Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) is lower than in patients with other chronic diseases and the general population. Although various factors affect HRQOL, no ...study has examined a structural equation model of HRQOL as an outcome variable in FM patients. The present study assessed relationships among physical function, social factors, psychological factors, and HRQOL, and the effects of these variables on HRQOL in a hypothesized model using structural equation modeling (SEM).
HRQOL was measured using SF-36, and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was used to assess physical dysfunction. Social and psychological statuses were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES), and the Social Support Scale. SEM analysis was used to test the structural relationships of the model using the AMOS software.
Of the 336 patients, 301 (89.6%) were women with an average age of 47.9±10.9 years. The SEM results supported the hypothesized structural model (χ2 = 2.336, df = 3, p = 0.506). The final model showed that Physical Component Summary (PCS) was directly related to self-efficacy and inversely related to FIQ, and that Mental Component Summary (MCS) was inversely related to FIQ, BDI, and STAI.
In our model of FM patients, HRQOL was affected by physical, social, and psychological variables. In these patients, higher levels of physical function and self-efficacy can improve the PCS of HRQOL, while physical function, depression, and anxiety negatively affect the MCS of HRQOL.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Ionic liquids (ILs) or solidified ionic liquids, known as ionogels, have been actively employed in supercapacitors (SCs) owing to their superior electrochemical stabilities to aqueous and organic ...electrolytes. However, initial efforts of using ILs and ionogels in SCs were not successful because bulky and sluggish ions cannot effectively access tiny pores of conventional microporous carbons. To address this, a strategy is developed to optimize the electrochemically active surfaces of carbonaceous electrodes and thus to improve the energy storage performance by incorporating 3D ordered/interconnected large mesoporous carbons with ionogel electrolytes. Precisely designed large mesopores interconnected via windows promote mass transport of the electrolyte ions within the solid ionogel electrolytes and effectively utilize the surface of the carbon electrodes for capacitive energy storage, giving rise to record‐high energy storage performance that surpasses the upper bound of the Ragone plots of the current state‐of‐the‐art SCs. In addition, all‐solid‐state SCs with outstanding bending/folding durability are successfully demonstrated. Overall, these results provide critical insight into surface utilization of carbon electrodes as well as capacitive energy storage, when viscous and bulky ILs or ionogels are used as electrolytes.
The electrochemically active surfaces of three‐dimensionally interconnected mesoporous carbons are optimized for all solid‐state supercapacitors with an ultrahigh energy storage capacity. Precisely designed large mesopores effectively facilitate ion transport and afford a large electrochemically active surface. The fabricated device shows a record‐high energy storage performance that exceeds the upper bound of the Ragone plots of the current state‐of‐the‐art supercapacitors.
Alcohol consumption exacerbates liver abnormalities in animal models, but whether it increases the severity of liver disease in early diabetic or prediabetic rats is unclear. To investigate the ...molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol‐induced liver steatosis or hepatitis, we used a prediabetic animal model. Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) and Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (LETO) rats were pair‐fed with an ethanol‐containing liquid diet for 6 weeks. Compared with controls, OLETF and LETO rats displayed more pronounced liver steatosis and higher plasma levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SPGT), indicating liver injury. Ethanol‐fed LETO (Pd‐L‐E) rats showed mild liver steatosis and no inflammation compared with ethanol‐fed OLETF (Pd‐O‐E) rats. Although precursor and active SREBP‐1 levels in the liver of ethanol‐fed OLETF rats significantly increased compared with control diet‐fed OLETF rats (Pd‐O‐C), those of Pd‐L‐E rats did not. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and TGF‐β1 balance in Pd‐O‐E rats was significantly altered because BMP signaling was upregulated by inducing BMP2, BMP4, BMP7, BMP9, Smad1, and Smad4, whereas TGF‐β1, Smad3, and Erk were downregulated. Activation of TGF‐β/Smad signaling inhibited BMP2 and BMP9 expression and increased epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker levels (Hepcidin, Snail, and Twist) in the liver of LETO rats. Livers of ethanol‐fed OLETF rats showed increased levels of vimentin, FSP‐1, α‐SMA, MMP1, MMP13, and collagen III compared with rats of other groups, whereas EMT marker levels did not change. Thus, BMP exerted anti‐ and/or pro‐fibrotic effects in ethanol‐fed rats. Therefore, BMP and TGF‐β, two key members of the TGF‐β superfamily, play important but diverse roles in liver steatosis in young LETO and OLETF rats.
