Publications by authors named "Huang Chang-Quan"
Circadian rhythm disruptions have been implicated in numerous health issues, including cognitive decline and the exacerbation of neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer disease (AD). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vital for neuronal plasticity and cognitive function, is regulated by the circadian clock and exerts protective effects against AD. Thus, we investigated the impact of circadian rhythm disorders (CRDs) on cognitive impairment and explored the underlying neurobiological mechanisms by assessing BDNF and amyloid-β (Aβ) levels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Analyzing and comparing COVID-19 infection and case-fatality rates across different regions can help improve our response to future pandemics.
Methods: We used public data from the WHO to calculate and compare the COVID-19 infection and case-fatality rates in different continents and income levels from 2019 to 2023.
Results: The Global prevalence of COVID-19 increased from 0.
Mesenchymal stem cells have neuroprotective effects that limit damage to the retina and photoreceptors, and which may be mediated by extracellular vesicles (or exosomes) released by mesenchymal stem cells. To investigate the neuroprotective effect of extracellular vesicles derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on glaucoma, we established rat models of chronic ocular hypertension by injecting conjunctival fibroblasts into the anterior chamber to mimic optic nerve injury caused by glaucoma. One week after injury, extracellular vesicles derived from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were injected into the vitreous cavity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Depression leads to a cognitive decline and decreases in ghrelin are observed in depression. Ghrelin affects the level of Brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) through the cAMP-CREB signalling pathway, and lower BDNF levels lead to cognitive decline. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that in depression, lower ghrelin causes a decrease in BDNF levels and cognitive decline though the cAMP- CREB signalling pathway.
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- The study investigates the link between chronic inflammation markers (fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products) and sarcopenia risk in older hospitalized patients.
- Researchers analyzed data from 437 patients, noting higher levels of fibrinogen and FDP in those with sarcopenia compared to those without, along with negative impacts on muscle strength and gait speed.
- The findings suggest that elevated fibrinogen and FDP are independently associated with sarcopenia, indicating these markers could help predict sarcopenia risk in older adults.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined the association between the ARNTL2 (BMAL2) gene polymorphism rs2306074 T/C and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in a Chinese population.
- Researchers analyzed data from 296 AD patients and 423 control subjects, finding that C carriers had a higher prevalence in AD patients compared to controls, particularly in those who do not carry the APOE ε 4 allele.
- Results indicated that while C carriers and those with CC genotypes show increased susceptibility to AD among APOE ε 4 non-carriers, this association does not hold for APOE ε 4 carriers.
Objective: Cigarette smoking has been confirmed as a factor influencing arterial blood pressure. In the present study, we studied whether cigarette smoking habits were still associated with arterial blood pressure among Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians.
Methods: The present study analyzed data from a survey conducted on all residents aged 90 years or more in the DuJiangYan district (in total 2,311,709 inhabitants) in 2005.
Objectives: In the present study, it was examined whether polymorphism of circadian locomotor output cycle kaput (CLOCK) gene 3111T/C was associated with susceptibility of Alzheimer disease (AD).
Methods: This study was conducted using a case-control method. Genotypes of apolipoprotein E (APOE e4) and CLOCK gene 3111T/C were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism method and TaqMan assay method, respectively.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates whether a specific genetic variation (rs1554483 G/C) in the CLOCK gene is linked to Alzheimer's disease risk in a sample of Chinese individuals.
- Researchers compared genetic profiles of 130 Alzheimer's patients and 188 healthy controls to identify any associations.
- Findings suggest that the G allele of the CLOCK gene is associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s in individuals who do not carry the APOE ε4 variant, but not in those who do carry it.
In this study, we examined the association of fasting serum insulin (FSI) and fasting serum glucose (FSG) with cognitive impairment in the very elderly using a sample of Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians. This study used data from a survey that was conducted in 2005 on all residents aged 90 years or more in a district with 2,311,709 inhabitants. FSG, FSI, and cognitive function were analyzed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCircadian rhythm of TSH levels in subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Aging Clin Exp Res
May 2013
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to compare the circadian rhythm of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels between Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and normal controls.
- Serum samples were taken from both groups over a 2-day period, measuring TSH levels at various times using radioimmunoassay.
- Results showed that AD patients lacked a significant circadian rhythm in TSH levels and had consistently lower levels compared to normal controls, indicating a notable difference in hormonal regulation.
Objective: We observed the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) using a case-control study.
