Elderly Chinese Men Research Articles

Association of Plasma Irisin with Bone Mineral Density in a Large Chinese Population Using an Extreme Sampling Design

Irisin, a myokine produced by skeletal muscle in response to physical exercise, promotes trans-differentiation of white adipose tissue into brown adipose tissue. Recent evidences suggested that irisin also plays an important role in the control of bone metabolism. This study aimed to ascertain the relationship between plasma irisin and bone mineral density (BMD) in Chinese population by adoption of an extreme sampling method. Based on a large and screened Chinese elderly population (N = 6308), two subgroups with extremely high and low hip BMD were selected for discovery (N = 80, high vs. low BMD = 44:36) and validation (N = 60, high vs. low BMD = 30:30), respectively. Plasma irisin, P1NP, and β-CTx were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Other metabolic parameters (e.g., blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides) were collected. Student's t test and Spearman correlation analyses were conducted in SPSS. Significant difference was discovered for plasma irisin between females and age-matched males (N = 80, male vs. female = 42:38, P = 0.002). The plasma irisin levels were significantly higher in high BMD subjects than in low BMD subjects, which was observed in both discovery (P = 0.012) and validation samples (P = 0.022). However, such observation was limited to males only. Further correlation analyses in males showed that plasma irisin was correlated with BMD (r = 0.362, P = 0.025) and triglyceride (r = - 0.354, P = 0.032). Plasma irisin levels were associated with hip BMD in Chinese elderly men. This study represented the first effort of investigating the relationship of plasma irisin and BMD in elderly population. The positive correlation between plasma irisin and BMD hints intrinsic communication between muscle and bone.

Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture Prevalence in Elderly Chinese Men and Women: A Comparison of Endplate/Cortex Fracture–Based and Morphometrical Deformity–Based Methods

This study aims to evaluate endplate/cortex fracture (ECF)-based method for detecting osteoporotic vertebral fracture (VF) in elderly Chinese population (age ≥ 65 years). The radiographs of 1954 elderly Chinese men (mean: 72.3 years) and 1953 elderly Chinese women (mean: 72.5 years) were evaluated according to Genant's morphometrical vertebral deformity (VD) severity criteria, as well as identified VF according to ECF without necessary requirement of VD. According to ECF, grade-1, -2, and -3 VF prevalence was 1.89%, 1.74%, and 2.25% in men, and 3.33%, 3.07%, and 5.89% in women, respectively. In men and women, 15.7% (35 of 223) and 34.5% (48 of 139) of vertebrae with VD grade-1 deformity were ECF(+, with fracture), respectively. In men and women, 89.7% (35 of 39) and 66.7% (48 of 72) of vertebrae with ECF grade-1 fracture had VD grade-1 deformity. For grade-1 change, ECF(+) subjects tended to have a lower BMD than the VD(+) subjects. In subjects with VD grade-2 deformity, those who were also EC (+) tended to have a lower BMD than those were ECF(−). In all grades, VD(−) and ECF(−) subjects tended to have highest BMD, whereas VD(+) and ECF(+) subjects tended to have lowest BMD. ECF may be more specific for assessing mild VF than the criteria based on vertebral deformity.

