Objective : To examine the association between intrinsic capacity and falls in older adults, so as to provide insights into the risk assessment of falls. Methods: Older adults aged 60 years and above were selected from two districts and one county in Bengbu City, Anhui Province from September 2022 to June 2023 using convenience sampling method. Demographic information, health-related behaviors and incidence of falls among participants were collected through questionnaire surveys. The intrinsic capacity included five dimensions: sensory, motor, vitality, cognition and psychology, which were investigated by the sensory dimension screening scale recommended by the World Health Organization, the Simple Physical Functioning Battery (SPPB), the Micro Nutritional Assessment Scale (MNAS-SF), the Brief Intelligent Mental State Examination Scale (MMSE), and the Center for Evaluation of Streamlined Depression Levels 10-entry scale (CESD-10), respectively. A total score of 1 or more indicated a decrease in intrinsic capacity. The association between intrinsic capacity and falls in older adults was analyzed by a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 950 questionnaires were allocated, and 1 917 were valid, with an effective rate of 98.30%. There were 934 men (48.72%) and 983 women (51.28%), with a mean age of (68.15±3.42) years. There were 1 352 rural residents (70.53%) and 1 431 illiterate and primary school-educated residents (74.65%). In the past year, 347 residents fell, accounting for 18.10%. The median comprehensive score for intrinsic capacity was 1.00 (interquartile range, 2.00) points, and 1 320 had a decrease in intrinsic capacity, accounting for 68.86%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that decline in intrinsic ability was associated with the risk of falls after adjustment for age, gender, educational level, marital status, alcohol consumption and self-rated health status (OR=1.531, 95%CI: 1.408-1.721). Conclusion Decreased intrinsic capacity in older adults may contribute to an increased risk of falls.

Objective: To investigate the association between self-rated health status and mortality risk, and to evaluate the predictive value of self-rated health status for mortality risk among the elderly. Methods: Based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database, data of sociodemographic information, self-rated health status and mortality of the elderly aged 60 years and older were collected from 2011 to 2018. The association between self-rated health status and mortality risk among the elderly was analyzed using a multivariable Cox proportional risk regression model. Results: Totally 4 850 individuals were included, with an median age of 65 (interquartile range, 8) years. There were 2 485 males (51.24%) and 2 365 females (48.76%). There were 877 individuals (18.08%) rated their health as good, 2 078 individuals (42.85%) as general, 1 895 individuals (39.07%) as poor. A total of 28 955 person-years were followed up, with an average follow-up of 5.97 years per person. There were 855 deaths by the end of follow-up in 2018, and the median survival time was 7 (interquartile range, 3) years. Multivariable Cox proportional risk regression analysis showed that there were interactive effects of age, sex and self-rated health status on mortality, respectively (both P<0.05). The results of gender-stratified analysis showed that there was no significant association between self-rated health status and mortality risk in old women (P>0.05). The mortality risk was higher in old men with poor self-rated health than with good self-rated health (<70 years, HR=5.382, 95%CI: 3.263-8.876; 70 to 79 years, HR=3.536, 95%CI: 1.070-11.686; ≥80 years, HR=3.043, 95%CI: 1.827-5.066). Conclusion There is an association between self-rated health status and mortality risk among the elderly, the old men with poor self-rated health had a higher mortality risk.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of cinnamic aldehyde ( CA ) on hormone-induced osteo-clasts proliferation and bone resorption in vitro and its molecular mechanisms. Methods RAW264. 7 cells induced into osteoclast were treated with RANKL and M-CSF and then were divided into control group, dexa-methasone ( DEX ) group and different doses of CA (11. 6, 23. 2, 46. 4 μg·L-1 ) groups. OCs were ob-served after tartrate resistant acid phosphatase( TRAP) staining. The cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay at different time points. The expression levels of TRACP5 b in cell cultured supernatants were measured by ELISA. RT-PCR technique was applied to examine the transcriptional levels of RANK and NFATc1 . Re-sults In MTT assay, the proliferation of osteoclasts stimulated by dexamethasone was promoted seriously compared with negative control group ( P < 0. 05 ) . Meanwhile, DEX could strengthen the content of TRACP5 b and up-regulate the expressions of RANK and NFATc1 mRNA. After administration of CA, the proliferation was inhibited, while the enhanced expres-sion of TRAP5b was reversed,and the over-expressions of RANK and NFATc1 mRNA were obviously down-regulated in a time-and-dose-dependent manner ( P <0. 05 ) . Conclusion The results suggest that CA in-hibits proliferation and bone resorption of osteoclast in-duced by DEX, which may be mediated by down-regu-lation of RANK and NFATc1 mRNA.

