Diversity of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' Strains in Texas Revealed by Prophage Sequence Analyses.

Prophages/phages are important components of the genome of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), an unculturable alphaproteobacterium associated with citrus huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Phage variations have significant contributions to CLas strain diversity research, which provide critical information for HLB management. In this study, prophage variations among selected CLas strains from southern Texas were studied. The CLas strains were collected from three different CLas inhabitant environments: citrus leaf, citrus root, and Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the vector of CLas. Regardless of the different habitats and time span, more than 80% of CLas strains consistently had both Type 1 and Type 2 prophages, the same prophage type profile as in CLas strains from Florida but different to those reported in California and China. Further studies were performed on prophage type diversity. Analyses on Type 1-specific PCR amplicon sequences (encoding an endolysin protein) revealed the presence of two groups: Type 1-A, clustered around prophage SC1 originating from Florida, and Type 1-B, clustered with prophage P-SGCA5-1 originating in California. Type 1-B strains were mostly from ACP of nearby citrus orchards. On the other hand, analyses on Type 2-specific PCR amplicon sequences (encoding a putative hypothetical protein) showed a single group clustering around prophage SC2 originated from Florida, although a different Type 2 prophage has been reported in California. The presence of two distinct Type 1 prophage groups suggested the possibility of two different CLas introductions in southern Texas. The results from this study provide an initial baseline of information on genomic and population diversity of CLas in Texas.

Comparison of peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion techniques by nephrologists: Surgical vs blind methods.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to perform a comparative analysis of peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) insertion between blind and surgical methods by nephrologists. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study enrolled 249 peritoneal dialysis patients who received first-time PDC insertion. All PDC insertions were performed using either the blind or surgical method. In our hospital during the study period, two of three nephrologists performed the blind method routinely in all eligible patients (blind group), and one of three nephrologists performed the surgical method in all eligible patients (surgical group). Catheter outcomes, including infectious or mechanical complications, functional parameters, and catheter survival, were evaluated. RESULTS: The numbers of patients underwent surgical or blind methods were 105 and 144, respectively. The use of systemic analgesics in the surgical group was higher than that in the blind group. The operation time was longer in the blind group than in the surgical group. The D0 level and peritoneal Kt/V were similar between the two groups. There was no significant difference in infectious and mechanical complications between the two groups. The catheter survival and intervention-free survival were similar between the two groups (P = .995 for catheter survival and P = .723 for intervention-free survival). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that catheter outcomes are similar between blind and surgical insertion techniques performed by nephrologists. These findings reveal that patients without previous major abdominal surgery would be suitable to receive any one of the two methods according to the operator-friendly technique.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by sea anemone sting: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Some sea anemone toxins cause renal injuries resembling hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). To date, only a few cases of HUS caused by sea anemone stings have been reported. In this case report, we have described an HUS case caused by a sea anemone sting. CASE PRESENTATION: In November 2019, a 37-year-old man with no underlying disease was admitted to our hospital. He presented with intense pain, a rash on, and swelling in his right thigh. Two days prior, he had been stung by a sea anemone while scuba diving in Cebu, Philippines. His blood tests revealed renal dysfunction, and his platelet count was normal. However, on day three, the platelet count decreased rapidly. His blood haptoglobin level decreased, and schistocytes were identified on the peripheral blood smear. We suspected thrombotic microangiopathy and started the conventional treatment, comprising hemodialysis, blood transfusion, and antibiotic administration. ADAMTS-13 and genetic test results associated with atypical HUS were normal. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with HUS caused by a sea anemone toxin. CONCLUSIONS: HUS caused by a sea anemone toxin is rare, but it is a serious medical disease. Clinicians should consider HUS in patients with such clinical presentations, and they should make prompt treatment-related decisions.