Prevalence of sarcopenia in the community-dwelling, elderly Chinese population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundSarcopenia is a common geriatric disorder characterised by progressive loss of muscle, strength, and function. The prevalence of sarcopenia among elderly people in the Chinese elderly population is increasing and is associated with high rates of frailty, comorbidities, and premature mortality. The prevalence of sarcopenia in China has been reported in many observational studies; however, the estimated prevalence varies within a certain range because no consensus on definition exists. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the sarcopenia prevalence in community-dwelling people aged 60 years and older in the Chinese population. MethodsIn accordance with MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, and the Chinese WanFang database for observational community-dwelling studies published before March 12, 2017, without language restrictions. Studies were considered eligible if (1) they reported the prevalence of sarcopenia among Chinese elderly people at least 60 years of age, and (2) they used any of the following criteria for sarcopenia diagnosis: the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), and the International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS) criteria. We assessed prevalence of sarcopenia in random effects model by applying the logit transformation for prevalence proportions extracted from included studies, and pooled logit prevalence estimates were then back-transformed to their original scale for ease interpretation. We also did a subgroup analysis to determine the effect of sex and diagnostic criterion on prevalence. FindingsWe included 17 observational studies in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Of the 18 841 participants in total, 2436 participants (11%) had sarcopenia (95% CI 7·8–14·61%). We found significant heterogeneity between individual studies (I2=98·27%; p<0·0001) but no indication of publication bias (p=0·7765). Results of a subgroup analysis showed that Chinese elderly men had about 1·5 times higher prevalence estimates than women (14%; 95% CI 9·68–19·11% vs 9·11%; 6·48–12·67%). The occurrence rate of AWGS-defined sarcopenia was 8% (7·00–9·80%), which is slightly lower than that based on the EWGSOP criterion (10%; 6·54–14·06%), but the prevalence increased to 20% (15·9–25·69%) according to the IWGS criterion. InterpretationThis meta-analysis is the first to provide a comprehensive overview of the burden of sarcopenia among community-dwelling elderly people in China. Our results suggest a high prevalence irrespective of sex and diagnostic definition. Our findings also emphasise the urgent need for therapeutic interventions and preventive management of sarcopenia because of a rapidly ageing population in China. FundingNone.

Dietary acrylamide exposure was associated with mild cognition decline among non-smoking Chinese elderly men

The aim of the study is to explore the longitudinal association of dietary acrylamide exposure with cognitive performance in Chinese elderly. The analysis was conducted among 2534 non-smoking elderly men and women based on a prospective study, Mr. and Ms. OS Hong Kong. Dietary acrylamide intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaires with data on local food contamination, derived from the first Hong Kong Total Diet Study. Global cognitive function was assessed by Cantonese version of Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) at the baseline and the 4th year of follow-up. Multivariable-adjusted linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of dietary acrylamide with MMSE score changes or risk of poor cognition. The results indicated that among men with MMSE ≥ 18, each one SD increase of acrylamide decreased MMSE score by 7.698% (95%CI: −14.943%, −0.452%; p = 0.037). Logistic regression revealed an increased risk of poor cognition (MMSE ≤ 26) in men with HR of 3.356 (1.064~10.591, p = 0.039). The association became non-significance after further adjustment for telomere length. No significant association was observed in women. Dietary acrylamide exposure was associated with a mild cognitive decline or increased risk of poor cognition over a 4-year period in non-smoking Chinese elderly men.

Independent and joint effects of moderate alcohol consumption and smoking on the risks of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in elderly Chinese men.

BackgroundWhether cigarette smoking and moderate drinking are associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)has not been fully described. This study investigated the separate and joint effects of smoking and moderate drinking on Chinese men with NAFLD.MethodsAcross-sectional assay from DFTJ Cohort study was performed with a size of 9432 elderly Chinese men excluding excessive alcohol consumption (<210g/week). Fatty liver was diagnosed by standardized ultrasonographic inspection. The odds ratio (OR) of alcohol consumption and smoking for the prevalence of NAFLD were analyzed using multiple logistic regression with multiple adjustments.ResultsThe prevalence of NAFLD in current smokers (pack-year≥40) and drinkers (80~210g/week or drinking duration≥35years) was significantly higher than that in non-smokers and non-drinkers, respectively. The combination of current smoking (pack-year≥40) and drinking (80~210g/week) was associated with the highest risk of NAFLD (OR 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–2.68;P<0.01). The similar combined effect was found in participants with pack-year≥40 and drinking duration≥35 years (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.26–2.34;P<0.01). Moreover, an interaction was observed between current smoking and moderate drinking in NAFLD.ConclusionsIn elderly Chinese men, cigarette smoking and moderate alcohol consumption exerts an evident joint effect and interaction on the prevalence of NAFLD, although both are significantly and independently associated with NAFLD prevalence. Such findings highlight particular significance of avoidance of cigarette and alcohol on NAFLD prevention.

