Bullying and other risk factors related to adolescent suicidal behaviours in the Philippines: a look into the 2011 GSHS Survey.

BACKGROUNDS: The present study retrospectively examined gender differences in bullying and suicidal behaviour (ideation, plan, and attempts) as well as associations between selected risk factors and suicidal behaviour among secondary school Filipino students. METHODS: The study used a secondary data set from the GSHS developed by the World Health Organization, which was conducted in the Philippines in 2011. Participants included 5290 Filipino students (male N = 2279, female N = 2986). A two-tailed Chi-square of independence was used to test for gender differences and a multivariate logistic regression model explored statistical associations between risk factors and outcome variables. RESULTS: Chi-square results suggested that gender differences were statistically significant for being bullied χ2 (1, N = 2384) = 10.6, p = .001, experiencing suicidal ideation χ2 (1, N = 857) = 61.7, p = .000, making suicide plans χ2 (1, N = 590) = 10.2, p = .001, and suicide attempts χ2 (1, N = 674) = 8.4, p = .004, with females showing higher vulnerability to examined risk factors. The logistic regression model also suggested that adolescents claiming to have no close friends were three to four times more likely to attempt suicide. Other strong predictors of suicidal behaviours were loneliness and getting in trouble due to alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Bullying is an independent yet, not the strongest predictor associated with adolescents' suicidal behaviour in the present study. The strongest predictors of Filipino adolescents' suicidal behaviours in the 2011 cohort included having no close friends, loneliness, anxiety and getting in trouble due to alcohol use among both genders. Peer and mental health support programmes need to be made available and accessible for adolescents in the Philippines. Considering the increase in suicide rates in 2020/2021 among Filipino young adults due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it is suggested that preventing suicidal vulnerability in adolescence can hinder this occurrence later on in the lifetime.

The association of echocardiographic parameters on renal outcomes in chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have structural abnormalities of the heart due to pressure and volume overload. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between echocardiographic parameters and renal outcomes (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] slope and progression to dialysis) in patients with stage 3-5 CKD. METHODS: This longitudinal study enrolled 419 patients. Changes in renal function were assessed using the eGFR slope. Rapid renal progression was defined as an eGFR slope < -3 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, and the renal endpoint was defined as commencing dialysis. RESULTS: Increased left atrial diameter (LAD), ratio of left ventricular mass to body surface area (LVM/BSA), ratio of LVM to height2.7 (LVM/ht2.7), and ratio of observed to predicted LVM (o/p LVM) were associated with eGFR slope in an adjusted model, but left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was not. Furthermore, LAD ≥ 4.7 cm, LVM/BSA > 115 g/m2 in males and > 95 g/m2 in females, and LVM/ht2.7 > 48 g/ht2.7 in males and > 44 g/ht2.7 in females were correlated with progression to dialysis, but o/p LVM and LVEF were not. The maximum change in χ2 change to predict renal outcomes was observed for LAD, followed by LVM/BSA and LVM/ht2.7. CONCLUSIONS: A large LAD and increased LVM, regardless of how it was measured (LVM/BSA, LVM/ht2.7 and o/p LVM), were correlated with adverse renal outcomes in patients with CKD stage 3-5. LAD had superior prognostic value to LVM and LVEF.

EPA and DHA can modulate cell death via inhibition of the Fas/tBid-mediated signaling pathway with ISKNV infection in grouper fin cell line (GF-1) cells.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play important roles in organisms, including the structure and liquidity of cell membranes, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. Very little has been done in terms of the effect of PUFAs on cell death, especially on DNA virus. In this study, we demonstrated that the infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) can induce host cell death via the apoptotic cell death pathway, which correlated to modulation by PUFAs in grouper fin cell line (GF-1) cells. We screened the PUFAs, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), for the ability of different dosages to prevent cell death in GF-1 cells with ISKNV infection. In the results, each 10 µM of DHA and EPA treatment enhanced host cell viability up to 80% at day 5 post-infection. Then, in Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay, DHA- and EPA-treated groups reduced TUNEL positive signals 50% in GF-1 cells with ISKNV infection. Then, through studies of the mechanism of cell death, we found that ISKNV can induce both the Bax/caspase-3 and Fas/caspase-8/tBid death signaling pathways in GF-1 cells, especially at day 5 post-infection. Furthermore, we found that DHA and EPA treatment can either prevent caspase-3 activation on 17-kDa form cleavage or Bid cleaved (15-kDa form) for activation by caspase-8, apparently. On the other hand, the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 was upregulated 0.3-fold and 0.15-fold at day 3 and day 5, respectively, compared to ISKNV-infected and DHA-treated cells; that this did not happen in the EPA-treated group showed that different PUFAs trigger different signals. Finally, ISKNV-infected GF-1 cells treated with either DHA or EPA showed a 5-fold difference in viral titer at day 5. Taken together, these results suggest that optimal PUFA treatment can affect cell death signaling through both the intrinsic and extrinsic death pathways, reducing viral expression and viral titer in GF-1 cells. This finding may provide insight in DNA virus infection and control.