To observe the effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on lipid metabolism and its related gene expressions in rats with hyperlipidemia.

Objective To investigate the mechanisms of erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular A3 (EphA3) in the invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.Methods Hepatic cell HL-7702 and HCC cell and HCC cell lines HepG2 and MHCC97H were cultured.The expression of EphA3 in the HepG2 and MHCC97H cells was suppressed by siRNA interference,and then were divided into the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group.The expression of EphA3 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.The invasion ability of HepG2 and MHCC97H was detected by Transwell chamber.The protein expression of VEGF and activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected by western blot and ELISA.All data were analyzed using the analysis of variance or LSD-t test.Results The relative mRNA expressions of EphA3 in HL-7702,HepG2,and MHCC97H cells were 0.94 ±0.13,1.76 ±0.16 and 3.62 ±0.14,respectively,and the protein expressions of EphA3 in the 3 cells were 0.96 ±0.12,1.59 ±0.11 and 3.82 ±0.11.There was significant difference in the EphA3 expression between HL-7702 cells and HepG2,MHCC97H cells (t =2.511,6.437 ; 2.321,6.895,P ＜ 0.05).The relative mRNA expressions of EphA3 in the HepG2 cells in the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group were 0.95 ±0.11,0.96 ±0.12 and 0.31 ±0.15,respectively.There was significant difference in the mRNA expression of EphA3 in the HepG2 cells between the siRNA intervention group and the control group (t =4.051,P ＜ 0.05).The relative mRNA expressions of EphA3 in the MHCC97H cells in the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group were 0.97 ± 0.16,0.95 ± 0.14 and 0.40 ± 0.11,respectively.There was significant difference in the mRNA expression of EphA3 in the MHCC97H cells between the siRNA interference group and the control group (t =5.237,P ＜0.05).The relative protein expressions of EphA3 in the HepG2 cells in the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group were 0.97 ± 0.16,0.95 ± 0.15 and 0.32 ± 0.17,respectively.There was significant difference in the protein expression of EphA3 in the HepG2 cells between the siRNA interference group and the control group (t =4.145,P ＜ 0.05).The relative protein expressions of EphA3 in the MHCC97H cells in the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group were 0.95 ± 0.11,0.96 ± 0.12 and 0.38 ±0.17,respectively.There was significant difference in the protein expressions of EphA3 in the MHCC97H cells between the siRNA interference group and the control group (t =4.327,P ＜ 0.05).The numbers of HepG2 cells penetrated the Watrigel in the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group were (111 ±4)/10HPF,(109 ±5)/10HPF and (51 ±3)/10HPF,respectively.There was significant difference in the number of HepG2 cells between the siRNA interference group and the control group (t =7.582,P ＜ 0.05).The numbers of MHCC97H cells penetrated the Watrigel in the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group were (402 ± 6)/10HPF,(397 ± 7)/10HPF and (152 ± 7)/10HPF,respectively.There was significant difference in the number of MHCC97H cells between the siRNA interference group and the control group (t =9.479,P ＜ 0.05).The relative protein expressions of VEGF in the HepG2 cells in the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group were 0.98 ± 0.11,0.96 ± 0.13 and 0.57 ± 0.11,respectively.There was significant difference in the protein expression of VEGF of the HepG2 cells between the siRNA interference group and the control group (t =3.167,P ＜ 0.05).The relative protein expression of VEGF in the MHCC97H cells in the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group were 0.97 ±0.14,0.98 ±0.12 and 0.34 ± 0.15,respectively.There was significant difference in the protein expression of VEGF of the MHCC97H cells between the siRNA interference group and the control group (t =4.278,P ＜ 0.05).The relative activities of VEGF proteins of HepG2 cells in the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group were 0.96 ±0.15,0.94 ±0.11 and 0.47 ±0.13,respectively.There was significant difference in the activity of VEGF protein in the HepG2 cells between the siRNA interference group and the control group (t =3.981,P ＜ 0.05).The relative activities of VEGF proteins in MHCC97H cells in the untreated group,the control group and the siRNA intervention group were 0.98 ±0.12,0.97 ±0.12 and 0.38 ±0.14,respectively.There was significant difference in the activity of VEGF protein in the MHCC97H cells between the siRNA interference group and the control group (t =4.059,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions EphA3 plays an important role in the invasion of HCC cells via regulating the protein expression and activity of VEGF.EphA3 might be a new target for the treatment of HCC.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the protein expression of calpain-2 and calcineurin (CaN) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in patient with valvular heart disease (VHD).

