The relationship between pulse pressure, insulin resistance, and beta cell function in non-diabetic Korean adults.

AIMS: The present study was conducted to assess the association of pulse pressure (PP) with insulin resistance and beta cell function in Korean non-diabetic populations. METHODS: This study used the data from the 2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey including 4380 adults, aged 20 or older. RESULTS: A multivariate analysis revealed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) (ß=0.089, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.004-0.011; p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (ß=-0.057, 95% CI -0.014 to -0.003; p=0.002), and PP (ß=0.069, 95% CI 0.004-0.011; p<0.001) were significant factors determining the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). SBP (ß=0.070, 95% CI, 0.113-0.420; p=0.001), DBP (ß=-0.068, 95% CI -0.676 to -0.203; p<0.001), and PP (ß=0.050, 95% CI 0.115-0.422; p=0.001) were significant factors determining the homeostasis model assessment of beta cell function (HOMA-B). In the analysis of covariance test, after adjusting for related variables (except age), the quartiles of PP were not associated with HOMA-IR (p=0.191) and were inversely associated with HOMA-B (p<0.001). However, when further adjusting for age, the quartiles of PP were positively associated with both HOMA-IR (p<0.001) and HOMA-B (p=0.027). CONCLUSION: PP was positively associated with insulin resistance and beta cell function in non-diabetic Korean adults.

Changes in the thyroid hormone profiles in children with nephrotic syndrome.

PURPOSE: We compared thyroid hormone profiles in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) during the nephrotic phase and after remission. METHODS: This study included 31 pediatric NS patients. The thyroid hormone profiles included serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and free T4. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients, 16 (51.6%) showed abnormal thyroid hormone profiles: 6 had overt hypothyroidism, 8 had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 2 had low T3 syndrome. The mean serum T3, T4, and free T4 levels in the nephrotic phase and after remission were 82.37±23.64 and 117.88±29.49 ng/dL, 5.47±1.14 and 7.91±1.56 µg/dL, and 1.02±0.26 and 1.38±0.23 ng/dL, respectively; the levels were significantly lower in the NS nephrotic phase (P=0.0007, P<0.0001, and P=0.0002). The mean serum TSH levels during the nephrotic phase and after remission were 8.05±3.53 and 4.08±2.05 µIU/ mL, respectively; they were significantly higher in the nephrotic phase (P=0.0005). The urinary protein/ creatinine ratio during the nephrotic phase was significantly correlated with serum T3, T4, and free T4 levels (r=-0.5995, P=0.0032; r=-0.5797, P=0.0047; r=-0.5513, P=0.0078) as well as with TSH levels (r=0.5022, P=0.0172). A significant correlation was found between serum albumin and serum T3 levels during the nephrotic phase (r=0.5385, P=0.0018) but not between serum albumin and T4, TSH, or free T4 levels. These significant correlations all disappeared after remission. CONCLUSION: Abnormal thyroid hormone profile findings were observed in 51.6% of pediatric patients with NS. Thyroid hormone levels normalized after remission, regardless of levothyroxine therapy.

