Identifying metabolic disorders at the earliest phase of their development allows for an early intervention and the prevention of serious consequences of diseases. However, it is difficult to ...determine which of the anthropometric indices of obesity is the best tool for diagnosing metabolic disorders. The aims of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of selected anthropometric indices and to determine optimal cut-off points for the identification of single metabolic disorders that are components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Cross-sectional study. We analyzed the data of 12,328 participants aged 55.7±5.4 years. All participants were of European descent. The following indices had the highest discriminatory power for the identification of at least one MetS component: CUN-BAE, BMI, and WC in men (AUC = 0.734, 0.728, and 0.728, respectively) and WHtR, CUN-BAE, and WC in women (AUC = 0.715, 0.714, and 0.712, respectively) (p<0.001 for all). The other indices were similarly useful, except for the ABSI. For the BMI, the optimal cut-off point for the identification of metabolic abnormalities was 27.2 kg/m.sup.2 for both sexes. For the WC, the optimal cut-off point was of 94 cm for men and 87 cm for women. Prospective studies are needed to identify those indices in which changes in value predict the occurrence of metabolic disorders best.
Choroidal thickness in lamellar macular holes Kal, Magdalena; Winiarczyk, Mateusz; Głuszek, Stanisław ...
Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology,
03/2021, Volume:
259, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Purpose
(1) To assess the thickness of the central choroid (BM-CSI) in swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) examination of lamellar macular holes (LMHs). (2) To establish correlations ...between the thickness of the central choroid (BM-CSI) in the LHM and the parameters of best-corrected visual acuity and reading vision in patients with LMH.
Methods
This prospective case-control study assessed a group of 30 patients (30 eyes) with LMHs and a control group of 45 patients (90 eyes). The thickness of the central choroid (BM-CSI) was measured with an SS-OCT device. The average choroidal thickness in the fovea was defined as average thickness in the central area of 1000 μm in diameter, according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS). The results were correlated with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and reading vision.
Results
The average choroidal thickness in the study group (SG) with LMH was 160.34 μm (SD = 77.1), whereas in the control group (CG), it was 225.11 μm (SD = 93.8). The difference of 64.77 μm was statistically significant (
p
< 0.05). The BCVA was within the range between 0.7 (logMAR) and 0.1 (logMAR), with an average of 0.36 (logMAR) (SD = 0.23). Reading vision was within the range between − 0.2 (logMAR) and 0.3 (logMAR), with an average of 0.27 (logMAR) (SD = 0.12). A significant correlation between BCVA and the choroid (BM-CSI) was found. The correlation coefficient is average (
r
= 0.44) and positive. With better BCVA, a significantly thicker choroid (BM-CSI) can be observed. No significant correlation between BM-CSI and reading vision was found. The correlation coefficient value is minor (
r
= − 0.289), whereas lower values of BM-CSI can be observed with worse reading vision.
Conclusion
We suggest that the choroid may take part in the pathogenesis of LMH development. Its significant thinning may be responsible for the ischemic degenerative mechanism degenerating outer layers of retina, apart from tractional mechanism.
In several populations the associations between diet and the risk of metabolic syndrome have not been fully examined yet. The aim of the study is to identify the main dietary patterns among Polish ...adults and the evaluation of the relationships of these patterns with metabolic syndrome and its components. The study was conducted on a group of 7997 participants, aged between 37 and 66 years old. Dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation. Three dietary patterns were identified and designated as: "Healthy", "Westernized" and "Traditional-carbohydrate". In the adjusted model, a higher score in the "Westernized" pattern aligns with a higher risk of abnormal glucose concentration (
= 0.000), but with a lower risk of abnormal High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol HDL-cholesterol concentration (
= 0.024). Higher scores in the "Traditional-carbohydrate" pattern were connected with the risk of abdominal obesity (
= 0.001) and increased triglycerides concentration (
= 0.050). Our results suggest that adherence to the "Traditional-carbohydrate" dietary pattern, characterized by higher intakes of refined grains, potatoes, sugar and sweets is associated with a higher risk of abdominal obesity and triglyceridemia. A "Westernized" dietary pattern on the other hand, is related to hyperglycemia. The study results can be used for community-based health promotion and intervention programs to prevent or better manage chronic diseases.
The relationship between alcohol consumption and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is not consistent and may vary between populations, depending on age, sex, ethnicity, cultural traditions and ...lifestyle. We have hypothesized that moderate alcohol consumption will be associated with the lowest risk of the syndrome. The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between the current consumption of alcohol and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components. The research material includes data obtained from 12,285 men and women, in the age range of 37-66 years. Multiple logistic regression was used in the statistical analysis. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation. In men, a current consumption of >30 g of alcohol/day was significantly associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.25-2.39), high blood pressure (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.64-4.65), elevated glucose concentration (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.24-2.32), and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.07-2.92). In women, the consumption from 10.1 to 15.0 g of alcohol was associated only with a higher risk of abnormal glucose concentration (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.14-2.38.) In both sexes, current alcohol consumption was associated with higher high-density lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol concentration (
< 0.05). No relationship was found between alcohol consumption and triglyceride concentration. It is difficult to formulate unequivocal recommendations regarding alcohol intake in MetS prophylaxis due to its different association with particular MetS components. In order to explain the causal relationship between alcohol consumption and MetS and its components, prospective studies are necessary.
