Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level Is Positively Associated with Vascular Reactivity Index in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) significantly influences endothelial function. This study assessed the correlation between serum 25(OH)D and endothelial function using the vascular reactivity index (VRI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Fasting blood samples from 102 T2DM participants and VRI were assessed. Patients were divided into three categories based on VRI: low (VRI < 1.0), intermediate (1.0 ≤ VRI < 2.0), and good (VRI ≥ 2.0). Among these patients, 30 (29.4%) had poor, 39 (38.2%) had intermediate, and 33 (32.4%) exhibited good vascular reactivity. Higher serum fasting glucose (p = 0.019), glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.009), and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (p = 0.006) were associated, while lower prevalence of hypertension (p = 0.029), lower systolic blood pressure (p = 0.027), lower diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), and lower circulation 25(OH)D levels (p < 0.001) were associated with poor vascular reactivity. Significant independent associations between diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.002) and serum 25(OH)D level (p < 0.001) and VRI were seen in T2DM patients according to multivariable forward stepwise linear regression analysis. Serum 25(OH)D positively correlated with VRI values, and lower levels of serum 25(OH)D were linked to endothelial dysfunction in T2DM patients.

Serum sclerostin level is positively associated with endothelial dysfunction measured by digital thermal monitoring in patients with type 2 diabetes: A prospective cross-sectional study.

Sclerostin and dickkopf-1 (DKK1), extracellular inhibitors of the canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, have been associated with vascular aging and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to assess the correlation of sclerostin and DKK1 concentrations with endothelial function measured using vascular reactivity index (VRI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Fasting blood samples were collected from 100 patients with T2DM. Endothelial function and VRI were measured using digital thermal monitoring and circulating sclerostin and DKK1 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. VRI values < 1.0, 1.0-1.9, and > 2.0 indicated poor, intermediate, and good vascular reactivity, respectively. Overall, 30, 38, and 32 patients had poor, intermediate, and good vascular reactivity, respectively. Older age, higher serum glycated hemoglobulin, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and sclerostin as well as lower hypertension prevalence, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were associated with poor VRI. Multivariable forward stepwise linear regression analysis showed that DBP (ß = 0.294, adjusted R2 change = 0.098, P < .001), log-glycated hemoglobin (ß = -0.235, adjusted R2 change = 0.050, P = .002), log-urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ß = -0.342, adjusted R2 change = 0.227, P < .001), and log-sclerostin level (ß = -0.327, adjusted R2 change = 0.101, P < .001) were independently associated with VRI. Serum sclerostin, along with glycated hemoglobin and albumin-to-creatinine ratio, exhibited a negative correlation with VRI, while DBP showed a positive correlation with VRI. These factors can independently predict endothelial dysfunction in patients with T2DM.

The Association between Serum Adiponectin Levels and Endothelial Function in Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Adiponectin is the richest human circulating adipokine with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and insulin-sensitizing effects. We evaluated the association between serum adiponectin levels and endothelial function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, obtaining fasting blood samples from 130 non-dialysis CKD subjects. We measured the endothelial function-represented by the vascular reactivity index (VRI)-via non-invasive digital thermal monitoring, and serum adiponectin concentrations by enzyme immunoassay kits. A total of 22 (16.9%), 39 (30.0%), and 69 (53.1%) patients had poor (VRI < 1.0), intermediate (1.0 ≤ VRI < 2.0), and good (VRI ≥ 2.0) vascular reactivity. Elevated serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was negatively correlated with VRI values, but serum adiponectin and estimated glomerular filtration rate were positively associated with VRI values by univariate linear regression analysis. After applying multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis adjustment, the significantly positive association of adiponectin (p < 0.001), and the significantly negative association of log-BUN (p = 0.021) with VRI values in CKD subjects remained. In an animal study using in vitro blood-vessel myography, treatment with adiponectin enhancing acetylcholine-mediated vasorelaxation in 5/6 nephrectomy CKD mice. Our study results indicated that adiponectin concentration was positively associated with VRI values and modulated endothelial function in non-dialysis CKD patients.