Hemodialysis with Cohort Isolation to Prevent Secondary Transmission during a COVID-19 Outbreak in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Health care-associated infections during previous coronavirus epidemics involving severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome resulted from human-to-human transmission in hemodialysis (HD) facilities. The effect of a strategy of HD with cohort isolation-separate dialysis sessions for close contacts of patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-on the prevention of secondary transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in HD units is unknown. METHODS: Our multicenter cohort study of an HD with cohort isolation strategy enrolled close contacts of patients with confirmed COVID-19, including patients on HD and health care workers in HD units. Close contacts had been identified by epidemiologic investigation and tested negative on an immediate screening test for SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: As of March 14, 11 patients on HD and 7 health care workers from 11 HD centers were diagnosed as having COVID-19. The immediate screening test was performed in 306 people, and among them, 302 close contacts with negative test results were enrolled. HD with cohort isolation was performed among all close contacts for a median of 14 days in seven centers. During cohort isolation, nine patients showed symptoms but tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Two health care workers in the HD units (0.66% of the total group) were diagnosed at the termination test for SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS: The transmission of COVID-19 can be controlled without closure of HD centers by implementing preemptive activities, including early detection with rapid testing, cohort isolation, collaboration between institutions, and continuous monitoring of infection. Our strategy and experience may provide helpful guidance for circumstances involving the rapid spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

Diversity of Citrus tristeza virus Strains in the Upper Gulf Coast Area of Texas.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in Texas was first reported in the 1950s and has since been sporadically reported in the residential areas in the Upper Gulf Coast region. Because the major rootstock for commercial citriculture in South Texas is sour orange, which is susceptible to CTV decline, the spread of CTV into South Texas can pose a great threat to Texas citrus industry. Thirty-six CTV-positive samples, collected during surveys conducted in the Upper Gulf Coast area of Texas from 2013 to 2018, were first analyzed by strain-specific real-time PCR (RT-PCR) targeting various regions of CTV Open reading frame (Orf) 1a and then by amplicon sequencing derived from p25 and p20 region of CTV genome. Among 36 samples, 33 were successfully genotyped by strain-specific RT-PCR and by amplicon sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis. Variability in the detection of CTV strains was observed over a 6-year period. In 2013, T3 and T30 were the only strains detected in the Upper Gulf Coast of Texas, but in further surveys until 2018, additional strains were detected, including T36, VT, and RB. Mixed infections were also detected in 14 samples comprising about 42% of CTV samples examined in the study. Although genotyping mixed infection samples by targeting Orf 1a and full-length p25, residing in the 5' and 3' region of the CTV genome, respectively, confirmed the presence of multiple strains in these samples, incongruent genotyping data were observed. These findings suggested that the current status of CTV strain diversity in Texas Upper Gulf Coast region might have been established by multiple introductions of CTV-infected plant materials for propagation and with a potential recombination in planta.

Association between Chronic Kidney Disease or Acute Kidney Injury and Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: A population-based study would be useful to identify the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI) and prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. METHODS: This retrospective study utilized the claim data from Korea. Patients who underwent COVID-19 testing and were confirmed to be positive were included and divided into the following three groups based on the presence of CKD or requirement of maintenance dialysis: Non-CKD (participants without CKD), non-dialysis CKD (ND-CKD), and dialysis-dependent CKD (DD-CKD) patients. We collected data on the development of severe clinical outcomes and death during follow-up. Severe clinical outcomes were defined as the use of inotropics, conventional oxygen therapy, high-flow nasal cannula, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the development of AKI, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, or acute heart failure after the diagnosis of COVID-19. AKI was defined as the initiation of renal replacement therapy after the diagnosis of COVID-19 in patients not requiring maintenance dialysis. Death was evaluated according to survival at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: Altogether, 7,341 patients were included. The median duration of data collection was 19 (interquartile range, 11-28) days. On multivariate analyses, odds ratio (OR) for severe clinical outcomes in the ND-CKD group was 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-1.20; P = 0.422) compared to the Non-CKD group. The DD-CKD group had ORs of 7.32 (95% CI, 2.14-33.90; P = 0.004) and 8.32 (95% CI, 2.37-39.21; P = 0.002) compared to the Non-CKD and ND-CKD groups, respectively. Hazard ratio (HR) for death in the ND-CKD group was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.49-1.26; P = 0.318) compared to the Non-CKD group. The DD-CKD group had HRs of 2.96 (95% CI, 1.09-8.06; P = 0.033) and 3.77 (95% CI, 1.29-11.06; P = 0.016) compared to the Non-CKD and ND-CKD groups, respectively. DD-CKD alone was associated with severe clinical outcomes and higher mortality. There was no significant difference in frequency of severe clinical outcomes or mortality rates between the Non-CKD and ND-CKD groups. In patients not requiring maintenance dialysis, AKI was associated with old age, male sex, and high Charlson's comorbidity index score but not with the presence of CKD. HRs for patients with AKI were 11.26 (95% CI, 7.26-17.45; P < 0.001) compared to those for patients without AKI in the multivariate analysis. AKI was associated with severe clinical outcomes and patient survival, rather than underlying CKD. CONCLUSION: CKD requiring dialysis is associated with severe clinical outcomes and mortality in patients with COVID-19; however, the development of AKI is more strongly associated with severe clinical outcomes and mortality.

