Systemic immune-inflammation index and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in sarcopenia: a study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2018.

Background: Sarcopenia, common in the elderly, often linked to chronic diseases, correlates with inflammation.The association between SII and mortality in sarcopenia patients is underexplored, this study investigates this relationship in a U.S. adult cohort. Methods: We analyzed 1999-2018 NHANES data, focusing on 2,974 adults with sarcopenia. Mortality outcomes were determined by linking to National Death Index (NDI) records up to December 31, 2019. Using a weighted sampling design, participants were grouped into three groups by the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII). We used Cox regression models, adjusting for demographic and clinical variables, to explore SII's association with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in sarcopenia, performing sensitivity analyses for robustness. Results: Over a median follow-up of 9.2 years, 829 deaths occurred. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant survival differences across SII groups. The highest SII group showed higher hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality in both crude and adjusted models. The highest SII group had a higher HR for all-cause(1.57, 1.25-1.98), cardiovascular(1.61, 1.00-2.58), cancer(2.13, 1.32-3.44), and respiratory disease mortality(3.21, 1.66-6.19) in fully adjusted models. Subgroup analyses revealed SII's association with all-cause mortality across various demographics, including age, gender, and presence of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Sensitivity analyses, excluding participants with cardiovascular diseases, those who died within two years of follow-up, or those under 45 years of age, largely reflected these results, with the highest SII group consistently demonstrating higher HRs for all types of mortality in both unadjusted and adjusted models. Conclusion: Our study is the first to demonstrate a significant relationship between SII and increased mortality risks in a sarcopenia population.

[Establishment and Analysis of Risk Prediction Model for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Physical Examination Population].

Objective: To analyze the risk factors of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in the physical examination population, to establish a risk prediction model for the occurrence of MAFLD, and to provide management strategies for the prevention and occurrence of the disease. Methods: A total of 14664 people who underwent physical examination at the Physical Examination Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University between January 2018 and December 2021 were selected as research subjects. The subjects were divided into a MAFLD group ( n=4013) and a non-MAFLD group ( n=10651) according to whether they had MAFLD. The differences in biochemical indices, for example, glycolipid metabolism levels, were compared and logistic regression was conducted to analyze the risk factors for MAFLD, thereby establishing a nomogram prediction model. The prediction effect of the model was validated and evaluated with the consistency index (C-index) and the calibration curve. Results: Among the 14664 subjects who underwent physical examination, 4013 were MAFLD patients, presenting an overall prevalence of 27.37%, with significantly higher prevalence in men than that in women (38.99% vs. 10.06%, P<0.001). Compared with those of the non-MAFLD group, the levels of glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and uric acid (UA) were increased ( P<0.05), while the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was decreased ( P<0.05) in the MAFLD group. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that male sex, age, body mass index, GLU, TG and hypertension were all independent risk factors of MAFLD, while HDL-C was a protective factor of MAFLD. The risk factors were used to establish a nomogram risk prediction model and the C-index and calibration curve showed that the nomogram model produced good predictive performance. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the nomogram model had good predictive value for the risk of MAFLD. Conclusion: We found a relatively high prevalence of MAFLD in the physical examination population, and the nomogram model established with routine physical examination screening can provide indications for the clinical screening and analysis of high-risk patients, which has an early warning effect on the high-risk population.

Unilateral adrenal tuberculosis whose computed tomography imaging characteristics mimic a malignant tumor: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Adrenal tuberculosis usually presents with bilateral involvement. It has special characteristics in computed tomography (CT) images, such as small size, low attenuation in the center, and peripheral rim enhancement, which differ from those of primary tumors. CASE SUMMARY: A 42-year-old female presented to the hospital with low back pain. She had been diagnosed with hypertension as well as pulmonary and cerebral tuberculosis but denied having any fever, fatigue, anorexia, night sweats, cough, or weight loss. Abdominal CT revealed an irregular 6.0 cm × 4.5 cm mass with uneven density in the right adrenal gland, while the left adrenal gland was normal. No abnormalities were observed in plasma total cortisol (8 am), adrenocorticotropic hormone, aldosterone/renin ratio, blood catecholamines, or urine catecholamines. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the right adrenal gland provided evidence of tuberculosis. After three years of anti-tuberculosis treatments, the large mass in the right adrenal gland was reduced to a slight enlargement. CONCLUSION: This is a case of unilateral adrenal tuberculosis with CT imaging characteristics mimicking those of a malignant tumor. Extended anti-tuberculosis therapy is recommended in such cases.

