2023 Vol. 36, No. 3

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Cover
2023, 36(3)
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Contents
2023, 36(3): 1-2.
Low Grip Strength and Increased Mortality Hazard among Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Adults with Chronic Diseases
XIE Kai Hong, HAN Xiao, ZHENG Wei Jun, ZHUANG Su Fang
2023, 36(3): 213-221. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.013
  Objective  This study aims to evaluate the association between lower grip strength and mortality hazard.   Methods  We selected 10,280 adults aged 45 to 96 years old from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and used multivariate Cox proportional hazard models to assess the association of grip strength with mortality hazard. In addition, we explored the possibility of a nonlinear relationship using a 4-knot restricted spline regression.   Results  We found that elevated grip strength was associated with lower mortality up to a certain threshold. The baseline quartile values of grip strength were 30, 37, and 44 kg for males and 25, 30, and 35 kg for females. After adjusting for confounders, with category 1 as the reference group, the adjusted HRs were 0.58 (0.42–0.79) in males and 0.70 (0.48–0.99) in females (category 4). We also found a linear association between grip strength values and all-cause death risk (males, P = 0.274; females, P = 0.883) using restricted spline regression. For males with a grip strength < 37 kg and females with a grip strength < 30 kg, grip strength and death were negatively associated.   Conclusion  Grip strength below a sex-specific threshold is inversely associated with mortality hazard among middle-aged and older Chinese adults with chronic diseases.
Global Burden of Cardiovascular Disease Attributable to High Temperature in 204 Countries and Territories from 1990 to 2019
HONG Le, YAN Miao Miao, ZHANG Yun Quan, WANG Kai, WANG Ya Qi, LUO Si Qi, WANG Fang
2023, 36(3): 222-230. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.025
  Objective   This study aimed to estimate spatiotemporal variations of global heat-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden from 1990 to 2019.   Methods  Data on the burden of heat-related CVD were derived from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were used to quantify heat-induced CVD burden. We calculated the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and DALY rate (ASDR) per 100,000 population to compare this burden across regions. Generalized linear models were applied to evaluate estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) for temporal trends from 1990 to 2019. The correlation between the socio-demographic index (SDI) and age-standardized rate was measured using the Spearman rank test.   Results  Heat-induced CVD caused approximately 90 thousand deaths worldwide in 2019. Global ASMR and ASDR of heat-related CVD in 2019 were 1.17 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13–1.98] and 25.59 (95% CI: 2.07–44.17) per 100,000 population, respectively. The burden was significantly increased in middle and low-SDI regions and slightly decreased in high-SDI regions from 1990 to 2019. ASMR showed an upward trend, with the most considerable increase in low-latitude countries. We observed a negative correlation between SDI and EAPC in ASMR (rs = −0.57, P < 0.01) and ASDR (rs = −0.59, P < 0.01) among 204 countries.   Conclusion  Heat-attributable CVD burden substantially increased in most developing countries and tropical regions.
Association between Serum Uric Acid and the Early Marker of Kidney Function Decline among Chinese Middle-Aged and Older Population: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
TANG Xu, XU Lu, MENG Ruo Gu, DU Yi Qing, LIU Shi Jun, ZHAN Si Yan, XU Tao
2023, 36(3): 231-240. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.026
  Objective  To evaluate the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and kidney function decline.   Methods  Data was obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study on the Chinese middle-aged and older population for analysis. The kidney function decline was defined as an annual estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decrease by > 3 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to determine the association between SUA and kidney function decline. The shape of the association was investigated by restricted cubic splines.   Results   A total of 7,346 participants were included, of which 1,004 individuals (13.67%) developed kidney function decline during the follow-up of 4 years. A significant dose-response relation was recorded between SUA and the kidney function decline (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.27), as the risk of kidney function decline increased by 14% per 1 mg/dL increase in SUA. In the subgroup analyses, such a relation was only recorded among women (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.03–1.45), those aged < 60 years (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05–1.42), and those without hypertension and without diabetes (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06–1.41). Although the dose-response relation was not observed in men, the high level of SUA was related to kidney function decline (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.05–3.17). The restricted cubic spline analysis indicated that SUA > 5 mg/dL was associated with a significantly higher risk of kidney function decline.   Conclusion   The SUA level was associated with kidney function decline. An elevation of SUA should therefore be addressed to prevent possible kidney impairment and dysfunction.
PDCD6 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Proliferation and Metastasis through the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin Pathway
WEN Shi Yuan, LIU Yan Tong, WEI Bing Yan, MA Jie Qiong, CHEN Yan Yan
2023, 36(3): 241-252. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.027
  Objective  Programmed cell death 6 (PDCD6), a Ca2+-binding protein, has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in all kinds of tumors. The aim of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of PDCD6 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).   Methods  The expression levels of PDCD6 in liver cancer patients and HCC cell lines were analyzed using bioinformatics and Western blotting. Cell viability and metastasis were determined by methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and transwell assays, respectively. And Western blotting was used to test related biomarkers and molecular pathway factors in HCC cell lines. LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor inhibiting AKT, was used to suppress the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway to help evaluate the role of this pathway in the HCC carcinogenesis associated with PDCD6.   Results  The analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas Database suggested that high PDCD6 expression levels were relevant to liver cancer progression. This was consistent with our finding of higher levels of PDCD6 expression in HCC cell lines than in normal hepatocyte cell lines. The results of MTT, transwell migration, and Western blotting assays revealed that overexpression of PDCD6 positively regulated HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Conversely, the upregulation of PDCD6 expression in the presence of an AKT inhibitor inhibited HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, PDCD6 promoted HCC cell migration and invasion by epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The mechanistic investigation proved that PDCD6 acted as a tumor promoter in HCC through the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway, increasing the expression of transcription factors and cellular proliferation and metastasis.   Conclusion  PDCD6 has a tumor stimulative role in HCC mediated by AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling and might be a potential target for HCC progression.
