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Objectives: This study investigates the impact of pension on depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults. Additional effort is made to test the mediating effect of multidimensional downward intergenerational support and the moderating effect of age on this relationship. Methods: A total of 1828 Chinese older community‐dwellers who met our inclusion criteria are drawn from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Multivariate regression modeling is applied to analyze the effect of pensions on depressive symptoms of older adults. Additionally, bootstrap method with resampling strategies is used to estimate the mediating effect of three dimensions of downward intergenerational support (instrumental, emotional, and financial support). Further, Johnson‐Neyman technique is employed to analysis and visualize the moderating effect of age. Results: The findings reveal a significant inverse relationship between pension levels and depressive symptoms (B = −6.664, SE = 2.826, p < 0.05). The analysis shows that downward intergenerational emotional support (B = −0.195, Boot SE = 0.103, 95% Boot CI [−0.404, −0.003]) serves as a partial mediator in this relationship. Furthermore, the results highlight the moderating role of age in the linkage between pension and depressive symptoms (B = 0.065, SE = 0.039, p < 0.1). Discussion: This investigation is pioneering in simultaneously assessing the mediating role of multidimensional downward intergenerational support and the moderating effect of age in the context of pension and depressive symptoms. The study underscores the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach in devising comprehensive intervention strategies. These should encompass pension policy consultation, respite services, and other crucial elements aimed at mitigating the severity or reducing the risk of depressive symptoms among the older adults. Key points: We discovered a moderating effect of age on the relationship between pension benefits and depressive symptoms in older adults, and further elucidated this effect using the Johnson‐Neyman method.Concurrently, we employed bootstrapping methods to validate the mediating effect of downward intergenerational support between pension benefits and depressive symptoms in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objective: To summarize evidence from systematic reviews (SRs)/meta‐analyses (MAs) regarding the impact of dyadic interventions delivered to both members of a cancer dyad, including a cancer patient and caregiver (e.g. family caregiver, intimate partner). Design: This overview of SRs was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for overviews of reviews statement. Methods: A comprehensive search of multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wan Fang. The methodological and reporting quality of SRs and MAs was assessed using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2. The quality of the included SRs/MAs was evaluated using the Grades of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Results: Eighteen SRs/MAs undertook quantitative synthesis to assess the impact of dyadic interventions on cancer dyads. Both the credibility of the SRs/MAs and the evidence quality of the outcome measures were below satisfactory standards. Prior SRs/MAs revealed several limitations such as lack of pre‐published protocols or research objectives, failure to report excluded studies and insufficient details on funding sources for individual studies. Conclusions: Dyadic interventions may prove advantageous for the physical health and dyadic adjustment of cancer dyads. Nevertheless, the reported results of dyadic interventions on the psychological health of patient–caregiver dyads affected by cancer are inconsistent. Thus, rigorous and comprehensive studies are requisite to establish reliable evidence for conclusive determinations. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The findings of this overview can guide healthcare practitioners when considering the use of dyadic interventions for cancer dyads. Moreover, these findings have the potential to enhance the integration of these approaches into clinical practice. Patient or Public Contribution: Our paper presents an overview of systematic reviews, and therefore, such specific details may not be relevant to our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This meta‐analysis aimed to determine the effect of mindfulness interventions on nurses' levels of depression and anxiety. Design: Meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials. Methods: The following Chinese and English databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI). The retrieval period was from database construction to 30 March 2022. Two researchers screened the relevant literature and extracted the data. After a cross‐check, data were input into Stata version 16.0 for meta‐analysis. Results: Twelve randomised controlled trials from 2017 to 2021 were included, which involved 807 subjects (405 and 402 in the intervention and control groups, respectively). Meta‐analysis results showed that nurses' anxiety reduced by mindfulness‐based interventions was significantly higher compared to that of the control