Strain and atomic stacking of bismuth thin film in its quasi-van der Waals epitaxy on (111) Si substrate.

We report on the structural properties of Bi thin films grown on (111) Si substrates with a thickness of 22-30 BL. HRXRD and EBSD measurements show that these Bi films are mainly composed of twinning grains in the (0003) direction. The grain size can be as large as tens of microns. From a double-peak (01[Formula: see text]4) φ-scan, we found two pairs of twinning phases coexisting with a rotation angle of ~ 3.6°. We proposed a coincidence site lattice model based on preferential close-packed sites for Bi atoms on Si (111) surface to explain the coexistence of the rotation phases in the quasi-van der Waals epitaxy. From the measured lattice constants c and a of our samples, along with the data from the literature, we derived a c-a relation: (c-c0) = - 2.038(a-a0), where c0 and a0 are the values of bulk Bi. The normalized position of the second basis atom in the unit cell x, in these strained Bi films is found very close to that of bulk Bi, indicating that the strain does not disturb the Peierls distortion of the lattice. The fixed ratio of bilayer thickness to lattice constant c, reveals that the elastic properties of covalent-bonded bilayer dominate those of Bi crystal.

Application of Computational Data Modeling to a Large-Scale Population Cohort Assists the Discovery of Inositol as a Strain-Specific Substrate for Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii) is a bacterial taxon in the human gut with anti-inflammatory properties, and this may contribute to the beneficial effects of healthy eating habits. However, little is known about the nutrients that enhance the growth of F. prausnitzii other than simple sugars and fibers. Here, we combined dietary and microbiome data from the American Gut Project (AGP) to identify nutrients that may be linked to the relative abundance of F. prausnitzii. Using a machine learning approach in combination with univariate analyses, we identified that sugar alcohols, carbocyclic sugar, and vitamins may contribute to F. prausnitzii growth. We next explored the effects of these nutrients on the growth of two F. prausnitzii strains in vitro and observed robust and strain-dependent growth patterns on sorbitol and inositol, respectively. In the context of a complex community using in vitro fermentation, neither inositol alone nor in combinations with vitamin B exerted a significant growth-promoting effect on F. prausnitzii, partly due to high variability among the fecal microbiota community from four healthy donors. However, the fecal communities that showed an increase in F. prausnitzii on inulin also responded with at least 60% more F. prausnitzii on any of inositol containing media than control. Future nutritional studies aiming to increase the relative abundance of F. prausnitzii should explore a personalized approach accounting for strain-level genetic variations and community-level microbiome composition.

Association of simple renal cysts with metabolic syndrome in adults.

Background and aims: Metabolic syndrome is common nowadays and may increase risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular complications and even mortality. Renal cysts are also frequently found during routine examination. However, the relationship between simple renal cysts (SRCs) and metabolic syndrome remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association of SRCs with metabolic syndrome. Methods: A total of 16,216 subjects aged ≥18 years were enrolled in this study. SRCs were diagnosed with ultrasonography by finding: sharp, thin posterior walls, a round/oval shape, absence of internal echoes, and posterior enhancement. SRCs were categorized by number (0, 1, and ≥2) and size (<2 and ≥2 cm). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the consensus statement from the International Diabetes Federation. Results: In multivariate analysis, SRCs were positively related to metabolic syndrome (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06-1.34). The risk of metabolic syndrome was higher for SRCs with a number ≥2 (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.08-1.68) and size ≥2 cm (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.10-1.61). When considering the SRC number and size concomitantly, SRCs with a number ≥2/size ≥2 cm (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02-1.98) or <2/size ≥2 cm (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.04-1.62) were positively related to metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: Simple renal cysts were found to be related to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, and the association is more significant in those with larger (sizes ≥2cm) or plural (numbers ≥2) SRCs.

