Chemerin levels are positively correlated with abdominal visceral fat accumulation

Objective Chemerin, a recently discovered adipocytokine, may be linked to obesity and obesity‐associated metabolic complications. However, the relationship between visceral fat accumulation and chemerin is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between serum chemerin levels and body composition as measured by computed tomography (CT). Patients We recruited 173 men and women without histories of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Measurements Biomarkers of metabolic risk factors and body composition by computed tomography were assessed. Serum chemerin levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results Chemerin levels correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, abdominal visceral fat area, blood pressure, fasting insulin, homoeostasis model of assessment‐insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. By stepwise multiple regression analysis, abdominal visceral fat area, blood pressure and total cholesterol levels independently affected chemerin levels. Conclusions Abdominal visceral fat accumulation, blood pressure and lipid profile were significantly associated with serum chemerin levels. Our findings suggest that chemerin may be a mediator that links visceral obesity to cardiovascular risk factors.     

A comparison between central blood pressure values obtained by the Gaon system and the SphygmoCor system

Central pulse pressure is correlated with carotid atherosclerosis and the incidence of cardiovascular events more significantly than brachial pulse pressure. Augmentation index (Aix) has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Pulse wave analysis using the Gaon system allows for the estimation of central blood pressure (CBP), corrected augmentation index (Aix@HR75), ejection duration (ED) and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), and is widely used in clinical research in Korea. However, the accuracy of this system is controversial. From February 2008 to March 2011, 99 patients were recruited for this study. Measurements were taken both by the Gaon system and the SphygmoCor system on the same day for all study participants. The estimated values of CBP, Aix@HR75, ED and SEVR for the two systems were compared using paired t-tests, simple correlation analyses and Bland-Altman plots. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) estimated by the two systems was significantly (P<0.001) correlated; the coefficient was 0.982. The two s.d. of the difference in SBP between these systems was quite small--<7?mm?Hg. Aix@HR75, ED and SEVR as estimated by the two systems were also significantly correlated, although they, especially SEVR, showed much weaker correlations than were observed in SBP: coefficients for Aix@HR75, ED and SEVR were 0.727, 0.648 and 0.230, respectively. We assessed the CBP of Korean patients estimated by the two systems and observed that the correlations of Aix, ED and SEVR were weaker than that of CBP. Such variations may be due to the difference in measuring methods between the devices. As even a slight change in pulse waveforms may result in a large difference in estimations, parameters, including Aix@HR75, ED and SEVR, should be carefully interpreted by experienced clinicians.     

Generation of lymphocytes potentiated against leukemic lymphoblasts by stimulation using leukemic cell lysate-pulsed dendritic cells in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and measurement of in vitro anti-leukemic cytotoxicity

Using granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, interleukin4 and tumor necrosis factor α, we generated dendritic cells (DCs) from mononuclear cells isolated from the peripheral blood (PB) of eight patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), who were in complete remission (CR), and pulsed these DCs with leukemic cell lysates. Specific cytotoxicity assays were performed by incubation of effector cells (lymphocytes generated from cryopreserved mononuclear cells isolated in CR state of ALL) and targets (cryopreserved leukemic cells at diagnosis). Patients showing decreased cytotoxicity had poorer clinical courses. When we measured lymphocyte subsets, we found positive correlations between cytotoxicity levels and the proportions of T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes, but negative correlations between cytotoxicity levels and the proportions of NK cells and regulatory T lymphocytes. In conclusion, we show here that leukemia-specific autologous DCs can be generated from the PB of ALL patients in CR, that the incubation of these DCs with leukemic cell lysates can generate lymphocytes potentiated against leukemic cells, and that relationships are evident among all of cytotoxicity, lymphocyte subsets, and patient prognosis.     

Dose- and time-dependent effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 on the osteogenic and adipogenic potentials of alveolar bone-derived stromal cells

Park J‐C, Kim J.C, Kim B‐K, Cho K‐S, Im G‐I, Kim B‐S, Kim C‐S. Dose‐ and time‐dependent effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 on the osteogenic and adipogenic potentials of alveolar bone‐derived stromal cells. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 645–654. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2) is a well‐known growth factor that can induce robust bone formation, and recent studies have shown that rhBMP‐2‐induced osteogenesis is closely related to adipogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the dose‐ and time‐dependent effects of rhBMP‐2 on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human alveolar bone‐derived stromal cells (hABCs) in vivo and in vitro. Material and Methods: hABCs were isolated and cultured, and then transplanted using a carrier treated either with or without rhBMP‐2 (100 μg/mL) into an ectopic subcutaneous mouse model. Comprehensive histologic and histometric analyses were performed after an 8‐wk healing period. To further understand the dose‐dependent (0, 10, 50, 200, 500 and 1000 ng/mL) and time‐dependent (0, 3, 5, 7 and 14 d) effects of rhBMP‐2 on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, in vitro osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of hABCs were evaluated, and the expression of related mRNAs, including those for alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, peroxisome‐proliferator‐activated receptor gamma‐2 and lipoprotein lipase, were assessed using quantitative RT‐PCR. Results: rhBMP‐2 significantly promoted the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of hABCs in vivo, and gradually increased both the osteogenic and adipogenic potential in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner with minimal deviation in vitro. The expression of osteogenesis‐ and adipogenesis‐associated mRNAs were concomitantly up‐regulated by rhBMP‐2. Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that rhBMP‐2 significantly enhanced the adipogenic as well as the osteogenic potential of hABCs in dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The control of adipogenic differentiation of hABCs should be considered when regenerating the alveolar bone using rhBMP‐2.     

Factors Influencing Improvement of Trauma-Related Symptoms Among Somali Refugee Youth in Urban Kenya

Somali refugee youth present with a heightened risk for common mental disorders (CMDs), and yet few studies have discussed factors influencing mental health outcomes after psychosocial interventions. This study aimed to identify key factors that contribute to the improvement of CMD symptoms among Somali youth displaced in urban Kenya. Logistic regression analyses revealed that trauma exposure and emotional coping predict overall symptom improvement, pointing to a differential intervention effect on those with differing levels of religious belief and attitudes toward violence. This study provides insights into how psychosocial factors likely contribute to positive intervention outcomes in Somali refugee youth.

     

Submucosal Hemangioma of the Trachea in an Infant: Diagnosis and Follow-Up with 3D-CT/Bronchoscopy

Introduction:

Infantile hemangiomas of the airway are diagnosed at bronchoscopy as part of the investigation of stridor or other respiratory symptoms. Here, we present three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT)/bronchoscopy findings of submucosal subglottic hemangioma missed at bronchoscopy.

Case Presentation:

We report on the clinical usefulness of 3D-CT/bronchoscopy as the primary diagnostic tool and follow-up method in the evaluation of suspected airway infantile hemangiomas, especially when the hemangioma is the submucosal type.

Conclusions:

3D-CT/bronchoscopy will reduce the need for invasive laryngoscopic studies and help to diagnose submucosal hemangiomas undetected on laryngoscope. Additionally, 3D-CT/bronchoscopy will help evaluating the extent of the lesion, degree of airway narrowing, and treatment response.