The association between the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the general Korean population: based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2007-2009

Aim

To investigate circulating visfatin and vaspin levels in first-degree relatives of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (FDRs) who frequently have higher value of HOMA-IR and beta cell dysfunction.

Methods

Serum visfatin and vaspin concentrations were measured in 179 Iranian subjects (90 normoglycemic FDRs and 89 age- and sex-matched healthy controls) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods.

Result

Serum visfatin levels were significantly lower in the FDRs when compared to the controls (1.71 ± 0.93 ng/ml versus 2.69 ± 2.02 ng/ml, p = 0.0001). However, no significant difference was found in serum vaspin concentrations between the FDRs and the controls (0.452 ± 0.254 ng/ml versus 0.409 ± 0.275 ng/ml, p > 0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the FDRs showed a significant association with lower visfatin levels after adjustments for age, sex, Body Mass Index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, lipid profile, blood glucose levels and HOMA-IR [odds ratios (OR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (1.30-2.25); p < 0.0001].

Conclusion

The FDRs showed a significant association with lower visfatin levels. The observed lower circulating visfatin levels in FDRs may suggest a pathophysiological role for visfatin in beta cell dysfunction in this group.     

Microstructural changes in the hippocampus and posterior cingulate in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease: a diffusion tensor imaging study

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a sensitive MRI technique in the detection of white matter degeneration. We sought to demonstrate microstructural changes in normal controls, patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and to determine which DTI parameters could be a reliable tool for the early diagnosis of AD. In total, 90 participants (35 normal, 20 aMCI, 35 AD) were recruited. We included early AD patients with clinical dementia rating scores of 0.5 and 1. The fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity values, DTI parameter, were measured with the regions of interest method in the bilateral hippocampal body and posterior cingulate. Clinical history, neurological examination, and neuropsychological assessments were conducted. The DTI parameters in the bilateral hippocampus and posterior cingulate in aMCI and AD were different from those in normal controls. No difference was found in DTI parameters of the posterior cingulate between aMCI and AD. However, hippocampal DTI parameters were different between aMCI and AD. Cognitive summary measures were significantly correlated with DTI parameters, especially FA values in the hippocampus. The DTI analysis technique demonstrated significant microstructural alterations in the hippocampus and posterior cingulate already in prodromal stage of AD. DTI parameters in the hippocampus may be a more sensitive method to determine microstructural changes in early AD states and more correlated with cognition than DTI parameters in the posterior cingulate.     

The Impact of Personality Traits on Ratings of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms

Objective

The goal of this study was to evaluate consistencies and discrepancies between clinician-administered and self-report versions of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and to examine relationships between these scales and personality traits.

Methods

A total of 106 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) participated in this study. All participants were assessed with both clinician-administered and self-report versions of the Y-BOCS. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders Personality Questionnaire (SCID-II-PQ) was used to evaluate relationships between personality traits and scores on the Y-BOCS.

Results

Scores on the clinician-administered Y-BOCS and its obsession subscale were significantly higher than were those on the self-report version. However, we found no significant differences in compulsion subscale scores. We also found that the discrepancies in the scores on the two versions of the Y-BOCS and its compulsion subscale were significantly positively correlated with scores for narcissistic personality traits on the SCID-II-PQ. Additionally, narcissistic personality traits had a significant effect on the discrepancy in the scores on the two versions of the Y-BOCS and its compulsion subscale in the multiple linear regression analysis.

Conclusion

This is the first study to elucidate relationships between personality traits and discrepancies between scores on the two versions of the Y-BOCS. Although clinicians tend to rate obsessive symptoms as being more severe than do patients, clinicians may underestimate the degree to which individuals with narcissistic personality traits suffer more from subjective discomfort due to compulsive symptoms. Therefore, the effect of personality traits on symptom severity should be considered in the treatment of OCD.     

Construction of a Tissue‐Engineered Annulus Fibrosus

The intervertebral disc is composed of load‐bearing fibrocartilage that may be subjected to compressive forces up to 10 times the body weight. The multilaminated outer layer, the annulus fibrosus (AF), is vulnerable to damage and its regenerative potential is limited, sometimes leading to nuclear herniation. Scaffold‐based tissue engineering of AF using stem cell technology has enabled the development of bi‐laminate constructs after 10 weeks of culture. It is difficult to know if these constructs are limited by the differentiation state of the stem cells or the culture system. In this study, we have characterized an expandable scaffold‐free neoconstruct using autologous AF cells. The construct was prepared from pellet cultures derived from monolayer cultures of AF cells from mature pigs that became embedded in their own extracellular matrix. The pellet cultures were incubated for 24 h in a standardized conical tube and then carefully transferred intact to a culture flask and incubated for 21 days to allow continued matrix synthesis. Cell viability was maintained above 90% throughout the culture period. The engineered scaffold‐free construct was compared with the native AF tissue by characterization of gene expression of representative markers, histological architecture, and biochemical composition. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of the cultured disc construct are very similar to that of native AF. The cell number per gram of construct was equal to that of native AF. Expression of aggrecan was elevated in the engineered construct compared with RNA extracted from the AF. The glycosaminoglycan content in the engineered construct showed no significant difference to that from native construct. These data indicate that scaffold‐free tissue constructs prepared from AF cells using a pellet‐culture format may be useful for in vitro expansion for transplantation into damaged discs.     

Correction: Self-assembled fibrillar networks comprised of a naturally-occurring cyclic peptide—LOB3

Correction for ‘Self-assembled fibrillar networks comprised of a naturally-occurring cyclic peptide—LOB3’ by M. A. Rogers et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 40765–40776.

The authors regret the omission of the following conflict of interest statement.Dr Martin J. T. Reaney is the founder of, and has an equity interest in, Prairie Tide Diversified Inc. (PTD, Saskatoon, SK, Canada: previous company name is Prairie Tide Chemicals Inc.). Dr Youn Young Shim is a Market Consultant for PTD in Korea. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the University of Saskatchewan in accordance with its conflict of interest policies.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Isolation of tumor spheres and mesenchymal stem-like cells from a single primitive neuroectodermal tumor specimen

Purpose

It has been reported that cancer stem cells (CSCs) can be isolated from primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) specimens. Moreover, mesenchymal stem-like cells (MSLCs) have been isolated from Korean glioma specimens. Here, we tested whether tumor spheres and MSLCs can be simultaneously isolated from a single PNET specimen, a question that has not been addressed.

Methods

We isolated single-cell suspensions from PNET specimens, then cultured these cells using methods for MSLCs or CSCs. Cultured cells were analyzed for surface markers of CSCs using immunocytochemistry and for surface markers of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Tumor spheres were exposed to neural differentiation conditions, and MSLCs were exposed to mesenchymal differentiation conditions. Possible locations of MSLCs within PNET specimens were determined by immunofluorescence analysis of tumor sections.

Results

Cells similar to tumor spheres and MSLCs were independently isolated from one of two PNET specimens. Spheroid cells, termed PNET spheres, were positive for CD133 and nestin, and negative for musashi and podoplanin. PNET spheres were capable of differentiation into immature neural cells and astrocytes, but not oligodendrocytes or mature neural cells. FACS analysis revealed that adherent cells isolated from the same PNET specimen, termed PNET-MSLCs, had surface markers similar to BM-MSCs. These cells were capable of mesenchymal differentiation. Immunofluorescence labeling indicated that some CD105⁺ cells might be closely related to endothelial cells and pericytes.

Conclusion

We showed that both tumor spheres and MSLCs can be isolated from the same PNET specimen. PNET-MSLCs occupied a niche in the vicinity of the vasculature and could be a source of stroma for PNETs.