Body-Weight Gain in Women During Smoking Cessation Is a Sex-Specific Predictor of 6-Month Abstinence: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Smoking behavior differs between the sexes. Weight control is one of the main reasons leading to tobacco abuse in women but not in men. Studies on the predictive factors of cessation failure between sexes are scarce. This study is aim to investigate whether there are sex differences in the effect of weight gain on smoking cessation rate. Methods: Participants in the smoking-cessation program at a Medical Center in Taiwan between 2018 and 2019 were included. Details of age, sex, comorbidities, depression screening, nicotine dependence, body weight, and cessation medications of the participants were collected. The participants were classified based on their sex, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed for sensitivity analysis after stratifying the participants according to their weight loss (weight loss ≥ 1.5 kg and weight loss ≥ 3.0 kg). Results: A total of 1,475 participants were included. The body-weight gain in women was associated with failed abstinence (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 3.10, 95% CI: 1.10-9.04). In contrast, body-weight gain in men was associated with successful 6-month prolonged abstinence (adjusted OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61-0.98). The adjusted ORs for any body-weight loss, body-weight loss ≥1.5 kg, and body-weight loss ≥3.0 kg were 0.28 (95% CI: 0.09-0.88), 0.14 (95% CI: 0.03-0.55), and 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01-0.42), respectively. Conclusion: Body-weight gain in women during a hospital-based smoking-cessation program is associated with abstinence failure. Further multicenter studies, including participants of different races and cultural backgrounds, are warranted.

Robot-enhanced diabetes care for middle-aged and older adults living with diabetes in the community: A small sample size mixed-method evaluation.

PURPOSE: This study assessed robot-enhanced healthcare in practical settings for the purpose of community diabetes care. METHODS: A mixed method evaluation collected quantitative and qualitative data on diabetes patients over 45 (N = 30) and community pharmacists (N = 10). It took 15-20 min for the diabetes patients to interact with the robot. Before and after the interaction, questionnaires including a diabetes knowledge test, self-efficacy for diabetes, and feasibility of use of the robot was administered. In-depth interviews with both pharmacists and patients were also conducted. RESULTS: After interacting with the robot, a statistically significant improvement in diabetes knowledge (p < .001) and feasibility of the robot (p = .012) was found, but self-efficacy (p = .171) was not significantly improved. Five themes emerged from interviewing the diabetes patients: Theme 1: meets the needs of self-directed learning for the elderly; Theme 2: reduces alertness and creates comfortable interaction; Theme 3: vividness and richness enhance interaction opportunities; Theme 4: Robots are not without disadvantages, and Theme 5: Every person has unique tastes. Three themes emerged from interviewing pharmacists: Theme 1: Technology must meet the real needs of the patient; Theme 2: creates new services, and Theme 3: The use of robots must conform to real-life situations. CONCLUSIONS: Both the diabetes patients and the pharmacist reported more positive feedback on the robot-enhanced diabetes care than concerns. Self-directed learning, comfortable interaction, and vividness were the most focuses when using robot to enhance self-management for the patients. Pharmacists were most receptive to fit conforming with reality and creating new services.

Trends and biopsychosocial correlates of physical disabilities among older men and women in Taiwan: examination based on ADL, IADL, mobility, and frailty.

BACKGROUND: This study examines correlates of disabilities related to ADL, IADL, mobility, and frailty in men and women with a nationally representative sample of older adults living in the community. METHODS: A total of 10,898 noninstitutionalized Taiwanese nationals aged 65 years and older enrolled in the 2001 (N = 2,064), 2005 (N = 2,727), 2009 (N = 2,904), and 2013 (N = 3,203) National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of mobility disabilities and frailty in older adults in Taiwan decreased during the past decade ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). Exercise, social engagement, and tea and coffee intake were found to be associated with lower levels of all types of disabilities in both men and women. In addition, a diet based on carbohydrates, falls, depressive symptomatology, lung and metabolic diseases were risks for most of the disabilities under consideration. Gender-specific independent correlates included: being married (OR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.40-0.98), eggs/beans/fish/meat consumption (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.16-0.80); depressive symptoms, obesity and cataracts, which were associated with higher IADL (OR = 3.61, 1.63, and 1.18, respectively) and frailty limitations (OR = 10.89, 1.27, and 1.20, respectively) in women. Cognitive impairment was found to be an important correlate for ADL limitations in men (OR = 3.64, 95%CI: 2.38-5.57). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise, social participation and diet (more tea and coffee intake and lower carbohydrates) were correlates for lower levels of disability. Some gender-specific correlates were also identified, including associations of disability with depressive symptoms, obesity, and cataracts that were more distinct in women, and lower levels of disability which were especially significant in men who were married, eat more eggs, beans, fish, and meat, and those free from cognitive impairment.

