Coffee and tea consumption and dementia risk: The role of sex and vascular comorbidities

BACKGROUND

Coffee and tea consumption has been linked to dementia. However, it remained unknown how sex and vascular risk factors modify the association. We aimed to investigate the association of coffee and tea consumption with dementia and whether sex and vascular comorbidities modified the association.

METHODS

We included 278 elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 102 patients with vascular dementia (VaD) from three hospitals; controls (N = 468) were recruited during the same period. We collected the frequency and amount of coffee and tea consumption and the presence of vascular comorbidities. The multinomial logistic regression model was utilized to evaluate the association of coffee and tea consumption with dementia, stratified by sex and vascular comorbidities.

RESULTS

Different combinations and quantities of coffee and tea consumption protected against AD and VaD. Consumption of ≥3 cups of coffee or tea per day was protective against AD [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.22-0.78)] and VaD (aOR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.19-0.94). Stratified analyses showed that the protective effects of a higher quantity of coffee and tea against AD were more pronounced among females and individuals with hypertension. Consumption of either coffee or tea was associated with a decreased risk of VaD among diabetic participants (aOR = 0.23; 95% CI = 0.06-0.98). Hyperlipidemia modified the association of coffee or tea consumption on the risk of AD and VaD (both Pinteraction < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The risk of AD and VaD was lower with increased consumption of coffee and tea; the impact differed by sex and vascular comorbidities including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.

DLC1 inhibits colon adenocarcinoma cell migration by promoting secretion of the neurotrophic factor MANF

DLC1 (deleted in liver cancer-1) is downregulated or deleted in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and functions as a potent tumor suppressor, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. We found that the conditioned medium (CM) collected from DLC1-overexpressed SW1116 cells inhibited the migration of colon adenocarcinoma cells HCT116 and SW1116, but had no effect on proliferation, which suggested DLC1-mediated secretory components containing a specific inhibitor for colon adenocarcinoma cell migration. Analysis by mass spectrometry identified mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) as a candidate. More importantly, exogenous MANF significantly inhibited the migration of colon adenocarcinoma cells HCT116 and SW1116, but did not affect proliferation. Mechanistically, DLC1 reduced the retention of MANF in ER by competing the interaction between MANF and GRP78. Taken together, these data provided new insights into the suppressive effects of DLC1 on CRC, and revealed the potential of MANF in the treatment of CRC.

[A study on the correlation between occupational radiation exposure and risk of chronic metoblis disease]

Objective: To study the correlation between occupational radiation exposure and chronic metabolic diseases. Methods: The status of chronic metabolic diseases of medical workers were compared in 5 hospitals in Hangzhou. As representatives of chronic metabolic diseases, diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MS) were compared in association with duration of radiation exposure. Results: Long-term ionizing radiation (IR) exposure was led to increased blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG) , dyslipidemia, gallbladder disease, and MS. The years of radiation exposure was associated with lens opacity, gallstone and MS in men and gallbladder polyps in women. Radiation working more than 10 years is one of the independent risk factors for increased FBG and MS. Moreover, the risk of FBG increase in the group of radiation working more than 10 years was 3.052 times of that the non-exposed group, and the risk of MS occurrence was 4.132 times that of the non-exposed group. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to IR increases the risk of chronic metabolic diseases.

Hypoxia facilitates the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by inducing cancer-associated fibroblast-derived IL6

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignancy worldwide, and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Accumulating evidences indicate cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), abundant stromal cell population in the tumor microenvironment, play a key role in tumor development. Herein, we have successfully isolated CAFs and paired normal fibroblasts (NFs) from colorectal cancer tissues (n = 10). By using a multiplex cytokine profiling assay, we have identified IL-6 as a major cytokine released by CAFs. Co-culturing of CAFs with CRC cell lines HCT116 or SW480 increases IL-6 release, and the secretion by CAFs can be further enhanced under hypoxia. By using the CCK-8 assay, we have found that HCT116 or SW480 cells treated with culture medium from CAFs, IL-6, or hypoxia showed a significant cell growth compared to control cells (P < 0.01). Mechanistically, we have found hypoxia could enhance the effect of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling on CRC cells, in part, through HIF-1a targeting PKM2. In conclusion, our data clearly proposes the interconnected mechanisms for constitutive activation of STAT3 signal by CAFs-derived IL-6 under hypoxia in colorectal cancer. The pharmacological inhibition of STAT3, PKM2, or HIF-1α can significantly reduce the oncogenic effect of IL-6, providing a potential therapeutic target for CRC patients.