Emergent biosynthetic capacity in simple microbial communities.

Microbes have an astonishing capacity to transform their environments. Yet, the metabolic capacity of a single species is limited and the vast majority of microorganisms form complex communities and join forces to exhibit capabilities far exceeding those achieved by any single species. Such enhanced metabolic capacities represent a promising route to many medical, environmental, and industrial applications and call for the development of a predictive, systems-level understanding of synergistic microbial capacity. Here we present a comprehensive computational framework, integrating high-quality metabolic models of multiple species, temporal dynamics, and flux variability analysis, to study the metabolic capacity and dynamics of simple two-species microbial ecosystems. We specifically focus on detecting emergent biosynthetic capacity--instances in which a community growing on some medium produces and secretes metabolites that are not secreted by any member species when growing in isolation on that same medium. Using this framework to model a large collection of two-species communities on multiple media, we demonstrate that emergent biosynthetic capacity is highly prevalent. We identify commonly observed emergent metabolites and metabolic reprogramming patterns, characterizing typical mechanisms of emergent capacity. We further find that emergent secretion tends to occur in two waves, the first as soon as the two organisms are introduced, and the second when the medium is depleted and nutrients become limited. Finally, aiming to identify global community determinants of emergent capacity, we find a marked association between the level of emergent biosynthetic capacity and the functional/phylogenetic distance between community members. Specifically, we demonstrate a "Goldilocks" principle, where high levels of emergent capacity are observed when the species comprising the community are functionally neither too close, nor too distant. Taken together, our results demonstrate the potential to design and engineer synthetic communities capable of novel metabolic activities and point to promising future directions in environmental and clinical bioengineering.

Beta-nodavirus B2 protein induces hydrogen peroxide production, leading to Drp1-recruited mitochondrial fragmentation and cell death via mitochondrial targeting.

Because the role of the viral B2 protein in the pathogenesis of nervous necrosis virus infection remains unknown, the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of B2 protein on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated cell death via mitochondrial targeting. Using a B2 deletion mutant, the B2 mitochondrial targeting signal sequence ((41)RTFVISAHAA(50)) correlated with mitochondrial free radical production and cell death in fish cells, embryonic zebrafish, and human cancer cells. After treatment of grouper fin cells (GF-1) overexpressing B2 protein with the anti-oxidant drug, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and overexpression of the antioxidant enzymes, zfCu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and zfCatalase, decreased H2O2 production and cell death were observed. To investigate the correlation between B2 cytotoxicity and H2O2 production in vivo, B2 was injected into zebrafish embryos. Cell damage, as assessed by the acridine orange assay, gradually increased over 24 h post-fertilization, and was accompanied by marked increases in H2O2 production and embryonic death. Increased oxidative stress, as evidenced by the up-regulation of Mn SOD, catalase, and Nrf2, was also observed during this period. Finally, B2-induced dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and cell death could be reversed by NAC and inhibitors of Drp1 and Mdivi in GF-1 cells. Taken together, betanodavirus B2 induces H2O2 production via targeting the mitochondria, where it inhibits complex II function. H2O2 activates Drp1, resulting in its association with the mitochondria, mitochondrial fission and cell death in vitro and in vivo.

Photocatalytic characteristic and photodegradation kinetics of toluene using N-doped TiO2 modified by radio frequency plasma.