Dietary acrylamide exposure was associated with increased cancer mortality in Chinese elderly men and women: a 11-year prospective study of Mr. and Ms. OS Hong Kong.

Our study aims to investigate the association between dietary acrylamide exposure and cancer mortality among Chinese elderly. A prospective cohort of 4000 elderly men and women aged 65years and above (Mr. and Ms. OS Hong Kong study) was recruited from local communities from 2001 to 2003. Dietary exposure to acrylamide was evaluated at baseline based on a validated food frequency questionnaire and an acrylamide database from the 1st Hong Kong Total Diet Study. Data on mortality statistics through March 2014 were obtained from the Death Registry of the Department of Health of Hong Kong with a median follow-up of 11.1years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between the acrylamide exposure and cancer mortality. Sex hormones were assessed in men. During a median follow-up of 11.1years (39,271 person-years), we ascertained 330 cancer deaths. Vegetables (43.7%) and cereals (28.9%) products were the major contributors to dietary acrylamide. Compared with the lowest quartile of acrylamide intake (<9.9µg/day), the multivariable hazard ratios for the highest quartile (>17.1µg/day) were 1.9 (95% CI 1.3-2.8; P trend<0.01), 1.9 (95% CI 1.0-3.6; P trend=0.05), and 2.0 (95% CI 1.0-4.0; P trend=0.06) for the cancer mortality from overall, digestive and respiratory system, respectively. The associations were attenuated to null after further adjustment for circulating free estradiol in men. No statistically significant interactions were observed between acrylamide exposure and sex, obesity and overall lifestyle pattern scores. The longitudinal data provided evidence that dietary acrylamide, in amounts that Chinese elderly are typically exposed to, was associated with increased cancer mortality. Circulating free estradiol may mediate the association in men.

Renal function had an independent relationship with coronary artery calcification in Chinese elderly men

BackgroundAlthough previous studies have analyzed the relationship between renal function and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in pre-dialysis and dialysis patients, limited studies have discussed the relationship between renal function and CAC in Chinese elderly men without obvious damage of renal function. The present study was designed to explore the relationship between renal function and CAC in Chinese elderly men without obvious damage of renal function.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out in 105 male participants older than 60 years with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 45 ml/min/1.73 m2. CAC was detected by high-definition computerized tomography (HDCT), which is a highly sensitive technique for detecting the CAC and provides the most accurate CAC scores up to date.ResultsAge was 72 ± 8.4 years on average and ranged from 60 to 89 years. Simple correlation analysis indicated that all kinds of CAC scores including the Agatston, volume and mass scores inversely correlated with GFR values (p < 0.05 for all). In multivariate linear regression analysis, GFR values were independently associated with all these CAC scores (p < 0.05 for all).ConclusionRenal function had an independent relationship with CAC detected by HDCT in Chinese elderly men, demonstrating that the relationship between renal function and CAC started at the early stage of renal function decline.

Fat Mass Is Positively Associated with Estimated Hip Bone Strength among Chinese Men Aged 50 Years and above with Low Levels of Lean Mass.

This study investigated the relationships of fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) with estimated hip bone strength in Chinese men aged 50–80 years (median value: 62.0 years). A cross-sectional study including 889 men was conducted in Guangzhou, China. Body composition and hip bone parameters were generated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The relationships of the LM index (LMI) and the FM index (FMI) with bone phenotypes were detected by generalised additive models and multiple linear regression. The associations between the FMI and the bone variables in LMI tertiles were further analysed. The FMI possessed a linear relationship with greater estimated hip bone strength after adjustment for the potential confounders (p < 0.05). Linear relationships were also observed for the LMI with most bone phenotypes, except for the cross-sectional area (p < 0.05). The contribution of the LMI (4.0%–12.8%) was greater than that of the FMI (2.0%–5.7%). The associations between the FMI and bone phenotypes became weaker after controlling for LMI. Further analyses showed that estimated bone strength ascended with FMI in the lowest LMI tertile (p < 0.05), but not in the subgroups with a higher LMI. This study suggested that LM played a critical role in bone health in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men, and that the maintenance of adequate FM could help to promote bone acquisition in relatively thin men.

