Additional file 2: of Changes in circulating lipids level over time after acquiring HCV infection: results from ERCHIVES

Figure S2. Changes in lipid levels over time among HCV seroconverted and HCV uninfected, adjusted for time-updated FIB-4 score. (A) Changes in total cholesterol; (B) Changes in LDL-cholesterol; (C) Changes in HDL-cholesterol; (D) Changes in triglycerides; (E) Changes in non-HDL cholesterol.(DOC 109 kb

Effect of moderate aerobic exercise on complement activation pathways in polycystic ovary syndrome women

Background: The complement system is pivotal in host defense mechanisms, protecting against pathogenic infection by regulating inflammation and cell immunity. Complement-related protein activation occurs through three distinct pathways: classical, alternative, and lectin-dependent pathways, which are regulated by cascades of multiple proteins. Complement activation is recognized in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to be associated with obesity and insulin sensitivity. Exercise reduces insulin resistance and may help reduce obesity, and therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the effect of exercise on the activation of complement-related proteins in PCOS and control women. Subjects and measurements: In this study, 10 controls and 11 PCOS subjects who were age- and weight-matched underwent an 8-week supervised exercise program at 60% maximal oxygen consumption. Weight was unchanged though insulin sensitivity was increased in PCOS subjects and controls. Fasting baseline and post-exercise samples were collected and 14 complement-related proteins belonging to classical, alternative, and lectin-dependent pathways were measured. Results: Baseline levels of complement C4b and complement C3b/iC3b were higher in PCOS (P P P P P P P Conclusion: Exercise induced complement changes in controls that were not seen in PCOS subjects, suggesting that these pathways remain dysregulated even in the presence of improved insulin sensitivity and not improved by moderate aerobic exercise. Clinical trial registration: ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN42448814.</p

Corrigendum: Association of complement-related proteins in subjects with and without second trimester gestational diabetes

In the original article, there was an error. One of the funders was missed out in the Acknowledgements. A correction has been made to the Acknowledgements section. “The authors would like to thank Qatar Metabolic Institute, Medical Research Center, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar for supporting the study. And Medical Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation for the article processing fees support”. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated

Elevated adipsin and reduced C5a levels in the maternal serum and follicular fluid during implantation are associated with successful pregnancy in obese women

Introduction: Complement factors mediate the recruitment and activation of immune cells and are associated with metabolic changes during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine whether complement factors in the maternal serum and follicular fluid (FF) are associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in overweight/obese women. Methods: Forty overweight/obese (BMI = 30.8 ± 5.2 kg/m2) female patients, 33.6 ± 6.3 years old, undergoing IVF treatment for unexplained infertility were recruited. Baseline demographic information, including biochemical hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory markers, and pregnancy outcome, was collected. Levels of 14 complement markers (C2, C4b, C5, C5a, C9, adipsin, mannose-binding lectin, C1q, C3, C3b/iC3b, C4, factor B, factor H, and properdin) were assessed in the serum and FF and compared to IVF outcome, inflammatory, and metabolic markers using multivariate and univariate models. Results: Out of 40 IVF cycles, 14 (35%) resulted in pregnancy. Compared to women with failed pregnancies, women with successful pregnancies had higher levels of adipsin in the serum and FF (p = 0.01) but lower C5a levels (p = 0.05). Serum adipsin levels were positively correlated with circulating levels of vitamin D (R = 0.5, p = 0.02), glucagon (R = 0.4, p = 0.03), leptin (R = 0.4, p = 0.01), resistin (R = 0.4, p = 0.02), and visfatin (R = 0.4, p = 0.02), but negatively correlated with total protein (R = -0.5, p = 0.03). Higher numbers of top-quality embryos were associated with increased levels of C3, properdin, C1q, factors H and B, C4, and adipsin, but with reduced C2 and C5a levels (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusions: Higher adipsin and lower C5a levels in the maternal serum during implantation are potential markers of successful outcome in obese women undergoing IVF-assisted pregnancies.</p

Baseline characteristics of study subjects.

<p>Baseline characteristics of study subjects.</p

Prevalence of newly detected diabetes in pregnancy in Qatar, using universal screening

<div><p>Background</p><p>Diabetes first detected during pregnancy is currently divided into gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and diabetes mellitus (DM)- most of which are type 2 DM (T2DM). This study aims to define the prevalence and outcomes of diabetes first detected in pregnancy based on 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)using the recent WHO/IADPSG guidelines in a high-risk population.</p><p>Methods</p><p>This is a retrospective study that included all patients who underwent a 75 g (OGTT) between Jan 2016 and Apr 2016 and excluded patients with known pre-conception diabetes.</p><p>Results</p><p>The overall prevalence of newly detected diabetes in pregnancy among the 2000 patients who fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria was 24.0% (95% CI 22.1–25.9) of which T2DM was 2.5% (95% CI 1.9–3.3), and GDM was 21.5% (95% CI 19.7–23.3). The prevalence of newly detected diabetes in pregnancy was similar among the different ethnic groups.</p><p>The T2DM group was older (mean age in years was 34 ±5.7 vs 31.7±5.7 vs 29.7 ±5.7, p<0.001); and has a higher mean BMI (32.4±6.4 kg/m2 vs 31.7±6.2 kg/m2 vs 29.7± 6.2 kg/m2, p< 0.01) than the GDM and the non-DM groups, respectively. The frequency of pre-eclampsia, pre-term delivery, Caesarean-section, macrosomia, LGA and neonatal ICU admissions were significantly higher in the T2DM group compared to GDM and non-DM groups.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Diabetes first detected in pregnancy is equally prevalent among the various ethnic groups residing in Qatar. Newly detected T2DM carries a higher risk of poor pregnancy outcomes; stressing the importance of proper classification of cases of newly detected diabetes in pregnancy.</p></div