Structural properties of Bi thin film grown on Si (111) by quasi-van der Waals epitaxy.

Crystallinity of an 80-nm-thick bismuth thin film grown on Si (111) substrate by MBE was investigated. The highly (0003) textured Bi film contains two twinning domains with different bilayer stacking sequences. The basic lattice parameters c and a as well as b, the bilayer thickness, of the two domains were determined from a series of X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, and found that the differences are within 0.1% as compared with those of bulk Bi reported in literature, suggesting that the Bi film has been nearly fully relaxed. From the XRD φ-scans of asymmetric Bi (01-14), (10-15), (11-26) planes and Si (220) plane as well as selected area electron diffraction patterns and electron back scatter diffraction pole figures, we confirmed the well registration between the lattices of Si and Bi lattice, i.e. the ω angle difference between Bi[0003] and Si[111] and the φ angle difference between Bi[01-14] and Si[220] are 0.056° and 0.25°, respectively, and thus concluded that the growth is a quasi-van der Waals epitaxy.

Disease-related disability burden: a comparison of seven chronic conditions in middle-aged and older adults.

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have explored the effect of chronic conditions on physical disability, little is known about the levels and rates of change in physical disability after a chronic condition diagnosis in middle-aged and older adults in the Asian population. The aim of this study is to ascertain the average levels and rates of change in the development of disability after disease diagnosis, as well as to determine the influences of sociodemographic and health-related correlates in the development of disability. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study analyzing data of nationally representative participants aged 50 and over with a chronic condition or having developed one during follow-ups based on data from the 1996-2011 Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (TLSA) (n = 5131). Seven chronic conditions were examined. Covariates included age at initial diagnosis, gender, education level, number of comorbidities, and depression status. Physical disability was measured by combining self-reported ADL, IADL, and strength and mobility activities with 17 total possible points, further analyzed with multilevel modeling. RESULTS: The results showed that (1) physical disability was highest for stroke, followed by cancer and diabetes at the time of the initial disease diagnosis. (2) The linear rate of change was highest for stroke, followed by lung disease and heart disease, indicating that these diseases led to higher steady increases in physical disability after the disease diagnosis. (3) The quadratic rate of change was highest in diabetes, followed by cancer and hypertension, indicating that these diseases had led to higher increments of physical disability in later stage disease. After controlling for sociodemographic and comorbidity, depression status accounted for 39.9-73.6% and 37.9-100% of the variances in the physical disability intercept and change over time, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that a comparison across conditions was not statistically tested, an accelerated increase in physical disabilities was found as chronic conditions progressed. While stroke and cancer lead to disability immediately, conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and hypertension give rise to higher increments of physical disability in later stage disease. Mitigating depressive symptoms may be beneficial in terms of preventing disability development in this population.

Noninvasive imaging and quantification of bile salt hydrolase activity: From bacteria to humans.