Is pinworm infection still a public health concern among children in resource-rich regions? Trends in pinworm infection prevalence and associated factors among children in Hualien County, Taiwan: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is a common intestinal parasitic infection in children. A gradual decrease in the prevalence of pinworm infection has been noted in resource-rich settings, such as Taiwan. However, the influence of sociodemographic factors on the temporal trend in pinworm infection rates in children under the current pinworm infection prevention policy in Taiwan is not well characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the trend of pinworm infection prevalence and the associated factors among children in Hualien County, Taiwan. METHODOLOGY: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we included a total of 56,197 students (aged 6-10 years) in grades 1 and 4 in Hualien in 2009-2018. Children were screened for pinworm infection using adhesive cellophane perianal swabs in the routine student health examination. Logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the factors associated with pinworm infection. Associations between dependent and independent variables were measured by odds ratios. The Cochran-Armitage test was used to assess whether there were significant trends in different stratifications. Variables with P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 56,197 school-age children from grades 1 and 4 during 2009-2018 were included. Young age and male sex were risk factors for pinworm infection (P < 0.001). A negative correlation between body mass index and enterobiasis was observed, and decreased pinworm infection was noted during the study reference period. Children living in suburban and rural areas had higher odds of having a pinworm infection than those living in urban areas (P < 0.001). A significant decrease in the overall prevalence rate of pinworm infection was observed among children in 2009-2018 (P < 0.001). However, there was no obvious change in the pinworm infection rate in rural areas during this period (P = 0.953), and it was higher than that in urban and suburban areas. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of pinworm infection gradually decreased from 2009 to 2018 among school-age children in Hualien. However, there was no declining trend in pinworm infection in rural areas. Young age, male sex, and rural residence were significantly associated with pinworm infection. Pinworm infection remains a major public health concern among children in rural areas of Hualien.

Serum Adipocyte Fatty-Acid Binding Protein as an Independent Marker of Peripheral Artery Disease in Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus.

The adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein (A-FABP) is predominantly expressed in macrophages and adipocytes and is an essential mediator of inflammation and atherosclerosis pathogenesis. Atherosclerosis is an aggravating factor for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Our study intended to study the association between PAD and serum A-FABP levels in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. One hundred and twenty T2DM subjects were enrolled in the study. Fasting blood samples were collected to determine biochemical data and A-FABP levels. By the automatic oscillometric method, the ankle−brachial index (ABI) was measured. Low ABI was defined as any value < 0.9. Twenty participants with T2DM (16.7%) were included in the low ABI group. Low ABI T2DM participants had an increased mean body mass index, body fat mass, systolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein, urine albumin−creatinine ratio, and A-FABP levels compared to those in the normal ABI group. After variables significantly associated with PAD were adjusted by multivariate logistic regression analyses, circulating A-FABP levels (odds ratio [OR]: 1.138; 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: 1.023−1.266; p = 0.017) were identified as the independent marker of PAD. In conclusion, fasting serum A-FABP value has positive association with PAD in T2DM patients.

Negative Correlation of Serum Adiponectin Level with Aortic Stiffness in Elderly Diabetic Persons.

Adiponectin has anti-inflammatory activity against atherosclerosis. Aortic stiffness is a common manifestation of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus and elderly persons. This study aimed to evaluate whether low serum adiponectin levels were associated with aortic stiffness in geriatric diabetic patients. Blood samples were obtained from 130 diabetic participants aged ≥ 65 years. We defined high aortic stiffness based on a carotid−femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) of >10 m/s. Circulating adiponectin concentrations were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Sixty-six participants (50.8%) had aortic stiffness. Patients with aortic stiffness had lower serum adiponectin concentrations than those in the control group (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the adiponectin level (odds ratio: 0.939, 95% confidence interval: 0.898−0.981, p = 0.005) was an independent predictor of aortic stiffness in elderly diabetic persons. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis also demonstrated that the adiponectin level (ß = −0.256, adjusted R2 change = 0.100, p = 0.003) was negatively associated with cfPWV values in older diabetic patients. In conclusion, serum adiponectin is negatively correlated with cfPWV and is an independent predictor of aortic stiffness in elderly diabetic persons.

Positive correlation of serum angiopoietin-like protein 3 levels with metabolic syndrome in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) regulates triglyceride metabolism by reversibly inhibiting the lipoprotein lipase activity. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an independent risk factor for further cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated the relationship between the fasting serum ANGPTL3 levels and MetS in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 90 patients with CAD. Serum ANGPTL3 levels were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. MetS and its components were defined using the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (58.9%) had MetS. The hypertension (P = 0.001), diabetes (P < 0.001), body weight (P = 0.027), body mass index (P = 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.001), fasting glucose (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.044), C-reactive protein (P = 0.010), insulin (P = 0.040), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.002), and ANGPTL3 level (P = 0.001) of CAD patients who had MetS were higher, and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.016) were lower. A binary logistic regression analysis of the significant variables also revealed that the ANGPTL3 level (odds ratio: 1.023, 95% confidence interval: 1.008-1.038, P = 0.002) was an independent predictor of MetS in patients with CAD. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicated that the fasting ANGPTL3 level was positively associated with MetS among patients with CAD.