The T Allele of rs8075977 in the 5'-Flanking Region of the PEDF Gene Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Elderly Chinese Men.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disease with a genetic component. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic, and anti-angiogenic effects and thus has received increasing attention as a sensitive biomarker of atherosclerosis and CAD. To explore the potential association between PEDF single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and CAD, we performed this case-control study of consecutive elderly Chinese Han male patients (n = 416) and age-matched male controls (n = 528) without a history of CAD or electrocardiographic signs of CAD. The enrolled CAD patients (age ≥ 60 years) are not biologically related. A tag approach was used to examine 100% of common variations in the PEDF gene (r2 ≥ 0.8, minor allele frequency > 0.1). PEDF tag SNPs (tSNPs) were selected using the HapMap Data-CHB which describes the common patterns of human DNA sequence variation and Tagger program. SNPs were genotyped using ligase detection reaction (LDR). Seven tSNPs (rs8075977, rs11658342, rs1136287, rs12603825, rs12453107, rs6828 and rs11078634) were selected. Among them, only one SNP, rs8075977 (C/T) located in the 5'-flanking region, showed the significant effect on the susceptibility to CAD. The frequency of its T allele was significantly higher in the controls (52.7%) than that in the CAD group (46.2%) (adjusted OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80-0.96; P = 0.005). In conclusion, the T allele of rs8075977 in the 5'-flanking region of the PEDF gene may be protective for CAD. Conversely, the C allele at this variation site is associated with CAD in elderly Chinese Han men.

Relative contributions of testosterone deficiency and metabolism syndrome at the risk of reduced quality of life: A cross-sectional study among Chinese mid-aged and elderly men.

Testosterone deficiency and metabolism syndrome (MetS) are universal among ageing males, and they have been suggested responsible for poorer quality of life (QoL). We aimed to evaluate the relative contributions of reproductive hormones and components of MetS at the risk of reduced QoL among Chinese mid-aged and elderly men. Across-sectional study recruited 2,364 males aged 40-79years, and 2,165 was included for analysis eventually. The Chinese version of ageing male symptoms scale, 36-item Short Form and Beck Depression Inventory were applied to assess QoL. Bivariate correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to assess the relative contributions of reproductive hormones and components of MetS at the risk of reduced QoL. Testosterone deficiency and MetS contributed to poorer QoL, of which higher fasting blood glucose made the primary contribution, lower total testosterone mainly contributed to poorer physical functioning.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and elderly skeletal muscle mass and function in urban north China.

To investigate the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) with skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and function among the elderly in an urban area in northern China. A total of 912 participants (316 men, 596 women) aged more than 60 years from 4 communities in Beijing were enrolled. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were measured through radioimmunoassay. SMM was assessed through bioelectrical impendence analysis, whereas skeletal muscle function was assessed through grip strength and 4-m regular gait speed measurements. On the basis of expert consensus of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia, low muscle mass was defined as relative skeletal mass index (RSMI) <7.0 kg/m2 for men and <5.7 kg/m2 for women. A noncondition logistical regression model was employed to explore the association between vitamin D and both muscle mass and function. Serum 25(OH)D was positively associated with grip strength (β=0.16, SE=0.05). The upper quartile of 25(OH)D was negatively associated with loss of grip strength (OR=0.05, 95% CI: 0.01-0.48) in men but not in women. No significant associations were noted between 25(OH)D and appendicular skeletal muscle mass, RSMI, and gait speed. The present study demonstrated a positive association between vitamin D and skeletal muscle strength in elderly Chinese men but not women.

