[Associations between serum GDF15 and glycolipid metabolism disorder in metabolic associated fatty liver patients].

Objective: To investigate relationships between serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and glycolipid metabolism in patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods: The current investigation was a cross-sectional study. A total of 333 patients from the Fengxian District Central Hospital were recruited into the study after physical examination from February 2020 to February 2021. There were 107 patients with MAFLD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), including 54 males and 53 females with a mean age of (57±11) years. There were 65 patients with simple MAFLD only, including 32 men and 33 women with a mean age of (49±5) years. There were 105 patients with T2DM only, including 53 men and 52 women, with a mean age of (56±10) years. A control group of 56 people without MAFLD or diabetes,28 male, 28 female, mean age (48±6) years, was also included in the study. Serum GDF15 was measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. IBM SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis. Logistic regression was used to evaluate relationships between GDF15 and metabolic abnormalities in MAFLD patients. Results: GDF15 progressively increased in the control [385 (296, 484) ng/L], nonobese MAFLD [388 (319, 435) ng/L], obese MAFLD [426 (354, 527) ng/L], T2DM [664 (483, 900) ng/L], and MAFLD+T2DM groups [770 (560, 1 074) ng/L](H=113.82, P=0.001). There was no significant difference in serum GDF15 between the simple MAFLD [406 (339, 524) ng/L] and control group (U=1 505.50, P=0.132). GDF15 was significantly higher in the MAFLD+T2DM group than in the T2DM-only group (U=4 573.50, P=0.019). In logistic regression analysis increased GDF15 was associated with increased risks of simple MAFLD [odds ratio (OR)=2.202], T2DM (OR=29.656), and MAFLD+T2DM(OR=58.197). In patients with MAFLD, serum GDF15 was higher in the FIB4 index>1.45 group [773 (534, 1 162) ng/L] than in the FIB4 index<1.45 group [527 (389, 787) ng/L] (U=1 709.50, P<0.001). Increased GDF15 was associated with an increased risk of advanced liver fibrosis (OR=2.388). Conclusion: In patients with simple MAFLD, GDF15 level was not significantly higher than in the control group. In the T2DM-only group and the MAFLD+T2DM group GDF15 was significantly higher than in the control group. Increased serum GDF15 was associated with increased risk and severity of MAFLD complicated with abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. High GDF15 increased the risk of advanced fibrosis in MAFLD patients.

Identifying characteristics of an effective fracture liaison service: systematic literature review.

Fracture liaison services (FLS) have been demonstrated to improve outcomes following osteoporotic fracture. The aim of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to determine the characteristics of an FLS that lead to improved patient outcomes. We conducted a SLR, including articles published between 2000 and February 2017, using global (Medline, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library) and local databases. Studies including patients aged ≥ 50 years with osteoporotic fractures enrolled in an FLS were assessed. Information extracted from each article included key person coordinating the FLS (physician, nurse or other healthcare professional), setting (hospital vs community), intensity (single vs multiple), duration (long vs short term), fracture type and gender. A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was conducted based on the key person coordinating the FLS. Out of 7236 articles, 57 were considered to be high quality and identified for further analysis. The SLR identified several components which contributed to FLS success, including multidisciplinary involvement, driven by a dedicated case manager, regular assessment and follow-up, multifaceted interventions and patient education. Meta-analytic data confirm the effectiveness of an FLS following an osteoporotic fracture: approximate 27% increase in the likelihood of BMD testing and up to 21% increase in the likelihood of treatment initiation compared with usual care. The balance of evidence indicates that the multifaceted FLS and dedicated coordination are important success factors that contribute to effective FLS interventions which reduce fracture-related morbidity and mortality.

A novel peripheral cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist, BPR0912, reduces weight independently of food intake and modulates thermogenesis.

AIM: To investigate the in vivo metabolic effects of treatment with BPR0912, a novel and potent peripheral cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) antagonist, on both normal mice and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. METHODS: The acute peripheral effects of BPR0912 administration on gastrointestinal transit and energy metabolism in normal mice were investigated. The effects of chronic BPR0912 treatment were compared with those of rimonabant using DIO mice. Alterations to body weight and biochemical and metabolic variables were determined. RESULTS: Acute treatment with BPR0912 did not alter food intake or energy metabolism, but efficiently reversed CB1R-mediated gastrointestinal delay. Chronic treatment of DIO mice with BPR0912 showed that BPR0912 exerts a food intake-independent mechanism, which contributes to weight loss. Genes involved in ß-oxidation and thermogenesis were upregulated in white adipose tissue (WAT) in addition to increased lipolytic activity, whereas Ucp1 expression was induced in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and body temperature was elevated. Expression of the ß2-adrenoceptor was specifically elevated in both WAT and BAT in a manner dependent on the BPR0912 dose. Lastly, chronic BPR0912 treatment was more efficacious than rimonabant in reducing hepatic triglycerides in DIO mice. CONCLUSION: BPR0912 exhibits significant in vivo efficacy in inducing food intake-independent weight loss in DIO mice, while tending to reduce their hepatic steatosis. The thermogenic effects of BPR0912, as well as its modulation of protein and gene expression patterns in WAT and BAT, may enhance its efficacy as an anti-obesity agent. The results of the present study support the benefits of the use of peripheral CB1R antagonists to combat metabolic disorders.