Lectin-Triggered Aggregation of Glyco-Gold Nanoprobes for Activity-based Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide by the Naked Eye.

The purpose of this study was to develop a colorimetric assay for detecting hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) through a combination of using an aryl boronate (AB) derivative and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The unique optical property of AuNPs is applied to design a detection probe. The aggregation of AuNPs could be directly observed as a color change by the naked eye. A mannoside-boronate-sulfide (MBS) ligand was designed that contains an arylboronate (AB), a mannoside, and a thiol group. The thiol group bonds covalently with the surface of AuNPs to obtain MBS@AuNPs. The mannoside moiety recognizes concanavalin A (Con A), a lectin with four carbohydrate recognition sites that can specifically recognize the non-reducing end of an α-D-mannoside or α-D-glucoside structure. The AB structure on MBS first reacts with H2 O2 and then inserts an oxygen atom in the B-H bond, which triggers intramolecular electron rearrangement to cleave the covalent bond, resulting in a MBSt mixture. The MBS or MBSt is then modified to citrate-coated AuNPs (c-AuNPs) to have MBS@AuNPs or MBSt@AuNPs. When the MBS@AuNPs are incubated with Con A, the Con A recognizes multiple mannosides on the surface of the MBS@AuNPs. Subsequently, the MBS@AuNPs aggregate and the solution's color changes from red to purple, but this color change does not occur in the case of MBSt@AuNPs. The phenomenon can be observed by the naked eye.

Valine-279 Deletion-Mutation on Arginine Vasopressin Receptor 2 Causes Obstruction in G-Protein Binding Site: A Clinical Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus Case and Its Sub-Molecular Pathogenic Analysis.

Congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (CNDI) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2) or aquaporin 2 genes, rendering collecting duct cells insensitive to the peptide hormone arginine vasopressin stimulation for water reabsorption. This study reports a first identified AVPR2 mutation in Taiwan and demonstrates our effort to understand the pathogenesis caused by applying computational structural analysis tools. The CNDI condition of an 8-month-old male patient was confirmed according to symptoms, family history, and DNA sequence analysis. The patient was identified to have a valine 279 deletion-mutation in the AVPR2 gene. Cellular experiments using mutant protein transfected cells revealed that mutated AVPR2 is expressed successfully in cells and localized on cell surfaces. We further analyzed the pathogenesis of the mutation at sub-molecular levels via long-term molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and structural analysis. The MD simulations showed while the structure of the extracellular ligand-binding domain remains unchanged, the mutation alters the direction of dynamic motion of AVPR2 transmembrane helix 6 toward the center of the G-protein binding site, obstructing the binding of G-protein, thus likely disabling downstream signaling. This study demonstrated that the computational approaches can be powerful tools for obtaining valuable information on the pathogenesis induced by mutations in G-protein-coupled receptors. These methods can also be helpful in providing clues on potential therapeutic strategies for CNDI.

Comparison of Growth Velocity Among School Age Children With Different Body Mass Index From Childhood Into Early Adolescence in Hualien County, Taiwan: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the contribution of high body mass index (BMI) to growth velocity among school-aged children who remained in the same BMI categories for a 6-year period. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included children who enrolled in the school year 2009 and remained in the same BMI categories during their 1st, 4th, and 7th grades (6-7, 9-10, 12-13 years of age). Annual linear growth velocity and weight gain were calculated and compared between sexes, BMI groups, and different times. Risk analysis and repeated measures analysis of variance were performed to identify the impact of BMI on growth velocity. Results: Of the 1,637 subjects, 53.0% were male, and 2.5% and 10.9% belonged to BMI groups of overweight and obese, respectively. In students between 6 and 13 years of age, obesity was associated with higher annual weight gain and height gain. Risk analysis showed that obese subjects had higher linear growth velocity than normal BMI groups of both sexes between 6 and 9 years of age. Unexpectedly, overweight and obese girls between 9 and 13 years of age had less linear growth velocity than underweight girls at the same interval. Repeated measures analysis of variance in both sexes showed a significant statistical association between BMI and different times of growth. However, the effect was less in girls between 9 and 13 years of age. Conclusion: Puberty may dominate over BMI as the main contributor to high growth velocity in girls with underweight BMI emerging into pubertal age.