Mechanism of Learning and Memory Impairment in Rats Exposed to Arsenic and/or Fluoride Based on Microbiome and Metabolome
ZHANG Xiao Li, YU Sheng Nan, QU Ruo Di, ZHAO Qiu Yi, PAN Wei Zhe, CHEN Xu Shen, ZHANG Qian, LIU Yan, LI Jia, GAO Yi, LYU Yi, YAN Xiao Yan, LI Ben, REN Xue Feng, QIU Yu Lan
2023, 36(3): 253-268. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.028
  Objective  Arsenic (As) and fluoride (F) are two of the most common elements contaminating groundwater resources. A growing number of studies have found that As and F can cause neurotoxicity in infants and children, leading to cognitive, learning, and memory impairments. However, early biomarkers of learning and memory impairment induced by As and/or F remain unclear. In the present study, the mechanisms by which As and/or F cause learning memory impairment are explored at the multi-omics level (microbiome and metabolome).  Methods  We stablished an SD rats model exposed to arsenic and/or fluoride from intrauterine to adult period.  Results  Arsenic and/fluoride exposed groups showed reduced neurobehavioral performance and lesions in the hippocampal CA1 region. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that As and/or F exposure significantly altered the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome, featuring the Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Ruminococcus_1, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group. Metabolome analysis showed that As and/or F-induced learning and memory impairment may be related to tryptophan, lipoic acid, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) synapse, and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. The gut microbiota, metabolites, and learning memory indicators were significantly correlated.  Conclusion  Learning memory impairment triggered by As and/or F exposure may be mediated by different gut microbes and their associated metabolites.
Highly Sensitive Poly-N-isopropylacrylamide Microgel-based Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of SARS-COV-2 Spike Protein
CHEN Hao, HOU Zhi Yuan, CHEN Die, LI Ting, WANG Yi Ming, DE LIMA Marcelo Andrade, YANG Ying, GUO Zhen Zhong
2023, 36(3): 269-278. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.029
  Objective  Late 2019 witnessed the outbreak and widespread transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new, highly contagious disease caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Consequently, considerable attention has been paid to the development of new diagnostic tools for the early detection of SARS-CoV-2.   Methods  In this study, a new poly-N-isopropylacrylamide microgel-based electrochemical sensor was explored to detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S protein) in human saliva. The microgel was composed of a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and acrylic acid, and gold nanoparticles were encapsulated within the microgel through facile and economical fabrication. The electrochemical performance of the sensor was evaluated through differential pulse voltammetry.   Results  Under optimal experimental conditions, the linear range of the sensor was 10−13–10−9 mg/mL, whereas the detection limit was 9.55 fg/mL. Furthermore, the S protein was instilled in artificial saliva as the infected human saliva model, and the sensing platform showed satisfactory detection capability.   Conclusion  The sensing platform exhibited excellent specificity and sensitivity in detecting spike protein, indicating its potential application for the time-saving and inexpensive detection of SARS-CoV-2.
Shock Index, Modified Shock Index, and Age-Adjusted Shock Index in Predicting the In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease
HAN Su, WANG Chuan He, TONG Fei, LI Ying, LI Zhi Chao, SUN Zhao Qing, SUN Zhi Jun
2023, 36(3): 279-283. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.030
Association of VDR Gene Variants with Hyperglycemia in Henan Rural Population
ZHANG Yu Jing, LI Wen Jie, ZHANG Dong Dong, LIU Ya Ping, XU Ze, GAO Jiao Jiao, GU Chen Xi, LI Xing
2023, 36(3): 284-288. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.031
Metabolomic Profiling of Mice Exposed to α-amanitin Using Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-flight Tandem Mass Spectrometry
LI Lei, ZHENG Chong, YE Jian Fang, ZHU Kai, ZHOU Yi Bing, LIU Jia, GAO Ming, WU Yu Tian, LIU Yong Ting, LIU Li Ya, LIN Ye, LI Hai Chang, ZHANG Quan, GUO Hua
2023, 36(3): 289-294. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.032
The Retrospective Diagnostic Potential of GeneXpert MTB/RIF for the Analysis of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue from Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Patients
JIA Qing Jun, ZENG Mei Chun, CHENG Qing Lin, HUANG Yin Yan, WU Yi Fei, LI Qing Chun, WANG Le, AI Li Yun, FANG Zi Jian, CHENG Shi, SHU Li Ping
2023, 36(3): 295-298. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.033
Gamma-linolenic Acid from a Blue-Green alga Spirulina platensis Might Alleviate PM2.5 Induced Damages in A549 Cells
XIONG Jie, CHEN Jin Xuan, WANG Tian Xi, LU Fan
2023, 36(3): 299-303. doi: 10.3967/bes2023.034
Correction
2023, 36(3): 304-304.