Risk factors of type 2 diabetes among Korean adults: The 2001 Korean national health and nutrition examination survey

This study aimed to identify risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Korea, a rapidly changing country. Data of 5,132 adults aged 20-85 were used from the 2001 Korean Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multiple logistic regression was carried out to identify risk factors for T2D. Three models were specified: (i) socioeconomic and demographic factors (model 1: age, gender, education, poverty income ratio, employment), (ii) behavioral risk factors and covariates (model 2: obesity, physical activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, dietary quality, family history of T2D, co-morbidity) and (iii) socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors (model 3). The prevalence of T2D was 7.4%. Less education (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.08-1.84), age (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.56-3.08 in 40-59 yrs, OR 4.05, 95% CI 2.76-5.95 in 60 yrs + comparing to 20-39 yrs) and abdominal obesity (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.79-2.82) were risk factors for T2D even after controlling for other factors simultaneously. There was a significant association of T2D with ever smoking (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.06-1.67). The relationship of age with T2D was modified by gender in model 1 and the relationship of smoking with T2D was modified by obesity in model 2. Less educated, older, obese or ever smokers were more likely to have T2D. Gender mediated the relationship of age, and obesity mediated the relationship of smoking, with T2D. Intervention programs for T2D in Korea should take the interactions among risk factors into account.     

Analysis of the inflammatory response in endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the inflammatory response caused by endovascular stents in the treatment of aortic aneurysms. METHODS: Twenty-five patients underwent endovascular stent treatment from March through December 2005. The evolution of mediators (sedimentation velocity, C reactive protein, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, l-selectin), inflammatory cells (leukocytes, lymphocytes, platelets), serum creatinine and body temperature within preoperative period and in the following postoperative periods--1, 6, 24 and 48 h, 7 days, 1-3 months, was analyzed. In order to achieve statistic significance, Friedman test and Wilcoxon test were used, with index of significance of 5% (p<0.05). RESULTS: Peak values of sedimentation velocity, C reactive protein and interleukin-6 were observed at 7 days (p<0.0001), 48 h (p<0.0001) and 24h (p<0.0001), respectively. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-8 did not show statistically significant variability during the entire follow-up. In terms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and l-selectin, their expressive values were found in late phase of follow-up, although without statistical significance. Elevation of leukocytes count occurred in premature phase of follow-up (p<0.0001), while lymphocyte and platelet count occurred in a late phase of follow-up (p<0.0001). Serum levels of creatinine did not show significant variability during follow-up. The period between 24 and 48 h corresponded to major frequency for fever (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Individual mediators analysis and inflammatory cells demonstrated variability of their values during postoperative follow-up. This could help in the analysis of the inflammatory response evolution caused by endovascular stent treatment for aortic aneurysms in premature and late phases after implantation of the vascular prosthesis.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met and psychiatric disorders: meta-analysis of case-control studies confirm association to substance-related disorders, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing recognition that the pathophysiology of mental disorders could be the result of deregulation of synaptic plasticity with alterations of neurotrophins. The valine (Val)66-to-methionine (Met) variant, located in the pro brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) sequence, has been extensively studied through linkage and association approaches in several psychiatric disorders. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis restricted to individual case-control studies in different categories of mental disorders and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. We included data from 39 case-control studies encompassing psychiatric phenotypes: eating disorders, substance-related disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia, among others. RESULTS: The association of Val66Met was confined to three diagnoses: substance-related disorders, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. The Val/Met and the Met/Met genotypes increase the risk for eating disorders up to 33%, while these same genotypes confer a 21% protective effect in substance-related disorders. The homozygous carriers Met/Met showed a 19% increased risk of schizophrenia with respect to the heterozygous state. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the association of Val66Met to substance-related disorders, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. It remains to be determined if other variants in tight linkage disequilibrium with Val66Met could configure an extended functional haplotype that would explain observed discrepancies in risk estimations across studies.     

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Benefits from Massage Theraphy

Studied children with mild to moderate juvenile rheumatoid arthritiswho were massaged by their parents 15 minutes a day for 30 days(and a control group engaged in relaxation therapy). The children'sanxiety and stress hormone (cortisol) levels were immediatelydecreased by the massage, and over the 30-day period their paindecreased on self-reports, parent reports, and their physician'sassessment of pain (both the incidence and severity) and pain-limitingactivities     

Genetic analysis of seven Mediterranean families with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A

OBJECTIVE   Genetic analysis is now essential for the accurate screening of families with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). We present the genetic analyses by both haplotype and direct RET proto-oncogene mutation analysis in seven Mediterranean MEN 2A families and have compared these results with biochemical screening tests and pathological examinations.
DESIGN  Total DNA was extracted from leucocytes. Linkage analysis was performed using five RFLP systems from three loci that flank the MEN2A locus (FNRB, RBP3, D10S15). RET proto-oncogene analysis was carried out by automatic DNA sequencing and adequate digestion of PCR amplified products for exons 10 and 11. Screening for medullary thyroid carcinoma or C-cell hyperplasia was performed by the pentagastrin provocation test. Adrenal medullary function was assessed by measurements of 24-hour urinary excretion of catecholamines and their metabolites. Serum calcium and phosphate measurements were the initial screen for hyperparathyroidism. Serum PTH was determined only if hyperparathyroidism was suggested by the former determinations.
PATIENT   Genetic study was performed in 59 individuals (39 at risk) from seven kindreds of Mediterranean origin with MEN 2A.
RESULTS   Diagnosis by linkage analysis was not possible in 30% of individuals at risk, but RET proto-oncogene analysis identified all these individuals. Mutations of the RET proto-oncogene were detected in exon 10 (codon 618) in one MEN 2A kindred and in exon 11 (codon 634) in the others. The results of direct analysis were concordant with linkage studies in each case. Three individuals from different MEN 2A kindreds, who were subsequently shown not to be gene carriers, had false positive pentagastrin stimulation tests.
CONCLUSION   Biochemical tests can be replaced by direct DNA mutation analysis as the first line screening test in order to identify gene carriers of MEN 2A.