The microbiome-produced enzyme bile salt hydrolase (BSH) plays a central role in human health, but its function remains unclear due to the lack of suitable methods for measuring its activity. Here, we have developed a novel optical tool based on ultrasensitive bioluminescent imaging and demonstrated that this assay can be used for quick and cost-effective quantification of BSH activity across a broad range of biological settings including pure enzymes and bacteria, intact fecal slurries, and noninvasive imaging in live animals, as well as for the assessment of BSH activity in the entire gastrointestinal tract of mice and humans. Using this assay, we showed that certain types of prebiotics are capable of increasing BSH activity of the gut microbiota in vivo and successfully demonstrated potential application of this assay as a noninvasive diagnostic test to predict the clinical status of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of imidafenacin in patients with overactive bladder in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of imidafenacin 0.1 mg twice daily vs placebo for Taiwanese patients with overactive bladder (OAB) after a 12-week oral administration. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-arm, parallel-group, prospective study enrolled 118 patients across 11 study sites in Taiwan. Subjects were randomized to imidafenacin or placebo in a 2:1 ratio and entered the 12-week treatment period. At the subsequent visits, efficacy outcome measures and safety assessments were collected for analysis. The primary efficacy outcome was the change in the mean number of micturitions per day. Secondary endpoints included mean changes from baseline in urgency episodes and urge incontinence episodes per day and mean volume voided per micturition. Safety outcomes were also collected and compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 78 and 40 patients were allocated to the imidafenacin and placebo groups, respectively. Among them, 100 patients (imidafenacin, 65 and placebo, 35) completed the trial. Compared with placebo, imidafenacin was significantly better at reducing the number of micturitions per day (-1.29 ± 2.23 vs -0.46 ± 3.49, P = .0171) and reducing the mean number of urge incontinence episodes (-0.15 ± 0.52 vs 0.04 ± 0.50, P = .0386) at week 12. Adverse events were reported in 35 subjects (44.9%) and 16 (40%) in the imidafenacin and placebo groups, including constipation (n = 3, 4), dry mouth (n = 11, 2), and urinary tract infection (n = 7, 4), respectively. One patient in the imidafenacin group had mild dysuria. CONCLUSION: Imidafenacin demonstrated efficacy and safety in the treatment of OAB in Taiwanese patients.

Relationship between Kidney Stone Disease and Arterial Stiffness in a Taiwanese Population.

Previous studies examining the association between kidney stone disease (KSD) and arterial stiffness have been limited. Both age and gender have been found to have an impact on KSD, but their influence on the relationship between KSD and increased arterial stiffness is unclear. This study included 6694 subjects from October 2006 to August 2009. The diagnosis of kidney stone was based on the results of ultrasonographic examination. Increased arterial stiffness was defined as right-sided brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) ≥ 14 m/s. Associations between KSD and increased arterial stiffness were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. KSD was positively related to increased arterial stiffness in both male and female groups (males: odds ratio [OR], 1.306; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.035-1.649; females: OR, 1.585; 95% CI, 1.038-2.419) after adjusting for confounding factors. Subgroup analysis by age group (<50 and ≥50 years) showed a significant positive relationship only in the groups ≥ 50 years for both genders (males: OR, 1.546; 95% CI, 1.111-2.151; females: OR, 1.783; 95% CI, 1.042-3.054), but not in the groups < 50 years. In conclusion, KSD is associated with a higher risk of increased arterial stiffness in individuals aged ≥ 50 years, but not in those aged < 50 years for both genders.

The effect of coffee consumption on insulin sensitivity and other biological risk factors for type 2 diabetes: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In observational studies, coffee consumption has been consistently associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Trials examining the effect of coffee consumption on glucose metabolism have been limited by the use of surrogate insulin sensitivity indices, small sample sizes, lack of blinding, and short follow-up duration. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to overcome limitations of previously conducted coffee trials in a randomized placebo-controlled trial of the effect of coffee consumption on insulin sensitivity. METHODS: We conducted a 24-wk randomized placebo-controlled trial in 126 overweight, non-insulin sensitive (HOMA-IR ≥1.30), Chinese, Malay, and Asian-Indian males and females aged 35-69 y. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 4 cups of instant regular coffee (n = 62) or 4 cups of a coffee-like placebo beverage (n = 64) per day. The primary outcome was the amount of glucose metabolized per kilogram of body weight per minute (Mbw) assessed during steady-state conditions with a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Secondary outcomes included other clamp-based insulin sensitivity measures, biological mediators of insulin sensitivity, and measures of fasting glucose metabolism. RESULTS: Coffee consumption did not significantly change insulin sensitivity compared with placebo (percentage mean difference in Mbw = 4.0%; 95% CI: -8.3, 18.0%; P = 0.53). Furthermore, no significant differences in fasting plasma glucose (2.9%; 95% CI: -0.4, 6.3%; P = 0.09) or biological mediators of insulin resistance, such as plasma adiponectin (2.3%; 95% CI: -1.4, 6.2%; P = 0.22), were observed between coffee and placebo groups over 24 wk of intervention. Participants in the coffee arm experienced a loss of fat mass (FM) (-3.7%; 95% CI: -6.3, -1.1%; P = 0.006) and reduction in urinary creatinine concentrations (-21.2%; 95% CI: -31.4, -9.5%; P = 0.001) compared with participants in the placebo arm over 24 wk of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Consuming 4 cups/d of caffeinated coffee for 24 wk had no significant effect on insulin sensitivity or biological mediators of insulin resistance but was associated with a modest loss of FM and reduction in urinary creatinine concentrations.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01738399. Registered on November 28, 2012. Trial sponsor: Nestlé Research, Lausanne, Switzerland. Trial site: National University of Singapore.

