C-reactive protein to albumin ratio and risk of incident metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling adults: longitudinal findings over a 12-year follow-up period.

AIM: The C-reactive protein to albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio has emerged as a novel biomarker for various inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the CRP/Alb ratio and incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) with a large-sample, community-based Korean cohort over a 12-year follow-up period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 10,030 participants, a total of 6205 participants aged 40-69 years without MetS were selected from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). The baseline CRP/Alb ratio was divided into quartiles. The definition of newly developed MetS was the one proposed by the 2009 Joint Interim Statement of Circulation. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident MetS were calculated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models after adjusting for potentially confounding variables. RESULTS: During the 12-year follow-up period, MetS developed in 2535 subjects (40.9%, 2535/6205) with an incidence rate of 5.6-11.9 (over 2 years). Compared to the reference first quartiles, the HRs (95% CIs) of incident MetS in the second, third, and fourth quartiles increased in a dose-response manner. Compared to the reference quartile, the HRs (95% CIs) of the incidence of MetS for the second, third, and fourth quartiles of CRP/Alb ratio were 1.12 (0.99-1.27), 1.24 (1.11-1.40), and 1.51 (1.34-1.69) after adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity, total cholesterol, mean arterial pressure, HOMA-IR, and total energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: High CRP/Alb ratio at baseline may be a useful surrogate indicator of future incident MetS.

Prediction of postoperative cerebral infarction after combined bypass surgery in adult moyamoya disease: combining quantitative parameters on RAPID perfusion CT with clinically related factors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors of postoperative cerebral infarction (PostCI) following combined bypass (CB) surgery in adult patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) using quantitative parameters from the rapid processing of perfusion and diffusion (RAPID) perfusion CT (PCT) software. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 276 total hemispheres in patients with MMD who underwent CB. Preoperative volumes of time-to-maximum (Tmax) > 4 sec and > 6 sec were obtained from the RAPID analysis of PCT. These quantitative parameters, along with other clinical and angiographic factors, were statistically analyzed to determine the significant predictors for PostCI following CB. RESULTS: PostCI occurred in 17 hemispheres (6.16%). PCA involvement (p = 0.016), and the volume of Tmax > 6 sec (p < 0.001) and Tmax > 4 sec (p < 0.001), were identified as variables related to PostCI in the univariable analysis. In the multivariable analysis, the volume of Tmax > 6 sec (OR 1.013, 95% confidence interval 1.007-1.019, p < 0.001) was determined to be an independent predictive factor significantly associated with PostCI after CB in adult patients with MMD. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the cutoff value of the preoperative volume of Tmax > 6 sec was determined to be 59.5 ml (sensitivity 82.4%, specificity 71.9%, area under the ROC curve 0.811). CONCLUSIONS: For adult patients with MMD and a large volume of Tmax > 6 sec over 59.5 ml, more caution is required when deciding to undergo bypass surgery and in postoperative management.

CRISPR-aided genome engineering for secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Streptomyces.

The demand for discovering novel microbial secondary metabolites is growing to address the limitations in bioactivities such as antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anthelmintic, and immunosuppressive functions. Among microbes, the genus Streptomyces holds particular significance for secondary metabolite discovery. Each Streptomyces species typically encodes approximately 30 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (smBGCs) within its genome, which are mostly uncharacterized in terms of their products and bioactivities. The development of next-generation sequencing has enabled the identification of a large number of potent smBGCs for novel secondary metabolites that are imbalanced in number compared with discovered secondary metabolites. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system has revolutionized the translation of enormous genomic potential into the discovery of secondary metabolites as the most efficient genetic engineering tool for Streptomyces. In this review, the current status of CRISPR/Cas applications in Streptomyces is summarized, with particular focus on the identification of secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters and their potential applications.This review summarizes the broad range of CRISPR/Cas applications in Streptomyces for natural product discovery and production. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY: This review summarizes the broad range of CRISPR/Cas applications in Streptomyces for natural product discovery and production.