[Performance Verification of Plasma Renin and Aldosterone Examination with Chemiluminescence Immunoassay and Its Screening Efficacy for Primary Aldosteronism].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) in examining renin and aldosterone and to determine its value for screening for primary aldosteronism (PA). METHODS: According to the relevant documents of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), we verified the precision, linear range and carryover rate of examining renin and aldosterone with CLIA. The study included 91 suspected PA patients, using two methods, CLIA and radioimmunoassay (RIA), to examine renin and aldosterone levels in order to compare the correlation between the two methods and their value for PA screening. RESULTS: The precision, linear range and carryover rate of examining renin and aldosterone with CLIA met the requirements. In patients with suspected PA, the correlation coefficients of renin, aldosterone and aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) assessed by CLIA and RIA were 0.901, 0.861 and 0.847 respectively (all P<0.001). When the patients were in the upright position and the ARR was 5.636 (ng/dL)/(ng/L), the CLIA method had 79.1% sensitivity and 93.7% specificity for PA screening; when ARR was 14.084 (ng·dL －1)/(ng·[mL·h] －1), the RIA method had 93.0% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity for PA screening. When the patients were in the supine position, and the ARR was 5.640 (ng/dL)/(ng/L), the CLIA method had 97.7% sensitivity and 81.2% specificity for PA screening; when ARR was 33.494 (ng·dL －1)/(ng·[mL·h] －1), RIA had 95.3% sensitivity and 70.8% specificity for PA screening . CONCLUSION: The performance of the CLIA kit in assessing the concentration of renin and aldosterone meets the clinical requirements. Regarding preliminary PA screening, upright-position ARR had higher specificity, but lower sensitivity compared with supine-position ARR.

Lipoprotein A, combined with alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, contributes to predicting the occurrence of NASH: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progresses from simple nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and has a poor prognosis. Abnormal lipid metabolism is closely related to the occurrence and development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to study the relationships between serum lipid metabolites and NASH, and to improve the early diagnosis of NASH. METHODS: This study included 86 NAFLD patients (23 NASH and 63 NAFL), and 81 unaffected individuals as controls from West China Hospital between October 2018 and May 2019. With lipid metabolites as the focus of the study, the differences in lipid metabolites were compared between the control group, NAFL patients, and NASH patients. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the risk factors of NASH. Finally, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to analyze the efficacy of the metabolites in NASH prediction. RESULTS: The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lipoprotein A (LPA) increased with the severity of NAFLD. In NAFLD patients, LPA (OR:1.61; 95%CI: 1.03-2.52) was a potential risk factor for NASH, and ROC analysis showed that the combination of LPA, ALT, and AST had a greater predictive efficiency for NASH. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal apolipoprotein/lipoprotein is closely related to lipid metabolism disorder in patients with NAFLD. In NAFL, the combination of LPA, ALT, and AST contributes to predicting the occurrence of NASH. LPA may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for diagnosing and treating NASH.

[Risk Factors Associated with Thyroid Nodules in Patients with Acromegaly].

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with thyroid nodular lesions in patients with acromegaly. METHODS: Clinical and thyroid ultrasonography data of patients with acromegaly diagnosed in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from May 2009 to January 2018 were reviewed and analyzed. Multivariate linear regression models were established to identify factors associated with thyroid volumes and size of thyroid nodules. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were established to determine risk factors associated with thyroid nodules in patients with acromegaly. RESULTS: Of the 240 acromegaly patients, 70 received thyroid ultrasonography and 56 had thyroid nodules (56/70, 80%). The patients with thyroid nodules had a longer median duration of acromegaly than 14 patients who without thyroid nodules (8.0 years vs. 3.0 years, P＜0.05), but had a similar mean age and female to male ratio with the latter. The risk of thyroid nodules increased with the duration of acromegaly (odds ratio=1.306, 95% confidence interval (1.010, 1.688), P=0.042). The level of random growth hormone was linearly correlated with thyroid volumes. Gender, age, and serum growth hormone were not predictors of thyroid nodules in patients with acromegaly. CONCLUSION: Duration of acromegaly is an independent predictor of thyroid nodules.

