Abstract: Few studies on the individual and combined analysis between serum uric acid (SUA) and body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) were conducted in individuals aged ≥45 years. We aimed to assess the extent to which BMI and SUA and their interaction affect BP in Chinese middle-aged and older adults. Data were selected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A total of 5888 individuals aged 45 to 96 was included. Differences between BMI, or between categories of blood pressure were evaluated by t test or chi-square test. The trend of related variables according to four BMI categories was also tested using contrast analysis. The adjusted associations between various characteristics and BP status were first compared using linear regression models, as appropriate. Then, general linear models adjusting for related potential confounders were used to examine the synergistic effect of SUA and BMI level on BP for middle-aged and elderly individuals in China. Age-adjusted partial Pearson correlation coefficient showed that BMI was significantly and positively correlated with BP both in male and female, SUA positively correlated with both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in males with BMI 〈 24.0 kg/m 2 and females with BMI 〈 24.0 kg/m 2 . However, SUA level significantly and positively correlated with DBP, but not with SBP, in females with BMI ≥24.0 kg/m 2 . Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BMI was independently associated with BP both in male and female, SUA significantly and positively associated with SBP in both males and females with BMI 〈 24.0 kg/m 2 , However, SUA level positively correlated with DBP in females with BMI 〈 24.0 kg/m 2 , but not with males with BMI 〈 24.0 kg/m 2 , independent of other confounding factors. A general linear model analysis adjusted for confounding factors did not reveal interaction between BMI, SUA levels and SBP (β=-1.404, P  = .686 in males; β=-2.583, P  = .575 in females) and DBP (β=-2.544, P  = .263 in males; β=-2.619, P  = .622 in females). No interaction between BMI, SUA levels, and BP was observed in either males or females; However, BMI was independently associated with BP both in male and female, SUA independently associated with SBP both in males and females with BMI 〈 24.0 kg/m 2 , and SUA independently associated with DBP in females with BMI ≥24.0 kg/m 2 .

Abstract: Tripartite motif-containing protein 44 (TRIM44) plays an important role in the development and progression of some human cancers; however, its role in skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate TRIM44 expression and clinicopathological significance of TRIM44 in SCC. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot were performed to evaluate differences in TRIM44 protein expression in SCC and normal skin tissues. IHC showed that the positive rate of TRIM44 staining in SCC tissues 26.00% (9/30), while the positive rate of normal control group was 83.33% (25/30). The positive rate of TRIM44 staining in SCC tissues is significantly lower than normal skin tissue ( P   〈 .01). RT-PCR showed that the positive rates of TRIM44 mRNA expression in SCC tissues were 16.67% (5/30), but the positive rate of normal control group was 86.67% (26/30). TRIM44 mRNA expression in SCC group was significantly lower than that in the normal group ( P   〈 .01). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that low expression was associated with poor overall survival in SCC patients ( P  =.004). Multi-factor survival analysis indicated that both low TRIM44 expression and tumor stage were independent factors affecting the overall survival of patients with SCC ( P  =.038 and P  =.001, respectively). Low expression of TRIM44 in SCC was associated with staging ( P  =.009 and P  =.008, respectively) and metastasis ( P  =.003 and P  =.004, respectively). The levels of TRIM44 protein and TRIM44 mRNA in SCC are both lowly expressed which is strongly associated with tumor staging, metastasis, and poor survival. And it also is an independent factor affecting the overall survival of patients with SCC.