A Universal Assay for Aminopeptidase Activity and Its Application for Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Drug Discovery.

Aminopeptidases, such as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4, CD26), are potent therapeutic targets for pharmacological interventions because they play key roles in many important pathological pathways. To analyze aminopeptidase activity in vitro (including high-throughput screening [HTS]), in vivo, and ex vivo, we developed a highly sensitive and quantitative bioluminescence-based readout method. We successfully applied this method to screening drugs with potential DPP-4 inhibitory activity. Using this method, we found that cancer drug mitoxantrone possesses significant DPP-4 inhibitory activity both in vitro and in vivo. The pharmacophore of mitoxantrone was further investigated by testing a variety of its structural analogues.

The Mouse Microbiome Is Required for Sex-Specific Diurnal Rhythms of Gene Expression and Metabolism.

The circadian clock and associated feeding rhythms have a profound impact on metabolism and the gut microbiome. To what extent microbiota reciprocally affect daily rhythms of physiology in the host remains elusive. Here, we analyzed transcriptome and metabolome profiles of male and female germ-free mice. While mRNA expression of circadian clock genes revealed subtle changes in liver, intestine, and white adipose tissue, germ-free mice showed considerably altered expression of genes associated with rhythmic physiology. Strikingly, the absence of the microbiome attenuated liver sexual dimorphism and sex-specific rhythmicity. The resulting feminization of male and masculinization of female germ-free animals is likely caused by altered sexual development and growth hormone secretion, associated with differential activation of xenobiotic receptors. This defines a novel mechanism by which the microbiome regulates host metabolism.

The association of sleep duration and sleep quality with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a Taiwanese population.

OBJECTIVE: The association of sleep duration/quality with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is inconclusive. Several important covariates were not adjusted concomitantly in some studies, and the severity of NAFLD was not considered. Furthermore, the gender impact of sleep duration or sleep quality on NAFLD remains unclear. We thus aimed to examine the association of sleep duration and quality with NAFLD by gender in a Taiwanese population. METHODS: A total of 6663 subjects aged 18 years or more were enrolled. The severity of NAFLD was divided into mild, moderate, and severe degrees based on ultrasound findings. The sleep duration was classified into three groups: short (<6h), normal (6-8h), and long (>8h). Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality, and poor sleep quality was defined as a global PSQI score greater than 5. RESULTS: After adjustment for potential confounders, multinomial logistic regression showed that poor sleep quality was negatively associated with both mild and moderate-to-severe NAFLD in males, but sleep duration was not independently related to NAFLD. In females, sleep condition was not related to NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep quality but not sleep duration was associated with a lower risk of not only moderate to severe but also mild NAFLD in males. In females, the association of sleep quality and duration with the risk of NAFLD was insignificant.

Suture Technique to Prevent Air Leakage during Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in Fournier Gangrene.

BACKGROUND: The use of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for Fournier gangrene management is well documented; however, it is difficult to fixate GranuFoam dressings and maintain an airtight seal over the perineum area. We developed a simple method to facilitate GranuFoam fixation and improve airtight sealing. METHODS: The Fournier's gangrene severity index (FGSI) score less than 9 was collected in from January 2015 to October 2016. All 13 patients underwent fasciotomy, and NPWT was applied directly on fasciotomy wounds after the debridement of infected tissue. Partial wound closure was performed, and a portion of GranuFoam was inserted to facilitate fixation. The seal check was converted to a 0-10 scale score that was recorded every 4 hours during NPWT. Patient profiles including medical history, FGSI, method of wound closure, and length of stay were collected in this study. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 62 (38-76) years. The mean FGSI score was 4.3 ± 3.1. The average duration of NPWT was 17.5 ± 11.5 days, and the average seal check score was 0.8 ± 0.5. No seal check alarms were noted during the study. Successful wound closure was achieved in all patients without using additional reconstruction methods such as skin grafting or muscle flap coverage. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that partial wound-edge closure and in situ GranuFoam fixation improve the NPWT leaks in Fournier gangrene wounds. Furthermore, this method is simple to learn and can be useful in applying NPWT to anatomically difficult areas.

