The non-linear associations of serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels with bone mineral density and the risk of osteoporosis during menopausal transition: an analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

PURPOSE: To explore the non-linear associations of serum FSH levels with BMD and the risk of osteoporosis in pre- and postmenopausal women. METHODS: Data analyzed in this study were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III and the NHANES from 1999 to 2002. Women aged from 35 to 60 years with complete data of serum FSH levels and BMD were eligible. Serum FSH levels were assayed using the Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay technology. Lumbar spine and femur neck BMD were measured using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Osteoporosis was assessed according to BMD of lumbar spine, total femur, and femur neck. RESULTS: This study included 3743 women. A significant non-linear association of serum FSH levels with lumbar spine BMD was observed only in postmenopausal women (P for non-linear association = 0.013) but not in premenopausal women (P for non-linear association = 0.092). The results of femur neck BMD were comparable with those of lumbar spine BMD. Meanwhile, there was significant non-linear association of serum FSH levels with the risk of osteoporosis only in postmenopausal women (P for non-linear association = 0.050). CONCLUSION: Non-linear associations of serum FSH levels with BMD at lumbar spine and femur neck were observed only in postmenopausal women. Meanwhile, serum FSH levels were non-linearly associated with the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Visible-Light-Induced Acylative Coupling of Benzoic Acid Derivatives with Alkenes to Dihydrochalcones.

A strategy was developed for the visible-light-induced photocatalytic synthesis of dihydrochalcone via the deoxygenation and coupling of benzoic acid derivatives with alkenes using diphenyl sulfide as the O-transfer reagent. Under mild photoredox conditions, a series of dihydrochalcone derivatives were produced in moderate to good yields. A mechanism for the visible-light-induced free-radical coupling was proposed on the basis of the control experiments. The protocol provides a new strategy the generation of acyl radicals from carboxylic acids and the synthesis of dihydrochalcones.

Visible light-induced deoxygenation/cyclization of salicylic acid derivatives and aryl acetylene for the synthesis of flavonoids.

A visible-light-induced photocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of flavonoids has been developed through the deoxygenative/cyclization reaction of salicylic acid derivatives with aryl acetylene using diphenyl sulfide as an O-transfer reagent. Based on the controlled experiments, the mechanism of visible-light-induced free radical coupling cyclization was proposed. The protocol obtained 51 flavonoids in good yields and has been successfully applied to the synthesis of some natural flavones.

Follicle-stimulating hormone and blood lead levels with bone mineral density and the risk of fractures in pre- and postmenopausal women.

Background: The conclusions on the associations of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and blood lead levels with bone mineral density (BMD) were controversial. Furthermore, little was known on the impacts of co-existence of serum FSH and blood lead levels on BMD and the risk of fractures in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the associations of serum FSH and blood lead levels with BMD and the risk of fractures in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods: Data were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. FSH is assayed using the Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay technology. Blood lead levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fractures were defined as subjects with fractures in any site of hip, wrist, and spine. Results: This study included 3798 participants. Elevated blood lead levels were associated with increased serum FSH levels (ß= 48.22, 95% CI: 40.21~ 56.22). Serum FSH levels were negatively associated with total femur BMD in pre- and postmenopausal women. However, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with a lower lumbar spine BMD and a higher risk of fractures only in postmenopausal women (ß= -0.0010, 95% CI: -0.0015~ -0.0006; OR: 1.007, 95% CI: 1.000~1.014, respectively). Conclusions: Serum lead levels were associated with serum FSH levels. Serum FSH levels were associated with a lower BMD and a higher risk of fractures.

Association of Common Genetic Variants in Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase Kinase 4 with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Chinese Han Population.

BACKGROUND: A study has identified several novel susceptibility variants of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) gene for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) within the German population. Among the variants, five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MAP4K4 (rs1003376, rs11674694, rs2236935, rs2236936, and rs6543087) showed significant association with T2DM or diabetes-related quantitative traits. We aimed to evaluate whether common SNPs in the MAP4K4 gene were associated with T2DM in the Chinese population. METHODS: Five candidate SNPs were genotyped in 996 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM and in 976 control subjects, using the SNPscan™ method. All subjects were recruited from the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University from October 2010 to September 2013. We evaluated the T2DM risk conferred by individual SNPs and haplotypes using logistic analysis, and the association between the five SNPs and metabolic traits in the subgroups. RESULTS: Of the five variants, SNP rs2236935T/C was significantly associated with T2DM in this study population (odds ratio = 1.293; 95% confidence interval: 1.034-1.619, P= 0.025). In addition, among the controls, rs1003376 was significantly associated with an increased body mass index (P = 0.045) and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: MAP4K4 gene is associated with T2DM in a Chinese Han population, and MAP4K4 gene variants may contribute to the risk toward the development of T2DM.

Association between UBE2E2 variant rs7612463 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Chinese Han population.

UBE2E2 encodes ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2E2, which plays an important role in the synthesis and secretion of insulin. Two previous studies indicated that SNPs in UBE2E2 were associated with risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Japanese and Korean populations, respectively. We examined the association of one SNP in this gene, rs7612463, with the risk of T2DM in 1957 Han participants in northeastern China, using an SNPscan(TM) Kit. rs7612463 genotype was significantly associated with risk for T2DM under various genetic models, including an additive model (P = 0.004), a dominant model (P = 0.024), and a recessive model (P = 0.008). The AA genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk for T2DM (P = 0.004, OR = 0.513, 95% CI = 0.325-0.810) after adjustment for age, gender, and BMI. The heterozygous genotype, AC, was associated with increased risk for total cholesterol (mmol l-1; P = 0.031) and triglycerides (mmol l-1; P = 0.039) in control individuals. Our results show that rs7612463 is associated with T2DM, with homozygotes of the AA genotype at decreased risk for T2DM in the Chinese population. Additionally, heterozygotes may have decreased risk of T2DM due to insulin resistance.