Abstract: The association between adiposity parameters and cognition is complex. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between adiposity parameters and cognition in middle-aged and elderly people in China. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study. Cognitive function was evaluated in 5 domains, and adiposity parameters were measured. The association between adiposity parameters and cognition was analyzed using multiple linear and binary logistic regression analyses. After controlling for confounders, men with overweight and obesity had better scores in TICS-10 ([1] total, overweight vs normal: P   =  .006, β = 0.04; obesity vs normal: P   =  .005, β = 0.04. [2] stratification by age, with age ≥ 59 years, overweight vs normal: P   =  .006, β = 0.05; obesity vs normal: P   =  .014, β = 0.05. [3] stratification by educational levels, with less than elementary education, overweight vs normal: P   =  .011, β  =  0.05; obesity vs normal: P   =  .005, β  =  0.05), immediate word recall ([1] total, overweight vs normal: P   =  .015, β  =  0.04. [2] stratification by age, with age 45–58 years, overweight vs normal: P   =  .036, β  =  0.05. [3] stratification by educational levels, with less than elementary education, overweight vs normal: P   =  .044, β  =  0.04; above high school, overweight vs normal: P   =  .041, β  =  0.09), self-rated memory ([1] stratification by age, with age ≥ 59 years, overweight vs normal: P   =  .022, β  =  0.05. [2] stratification by educational levels, with less than elementary education, overweight vs normal: P   =  .023, β  =  0.04), and drawing a picture ([1] total, overweight vs normal: OR = 1.269, 95% CI = 1.05–1.53. [2] stratification by educational levels, with less than elementary education, overweight vs normal: OR = 1.312, 95% CI = 1.06–1.63); obesity vs normal: OR = 1.601, 95% CI = 1.11–2.31 than the normal weight; women with overweight and obesity had better measure scores in the TICS-10 ([1] total, overweight vs normal: P   〈  .0001, β  =  0.06; obesity vs normal: P   〈  .0001, β  =  0.05. [2] stratification by age, with age 45–58 years, obesity vs normal: P   =  .007, β  =  0.05; with age ≥ 59 years: overweight vs normal: P   〈  .0001, β  =  0.07, obesity vs normal: P  = .002, β  =  0.06. [3] stratification by educational levels, with illiterate, overweight vs normal: P  = .001, β  =  0.08; obesity vs normal: P   =  .004, β  =  0.06; with less than elementary education, overweight vs normal: P   〈  .0001, β  =  0.07; obesity vs normal: P   =  .010, β  =  0.05), immediate word recall ([1] total, overweight vs normal: P   =  .011, β  =  0.04; obesity vs normal: P   =  .002, β  =  0.04. [2] stratification by age, with age 45–58 years, obesity vs normal: P   =  .021, β  =  0.05; with age ≥ 59 years: overweight vs normal: P   =  .003, β  =  0.06. [3] stratification by educational levels, with illiterate, obesity vs normal: P   =  .028, β  =  0.05; with less than elementary education, obesity vs normal: P   =  .016, β  =  0.05), delay word recall ([1] total, overweight vs normal: P   =  .015, β  =  0.03; obesity vs normal: P   =  .031, β  =  0.03. [2] stratification by age, with age ≥ 59 years: overweight vs normal: P   =  .004, β  =  0.06. [3] stratification by educational levels, with less than elementary education, obesity vs normal: P   =  .043, β  =  0.04), self-rated memory ([1] total, obesity vs normal: P   =  .026, β  =  0.03. [2] stratification by age, with age ≥ 59 years, overweight vs normal: P   =  .044, β  =  0.04; obesity vs normal: P   =  .018, β  =  0.05), and drawing a picture ([1] total, overweight vs normal: OR = 1.226, 95% CI = 1.06–1.42. [2] stratification by age, with age 45–58 years: overweight vs normal: OR = 1.246, 95% CI = 1.02–1.53) than the normal weight. Regarding the association between WC and cognitive function, the obesity demonstrated better mental capacity ([1] total, men: P   〈  .0001, β  =  0.06; women: P   〈  .0001, β  =  0.05. [2] stratification by age, men with age 45–58 years: P   〈  .0001, β  =  0.08; men with ≥ 59 years: P  = .006, β  =  0.05. women with age 45–58 years: P  = .001, β  =  0.06; women with ≥ 59 years: P  = .012, β  =  0.04. [3] stratification by educational levels, men with illiterate: P  = .045, β  =  0.09; men with less than elementary education: P   〈  .0001, β  =  0.08; women with illiterate: P   〈  .0001, β  =  0.09), ability to recall immediately ([1] total, men: P   =  .030, β  =  0.03; women: P   =  .001, β  =  0.05. [2] stratification by age, women with age 45–58 years: P  = .028, β  =  0.04; women with ≥ 59 years: P  = .007, β  =  