Treatment outcomes of radiotherapy for primary spinal cord glioma.

PURPOSE: Spinal cord gliomas are rare, and there is no consensus on the optimal radiotherapy (RT) regimen. Herein, we investigated therapeutic outcomes in spinal cord gliomas to obtain clues for the optimal RT regimen. METHODS: We assessed 45 patients who received RT for primary spinal cord non-ependymoma gliomas between 2005 and 2017: 37 (82%) received postoperative RT, 6 (13%) underwent definitive RT without surgery, and 2 (5%) received salvage RT for recurrent tumors. Craniospinal irradiation (CSI; median, 40 Gy) was administered in 4 patients with seeding at diagnosis; all other patients received local RT only (median, 50.4 Gy). RESULTS: In all 23 failures occurred (20 in patients without initial seeding +3 in patients with initial seeding and CSI; median follow-up, 33 months). The 2­year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 74 and 54%, respectively. Overall, 13 (32%) new seeding events outside the local RT field developed either first or subsequently. Tumor grade was significantly associated with survival endpoints (p = 0.009, 0.028) and overall seeding rates (p = 0.042). In grade II tumors, seeding developed in 23%, with a dismal prognosis (median, 10 months after RT). In grade III tumors, seeding developed in 45% with diverse prognosis. In grade IV tumors, seeding developed in 45%. The survival of patients with newly developed seeding was significantly worse than the others (2-year 50%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: To encompass a considerable rate of progressive disease seeding, aggressive treatment such as pre-emptive application of CSI needs to be considered for high-grade spinal cord gliomas with adverse features. Prophylactic CSI could be an option for survival prolongation and requires prospective validation.

Facile and Low-Cost Fabrication of Cathode Protection Thin Layer for Durable Li-S Batteries.

A new and cost-efficient way of confining the diffusing polysulfides within the sulfur cathode is presented on the basis of employing a porous diatomite that is highly abundant in nature. The sulfur cathode coated with diatomite layer exhibited a significantly reduced capacity fade during the first two cycles, implying that the loss of active materials due to the migration of polysulfides can be mitigated by the protective layer. The diatomite-layered cathode demonstrated excellent cycling stability as high as 85% after 100 cycles. These results clearly indicate that the polysulfide diffusion is effectively blocked and the dissolved polysulfides are well confined within the protected cathode region.

High-Energy-Density Li-S Batteries with Additional Elemental Sulfur Coated on a Thin-Film Separator.

For the development of high-areal-capacity Li-S batteries, sulfur-coated separators were utilized between the cathode and anode. It was found that (1) the additional sulfur on the separator participated at the electrode reaction occurring in the cathode region, contributing to the improvement of the areal capacity of Li-S batteries, and (2) the areal capacity significantly increased with the mass ratio of sulfur on the separator (Ssep) to sulfur in cathode (S+). At the high Ssep/S+ mass ratio of 5.0, the Li-S cell delivered fourfold higher areal capacity of 4.28 mAh/cm² than that of the control cell, along with excellent capacity retention of 90% after 50 cycles, demonstrating that the new concept for Li-S cells could be highly advantageous in boosting the Li-S battery cell performance. The new approach can be widely applied to increase the areal capacity and volumetric energy density of Li-S batteries.

Effects of food availability on growth performance and immune-related gene expression of juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

