Plasma visfatin and retinol binding protein-4 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and their relationship to adiposity and fatty liver

ObjectivesWe investigated whether plasma visfatin and binding protein-4 (RBP-4) levels correlate with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Design and methodsTwo groups were enrolled: Group 1: 40 patients with T2DM and Group 2: 40 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Both groups were subdivided according to body mass index (BMI) into non-obese (BMI < 25 kg/m²) and obese subjects (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) (20 each).ResultsPlasma visfatin and RBP-4 levels were significantly increased in T2DM patients compared with controls with similar BMI values (for both p < 0.001). Plasma visfatin and RBP-4 concentrations correlated with BMI, waist/hip ratio, insulin and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA_IR). Visfatin and RBP-4 correlated with visceral fat and liver fat in diabetic patients (for both p < 0.001).ConclusionVisfatin level was increased in T2DM, possibly related to hyperglycemia. Plasma RBP-4 correlated positively with liver fat and HOMA_IR which may reflect its effects on hepatic insulin sensitivity.     

Use of sedation for routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Survey of National Endoscopy Society Members

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Sedation rates may vary among countries, depending on patients' and endoscopists' preferences. The aim of this survey was to investigate the rate of using premedication for routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy in endoscopy societies, members of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). METHODS: We evaluated a multiple-choice questionnaire which was e-mailed to representatives of national endoscopy societies, which are members of the ESGE. The questionnaire had 14 items referring to endoscopy practices in each country and the representatives' endoscopy units. RESULTS: The response rate was 76% (34/45). In 47% of the countries, less than 25% of patients undergo routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy with conscious sedation. In 62% of the responders' endoscopy units, patients are not asked their preference for sedation and do not sign a consent form (59%). Common sedatives in use are midazolam (82%), diazepam (38%) or propofol (47%). Monitoring equipment is not available 'in most of the endoscopy units' in 46% (13/28) of the countries. Though they were available in 91% of the national representatives' endoscopy units, they are rarely (21%) used to monitor unsedated routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: In about 50% of ESGE-related countries, less than 25% of patients are sedated for routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy. Major issues to improve include availability of monitoring equipment and the use of a consent form.     

2型糖尿病家系非糖尿病一级亲属胰岛素抵抗与胰岛β细胞功能变化5年随访研究

目的：探讨随访2型糖尿病（T2DM）家系非糖尿病一级亲属5年的胰岛素抵抗和胰岛β细胞功能变化。方法：入选2型糖尿病家系非糖尿病一级亲属组（FDR）32例和正常对照组（NC）18例,基线检测了体质量指数、腰臀比、血压、血脂、血糖和空腹胰岛素（FINS）水平。采用稳态模式（HOMA）评价胰岛素抵抗（HOMA-IR）和胰岛β细胞功能（HOMA-β）,5年后进行了相同的随访。结果：5年后FDR组HOMA-IR明显升高（P=0.040）,HOMA-β明显降低（P=0.004）。5年后FDR组与NC组HOMA-IR组间无显著差异（P=0.594）,HOMA-β明显降低（P=0.000）。多元逐步回归分析显示,FINS、空腹血糖（FBG）、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（HDL-C）是影响FDR组胰岛素抵抗的独立危险因素;FBG和FINS是影响FDR组胰岛β细胞功能的独立危险因素。结论：T2DM患者一级亲属非肥胖患者在发生糖尿病之前已经存在胰岛素抵抗和胰岛分泌功能缺陷,且随着病程延长胰岛β细胞功能衰竭可能更明显。     

p53 antibodies, metallothioneins, and oxidative stress markers in chronic ulcerative colitis with dysplasia

AIM:To investigate the role of p53 antibodies (p53Abs),metallothioneins (MTs) and oxidative stress markers in the early detection of dysplasia in chronic ulcerative colitis (UC).METHODS:The study included 30 UC patients,15 without dysplasia (group Ⅱ) and 15 with dysplasia (group Ⅲ),in addition to 15 healthy volunteers (group Ⅰ,control subjects).The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to measure serum p53Abs and MTs,while advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs),and reduced glutathione (G...     