Relationship between in-stent restenosis following carotid artery stenting and platelet reactivity to clopidogrel.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between in-stent restenosis (ISR) following carotid artery stenting (CAS) and platelet clopidogrel reactivity confirmed by the P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) and inhibition rate (IR). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 171 patients who underwent CAS with extracranial carotid stenosis from January 2016 to December 2019. Dual antiplatelet therapy with 100 mg aspirin and 75 mg clopidogrel was started ≥5 days before CAS. Clopidogrel resistance was measured with the PRU and IR the day before CAS. The ISR degree was classified into R1, R2, and R3 (moderate to severe luminal stenosis of ≥50% or occlusion) by carotid CT angiography after 24-30 months. The degree of quantitative association between platelet reactivity and ISR R3 was determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve method. The optimal cut-off values of PRU and IR were derived using the maximum Youden index. RESULTS: There were 33 R3 degrees of ISR (19.3%) and nine ipsilateral ischemic strokes (5.3%). The PRU and IR were different between R1+R2 degrees (176.4±50.1, 27.5±18.7%) and R3 degree (247.5±55.0, 10.3±13.4%) (P<0.001). The areas under the curves of PRU and IR were 0.841 and 0.781, and the optimal cut-off values were 220.0 and 14.5%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PRU ≥220 and IR ≤14.5% were significant predictive factors for ISR R3 (P<0.001 and P=0.017, respectively). ISR R3 was independently associated with ipsilateral ischemic stroke after CAS (P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: High PRU (≥220) and low IR (≤14.5%) are related to ISR R3 following CAS, which may cause ipsilateral ischemic stroke.

Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Various Techniques of Intracranial-to-Intracranial Bypass for Complex Cases with a Review of Pertinent Literature and Illustrated Cases.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the utility of intracranial-to-intracranial bypass (IIB) surgery and the available bypass options for complex cases. METHODS: A total of 18 IIB cases were included. Each case was classified as IIB with or without an interposition graft. The clinical and angiographic status were evaluated pre- and postoperatively and at the last follow-up. Angiographic images were analyzed and reconstructed schematically. Postoperative angiography was used to measure the bypass patency and the presence of postoperative cerebral infarction. The recipient artery occlusion time for each bypass was measured. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, 14 had presented with a complex intracranial aneurysm (IA), 1 with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia, and 3 with intracranial arterial steno-occlusive disease. Ten patients had an incidentally discovered IA. Seven patients had presented with neurological deficits due to ischemia or aneurysmal mass effects. Of the 18 cases, 10 were IIBs with an interposition graft, including 4 cases of superficial temporal artery and 6 of radial artery graft bypass, and 8 were IIBs with a noninterposition graft, including 3 cases of in situ bypass, 1 case of reanastomosis, and 4 cases of reimplantation. The pre- and postoperative modified Rankin scale score did not change or improve, and all the bypasses were patent. No patient had died during the mean follow-up period of 50.0 months. The mean occlusion time of the recipient artery was 59.5 minutes. A total of 8 patients experienced postoperative cerebral infarction but all had almost recovered at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: With proper selection of the IIB type, IIB can be a suitable treatment option for some patients with complex IAs and intracranial arterial steno-occlusive disease when extracranial-to-intracranial bypass is not feasible.

Oxidation of iron by giant impact and its implication on the formation of reduced atmosphere in the early Earth.

Giant impact-driven redox processes in the atmosphere and magma ocean played crucial roles in the evolution of Earth. However, because of the absence of rock records from that time, understanding these processes has proven challenging. Here, we present experimental results that simulate the giant impact-driven reactions between iron and volatiles (H2O and CO2) using x-ray free electron laser (XFEL) as fast heat pump and structural probe. Under XFEL pump, iron is oxidized to wüstite (FeO), while volatiles are reduced to H2 and CO. Furthermore, iron oxidation proceeds into formation of hydrides (γ-FeHx) and siderite (FeCO3), implying redox boundary near 300-km depth. Through quantitative analysis on reaction products, we estimate the volatile and FeO budgets in bulk silicate Earth, supporting the Theia hypothesis. Our findings shed light on the fast and short-lived process that led to reduced atmosphere, required for the emergence of prebiotic organic molecules in the early Earth.

Association between experience of insulin resistance and long-term cardiovascular disease risk: findings from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KOGES).

