Circadian clock is synchronized to the 24-hour day by the daily light-dark cycle and proper function of circadian rhythm is essential for many physiological processes. Disruption of circadian rhythm ...can affect disease processes and influence disease severity, treatment responses, and even survivorship. In this retrospective case-controlled study, we tried to explore whether expression of circadian clock genes was disturbed in patients with bronchial asthma.
We performed real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions to examine the expression of the nine core circadian clock genes (
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
, and
) in total leukocytes of peripheral blood collected at chest clinics from 120 patients with asthma and 60 health individuals.
Expression levels of the nine circadian clock genes were significantly different between patients and healthy individuals, but not associated with the asthma control status. We also noted the difference of
expression in asthmatic patients with and without nocturnal symptoms. In well-controlled asthmatics, expression of
,
,
,
,
, and
was significantly lower in patients with nocturnal symptoms than those without nocturnal symptoms. However, in not well-controlled asthmatics, expression of only
,
,
, and
was significantly different between patients with and without nocturnal symptoms. Binary logistic regression analysis selected
,
,
, and
as independent factors for bronchial asthma and ROC curves showed the combined expression of these four genes enhanced the capability of predicting asthma (AUC=0.924; 95% CI=0.875-0.958;
<0.001).
Our results showed altered expression of circadian clock genes in patients with bronchial asthma and down-regulated
in patients with nocturnal symptoms. Altered expression of circadian clock genes was also observed in asthmatics with or without nocturnal symptoms in well- or not well-controlled subgroups. Combined expression of
,
,
, and
could be a potential predictor for bronchial asthma.
To explore the joint association of time spent in outdoor light and genetic susceptibility with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). A total of 395,809 individuals of European ancestry with ...diabetes-free at baseline in the UK Biobank were included. Time spent in outdoor light on a typical day in summer or winter was obtained from the questionnaire. T2D genetic risk was quantified via the polygenic risk score (PRS) and divided into three levels based on tertiles (lower, intermediate, and higher). T2D cases were ascertained according to the hospital records of diagnoses. After the median follow-up of 12.55 years, the association of outdoor light time and T2D risk demonstrated a nonlinear (J–shaped) trend. Compared to individuals with an average of 1.5–2.5 h/day of outdoor light, individuals who spent <1.5 h/day or >2.5 h/day in outdoor light both had an elevated risk of T2D, and the risk of T2D related to <1.5 h/day outdoor light time was much higher (hazard ratio HR = 1.10, 95 % confidence interval CI: 1.06 to 1.15). After combining with PRS, in comparison with the lower PRS – average 1.5–2.5 h/day outdoor light group (reference), the higher PRS – <1.5 h/day outdoor light group had the highest T2D risk (HR = 2.74, 95 % CI: 2.55 to 2.94), the higher PRS – >2.5 h/day outdoor light group also had a higher risk of T2D (HR = 2.58, 95 % CI: 2.43 to 2.74). The interaction between average outdoor light time and genetic susceptibility for T2D was statistically significant (Paverage for interaction <0.001). We found that optimal outdoor light time may modify the genetic risk for T2D. This suggests the T2D risk related to genetic factors could be prevented by spending optimal outdoor light time.
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•J-shaped relationship was observed between outdoor light time and the risk of T2D.•1.5–2.5 h/day outdoor light on average was associated with a lower risk of T2D.•The optimal outdoor light time may attenuate T2D risk related to genetic risk.•Shorter and longer outdoor light time were both related to increased risk of T2D.
Manganese, lead, arsenic and mercury are common neurotoxic metals in the environment. Nonetheless, the relationship between prenatal exposure to low doses of neurotoxic metals and neurodevelopment in ...children is not clear. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between in utero exposure to environmental neurotoxic metals and neurodevelopment at 2 years of age.
The population of this study came from the Taiwan Birth Panel Study. We included 230 pairs of non-smoking mothers without any occupational exposure and their singleton full-term children. The information about exposure during pregnancy was obtained using a structured questionnaire, and the manganese, lead, arsenic and mercury levels in umbilical cord blood samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We used the Comprehensive Developmental Inventory for Infants and Toddlers (CDIIT) to evaluate the developmental status of each child at 2 years of age, and we examined the association of in utero exposure to environmental metals and neurodevelopment using linear regression models.