Socio-Demographic Factors Affect the Prevalence of Hematuria and Proteinuria Among School Children in Hualien, Taiwan: A Longitudinal Localization-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: Child hematuria/proteinuria is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in later life, and mass urinary screening could detect asymptomatic glomerulonephritis at an early stage. This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal prevalence of hematuria/proteinuria and its association with socio-demographic factors among school children in Hualien, Taiwan. Methods: The study cohort consisted of first and fourth graders enrolled from 2008 to 2015 in Hualien. We combined the data from two consecutive health examinations to ensure the validity of the body mass index (BMI), urbanization, proteinuria, and hematuria grouping. Prevalence and health status differences between sex, age, BMI, and urbanization level were examined. Results: A total of 16,990 students within the same BMI and urbanization categories were included during the study interval. The prevalence of persistent hematuria was 1.0%. Fourth graders (odds ratio OR: 1.68, p = 0.002), girls (OR: 1.48, p = 0.014), and students from suburban/rural areas (OR: 1.99, and OR: 4.93, respectively; both p < 0.001) demonstrated higher hematuria risk. The prevalence of proteinuria was 0.2%. Fourth graders (OR: 4.44, p < 0.001) and students in suburban areas (OR: 0.27, p = 0.031) were associated with persistent proteinuria. After stratifying by age, the significant association remained. A higher risk of proteinuria was noted in underweight subjects (OR: 2.52, p = 0.023) among the fourth-grade students. Conclusion: The prevalence of hematuria/proteinuria in Hualien was higher than the average reported for Taiwan. Hematuria/proteinuria was significantly associated with sex, age, BMI, and urbanization. Our longitudinal results can provide information for future pediatric CKD prevention in Taiwan.

Associations between High Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid Binding Protein and First Hospitalization in Kidney Transplantation Patients: A 5-Year Follow-up Study.

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) is predictive of type 2 diabetes mellitus incidences and metabolic syndrome and is independently associated with atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to assess the association between serum A-FABP levels and future first hospitalization events in kidney transplantation (KT). We enrolled 72 KT patients from January through April 2012 and followed up on these subjects until June 2017. The first hospitalization events incidence was the primary endpoint. Using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay, serum A-FABP levels were measured from the patient's fasting blood samples. During a median 65-month follow-up, 49 first hospitalization events occurred. KT patients with first hospitalization events had greater incidences of hypertension, diabetes, and higher serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, triglyceride, and A-FABP levels than those without the events. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of first hospitalization events was greater in the high A-FABP group than in the low A-FABP group. Multivariate Cox analysis with significant variables showed that serum A-FABP (hazard ratio = 1.012; 95% confidence interval = 1.000-1.025; p = 0.044) was independently associated with first hospitalization events among KT patients. The results revealed that serum A-FABP is associated with first hospitalization events in KT patients. However, further prospective studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying this association.

Increased Serum Leptin Level Predicts Bone Mineral Density in Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Leptin acts through the adipose-bone axis to regulate bone mineral density (BMD). This study evaluated the relationship between BMD and serum leptin levels in patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study including 98 hemodialysis patients, BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4), and serum leptin levels were determined using an enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: There were 25 (25.5%), 13 (13.3%), and 60 (61.2%) patients with osteopenia, osteoporosis, and normal BMD, respectively. Advanced age (P=0.017); decreased body mass index (BMI, P < 0.001); body height (P < 0.001); prehemodialysis body weight (BW, P < 0.001); post-hemodialysis BW (P < 0.001); waist circumference (P < 0.001); and triglyceride (P=0.015), albumin (P=0.004), and leptin levels (P=0.017) were associated with lower lumbar T scores, whereas increased urea reduction rate (URR, P=0.004) and fractional clearance index for urea (Kt/V, P=0.004) were associated with lower lumbar T scores. The multivariable forward stepwise linear regression analysis with adjustment for sex; age; body height; prehemodialysis BW; BMI; waist circumference; logarithmically transformed triglycerides (log-triglycerides), albumin, creatinine, and leptin (log-leptin) levels; URR; and Kt/V indicated that high serum level of log-leptin (R 2 change = 0.184; P < 0.001), increased prehemodialysis BW (R 2 change = 0.325; P=0.008), male sex (R 2 change = 0.048; P=0.001), young age (R 2 change = 0.044; P=0.012), and increased serum albumin level (R 2 change = 0.017; P=0.044) were significantly and independently associated with lumbar BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age and female sex were associated with poor BMD, whereas increased BW, serum albumin, and leptin levels were positively associated with BMD in patients on hemodialysis.