Perioperative Fresh Red Blood Cell Transfusion May Negatively Affect Recipient Survival After Liver Transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between fresh red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and recipient survival after liver transplantation. BACKGROUND: Fresh RBC products contain many viable leukocytes. Allogeneic leukocytes are responsible for adverse transfusion reactions in the immunocompromised host. METHODS: Among 343 liver transplant recipients who underwent perioperative RBC transfusion, 91 of 226 who did not receive fresh RBCs were matched with 91 of 117 who received fresh RBCs with 1:1 matching ratio using the propensity score based on the amount of transfused blood products and others. Survival analysis was performed using the Cox model. RESULTS: All transfused 3230 RBCs were leukoreduced and irradiated. Before matching, recipients in fresh RBC group received 3 U (2-6 U) of fresh RBCs. After a median follow-up of 60 months, 60 of 343 recipients (17.5%) died. Survival probability at 1/2/5 years after transplantation was 94.7%/92.0%/85.8% for nonfresh RBC group and 82.9%/76.0%/72.0% for fresh RBC group [death hazard ratio (HR) = 2.37 (1.43-3.94), P = 0.001]. In multivariable analysis, fresh RBC transfusion was significantly associated with increased death risk [HR = 2.33 (1.35-4.01), P = 0.002]. After matching, recipients in fresh RBC group received 3 U (2-5 U) of fresh RBCs. After a median follow-up of 56 months, 35 of 182 recipients (19.2%) died. Survival probability at 1/2/5 years was 95.6%/93.2%/86.0% for nonfresh RBC group and 85.7%/78.0%/73.0% for fresh RBC group [HR = 2.23 (1.43-3.94), P = 0.028]. Multivariable analysis confirmed a significance of fresh RBC transfusion [HR = 3.20 (1.51-6.78), P = 0.002]. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a potential negative impact of fresh RBC transfusion on the survival of patients undergoing liver transplantation.

The influence of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist treatment on the body weight and body mass index in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty and early puberty.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the influence of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment on the weight and body mass index (BMI) of girls who were diagnosed with idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) or early puberty (EP). METHODS: Patients who were younger than 8 years of age at diagnosis were classified as CPP and patients aged between 8 and 9 years at diagnosis were classified as EP. Of 129 patients, 34 were diagnosed with CPP and 95 were diagnosed with EP. The patients were divided according to pretreatment weight status into normal weight group, an overweight group, or an obese group. RESULTS: No significant changes were observed with respect to the weight standard deviation score (SDS) before and after 1 year, 2 years of treatment, respectively (P>0.05, P>0.05) in all patient groups. No significant changes were observed in relation to the BMI SDS before and after 1 year, 2 years of treatment, respectively (P>0.05, P>0.05) in all patient group. Depending on the degree of obesity, differences with respect to the weight SDS and BMI SDS were observed. CONCLUSION: BMI SDS increased in the GnRHa-treated patients as a whole group, but was not statistically significant. But BMI SDS increased significantly in the normal weight group after 2 years of GnRHa treatment. So, GnRHa treatment may affect the change of BMI SDS depending on degree of obesity.

Effects of diet-induced mild obesity on airway hyperreactivity and lung inflammation in mice.

PURPOSE: Obesity has been suggested to be linked to asthma. However, it is not yet known whether obesity directly leads to airway hyperreactivity (AHR) or obesity-induced airway inflammation associated with asthma. We investigated obesity- related changes in adipokines, AHR, and lung inflammation in a murine model of asthma and obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed mouse models of chronic asthma via ovalbumin (OVA)-challenge and of obesity by feeding a high-fat diet, and then performed the methacholine bronchial provocation test, and real-time PCR for leptin, leptin receptor, adiponectin, adiponectin receptor (adipor1 and 2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF) ß, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α in lung tissue. We also measured cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. RESULTS: Both obese and lean mice chronically exposed to OVA developed eosinophilic lung inflammation and AHR to methacholine. However, obese mice without OVA challenge did not develop AHR or eosinophilic inflammation in lung tissue. In obese mice, lung mRNA expressions of leptin, leptin receptor, VEGF, TGF, and TNF were enhanced, and adipor1 and 2 expressions were decreased compared to mice in the control group. On the other hand, there were no differences between obese mice with or without OVA challenge. CONCLUSION: Diet-induced mild obesity may not augment AHR or eosinophilic lung inflammation in asthma.

Increased Prevalence of H1N1-Induced Severe Lower Respiratory Tract Diseases in Children With Atopic Sensitization.