Methods: The case was a cohort that included 50 patients with AD. For each case subject, 1 control who was of similar age, sex, daily activities (scale of Lawton), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and depression (15-item Geriatrics Depression Scale) was recruited.
Background And Aims: The association of polymorphism of circadian locomotor output cycle kaput (CLOCK) gene rs 4580704 C/G with susceptibility of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was examined in the present study.
Methods: This was a case/control study and investigated the association of polymorphism of CLOCK gene rs 4580704 C/G with susceptibility of AD. Genotypes of apolipoprotein E (APOE) and CLOCK gene rs 4580704 C/G were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) detection method.
Article Synopsis
- - This study analyzed the circadian rhythm of arterial blood pressure in non-hypertensive patients with Alzheimer's disease compared to normotensive controls, using a 24-hour monitoring method.
- - Researchers identified distinct dipper patterns of blood pressure among AD patients, revealing significant differences in nighttime blood pressure fluctuations compared to the controls.
- - Findings indicate that Alzheimer’s patients experience higher overall blood pressure and mean systolic blood pressure during the night, suggesting altered circadian regulation in these individuals.
Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between age and risk for depression among the old and the oldest old. Method MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database were used to identify potential studies. The studies were divided into cross-sectional and longitudinal subsets.
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- The study aimed to investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on serum lipid levels among Chinese individuals aged 90 and older, an age group that hasn't been extensively studied before.
- It analyzed data from a survey of over 2.3 million residents, focusing on 216 men and 445 women, using statistical methods to assess relationships between smoking and lipid levels.
- Results revealed that current smokers had lower total cholesterol levels and prevalence of hypercholesterolemia compared to nonsmokers, indicating that smoking may not increase the risk of dyslipidemia in this elderly population, contrary to findings in younger groups.
Purpose: The authors examined the individual association between sleep quality and cognitive function among the very elderly.
Methods: The present study analyzed data from a survey that was conducted on all residents aged 90 years or older in a district; there were 2,311,709 inhabitants in 2005. Cognitive function and sleep quality were measured using the 30-item Mini-Mental State Examination and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively.
Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between living arrangements and risk for depression among older people.
Method: MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library database was used to identify potential studies. The studies were divided into cross-sectional and longitudinal subsets.
Objectives: To examine the individual association between BMI and level of serum uric acid (SUA) among the very elderly Chinese population.
Methods: A survey was conducted on 870 long-lived subjects (aged ≥90years). Subjects were divided into four groups according to quartile of BMI (<16.
Article Synopsis
- - This study investigated the relationship between sleep quality and arterial blood pressure specifically in individuals aged 90 and older, as this link was uncertain in this age group.
- - Data from 216 men and 444 women revealed that there were no significant differences in sleep quality or blood pressure measures between those with and without hypertension.
- - The results concluded that, contrary to some expectations, sleep quality does not appear to affect arterial blood pressure in very elderly individuals.
Background And Aims: In previous studies, the Pro12Ala polymorphism in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPAR-γ2) was shown to be associated with both lipid metabolism and longevity. We examined whether the polymorphism continued to be associated with abnormal levels of serum lipid/lipoprotein among elderly subjects (≥90 years).
Methods: The Pro12Ala variant was examined using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
Background And Aims: In previous studies, Pro12Ala polymorphism in peroxisome proliferator- activated receptors gamma 2 (PPAR-γ2) was shown to be associated with both longevity and metabolic syndrome, which was closely related with hyperuricemia. We examined long-lived subjects (≥90 years), to ascertain whether the polymorphism is associated with the level of serum uric acid (SUA).
Methods: The present study analysed data from a survey conducted in 2005 on all residents aged 90 years or more in a district with 2,311,709 inhabitants.
Probiotics for preventing acute upper respiratory tract infections.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev
September 2011
Background: Probiotics may improve a person's health by regulating their immune function. Some studies show that probiotic strains can prevent respiratory infections. However, no evidence of the benefits of probiotics for acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and related potential adverse effects has been published.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study examined the association between hypertension and AD by using a quantitative meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for articles published up to February 2011. All studies that examined the association of hypertension or antihypertensive medication use with the onset of AD were included.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Adherence to complex regimens for patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is often poor. Interventions to enhance adherence require intensive education and behavioural counselling. However, whether the existing evidence is scientifically rigorous and can support recommendations for routine use of educational programmes in DKD is still unknown.
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