Lumbar Spondylolisthesis Progression and De Novo Spondylolisthesis in Elderly Chinese Men and Women: A Year-4 Follow-up Study.

Longitudinal follow-up study. This current study aimed to further assess progression, incidence, and risk factors of lumbar spondylolisthesis in these subjects at 4-year follow-up. A survey for osteoporotic fractures in Hong Kong during 2001 to 2003 represented the first large scale prospective population-based study on bone health in elderly (≥65 years) Chinese men and women. A follow-up study was performed at year-4. The lateral lumbar radiographs of 1519 male and 1546 female subjects at year-4 follow-up were analyzed using the Meyerding classification, and compared with the baseline findings. Spondylolisthesis progressed in 13.0%, and de novo spondylolisthesis appeared in 12.4% in men. Spondylolisthesis progressed in 16.5%, and de novo spondylolisthesis appeared in 12.7% in women. In women, higher weight, body mass index, spine and hip bone mineral density (BMD), lower physical activity and lower grip strength were significant factors associated with spondylolisthesis progression, whereas only higher spine BMD was a marginally significant factor associated with spondylolisthesis progression for men. A weak association was noted between spondylolisthesis and lower back pain incidence in women, but not in men. Lumbar spondylolisthesis progression in elderly Chinese at 4-year follow-up was characterized by this study. 3.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with low-grade albuminuria in Chinese adults (change not displayed)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Low-grade albuminuria was recognized as an early indicator of CVD. Epidemiological studies investigating the association between NAFLD and low-grade albuminuria were limited. To determine whether NAFLD is independently associated with the presence of low-grade albuminuria in Chinese adults. A cross-sectional community-based population study was performed in 8270 Chinese adults aged 40 years or older. A first-voided early morning spot urine sample was obtained for urinary albumin and creatinine measurements. The highest quartile of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio was defined as low-grade albuminuria, after excluding the participants with micro- or macroalbuminuria. NAFLD was diagnosed by using ultrasonography findings after the exclusion of alcohol abuse and other liver diseases. The prevalence of low-grade albuminuria was significantly higher in participants with NAFLD than in those without NAFLD (33.6% vs. 21.3% in men and 30.4% vs. 22.8% in women, respectively). Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that NAFLD was significantly associated with increased odds ratio of low-grade albuminuria in men (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.16-1.87) after adjusting for multiple confounders. The significant association was not detected in women. NAFLD was significantly associated with an increased risk of present low-grade albuminuria in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men.

Vitamin D Levels Are Inversely Associated with Liver Fat Content and Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Population: The Shanghai Changfeng Study.

Background/ObjectivesVitamin D exerts metabolic activities. We investigated whether the 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] is associated with liver fat content (LFC) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a middle-aged, elderly Chinese population.Subject/MethodsA total of 2,960 participants (954 men and 2,006 women) aged over 45 years old were enrolled. Each participant underwent a standard interview, anthropometric measurements and laboratory examinations. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was diagnosed when serum 25(OH) D level was < 50 and 50–75nmol/L. An ultrasound quantitative method was used to assess the LFC.ResultsAmong the 2,960 participants, 1,982 (67.0%) subjects had vitamin D deficiency, 769 (26.0%) had vitamin D insufficiency, and 209 (7%) had normal vitamin D. Male subjects with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency had significantly higher LFC than those with normal 25(OH)D (P = 0.034), while the LFC values showed no significant difference among the female subjects with vitamin D sufficiency, insufficiency and deficiency (P = 0.396). Univariate correlation analysis showed that 25(OH)D had a significantly negative association with LFC in men (r = -0.085, P = 0.009), but not in women. After adjusting for age, cigarette smoking, examination season, serum calcium, PTH and all possible confounders that displayed significant associations with LFC in univariate correlation analysis, serum 25(OH)D remained associated with LFC in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men.ConclusionSerum 25(OH)D level was inversely associated with LFC in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men.