[Application Value of American Urological Association Symptom Index Score in Female Patients with Type 2 Diabetic Neurogenic Bladder].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of American Urological Association symptom index (AUA-SI) score in female patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with neurogenic bladder. METHODS: This study included 289 female patients with type 2 diabetes who were hospitalized in our hospital from July 2015 to July 2018. To each of them, residual urine volume (RUV) test, fundus test, and random urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) test were performed, and a questionnaire survey was conducted using AUA-SI scale. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of diabetic neurogenic bladder (DNB) in women with type 2 diabetes.RUV≥100 mL was used as the diagnostic golden standard for DNB, and the patients were divided into DNB group and non-DNP group. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of AUA-SI. Linear regression was used to test the linear trend of AUA-SI score with diabetic retinopathy stage and diabetic nephropathy stage. RESULTS: The levels of the fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and AUA-SI score in DNP group were higher than those in non-DNP group (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that AUA-SI score had the greatest predictive value for the occurrence of DNB 〔odds ratio (OR)=1.876, P < 0.001〕.The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.843, P=0.000, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.799, 0.888). The optimal diagnostic threshold was 7.5, the corresponding sensitivity was 0.747, and the specificity was 0.822. There was a positive correlation between the severity of AUA-SI score and the stage of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: AUA-SI score can be used to screen female patients with DNB, while it seems parallel to the severity of DNP, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy.

[Serum Uric Acid and Islet ß-cell Function in Patients with Pre-diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) and insulin secretion function in patients with pre-diabetes and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 4 112 adult people participated in this study. They were divided into three groups according to the results of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): 493 with normal glucose regulation (NGR),1 251 with impaired glucose regulation (IGR),and 2 368 with T2DM. Their levels of SUA,fasting insulin (FIns),2 h post-meal insulin (2 h-Ins),and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were determined. Correlations between SUA and insulin secretion and HOMA-IR were estimated. RESULTS: IGR patients had higher levels of SUA and 2 h-Ins compared with those with NGR and T2DM ( P<0.000 1). T2DM patients had higher levels of FIns,glucosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and HOMA-IR compared with those with NGR and IGR ( P<0.000 1). In both male and female participants,the highest level of 2 h-Ins appeared in those with IGR,while T2DM had the highest level of HOMA-IA and HbA1c. FIns,2 h-Ins and HOMA-IR increased with SUA in both patients with IGR and T2DM. HbA1c decreased with SUA in T2DM patients. CONCLUSION: High serum SUA is correlated with islet ß-cell dysfunction. It may become an indicator of progression from pre-diabetes to T2DM.

[Serum Wnt5a and Its Associations with Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis in Overweight and Obese People].

OBJECTIVES: To determine serum Wnt5a and its associations with liver steatosis and fibrosis in overweight and obese people. METHODS: The study participants were recruited from those who visited our hospital for health examinations. They were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)values and elasticity (E) values of liver fibroscan: Control ( n=27), Mild NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, n=51) and Moderate/severe NAFLD ( n=56). The waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin releasing test (IRT), liver function, blood lipid, serum Wnt5a and ß-catenin of those participants were measured. RESULTS: The three groups of participants had no significant differences in age, gender, BMI, WC or HC ( P>0.05). Significant differences appeared in fasting glucose, 2 h postprandial glucose and fasting insulin level between the three groups ( P<0.05), but not in 2 h postprandial insulin level ( P>0.05).The participants with NAFLD had higher levels of serum Wnt5a and ß-catenin than controls ( P<0.05). Wnt5a level was correlated with CAP value ( r=-0.19, P<0.000 1), but barely with E value ( r=0.02, P=0.241). CONCLUSIONS: Wnt5a may play a role at different stages of NAFLD in overweight/obese people.

[Obesity and Osteoporosis in Men Aged Above 50].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between obesity and osteoporosis in men aged above 50 in Chengdu. METHODS: Male participants aged above 50 were recruited from those who visited West China Hospital of Sichuan University for health examinations. Bone mineral density was measured by MetriScan Bone Densitometry. The participants were divided into three groups according to T values: normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis. RESULTS: About 5.75% (525 cases) of the 9 135 male participants had osteoporosis. The three groups had significant different anthropometric parameters, including body mass, waist circumference, hip circumference, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist-height ratio (WHtR), a body shape index (ABSI), and body roundness index (BRI)( P<0.01). The participants with the highest quartile (Q4) of BMI, BRI, WHtR, WHR, ABSI, waist circumference and height had an age-adjusted odds ratios (OR) of 0.443 [95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.342-0.574), 0.580 (95% CI: 0.454-0.740), 0.587 (95% CI: 0.460-0.751), 0.664 (95% CI: 0.516-0.854], 1.369 (95% CI: 1.069-1.751), 0.634 (95% CI: 0.497-0.809), and 1.357 (95% CI: 1.047-1.758), respectively, for osteoporosis compared with those with the lowest quartile (Q1). The area under cures (AUC) of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of BMI for osteoporosis was 0.606 (95% CI:0.580-0.632). CONCLUSIONS: Large body mass was negatively associated with osteoporosis in middle and old aged men. BMI is the strongest predictor of osteoporosis. Further longitudinal studies are required to verify such asscoiations.