PURPOSE: Although the correlation between insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is well-established, the impact of changes in IR status over time has received little attention. This study aimed to investigate the effect of IR on CVD risk in a large prospective cohort of middle-aged Korean adults. METHODS: We assessed 3597 participants from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). Participants were categorized as having IR if their HOMA-IR was ≥2.5 at least once during the exposure period. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to assess hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs for incident CVD after adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Among a total of 3597 participants, 2259 did not have IR and 1138 had IR. The cumulative incidence rate of CVD in the IR group was significantly higher than that in the non-IR group (log-rank test, p = 0.015). Compared to the non-IR group, the HR and 95% CI for incident CVD in the IR group was 1.40 (1.07-1.83) in the unadjusted model. The presence of IR during the exposure period was significantly associated with a higher risk of incident CVD after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, C-reactive protein, physical activity, alcohol intake, and smoking status (HR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.01-1.84). CONCLUSION: Individuals who have experienced IR have a consistently higher likelihood of developing CVD than those who have never had IR. More intensive efforts should be made to prevent IR in middle-aged and older adults.

Development and authentication of Panax ginseng cv. Sunhong with high yield and multiple tolerance to heat damage, rusty roots and lodging.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) has been used as a valuable medicinal plant in Asia, and the demand for ginseng production for health functional food is increasing worldwide after the COVID-19 crisis. Although a number of cultivars have been developed to increase ginseng production, none of them were widely cultivated in Korea because they could not resist various environmental stresses while being grown in one place for at least 4 years. To address this, Sunhong was developed as a ginseng cultivar with high yield and multiple stress tolerance by pure line selection. Sunhong showed high yield and heat tolerance comparable to Yunpoong, a representative high-yielding cultivar, and exhibited 1.4 times lower prevalence of rusty roots than Yunpoong, suggesting that Sunhong can keep its high yield and quality during long-term cultivation. In addition, distinct color and lodging resistance were expected to increase the convenience of cultivation. To supply pure seeds to farmers, we also established a reliable high-throughput authentication system for Sunhong and seven ginseng cultivars through genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) analysis. The GBS approach enabled to identify a sufficient number of informative SNPs in ginseng, a heterozygous and polyploid species. These results contribute to the improvement of yield, quality, and homogeneity, and therefore promote the ginseng industry. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13580-023-00526-x.

Sex differences in the relationship between platelet count and type 2 diabetes risk in community-dwelling adults: Longitudinal findings over 14 years.

AIMS: Emerging evidence suggests that platelet count predicts the development of type 2 diabetes; however, there is conflicting evidence concerning the relationship in men and women. This study aimed to assess the longitudinal association between platelet count and the incidence risk of type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 10,030 participants, 7325 participants (3439 men and 3886 women) without diabetes were selected from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Platelet count quartiles were divided as follows: Q1 ≤219, Q2, 220-254, Q3, 255-296 and Q4 ≥297 (x103 /ml) for men and ≤232, 233-266, 267-305 and ≥306 (x103 /µL) for women. The hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidential intervals (CIs) for incident type 2 diabetes were calculated using multiple Cox proportional hazards regression models according to sex-specific platelet count quartiles. RESULTS: During the biennial follow-up period from 2001 to 2002 to 2013-2014, 750 male participants (21.8%, 750/3439) and 730 female participants (18.8%, 730/3886) had newly developed type 2 diabetes. For women, compared to the reference first quartile, the HRs for incident type 2 diabetes in the second, third, and fourth platelet count quartiles were 1.20 (0.96-1.50), 1.21(0.97-1.51), and 1.47 (1.18-1.82) after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity, mean arterial blood pressure, family history of diabetes, and HOMA-IR. However, these positive relationships were not observed in men after adjusting for the same co-variables. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet count was independently associated with an increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes only in women.

Serum γ-glutamyltransferase level and incidence risk of metabolic syndrome in community dwelling adults: longitudinal findings over 12 years.

PURPOSE: Although a recent meta-analysis demonstrated a positive association between serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and metabolic syndrome (MetS), sex differences in the relationship between GGT levels and MetS risk were not fully considered. We prospectively examined the relationship between serum GGT levels and incidence risk of MetS. METHODS: Data were collected from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) enrolled in 2001-2002. Among 10,030 total participants, 5960 adults (3130 men and 2830 women) aged 40-69 without MetS were included and divided according to sex-specific quartiles of baseline serum GGT levels and followed up biennially until 2014. The hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident MetS were prospectively analyzed using multiple Cox proportional hazards regression analysis models. RESULTS: Among 5960 participants, 1215 males (38.8%) and 1263 females (44.6%) developed MetS during 12-year follow up. Higher quartiles of GGT showed significantly higher cumulative incidence of MetS in both sexes (log-rank test P < 0.001). The HRs (95% CIs) for incident type 2 diabetes for the highest quartile versus referent lowest quartile for serum GGT levels were 3.01 (2.35-3.76) for men and 1.83 (1.30-2.57) for women after adjusting for age, smoking status, daily alcohol intake (g/day), regular exercise, family history of diabetes, and log-transformed LDL-cholesterol, creatinine, and aminotransferase levels. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, high levels of GGT were found to be associated with increased risk of Mets in both men and women and the positive associations were stronger in men than in women.