METHODSA total of 40 patients who underwent valve replacement surgery in our hospital from March 2013 to March 2014, right atrial appendages were excised during operation and patients were divided into sinus rhythm (SR) group (n = 17) and AF group (n = 23). The protein expression of calpain-2 and the α-isoform of CaN catalytic subunit (CnA) in the right atrial appendages were determined by Western blot.

RESULTSThe protein levels of the full-length CnAa (60,000), the 45,000 fragment of CnAa without autoinhibitory domain, and calpain-2 were significantly upregulated in the AF group compared to the SR group (1.25 ± 0.51 vs. 0.76 ± 0.37, 1.08 ± 0.37 vs. 0.76 ± 0.25, and 0.82 ± 0.44 vs. 0.51 ± 0.19, respectively, all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONActivated calpain-2-CaN signal pathway might be involved in the pathogenesis of AF.

AIM:To investigate the role of immunoproteasome subunit β2i in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)/salt-induced vascular inflammation in mice.METHODS:Wild-type and β2i knockout male mice were used.The right kidney was removed and DOCA pellet was subcutaneously implanted in the mice.The mice were then received 1% NaCl as drinking water for 3 weeks.The total RNA and protein were isolated from thoracic aorta 3 weeks later.The aortic tissues were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin and sectioned.Western blot, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the expression of β2i, macrophage marker Mac-2, NF-κB, and proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in thoracic aorta.RESULTS:Compared with sham group, DOCA/salt treatment significantly increased the expression of β2i at mRNA and protein levels, increased the infiltration of macrophages and expression of Mac-2, and upregulated the expression of NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in wild-type group, whereas theses effects were markedly attenuated in β2i knockout mice.CONCLUSION:Immuneproteasome subunit β2i is involved in DOCA/salt-induced vascular inflammation through activation of NF-κB signaling in the mice.

Objective To explore the sleep characteristics of submariners during a long-term voyage, so as to provide scientific evidence for ensuring submariners with good sleep during long-term voyages. Methods The sleep status of submariners who participated in a long-term voyage was tested by Self-Rating Scale of Sleep (SRSS) before the voyage, and before and after each voyage section during the voyage. The sleep status variation of submariners who performed different types of tasks, from the beginning to the end of each voyage section and of each resting-on-the-sea section was analyzed respectively. Comparison of sleep scores was performed between submariners and surface ship crew in the second voyage section. Numbers of submariners with sleep problem were compared in each voyage section. Results Generally speaking, submariners' sleep status at the end of voyage section was significantly worse than that at the beginning of voyage section and that before the whole voyage (P<0.001, P<0.01), and the sleep status at the beginning of the third voyage section was significantly worse than that before the whole voyage (P<0.05). Submariners had a steady sleep status when taking a resting-on-the-sea before starting their first voyage section, which was no significant difference from that before the whole voyage (P>0.05). After finishing a voyage section and taking a resting-on-the-sea, submariners' sleep status returned to the level of pre-voyage (P>0.05), and was significantly better than that before the resting-on-the-sea (P<0.05, P<0.01). After finishing two voyage sections and then taking a resting-on-the-sea, the submariners' sleep status showed no obvious variation (P>0.05). Compared with that of surface ship crew who accomplished the same voyage section, submariners had an obviously better sleep status after taking a resting-on-the-sea (P<0.05). Meanwhile, submariners who finished a voyage section showed a significantly worse sleep status than those resting on the sea (P<0.01) and surface ship crew who finished a same voyage section (P<0.05). In each voyage section, submariners with sleep problems who finished resting-on-the-sea were significantly less than those who finished navigation (P<0.001, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of submariners with sleep problems between those who taking non-resting and taking resting-at-dock after finishing the first voyage section (P>0.05), but the latter was significantly more than the former when the second voyage section was finished (P<0.05). During the resting-on-the-sea period, the numbers of submariners with sleep problems in both the second and the third voyage section were significantly more than those in the first voyage section (P<0.05, P<0.01). The numbers of submariners with sleep problems who implemented the third voyage section were significantly more than those who implemented the first and the second voyage section (P<0.01). Conclusions Generally, the sleep quality of submariners is significantly worse after accomplished a voyage section task, and the degree of sleep problems may be accumulated to worse and worse along with the increase of long-term voyage time. Whereas, submariners may have a significantly better sleep status after taking a resting-on-the-sea, implying that resting-on-the-sea is an effective way to ensure submariners a good sleep during a long-term voyage.