Transcriptomics-driven lipidomics (TDL) identifies the microbiome-regulated targets of ileal lipid metabolism.

The gut microbiome and lipid metabolism are both recognized as essential components in the maintenance of metabolic health. The mechanisms involved are multifactorial and (especially for microbiome) poorly defined. A strategic approach to investigate the complexity of the microbial influence on lipid metabolism would facilitate determination of relevant molecular mechanisms for microbiome-targeted therapeutics. E. coli is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome and we used this association in conjunction with gnotobiotic models to investigate the impact of E. coli on lipid metabolism. To address the complexities of the integration of the microbiome and lipid metabolism, we developed transcriptomics-driven lipidomics (TDL) to predict the impact of E. coli colonization on lipid metabolism and established mediators of inflammation and insulin resistance including arachidonic acid metabolism, alterations in bile acids and dietary lipid absorption. A microbiome-related therapeutic approach targeting these mechanisms may therefore provide a therapeutic avenue supporting maintenance of metabolic health.

Simultaneous double free radial forearm flaps combined with coronoidectomy and myotomy to release bilateral severe trismus: A case report.

Oral cancers associated with submucosal fibrosis-induced trismus are common. They may affect the patients' quality of life, cause nutritional deficits, and interfere with postoperative cancer surveillance. In such cases, locating desirable recipient vessels in the head and neck can be difficult. This report presents a 47-year-old man with severe trismus caused by recurrent head and neck cancer, who had received multiple free-flap reconstructions after cancer ablation. Reconstruction was successfully achieved for the bilateral defects and releasing the trismus by using simultaneous double free radial forearm flaps as a chained flow-through pattern with one residual recipient vessel combined with the bilateral myotomy of the medial pterygoid and masseter muscles, and coronoidectomy. Both flaps survived without any postoperative complication. The maximal mouth opening measured by interincisal distance was 38 mm intraoperative and 32 mm during the 3-year follow-up period. This approach may be an effective option for releasing trismus when recipient vessels are lacking.

Betel nut chewing associated with increased risk of arterial stiffness.

BACKGROUND: Betel nut chewing is associated with certain cardiovascular outcomes. Subclinical atherosclerosis may be one link between betel nut chewing and cardiovascular risk. Few studies have examined the association between chewing betel nut and arterial stiffness. The aim of this study was thus to determine the relationship between betel nut chewing and arterial stiffness in a Taiwanese population. METHODS: We enrolled 7540 eligible subjects in National Cheng Kung University Hospital from October 2006 to August 2009. The exclusion criteria included history of cerebrovascular events, coronary artery disease, and taking lipid-lowering drugs, antihypertensives, and hypoglycemic agents. Increased arterial stiffness was defined as brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) ≥1400cm/s. According to their habit of betel nut use, the subjects were categorized into non-, ex-, and current chewers. RESULTS: The prevalence of increased arterial stiffness was 32.7, 43.3, and 43.2% in non-, ex- and current chewers, respectively (p=0.011). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that ex-chewers (odds ratio [OR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.08-2.65) and current chewers (OR 2.29, 95% CI=1.05-4.99) had elevated risks of increased arterial stiffness after adjustment for co-variables. CONCLUSIONS: Both ex- and current betel nut chewing were associated with a higher risk of increased arterial stiffness. Stopping betel nut chewing may thus potentially be beneficial to reduce cardiovascular risk, based on the principals of preventive medicine.

Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Strain M8, Isolated from ob/ob Mice.

Escherichia coli is one of the common inhabitants of the mammalian gastrointestinal track. We isolated a strain from an ob/ob mouse and performed whole-genome sequencing, which yielded a chromosome of ~5.1 Mb and three plasmids of ~160 kb, ~6 kb, and ~4 kb.