Peptide-PAINT Using a Transfected-Docker Enables Live- and Fixed-Cell Super-Resolution Imaging.

Point accumulation for imaging in nanoscale topography (PAINT) is a single-molecule technique for super-resolution microscopy, which uses exchangeable single stranded DNA oligos or peptide-pairs to create blinking phenomenon and achieves ≈5-25 nanometer resolution. Here, it is shown that by transfecting the protein-of-interest with a docker-coil, rather than by adding the docker externally-as is the norm when using DNA tethers or antibodies as dockers-similar localization can be achieved, ≈10 nm. However, using a transfected docker has several experimental advances and simplifications. Most importantly, it allows Peptide-PAINT to be applied to transfected live cells for imaging surface proteins in mammalian cells and neurons under physiological conditions. The enhanced resolution of Peptide-PAINT is also shown for organelles in fixed cells to unravel structural details including ≈40-nm and ≈60-nm axial repeats in vimentin filaments in the cytoplasm, and fiber shapes of sub-100-nm histone-rich regions in the nucleus.

Prediction of hemorrhagic cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after direct bypass surgery in adult nonhemorrhagic moyamoya disease: combining quantitative parameters on RAPID perfusion CT with clinically related factors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors for hemorrhagic cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (hCHS) after direct bypass surgery in adult nonhemorrhagic moyamoya disease (non-hMMD) using quantitative parameters on rapid processing of perfusion and diffusion (RAPID) perfusion CT software. METHODS: A total of 277 hemispheres in 223 patients with non-hMMD who underwent combined bypass were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative volumes of time to maximum (Tmax) > 4 seconds and > 6 seconds were obtained from RAPID analysis of perfusion CT. These quantitative parameters, along with other clinical and angiographic factors, were statistically analyzed to determine the significant predictors for hCHS after bypass surgery. RESULTS: Intra- or postoperative hCHS occurred in 13 hemispheres (4.7%). In 7 hemispheres, subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred intraoperatively, and in 6 hemispheres, intracerebral hemorrhage was detected postoperatively. All hCHS occurred within the 4 days after bypass. Advanced age (OR 1.096, 95% CI 1.039-1.163, p = 0.001) and a large volume of Tmax > 6 seconds (OR 1.011, 95% CI 1.004-1.018, p = 0.002) were statistically significant factors in predicting the risk of hCHS after surgery. The cutoff values of patient age and volume of Tmax > 6 seconds were 43.5 years old (area under the curve [AUC] 0.761) and 80.5 ml (AUC 0.762), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In adult patients with non-hMMD older than 43.5 years or with a large volume of Tmax > 6 seconds over 80.5 ml, more prudence is required in the decision to undergo bypass surgery and in postoperative management.

Lipid Accumulation Product Index Predicts New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Among Non-Obese Koreans: A 12-Year Longitudinal Study.

Purpose: The lipid accumulation product (LAP) has been a potential indicator of central lipid accumulation status. This study aimed to assess the longitudinal association between LAP index and incident type 2 diabetes among non-obese Korean adults using a large, community-based Korean cohort observed over 12 years. Patients and Methods: This study included 4281 non-diabetic adults without generalized obesity and abdominal obesity and aged 40-69 years from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. The participants were divided into four groups according to LAP index quartiles, calculated as (waist circumference [cm] - 65) x (triglycerides [mmol/L]) in men and (waist circumference [cm] - 58) x (triglycerides [mmol/L]) in women. We prospectively assessed hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidential intervals (CIs) for incident type 2 diabetes using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results: Overall, 608 (14.2%) participants developed type 2 diabetes during the follow-up period. HRs for incident type 2 diabetes in the second, third, and fourth LAP quartile were 1.32 (95% CI: 0.97-1.79), 1.51 (95% CI: 1.11-2.06), and 2.14 (95% CI: 1.56-2.94), respectively, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity, mean arterial blood pressure, family history of diabetes, and impaired glucose tolerance. Conclusion: A high LAP index can be an additional indicator for new-onset T2DM among middle-aged and elderly non-obese Koreans.