Despite efforts to visualize the spatio-temporal dynamics of single messenger RNAs, the ability to precisely control their function has lagged. This study presents an optogenetic approach for ...manipulating the localization and translation of specific mRNAs by trapping them in clusters. This clustering greatly amplified reporter signals, enabling endogenous RNA-protein interactions to be clearly visualized in single cells. Functionally, this sequestration reduced the ability of mRNAs to access ribosomes, markedly attenuating protein synthesis. A spatio-temporally resolved analysis indicated that sequestration of endogenous β-actin mRNA attenuated cell motility through the regulation of focal-adhesion dynamics. These results suggest a mechanism highlighting the indispensable role of newly synthesized β-actin protein for efficient cell migration. This platform may be broadly applicable for use in investigating the spatio-temporal activities of specific mRNAs in various biological processes.
Abstract
Context
Many studies have reported conflicting evidence on the association between weight change and mortality.
Objective
We investigated the association between weight change and subsequent ...all-cause mortality, using a large-scale, population-based cohort from the National Health Insurance System health checkup data between 2005 and 2015.
Methods
A total of 11,524,763 subjects older than age 20 years were included. Weight was measured every 2 years and weight change over 4 years was divided into eight categories, from weight loss ≥15% to weight gain ≥20%, for every 5% of weight change. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality were analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models compared with the stable weight group (weight change <5%) after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, drinking, exercise, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cancer, and income.
Results
Weight loss was associated with increased mortality rates compared with weight gain; the group with weight loss ≥15% had the highest HR for all-cause mortality (HR, 2.598; 95% CI, 2.537 to 2.659). The HR for all-cause mortality in the ≥20% weight gain group was 1.784 (95% CI, 1.695 to 1.877). Across all body mass index (BMI) categories, weight loss ≥15% was associated with increased mortality rates and the highest mortality rates were found in the BMI ≥30 kg/m2 group (HR, 3.469; 95% CI, 2.236 to 5.381).
Conclusions
Weight change over 4 years showed a reverse J-shaped all-cause mortality curve, independent of BMI status. Weight loss was associated with a greater risk of mortality than was weight gain.
Weight change over 4 years showed a reverse J-shaped all-cause mortality curve independent of BMI status. Weight loss was associated with a greater risk of mortality than was weight gain.
This study aimed to investigate the recent prevalence, management, and comorbidities of diabetes among Korean adults aged ≥30 years by analyzing nationally representative data.
This study used data ...from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2016 to 2018, and the percentage and total number of people ≥30 years of age with diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were estimated.
In 2018, 13.8% of Korean adults aged ≥30 years had diabetes, and adults aged ≥65 years showed a prevalence rate of 28%. The prevalence of IFG was 26.9% in adults aged ≥30 years. From 2016 to 2018, 35% of the subjects with diabetes were not aware of their condition. Regarding comorbidities, 53.2% and 61.3% were obese and hypertensive, respectively, and 72% had hypercholesterolemia as defined by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥100 mg/dL in people with diabetes. Of the subjects with diabetes, 43.7% had both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. With regard to glycemic control, only 28.3% reached the target level of <6.5%. Moreover, only 11.5% of subjects with diabetes met all three targets of glycosylated hemoglobin, blood pressure, and LDL-C. The percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates was higher in diabetes patients than in those without diabetes, while that from protein and fat was lower in subjects with diabetes.
The high prevalence and low control rate of diabetes and its comorbidities in Korean adults were confirmed. More stringent efforts are needed to improve the comprehensive management of diabetes to reduce diabetes-related morbidity and mortality.
The prevalence of obesity has rapidly increased in countries across the world in recent decades. The 2019 Obesity Fact Sheet released by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity addressed the ...prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity during the period of 2009 to 2018 and obesity-related social factors.
Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service health checkup database between 2009 and 2018 and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2010 and 2017 were analyzed. The prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity was calculated after standardizing for age and sex based on the 2010 population and housing census.