The reproductive health indices and sex hormone levels in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the age-related recession trajectory of reproductive health indices in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men.Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jiashan County, Zhejiang in 2012. Healthy men between 40 and 80 years of age were considered eligible for the study. Physical examination and the sex hormones were measured. The subjects were assessed based on the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) for Erectile Dysfunction (ED), and Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) scale for Symptomatic Late-Onset Hypogonadism (SLOH).Results: TG showed a decrease at age 60 years. Testis volume and TT did not show significant difference among the four age groups; cFT began to decrease at age 50 years and Bio-T decreased faster at age 50 years. SHBG and LH increased faster at age 50 and 70 years, respectively. IIEF5 score decrease faster at age 60 years. AMS scores increased faster at age 70 years. With the increase in age, the symptoms of ED and SLOH became severer.Conclusion: Different indices on reproductive health of men showed turning points at different ages. At first, androgenic sex hormones decreased faster, and then erectile dysfunction got severer, and the last overall male syndromes declined.

Association of Circulating 25(OH)D and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Four-Year Prospective Study among Elderly Chinese Men.

The role of vitamin D in relation to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) remains inconclusive. This four-year longitudinal study aims to explore the association of circulating 25(OH)D and LUTS in elderly Chinese men. Two thousand Chinese men aged 65 and older were recruited from a local community, of which 1998 (99.9%) at baseline and 1564 (78.2%) at four-year follow-up reported data on LUTS, and 988 of the randomly chosen subpopulation were assayed for serum 25(OH)D by radioimmunoassay at baseline. LUTS were evaluated by a validated International Prostate Symptoms Scale (IPSS). Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, health, and medications were collected. Serum parathyroid and sex steroid hormones and genotypes of vitamin D receptors were assayed. The association of serum 25(OH)D and LUTS was examined by using multivariable regression models. Serum 25(OH)D was not significantly associated with the changes of IPSS or the risk of LUTS in overall participants. However, among men with 25(OH)D ≤ 60 nmol/L, each 10 nmol/L increase of 25(OH)D over 0 nmol/L was significantly associated with 1.3 lower points of IPSS or a 51.6% decreased risk for moderate/severe LUTS four years later. Adjustment for serum androstenedione (p = 0.019) and dehydropiandrosterone (p = 0.037) attenuated the associations. Our study suggested that among individuals with low vitamin D status, the increase of the 25(OH)D level may be associated with a lowered risk of LUTS.

Reference intervals of β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide and osteocalcin for very elderly Chinese men.

The present study was intended to establish the reference intervals of β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide and osteocalcin for very elderly (aged 80 years or more) Chinese men. A total of 1316 very elderly Chinese men were recruited into the study, and subjected to a survey of clinical characteristics, measurements of bone mineral density and assays of bone turnover markers. The relationships between underlying diseases and bone turnover markers were investigated, and the reference intervals of β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide and osteocalcin for very elderly Chinese men were established through defining the central 95% range of all observations. We found that type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and abnormal bone mass were associated with serum bone turnover markers (P < 0.01), and thereby identified 208 men without type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or abnormal bone mass as healthy participants from 1316 very elderly Chinese men. The reference intervals for very elderly Chinese men were 0.13-0.63 ng/mL for β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, 18-94 ng/mL for procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide and 9-28 ng/mL for osteocalcin, respectively. The three turnover markers were moderately correlated to each other (P < 0.001), and all negatively associated with the bone mineral density of three sites (P < 0.05). We have established the reference intervals of β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide and osteocalcin for very elderly Chinese men. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 773-778.

“Under the Same Quilt”: The Paradoxes of Sex Between Men in the Cultural Revolution

ABSTRACTThis article describes the paradoxes experienced by homosexual men during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Interviews with 31 elderly Chinese gay men were carried out in four cities in China in 2011. Although homosexual men were terribly persecuted, chaotic situations and dislocations of youth from their families provided young homosexual men with a remarkable degree of personal freedom and the opportunity to explore same-sex relations. Analysis of this seemingly contradictory conflation of persecution and freedom will allow us to explore the conditions and effects of the coming of age of homosexual men in a unique epoch in Chinese history.