Glycofullerenes Inhibit Particulate Matter Induced Inflammation and Loss of Barrier Proteins in HaCaT Human Keratinocytes.

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been linked to pulmonary and cardiovascular dysfunctions, as well as skin diseases, etc. PM impairs the skin barrier functions and is also involved in the initiation or exacerbation of skin inflammation, which is linked to the activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathways. Fullerene is a single C60 molecule which has been reported to act as a good radical scavenger. However, its poor water solubility limits its biological applications. The glyco-modification of fullerenes increases their water solubility and anti-bacterial and anti-virus functions. However, it is still unclear whether it affects their anti-inflammatory function against PM-induced skin diseases. Hence, glycofullerenes were synthesized to investigate their effects on PM-exposed HaCaT human keratinocytes. Our results showed that glycofullerenes could reduce the rate of PM-induced apoptosis and ROS production, as well as decrease the expression of downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt pathways. Moreover, PM-induced increases in inflammatory-related signals, such as cyclooxygenase-2, heme oxygenase-1, and prostaglandin E2, were also suppressed by glycofullerenes. Notably, our results suggested that PM-induced impairment of skin barrier proteins, such as filaggrin, involucrin, repetin, and loricrin, could be reduced by pre-treatment with glycofullerenes. The results of this study indicate that glycofullerenes could be potential candidates for treatments against PM-induced skin diseases and that they exert their protective effects via ROS scavenging, anti-inflammation, and maintenance of the expression of barrier proteins.

High-Serum Angiopoietin-Like Protein 3 Levels Associated with Cardiovascular Outcome in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) plays a pivotal role in lipid metabolism and angiogenesis, and there is growing interest regarding the association between ANGPTL3 and coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to investigate whether ANGPTL3 levels can be used to predict the future occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with CAD. METHODS: Overall, 90 patients with CAD were enrolled between January and December 2012. The study's primary endpoint was incidence of MACEs. Patient follow-up was completed on June 30, 2017. RESULTS: Following a median follow-up period of 54 months, 33 MACEs had occurred. Patients reporting MACEs had lower statin use (P=0.022) and higher serum C-reactive protein (P < 0.001) and serum ANGPTL3 (P < 0.001) levels than those without MACEs. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed higher cumulative incidence of CV events in the high ANGPTL3 group (median ANGPTL3 level ≥ 222.37 ng/mL) than in the low ANGPTL3 group (log-rank P=0.046). Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that ANGPTL3 levels were independently associated with MACEs in patients with CAD (hazard ratio: 1.003; 95% confidence interval: 1.000-1.005; P=0.026) after adjusted for age, gender, and body mass index, classical risk factors, and potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Serum ANGPTL3 levels could serve as a biomarker for future occurrence of MACEs in patients with CAD.

Association between constipation and childhood nocturnal enuresis in Taiwan: a population-based matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between constipation and childhood nocturnal enuresis (NE) has been previously reported; however, this relationship remains controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between constipation and childhood NE. METHODS: Data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID 2000) of Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2013 were collected. A total of 2286 children were enrolled in this study: a case group of 1143 children aged 5-18 years who were diagnosed with NE (NE group) and an age- and sex-matched control group of 1143 children without NE. Conditional logistic regression and odds ratio (OR) for NE were used to examine the association between constipation and childhood NE. RESULTS: The prevalence of NE in the case group (NE group, aged 5-18 years) was 1.03% from 2000 to 2013. The NE group had a higher percentage of constipation in 1 year before the diagnosis of NE. After stratification for sex, both boys and girls with constipation had higher OR for NE. With stratification for age, children aged 5-12 and 7-12 years had a higher OR for NE. CONCLUSIONS: Constipation is associated with childhood NE in Taiwan, particularly in children aged 5-7 and 7-12 years.

Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Levels Are Positively Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) acts as a potent metabolic regulator. Serum FGF21 levels were significantly higher in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum FGF21 levels and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in T2DM patients. METHODS: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 126 T2DM patients. MetS and its components were defined according to the diagnostic criteria from the International Diabetes Federation. Serum FGF21 concentrations were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Among these patients, 84 (66.7%) had MetS. Female gender, hypertension, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), waist circumference (WC), body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c), triglyceride level (TG), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), insulin level, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and FGF21 levels were higher, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HDL-C) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were lower in DM patients with MetS. Univariate linear analysis revealed that hypertension, BMI, WC, body fat mass, SBP, DBP, logarithmically transformed TG (log-TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level, log-glucose, log-creatinine, log-UACR, log-insulin, and log-HOMA-IR positively correlated, whereas HDL-C and eGFR negatively correlated with serum FGF21 levels in T2DM patients. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that body fat mass (adjusted R 2 change = 0.218; P=0.008) and log-TG (adjusted R 2 change = 0.036; P < 0.001) positively correlated, whereas eGFR (adjusted R 2 change = 0.033; P=0.013) negatively correlated with serum FGF21 levels in T2DM patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that higher serum FGF21 levels were positively associated with MetS in T2DM patients and significantly positively related to body fat mass and TG but negatively related to eGFR in these subjects.

Water-Soluble Fullerenol C60(OH)36 toward Effective Anti-Air Pollution Induced by Urban Particulate Matter in HaCaT Cell.

Particulate matter (PM), a widespread air pollutant, consists of a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in air. Many diseases have been linked to PM exposure, which induces an imbalance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in cells, and might result in skin diseases (such as aging and atopic dermatitis). New techniques involving nanomedicine and nano-delivery systems are being rapidly developed in the medicinal field. Fullerene, a kind of nanomaterial, acts as a super radical scavenger. Lower water solubility levels limit the bio-applications of fullerene. Hence, to improve the water solubility of fullerene, while retaining its radical scavenger functions, a fullerene derivative, fullerenol C60(OH)36, was synthesized, to examine its biofunctions in PM-exposed human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. The PM-induced increase in ROS levels and expression of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt could be inhibited via fullerenol pre-treatment. Furthermore, the expression of inflammation-related proteins, cyclooxygenase-2, heme oxygenase-1, and prostaglandin E2 was also suppressed. Fullerenol could preserve the impaired state of skin barrier proteins (filaggrin, involucrin, repetin, and loricrin), which was attributable to PM exposure. These results suggest that fullerenol could act against PM-induced cytotoxicity via ROS scavenging and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and the maintenance of expression of barrier proteins, and is a potential candidate compound for the treatment of skin diseases.

Low and decreased prevalence of congenital abdominal wall defect in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: This study aims to identify the prevalence of Congenital abdominal wall defects (AWD), hospital outcomes, and related congenital abnormalities in Taiwan by using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1998 through 2013, all pediatric patients with AWD were collected via ICD-9-CM diagnostic code 756.7x ("congenital anomalies of abdominal wall") or procedure codes (54.71, 54.72 for Gastroschisis repair (GS-repair); 54.63, 53.41, 53.49 for other abdominal wall repair (O-AWD)) recoded in NHIRD. We used public national birth data for calculating the prevalence. We used CDC/BPA coding rubrics to identify accompanying congenital abnormalities. RESULTS: A total 594 babies with AWD, including 179 patients in GS-repair group and 326 patients in O-AWD-repair group, are identified with 113.5 months median followed-up. The overall prevalence for AWD was 1.65 in 10,000 births and decreased over time. The prevalences of GS-repaired and O-AWD-repaired are 0.50 and 0.90 in 10,000 births. The 1-year-mortality rates of GS-repair and O-AWD-repair are 6.15% and 7.23%. 24.58% GS-repair patients and 30.06% O-AWD-repair patients have congenital abnormalities. 8.38% GS-repair patients and 6.44% O-AWD-repair patients received the following groin hernia-repair procedures. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the prevalence of AWD was low and decreased over time in Taiwan. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II: Prognosis Study, Retrospective study.

A rare case of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis as a complication of sphenoid sinusitis.

Isolated sphenoid sinusitis is a rare disorder and may present with severe complications due to its proximity to the orbital and intracranial areas. We report a 13-year-old boy hospitalized for septic shock with fever of unknown origin. Facial palsy was later noted. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a sphenoid mass and right cavernous sinus and internal jugular vein thrombosis. Biopsy revealed chronic rhinosinusitis. Complete recovery followed by an incision/drainage procedure and antibiotic treatment. Acute sphenoid sinusitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of septic manifestations mimicking central nervous system infection or cranial nerve palsy.