Segregation analysis of microsatellite (SSR) markers in sugarcane polyploids.

No information is available on segregation analysis of DNA markers involving both pollen and self-progeny. Therefore, we used capillary electrophoresis- and fluorescence-based DNA fingerprinting together with single pollen collection and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to investigate simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker segregation among 964 single pollens and 288 self-progenies (S1) of sugarcane cultivar LCP 85-384. Twenty SSR DNA fragments (alleles) were amplified by five polymorphic SSR markers. Only one non-parental SSR allele was observed in 2392 PCRs. SSR allele inheritance was in accordance with Mendelian laws of segregation and independent assortment. Highly significant correlation coefficients were found between frequencies of observed and expected genotypes in pollen and S1 populations. Within the S1 population, the most frequent genotype of each SSR marker was the parental genotype of the same marker. The number of genotypes was higher in pollen than S1 population. PIC values of the five SSR markers were greater in pollen than S1 populations. Eleven of 20 SSR alleles (55%) were segregated in accordance with Mendelian segregation ratios expected from pollen and S1 populations of a 2n = 10x polyploid. Six of 20 SSR alleles were segregated in a 3:1 (presence:absence) ratio and were simplex markers. Four and one alleles were segregated in 77:4 and 143:1 ratios and considered duplex and triplex markers, respectively. Segregation ratios of remaining alleles were unexplainable. The results provide information about selection of crossing parents, estimation of seedling population optimal size, and promotion of efficient selection, which may be valuable for sugarcane breeders.

Oral health disparities of children among Southeast Asian immigrant women in arranged transnational marriages in Taiwan.

This study assessed the oral health disparities and oral health care needs of children whose parents are Southeast Asian immigrant women in arranged transnational marriages. We used the baseline data of the Lay Health Advisor Approach to Promote Oral Health Program (LHA-POHP) to explore the disparities in oral health between immigrant and native children, and the factors associated with their oral health. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted to collect data from mothers and their preschool children in Southern Taiwan in 2011. A total of 590 (440 natives, 150 immigrants) children aged 4-6 years and their mothers completed the questionnaire and oral examination. Multiple regression models were used to analyze the association between children's oral health and their related factors. The caries index was 6.05 in immigrant children and 3.88 in native children (p < 0.001). The caries prevalence of maxillary anterior teeth in the labial surfaces was higher among immigrants, ranging from 14.7 to 22%. The factor associated with children's caries index was maternal tooth brushing frequency (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 8.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.95-41.05). When the mothers did not direct children to brush teeth after eating sweets, their children were more likely to have decayed teeth (aOR = 3.54, 95% CI 1.04-12.03). Children's filled teeth were related to their dental regular check-ups (aOR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.26-4.10). Disparities in oral health among immigrant and native children were observed. The findings suggest that culturally adequate oral health promotion intervention programs should be implemented for immigrants.

Molecular dynamics simulation of radiation damage in CaCd6 quasicrystal cubic approximant up to 10 keV.

Due to the peculiar nature of the atomic order in quasicrystals, examining phase transitions in this class of materials is of particular interest. Energetic particle irradiation can provide a way to modify the structure locally in a quasicrystal. To examine irradiation-induced phase transitions in quasicrystals on the atomic scale, we have carried out molecular dynamics simulations of collision cascades in CaCd6 quasicrystal cubic approximant with energies up to 10 keV at 0 and 300 K. The results show that the threshold energies depend surprisingly strongly on the local coordination environments. The energy dependence of stable defect formation exhibits a power-law dependence on cascade energy, and surviving defects are dominated by Cd interstitials and vacancies. Only a modest effect of temperature is observed on defect survival, while irradiation temperature increases lead to a slight increase in the average size of both vacancy clusters and interstitial clusters.