A multi-feature hybrid classification data mining technique for human-emotion

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The ideal treatment of illnesses is the interest of every era. Data innovation in medical care has become extremely quick to analyze diverse diseases from the most recent twenty years. In such a finding, past and current information assume an essential job is utilizing and information mining strategies. We are inadequate in diagnosing the enthusiastic mental unsettling influence precisely in the beginning phases. In this manner, the underlying conclusion of misery expressively positions an extraordinary clinical and Scientific research issue. This work is dedicated to tackling the same issue utilizing the AI strategy. Individuals' dependence on passionate stages has been successfully characterized into various gatherings in the data innovation climate.

METHODS

A notable AI multi-include cross breed classifier is utilized to execute half and half order by having the passionate incitement as pessimistic or positive individuals. A troupe learning calculation helps to pick the more appropriate highlights from the accessible classes feeling information on online media to improve order. We split the Dataset into preparing and testing sets for the best proactive model.

RESULTS

The execution assessment is applied to check the proposed framework through measurements of execution assessment. This exploration is done on the Class Labels MovieLens dataset. The exploratory outcomes show that the used group technique gives ideal order execution by picking the highlights' greatest separation. The supposed results demonstrated the projected framework's distinction, which originates from the picking-related highlights chosen by the incorporated learning calculation.

CONCLUSION

The proposed approach is utilized to precisely and successfully analyze the downturn in its beginning phase. It will assist in the recovery and action of discouraged individuals. We presume that the future strategy's utilization is exceptionally appropriate in all data innovation-based E-medical services for discouraging incitement.

Performance Metrics for Selecting Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Late-onset Alzheimer's Disease

Previous genome-wide association studies using P-values to select single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have suffered from high false-positive and false-negative results. This case-control study recruited 713 late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) cases and controls aged ≥65 from three teaching hospitals in northern Taiwan from 2007 to 2010. Performance metrics were used to select SNPs in stage 1, which were then genotyped to another dataset (stage 2). Four SNPs (CPXM2 rs2362967, APOC1 rs4420638, ZNF521 rs7230380, and rs12965520) were identified for LOAD by both traditional P-values (without correcting for multiple tests) and performance metrics. After correction for multiple tests, no SNPs were identified by traditional P-values. Simultaneous testing of APOE e4 and APOC1 rs4420638 (the SNP with the best performance in the performance metrics) significantly improved the low sensitivity of APOE e4 from 0.50 to 0.78. A point-based genetic model including these 2 SNPs and important covariates was constructed. Compared with elders with low-risks score (0-6), elders belonging to moderate-risk (score = 7-11) and high-risk (score = 12-18) groups showed a significantly increased risk of LOAD (adjusted odds ratio = 7.80 and 46.93, respectively; Ptrend < 0.0001). Performance metrics allow for identification of markers with moderate effect and are useful for creating genetic tests with clinical and public health implications.

CHRNA7 Polymorphisms and Dementia Risk: Interactions with Apolipoprotein ε4 and Cigarette Smoking

α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR, encoded by CHRNA7) is involved in dementia pathogenesis through cholinergic neurotransmission, neuroprotection and interactions with amyloid-β. Smoking promotes atherosclerosis and increases dementia risk, but nicotine exerts neuroprotective effect via α7nAChR in preclinical studies. No studies explored the gene-gene, gene-environment interactions between CHRNA7 polymorphism, apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status and smoking on dementia risk. This case-control study recruited 254 late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) and 115 vascular dementia (VaD) cases (age ≥65) from the neurology clinics of three teaching hospitals in Taiwan during 2007–2010. Controls (N = 435) were recruited from health checkup programs and volunteers during the same period. Nine CHRNA7 haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms representative for Taiwanese were genotyped. Among APOE ε4 non-carriers, CHRNA7 rs7179008 variant carriers had significantly decreased LOAD risk after correction for multiple tests (GG + AG vs. AA: adjusted odds ratio = 0.29, 95% confidence interval = 0.13–0.64, P = 0.002). Similar findings were observed for carriers of GT haplotype in CHRNA7 block4. A significant interaction was found between rs7179008, GT haplotype in block4 and APOE ε4 on LOAD risk. rs7179008 variant also reduced the detrimental effect of smoking on LOAD risk. No significant association was found between CHRNA7 and VaD. These findings help to understand dementia pathogenesis.