Unfavorable environmental conditions and inappropriate culture practices have increased the vulnerability of cultured fish to disease infection. Up to date many studies have aimed to determine a feeding regimen to maximize productivity; however, very little information on immune responses of cultured fish in response to underfeeding or overfeeding is available. Therefore, a preliminary study was conducted to evaluate effects of graded feeding levels (i.e., food availability) on growth performance and immune-related gene expression of juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Six different feeding rates including 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, and 16% body weight per day (BW/d) were randomly assigned to three replicate tanks stocking 150 fish (average initial body weight: 0.27 ±â€¯0.02 g; mean ±â€¯SD) per tank. A feeding trial lasted for two weeks. Based on the results of the weight gain, nutrient gain, and whole-body compositions and energy content, the feeding rate of 10%, 13%, and 16% BW/d resulted in high nutritional status, whereas the feeding rate of 1% and 4% BW/d resulted in low nutritional status. Intermediate nutritional status was observed at the feeding rate of 7% BW/d. In the given rearing conditions the optimum feeding rate resulting in the maximum growth was estimated to be 11.9% BW/d based on the quadratic broken-line regression model, chosen as the best-fit model among the tested models. Expression of immune-related genes including IL-8 and IgM was significantly down-regulated in the flounder fed at 1% BW/d in comparison to those fed at 7% BW/d. Interestingly, expression of these genes in the flounder fed at 10%, 13%, and 16% BW/d was relatively down-regulated in comparison to that of the flounder fed at 7% BW/d. Although no statistical difference was detected, overall response patterns of other immune-related genes, including TLR3, polymeric Ig receptor, lysozyme C-type, GPx, SOD, and Trx followed what IL-8 and IgM exhibited in response to the various feeding rates. Given the current challenges in aquaculture of the flounder our findings suggest to prohibit underfeeding or overfeeding (i.e., ad-libitum feeding) when culturing the young flounder.

Colloidal Silica Templated Mesoporous Carbons from a Maltose Solution for Use in Supercapacitor Electrodes.

A series of disordered mesoporous carbons (DMC) are synthesized via the colloidal silica template method by varying the mass ratio of silica to maltose from 0.4 to 1.4. A gradual improvement in the surface area and porosity of the DMC is apparent with an increase in the ratio of silica to maltose. The capacitance of the DMCs tends to increase linearly with their surface area. In particular, the DMC synthesized at a mass ratio of 1.4 exhibits the largest surface area of 1,152 m2/g and the highest capacitance of 175.4 F/g, comparable to the capacitance of other porous carbons with large surface areas (>2,000 m2/g). This feature may be attributed to its unique structural properties, such as the high pore interconnectivity allowing for easy access of the electrolyte ions. We believe that a higher capacitive performance can be achieved through further optimization studies (e.g., searching for better carbon precursors and adjusting the mass ratio of silica to carbon precursor).

Association Between Periodontitis and Low-Grade Albuminuria in Non-Diabetic Adults.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical association between periodontitis and a high urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) in individuals without diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for this analysis. A high UACR was defined as UACR≥3.9 mg/g for men and UACR≥7.5 mg/g for women. The WHO community periodontal index (CPI) was used to define periodontitis and assess its severity. RESULTS: The numbers of participants without and with periodontitis were 3,046 and 8,571, respectively. The UACR values were higher in participants with periodontitis than in those without periodontitis. Logistic regression showed that the OR for a high UACR with the presence of periodontitis was 1.14 (P=0.044) on multivariate analysis. CPI score was positively associated with UACR. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis was associated with UACR in the non-diabetic participants in this study. Therefore, participants with periodontitis should be closely monitored for UACR, which can function as an early marker for renal injury.

Association between sarcopenia and hearing thresholds in postmenopausal women.