0.05. [3] stratification by educational levels, men with less than elementary education: P  = .007, β  =  0.05; women with illiterate: P  = .027, β  =  0.05; women with less than elementary education: P  = .002, β  =  0.06), delay word recall ([1] total, women: P   =  .044, β  =  0.03. [2] stratification by educational levels, men with less than elementary education: P  = .023, β  =  0.04), self-rated memory (stratification by educational levels, women with less than elementary education: P  = .030, β  =  0.04), and draw a picture ([1] total, men: OR = 1.399, 95% CI = 1.17–1.67; women: OR = 1.273, 95% CI = 1.12–1.45. [2] stratification by age, men with age 45–58 years: OR = 1.527, 95% CI = 1.15–2.03; men with age ≥ 59 years: OR = 1.284, 95% CI = 1.02–1.61; women with age 45–58 years: OR = 1.320, 95% CI = 1.10–1.58; women with age ≥ 59 years: OR = 1.223, 95% CI = 1.01–1.49. [3] stratification by educational levels, men with less than elementary education: OR = 1.528, 95% CI = 1.25–1.87; women with illiterate: OR = 1.404, 95% CI = 1.14–1.73) than the participants with normal weight after the multivariate adjustment. Our study demonstrated a significant relationship between adiposity parameters and cognition that supports the “jolly fat” hypothesis.

Abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Due to the growing economic burden of NAFLD on public health, it has become an emergent target for clinical intervention. DUSP12 is a member of the dual specificity phosphatase (DUSP) family, which plays important roles in brown adipocyte differentiation, microbial infection, and cardiac hypertrophy. However, the role of DUSP12 in NAFLD has yet to be clarified. Here, we reveal that DUSP12 protects against hepatic steatosis and inflammation in L02 cells after palmitic acid/oleic acid treatment. We demonstrate that hepatocyte specific DUSP12‐deficient mice exhibit high‐fat diet (HFD)–induced and high‐fat high‐cholesterol diet–induced hyperinsulinemia and liver steatosis and decreased insulin sensitivity. Consistently, DUSP12 overexpression in hepatocyte could reduce HFD‐induced hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and inflammation. At the molecular level, steatosis in the absence of DUSP12 was characterized by elevated apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), which mediates the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and hepatic metabolism. DUSP12 physically binds to ASK1, promotes its dephosphorylation, and inhibits its action on ASK1‐related proteins, JUN N‐terminal kinase, and p38 MAPK in order to inhibit lipogenesis under high‐fat conditions. Conclusion: DUSP12 acts as a positive regulator in hepatic steatosis and offers potential therapeutic opportunities for NAFLD.

Abstract: Edaravone dexborneol, comprised of 2 active ingredients, edaravone and (+)-borneol, has been developed as a novel neuroprotective agent with synergistic effects of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in animal models. The present clinical trial aimed at testing the effects of edaravone dexborneol versus edaravone on 90-day functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, comparative, phase III clinical trial was conducted at 48 hospitals in China between May 2015 and December 2016. Inclusion criteria included patients diagnosed as AIS, 35 to 80 years of age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score between 4 and 24, and within 48 hours of AIS onset. AIS patients were randomized in 1:1 ratio into 2 treatment arms: 14-day infusion of edaravone dexborneol or edaravone injection. The primary end point was the proportion of patients with modified Rankin Scale score ≤1 on day 90 after randomization. Results: One thousand one hundred sixty-five AIS patients were randomly allocated to the edaravone dexborneol group (n=585) or the edaravone group (n=580). The edaravone dexborneol group showed significantly higher proportion of patients experiencing good functional outcomes on day 90 after randomization, compared with the edaravone group (modified Rankin Scale score ≤1, 67.18% versus 58.97%; odds ratio, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.12–1.81]; P =0.004). The prespecified subgroup analyses indicated that a greater benefit was observed in female patients than their male counterparts (2.26, 1.49–3.43 versus 1.14, 0.85–1.52). Conclusions: When edaravone dexborneol versus edaravone was administered within 48 hours after AIS, 90-day good functional outcomes favored the edaravone dexborneol group, especially in female patients. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02430350.