Potential Association of Isolated γ-Glutamyltransferase Elevation with Incident Ischemic Heart Disease in Lean Koreans.

Isolated elevation of γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), a microsomal membrane-bound protein, is commonly observed in non-obese Koreans without diabetes, and its clinical implications are not well-known. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the longitudinal effect of isolated GGT on the incidence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) risk in a large cohort of lean non-diabetic Koreans. Data were obtained from the Health Risk Assessment Study (HERAS) and Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) datasets. The participants were divided into four groups according to the GGT quartile after the exclusion of those participants with diabetes, a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥ 40 IU/L, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ALT > 1.5, as well as those positive for hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C antibody. We prospectively assessed the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for IHD using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models over a 50-month period. During the follow-up period, 183 individuals (1.85%) developed IHD. After setting the lowest GGT quartile as a reference group, the HRs of IHD for GGT quartiles 2−4 were 1.66 (95% CI 0.95−2.89), 1.82 (95% CI 1.05−3.16), and 1.98 (95% CI 1.12−3.50), respectively, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, mean arterial blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and dyslipidemia. An isolated high GGT may be an additional measure for assessing and managing future IHD risks among lean Koreans without diabetes.

Usefulness of Complete Blood Count (CBC) to Assess Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases in Clinical Settings: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

Complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common blood tests requested by clinicians and evaluates the total numbers and characteristics of cell components in the blood. Recently, many investigations have suggested that the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), arteriosclerosis, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and metabolic syndrome can be predicted using CBC components. This review introduces that white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red cell distribution width (RDW), platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are useful markers to predict CVD and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, we would like to support various uses of CBC by organizing pathophysiology that can explain the relationship between CBC components and diseases.

Vibrio ostreae sp. nov., a novel gut bacterium isolated from a Yellow Sea oyster.

A Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, facultative anaerobic motile bacterium, designated strain OG9-811T, was isolated from the gut of an oyster collected in the Yellow Sea, Republic of Korea. The strain grew at 10-37 °C, pH 6.0-9.0 and with 0.5-10% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain OG9-811T affiliated with the genus Vibrio, with the highest sequence similarity of 98.2% to Vibrio coralliilyticus ATCC BAA-450T followed by Vibrio variabilis R-40492T (98.0 %), Vibrio hepatarius LMG 20362T (97.7 %) and Vibrio neptunius LMG 20536T (97.6 %); other relatives were Vibrio tritonius JCM 16456T (97.4 %), Vibrio fluvialis NBRC 103150T (97.0 %) and Vibrio furnissii CIP 102972T (97.0 %). The complete genome of strain OG9-811T comprised two chromosomes of a total 4 807 684 bp and the G+C content was 50.2 %. Results of analysis based on the whole genome sequence showed the distinctiveness of strain OG9-811T. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain OG9-811T and the closest strains V. coralliilyticus ATCC BAA-450T, V. variabilis R-40492T, V. hepatarius LMG 20362T, V. neptunius KCTC 12702T , V. tritonius JCM 16456T, V. fluvialis ATCC 33809T and V. furnissi CIP 102972T were 73.0, 72.6, 73.3, 73.0, 72.7, 78.5 and 77.8 %, respectively, while the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain OG9-811T and the above closely related strains were 20.8, 21.2, 20.8, 21.7, 20.7, 23.2 and 22.4 %, respectively. The major fatty acids of strain OG9-811T were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c), summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω6c and/or C18:1 ω7c) and C16:0. The polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Strain OG9-811T contained Q-8 as a quinone. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic characteristics, strain OG9-811T is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Vibrio ostreae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is OG9-811T (=KCTC 72623T=GDMCC 1.2610T).

New markers in metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing globally and is clinically significant due to its association with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Although the pathogenesis of MetS has not been clearly elucidated, insulin resistance and chronic low-grade inflammation derived from central obesity are the most widely accepted as underlying pathophysiology. Accordingly, insulin resistance indices, adipokines and various inflammatory markers have been suggested as reliable biomarkers for MetS. Others, such as uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase, are also known to positively correlate with MetS and could be diagnostically useful. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of MetS biomarkers and the development of a systematic approach to laboratory analysis.