[The Preliminary Investigation of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist on Liver Steatosis in Obese Mice].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, exenatide, on liver function and steatosis in obese mice. METHODS: Male c57BL/6J mice (8 weeks old) were divided into high-fat-diet group (for obesity model construction) and chow diet group. 12 weeks later, mice of high-fat diet group were randomly divided into high-dose exenatide group [H group, intraperitoneal injection 0.02 µg/ (g·d) , high-fat-diet], low-dose exenatide group [L group, intraperitoneal injection 0.01 µg/ (g·d) , high-fat-diet], saline group (NS group, intraperitoneal injection of saline, high-fat-diet) , diet control group (D group, shifted to chow diet) and high-fat control group (M group, high-fat-diet) for 4-week treatments , respectively. The body mass and serum biochemical indicators of were detected. Liver tissues were stained with HE, and steatosis score was measured. RESULTS: After 4-week treatments, H group showed more body mass loss than L group and D group ( P<0.05). The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level of NG group was higher than that of H, L, M, and NS groups ( P<0.05). Serum cholesterol and triglyceride declined to normal levels by diet intervention or drug treatment. High-dose exenatide treatment ran a risk of increasing serum uric acid level. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipase, and amylase had no significant differences between groups (P>0.05). Hepatic steatosis score was reduced by diet intervention or drug treatment. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose exenatide treatment can effectively reduce body mass of obese mice, but it has little difference when compared with dietary intervention in improving blood fat and liver steatosis.

[Preliminary Study on the Wnt5a Expression in Obese Mice with Hepatocellular Carcinoma].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the Wnt5a expression in obese mice with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Two groups of 6-week C57BL/6J mice were fed with chow-diet and high-fat-diet for 8 weeks respectively, to establish obesity model in the latter group. Mice in Hepal-6 group (including normal-body mass mice and obese mice) were injected with Hepa1-6 hepatocarcinoma cell lines through caudal vein, while the controls were given NS. Serum and tissue samples were taken at the age of 18 weeks for serological and morphological study. The expression of Wnt5a and ß-catenin in liver were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: At the age of 18-week, tatty degeneration was observed in the livers of obese control mice. Tumor cell masses were found in the livers of both obese and (including normal-body mass mice and obese mice) control mice by inoculation with Hepal-6, while focal necrosis was only observed in the obese+Hepal-6 group. The levels of serum transaminases, cholesterol and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were significantly different between groups ( P<0.05). The immunohistochemistry showed that the highest expression of Wnt5a was observed in liver tissues of normal control group, followed in sequence by obese control group, normal+Hepal-6 group, and obese+Hepal-6 group ( P<0.05). The expression of ß-catenin was just opposite ( P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of Wnt5a was decreased, and the ß-catenin was abnormal accumulation. It may be closely related to the formation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Obesity and Bone Mineral Density in Menopausal Women].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between obesity and bone mineral density in menopausal women. METHODS: We recruited menopausal women aged 50 years and older who undertook health examinations in West China Hospital of Sichuan University in this study. Bone mineral density of the participants was measured by MetriScan Bone Densitometry. The participants were categorized into three groups according to the T value: normal density, osteopenia and osteoporosis. RESULTS: Of the 4 938 participants, 8.55% had obesity [body mass index (BMI)>28 kg/m2]. The three groups of participants were different in BMI, a body shape index (ABSI), body mass, waist circumference, hip circumference and height ( P<0.01). The age-adjusted T values were positively correlated with height, body mass, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist-height ratio (WHtR) and body roundness index (BRI) ( P<0.05). The areas under curves (AUC) of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) were 0.540 and 0.568, respectively, for waist circumference and BMI in those with osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity in menopausal women is negatively associated with osteoporosis. The clinical significance of such an association requires further studies with a longitudinal design.