Evaluation of the diagnostic value of serum and tissue apoptotic cytokeratin-18 in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Background and study aimsHepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered the most common aetiology of chronic liver disease (CLD) in Egypt. The disease severity ranges from mild illness to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. A role for apoptosis in liver damage caused by HCV chronic infection has been suggested. Cytokeratin 18 (CK-18) is the major intermediate filament protein in the liver and is a known caspase substrate in hepatocyte apoptosis. Therefore, we analysed the serum and tissue levels of CK-18 in patients with chronic HCV infection to evaluate its role in hepatocyte apoptosis. We also correlated CK-18 expression with the severity of hepatic pathology.Patients and methodsThis study examined 80 Egyptian patients with liver disease. There were 69 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 11 patients with hepatitis C-induced cirrhotic changes. Fifteen healthy controls were also included in the study. The levels of CK-18 fragment were quantified in paired serum and liver biopsy samples.ResultsThe serum and tissue CK-18 levels were reduced in chronic HCV patients compared to early cirrhosis patients. This result indicates that serum levels of CK-18 and the hepatic expression of CK-18 might play an important role in disease progression. The serum and tissue levels of CK-18 were significantly increased and directly correlated with inflammation severity, stage of fibrosis, and ALT levels in the chronic HCV group and the cirrhotic liver group. There was no significant difference in viral load between patient cohorts.ConclusionThe serum level and the hepatic expression of CK-18 are related to disease activity and are directly correlated with METAVIR scoring. This result suggests that serum CK-18 levels may be useful for monitoring disease activity in chronic HCV and liver cirrhosis patients.     

Role of peritoneal ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology/biopsy of extravisceral masses in the diagnosis of ascites of undetermined origin

Background and study aimsAscites may be of undetermined origin despite comprehensive study. This study aimed to assess the accuracy and safety of conventional and interventional high-frequency peritoneal ultrasound in the diagnosis of patients with ascites of unclear origin.Patients and methodsA total of 62 patients were prospectively enrolled; they underwent conventional (3.5–5 MHz) and high-frequency (6–8 MHz) transabdominal peritoneal ultrasound to suggest the nature of ascites supplemented by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of ascites and/or core biopsy of the omentum or other extra-visceral masses for final histopathologic diagnosis. Laparoscopy or laparotomy was needed if biopsy was inconclusive.ResultsUltrasound-guided procedures were diagnostic in 55 (87.7%) patients. Thirty-six (58.1%) were benign, of whom 86% had tuberculous peritonitis, 26 (41.9%) were malignant, of whom 76.9% had peritoneal metastasis. High-frequency ultrasound was able to propose ultrasonographic criteria in a trial to diagnose the nature of ascites. Our proposed ultrasonographic criteria were based on the amount and texture of ascites in addition to the omental and mesenteric features. These were able to suggest the diagnosis with 80.7% sensitivity for malignant ascites and 75% specificity for benign ascites. Moreover, histopathological examination of tissues obtained by ultrasound-guided procedures increased the sensitivity to 88.5% and the specificity to 88.9% in diagnosing malignant and benign disease, respectively, with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 88.6%. These procedures were considered to be safe as only one major (haemoperitoneum) and two minor complications (temporary ascitic fistula) were reported.ConclusionHigh-frequency peritoneal ultrasound together with the minimally invasive ultrasound-guided FNAC/biopsy of extra-visceral lesions may be considered an effective and safe tool in the diagnosis of ascites of undetermined origin.     

Psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) in a sample of patients with HIV

ABSTRACT

We determined the validity and reliability of the Malay translated MOS-SSS. A sample of 120 HIV patients participated in this study. Forty patients completed the self-administered 19-item questionnaire again after 1–2 weeks to test its reliability. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in four-factor solution which was consistent with the original subscales. All items had primary factor loadings > 0.40 without cross-loading. The Cronbach’s alpha values for the subscales ranged from 0.87–0.95. Intraclass correlation coefficient for the overall scale was 0.88. In conclusion, the Malay version of the MOS-SSS is valid and reliable for measuring perceived functional social support in patients with HIV.