Background: Given the association between metabolic disturbance and sarcopenia, sarcopenia may be intrinsically associated with the prevalence of HL. However, few studies describe the association between sarcopenia and HL. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical association between sarcopenia and HL in postmenopausal Korean women. Patients and Methods: A total of 4,038 women were ultimately included in this study. All participants were postmenopausal. Participants were divided into two groups based on criteria from the Foundation for the National Institute of Health Sarcopenia Project: a normal group (sarcopenia index ≥ 0.512) and a sarcopenia group (sarcopenia index < 0.512). Low-frequency (Low-Freq), mid-frequency (Mid-Freq), and high-frequency (High-Freq) values were obtained. The average hearing threshold (AHT) was calculated as the pure tone average at the 4 frequencies of 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 3 kHz. Mild HL was as an AHT of 24 to 40 dB; moderate-to-profound HL was defined as an AHT of 40 dB or greater. Results: Of the 4,038 participants, 272 (6.7%) were allocated to the sarcopenia group, leaving 3,766 (93.3%) in the normal group. The groups differed significantly in terms of having hypertension (775 [20.6%] vs. 108 [39.7%]; P < 0.001) or metabolic syndrome (817 [21.7%] vs. 110 [40.4%]; P < 0.001) in the normal and sarcopenia groups, respectively. Visceral fat area (cm3) in the normal and sarcopenia groups was 99.0 ± 21.9 cm3 and 117.0 ± 21.8 cm3 , respectively (P < 0.001). The hsCRP level was higher in the sarcopenia group than in the normal group. For univariate and multivariate analyses, all 4 hearing thresholds were higher in the sarcopenia group than in the normal group. In addition, linear regression analyses showed Low-Freq, Mid-Freq, and High-Freq to be inversely correlated with the sarcopenia index. The unadjusted OR for mild HL was 2.692 (95% CI, 1.963-3.692; P < 0.001) in the sarcopenia group relative to the normal group, with an adjusted OR of 1.584 (95% CI, 1.131-2.217; P = 0.007). The unadjusted OR for moderate-to-profound HL in the sarcopenia group relative to the normal group was 6.246 (95% CI, 4.530-8.612; P < 0.001); the adjusted OR was 2.667 (95% CI, 1.866-3.812; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Sarcopenia may be associated with HL. It may be beneficial to perform screening audiometry in patients with sarcopenia.

Non-mass breast lesions on ultrasound: final outcomes and predictors of malignancy.

Background Breast cancer can present as non-mass lesions (NMLs) on ultrasound. However, knowledge of and understanding about NMLs are scarce. Purpose To retrospectively investigate the final outcomes of sonographic breast NMLs and determine the clinical and radiologic variables associated with malignancy Material and Methods In our radiologic database of breast ultrasound examinations between 2011 and 2014, we found 119 women with 121 NMLs with available histopathologic or sonographic follow-up (over 2 years) data. We collected the clinical variables (patient's age, symptoms, and mammographic density) and histopathologic data as well as radiologic variables (mammographic and ultrasound findings) after retrospective review by two radiologists, the authors of the current paper, in consensus. We classified the ultrasound findings according to distribution (focal, linear or segmental, and regional) and associated features (calcification, architectural distortion, and ductal changes) and analyzed the associations between variables and malignancy using the t test and χ2 test. Results Of the 121 NMLs, 88 (72.7%) were benign and 33 (27.3%) were malignant. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (17/33, 51.5%) and invasive ductal cancer with or without DCIS (13/33, 39.4%) comprised the main malignancies, and malignancy was significantly associated with palpability ( P = 0.000). Mammographic findings and sonographic distribution and associated features were significantly different between benign and malignant lesions ( P = 0.000, P = 0.004, and P = 0.001, respectively). Malignant lesions showed more frequent calcifications combined with asymmetry ( P = 0.000) on mammography and linear-segmental distributions ( P = 0.001) and associated calcifications ( P = 0.019) or architectural distortions ( P = 0.015) on ultrasound. Conclusion Breast NMLs on ultrasound showed high risk of malignancy. Symptoms and mammographic and ultrasound findings can be possible predictors of malignancy in NMLs.

Microenvironmental Interaction Between Hypoxia and Endothelial Cells Controls the Migration Ability of Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells via α4 Integrin and Rho Signaling.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a powerful source for cell therapy in degenerative diseases. The migration ability of MSCs is an important factor that enhances the therapeutic effect of the cells when they are transplanted into target tissues or organs. Hypoxia and the endothelial barrier, which are representative migration microenvironmental factors, are known to be regulated by the integrin-mediated pathway in several cancers. However, their regulatory mechanisms in MSCs remain unclear. Here, the objectives of the study were to compare the expression of markers related to integrin-mediated signaling in placenta-derived MSCs (PDMSCs) dependent on hypoxia and co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to evaluate their correlations between migration ability and microenvironmetal factors including hypoxia and endothelial cells. The migration abilities of PDMSCs exposed to hypoxic conditions were significantly increased compared with normal fibroblasts (WI-38) and control (P < 0.05). Interestingly, decreased integrin α4 in PDMSCs under hypoxia induce to increase migration abilities of PDMSCs. Also, Rho family-related markers were significantly increased in PDMSCs under hypoxic conditions compared with normoxia (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the migration ability of PDMSCs was decreased by Rho kinase inhibitor treatment (Y-27632) and co-culturing with HUVECs in an ex vivo system. ROCK activity was increased by inhibiting integrin α4 with HUVECs and hypoxia compared with the absence of HUVECs and under normoxia. The findings suggest microenvironment event by hypoxia and the interaction with endothelial cells may be useful as a regulator of MSC migration and provide insight into the migratory mechanism of MSCs in stem cell-based therapy.