Expression Profiles of ID and E2A in Ovarian Cancer and Suppression of Ovarian Cancer by the E2A Isoform E47.

The E2A and inhibitor of DNA binding (ID) proteins are transcription factors involved in cell cycle regulation and cellular differentiation. Imbalance of ID/E2A activity is associated with oncogenesis in various tumors, but their expression patterns and prognostic values are still unknown. We evaluated ID and E2A expression in ovarian cancer cells, and assessed the possibility of reprogramming ovarian cellular homeostasis by restoring the ID/E2A axis. We analyzed copy number alterations, mutations, methylations, and mRNA expressions of ID 1-4 and E2A using The Cancer Genome Atlas data of 570 ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma patients. Incidentally, 97.2% cases exhibited gain of ID 1-4 or loss of E2A. Predominantly, ID 1-4 were hypomethylated, while E2A was hypermethylated. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ID-3 and ID-4 expressions were high while E2A expression was low in cancerous ovarian tissues. Correlation analysis of ID and E2A levels with survival outcomes of ovarian cancer patients indicated that patients with high ID-3 levels had poor overall survival. We also determined the effect of E2A induction on ovarian cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo using SKOV-3/Luc cells transduced with tamoxifen-inducible E47, a splice variant of E2A. Interestingly, E47 induced SKOV-3 cell death in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in SKOV-3 implanted mice. Therefore, restoring ID/E2A balance is a promising approach for treating ovarian cancer.

Association Between C-Reactive Protein and Relative Handgrip Strength in Postmenopausal Korean Women Aged 45-80 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Chronic inflammation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of frailty and loss of physical performance, which are closely associated with sarcopenia. In women, the decline in muscle mass and strength is accelerated after menopause. Thus, we examined the association between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and relative handgrip strength (HGS) in postmenopausal women. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2171 postmenopausal women aged ≥45 years who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHNES) between 2015 and 2018. Relative HGS was categorized into quartiles as follows: Q1, <0.810 (kg/BMI); Q2, 0.810-0.968 (kg/BMI); Q3, 0.969-1.119 (kg/BMI); Q4, >1.119 (kg/BMI). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for high hs-CRP (>1.0 mg/L, 75 percentile of the current samples) were calculated across relative HGS quartiles using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of high hs-CRP decreased with relative HGS quartiles. Compared to the highest quartile, the OR (95% CI) of the lowest relative HGS quartile for high hs-CRP was 3.266 (2.227-4.789) after adjusting for age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, education, household income, physical activity, strength exercise, smoking, and alcohol ingestion. Conclusion: Serum hs-CRP level was inversely and independently associated with relative HGS. Our findings indicate that low-grade inflammation is inversely associated with muscle strength in postmenopausal women.

Implantation of Acellular Dermal Matrix to Prevent Frontotemporal Depression Following Minipterional Craniotomy for the Surgical Clipping of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the esthetic efficacy of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) implantation to prevent frontotemporal depression (FTD) following minipterional craniotomy (MPT) to clip unruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: We retrospectively compared the incidence of FTD in 100 patients treated without ADM from March to July 2019 and 100 patients treated with ADM from August to December 2019. ADM was implanted in the interfascial layer to cover the temporalis muscle. The specific location and degree of FTD were analyzed by measuring the thickness and area of multiple points (P1-P12) and regions (S1-S3) through brain computed tomography preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: In the non-ADM group, the thickness at P1, P2, P5, P6, and P9 was reduced and the area of S1 and S2 was smaller after surgery than before surgery (P < 0.05), similar to the incision and suture site of the temporalis muscle. However, in the ADM group, the preoperative and postoperative measurements were not different. FTD recognition was significantly lower in the ADM group (6.0%) than that in the non-ADM group (17.0%) (P = 0.015) and occurred in the retroorbital region through P1, P2, P5, and P6, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.840, 0.766, 0.811, and 0.751, respectively. ADM implantation was the only significant predictive factor for FTD recognition in multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio = 0.30; 95% confidence interval: 0.11-0.79; P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Even MPT cannot completely prevent FTD in the retroorbital region. ADM implantation in MPT can help to improve esthetic satisfaction.