From 2009 to 2018, the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity increased to 35.7% and 23.8%, respectively, in 2018. Upward trends in the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity was observed among both sexes and nearly all age groups. The prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity was higher among individuals with lower education and household income levels. Among occupations, managers exhibited the highest prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity. Further, the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity became higher among individuals working longer hours and split and night shift workers.
The 2019 Obesity Fact Sheet provides information on changes in obesity dynamics during the past decade and obesity-related social factors in the Korean adult population. This report might constitute a cornerstone by which to establish targets for future interventions for reversing the rise in the prevalence of obesity and reducing the burden of obesity in Korea.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease (ND) are considered as the most devastating poultry infections, owing to their worldwide distribution and economical threat. Vaccines ...have been widely used to control these diseases in the poultry industry in endemic countries. However, vaccination policy without differentiating infected animals from vaccinated animals (DIVA) makes the virus surveillance difficult. In this study, we developed a bivalent virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine that is composed of the hemagglutinin (HA) and matrix 1 (M1) proteins of the H5N1 HPAI virus (HPAIV) and a chimeric protein containing the ectodomain of the ND virus (NDV) fusion (F) protein fused with the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of the HPAIV HA protein. A single immunization of chickens with the chimeric VLP vaccine induced high levels of hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers against H5N1 HPAI virus and anti-NDV antibody detected in ELISA and protected chickens against subsequent lethal HPAIV and NDV infections. Furthermore, we could easily perform DIVA test using the commercial NP-cELISA tests against HPAIV and HI assay against NDV. These results strongly suggest that utilization of chimeric VLP vaccine in poultry species would be a promising strategy for the better control of HPAI and ND simultaneously.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The objective of this study was to investigate molecular and physiological changes in response to long‐term insulin glargine treatment in the skeletal muscle of OLETF rats. Male Otsuka Long‐Evans ...Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) and Long‐Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats aged 24 weeks were randomly allocated to either treatment with insulin for 24 weeks or no treatment, resulting in three groups. Insulin glargine treatment in OLETF rats (OLETF‐G) for 24 weeks resulted in changes in blood glucose levels in intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests compared with age‐matched, untreated OLETF rats (OLETF‐C), and the area under the curve was significantly decreased for OLETF‐G rats compared with OLETF‐C rats (P < 0.05). The protein levels of MHC isoforms were altered in gastrocnemius muscle of OLETF rats, and the proportions of myosin heavy chain type I and II fibers were lower and higher, respectively, in OLETF‐G compared with OLETF‐C rats. Activation of myokines (IL‐6, IL‐15, FNDC5, and myostatin) in gastrocnemius muscle was significantly inhibited in OLETF‐G compared with OLETF‐C rats (
P < 0.05). MyoD and myogenin levels were decreased, while IGF‐I and GLUT4 levels were increased, in the skeletal muscle of OLETF‐G rats (
P < 0.05). Insulin glargine treatment significantly increased the phosphorylation levels of AMPK, SIRT1, and PGC‐1α. Together, our results suggested that changes in the distribution of fiber types by insulin glargine could result in downregulation of myokines and muscle regulatory proteins. The effects were likely associated with activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC‐1α signaling pathway. Changes in these proteins may at least partly explain the effect of insulin in skeletal muscle of diabetes mellitus.
Increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is known to be one of the causes of hypothalamic neuronal damage, as well as a cause of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. Recent evidence ...has suggested that Undaria pinnatifida (UP), an edible brown algae, has antioxidant activity. However, the neuroprotective effect of UP has yet to be examined. In this study, to investigate the neuroprotective effect of UP on ER stress-induced neuronal damage in mouse hypothalamic neurons, mice immortal hypothalamic neurons (GT1-7) were incubated with extract of UP. ER stress was induced by treating with tunicamycin. Tunicamycin induced apoptotic cell death was compared with the vehicle treatment through excessive ER stress. However UP protected GT1-7 cells from cell death, occurring after treatment with tunicamycin by reducing ER stress. Treatment with UP resulted in reduced increment of ATF6 and CHOP, and recovered the decrease of phosphorylation of Akt/mTOR by tunicamycin and the increment of autophagy. These results show that UP protects GT1-7 cells from ER stress induced cell death through the Akt/mTOR pathway. The current study suggests that UP may have a beneficial effect on cerebral neuronal degeneration in metabolic diseases with elevated ER stress.
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