Low-dose mycophenolate mofetil in tablet form or capsule form combined with tacrolimus in the early period after kidney transplantation: a prospective randomized trial
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AIMS: The tablet form (500 mg) of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) provides more convenience of taking drugs and cost-effectiveness than the capsule form (250 mg). We examined the efficacy and safety of MMF in its different forms combined with tacrolimus in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: This multicenter, 26-week, randomized trial was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of the tablet form of MMF versus the capsule form of MMF in 156 kidney transplant recipients. Allograft function, the incidence of efficacy failure (biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), death, graft loss, or loss to follow-up), and adverse events were compared. RESULTS: The mean dose (mg/day) of MMF at 26 weeks was comparable: 1,052.6 ± 194.2 in the tablet group vs. 1,155.6 ± 298.1 in the capsule group (p = 0.063). Trough levels of tacrolimus at 26 weeks were comparable. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate of the tablet group at 26 weeks post-transplant was not inferior to that of the capsule group. The incidence of efficacy failure was similar in the two groups: tablet group, 5.2% and capsule group, 7.7% (difference -2.5%; 95% confidence interval -5.22 - 10.21%). The incidence of BPAR until 26 weeks post-transplant in the tablet group was 3.9%, compared to 7.7% in the capsule group (p = 0.346). There was no significant difference in the incidence of discontinuations and serious adverse events between the groups. CONCLUSION: Low-dose MMF in tablet form combined with tacrolimus can be considered as an efficacious and safe immunosuppressive regimen in the early period after kidney transplantation.
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Synthesis and validation of novel cholesterol-based fluorescent lipids designed to observe the cellular trafficking of cationic liposomes.

Cholesterol-based fluorescent lipids with ether linker were synthesized using NBD (Chol-E-NBD) or Rhodamine B (Chol-E-Rh), and the usefulnesses as fluorescent probes for tracing cholesterol-based liposomes were validated. The fluorescent intensities of liposomes containing these modified lipids were measured and observed under a microscope. Neither compound interfered with the expression of GFP plasmid, and live cell images were obtained without interferences. Changes in the fluorescent intensity of liposomes containing Chol-E-NBD were followed by flow cytometry for up to 24h. These fluorescent lipids could be useful probes for trafficking of cationic liposome-mediated gene delivery.

Comparison of waist to height ratio and body indices for prediction of metabolic disturbances in the Korean population: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2011.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study of the general population was to identify the best predictor of metabolic risk among the body index variables evaluated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or anthropometric indices including the waist to height ratio (WHtR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2011 were used for the analyses. As a result, 15,965 participants were included in this study. The body mass (BM) index was calculated as the body weight divided by the height squared. The WHtR was calculated as the waist circumference divided by height. Body composition indices such as lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), trunk fat mass (TFM), and bone mineral content (BMC) were determined by using DEXA. Skeletal muscle mass (SM) was defined as the sum of the lean soft masses of both extremities. The LM, FM, BMC, TFM, and SM indices were calculated by dividing the total LM, total FM, total BMC, TFM, or SM by the height squared. RESULTS: The WHtR had the highest area under the curve (AUC) and was the best predictor of metabolic syndrome for both sexes. In addition, the WHtR had the highest AUCs for components of metabolic syndrome (male: AUC 0.823, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.814-0.832; female: AUC 0.870, 95 % CI 0.863-0.877). There was a small statistically significant difference in AUC between WHtR and the other indices. Multivariate logistic regression showed that male participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles had a 4.0 (95 % CI, 3.1-5.2), 9.6 (95 % CI, 7.5-12.3), and 36.1 (95 % CI, 28.0-46.4) times increased risk of metabolic syndrome compared with patients in the first quartile and female participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles had a 4.3 (95 % CI, 3.1-6.0), 18.0 (95 % CI, 13.3-24.5), and 58.5 (95 % CI, 42.9-79.9) times increased risk of metabolic syndrome compared with patients in the first quartile. CONCLUSION: Among the BM, FM, LM, SM, TFM, and WHtR indices, WHtR is most useful to predict the presence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in the Korean population.