Association of testosterone levels and heroin usage characteristics in male heroin users.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that heroin abuse can alter the gonadal functions. Few studies examined the association between testosterone levels and heroin use in the existing literature. We aimed to determine the association between gonadal hormones and heroin usage characteristics over 12 weeks of abstinence in heroin users. METHODS: We collected data on patient demographics and heroin use patterns for 65 men aged 18 to 45 and for 29 age-matched healthy controls. Serum levels of total testosterone, estradiol, and prolactin were assessed at 5 time points. RESULTS: Testosterone levels gradually increased and prolactin levels decreased in heroin users in this study. In heroin users, a significant positive correlation was observed between the way of using drug and the testosterone levels, the way of using drug and the estradiol levels, between the duration of heroin dependence and the testosterone levels, between the duration of heroin dependence and the estradiol levels on D0, and between relapse time and testosterone levels on D84. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal testosterone might promote injection drug use and repeated relapse in male heroin users.

[Effects of FGF-21 on Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in High Glucose Environment].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of fibroblast growth factor-21(FGF-21)on the osteogenic differention of human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) exposed to a hyperglycemia condition in vitro. METHODS: hBMSCs were isolated from adult bone marrows, and identified by Alizarin red and oil red O staining. The expressions of immunophenotype were analysed using flow cytometry (CD105, CD90, CD73, CD44).HBMSCs were divided into control group[glucose (Glu) concentration of 5.5 mmol/L], Glu A, B, C groups(Glu 16.5, 25, 40 mmol/L), FGF-21 group (Glu 5.5mmol/ L+ FGF-21 ),Glu B+ FGF-21 group, and Glu B +FGF-21+cell mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) blocker (PD98059, SP600125 ,and SB203580) groups. The effect of FGF-21 on the differentiation of hBMSCs was detected using indicators as follows: alkaline phosphatase(ALP)on day 14, mRNA expressions ofALP, osteocalcin(OCN)and Runx2, protein expressions and phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), mitogen-activated protein kinase(P38) and c-Jun N-terminal kinases(JNK) on day 21. RESULTS: hBMSCs differentiated into osteoblast cells and lipocyte. The hBMSCs were identified by flow cytometry.Compared with control group, significant increases of ALP mRNA, OCN mRNA and Runx2mRNA levels, as well as phosphorylation of ERK, P38 and JNK were observed in Glu A, B, C groups.Compared with Glu B group, ALP, OCN and Runx2 mRNA levels, and phosphorylation of ERK, P38 and JNK were decreased in Glu B+FGF-21 group .Compared with Glu B+FGF-21 group, ALP and Runx2 mRNA levels, and phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and P38 were decreased in Glu B +FGF-21 +MAPK blocker groups. CONCLUSIONS: High glucose could promote the biomineralization of hBMSCs. FGF-21 in high glucose environment could inhibit the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs.

[The Targeted Regulating Role of Has-miR-577 and Has-miR-583 on Gene FGF-21 Detected by the Dual Luciferase Reporter System.]

OBJECTIVES: To determine the targeted regulating role of has-miR-577 and has-miR-583 on the expression of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) based on a constructed luciferase reporter FGF-21 gene vector. METHODS: The site of has-miR-577 and has-miR-583 target genes FGF-21 were predicted by the bioinformatics analyzing tools online.FGF-21 gene fragments,combined with has-miR-577 or has-miR-583 sequences and mutant sequences,were designed and synthesized.The wild type (psiCHECK2-FGF-21) and mutant (psiCHECK2-FGF-21-mut) luciferase reporter gene carriers were constructed.The relevant plasmids [hsa-miR-577mimics,hsa-miR-583 mimics or miR negative control (miR-NC)] and luciferase reporter gene carrier (wild type or mutant ) were co-transfected into 293T cells.The luciferase reporter system was used to detect the luciferase activity.The effects of has-miR-577 and has-miR-583 on the expression of FGF-21 were observed. RESULTS: The double enzyme electrophoresis and sequencing results showed that the gene fragment size and sequences of the wild type (psiCHECK2-FGF-21) and mutant (psiCHECK2-FGF-21-mut) carriers met expectations of the experiment.The luciferase assays revealed that has-miR-577 and has-miR-583 significantly diminished luciferase activity from the reporter vector containing 3'UTR of FGF-21 (P<0.05),whereas no suppression of luciferase activity was found in the mutant (psiCHECK2-FGF-21-mut). CONCLUSIONS: FGF-21 gene can be targeted by has-miR-577 and has-miR-583.