Molecular analysis of MLH1 variants in Chinese sporadic colorectal cancer patients

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in mismatch repair genes, especially in the MLH1 gene, are closely associated with susceptibility to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. However, few relevant findings are available regarding the association between sporadic colorectal cancer (SCRC) and SNPs of MLH1 in Chinese patients. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe the pathogenic association between three important MLH1 polymorphisms and SCRC in the Chinese population. Peripheral blood samples from 156 SCRC patients and 311 healthy controls were collected. DNA was purified from peripheral blood, and the V384D, R217C, and I219V polymorphisms were evaluated using high-resolution melting analysis and direct sequencing. The association between the three important MLH1 polymorphisms and clinical pathological features of the SCRC patients was analyzed. In addition, PMS2-MLH1 protein interactions were determined by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) to determine the protein functional alteration induced by these SNPs. Among the three polymorphisms, V384D was significantly associated with the risk of SCRC (OR = 31.36, P < 0.0001). The allele frequencies were 4.81 and 0.16% in the SCRC group. No association was found between SCRC and R217C, or between SCRC and I219V. Moreover, the allele frequency of R217C was significantly higher in the SCRC patients younger than 60 years than in those older than 60 years. Co-IP showed that the MLH1 R217C, V384D, and I219V variants had relative binding abilities with PMS2 of 0.59, 0.70, and 0.80, respectively, compared with the wild-type. These findings suggest that MLH1 V384D could be a promising genetic marker for susceptibility to SCRC.

Association between air pollutants and dementia risk in the elderly

Background

The aging rate in Taiwan is the second highest in the world. As the population ages quickly, the prevalence of dementia increases rapidly. There are some studies that have explored the association between air pollution and cognitive decline, but the association between air pollution and dementia has not been directly evaluated.

Methods

This was a case-control study comprising 249 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, 125 vascular dementia (VaD) patients, and 497 controls from three teaching hospitals in northern Taiwan from 2007 to 2010. Data of particulate matter <10 μm in diameter (PM₁₀) and ozone were obtained from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration for 12 and 14 years, respectively. Blood samples were collected to determine the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 haplotype. Bayesian maximum entropy was used to estimate the individual exposure level of air pollutants, which was then tertiled for analysis. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals between the association of PM₁₀ and ozone exposure with AD and VaD risk.

Results

The highest tertile of PM₁₀ (≥49.23 μg/m³) or ozone (≥21.56 ppb) exposure was associated with increased AD risk (highest vs. lowest tertile of PM₁₀: AOR = 4.17; highest vs. lowest tertile of ozone: AOR = 2.00). Similar finding was observed for VaD. The association with AD and VaD risk remained for the highest tertile PM₁₀ exposure after stratification by APOE ɛ4 status and gender.

Conclusions

Long-term exposure to the highest tertile of PM₁₀ or ozone was significantly associated with an increased risk of AD and VaD.