group (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.27–1.55, p < 0.05). Furthermore, an 8‐week mindfulness‐based intervention (SMD = 1.43, 95% CI: 0.61–2.24) reduced the level of anxiety significantly more compared to a 4‐week intervention (SMD = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.36–1.71). Mindfulness‐based interventions were better compared to conventional intervention to reduce the level of depression (SMD = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.42–1.61, p < 0.05), and an 8‐week mindfulness intervention (SMD = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.78–2.84) reduced the level of depression significantly more compared to a 4‐week intervention (SMD = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.29–1.35). Since limited studies had interventions longer than 8 weeks, results on longer mindfulness interventions in reducing nurses' anxiety and depression are inconclusive. In conclusion, mindfulness intervention for 8 weeks or less can significantly reduce nurses' anxiety and depression levels. Patient or Public Contribution: None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a syndrome characterized by coagulopathy, microthrombus, and multiple organ failure. The complement system in DIC is overactivated, and the functions of complement and coagulation pathways are closely related. Our previous screening revealed that salvianolic acid A (SAA) has anti-complement activity. The hyper-activated complement system was involved in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced DIC in rats. The effects of SAA anti-complement action on LPS-induced DIC in rats were investigated. Methods: The complement activity of the classical pathway and alternative pathway was detected through an in vitro hemolysis assay. The binding sites of SAA and complement C3b were predicted by molecular docking. LPS-induced disseminated coagulation experiments were performed on male Wistar rats to assess coagulation function, complement activity, inflammation, biochemistry, blood routine, fibrinolysis, and survival. Results: SAA had an anti-complement activity in vivo and in vitro and inhibited the complement activation in the classical and alternative pathway of complement. The infusion of LPS into the rats impaired the coagulation function, increased the plasma inflammatory cytokine level, complemented activation, reduced the clotting factor levels, fibrinogen, and platelets, damaged renal, liver, and lung functions, and led to a high mortality rate (85%). SAA treatment of rats inhibited complement activation and attenuated the significant increase in D-dimer, interleukin-6, alanine aminotransferase, and creatinine. It ameliorated the decrease in plasma levels of fibrinogen and platelets and reversed the decline in activity of protein C and antithrombin III. The treatment reduced kidney, liver, and lung damage, and significantly improved the survival rate of rats (46.2 and 78.6% for the low- and high-dose groups, respectively). Conclusion: SAA reduced LPS-induced DIC by inhibiting complement activation. It has considerable potential in DIC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Timely and accurate prediction of delayed cerebral ischemia is critical for improving the prognosis of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Machine learning (ML) algorithms are increasingly regarded as having a higher prediction power than conventional logistic regression (LR). This study aims to construct LR and ML models and compare their prediction power on delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study that enrolled patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage from five hospitals in China. A total of 404 aSAH patients were prospectively enrolled. We randomly divided the patients into training (N = 303) and validation cohorts (N = 101) according to a ratio of 75–25%. One LR and six popular ML algorithms were used to construct models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, balanced accuracy, confusion matrix, sensitivity, specificity, calibration curve, and Hosmer–Lemeshow test were used to assess and compare the model performance. Finally, we calculated each feature of importance. Results: A total of 112 (27.7%) patients developed DCI. Our results showed that conventional LR with an AUC value of 0.824 (95%CI: 0.73–0.91) in the validation cohort outperformed k-nearest neighbor, decision tree, support vector machine, and extreme gradient boosting model with the AUCs of 0.792 (95%CI: 0.68–0.9, P = 0.46), 0.675 (95%CI: 0.56–0.79, P < 0.01), 0.677 (95%CI: 0.57–0.77, P < 0.01), and 0.78 (95%CI: 0.68–0.87, P = 0.50). However, random forest (RF) and artificial neural network model with the same AUC (0.858, 95%CI: 0.78–0.93, P = 0.26) were better than the LR. The accuracy and the balanced accuracy of the RF were 20.8% and 11% higher than the latter, and the RF also showed good calibration in the validation cohort (Hosmer-Lemeshow: P = 0.203). We found that the CT value of subarachnoid hemorrhage, WBC count, neutrophil count, CT value of cerebral edema, and monocyte count were the five most important features for DCI prediction in the RF model. We then developed an online prediction tool (https://dynamic-nomogram.shinyapps.io/DynNomapp-DCI/) based on important features to calculate DCI risk precisely. Conclusions: In this multicenter study, we found that several ML methods, particularly RF, outperformed conventional LR. Furthermore, an online prediction tool based on the RF model was developed to identify patients at high risk for DCI after SAH and facilitate timely interventions. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn, Unique identifier: ChiCTR2100044448. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines an age simulation program in Hong Kong concerning the possible integrative impacts of an experiential education approach and contact experience within a natural social network among younger individuals. Method: A sample of 1121 younger individuals participated in this study. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the impact of the age simulation program. Results: The results of structural equation modeling indicated the effective impact of the age-simulation program on promoting positive attitudes toward older adults among the younger participants (β = 0.28, p <.001). The significant results of contact experience highlighted the way in which familial contact experience could bring about more positive attitudes toward the older adults (β = 0.08, p <.01) than peer group contact can (β = −0.08, p <.05). Discussion: The protocol of the presented program could provide an actionable framework for social workers and allied professionals to launch related service plans in the communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the relationship between socio‐economic status (SES) and prosocial practices has been extensively studied, little is known about the role that social capital plays in this relationship. This study examines the mediating effect of different forms of social capital, including informal neighbourhood capital, membership in voluntary associations, and professional connection, on the relationship between SES and prosocial practices. A total of 3,300 urban samples and 2,170 rural samples from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) 2012 were selected to conduct two‐group structural equation modelling. Our results suggested that (a) all three forms of social capital mediated the effect of SES on donating, but only informal neighbourhood capital and membership mediated the effect of SES on volunteering, and (b) SES had a different relationship with social capital in urban China than in rural China. SES had a weak positive correlation with informal neighbourhood capital in rural areas but a negative one in urban areas. SES also had a stronger relationship with membership in voluntary associations in rural areas. Our analyses support the notion that higher SES promotes prosocial practices through social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Serum creatinine concentration is a primary component of Bedside Schwartz equation for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in children. To standardize creatinine measurement, most manufacturers have adopted calibration procedures traceable to isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) using National Institute of Standards and Technology reference material. However, reference material representing much lower creatinine concentrations seen in children is not available and it is unclear how well commercial assays perform at pediatric levels. Methods: One thousand nine hundred seventy-one specimens from consecutive children <19 years, with creatinine ≤0.8 mg/dL by Abbott Jaffe method were included. Creatinine measurements were compared between Abbott-Jaffe and Abbott-enzymatic methods. Furthermore, we evaluated performance of six commercial creatinine assays at concentrations seen in pediatric patients utilizing IDMS traceable serum samples. Results: Median difference (enzymatic-Jaffe) for prepubertal females was –0.18 mg/dL (2.5%tile, 97.5%tile: –0.30, –0.06), –0.12 mg/dL (–0.25, –0.00) for pubertal females, –0.17 mg/dL (–0.30, –0.04) for prepubertal males, –0.11 mg/dL (–0.24, 0.01) for pubertal males. Bias appeared proportional for each subgroup and decreased as creatinine concentrations increased. Using IDMS traceable samples, the greatest inter-assay variability was seen with the lowest creatinine levels (target 0.273 mg/dL), where 67% (4/6) of methods failed to reach minimal bias specification of 8% (range –7.5 to 86%). For samples with higher creatinine targets (0.440–0.634 mg/dL), two methods failed to meet minimal bias specification, whereas four showed bias <8%. Conclusion: Many commonly used creatinine assays remain inaccurate for pediatric populations after over a decade of nationwide efforts to standardize measurements. When creatinine-based eGFR is used for chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging in children, large inter-assay variability can lead to disease misclassification, inappropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue is one of the most distressing symptoms in renal transplant patients, causing functional impairment and worsening their quality of life. However, the mechanism by which fatigue affects physical activity is unclear. A cross-sectional study using a convenient sampling approach was utilized to investigate 665 kidney transplant recipients recruited from the transplantation centers of six general hospitals from July and September 2019. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the interaction among fatigue, fear of movement, physical self-efficacy, and physical activity. Our study found fatigue was directly negatively associated with physical activity and had an indirect impact on physical activity through the mediating effects of physical self-efficacy and fear of movement. These variables accounted for 44.4% of the variation in physical activity. Our findings alert healthcare providers for the importance of fatigue management for physical activity and focused attention on fear of movement and physical self-efficacy in renal transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new compounds, crotalariapallins A-C (1-3), were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the seeds of Crotalaria pallida. Their structures were established based on extensive spectroscopic methods, including HRESIMS, UV, 1D and 2D NMR. All compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities to tyrosinase. These compounds showed different degrees of inhibitory activities, among them, compound 3 exhibited the strongest inhibition activity (IC50 = 0.42 mM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the relationship between body measures and the presence of two frailty‐related phenotypes, and the moderating effect of age on this relationship. This is a secondary data analysis of the baseline data of an interventional study. The participants were residents of seven districts in Hong Kong, aged 55 or older, able to ambulate independently and to function well cognitively. Pre‐frailty refers to the presence of two frailty‐related phenotypes: low physical activity or poor handgrip strength or both. Included in the study were 199 individuals with a mean age of 73.43 (SD 7.54). Regression models showed that body weight (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.99, p <.05) was significantly associated with pre‐frailty, as was body height (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.83–0.94, p <.001). Age is a significant moderator of the relationship between pre‐frailty and body weight and body height. The effect of body weight (beta = −0.044, p <.05) and height (beta = −0.16, p <.001) on pre‐frailty was significant and negative in the younger age groups. The findings indicate that raw body measures (i.e. body weight, body height) are more predictive of pre‐frailty than BMI in older Chinese people. However, in the old‐old group, these measures are not significant predictors of pre‐frailty in Chinese community‐dwelling adults. Practitioners should consider adopting body measures as predictors of pre‐frailty in the younger‐old population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious and frequent complication with poor prognosis, and disruption in circadian rhythm shall adversely influence cardiovascular and renal functions via oxidative stress mechanisms. However, the role of circadian clock genes (circadian locomotor output cycle kaput (CLOCK) and brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein-1 (BMAL1)) and its interaction with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in AKI following myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MIR) in the diabetic rat has not yet been explored. In this study, rats were divided into the sham (S) group, MIR (M) group, diabetic (D) group, and diabetic+MIR (DM) group. At light (zeitgeber time (ZT) 0) and dark time points (ZT12), rat MIR model was established by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 2 -hour reperfusion, and then renal injury was evaluated. The renal histological changes in the DM group were significantly high compared to other groups; serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels, as well as malondialdehyde and 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α levels in renal tissues of M ZT12 and DM ZT12 subgroups, were significantly higher than those of M ZT0 and DM ZT0 subgroups, individually indicating increased oxidative stress at a dark cycle. Further, Nrf2 protein accumulated in a circadian manner with decreasing levels at night in the DM and M groups. In conclusion, renal injury following MIR was exacerbated in the diabetic rat at night through molecular mechanisms involving transcriptional control of the circadian clock on light-dark activation of Nrf2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population ageing in China calls for evidence-based solutions, especially in terms of fulfilling long-term care needs among frail older adults. Respite services are identified as effective resources for alleviating care-giver burden and promoting the wellbeing of both older adults and their family care-givers. However, respite care is often under-used in China. This research aimed to examine factors associated with intention to use respite services among informal care-givers in Shanghai, mainland China. This study was part of the Longitudinal Study on Family Caregivers for Frail Older Adults in Shanghai. Pairs of older adults and their care-givers (N = 583) who successfully completed the 2013 and 2016 waves were included in the data analysis. Two logistic regression models