The median concentrations of manganese, lead, arsenic and mercury in the cord blood samples in this study were 47.90µg/L (range, 17.88–106.85µg/L), 11.41µg/L (range 0.16–43.22µg/L), 4.05µg/L (range, 1.50–12.88µg/L) and 12.17µg/L (range, 1.53–64.87µg/L), respectively. After adjusting for maternal age, infant gender, environmental tobacco smoke during pregnancy and after delivery, Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory results, and arsenic and mercury levels in cord blood, we found that manganese and lead levels above the 75th percentile had a significant adverse association with the overall (β=−7.03, SE=2.65, P=0.0085), cognitive (β=−8.19, SE=3.17, P=0.0105), and language quotients (β=−6.81, SE=2.73, P=0.0133) of the CDIIT.
In utero exposure to environmental manganese and lead may have an adverse association with neurodevelopment at 2 years of age, and there is an interaction effect between the manganese and lead levels in the cord blood that could aggravate the effect.
•In utero exposure of Mn and Pb may have adverse neuro-effect at age 2.•The interaction of Mn and Pb could aggravate the children neurodevelopment.•The cognitive and language are the most sensitive part of the interaction.•The metabolisms of co-exposure are needed to be more concerned and elucidate.
Listeriosis is caused by the facultative anaerobic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Infection from Listeria-contaminated food or water is the main etiology. If Listeria travels outside the ...intestines, it can cause invasive listeriosis, such as sepsis, meningitis, and meningoencephalitis. Invasive illness is especially dangerous for pregnant women and their newborns, elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems or medical conditions such as end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients receiving long-term dialysis.BackgroundListeriosis is caused by the facultative anaerobic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Infection from Listeria-contaminated food or water is the main etiology. If Listeria travels outside the intestines, it can cause invasive listeriosis, such as sepsis, meningitis, and meningoencephalitis. Invasive illness is especially dangerous for pregnant women and their newborns, elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems or medical conditions such as end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients receiving long-term dialysis.Describe the manifestations and hospital outcomes of invasive listeriosis and identify the risk factors for in-hospital and one-year mortality in ESKD patients receiving long-term dialysis.PurposeDescribe the manifestations and hospital outcomes of invasive listeriosis and identify the risk factors for in-hospital and one-year mortality in ESKD patients receiving long-term dialysis.This retrospective observational study examined hospitalized patient records at a Taiwanese tertiary medical center from August 1, 2000, to August 31, 2021. ESKD patients on chronic dialysis were identified with invasive listeriosis by blood culture and discharge diagnosis. Over 21 years, we accurately recorded 26 cases.Patients and MethodsThis retrospective observational study examined hospitalized patient records at a Taiwanese tertiary medical center from August 1, 2000, to August 31, 2021. ESKD patients on chronic dialysis were identified with invasive listeriosis by blood culture and discharge diagnosis. Over 21 years, we accurately recorded 26 cases.ESKD patients on chronic dialysis with invasive listeriosis have a poor prognosis. Only 53.8% of chronic dialysis patients with invasive listeriosis survived their first hospital episode. 42.3% of hospitalized ESKD patients with invasive listeriosis survived one year later. In univariate analysis, shock, tachypnea (RR ≥ 22), respiratory failure, qSOFA score ≥ 2, and lower initial platelet count were linked to greater in-hospital mortality rates.ResultsESKD patients on chronic dialysis with invasive listeriosis have a poor prognosis. Only 53.8% of chronic dialysis patients with invasive listeriosis survived their first hospital episode. 42.3% of hospitalized ESKD patients with invasive listeriosis survived one year later. In univariate analysis, shock, tachypnea (RR ≥ 22), respiratory failure, qSOFA score ≥ 2, and lower initial platelet count were linked to greater in-hospital mortality rates.ESKD patients with invasive listeriosis have a grave prognosis. Our research reveals that an early blood sample for a bacterial culture may identify invasive listeriosis in chronic dialysis patients with fever, nausea or vomiting, confusion, and respiratory distress. This study is the first to identify a lower platelet count and qSOFA score ≥ 2 as markers of high-risk invasive listeriosis in ESKD patients.ConclusionESKD patients with invasive listeriosis have a grave prognosis. Our research reveals that an early blood sample for a bacterial culture may identify invasive listeriosis in chronic dialysis patients with fever, nausea or vomiting, confusion, and respiratory distress. This study is the first to identify a lower platelet count and qSOFA score ≥ 2 as markers of high-risk invasive listeriosis in ESKD patients.