[Comparative study of total hip arthroplasty with subtrochanteric osteotomy for treating Hartofilakidis types C1 and C2 developmental dysplasia of the hip]

OBJECTIVE

To compare efficacies and complications of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with subtrochanteric osteotomy for treating patients with Hartofilakidis types C1 and C2 developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed in 32 patients with DDH who underwent THA. These patients were divided into two groups according to Hartofilakidis classification, 17 patients in type C1 and 15 in type C2. Their HSS and WOMAC scores, leg length discrepancy (LLD), hip joint image data and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

HSS scores in type C1 was changed from preoperative 43.7±4.6 to postoperative 87.2±7.1 (P<0.001), together with WOMAC scores 43.6±4.3 to 87.5±6.7 (P<0.001). HSS scores in type C2 was changed from preoperative 44.4±5.4 to postoperative 86.5±8.0 (P<0.001), together with WOMAC scores 44.1±4.1 to 86.7±8.1 (P<0.001). Four cases in type C2 and one case in type C1 presented intraoperative fracture which all healed during the postoperative follow-up. The postoperative X-ray films showed that the joint prosthesis location was satisfactory, the surrounding bone was not dissolved and the bone at femur osteotomy site healed with no infection.

CONCLUSION

For unilateral high dislocation DDH patients, THA with femur osteotomy can be effective and safe. No significant differences were found between types C1 and C2, however intraoperative fracture in type C2 should be paid attention to.

Religious affiliation and the risk of dementia in Taiwanese elderly

INTRODUCTION

Religious affiliations vary across ethnic groups because of different cultural backgrounds. Some studies have explored the association between religious affiliation and cognitive decline. Only a small portion of patients with cognitive decline progress to dementia. However, the association between religious affiliation and dementia risk remains unclear.

METHODS

In this case-control study, we recruited 280 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 138 with vascular dementia (VaD) (both aged ≥60 years) from three teaching hospitals in northern Taiwan between 2007 and 2010. Age-matched healthy controls (n=466) were recruited from an elderly health checkup program and from volunteers visiting the hospital during the same period. Three religious affiliations-Taoism, Buddhism, and Christianity-were evaluated. The study also assessed the effect of important factors such as gender or leisure activities on the association of religious affiliation with dementia risk.

RESULTS

Participants with Christianity affiliation showed decreased AD risk (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.25-0.87) compared with those without any religious affiliation. Moreover, this effect was stronger in women (AOR=0.38, 95% CI=0.15-0.92) and in participants who exercised regularly (>3 times/week; AOR=0.33, 95% CI=0.14-0.77). No significant association was observed among participants with Taoism and Buddhism affiliations. Affiliation to none of the religions was associated with VaD risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, Chinese participants having Christianity affiliation showed decreased AD risk. Moreover, the protective effect was more evident in women and in participants who exercised regularly.

Leisure activities, apolipoprotein E e4 status, and the risk of dementia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Leisure activities have been associated with a decreased risk of dementia. However, to date, no study has explored how apolipoprotein E (ApoE) e4 status or vascular risk factors modified the association between leisure activities and dementia risks.

METHODS

This case-control study recruited patients (age ≥ 60 years) with Alzheimer's disease (AD; n = 292) and vascular dementia (VaD; n = 144) and healthy controls (n = 506) from three teaching hospitals in Taiwan between 2007 and 2010. Information on patient's leisure activities were obtained through a questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the association of leisure activities and ApoE e4 status with the risk of dementia.

RESULTS

High-frequency physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of AD [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.45], and the results become more evident among ApoE e4 carriers with AD (AOR = 0.30) and VaD (AOR = 0.26). Similar findings were observed for cognitive (AOR = 0.42) and social activities (AOR = 0.55) for AD. High-frequency physical, cognitive, and social activities were associated with a decreased risk of VaD (AOR = 0.29-0.60). Physical and social activities significantly interacted with each other on the risk of VaD (pinteraction = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Physical activity consistently protects against AD and VaD. Significant interactions were identified across different types of leisure activities in lowering dementia risk.

Sequence variants of toll like receptor 4 and late-onset Alzheimer's disease

Background

Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been related to inflammation and beta-amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. No study has explored the association between haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs) of TLR4 and AD risk previously and ApoE e4 status alone showed low sensitivity in identifying late-onset AD (LOAD) patients.

Methods

A total of 269 LOAD patients were recruited from three hospitals in northern Taiwan (2007–2010). Controls (n = 449) were recruited from elderly health checkup and volunteers of the hospital during the same period of time. Five common (frequency≥5%) TLR4 htSNPs were selected to assess the association between TLR4 polymorphisms and the risk of LOAD in the Chinese ethnic population.