[Association Between Serum Uric Acid and Acute Cerebral Infarction: a Case Control Study].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between serum uric acid levels and acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: 700 patients with acute cerebral infarction were recruited in the study, with 700 healthy individuals serving as controls. Blood samples of the participants were collected to measure uric acid, triglyceride, cholesteral, blood glucose, urea and creatinine. Logistic regression model was established to examine the association between serum uric acid and acute cerebral infarction. RESULTS: The patients with acute cerebral infarction had lower levels of serum uric acid than the healthy controls (P <0. 05). The logistic regression model showed that decreased levels of serum uric acid were barely associated with acute cerebral infarction (odds ratio: 0. 998, 95% confidence interval: 0. 996-1. 000, P<0. 05), after controlling for other confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Association between serum uric acid and acute cerebral infarction is not confirmed.

[Effect of Serum Uric Acid on Renal Function of Patients with Abnormal Glucose Metabolism].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of serum uric acid on renal function of patients with abnormal glucose metabolism. METHODS: A total of 1 495 people who took physical examinations in West China Hospital of Sichuan University in May 2014 were recruited in this study. Serum nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (SCr), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and uric acid (SUA) of the participants were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The glomerular filtration rate, (eGFR) was calculated with CKD-EPI. According to hyperuriceima (HUA), the participants were divided into groups with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), diabetes (DM), IFG with hyperuicimia, and DM with hyperuricemia. The participants with normal fasting plasma glucose served as controls. Renal dysfunction was detected using eGFR≤50 mL/(min . 1. 73 m2) and SCr≤1. 7 µg/mL. RESULTS: About 13. 18% (197/1 495) participants were identified as IFG with HUA: male (158)/female (39) ratio =4.05; 4.41% (66/1 495) as DM with HUA: male (58)/female (8) ratio = 7. 25. Participants with HUA in the control, IFG and DM groups had higher levels of BUN and SCr and lower levels of eGFR than those without HUA (P<0. 05). HUA was more likely to be associated with serum. lipid in the control and IFG groups (most P<0. 05) than in the DM group (P>0. 05). DM patients without HUA had better renal function and serum lipid levels than those who had HUA in their early stage of abnormal glucose metabolism (IFG with HUA) (P<0. 05). The prevalence of renal dysfunction of IFG patients with HUA was significantly higher than those without HUA, similar to the prevalence of renal dysfunction of DM patients with HIUA (P

Relation between ADIPOQ Gene Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The manuscript investigates the relation between adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a Chinese population. METHODS: We designed a case-control study involving 340 normal glucose tolerant (NGT) subjects and 340 type 2 diabetes patients. Three SNPs (rs182052, rs1501299, and rs7627128) were genotyped by TaqMan methods. RESULTS: We found that rs7627128, rs1501299 and rs182052 were significantly associated with T2DM. Haplotypes analysis indicated that the frequency of the haplotypes A-A-T was frequent in T2DM patients (OR = 2.10; 95%CI: 1.44-2.90; p < 0.001), but G-A-T was more frequent in the control group than in the T2DM group (OR = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.54-0.81; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The ADIPOQ genetic polymorphisms were associated with type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population.

[The diagnostic value of serum beta-hydroxybutyrate in diabetic ketosis or diabetic ketoacidosis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (betaOHB) in diabetic ketosis or diabetic ketoacidosis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of clinical data, in West China Hospital from May 2011 to May 2013, of 1 209 patients with non-ketosis diabetics (DM group), 262 patients with diabetic ketosis or diabetic ketoacidosis (DK/DKA group), and 480 healthy people undergoing routine medical examinations (normal control group). Logistic regression analyses and ROC curves were performed in determining the diagnostic value of betaOHB for DK/DKA. RESULTS: The level of serum betaOHB was much higher in the DK/DKA patients than that of the participants in the DM group and normal control group (P < 0.01). The serum betaOHB turned negative earlier than urine ketone (P < 0.01) in the DK/DKA patients. The logistic regression analysis indicated that betaOHB was one of the independent risk factors for DK/DKA. The betaOHB had an area under of 0.975 in ROC curve, with 1 mmol/L [sensitivity (Sen.) 85.1%, specificity (Spe.) 95. 3%, positive predictive value (PV+) 80.36%, negative predictive value (PV-) 96.89%] as a diagnostic point for DK/DKA and 0.66 mmol/L (Sen. 95%, Spe. 89.2%, PV+ 66.41%, PV- 99.9%) as a screening point. CONCLUSION: Diabetic patients with a level or higher than 1 mmol/L serum betaOHB can accurately predict DK/DKA. Patients with a level or lower than 0.66 mmol/L serum betaOHB are unlikely to have DK/DKA.