Effects of spiked metals on the MSW anaerobic digestion.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of eight metals on the anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) in bioreactors. Anaerobic bioreactors containing 200 mL MSW mixed completely with 200 m L sludge seeding. Ca and K (0, 1000, 2000 and 6,000 mg L(-1)) and Cr, Ni, Zn, Co, Mo and W (0, 5, 50 and 100 mg L(-1)) of various dose were added to anaerobic bioreactors to examine their anaerobic digestion performance. Results showed that except K and Zn, Ca (~728 to ~1,461 mg L(-1)), Cr (~0.0022 to ~0.0212 mg L(-1)), Ni (~0.801 to ~5.362 mg L(-1)), Co (~0.148 to ~0.580 mg L(-1)), Mo (~0.044 to ~52.94 mg L(-1)) and W (~0.658 to ~40.39 mg L(-1)) had the potential to enhance the biogas production. On the other hand, except Mo and W, inhibitory concentrations IC(50) of Ca, K, Cr, Ni, Zn and Co were found to be ~3252, ~2097, ~0.124, ~7.239, ~0.482, ~8.625 mg L(-1), respectively. Eight spiked metals showed that they were adsorbed by MSW to a different extent resulting in different liquid metals levels and potential stimulation and inhibition on MSW anaerobic digestion. These results were discussed and compared to results from literature.

Controlled synthetic conditions of FePt nanoparticles with high magnetization for biomedical applications.

Monodispersed FePt nanoparticles with hydrophobic ligand were chemically synthesized and with controllable surface-functional properties. In order to enhance the saturation magnetization of FePt nanoparticles, the initial mole ratio of Fe to Pt precursors and reaction times were controlled to effectively increase magnetization due to the increased particle size and formation of FePt-Fe3O4 nanocomposites. The surface modification of FePt nanoparticles by using mercaptoacetic acid (C2H4O2S) as a phase transfer reagent through ligand exchange turned the nanoparticles hydrophilic, and the nanoparticles could water-dispersible. The streptavidin-biotin binding pair was used to conjugate with carboxylic acid (COOH) functional group on the surface of FePt nanoparticles that could be further functionalized to provide a biotin moiety for specific interactions with streptavidin protein.

Excited-state backbone twisting of polyfluorene as detected from photothermal after-effects.

By means of time-resolved photoluminescence and photothermal techniques, after-effects from excited-state dynamics, energy migration, and conformational rearrangement of poly(9,9-di-n-octyl-2,7-fluorene) (PFO) and its homologues has been examined and interpreted with rotational potential maps from quantum mechanical calculations. Steady-state photoluminescence spectral changes and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements of oligofluorenes and PFO diluted in toluene suggest excited state ring torsion occurring within 30 ps of photoexitation. With all effects from internal conversion/intersystem crossing processes properly accounted for, we show that the conformational changes associated with this twisting motion can be quantitatively probed by means of photothermal methods. Results suggest mean torsion between neighboring fluorene units by ca. 40 degrees upon excitation, in agreement with the shift of rotational potential minimum from +/-40 degrees (and +/-140 degrees) in the ground state to +/-20 degrees (and +/-160 degrees) in the first excited singlet state according to results of quantum mechanical calculations.

Photodissociation of dibromoethanes at 248 nm: an ignored channel of Br2 elimination.

Br(2) molecular elimination is probed in the photodissociation of 1,1- and 1,2-C(2)H(4)Br(2) isomeric forms at 248 nm by using cavity ring-down absorption spectroscopy. Their photodissociation processes differ markedly from each other. The quantum yield of the Br(2) fragment in 1,2-dibromoethane is 0.36+/-0.18, in contrast to a value of 0.05+/-0.03 in 1,1-dibromoethane. The vibrational population ratios of Br(2)(v=1)/Br(2)(v=0) are 0.8+/-0.1 and 0.5+/-0.2 for 1,2- and 1,1-dibromoethanes, respectively. The Br(2) yield densities are found to increase by a factor of 35% and 190% for 1,2- and 1,1-dibromoethanes within the same temperature increment. In the ab initio potential energy calculations, the transition state (TS) along the adiabatic ground state surface may correlate to the Br(2) products. The TS energy for 1,2-dibromoethane is well below the excitation energy at 483 kJ/mol, whereas that for 1,1-dibromoethane is slightly above. Such a small TS energy barrier impedes the photodissociation of the ground state 1,1-dibromoethane such that the production yield of Br(2) may become relatively low, but rise rapidly with the temperature. The TS structure shows a larger bond distance of Br-Br in 1,2-dibromoethane than that in 1,1-dibromoethane. That explains why the former isomer may result in hotter vibrational population of the Br(2) fragments.