The association of liver fat content and serum alanine aminotransferase with bone mineral density in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men and postmenopausal women.

BackgroundRecent studies have linked non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to a reduced bone mineral density (BMD). We aimed to detect the quantitative association of liver fat content (LFC) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with BMD in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.MethodsThe lumbar spine, hip and whole body BMDs were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Lunar iDXA, GE Healthcare) in 1659 Chinese (755 men and 1028 postmenopausal women) from Shanghai Changfeng community. Liver fat content was quantified via an ultrasound quantitative method. Multivariate linear regression analyses were carried out to determine the independent association of LFC and serum ALT with BMD and bone metabolic biomarkers. We also attempted to investigate the synergistic association between LFC and ALT as risk factors for bone mineral loss in Chinese.ResultsSubjects with higher LFC had significantly lower BMD at all skeletal sites. Univariate correlation analysis showed that both LFC and ALT were inversely associated with BMD at the spine (r = −0.116, P < 0.001 and r = −0.102, P = 0.005), hip (r = −0.095, P = 0.014 and r = −0.075, P = 0.041) and whole body sites (r = −0.134, P < 0.001 and r = −0.164, P < 0.001) in men. After confounders were controlled for, LFC and ALT remained associated with BMD and bone formation biomarkers in men, but not postmenopausal women. When both NAFLD and elevation of ALT were present, there was a significant synergistic worsening of the BMDs at all bone sites.ConclusionsLiver fat content and serum ALT were inversely correlated with BMD in middle-aged and elderly men. The underlying mechanism might relate to a reduction in osteoblast activity. Elevation of the hepatotoxic biomarker ALT may indicate high risk for osteoporosis in patients with NAFLD.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0766-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Relation to Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Dysfunction Among Southern Chinese Elderly Men: A 4-Year Prospective Study of Mr OS Hong Kong.

The role of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in relation to prostate health remains inconclusive. This 4-year longitudinal study aims to explore the association of FV intake and the development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS, a cluster of chronic urinary symptoms occurring in bladder, prostate and urethra), incidence of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in Chinese elderly men. Data were obtained from a 4 years longitudinal study (Mr OS Hong Kong, the largest prospective study on bone health in Chinese elderly). Two thousand Chinese men aged 65 years and older were recruited from the local community, of whom 1998 (99.9%) at baseline and 1564 (78.2%) at 4-year follow-up reported data on LUTS, which were evaluated by a validated International Prostate Symptoms Scale (IPSS). Erectile function was evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaires at 2- (n = 386) and 4-year (n = 475) follow-ups. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Analysis was conducted using multivariate linear and logistic regression. For total FV and most of their subclasses, moderate consumption had the lowest mean changes of LUTS; we thus applied the moderate levels as the reference in the regression models. The high levels of total FV intake (>350 g/1000 kcal/day) were significantly associated with reduced IPSS by scores of -1.174 ± 0.459 (or -17.3% of basal IPSS, P = 0.011) relative to the moderate groups (250-350 g/1000 kcal/day). FV consumption had no significant association with the score change of ED or the odds of sexual activities at 4-year (all P > 0.05). High intake of dark and leafy vegetables (>50 g/1000 kcal/day) significantly reduced the risk of LUTS progression by 37.2% [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval, 95% CI): 0.628 (0.466∼0.848), P = 0.002] or risk of symptomatic BPH by 34.3% [OR (95% CI): 0.657 (0.442-0.976), P = 0.038] after 4 years compared with the moderate group (25-50 g/1000 kcal/day). Adequate FV intakes, especially dark and leafy vegetables, were associated with improved LUTS among Chinese elderly men, but lack an association with ED and sexuality.