This study investigates the feasibility of applications of the plasma surface modification of photocatalysts and the removal of toluene from indoor environments. N-doped TiO2 is prepared by precipitation methods and calcined using a muffle furnace (MF) and modified by radio frequency plasma (RF) at different temperatures with light sources from a visible light lamp (VLL), a white light-emitting diode (WLED) and an ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UVLED). The operation parameters and influential factors are addressed and prepared for characteristic analysis and photo-decomposition examination. Furthermore, related kinetic models are established and used to simulate the experimental data. The characteristic analysis results show that the RF plasma-calcination method enhanced the Brunauer Emmett Teller surface area of the modified photocatalysts effectively. For the elemental analysis, the mass percentages of N for the RF-modified photocatalyst are larger than those of MF by six times. The aerodynamic diameters of the RF-modifiedphotocatalyst are all smaller than those of MF. Photocatalytic decompositions of toluene are elucidated according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Decomposition efficiencies (eta) of toluene for RF-calcined methods are all higher than those of commercial TiO2 (P25). Reaction kinetics ofphoto-decomposition reactions using RF-calcined methods with WLED are proposed. A comparison of the simulation results with experimental data is also made and indicates good agreement. All the results provide useful information and design specifications. Thus, this study shows the feasibility and potential use of plasma modification via LED in photocatalysis.

Rectangular illumination using a secondary optics with cylindrical lens for LED street light.

The illumination pattern of an LED street light is required to have a rectangular distribution at a divergence-angle ratio of 7:3 for economical illumination. Hence, research supplying a secondary optics with two cylindrical lenses was different from free-form curvature for rectangular illumination. The analytical solution for curvatures with different ratio rectangles solved this detail by light tracing and boundary conditions. Similarities between the experiments and the simulation for a single LED and a 9-LED module were analyzed by Normalized Cross Correlation (NCC), and the error rate was studied by the Root Mean Square (RMS). The tolerance of position must be kept under ± 0.2 mm in the x, y and z directions to ensure that the relative illumination is over 99%.

A Mitochondrion-Targeting Protein (B2) Primes ROS/Nrf2-Mediated Stress Signals, Triggering Apoptosis and Necroptosis in Lung Cancer.

The betanodavirus B2 protein targets mitochondria and triggers mitochondrion-mediated cell death signaling in lung cancer cells; however, its molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we observed that B2 triggers hydrogen peroxide/Nrf2-involved stress signals in the dynamic regulation of non-small lung cancer cell (NSCLC)-programmed cell death. Here, the B2 protein works as a necrotic inducer that triggers lung cancer death via p53 upregulation and RIP3 expression, suggesting a new perspective on lung cancer therapy. We employed the B2 protein to target A549 lung cancer cells and solid tumors in NOD/SCID mice. Tumors were collected and processed for the hematoxylin and eosin staining of tissue and cell sections, and their sera were used for blood biochemistry analysis. We observed that B2 killed an A549 cell-induced solid tumor in NOD/SCID mice; however, the mutant ΔB2 did not. In NOD/SCID mice, B2 (but not ΔB2) induced both p53/Bax-mediated apoptosis and RIPK3-mediated necroptosis. Finally, immunochemistry analysis showed hydrogen peroxide /p38/Nrf2 stress strongly inhibited the production of tumor markers CD133, Thy1, and napsin, which correlate with migration and invasion in cancer cells. This B2-triggered, ROS/Nrf2-mediated stress signal triggered multiple signals via pathways that killed A549 lung cancer tumor cells in vivo. Our results provide novel insight into lung cancer management and drug therapy.

Case Report: Ribociclib-induced phototoxicity presented as dyschromia with subsequent bullae formation.

Ribociclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor, is a novel targeted therapy for advanced-stage breast cancer. Although ribociclib-induced cutaneous side effects have been previously noted, they have not been well documented. Herein, we present a case of ribociclib-induced phototoxicity, which manifested as dyschromia over sun-exposed forearms and neck initially and as bullae formation subsequently. A 71-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer developed dyschromia after daily treatment with ribociclib (600 mg) for 7 months. Skin biopsy of the pigmented lesion revealed interface dermatitis with melanin incontinence and dyskeratotic cells and ballooning keratinocytes with loss of melanocytes in the basal layer. Further, clefting at the basal layer of epidermis was noted in a more hyperpigmented field. Fontana-Masson staining revealed melanophages in the dermis. Human Melanoma Black-45 staining revealed decreased melanocyte numbers in the epidermis above the cleft. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed activated CD1a+ epidermal Langerhans cells and infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the epidermis and dermis, thereby indicating type IV hypersensitivity that was associated with damage to keratinocytes and melanocytes. To prevent progression of bullous dermatitis, we advised the patient to discontinue ribociclib and prescribed oral and topical prednisolone. Due to the risk of phototoxicity, we educated the patient on sun-protection strategies. The patient's skin lesions subsided during the 2 months of treatment. Phototoxicity with dyschromia is a rare but significant ribociclib-induced cutaneous side effect. Early diagnosis, rapid ribociclib withdrawal, protection from sunlight, and prompt treatment are critical for preventing subsequent severe bullous dermatosis.