PURPOSE: Viral infection is the most common aggravating factor for childhood asthma. Asthma may be a risk factor for severe respiratory symptoms in children with lower respiratory tract infections of viral etiology. Influenza A infection enhances Th2-polarization to house dust mites during the acute phase and leads to lung dysfunction in a mouse model. However, there are no data on the relationship between atopic sensitization and H1N1 (Influenza A) infection in humans. To investigate whether atopic sensitization is associated with the severity of H1N1 pneumonia, we compared clinical features and the atopic sensitization rate between children with and without H1N1 infection. METHODS: Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions, we investigated H1N1 virus infection in 214 children who were hospitalized with high fever and respiratory symptoms from September 2009 to February 2010. We also performed immunoassays for total and specific IgEs to six common aeroallergens. Atopy was defined as positivity for more than one specific IgE. The clinical severity of pneumonia was evaluated based on intensive care unit admission, oxygen therapy, steroid therapy, and atelectasis. RESULTS: There were 70 H1N1-positive children, 42.9% of whom had pneumonia. Children with H1N1 infection were older and had a higher prevalence of atopic sensitization and pneumonia compared with H1N1-negative children. The rate of atelectasis was higher in children with H1N1 pneumonia than in children with non-H1N1 pneumonia. Among children with H1N1 viral infection, those with atopic sensitization had a higher prevalence of intensive care unit admission and oxygen therapy, and a longer duration of hospitalization than non-atopic children. There were no differences between atopic and non-atopic children without H1N1 viral infection. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of H1N1-induced severe lower respiratory tract diseases is higher in children with atopic sensitization.

Total synthsis of (+)-ambuic acid: α-bromination with 1,2-dibromotetrachloroethane.

Total synthesis of (+)-ambuic acid has been accomplished from the readily available stereocontrolled Diels-Alder adduct of cyclopentadiene and iodo-1,4-benzoquinone monoketal through an efficient series of steps. A new method for the highly commendable synthesis of α-brominated Diels-Alder adduct is described.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzenesulfonamide-substituted 4-(6-alkylpyridin-2-yl)-5-(quinoxalin-6-yl)imidazoles as transforming growth factor-beta type 1 receptor kinase inhibitors.

A series of benzenesulfonamide-substituted 4-(6-alkylpyridin-2-yl)-5-(quinoxalin-6-yl)imidazoles have been synthesized and evaluated for their ALK5 inhibitory activity in cell-based luciferase reporter assays. Among them, 4-[5-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinoxalin-6-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl]benzenesulfonamide and 4-[5-(6-ethylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinoxalin-6-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl]benzenesulfonamide showed more than 90% inhibition at 0.5 microM in a luciferase reporter assay using HaCaT cells transiently transfected with p3TP-luc reporter construct, but inhibited p38alpha MAP kinase activity only 11 and 8% at a concentration of 10 microM, respectively.

Use of SAGE technology to reveal changes in gene expression in Arabidopsis leaves undergoing cold stress.

The genes expressed within an organism determine its biological characteristics. Various internal or external factors can modulate these gene expression patterns, which then elicit physiological or pathological changes. We have characterized the global gene expression patterns of Arabidopsis leaves by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). A total of 21,280 SAGE tags were sequenced and 12,049 unique tags were identified. Among these, only 3367 tags (27.9%) were matched to the Arabidopsis cDNA or EST database. Functional analysis of annotated tags indicated that a significant proportion of the genes expressed in normal leaves were involved in energy and metabolism, especially in photosynthesis. To systematically analyze differential gene expression profiles under cold stress, a similar SAGE tag library from cold-treated leaves was constructed and analyzed. A comparison of the tags derived from the cold-treated leaves with those identified in the normal leaves revealed 272 differentially expressed genes (P<0.01): 82 genes were highly expressed in the normal leaves and 190 genes were highly expressed in the cold-treated leaves. After cold stress, in general, many of the genes involved in cell rescue/defense/cell death/aging, protein synthesis, metabolism, transport facilitation, and protein destination were induced. They included various COR genes, lipid transfer protein genes, alcohol dehydrogenase, beta-amylase and many novel genes. By comparison, down-regulated genes were mostly photosynthesis related genes involved in energy metabolism. The expression patterns of several cold responsive transcripts identified by SAGE were confirmed by northern analysis. The results presented here will provide valuable information for understanding the mechanisms of the freezing tolerance of plants.