Objective To explore the feasibility and effect of laparoscopic Ladd's surgery for the treatment of intestinal malrotation in infants.Methods The clinical data of 50 infants with intestinal malrotation who were admitted to the Wuhan Medical & Health Center for Women and Children from January 2011 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.Of 50 infants, 27 infants receiving the open Ladd's surgery were allocated into the open surgery group and 23 infants receiving the laparoscopic Ladd's surgery were allocated into the laparoscopy group.The operation time, time to anal exsufflation, duration of hospital stay, postoperative incision infection and intestinal obstruction in the 2 groups were observed.All the patients were followed up by outpatient examination or telephone interview till March 2014.The measurement data with normal distribution were presented as x-± s and analyzed by the t test, and count data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability.Results The operation time, time to anal exsufflation and duration of hospital stay were (69 ± 7)minutes, (41 ±9)hours and (10.4 ± 2.4)days in the open surgery group, which was significantly different from (92 ± 13)minutes, (28 ±5)hours and (6.4 ± 1.5) days in the laparoscopy group (t =6.21, 16.50, 6.34,P ＜ 0.05).Two infants had incision infection and 1 infant had intestinal obstruction in the open surgery group.There was no patient with complications in the laparoscopy group.All the patients were followed up for the median time of 13 months (range, 6-24 months), with a good survival and no other symptoms.Conclusion Laparoscopic Ladd's surgery is safe and feasible compared with open surgery, and it could be used as a prior operation method for treatment of intestinal malrotation in infants.

Objective This study aimed to explore the clinical value of human papilloma virus ( HPV) E6/E7 mRNA tests in identifying precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix-cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or more CIN2+( CINⅡand CINⅢ).Methods This study is a cross-sectional survey design , between December 2011 to December 2013.The specimens were collected from the First People′s Hospital of Huizhou and the Third People′s Hospital of Huizhou in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient and inpatient of cervical disease suspected patients , with thin-prep cytologic test ( TCT ) and histopathological results as reference , detected 345 patients of exfoliated cervical epithelial cells by using the branched DNA (b-DNA) technology to evaluate the application value of high risk HPV E 6 /E7mRNA in the clinical diagnosis of CIN.Using spss 19.0 software for data analysis.Results (1)Compared with TCT, the positive rate of E6/E7 mRNA in 325 samples were grading by cytology as follows: no intraepithelial lesion cells (NILM) 21.1%(40/190), atypical squamous cells (ASC) 38.5%(15/39 ), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions ( LSIL ) 76.9% ( 30/39 ) , atypical squamous cells can not exclude high-grade intraepithelial lesions (ASC-H) (8/10), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) 72.3%(34/47), TCT grades and HPV E6/E7 mRNA positive rate showed linear association (χ2 =67.654,P<0.01;r=0.497, P<0.01 ); and with HPV E6/E7 mRNA copy number was also relevant ( r =0.511, P <0.01).(2) Compared with pathological results , the positive rate of E6/E7 mRNA in 164 women samples were grading by pathology as follows:with NILM was 27.8%(10/36), with CIN Ⅰwas 65.9%(29/44), with CINⅡwas 80.6%(54/67), and with CINⅢwas 82.4%(14/17), pathological grades and HPV E6/E7 mRNA positive rate showed a linear correlation (χ2 =26.426, P<0.01; r=0.438, P<0.01); and the number of copies correlated with the increase of pathological grades too (r=0.543, P<0.01).(3) Screening effectiveness analysis results showed , the sensitivity of HPV E6 /E7mRNA was 84.6% while TCT was 47.7%.The sensitivity and specificity were 40.0% and 91.1% respectively when HPV E6/E7 mRNA and TCT processed as sequential detection test.The CIN2 +( CINⅡand CIN Ⅲ) best diagnostic critical point of 890.26 copies/ml,was established using receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curve.The sensitivity and specificity were 58.5% and 93.7%, respectively.Conclusions The sensitivity of HPV E6/E7 mRNA test is better than TCT, the specificity is high in HPV E6/E7 mRNA and TCT processed as sequential detection test.Using the optimal cut-off value of ROC curve to detect CIN 2+has high sensitivity and specificity, so the detection of HPV E6/E7 mRNA may have some clinical value in screening and risk assessment of precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix.