Adiponectin and Cardiac Hypertrophy in Acromegaly

Background. Adiponectin is an adipocytes-derived hormone which has been shown to possess insulin-sensitizing, antiatherogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. In acromegaly, the data on adiponectin is contradictory. The relationship between adiponectin levels and cardiac parameters has not been studied.Objectives. The aim of this study was to find out how adiponectin levels were affected in acromegalic patients and the relationship between adiponectin levels and cardiac parameters.Material and Methods. We included 30 subjects (15 male, 15 female), diagnosed with acromegaly and 30 healthy (10 male, 20 female) subjects. Serum glucose, insulin, GH, IGF-1 and adiponectin levels were obtained and the insulin resistance of the subjects was calculated. Echocardiographic studies of the subjects were performed.Results. We determined that adiponectin levels were significantly higher in the acromegalic group than the control group. In the acromegalic group, there was no statistically significant relation between serum adiponectin and growth hormone (GH), or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels (p = 0.3, p = 0.1). We demonstrated that cardiac function and structure are affected by acromegaly. IVST, PWT, LVMI, E/A ratio, DT, ET, IVRT, VPR, and LVESV values were increased and the results were statistically significant. In the acromegalic group, adiponectin levels were positively related with left ventricle mass index (LVMI) but this correlation was found to be statistically weak (p = 0.03). In our study, there was a positive correlation between VAI and LVM. We also could not find any correlation between VAI and adiponectin levels.Conclusions. Although insulin resistance and high insulin levels occur in active acromegaly patients, adiponectin levels were higher in our study as a consequence of GH lowering therapies. Our study showed that adiponectin levels may be an indicator of the cardiac involvement acromegaly. However, the usage of serum adiponectin levels in acromegalic patients as an indicator of cardiac involvement should be supported with other, wide, multi-centered studies

Beyond the three monkeys of workforce diversity: Who hears, sees, and speaks up?

Data availability statement: The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.Copyright © 2022 Kusku, Araci, Tanriverdi and Ozbilgin. The purpose of this study was to explain differences between employees who feel a sense of belonging and those who feel a sense of otherness in terms of their opinions about diversity works in their organizations. We conducted an empirical study to examine the perceptual differences between two independent groups of the study “who feel a sense of belonging” and “who feel a sense of otherness.” We collected data from 792 employees working for organizations in different sizes, industries, and capital structures, which enriched the representativeness of the sample. The findings show that out-group members remain less satisfied with diversity works in their organizations based on four main issues such as “competence of diversity actors,” “embeddedness of diversity works in organizational policies/practices,” “diversity awareness in the HRM functions,” and “diversity-related employee satisfaction.” This paper makes two contributions. First, it contributes to the extant literature an understanding of the differences between those who remain indifferent to diversity works and those who care to see, speak, and hear about them. Second, with a few exceptions, extant studies on diversity works have been dominated by Western-centered research. Research is needed on countries with different macro-contextual conditions, such as different legal regulations, socio-political status, and history. For this study, survey data were collected from people who work in Turkey, a country which has limited legal measures and underdeveloped discourses for equality, diversity, and inclusion. The paper provides significant insights into leading diversity works in national settings with less developed supportive mechanisms for diversity

Circulating extracellular RNAs, myocardial remodeling, and heart failure in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background: Given high on-treatment mortality in heart failure (HF), identifying molecular pathways that underlie adverse cardiac remodeling may offer novel biomarkers and therapeutic avenues. Circulating extracellular RNAs (ex-RNAs) regulate important biological processes and are emerging as biomarkers of disease, but less is known about their role in the acute setting, particularly in the setting of HF. Methods: We examined the ex-RNA profiles of 296 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) survivors enrolled in the Transitions, Risks, and Actions in Coronary Events Center for Outcomes Research and Education Cohort. We measured 374 ex-RNAs selected a priori, based on previous findings from a large population study. We employed a two-step, mechanism-driven approach to identify ex-RNAs associated with echocardiographic phenotypes (left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction, LV mass, LV end-diastolic volume, left atrial [LA] dimension, and LA volume index) then tested relations of these ex-RNAs with prevalent HF (N=31, 10.5%). We performed further bioinformatics analysis of microRNA (miRNAs) predicted targets\u27 genes ontology categories and molecular pathways. Results: We identified 44 ex-RNAs associated with at least one echocardiographic phenotype associated with HF. Of these 44 exRNAs, miR-29-3p, miR-584-5p, and miR-1247-5p were also associated with prevalent HF. The three microRNAs were implicated in the regulation p53 and transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathways and predicted to be involved in cardiac fibrosis and cell death; miRNA predicted targets were enriched in gene ontology categories including several involving the extracellular matrix and cellular differentiation. Conclusions: Among ACS survivors, we observed that miR-29-3p, miR-584-5p, and miR-1247-5p were associated with both echocardiographic markers of cardiac remodeling and prevalent HF. Relevance for Patients: miR-29c-3p, miR-584-5p, and miR-1247-5p were associated with echocardiographic phenotypes and prevalent HF and are potential biomarkers for adverse cardiac remodeling in HF

Circulating Cell and Plasma microRNA Profiles Differ between Non-ST-Segment and ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Differences in plasma and whole blood expression microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been determined in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Although most circulating miRNAs are located in the cellular components of whole blood, little is known about the miRNA profiles of whole blood subcomponents, including plasma, platelets and leukocytes in patients with myocardial ischemia. METHODS: Thirteen patients with a ST-segment-elevation (STEMI) or non-ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI) myocardial infarction were identified in the University of Massachusetts Medical Center Emergency Department (ED) or cardiac catheterization laboratory between February and June of 2012. Whole blood was obtained from arterial blood samples at the time of cardiac catheterization and cell-specific miRNA profiling was performed. Expression of 343 miRNAs was quantified from whole blood, plasma, platelets, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells using a high-throughput, quantitative Real-Time polymerase-chain reaction system (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: MiRNAs associated with STEMI as compared to NSTEMI patients included miR-25-3p, miR-221-3p, and miR-374b-5p. MiRNA 30d-5p was associated with plasma, platelets, and leukocytes in both STEMI and NSTEMI patients; miRNAs 221-3p and 483-5p were correlated with plasma and platelets only in NSTEMI patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cell-specific miRNA profiles differed between patients with STEMI and NSTEMI. The miRNA distribution is also unique amongst plasma, platelets, and leukocytes in patients with ischemic heart disease or ACS. Our findings suggest unique miRNA profiles among the circulating subcomponents in patients presenting with myocardial ischemia

Global fluctuations in magnetohydrodynamic dynamos

The spectrum of temporal fluctuations of total magnetic energy for several dynamo models is different from white noise at frequencies smaller than the inverse of the turnover time of the underlying turbulent velocity field. Examples for this phenomenon are known from previous work and we add in this paper simulations of the G.O. Roberts dynamo and of convectively driven dynamos in rotating spherical shells. The appearance of colored noise in the magnetic energy is explained by simple phenomenological models. The Kolmogorov theory of turbulence is used to predict the spectrum of kinetic and magnetic energy fluctuations in the inertial range

Plasma microRNAs are Associated with Atrial Fibrillation (the miRhythm Study) and Change After Catheter-ablation

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common dysrhythmia in the U.S. and Europe. Few biomarkers exist to identify individuals at risk for AF. Cardiac microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in susceptibility to AF and are detectable in the circulation. Nevertheless, data are limited on how circulating levels of miRNAs relate to AF or change over time after catheter- ablation. Methods: In 211 miRhythm participants (112 with paroxysmal or persistent AF; 99 without AF), we quantified plasma expression of 86 miRNAs associated with cardiac remodeling or disease by high-throughput quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We used qRT-PCR to examine change in plasma miRNA expression from baseline to 1-month after ablation in 47 participants. We also quantified expression of the 20 most variable miRNAs in atrial tissue in 31 participants undergoing cardiac surgery. Results: The mean age of the miRhythm cohort was 59 years and 58% of participants were men. 21 miRNAs differed significantly between participants with AF and those with no AF in regression models adjusting for known AF risk factors (p value of ≤ 0.0006). Several miRNAs associated with AF, including miR-21, miR-29a, miR-122, miR-150, miR-320, and miR-92a, regulate expression of genes implicated in the pathogenesis of AF. Levels of 33 miRNAs, including 14 associated with AF, changed significantly between baseline and 1-month after catheter ablation (p value of ≤ 0.0006). Although all AF-related plasma miRNAs were expressed in atrial tissue, only miR-21 and miR-411 differed significantly with respect to preoperative AF status. Conclusions: Plasma levels of miRNAs associated with heart disease and cardiac remodeling were related to AF and changed after catheter-ablation. Our study suggests that AF has a unique circulating miRNA profile and that this profile is influenced by catheter-ablation

Growth hormone as concomitant treatment in severe fibromyalgia associated with low IGF-1 serum levels. A pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is evidence of functional growth hormone (GH) deficiency, expressed by means of low insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) serum levels, in a subset of fibromyalgia patients. The efficacy of GH versus placebo has been previously suggested in this population. We investigated the efficacy and safety of low dose GH as an adjunct to standard therapy in the treatment of severe, prolonged and well-treated fibromyalgia patients with low IGF-1 levels.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-four patients were enrolled in a randomized, open-label, best available care-controlled study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 0.0125 mg/kg/d of GH subcutaneously (titrated depending on IGF-1) added to standard therapy or standard therapy alone during one year. The number of tender points, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D), including a Quality of Life visual analogic scale (EQ-VAS) were assessed at different time-points.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At the end of the study, the GH group showed a 60% reduction in the mean number of tender points (pairs) compared to the control group (p < 0.05; 3.25 ± 0.8 <it>vs</it>. 8.25 ± 0.9). Similar improvements were observed in FIQ score (p < 0.05) and EQ-VAS scale (p < 0.001). There was a prompt response to GH administration, with most patients showing improvement within the first months in most of the outcomes. The concomitant administration of GH and standard therapy was well tolerated, and no patients discontinued the study due to adverse events.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present findings indicate the advantage of adding a daily GH dose to the standard therapy in a subset of severe fibromyalgia patients with low IGF-1 serum levels.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>NCT00497562 (ClinicalTrials.gov).</p

Disposable silicon-based all-in-one micro-qPCR for rapid on-site detection of pathogens

cycle. Using TriSilix, we also detect the cDNA from SARS-CoV-2 (1 pg) with high specificity against SARS-CoV (2003)

Influences of the G2350A polymorphism in the ACE Gene on cardiac structure and function of ball game players

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Except for the I/D polymorphism in the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, there were few reports about the relationship between other genetic polymorphisms in this gene and the changes in cardiac structure and function of athletes. Thus, we investigated whether the G2350A polymorphism in the <it>ACE </it>gene is associated with the changes in cardiac structure and function of ball game players. Total 85 healthy ball game players were recruited in this study, and they were composed of 35 controls and 50 ball game players, respectively. Cardiac structure and function were measured by 2-D echocardiography, and the G2350A polymorphism in the <it>ACE </it>gene analyzed by the SNaPshot method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were significant differences in left ventricular mass index (LVmassI) value among each sporting discipline studied. Especially in the athletes of basketball disciplines, indicated the highest LVmassI value than those of other sporting disciplines studied (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant association between any echocardiographic data and the G2350A polymorphism in the <it>ACE </it>gene in the both controls and ball game players.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data suggests that the G2350A polymorphism in the <it>ACE </it>gene may not significantly contribute to the changes in cardiac structure and function of ball game players, although sporting disciplines of ball game players may influence the changes in LVmassI value of these athletes. Further studies using a larger sample size and other genetic markers in the <it>ACE </it>gene will be needed.</p