ObjectiveTo investigate whether there is a difference in balance function between older persons with and without diabetes mellitus (DM), and to identify whether mediating factors, such as diabetic complications, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) score, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, as well as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), are associated with balance function in older persons with DM.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a total of 208 older persons were divided into a DM group (n=80) and a control group who did not have DM (n=128). Balance function was evaluated with the Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA), which includes balance and gait subscales. Activities of daily living (ADL), IADL, and the MMSE were also measured. Fall incidents in last 12 months, the use of walking aids, fear of falling, comorbidities, and polypharmacy were recorded. Diabetic complications were recorded, and HbA1c, FPG, TC, TG, and LDL were measured in the patients of the DM group.ResultsFall incidents in last 12 months were higher in the DM group than in the control group (P<0.01). POMA score as well as ADL and IADL scores were lower in the diabetic group than the control group (P<0.05). Within the diabetic group, the POMA score was positively related to the ADL score (odds ratio [OR], 11.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.076–44.497; P<0.01), IADL score (OR, 16.286; 95% CI, 4.793–55.333; P<0.01), and MMSE score (OR, 10.524; 95% CI, 2.764–40.074; P<0.01), but was negatively related to age (OR, 7.707; 95% CI, 2.035–29.185; P<0.01) and diabetic complication (OR, 6.667; 95% CI, 2.279–19.504; P<0.01). Also, within the DM group, the decreased POMA score was associated with multiple diabetic complications (OR, 5.977; 95% CI, 1.378–25.926; P<0.05), decreased IADL score (OR, 10.288; 95% CI, 2.410–43.915; P<0.01), and MMSE score (OR, 13.757; 95% CI, 2.556–74.048; P<0.01).ConclusionMultiple diabetic complications, lower MMSE, ADL, and IADL scores were associated with declining balance function in the older persons with DM. These findings can alert physicians to detect and intervene earlier on declining balance in older persons with DM.

Background Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the predementia phase of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The intestinal microbiome is altered in MCI and AD, and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 gene polymorphism is a risk factor for the progression of MCI to AD. This study aims to investigate the improvement in cognitive function of MCI patients with and without ApoE ε4 due to acupuncture and the changes in gut microbiota community composition and abundance in MCI. Methods This randomized assessor-blind controlled study will enrol MCI patients with and without the ApoE ε4 gene (n = 60/60). Sixty subjects with the ApoE ε4 gene and 60 subjects without the ApoE ε4 gene will be randomly allocated into treatment and control groups in a 1:1 ratio. Intestinal microbiome profiles will be evaluated by 16 S rRNA sequencing of faecal samples and compared between the groups. Results/conclusions Acupuncture is an effective method to improve cognitive function in MCI. This study will provide data on the relationship between the gut microbiota and the effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with MCI from a new angle. This study will also provide data on the relationship between the gut microbiota and an AD susceptibility gene by integrating microbiologic and molecular approaches. Trial registration www.chictr.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR2100043017, recorded on 4 February 2021.

To explore the role of dihydromyricetin (DHM) in regulating proliferation, metastasis and infiltration of pancreatic cancer cells, we treated the pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line SW1990 with 10 µmol/L, 20 µmol/L, and 40 µmol/L DHM. Proliferation was determined by the MTT assay. Cell metastasis and infiltration were determined by the Transwell migration assay. The protein expression levels of cyclin D1, p21, MMP-2, MMP-9, and PRMT5 were determined by Western blot. Quantitative PCR was used to determine expression of miR-509-3p and PRMT5 mRNA. The relationship between miR-509-3p and PRMT5 was analyzed by bioinformatic prediction and the dual luciferase reporter assay. SW1990 cells were transfected with miR-509-3p, si-PRMT5 and anti-miR-509-3p (following treatment with 40 µmol/L DHM) to determine their effects on biological behaviors of cells. The inhibition rate of SW1990 cells, p21 protein and miR-509-3p expression were increased by DHM. Moreover, the number of infiltrating and metastatic cells, protein levels of cyclin D1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and PRMT5, and mRNA levels of PRMT5 were decreased by DHM. miR-509-3p regulates expression of its target PRMT5 mRNA. Inhibition rate of SW1990 cell proliferation and protein level p21 were significantly increased by overexpression of miR-509-3p or knockdown of PRMT5 expression, while the number of invasive cells and protein expression levels of cyclin D1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were remarkably reduced by miR-509-3p overexpression or PRMT5 knockdown. Inhibition of miR-509-3p counteract the inhibitory effects of DHM on SW1990 cell proliferation and metastasis. Therefore, DHM inhibits proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma cells by regulating the miR-509-3p/PRMT5 pathway.