were conducted, one with time-invariant and one with time-variant factors. The model with time-variant factors had greater explanatory power than the original Andersen model with time-invariant factors influencing intention to use respite services among care-givers. Care-givers had higher odds of intending to use respite services if they had higher care-giving burden, were caring elderly people who experienced care-giver transitions, or were caring for elderly people with increased function of ambulation or decreased function of feeding. The findings imply that change in functional health was a significant determinant of intention to use respite care. Relevant policy and service implications will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study evaluated an intergenerational interaction program set in a nonfamilial context to combat age-related stereotypes and to facilitate positive interactions between the young and elderly in Hong Kong. Method: A quasi-experimental design was adopted. A total of 312 participants were recruited: 73 older and 78 young participants in the intervention group and 77 older and 84 young participants in the comparison group. Standardized measurements of intergenerational attitude, sense of comfort with cross-age groups, and intergenerational interaction were used during pre- and posttest. Results: The intervention group showed positive change in intergenerational attitude and sense of comfort. There were also positive changes in most aspects of intergenerational interaction in the intervention group. Discussion: This research provides preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the intervention model and offers many implications for service directions. The findings enrich cumulative knowledge about factors contributing to the reduction of age-related stereotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Nine new prenylated flavan compounds with multi-chiral centers including two pairs of epimers were isolated from the stem and root bark of Daphne giraldii. Their structures were established by extensive NMR and HR-ESIMS spectroscopic data analyses. The in vitro cytotoxicity experiments indicated that compound 6 showed the most significant cytotoxicity against Hep3B cells, with an IC 50 value of 9.83 μ M. Hoechst 33258 and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining suggested that 6 could induce apoptosis of Hep3B cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Further mechanism study indicated that the apoptosis was associated with the up-regulations of Bax, cl-PARP and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Overproduction of reactive oxygen species is associated with the development of alcoholic liver disease ( ALD). Plant polyphenols have been used as dietary interventions for multiple diseases including ALD. The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation with fisetin, a novel flavonoid, exerts beneficial effect on alcohol-induced liver injury. Methods C57 BL/6J mice were pair-fed with the Lieber-DeCarli control or ethanol (EtOH) diet for 4 weeks with or without fisetin supplementation at 10 mg/kg/d. Results Alcohol feeding induced lipid accumulation in the liver and increased plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, which were attenuated by fisetin supplementation. The EtOH concentrations in the plasma and liver were significantly elevated by alcohol exposure but were reduced by fisetin supplementation. Although fisetin did not affect the protein expression of alcohol metabolism enzymes, the aldehyde dehydrogenase activities were significantly increased by fisetin compared to the alcohol alone group. In addition, fisetin supplementation remarkably reduced hepatic NADPH oxidase 4 levels along with decreased plasma hydrogen peroxide and hepatic superoxide and 4-hydroxynonenal levels after alcohol exposure. Alcohol-induced apoptosis and up-regulation of Fas and cleaved caspase-3 in the liver were prevented by fisetin. Moreover, fisetin supplementation attenuated alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis through increasing plasma adiponectin levels and hepatic protein levels of p- AMPK, ACOX1, CYP4A, and MTTP. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the protective effect of fisetin on ALD is achieved by accelerating EtOH clearance and inhibition of oxidative stress. The data suggest that fisetin has a therapeutical potential for treating ALD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ( PPAR γ) signaling has been shown to regulate lipogenesis and lipid accumulation. Previous studies have shown that hepatic PPAR γ is up-regulated in steatotic liver of both animal and human. However, the effects of hepatic PPAR γ signaling on alcoholic liver disease ( ALD) remain elusive. Methods To determine the role of hepatic PPAR γ signaling on ALD, wild-type ( WT) and hepatocyte-specific PPAR γ knockdown ( PPAR γ∆ Hep) mice were fed a modified Lieber- De Carli alcohol or isocaloric maltose dextrin control liquid diet for 8 weeks to induce ALD. Blood parameters, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation were measured after 8-week alcohol feeding. Results Alcohol feeding to WT mice resulted in liver damage (alanine aminotransferase [ ALT], 94.68 ± 17.05 