The red pitaya, rich in micronutrients, has recently generated a great deal of consumer interest, therefore, this paper was designed to study the total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and ...antiproliferative activity of red pitaya on melanoma cells and to determine if it is a valuable source of antioxidants and an anticancer agent. The total phenolic contents of flesh (42.4
±
0.04
mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100
g of flesh fresh weight) and peel (39.7
±
5.39
mg of GAE/100
g of peel fresh weight) were similar. The flavonoid contents of flesh and peel did not vary much (7.21
±
0.02
mg vs. 8.33
±
0.11
mg of catechin equivalents/100
g of flesh and peel matters). The concentrations of betacyanins expressed as betanin equivalents per 100
g of fresh flesh and peel were 10.3
±
0.22 and 13.8
±
0.85
mg, respectively. The antioxidant activity, measured by the DPPH
method at EC
50, was 22.4
±
0.29 and 118
±
4.12
μmol vitamin C equivalents/g of flesh and peel dried extract; the values of EC
50, determined by the ABTS
+
approach, were 28.3
±
0.83 and 175
±
15.7
μmol of trolox equivalents antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/g of flesh and peel dried extract, respectively. The antiproliferative study on B16F10 melanoma cells revealed that the peel (EC
50 25.0
μg of peel matter) component was a stronger inhibitor of the growth of B16F10 melanoma cancer cells than the flesh. The results indicated that the flesh and peel were both rich in polyphenols and were good sources of antioxidants. The red pitaya peel fulfilled its promise to inhibit the growth of melanoma cells.
Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA), percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), and percutaneous acetic acid injection (PAI) in the treatment ...of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients and methods: A total of 187 patients with HCCs of 3 cm or less were randomly assigned to RFTA (n = 62), PEI (n = 62), or PAI (n = 63). Tumour recurrence and survival rates were assessed. Results: One, two, and three year local recurrence rates were 10%, 14%, and 14% in the RFTA group, 16%, 34%, and 34% in the PEI group, and 14%, 31%, and 31% in the PAI group (RFTA v PEI, p = 0.012; RFTA v PAI, p = 0.017). One, two, and three year survival rates were 93%, 81%, and 74% in the RFTA group, 88%, 66%, and 51% in the PEI group, and 90%, 67%, and 53% in the PAI group (RFTA v PEI, p = 0.031; RFTA v PAI, p = 0.038). One, two, and three year cancer free survival rates were 74%, 60%, and 43% in the RFTA group, 70%, 41%, and 21% in the PEI group, and 71%, 43%, and 23% in the PAI group (RFTA v PEI, p = 0.038; RFTA v PAI, p = 0.041). Tumour size, tumour differentiation, and treatment methods (RFTA v PEI and PAI) were significant factors for local recurrence, overall survival, and cancer free survival. Major complications occurred in 4.8% of patients (two with haemothorax, one gastric perforation) in the RFTA group and in none in two other groups (RFTA v PEI and PAI, p = 0.035). Conclusions: RFTA was superior to PEI and PAI with respect to local recurrence, overall survival, and cancer free survival rates, but RFTA also caused more major complications.
Commodity currencies Chen, Yu-chin; Rogoff, Kenneth
Journal of international economics,
05/2003, Volume:
60, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
This paper looks at real exchange rate behavior by focusing on three OECD economies (Australia, Canada, and New Zealand) where primary commodities constitute a significant share of their exports. For ...Australia and New Zealand especially, we find that the US dollar price of their commodity exports (generally exogenous to these small economies) has a strong and stable influence on their floating real rates, with the magnitude of the effects consistent with predictions of standard theoretical models. However, after controlling for commodity price shocks, there is still a purchasing power parity puzzle in the residual. The results here are relevant to developing commodity-exporting countries as they liberalize their capital markets and move towards floating exchange rates.