Results

Homozygosity of TLR4 rs1927907 was significantly associated with an increased risk of LOAD [TT vs. CC: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.30–4.64]. After stratification, the association increased further in ApoE e4 non-carriers (AOR = 3.07) and in hypertensive patients (AOR = 3.60). Haplotype GACGG was associated with a decreased risk of LOAD (1 vs. 0 copies: AOR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.36–0.96; 2 vs. 0 copies: AOR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.14–0.67) in ApoE e4 non-carriers. ApoE e4 status significantly modified this association (p_interaction = 0.01). These associations remained significant after correction for multiple tests.

Conclusions

Sequence variants of TLR4 were associated with an increased risk of LOAD, especially in ApoE e4 non-carriers and in hypertensive patients. The combination of TLR4 rs1927907 and ApoE e4 significantly increased the screening sensitivity in identifying LOAD patients from 0.4 to 0.7.

Sequence variants of interleukin 6 (IL-6) are significantly associated with a decreased risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been related to beta-amyloid aggregation and the appearance of hyperphosphorylated tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. However, previous studies relating IL-6 genetic polymorphisms to AD included few and unrepresentative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the results were inconsistent.

METHODS

This is a case-control study. A total of 266 patients with AD, aged≧65, were recruited from three hospitals in Taiwan (2007-2010). Controls (n = 444) were recruited from routine health checkups and volunteers of the hospital during the same period of time. Three common IL-6 haplotype-tagging SNPs were selected to assess the association between IL-6 polymorphisms and the risk of late-onset AD (LOAD).

RESULTS

Variant carriers of IL-6 rs1800796 and rs1524107 were significantly associated with a reduced risk of LOAD [(GG + GC vs. CC): adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.64 and (CC + CT vs. TT): AOR = 0.60, respectively]. Haplotype CAT was associated with a decreased risk of LOAD (0 and 1 copy vs. 2 copies: AOR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.44-0.95). These associations remained significant in ApoE e4 non-carriers only. Hypertension significantly modified the association between rs2069837 polymorphisms and the risk of LOAD (pinteraction = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-6 polymorphisms are associated with reduced risk of LOAD, especially in ApoE e4 non-carriers. This study identified genetic markers for predicting LOAD in ApoE e4 non-carriers.

Genetic polymorphisms of nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) and the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Background

Loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons is attributable to the proapoptotic signaling induced by nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) and may link to Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. Only one study has investigated the association between NGFR polymorphisms and the risk of AD in an Italian population. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) may modify this association based on previous animal and epidemiologic studies.

Methods

This was a case-control study in a Chinese population. A total of 264 AD patients were recruited from three teaching hospitals between 2007 to 2010; 389 controls were recruited from elderly health checkup and volunteers of the hospital during the same period of time. Five common (frequency≥5%) haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs) were selected from NGFR to test the association between NGFR htSNPs and the risk of AD.

Results

Variant NGFR rs734194 was significantly associated with a decreased risk of AD [GG vs. TT copies: adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.20-0.95]. Seven common haplotypes were identified. Minor haplotype GCGCG was significantly associated with a decreased risk of AD (2 vs. 0 copies: adjusted OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.17-0.91). Type 2 DM significantly modified the association between rs2072446, rs741072, and haplotype GCTTG and GTTCG on the risk of AD among ApoE ε4 non-carriers (P_interaction < 0.05).

Conclusion

Inherited polymorphisms of NGFR were associated with the risk of AD; results were not significant after correction for multiple tests. This association was further modified by the status of type 2 DM.

Genetic polymorphisms of a novel vascular susceptibility gene, Ninjurin2 (NINJ2), are associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease

Background

Accumulated evidences have shown that vascular risk factors, e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia, may be related to the risk of dementia. This study investigated the association between genetic polymorphisms of a vascular susceptibility gene, Ninjurin2 (NINJ2), and the risk of dementia, which has not been explored previously.