Bioimpedance-Measurement-Based Non-Invasive Method for In Ovo Chicken Egg Sexing.

Day-old male chick culling is one of the world's most inhumane problems in the poultry industry. Every year, seven billion male chicks are slaughtered in laying-hen hatcheries due to their higher feed exchange rate, lower management than female chicks, and higher production costs. This study describes a novel non-invasive method for determining the gender of chicken eggs. During the incubation period of fourteen days, four electrodes were attached to each egg for data collection. On the last day of incubation, a standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based chicken gender determination protocol was applied to the eggs to obtain the gender information. A relationship was built between the collected data and the egg's gender, and it was discovered to have a reliable connection, indicating that the chicken egg gender can be determined by measuring the impedance data of the eggs on day 9 of incubation with the four electrodes set and using the self-normalization technique. This is a groundbreaking discovery, demonstrating that impedance spectroscopy can be used to sex chicken eggs before they hatch, relieving the poultry industry of such an ethical burden.

Epistasis from functional dependence of fitness on underlying traits.

Epistasis between mutations in two genes is thought to reflect an interdependence of their functions. While sometimes epistasis is predictable using mechanistic models, its roots seem, in general, hidden in the complex architecture of biological networks. Here, we ask how epistasis can be quantified based on the mathematical dependence of a system-level trait (e.g. fitness) on lower-level traits (e.g. molecular or cellular properties). We first focus on a model in which fitness is the difference between a benefit and a cost trait, both pleiotropically affected by mutations. We show that despite its simplicity, this model can be used to analytically predict certain properties of the ensuing distribution of epistasis, such as a global negative bias, resulting in antagonism between beneficial mutations, and synergism between deleterious ones. We next extend these ideas to derive a general expression for epistasis given an arbitrary functional dependence of fitness on other traits. This expression demonstrates how epistasis relative to fitness can emerge despite the absence of epistasis relative to lower level traits, leading to a formalization of the concept of independence between biological processes. Our results suggest that epistasis may be largely shaped by the pervasiveness of pleiotropic effects and modular organization in biological networks.

Ovarian remnant syndrome with paraintestinal ovarian serous cystadenofibroma arose 30 years after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: A case report.

RATIONALE: Ovarian cystadenofibroma is a relatively rare benign ovarian tumor. Ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) is a rare complication of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). We report a rare case of ORS with paraintestinal ovarian serous cystadenofibroma that developed 30 years after total abdominal hysterectomy and BSO in a 73-year-old woman. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 73-year-old woman complained of long-term lower abdominal discomfort. DIAGNOSIS: She was diagnosed with a cystic lesion in the lower abdomen on transabdominal ultrasonography. Further diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests could not exclude a diagnosis of malignancy. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent laparoendoscopic single-site surgery. We found one cystic lesion 5 cm in size with multiple septa that was adhered to the small bowel. We consulted a general surgeon for tumor resection. Dissection was performed and the specimen was then removed from the umbilical wound. OUTCOMES: Histopathological examination revealed an ovarian serous cystadenofibroma. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. LESSONS: Patients with lower abdominal pain after a previous hysterectomy and BSO should be examined with transabdominal sonography for ORS.

Fifty-year change in air pollution in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The change in air quality in cities can be the product of regulation and emissions. Regulations require enforcement of emission reduction, but it is often shifting economic and societal structures that influence pollutant emissions. This study examines the long-term record of air pollutants in Kaohsiung, where post-war industrialisation increased pollution substantially, although improvements are observed in recent decades as the city moved to a more mixed economy. The study tracks both gases and particles across a period of significant change in pollution sources in the city. Concentrations of SO2 and aerosol SO42- were especially high ~1970, but these gradually declined, although SO42- to a lesser extent than its precursor, SO2. While twenty-first century emissions of SO2 and NOx have declined, this has been less so for NH3, because it arises from predominantly agricultural sources. The atmosphere in Kaohsiung continues to have high concentrations of O3, and these have risen in the city, likely a product of less titration by NO. The changes have meant that ozone has become an increasing threat to health and agriculture. Despite a potential for producing (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3 aerosols, a product of a relatively constant supply of NH3, visibility has improved in recent years. Emissions of SO2 and NOx should continue to be reduced, as these strongly affect the amount of fine secondary aerosol. However, the key problem may be ozone, which is difficult to control as it requires careful consideration of the balance of NOx and hydrocarbons so important to its production.