U/L; aspartate aminotransferase [ AST], 55.87 ± 11.29 U/L), which was significantly alleviated by hepatic PPAR γ knockdown ( ALT, 57.36 ± 14.98 U/L; AST, 38.06 ± 3.35 U/L). Alcohol feeding led to marked lipid accumulation and up-regulation of lipogenic genes including fatty acid transport protein 1 ( FATP1), acetyl- Co A carboxylase ( ACC), fatty acid synthase ( FASN), lipin1 (LIPIN1), diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 ( DGAT1), and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 ( DGAT2) in the livers of WT mice. Knockdown of hepatic PPAR γ significantly alleviated alcohol-induced lipid accumulation and abolished the up-regulation of FASN, DGAT1, and DGAT2. Silencing of PPAR γ in FL83 B cells significantly decreased ethanol ( Et OH)-, linoleic acid-, and Et OH plus linoleic acid-induced lipid accumulation. Knockdown of hepatic PPAR γ also significantly reduced alcohol-induced inflammatory chemokine (monocyte chemotactic protein 1 [ MCP1], keratinocyte-derived chemokine [ KC], interferon gamma-induced protein 10 [ IP-10]) and inflammatory infiltration (lymphocyte antigen 6 complex, locus G [ Ly6 G], and F4/80). Conclusions The results suggest that hepatic PPAR γ signaling contributes to alcohol-induced liver injury by promoting hepatic steatosis and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chronic alcohol exposure causes lipid dyshomeostasis at the adipose-liver axis, reducing lipid storage in white fat and increasing lipid deposit in the liver. Previous studies have shown that visceral fat, rather than subcutaneous fat, is a risk factor for metabolic diseases. This study was conducted to determine whether chronic alcohol exposure differentially affects lipid metabolism in visceral (epididymal) and subcutaneous fat, and the mechanisms underlying the alcohol effects. Methods Male Wistar rats were pair-fed the Lieber-DeCarli control or alcohol liquid diet for 12 weeks to determine the effects of alcohol on the white fat. Tissue explants culture and 3T3-L1 culture were conducted to define the role of acetaldehyde in alcohol-induced adipose tissue dysfunction. Results Chronic alcohol feeding significantly reduced visceral fat mass and down-regulated peroxisome proliferator activator receptor- γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein- α, 2 important transcription factors in regulation of lipogenesis. The protein levels of lipogenic enzymes including phospho- ATP-citrate lyase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, lipin1, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 in the visceral fat were reduced. In contrast, chronic alcohol exposure did not affect subcutaneous fat mass and had less effect on the protein levels of lipogenic enzymes and regulators. Accordingly, the visceral fat showed a lower protein level of aldehyde detoxification enzymes compared to the subcutaneous fat. Acetaldehyde treatment to either visceral fat explants or 3T3-L1 adipocytes produced similar effects on lipogenic enzymes and regulators as observed in animal model. Conclusions These results demonstrated that visceral fat is more susceptible to alcohol toxicity compared to subcutaneous fat, and disruption of adipose lipogenesis contributes to the pathogenesis of alcoholic lipodystrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Melanoma is a growing health issue in the 21st century. Due to early metastasis and the development of resistance, it still goes along with a poor prognosis. ADCK protein kinases have been shown to play a role during cancer development and metastasis. Here, we investigated the role of ADCK2 in melanoma. In our study, we showed that higher levels of intratumoral ADCK2 benefit patient survival, while a low expression of ADCK2 was associated with a higher motility and a dedifferentiated state of melanoma cells, which facilitates metastasis. Our results could give new insights into melanoma metastasis, and ADCK2 could qualify as a prognostic marker or a target for melanoma therapy in the future. Background: ADCK2 is a member of the AarF domain-containing kinase family, which consists of five members, and has been shown to play a role in CoQ metabolism. However, ADCKs have also been connected to cancer cell survival, proliferation and motility. In this study, we investigated the role of ADCK2 in melanoma. Methods: The effect of ADCK2 on melanoma cell motility was evaluated by a scratch assay and a transwell invasion assay upon siRNA-mediated knockdown or stable overexpression of ADCK2. Results: We found that high levels of intratumoral ADCK2 and MYL6 are associated with a higher survival rate in melanoma patients. Knocking down ADCK2 resulted in enhanced cell migration of melanoma cells. Moreover, ADCK2-knockdown cells adopted a more dedifferentiated phenotype. A gene expression array revealed that the expression of ADCK2 correlated with the expressions of MYL6 and RAB2A. Knocking down MYL6 in ADCK2-overexpressing cells could abrogate the effect of ADCK2 overexpression and thus confirm the functional connection between ADCK2 and MYL6. Conclusion: ADCK2 affects melanoma cell motility, most probably via MYL6. Our results allow the conclusion that ADCK2 could act as a tumor suppressor in melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]