No Influence of the Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene rs9939609 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism on Blood Lipids in Young Males

The fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) rs9939609 A-allele is linked to obesity and dyslipidemia, yet the independent influence of this polymorphism on blood lipids remains equivocal. We examined the influence of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism on fasting and postprandial blood lipids in individuals homozygous for the risk A-allele or T-allele with similar anthropometric and demographic characteristics. 12 AA and 12 TT males consumed a standardized meal after fasting overnight. Blood samples were collected at baseline (−1.5 h), before the meal (0 h), and for five hours postprandially to measure lipid, glucose, and insulin concentrations. Time-averaged total area under the curve (TAUC) values (0–5 h) were calculated and compared between genotypes. Fasting triacylglycerol (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucose, and insulin concentrations were similar between groups (p ≥ 0.293). TAUC for TG was similar in AAs and TTs (95% confidence interval (CI) −0.52 to 0.31 mmol/L/h; p = 0.606). Likewise, TAUC values were similar for NEFA (95% CI −0.04 to 0.03 mmol/L/h; p = 0.734), glucose (95% CI −0.41 to 0.44 mmol/L/h; p = 0.951), and insulin (95% CI −6.87 to 2.83 pmol/L/h; p = 0.395). Blood lipids are not influenced by the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism, suggesting the FTO-dyslipidemia link is mediated by adiposity and weight management is important in preventing FTO-related lipid variations.     

Eating sweets without the wrapper: perceptions of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among street youth in western Kenya

Street-connected youth in Kenya are a population potentially at risk of HIV transmission, yet little is known about their perceptions and experiences of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), despite their living in an HIV endemic region. We sought to elucidate the language and sociocultural factors rooted in street life that impact on street-connected young people’s knowledge of and perceptions about the prevention and transmission of STIs, and their diagnosis and treatment, using qualitative methods in western Kenya. We conducted a total of 25 in-depth interviews and 5 focus-group discussions with 65 participants aged 11–24 years in Eldoret, Kenya. Thematic analysis was conducted and data were coded according to themes and patterns emergent until saturation was reached. In general, street-connected young people knew of STIs and some of the common symptoms associated with these infections. However, there were many misconceptions regarding transmission and prevention. Gender inequities were prominent, as the majority of men described women as individuals who spread STIs due to unhygienic practices, urination and multiple partners. Due to misconceptions, gender inequity and lack of access to youth-friendly healthcare there is an urgent need for community-based organisations and healthcare facilities to introduce or augment their adolescent sexual and reproductive health programmes for vulnerable young people.     

Bone Mass,Bone Microstructure and Biomechanics in Patients with Hand Osteoarthritis

The impact of primary hand osteoarthritis (HOA) on bone mass, microstructure, and biomechanics in the affected skeletal regions is largely unknown. HOA patients and healthy controls (HCs) underwent high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). We measured total, trabecular, and cortical volumetric bone mineral densities (vBMDs), microstructural attributes, and performed micro–finite element analysis for bone strength. Failure load and scaled multivariate outcome matrices from distal radius and second metacarpal (MCP2) head measurements were analyzed using multiple linear regression adjusting for age, sex, and functional status and reported as adjusted Z-score differences for total and direct effects. A total of 105 subjects were included (76 HC: 46 women, 30 men; 29 HOA: 23 women, six men). After adjustment, HOA was associated with significant changes in the multivariate outcome matrix from the MCP2 head (p < .001) (explained by an increase in cortical vBMD (Δz = 1.07, p = .02) and reduction in the trabecular vBMD (Δz = −0.07, p = .09). Distal radius analysis did not show an overall effect of HOA; however, there was a gender-study group interaction (p = .044) explained by reduced trabecular vBMD in males (Δz = −1.23, p = .02). HOA was associated with lower failure load (−514 N; 95%CI, −1018 to −9; p = 0.05) apparent in males after adjustment for functional status. HOA is associated with reduced trabecular and increased cortical vBMD in the MCP2 head and a reduction in radial trabecular vBMD and bone strength in males. Further investigations of gender-specific changes of bone architecture in HOA are warranted. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Depression in type 1 diabetes and risk of dementia

Objective: Depression afflicts 14% of individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Depression is a robust risk factor for dementia but it is unknown if this holds true for individuals with T1D, who recently started living to an age conferring dementia risk. We examined if depression is a dementia risk factor among elderly individuals with T1D.

Methods: 3,742 individuals with T1D age ≥50 were followed for dementia from 1/1/96-9/30/2015. Depression, dementia, and comorbidities were abstracted from electronic medical records. Cox proportional hazard models estimated the association between depression and dementia adjusting for demographics, glycosylated hemoglobin, severe dysglycemic epidsodes, stroke, heart disease, nephropathy, and end stage renal disease. The cumulative incidence of dementia by depression was estimated conditional on survival dementia-free to age 55.

Results: Five percent (N = 182) were diagnosed with dementia and 20% had baseline depression. Depression was associated with a 72% increase in dementia (fully adjusted HR = 1.72; 95% CI:1.12-2.65). The 25-year cumulative incidence of dementia was more than double for those with versus without depression (27% vs. 12%).

Conclusions: For people with T1D, depression significantly increases dementia risk. Given the pervasiveness of depression in T1D, this has major implications for successful aging in this population recently living to old age.     

IgE-mediated regulation of IL-10 and type I IFN enhances rhinovirus-induced Th2 differentiation by primary human monocytes

Rhinovirus (RV) infections are linked to the development and exacerbation of allergic diseases including allergic asthma. IgE, another contributor to atopic disease pathogenesis, has been shown to regulate DC antiviral functions and influence T cell priming by monocytes. We previously demonstrated that IgE-mediated stimulation of monocytes alters multiple cellular functions including cytokine secretion, phagocytosis, and influenza-induced Th1 development. In this study, we investigate the effects of IgE-mediated stimulation on monocyte-driven, RV-induced T cell development utilizing primary human monocyte-T cell co-cultures. We demonstrate that IgE crosslinking of RV-exposed monocytes enhances monocyte-driven Th2 differentiation. This increase in RV-induced Th2 development was regulated by IgE-mediated inhibition of virus-induced type I IFN and induction of IL-10. These findings suggest an additional mechanism by which two clinically significant risk factors for allergic disease exacerbations—IgE-mediated stimulation and rhinovirus infection—may synergistically promote Th2 differentiation and allergic inflammation.