrical impedance analysis in the case group was performed prior to antitumor therapy/surgery. RESULTS: From June 2018 to January 2019, a total of 303 cases and 286 controls were included. The results showed that low body fat percentage (BFP) and high visceral adiposity index (VAI) groups had a higher risk of developing CRC in comparison to the normal BFP and normal VAI groups. The risk of CRC decreased with the increase of BFP. The group with a normal BC had a lower risk of developing CRC compared to those with a greater VAI and a lower BFP, as indicated by the results of the pairwise and total combinations of VAI, fat-free mass index (FFMI), and BFP. Additionally, FFMI and VAI had positive correlations with prealbumin, serum albumin, and nutritional risk scores. CONCLUSION: Low BFP and high VAI are associated with higher CRC risk. FFMI and VAI are positively correlated with prealbumin, serum albumin, and nutritional risk scores in CRC patients.

Screen time and childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The association between screen time and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been controversial. This study sheds light on the contentious correlation between screen time and ADHD. CONTENT: Until August 2022, electronic searches of the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were carried out. The combined effect value odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were calculated for the meta-analysis using Stata 12.0. There were 81,234 children in the nine studies that made up this meta-analysis which included 28,997 children with ADHD and 52,237 healthy controls. When compared with the screen time <2  h/d, the OR (95 % CI) value of screen time and ADHD in the screen time ≥2 h/d group was 1.51 (1.20-1.90). SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK: Based on the current meta-analysis results, our study found a positive correlation between screen time and the risk of ADHD. Excessive screen exposure may significantly contribute to the development of ADHD in children. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce screen time per day in children to prevent the occurrence of ADHD.

Meta-analysis of the relationship between Dietary Inflammatory Index and esophageal cancer risk.

INTRODUCTION: Diet is closely related to the occurrence of esophageal cancer (EC). Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), as a novel index that describes the inflammatory potential of diet, was widely used in many diseases. OBJECTIVE: To systematically analyze the relationship between DII and the risk of esophageal cancer. METHODS: We mainly searched relative studies in PubMed, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and other literature database. The random-effect model was used for meta-analysis, and subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to detect the origin of heterogeneity. RESULTS: We finally obtained 6 articles (8 studies). All studies were case-control studies which consisted of 1961 cases and 3577 controls. In this study, compared with the lowest DII category, the highest DII category had a higher risk of esophageal cancer, and the pooled odds ratio (OR) of the 8 studies were 2.54 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.90-3.40; I = 65.7%, P = .005). Furthermore, regardless of the differences in published year, DII components, geographic location, and study quality, there was still an increased risk of esophageal cancer in the highest DII category compared with the lowest DII category. CONCLUSIONS: Our results inferred that DII was positively correlated with esophageal cancer risk and it could be used as a tool to predict the esophageal cancer risk and evaluate human health.

Variants in exon 11 of MEF2A gene and coronary artery disease: evidence from a case-control study, systematic review, and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common heart disease worldwide. Association of CAD with variants in the myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) gene, the first identified CAD-causing gene, has attracted special attention but the results are controversial. We aimed to evaluate this genetic association via a case-control study and meta-analysis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We performed a case-control association study to investigate the relationship between variations in exon 11 of MEF2A gene and CAD in 1045 sporadic patients and 1008 controls enrolled angiographically among southern Chinese population, and then the data from this study were compared and discussed in a systematic review and meta-analysis with all available published studies on MEF2A gene and CAD. In total, eight variants were identified (21-bp deletion, CAG repeats, CCG repeats, a CCA deletion and four SNPs). No significant link was observed between the common (CAG)(n) polymorphism and CAD, whereas the rare 21-bp deletion was detected only in five affected individuals. The meta-analysis of (CAG)(n) polymorphism and CAD risk, including nine studies with 3801 CAD patients and 4020 controls, also provided no convincing evidence for the genetic association, even upon stratification by race (mainly Whites and Chinese). However, the 21-bp deletion was regarded as a potentially logical, albeit undetermined, candidate for CAD in the following systematic review. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings failed to demonstrate a correlation between (CAG)(n) polymorphism with CAD, however, we concluded that the rare 21-bp deletion might have a more compelling effect on CAD than the common (CAG)(n) polymorphism, and MEF2A genetic variant might be a rare but specific cause of CAD/MI.

Haplotype-based association of four lymphotoxin-alpha gene polymorphisms with the risk of coronary artery disease in Han Chinese.

Lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, association of some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of LTA gene with coronary artery disease (CAD) has been evaluated; however, the results are irreproducible. We therefore investigated the relationship between four SNPs of LTA gene and CAD in Han Chinese: G+10A (rs1800683, 5'-untranslated region), A+80C (rs2239704, 5'-untranslated region), T+496C (Cys13Arg, rs2229094, exon 2), and C+804A (Thr26Asn, rs1041981, exon 3). Genotyping was performed in 438 CAD patients and 330 healthy controls. Single-locus analysis showed that the genotype and allele frequencies of G+10A polymorphism exhibited marginal differences between CAD patients and controls, although no statistical significance was observed after the Bonferroni correction. Logistic regression analysis revealed that GG genotype of G+10A polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of CAD under the dominant mode, whereas no significant association was detected between A+80C polymorphism and CAD. In contrast, individuals carrying TT or TC genotype of T+496C polymorphism showed a decreased CAD risk relative to those with CC genotype under the recessive mode. Likewise, CC genotype of C+804A polymorphism was associated with a protective effect on CAD under the dominant mode. Further, in haplotype analysis, the haplotype G-C-T-C (in order of rs1800683, rs2239704, rs2229094 and rs1041981) was significantly associated with a decreased risk of CAD after assigning the most common haplotype A-C-T-A as a reference. In conclusion, we show a protective effect of the haplotype G-C-T-C on the occurrence of CAD, suggesting the involvement of LTA in CAD pathogenesis.

