RNA-binding factor 1 (AUF1) was found to be up-regulated in numerous tumors compared with untransformed tissues. Furthermore, it has been identified to regulate mRNAs en masse in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Metadherin (MTDH) as a novel oncogene also promotes tumor progression and metastasis in HCC. Our study aimed to investigate the correlation between AUF1 and MTDH expressions by immunochemistry in 146 HCC patients from Heilongjiang region. AUF1 expression in HCC tumors was higher than that in the matched normal liver tissues. Particularly, AUF1 overexpression was closely associated with tumor size (P < 0.022), TNM stage (P < 0.003), hepatitis B surface antigen status, and AFP serum levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, AUF1 overexpression led to poor outcome during 5-year follow-up (P < 0.001). Additionally, AUF1 and MTDH expressions were correlated with each other. Our findings suggest that the AUF1 gene may play an important role in HCC progression and be a novel biomarker in the future.

ObjectivesTo identify the prevalence of anaemia among older adults in China by sociodemographic and geographical regions, and cross-sectionally examine the associations between anaemia and several geriatric outcomes.DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participantsParticipants were 6656 older adults aged at least 60 years with haemoglobin data from the 2015 to 2016 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.MethodsWe examined the prevalence of anaemia by sociodemographics (age, sex, residence, education, marital status) and geographical regions, adjusting for age. We investigated the associations between anaemia and geriatric conditions.ResultsThe prevalence of anaemia was 20.6% among adults ≥60 years and was higher at advanced ages, among those who were females, living in rural areas, and those who were unmarried. The southern region of China had a higher burden of anaemia than the north. Anaemic adults had a higher age-adjusted prevalence of falls, activities of daily living (ADL) disability, instrumental ADL disability, lower extremely functional limitation, upper extremely functional limitation, low gait speed, low grip strength and low self-reported memory.ConclusionsAnaemia affected approximately one in five older adults in China, particularly in those with disadvantaged sociodemographics, and anaemia was associated with a higher burden of geriatric conditions. Huge geographical disparities of anaemia prevalence between northern and southern regions reflected the dietary variations in different regions. Efforts on preventing anaemia and reducing regional disparities of anaemia were needed to improve older adults’ health in China.

ObjectivesWe aimed to understand the prevalence of reduced kidney function in China by sociodemographics and geographical region, and to examine health correlates of reduced kidney function.DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participantsParticipants were 6706 adults ≥60 years from the 2015–2016 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.Outcome measuresReduced kidney function was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m². The estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated with the creatinine–cystatin C equation developed by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration in 2012. The associations between reduced kidney function and potential risk factors were analysed using multivariable regression models.ResultsThe prevalence of reduced kidney function was 10.3% (95% CI: 9.3% to 11.2%), corresponding to approximately 20 million older adults. Multivariable analysis showed that older adults with hypertension (β=−3.61, 95% CI: −4.42 to 2.79), cardiac disease (β=−1.90, 95% CI: −2.93 to 0.86), who had a stroke (β=−3.75, 95% CI: −6.35 to 1.15), kidney disease (β=−3.88, 95% CI: −5.62 to 2.13), slow gait speed (β=−2.23, 95% CI: −3.27 to 1.20), and living in the South (β=−4.38, 95% CI: −5.95 to 2.80) and South Central (β=−1.85, 95% CI: −3.15 to 0.56) were more significantly likely to have reduced kidney function.ConclusionsKidney function screening should be performed, especially in patients with hypertension, cardiac disease and who had a stroke. More efforts should be paid to improve the kidney function of older adults living in the South and South Central parts of China.

BackgroundAllostatic load (AL) has shown that high burden of AL is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes, but little attention has been paid to China with largest ageing population in the world.ObjectiveThis study is to examine the association between AL and all-cause mortality among Chinese adults aged at least 60 years.DesignPopulation-based prospective cohort study.SettingIn 2011–2012, an ancillary study, in which a blood test was added, including a total of 2439 participants, was conducted in eight longevity areas in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.ParticipantsThe final analytical sample consisted of 1519 participants (mean±SD age: men 80.5±11.3 years; women 90.2±11.8 years and 53% women).Primary outcome measureCox models were used to examine the association between AL and mortality among men and women, separately. Analyses were also adjusted for potential confounders including age, ethnicity, education and marital status, smoking and exercise.ResultsMale with a medium AL burden (score: 2–4) and high AL burden (score: 5–9) had a 33% and 118% higher hazard of death, respectively, than those with a low AL burden (score: 0–1). We did not find significant difference between females with different levels of AL burden.ConclusionHigher AL burden was associated with increased all-cause mortality among Chinese men aged at least 60 years. However, we did not find strong association among women. In conclusion, Intervention programmes targeting modifiable components of the AL burden may help prolong lifespan for older adults, especially men, in China.

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