Abstract: Subclinical atherothrombosis and plaque healing may lead to rapid plaque progression. The histopathologic healed plaque has a layered appearance when imaged using optical coherence tomography. We assessed the frequency, predictors, distribution, and morphological characteristics of optical coherence tomography layered culprit and nonculprit plaques in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods: A prospective series of 325 patients with acute myocardial infarction underwent optical coherence tomography imaging of all 3 native coronary arteries. Layered plaque phenotype had heterogeneous signal-rich layered tissue located close to the luminal surface that was clearly demarcated from the underlying plaque. Results: Layered plaques were detected in 74.5% of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients with layered culprit plaques had more layered nonculprit plaques; and they more often had preinfarction angina, ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and absence of antiplatelet therapy. Layered plaques tended to cluster in the proximal segment of the left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery but were more uniformly distributed in the right coronary artery. As compared with nonlayered plaques, layered plaques had greater optical coherence tomography lumen area stenosis at both culprit and nonculprit sites. The frequency of layered plaque phenotype ( P =0.038) and maximum area of layered tissue ( P 〈 0.001) increased from nonculprit thin-cap fibroatheromas to nonculprit ruptures to culprit ruptures. Conclusions: Layered plaques were identified in 3-quarters of patients with acute myocardial infarction, especially in the culprit plaques of patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. Layered plaques had a limited, focal distribution in the left anterior descending artery, and left circumflex artery but were more evenly distributed in the right coronary artery and were characterized by greater lumen narrowing at both culprit and nonculprit sites. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.

Abstract: Whether imaging parameters would independently predict stroke recurrence in low-risk minor ischemic stroke (MIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) according to traditional score system (such as ABCD 2 score, which was termed on the basis of the initials of the five factors: age, blood pressure, clinical features, duration, diabetes) remains unclear. We sought to evaluate the association between imaging parameters and 1-year stroke recurrence in patients with TIA or MIS in different risk stratum stratified by ABCD 2 score. Methods: We included patients with TIA and MIS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤3) with complete baseline vessel and brain imaging data from the Third China National Stroke Registry III. Patients were categorized into different risk groups based on ABCD 2 score (low risk, 0–3; moderate risk, 4–5; and high risk, 6–7). The primary outcome was stroke recurrence within 1 year. Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to assess whether imaging parameters (large artery stenosis, infarction number) were independently associated with stroke recurrence. Results: Of the 7140 patients included, 584 patients experienced stroke recurrence within 1 year. According to the ABCD 2 score, large artery stenosis was associated with higher stroke recurrence in both low-risk (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.746 [95% CI, 1.200–2.540]) and moderate-risk group (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.326 [95% CI, 1.042–1.687] ) but not in the high-risk group ( P 〉 0.05). Patients with multiple acute infarctions or single acute infarction had a higher risk of recurrent stroke than those with no infarction in both low- and moderate-risk groups, but not in the high-risk group. Conclusions: Large artery stenosis and infarction number were independent predictors of 1-year stroke recurrence in low-moderate risk but not in high-risk patients with TIA or MIS stratified by ABCD 2 score. This finding emphasizes the importance of early brain and vascular imaging evaluation for risk stratification in patients with TIA or MIS.