Development of Metabolic Syndrome Decreases Bone Mineral Density T-Score of Calcaneus in Foot in a Large Taiwanese Population Follow-Up Study.

Studies have suggested that there may be common pathogenic pathways linking osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome (MetS) due to the multiple risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease caused by MetS. However, results on the association between MetS and bone health are inconsistent and sometimes contradictory. In this study, we aimed to investigate the associations between the effects of MetS risk factors and bone mineral density (BMD) T-score in a longitudinal study of 27,033 participants from the Taiwan Biobank with a follow-up period of 4 years. BMD of the calcaneus was measured in the non-dominant foot using ultrasound in the Taiwanese population. The overall prevalence rates of MetS were 16.7% (baseline) and 21.2% (follow-up). The participants were stratified into four groups according to the status of MetS (no/yes at baseline and follow-up). We investigated associations between MetS and its five components (baseline, follow-up) with BMD ΔT-score and found that the (no, yes) MetS group, (no, yes) abdominal obesity group, (no, yes) hypertriglyceridemia group, and (no, yes) low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol group had the lowest ΔT-score. Furthermore, in the (no, yes) MetS group, high Δwaist circumference (p = 0.009), high Δtriglycerides (p = 0.004), low ΔHDL cholesterol (p = 0.034), and low Δsystolic blood pressure (p = 0.020) were significantly associated with low ΔT-score, but Δfasting glucose was not. In conclusion, in this large population-based cohort study, our data provide evidence that the development of MetS is strongly associated with increased rates of BMD loss in the Taiwanese population. This suggests that the prevention of MetS should be taken into consideration in the prevention of osteoporosis in the Taiwanese population.

The Proapoptotic Gene Bad Regulates Brain Development via p53-Mediated Stress Signals in Zebrafish.

Studies have shown that the BH3-only domain Bad regulates brain development via the control of programmed cell death (PCD), but very few studies have addressed its effect on the molecular signaling of brain development in the system. In this work, we examined the novel role of zebrafish Bad in initial programmed cell death for brain morphogenesis through the priming of p53-mediated stress signaling. In a biological function study on the knockdown of Bad by morpholino oligonucleotides, at 24 h post-fertilization (hpf) Bad defects induced abnormal hindbrain development, as determined in a tissue section by means of HE staining which traced the damaged hindbrain. Then, genome-wide approaches for monitoring either the upregulation of apoptotic-related genes (11.8%) or the downregulation of brain development-related genes (29%) at the 24 hpf stage were implemented. The p53/caspase-8-mediated apoptotic death pathway was strongly involved, with the pathway being strongly reversed in a p53 mutant (p53M214K) line during Bad knockdown. Furthermore, we propose the involvement of a p53-mediated stress signal which is correlated with regulating Bad loss-mediated brain defects. We found that some major genes in brain development, such as crybb1, pva1b5, irx4a, pax7a, and fabp7a, were dramatically restored in the p53M214K line, and brain development recovered to return movement behavior to normal. Our findings suggest that Bad is required for (PCD) control, exerting a p53 stress signal on caspase-8/tBid-mediated death signaling and brain development-related gene regulation.

Primary inguinal subcutaneous endometriosis accompanied with an inguinal hernia: A case report.

RATIONALE: We report a case with inguinal subcutaneous endometriosis without typical cyclic dysmenorrhea and accompanied with a hernia sac treated with resection of the tumor and herniorrhaphy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 40-year-old woman had a painless enlarged inguinal nodule for 3 months. DIAGNOSES: Subcutaneous endometriosis accompanied with a hernia sac. INTERVENTIONS: Ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic lesion (3.0 cm × 2.0 cm), and an inguinal subcutaneous tumor was first suspected. After surgical exploration, a cystic lesion was excised and the hernia hole was repaired by herniorrhaphy. The immunohistochemical analysis of the small endometriotic cyst-like lesion revealed calretinin (-) in epithelial cells and CD10 (+) in stromal cells, indicative of subcutaneous endometriosis accompanied with a hernia sac. OUTCOMES: The patient was followed up for 1 year and without recurrence. LESSONS: Cutaneous endometriosis accompanied with a hernia sac can be presented without typical endometriosis-associated symptoms such as dysmenorrhea. Inguinal endometriosis might be the differential diagnosis of inguinal painless nodules.