Solubility of heavy metals added to MSW.

This paper aims to investigate the six heavy metal levels (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn) in municipal solid waste (MSW) at different pHs. It intends to provide the baseline information of metals solubility in MSW co-disposed or co-digested with MSW incinerator ashes in landfill or anaerobic bioreactors or heavy metals contaminated in anaerobic digesters. One milliliter (equal to 1mg) of each metal was added to the 100ml MSW and the batch reactor test was carried out. The results showed that higher HNO3 and NaOH were consumed at extreme pH of 1 and 13 compared to those from pH 2 to 11 due to the comparably higher buffer capacity. Pb was found to have the least soluble level, highest metal adsorption (%) and highest partitioning Kd (lg(-1)) between pH 3 and 12. In contrast, Ni showed the highest soluble level, lowest metal adsorption (%) and lowest Kd (lg(-1)) between pH 4 and 12. Except Ni and Cr, other four metals seemed to show the amphibious properties as comparative higher solubility was found in the acidic and basic conditions.

Biostabilization assessment of MSW co-disposed with MSWI fly ash in anaerobic bioreactors.

Municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly ash has been examined for possible use as landfill interim cover. For this aim, three anaerobic bioreactors, 1.2m high and 0.2m in diameter, were used to assess the co-digestion or co-disposal performance of MSW and MSWI fly ash. Two bioreactors contained ratios of 10 and 20 g fly ash per liter of MSW (or 0.2 and 0.4 g g(-1) VS, that is, 0.2 and 0.4 g fly ash per gram volatile solids (VS) of MSW). The remaining bioreactor was used as control, without fly ash addition. The results showed that gas production rate was enhanced by the appropriate addition of MSWI fly ash, with a rate of approximately 6.5l day(-1)kg(-1)VS at peak production in the ash-added bioreactors, compared to approximately 4l day(-1)kg(-1)VS in control. Conductivity, alkali metals and VS in leachate were higher in the fly ash-added bioreactors compared to control. The results show that MSW decomposition was maintained throughout at near-neutral pH and might be improved by release of alkali and trace metals from fly ash. Heavy metals exerted no inhibitory effect on MSW digestion in all three bioreactors. These phenomena indicate that proper amounts of MSWI fly ash, co-disposed or co-digested with MSW, could facilitate bacterial activity, digestion efficiency and gas production rates.

Appearance on face reading (cheek line) after orthognathic surgery.

The cheek line (face reading) is an aesthetic element of the facial profile. The purpose of our study was to investigate the changes in the cheek line after mandibular setback surgery. Forty patients (20 female and 20 male, mean (SD) age 22 (5) years) were diagnosed with mandibular prognathism and treated by intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy alone. Cephalograms were obtained before operation (T1), at least a year postoperatively (T2), and final surgical changes over a year (T2-T1). The cheek line and landmarks (soft and hard tissues) were compared using the paired t test. The hypothesis was that the cheek line did not change significantly after mandibular setback. At the time of the final follow-up (T2-T1), the mean (SD) horizontal setback of pogonion (Pog) was 12.3 (3.5) mm for women and 11.7 (4.3) mm for men. The ratios of soft:hard tissue, labrale inferius:incisor inferius, labiomental sulcus:point B, soft tissue Pog:Pog, and cheek point:Pog in women were 0.96, 0.98, 0.98, and 0.08, and in men 0.91, 1.01, 0.94, and 0.13, respectively. The nasolabial and cervicomental angles in women were significantly increased by 11.1° and 11.4°, respectively, and in men the nasolabial angle was significantly increased by 11.1° and the mentolabial angle reduced by 9.9°. The cheek line (T2-T1) was moved significantly forwards. The hypothesis was therefore rejected. In conclusion, the cheek line was advanced significantly after isolated mandibular setback.

Interference of the simian virus 40 origin of replication by the cytomegalovirus immediate early gene enhancer: evidence for competition of active regulatory chromatin conformation in a single domain.