Methods

A total of 275 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and 119 vascular dementia (VaD) patients aged 50 or older were recruited from three teaching hospitals from 2007 to 2010. Healthy controls (n = 423) with the same age of cases were recruited from the health checkup and volunteers worked at the hospital during the same time period. Five common (frequency >5%) haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs) in NINJ2 were genotyped to test for the association between sequence variants of NINJ2 and dementia risk, and how vascular risk factors modify this association.

Results

Homozygosity of two NINJ2 SNPs was significantly associated with a decreased risk of AD [rs11833579: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.43; 95% confidence interval (CI)  = 0.23–0.80; rs12425791: AOR  = 0.33, 95% CI  = 0.12–0.96]. Five common haplotypes (cumulative frequency  = 97%) were identified. The global test for the association between NINJ2 haplotypes and AD was significant (p = 0.03). Haplotype CAGGA was significantly associated with a decreased risk of AD (AOR  = 0.32, 95% CI  = 0.11–0.94). No associations were observed for VaD.

Conclusion

Inherited polymorphisms of the vascular susceptibility gene NINJ2 were associated with AD risk.

Glycated albumin is independently associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in nondiabetic patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Glycated albumin (GA) may contribute to diabetic nephropathy, but the clinical significance of GA in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown.

METHODS

Patients were classified with the NKF/DOQI classification system as mild (stage I, II), moderate (stage III), or advanced CKD (stage IV). Those undergoing dialysis or with CKD stage V were excluded. GA was measured using the Lucica TM GA-L assay kit. The relationship between GA and renal dysfunction was analyzed in patients with or without diabetes.

RESULTS

A total of 187 subjects were enrolled. GA values in those with normal, mild, moderate and advanced CKD were 18.4 ± 1.4%, 18.4 ± 3.1%, 19.0 ± 3.8%, 20.4 ± 6.4%, respectively, in diabetic patients (N=67, p=0.5), and were 14.1 ± 1.9%, 14.2 ± 2.2%, 15.9 ± 1.9%, 15.0 ± 1.7%, respectively, in nondiabetic patients (N=120, p=0.004). GA value was negatively correlated to eGFR in nondiabetic patients (r=-0.35, p<0.001) but not in diabetic patients (r=-0.11, p=0.39). In the adjusted model, GA is independently correlated to eGFR only in nondiabetic subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased GA concentrations are independently associated with renal dysfunction in nondiabetic patients with CKD.

The first and second phase of insulin secretion in naive Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus

Impaired insulin secretion (ISEC) has been recognized as one of the most important pathophysiologies of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There are 2 phases of ISEC: the first phase (first ISEC) and second phase (second ISEC). This study aimed to evaluate the 2 phases of ISEC in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Fifty-two drug-naive type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were given 2 tests: a modified low-dose graded glucose infusion (M-LDGGI) and frequent sample intravenous glucose tolerance test. The M-LDGGI is a simplified version of the Polonsky method. Two stages of intravenous infusion of glucose with different rates were given, starting from 2 mg/(kg min) and then followed by 6 mg/(kg min). Each stage was maintained for 80 minutes. The results were interpreted as the slope of the changes of plasma insulin against the glucose levels. The slope of these curves was regarded as the second ISEC and used as the criterion for grouping-the responders and nonresponders. The responders are older and had higher body mass index and log (homeostasis model assessment of beta-cell function) (log HOMA-beta) but lower fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) than the nonresponders. Significant correlations were only noted between the second ISEC and first ISEC (r = 0.278, P = .046) and between the second ISEC and log HOMA-beta (r = 0.533, P = .000). Correlation between different parameters and HbA(1c) was also evaluated. Only second ISEC and log HOMA-beta were correlated significantly with HbA(1c) (r = -0.388, P = .015 and r = -0.357, P = .026, respectively). In type 2 diabetes mellitus, subjects with higher second ISEC are older and have higher body mass index. At the same time, second ISEC is the most important factor for determining glucose levels in naive Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The first and second ISECs were only modestly correlated, which indicated that the deterioration of these 2 phases was not synchronized. Finally, we also recommend using the M-LDGGI for quantifying second ISEC. This practical method could be done in many centers without difficulty.