Fungal infections, especially those caused by antibiotic resistant pathogens, have become a serious public health problem due to the growing number of immunocompromised patients, including those ...subjected to anticancer treatment or suffering from HIV infection. In this study we assessed fungicidal activity of the ceragenins CSA-13, CSA-131 and CSA-192 against four fluconazole-resistant Candida strains. We found that ceragenins activity against planktonic Candida cells was higher than activity of human LL-37 peptide and synthetic cationic peptide omiganan. Compared to LL-37 peptide, ceragenins in the presence of DNase I demonstrated an increased ability to kill DNA-induced Candida biofilm. Microscopy studies show that treatment with LL-37 or ceragenins causes Candida cells to undergo extensive surface changes indicating surface membrane damage. This conclusion was substantiated by observation of rapid incorporation of FITC-labeled CSA-13, CSA-131 or LL-37 peptide into the more lipophilic environment of the Candida membrane. In addition to activity against Candida spp., ceragenins CSA-131 and CSA-192 display strong fungicidal activity against sixteen clinical isolates including Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus. These results indicate the potential of ceragenins for future development as new fungicidal agents.
Splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) is a serious vascular complication that can occur in patients with acute pancreatitis. We assessed the incidence of SVT and its relationship with acute pancreatitis ...(AP) and associated complications. We carried out a retrospective analysis of medical histories from patients hospitalized with AP in a single surgical center. Histories were acquired from patients with abdominal and pelvic computed tomography scans performed between the 2nd and 3rd day of hospitalization. We assessed the impact and extent of thrombosis over the disease course. We found a strong positive correlation (Cramer’s V coefficient = 0.34) between SVT and disease severity. Mortality in the study group was 7.2% (8 patients) of which 5 patients (62.5%) were diagnosed with SVT. We observed an increased incidence of death among patients with thrombosis, with results approaching significance (P = 0.056). In our study, we found that SVT has a negative effect on the course of AP and is associated with more severe disease and increased mortality.
Total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF) was used to determine chromium, selenium and bromine concentrations in blood serum samples of 50 patients with parenteral nutrition treatment. The ...concentrations were measured two times, namely in the first day (I measurement) of the treatment and the seventh day (II measurement) after the chromium and selenium supplementation. For comparison purposes also serum samples of 50 patients without nutritional disorders, admitted to a planned surgical procedure to remove the gall bladder (cholecystectomy), were analyzed and treated as the control group. Descriptive statistics of measured concentrations of Cr, Se and Br both for the studied and control groups was determined. In order to check the effectiveness of Cr and Se supplementation, the results of the first and seventh day measurements for studied group were statistically compared with each other, with literature reference values and with the results of the control group (two-group comparison). These comparisons indicate the effectiveness of selenium supplementation in the applied treatment procedure. In the case of Cr and Br concentrations no statistically significant differences were observed. We conclude that monitoring of the concentration of the important trace elements in human serum should be standard procedure in parenteral nutrition treatment. In this monitoring the TXRF technique can be successfully used.
Despite advances in medicine, acute pancreatitis remains a disorder that is associated with a high mortality rate. The objective of this study was to analyze in-hospital mortality in patients ...hospitalized with acute pancreatitis.
A prospective analysis of patients hospitalized with acute pancreatitis in a single surgical center was performed. Etiological factors, concomitant diseases, age, and intensive care unit treatment status were assessed to determine their impact on the cause and time of patient death. In addition, conventional laboratory tests performed in the emergency ward were evaluated for their potential as predictors of mortality.
The study included 476 (n) patients hospitalized with acute pancreatitis in a single surgical center. The presentations included mild disease in 261 (54.8%) patients, moderate disease in 132 (27.7%) patients, and severe disease in 83 (17.5%) patients. The overall mortality rate was 7.14% (n = 34), including 41% in the severe disease group. The mean and median hospitalization times for these patients were 13.9 and 7 days, respectively. Respiratory failure is the main cause of patient death.
Acute pancreatitis remains one of the most common gastroenterological diseases that may lead to death. Acute pancreatitis-related respiratory failure is the most common cause of death among patients with alcohol etiology of the disease. Moreover, the mortality rate was higher among older patients. Therefore, actions should be taken to discover prognostic factors of the severe form and initiate appropriate treatment.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in normal weight individuals Suliga, Edyta; Kozieł, Dorota; Głuszek, Stanisław
AAEM. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine/Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine,
01/2016, Volume:
23, Issue:
4
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and overweight in individuals with normal body weight is connected with higher exposure to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was ...to evaluate the risk and frequency of occurrence of metabolic syndrome and each of its components among individuals with normal weight.
Data were obtained by structured interview, and by measurements of anthropometric factors and blood analyses among 13,172 individuals aged 37-66. The risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome was analysed in tertiles within the normal range of BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m
).
Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 17.27% of individuals with normal weight. A significant increase in the risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome in females was observed within the second (OR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.63-3.05) and the third (OR = 3.97; 95% CI: 2.97-5.36) tertiles of normal BMI values. In males, a significantly higher risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome was noted only in the highest BMI tertile (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.26-3.83), compared to the reference level.
A high frequency of occurrence of metabolic syndrome risk factors was observed among individuals with BMI close to the upper cut-off point of the normal range. In order to early diagnose metabolically obese individuals with normal weight it is necessary to check the waist circumference when BMI ≥ 22.5 kg/m
in females, and BMI ≥ 23.8 kg/m
in males, where abnormal values should be a signal that further examinations should be performed to determine other risk factors of metabolic syndrome.
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