Replication origins are often found closely associated with transcription regulatory elements in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. To examine the relationship between these two elements, we studied the effect of a strong promoter-enhancer on simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA replication. The human cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early gene enhancer-promoter was found to exert a strong inhibitory effect on SV40 origin-based plasmid replication in Cos-1 cells in a position- and dose-dependent manner. Deletion analysis indicated that the effect was exerted by sequences located in the enhancer portion of the CMV sequence, thus excluding the mechanism of origin occlusion by transcription. Insertion of extra copies of the SV40 origin only partially alleviated the inhibition. Analysis of nuclease-sensitive cleavage sites of chromatin containing the transfected plasmids indicate that the chromatin was cleaved at one of the regulatory sites in the plasmids containing more than one regulatory site, suggesting that only one nuclease-hypersensitive site existed per chromatin. A positive correlation was found between the degree of inhibition of DNA replication and the decrease of P1 cleavage frequency at the SV40 origin. The CMV enhancer was also found to exhibit an inhibitory effect on the CMV enhancer-promoter driving chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression in a dose-dependent manner. Together these results suggest that inhibition of SV40 origin-based DNA replication by the CMV enhancer is due to intramolecular competition for the formation of active chromatin structure.

Variants of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 24 play a crucial role in lung cancer malignancy.

Ubiquitin is a critical modifier regulating the degradation and function of its target proteins during posttranslational modification. Here we found that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 24 (USP24) is highly expressed in cell lines with enhanced malignancy and in late-stage lung cancer clinical samples. Studying single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of USP24 using genomic DNA of lung cancer patients revealed an increase in SNP 7656C/T. When using RNA specimens instead of the genomic DNA of lung cancer patients, we found significant increases in the ratios of variants 930C/T and 7656T/C, suggesting that variants at these two sites are not only caused by the SNP of DNA but also by the RNA editing. USP24-930T and USP24-7656C increase USP24 expression levels by increasing RNA stability. Knocking down USP24 increased Suv39h1 level through a decrease in mouse double-minute 2 homolog levels, thus enhancing lysine-9 methylation of histone H3, and resulting in the prevention of lung cancer malignancy. In conclusion, as USP24 variant analysis revealed a higher ratio of variants in blood specimens of lung cancer patients than that in normal individuals, USP24-930T and USP24-7656C might be useful as diagnostic markers for cancer detection.

Gamma-crystallin genes in carp: cloning and characterization.

The carp gamma-crystallin gene family was found to be composed of at least three members: gamma m1, gamma m2 and gamma m3. The encoded products are very similar to other known gamma-crystallins but with their own peculiarities: (1) they all have a high methionine content: 12.4%, 14% and 8.4% in gamma m1, gamma m2 and gamma m3, respectively; and (2) the amino acid sequences are aberrant in the region before connecting peptides and its corresponding region in motif 4. Their protein structures might remain the same as those of other gamma-crystallins since they retain all the conserved amino acid residues essential for maintaining the loops in the protein structures.

Inguinal hernia repair outcomes that utilized the modified Kugel patch without the optional onlay patch: a case series of 163 consecutive patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the anterior Kugel herniorrhaphy approach when the onlay patch is omitted. METHODS: The study population comprised patients who underwent anterior Kugel herniorrhaphy without the onlay patch from 1 May 2009, to 31 June 2012. The onlay patch was omitted if the posterior wall defect did not exceed the inner Posiflex(®) ring diameter. After reviewing the clinical follow-up records and conducting telephone interviews, the postoperative results were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients underwent 175 hernia repairs. One patient developed recurrence after undergoing our herniorrhaphy method. The most common postoperative complaints were mild soreness, indescribable discomfort, and foreign body sensations (11 patients). The mean operative time and hospital stay were 67 min and 2 days, respectively. More serious complications included one scrotal hematoma, one hydrocele, and one wound infection that resulted in epididymitis. CONCLUSIONS: The onlay patch can be omitted with low recurrence and complication rates if the posterior wall defects do not exceed the inner Posiflex(®) ring diameter.

Candidate tumor suppressor B-cell translocation gene 3 impedes neoplastic progression by suppression of AKT.

BTG3 (B-cell translocation gene 3) is a p53 target that also binds and inhibits E2F1. Although it connects two major growth-regulatory pathways functionally and is downregulated in human cancers, whether and how BTG3 acts as a tumor suppressor remain largely uncharacterized. Here we present evidence that BTG3 binds and suppresses AKT, a kinase frequently deregulated in cancers. BTG3 ablation results in increased AKT activity that phosphorylates and inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3ß. Consequently, we also observed elevated ß-catenin/T-cell factor activity, upregulation of mesenchymal markers, and enhanced cell migration. Consistent with these findings, BTG3 overexpression suppressed tumor growth in mouse xenografts, and was associated with diminished AKT phosphorylation and reduced ß-catenin in tissue specimens. Significantly, a short BTG3-derived peptide was identified, which recapitulates these effects in vitro and in cells. Thus, our study provides mechanistic insights into a previously unreported AKT inhibitory pathway downstream of p53. The identification of an AKT inhibitory peptide also unveils a new avenue for cancer therapeutics development.