Two GH3 genes from longan are differentially regulated during fruit growth and development.

In the present work, two full length cDNAs of GH3 genes, named DlGH3.1 and DlGH3.2 were cloned from pericarp and aril tissues of the longan fruit, respectively. Three conserved motifs, SSGTSAGERK, YASSE and YRVGD, as a characteristic of the acyladenylate/thioester forming enzyme superfamily were observed in DlGH3.1 and DlGH3.2 proteins. DlGH3.1 mainly expressed in pericarp tissues while DlGH3.2 accumulated in both the pericarp and aril tissues during fruit growth and development. In addition, NAA treatment induced the expression of DlGH3.1 and DlGH3.2 in the pericarp tissues at 21 and 77days after anthesis (DAA), while only DlGH3.2 in the aril tissues could be induced by NAA at 77DAA. More importantly, ABA and ethrel treatments suppressed the accumulations of DlGH3.1 and DlGH3.2 in the pericarp tissues of longan fruit at 21DAA (a rapid growth stage of pericarp), but enhanced DlGH3.2 expression in the aril tissues at 77DAA (a fruit ripening stage). Furthermore, the expression patterns of DlGH3.1 and DlGH3.2 showed different tissue specificity. Thus, our results suggest that DlGH3.1 gene expression might be associated with pericarp growth, while DlGH3.2 accumulation is likely to be related to both pericarp growth and fruit ripening, and the responses of DlGH3s to plant growth hormones are different and dependent on fruit development stage and fruit tissue.

Neointimal hyperplasia persists at six months after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation in diabetic porcine.

BACKGROUND: Observational clinical studies have shown that patients with diabetes have less favorable results after percutaneous coronary intervention compared with the non-diabetic counterparts, but its mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the changes of neointimal hyperplasia after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation in a diabetic porcine model, and to evaluate the impact of aortic inflammation on this proliferative process. METHODS: Diabetic porcine model was created with an intravenous administration of a single dose of streptozotocin in 15 Chinese Guizhou minipigs (diabetic group); each of them received 2 SES (Firebird, Microport Co, China) implanted into 2 separated major epicardial coronary arteries. Fifteen non-diabetic minipigs with SES implantation served as controls (control group). At 6 months, the degree of neointimal hyperplasia was determined by repeat coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and histological examination. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha protein level in the aortic intima was evaluated by Western blotting, and TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 mRNA levels were assayed by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The distribution of stented vessels, diameter of reference vessels, and post-procedural minimal lumen diameter were comparable between the two groups. At 6-month follow-up, the degree of in-stent restenosis (40.4 +/- 24.0% vs. 20.2 +/- 17.7%, p < 0.05), late lumen loss (0.33 +/- 0.19 mm vs. 0.10 +/- 0.09 mm, p < 0.001) by quantitative angiography, percentage of intimal hyperplasia in the stented area (26.7 +/- 19.2% vs. 7.3 +/- 6.1%, p < 0.001) by IVUS, and neointimal area (1.59 +/- 0.76 mm2 vs. 0.41 +/- 0.18 mm2, p < 0.05) by histological examination were significantly exacerbated in the diabetic group than those in the controls. Significant increases in TNF-alpha protein and TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA levels were observed in aortic intima in the diabetic group. CONCLUSION: Neointimal hyperplasia persisted at least up to 6 months after SES implantation in diabetic porcine, which may be partly related to an exaggerated inflammatory response within the blood vessel wall. Our results provide theoretical support for potential direct beneficial effects of anti-diabetic and anti-inflammation medications in reducing the risk of restenosis after stenting.

Elevation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 levels in aortic intima of Chinese Guizhou minipigs with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Large animal models with toxin-mediated pancreatic damage have been used extensively in researches with respect to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diabetic complications. The present study aimed to establish Chinese Guizhou minipig models with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and characterize the animal models by analyzing inflammatory cytokine levels in aortic wall, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). METHODS: Twenty-two male Chinese Guizhou minipigs (age, 4 to 6 months; weight, 20 kg to 30 kg) were divided into STZ-induced diabetic group (n = 12) and control group (n = 10). STZ (125 mg/kg) was administrated to induce hyperglycemia and afterwards insulin was used to control fasting blood glucose levels below 10 mmol/L. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before and one month after STZ administration and serum concentrations of alanine transaminase, asparagine transaminase, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, lipids and white blood cell count were measured before and six months later. Animals in both groups were euthanized after six months and pancreas was examined immunohistochemically for islet beta cells. Aortic intima of diabetic minipigs and controls was analyzed for TNF-alpha level in tissue conditioned medium by Western blot. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA levels in aortic intima were assayed by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Significant elevation in serum glucose levels was observed one month and six months after STZ induction (P < 0.001) and markedly increased OGTT values were noted, compared with baseline data. The normal pancreas had many irregular sized islets and small clusters of islet beta cells, while in pancreas of diabetic minipigs islet beta cells almost disappeared. No statistical difference was notified in serum concentrations of biochemical examinations before and six months after STZ induction. Western blot demonstrated dramatically increased TNF-alpha level in aotic intima conditioned medium, and significant elevation of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA levels was revealed by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The present study has established Chinese Guizhou minipig models with STZ-induced diabetes. Inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6) significantly elevated in aortic intima of diabetic minipigs.