Relationship between white blood cell count and components of metabolic syndrome among young adolescents

Components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been associated with several inflammatory factors, including white blood cell count (WBCC). In the present study, the relationships between WBCC and aspects of MetS in young adolescents were investigated. We enrolled 596 participants (328 males and 268 females) from 10 to 13 years of age and with normal WBCC in this study. They were divided into four quartiles according to WBCC (WBCC1-4, from lowest to highest WBCC). The mean values of MetS components for each group were compared in males and females separately. Multivariate linear regression analysis between the WBCC and the components of MetS after adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI) were also evaluated. In the male group, the BMI of WBCC1 and WBCC2 was significantly lower than WBCC4. The total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) of WBCC2 were significantly higher than WBCC1 and WBCC4. Triglyceride (TG) levels of WBCC1 were significantly lower than WBCC3 and WBCC4, and TG levels of WBCC2 were significantly lower than WBCC4. Alternatively, the BMI of WBCC1 and WBCC2 were significantly lower than WBCC3 in the female group. Finally, the TG and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels of WBCC1 were significantly lower than WBCC3 or WBCC4, respectively. After multivariate linear regression, WBCC was positively correlated to BMI and TG, but negatively correlated to FPG in males whereas in young adolescent females, WBCC was positively correlated to BMI and FPG. In conclusion BMI was positively correlated with WBCC in young adolescent females and males. Thus, BMI is the most important component of MetS in this age group. In addition, TG levels in males and FPG in females were significantly related to WBCC. These findings could be regarded an early indication for the future development of full-blown MetS or cardiovascular diseases.

Comparison of Oral Glucose Insulin Sensitivity with Other Insulin Sensitivity Surrogates from Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests in Chinese

Introduction: There is no single method of measuring insulin resistance that is both accurate and can be easily performed by general researchers. We validate the accuracy of oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS) in the Chinese by comparing the OGIS120 and OGIS180, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (OUICKI) with steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) in different glucose tolerance subjects. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 515 subjects, aged between 20 and 75 years old, during routine health evaluations. All subjects were divided into normal, obese, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) groups. Participants had a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and SSPG with an insulin suppression test. The relationships between SSPG and OGIS120, OGIS180, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI were evaluated. Results: The normal group had the highest OGIS120, OGIS180 and lowest SSPG as compared with the other 4 groups. OGIS180, HOMA-IR and QUICKI in all 5 groups were significantly related to SSPG (r = 0.397-0.621, all P <0.05). OGIS120 in all 5 groups was not significantly related to SSPG (r = 0.003-0.226). Additionally, the r value of OGIS180 against SSPG was not higher than the other 2 insulin sensitivity surrogates from OGTT. Conclusions: Although OGIS180 was more accurate in estimating insulin sensitivity than OGIS120 in the Chinese, it was not superior to the traditional surrogates such as HOMA-IR or QUICKI. Key words: Homeostasis model assessment, Insulin resistance, Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index

Image segmentation and bright contrast spot localization of the high resolution atomic image

Some basic quantitative analysis techniques of digitized high resolution atomic image are developed in this paper. We describe how to divide the atomic image into small independent areas with special structure information by the valley mesh segmentation method. The procedure is with regard to the bright contrast spot segmentation of atomic images. We suggest several ways for bright contrast spot localization in images. Calculation routines for peak detection and weighted local position average methods for this purpose are given.

Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy of silicon LSI circuits and Josephson junction devices

Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) has been used to diagnose silicon LSI circuits and Josephson junction devices. For LSI circuits, some typical failure problems have been presented. For Nb-Si-Nb Josephson junction, microholes in the thin silicon layer have observed, and they are responsible for the short circuiting of these devices.

Preliminary observations on the effect of acupuncture on immune responses in sensitized rabbits and guinea pigs

A preliminary report is presented on the possible effect of acupuncture on immune responses in rabbits injected with sheep RBC and in guinea pigs with an encephalitoenic antigen preparation. Results from acupuncturing experimental animals at four loci-Ta-Chu, Tsu-San-Li, Ch u-Chih-Shih-strongly suggest that acupuncture has an effect on the immune response. If these observations can be substantiated by more refined methods in subsequent experiments, a new avenue will be opened for acupuncture research.