Comparison of the effects of sibling and parental history of type 2 diabetes on metabolic syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between sibling history, parental history and simultaneous sibling and parental history of diabetes, and the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components. Our study comprised 5000 participants from Taiwan Biobank until April, 2014. The participants were stratified into four groups according to sibling and/or parental family history (FH) of DM. MetS was defined as having 3 of the following 5 abnormalities based on the standard of the NCEP ATP III and modified criteria for Asians. The prevalence of MetS and its traits was estimated and compared among the four familial risk strata. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed participants with sibling FH of DM [vs. no FH of DM; odds ratio (OR) 1.815; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.293 to 2.548; p = 0.001], participants with parental FH of DM (vs. no FH of DM; OR 1.771; 95% CI 1.468 to 2.135; p < 0.001), and participants with simultaneous sibling and parental FH of DM (vs. no FH of DM; OR 2.961; 95% CI 2.108 to 4.161; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with MetS. A synergistic effect of sibling FH of DM and parental FH of DM on the association of MetS was also observed. In a nationally representative sample of Taiwan adults, a simultaneous sibling and parental history of diabetes shows a significant, independent association with MetS and its components, except for abdominal obesity. The association highlights the importance of obtaining stratified FH information in clinical practice and may help to identify individuals who should be targeted for screening and early prevention of MetS.

Comparison of Various Obesity-Related Indices for Identification of Metabolic Syndrome: A Population-Based Study from Taiwan Biobank.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of 11 obesity-related indices, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, waist-hip ratio, a body shape index, abdominal volume index, body adiposity index, body roundness index, conicity index, visceral adiposity index (VAI), and triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, in identifying metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults. The information of 5000 participants was obtained from the Taiwan Biobank. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the associations between MetS and obesity-related indices with odds ratio (ORs). The predictive performance of the indices to identify MetS was compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and areas under curves (AUCs). Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression showed that the ORs for MetS increased across the quartiles of each index. ROC curves analysis demonstrated that TyG index had the greatest AUC in men (AUC = 0.850) and women (AUC = 0.890). Furthermore, VAI had the greatest AUC in men (AUC = 0.867) and women (AUC = 0.925) aged 30-50 years, while TyG index had the greatest AUC in men (AUC = 0.849) and women (AUC = 0.854) aged 51-70 years. Among the studied obesity-related indices, TyG index and VAI exhibited the best performance for identifying MetS in adults. TyG index and VAI may be the relevant indices to assess MetS in clinical practice.

There is a U shaped association between non high density lipoprotein cholesterol with overall and cardiovascular mortality in chronic kidney disease stage 3-5.

Dyslipidemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), however the relationship between dyslipidemia and mortality in patients with moderate to severe CKD remains controversial. Non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has been reported to be a more accurate predictor of clinical outcomes than conventional lipid measurements. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate associations between non-HDL cholesterol and the risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients with CKD stage 3-5. We enrolled 429 pre-dialysis patients with stage 3 to 5 CKD from May 2006 to January 2010. The patients were divided into four groups according to quartiles of non-HDL cholesterol. The patients were followed until death or until January 2020. During a median 11.6 years of follow-up, there were 78 (18.2%) deaths overall and 32 (7.5%) cardiovascular deaths. In adjusted models, the patients in quartile 1 (hazard ratio [HR] 3.368; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.388-8.176; p = 0.007), quartile 3 (HR 3.666; 95% CI 1.486-9.044; p = 0.005), and quartile 4 (HR 2.868; 95% CI 1.136-7.240; p = 0.026) of non-HDL cholesterol had a higher risk of overall mortality (vs. quartile 2). In addition, the patients in quartile 1 (HR 19.503; 95% CI 2.185-174.0925 p = 0.008), quartile 3 (HR 28.702; 95% CI 2.990-275.559; p = 0.004), and quartile 4 (HR 11.136; 95% CI 1.126-110.108; p = 0.039) had a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (vs. quartile 2). Our study showed a U-shaped relationship between non-HDL cholesterol and the risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients with CKD stage 3-5. Assessing non-HDL cholesterol may help to identify subjects at high-risk of adverse outcomes.

Associations between Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Micro- and Macro-angiopathies in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Keywords: triglyceride-glucose index; microangiopathy; macroangiopathy; type 2 diabetes mellitus.