Quercetin (Que) is known to have biological benefits including an anticancer effect, but low water solubility limits its clinical application. The aim of this study was to develop a lecithin-based ...mixed polymeric micelle (LMPM) delivery system to improve the solubility and bioavailability of Que. The optimal Que-LMPM, composed of Que, lecithin, Pluronic(®) P123, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)-2000 in a proportion of 3:1:17.5:2.5 (w/w), was prepared by a thin-film method. The average size, polydispersion index, encapsulating efficiency, and drug loading of Que-LMPM were 61.60 ± 5.02 nm, 0.589 ± 0.198, 96.87% ± 9.04%, and 12.18% ± 1.11%, respectively. The solubility of Que in the Que-LMPM system increased to 5.81 mg/mL, compared to that of free Que in water of 0.17-7.7 μg/mL. The Que-LMPM system presented a sustained-release property in vitro. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay showed that the 50% inhibitory concentration values toward MCF-7 breast cancer cells for free Que, blank LMPMs, and Que-LMPMs were >200, >200, and 110 μM, respectively, indicating the nontoxicity of the LMPM carrier, but the LMPM formulation enhanced the cytotoxicity of Que against MCF-7 cells. A cellular uptake assay also confirmed the intake of Que-LMPM by MCF-7 cells. An in vivo pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that Que-LMPMs had higher area under the concentration-time curve and a longer half-life, leading to better bioavailability compared to a free Que injection. Due to their nanosize, core-shell structure, and solubilization potential, LMPMs were successfully developed as a drug delivery system for Que to improve its solubility and bioavailability.
Increasing evidence suggests that sleep is important for fat metabolism. However, the causal relationship between sleep duration and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) needs to be further clarified.
This ...study investigated the linear and nonlinear causal association between sleep duration and VAT.
This study used one-sample and two-sample Mendelian randomization MR). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with sleep duration at genome-wide significance were obtained from published genome-wide association studies. We also recalculated the correlation between each SNP and sleep duration in the UK Biobank. The associations of SNPs with predicted VAT (396 858 participants) were conducted in the UK Biobank.
A total of 396 858 eligible participants (54.10% females, 57 ± 8 years old) were included in the study. The participants slept 7.17 ± 1.04 hours and stored 1.25 ± 0.88 kg of VAT on average. Genetically predicted sleep duration was significantly associated with VAT. For each 1-hour increase in genetically predicted sleep duration, the reduction in predicted VAT mass was 0.11 kg (P = 8.18E-16) in total, 0.17 kg (P = 3.30E-11) in men and 0.07 kg (P = 1.94E-06) in women. Nonlinear MR analyses demonstrated nonlinearity (L-shaped associations) between genetically predicted sleep duration and VAT in all participants, men, and women. Complementary analyses provided confirmative evidence of the adverse effects of genetically predicted short sleep duration on the increased VAT. In contrast, no clear evidence on the causal effect of genetically predicted long sleep duration on VAT mass was found.
The causal association of sleep duration with VAT was L-type. Our findings support that short sleep duration is a risk factor for increasing VAT, thus reinforcing the probability that increasing sleep duration may decrease VAT.
Calcium is an important integrative component of the human body and critical for human health. It has been well established that calcium intake is helpful in the prevention and treatment of ...osteoporosis, which has become one of the most serious public health problems across the world. However, community-dwelling adults with and without osteoporosis are rarely concerned or even not aware of the potential side effects of high or inappropriate doses of calcium intake. Some recent studies have revealed that excessive calcium intake might increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this article was to review the health benefits, costs, and consequences of calcium supplementation on osteoporosis/osteoporotic fractures, cardiovascular events, kidney stones, gastrointestinal diseases, and other important diseases. In the end, we suggest that calcium supplementation should be prescribed and taken cautiously, accounting for individual patients' risks and benefits. Clearly, further studies are needed to examine the health effects of calcium supplementation to make any solid recommendations for people of different genders, ages, and ethnicities.
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