Association of coffee consumption pattern and metabolic syndrome among middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The association between coffee consumption and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between coffee intake and components of MetS. Method: A cross-sectional survey including 1,719 adults was conducted in Guangdong, China. Data on age, gender, education level, marriage status, body mass index (BMI), current smoking and drinking status and breakfast habit, coffee consumption type, and daily servings were derived based on 2-day, 24-h recall. MetS were assessed according to the International Diabetes Federation definition. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between the coffee consumption type, daily servings, and the components of MetS. Results: Regardless of the coffee type, compared with non-coffee consumers, coffee consumers had higher odds ratios (ORs) of the elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) in both men [OR: 3.590; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.891-4.457] and women (OR: 3.590; 95% CI: 2.891-4.457). In women, the risk of elevated blood pressure (BP) was 0.553 times (OR: 0.553; 95% CI: 0.372-0.821, P = 0.004) for people who drank total coffee > 1 serving/day than for non-coffee drinkers. Conclusion: In conclusion, regardless of type, coffee intake is associated with an increased prevalence of FBG in both men and women, but has a protective effect on hypertension only in women.

Prognostic relevance of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in Chinese patients with prostate cancer.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase, has been reported to be correlated with tumorigenesis, tumor progression and metastasis. The present study was designed to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of COX-2 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. Firstly, RT-PCR and Western blot assays were performed to detect the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein in prostate cancer cell lines and 20 tissue samples (tumor or corresponding non-tumor). Next, immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of COX-2 protein in 88 prostate cancer tissue samples. Finally, the correlation between COX-2 expression and clinicopathological factors and patient survival was evaluated. We found that the expression levels of COX-2 mRNA and protein showed significant difference among four prostate cancer cell lines. Moreover, the levels of COX-2 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in prostate cancer tissues than in corresponding non-tumor tissues. COX-2 staining was positive in the cytoplasm of prostate cancer cells. High-COX-2 expression was correlated with the Gleason score (P=0.009), tumor stage (P=0.012), and lymph-node status (P=0.036). Furthermore, patients with high-COX-2 expression showed lower disease-free (P=0.014) and overall survival (P=0.047) rates than those with low-COX-2 expression. Univariate and multivariate analyses suggested that the status of COX-2 protein expression was an independent prognostic indicator for patients' survival. Taken together, higher COX-2 protein expression might provide an independent prognostic marker for Chinese patients with prostate cancer who have undergone surgery.

Diagnostic value of the electrocardiogram in detecting left ventricular hypertrophy in the elderly men / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation between QRS amplitudes and left ventricular wall thickness in autopsy specimens of elderly men.Methods The data of autopsy cases in our hospital since 1990 were retrospectively analyzed.The cases with QRS duration≥0.12 s and the pacing electrocardiogram were excluded.QRS amplitudes of standard 12-lead electrocardiography in 3 months before death were measured and the correlation between QRS amplitudes and left ventricular wall thickness was analyzed in the elderly men.Results Correlations were found between the amplitudes of the R waves in leads V5 ,V6, Ⅰ ,aVL[(1.1±0.7) mV, (0.95±0.6) mV, (0.44±0.3)mV and(0.35±0.3)mV] and left ventricular wall thickness[(13.6±5.4)mm;r=0.22,0.14,0.22,0.23,all P<0.05], and between the combination of QRS amplitudes SV1 +RV5 or RV6(1.9±1.2) mV] and left ventrieular wall thickness [(13.8± 5.4) mm; r = 0.23, P < 0.05].The correlationbetween the combination of QRS amplitudes (SV1 + RV5 or RV6 ) and left ventricular wall thickness was the strongest in 60-79 years old cases (r=0.48, P<0.01) ,and was decreased in 80-89 years old cases (r= 0.23, P<0.05).There was no correlation between the combination of QRS amplitudes (SV1+RV5or RV6) and left ventricular wall thickness in 90-101 years old cases (r= 0.03, P> 0.05).Conclusions Electrocardiogram is a reliable method for diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in elderly men aged < 90 years.